US1883177A - Machine for stitching wire fabrics - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 18, 1932. J. P. wEls MACHINE FOR STITCHlNG WIRE FABRICS Filed Nov. 7. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR W91, s.

ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 18, 1932. 1 p, wEls 1,883,177

I MACHINE FOR STITCHING WIRE FAB-RICS Filed Nov. 7. 1927 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

BY Jon P Wei s.

ATTORNEYS.

OC. 18, 1932. J, P. WE|S 1,883,177

MACHINE FOR STITCHING WIRE FABRICS Filed Nov. '7. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 18, 1932. J. P. wEls 1,883,177

MACHINE FOR STITCHING WIRE FABRICS Filed Nov. 7. 192'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN P. WEIS, OF NYACK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO METROEOLITAN SEWING MACHINE COOPERATION, OF NYACK, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE MACHINE FOR STITCHING WIRE FABRICS .Application filed November 7, 1927. Serial No.`231,539.

This invention is a machine for the continuous stitching of wire or other fabrics as they pass through the processing machine for the purpose of stitching a reinforced cushioned friction edge along the selvages of the fabric simultaneously with the weaving, painting or galvanizing of the fabric.

In the manufacture of fabrics, it is sometimes desirable to place a line of stitching adacent to the selvage as the fabric feeds through the machine. This stitching may be for the purpfose of covering or for hemming the edge. It may also be useful for applying bindings or other trimmings to the edges of lthe fabric as it is delivered from the looms, printing or other processing machines. The improvement will also be found useful for stitching superimposed layers of fabric one upon the other. One object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of a machine embodying sewing machines which can be held in contact with and guided by the fabric, and for this purpose the sewing machines are so arranged as to travel transversely or later- `illy in the direction across the width of the fabric to accommodate different widths of fabric and to also compensate for any variation in the width of such fabric so as to be readily positioned for wide or narrow widths. For instance, when the sewing machines have been operating upon a wide width, the end of which is oined to a fabric of narrow width, the sewing machines will readily step from the wide width to the narrow width without mechanical adjustment. The construction is such also that the sewing machines will automatically adjust themselves to variations in the width of the fabric, and for this purpose the machines will shift or roll to and against the selvage of the fabric and thus always place the stitching at a uniform distance from the selvage along the entire length of the material feeding thro-ugh the machine.

I believe that I am the lirst to provide a machine in which the sewing machines automatically adjust themselves and in the pres ent instance are so arranged as to operate by gravity so as to properly place the stitching along the edge of the material, and in which the weightof the machines will hold the stitching instrumentalities against the edge of the fabric with a fixed or predetermined pressure regulated in accordance with the resistance which the fabric will permit. In the present machine the fabric is held taut at its stitch position by passing the fabric over or between guide or feed rolls to present a taut field with sulificient tension to prevent the fabric from buckling, sagging or bulging beyond a normal limit, whereby the edge mar gin stitch will be uniform. The construction is such that the sewing machines may also be adapted to various processing machines where parallel stitching is required.

`One important application of machines of this kind, for instance, is the stitching of wire fabrics to form a friction cushioned edge, as shown and described in my applica.- tion Serial No. 225,632, filed October 12, 1927, which discloses the purpose o-f the stitching along the edges of the wire fabric. In the treatment of wire fabric, this stitching may be applied at the time of weaving the fabric, or if the fabric must be painted, varnished, galvanized or otherwise treated, the stitching may be applied subsequent thereto just prior to the rolling up of the fabric, after which it is made ready for shipment and commercial use.

It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the stitching of wire fabric, for the machine will be found suitable for cotton, woven or other fabrics for use in the manufacture of any webbing produced in long or continuous lengths.

Among the objects of the invention are the following:

To provide a sewing machine, or a pair thereof, for operation on the edge margin or margins of fabrics whereby the placing of the stitching is determined by the location of the sewing machine relative to the fabric. such location being under the control of the fabric itself; that is to say, the sewing ma chines are guided by the fabric, whereas usually the fabric is guided by the sewing machine.

Another object is to so mount the sewing machines, as on wheels or rollers, and se organizing them that the extent of lateral pressure of the sewing machines against the fabric may be regulated.

Another object is to have the sewing Inachines so mounted relative to the travel of the fabric that they will shift or roll against the edge of the fabric with sufficient pressure to keep the stitch lines a uniform distance from the edge margins of the fabric.

Another object 'is to have the sewing machines so mounted that they can travel in a direction across the width of the fabric, which is being continuously fed through the ma chine, the sewing machines being equipped as a unit and carrying their own power and supply of thread, whereby either or both machines may be quickly detached from active stitching position in the event of failure and another machine substituted therefor instantly, without interrupting the feeding of the work.

Another object is to so organize the sewing machines for stitching the right and left edges of the fabric being fed through the processing machine, that they will travel up to and be guided by the edge margins of the fabric and instantly adjust themselves relative to any variations in the width of the fabric as it feeds through.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine in which the sewing machines will adjust themselves, according to the width of the fabric being stitched, and in the present instance this adjustment of position, independent of one another or relative to the fabric being worked upon is controlled by gravity, which may be regulated to set up sufficient edge pressure across the width of the material to maintain a uniform stitch line relative to the edge margins of Jthe fabric.

In a general way, the invention consists of a machine having a right and left sewing machine loosely nested in cars which travel on tracks. Attached to the bottom of each car is an electric motor having a driving belt leading from the motor to the sewing machine for operating the machine at a proper speed. The tracks are inclined sufficiently to cause the machines to shift toward each other, and this inclination of the tracks will govern the force of pressure set up by this rolling action, since by inclining the tracks slightly the machines will shift toward each other and exert a slight pressure on the fabric, and if the tracks be inclined to a greater degree, the weight of the shifting sewing machines and the cars upon which they are mounted will cause them to eXert greater pressure against the edges of the fabric.

The sewing machines are provided with suitable guides to act against the edge of the fabric being stitched and therefore, the inward shifting movement of the machines according to the inclination of the tracks will create a pressure against the edge of the fabric, being guided through the processing machine under tension. The sewing machines acting on a taut field of this fabric are kept apart according to the width of the fabric passing between them. The guides acting on the fabric are also adjustable relative to the stitch line. The location of the sewing machines may be anywhere in the processing machine, through as a rule the most suitable location is near the delivery end thereof.

The processing machines for handling various fabrics as a rule operate continuously as they are frequently connected to some etl'iei' machinery that requires continuous operation. It therefore becomes very important to have rdependable sewing machines moreover, machines that can be replaced i stantaneously with minimum of iterrup- Tt is also desirable to ifn- a tion of the stitching. .at have extra sewing machines ready to 1 niediately replace an schine *hat has failed to do its work by reason of broken thread. skipped stitches. broken needle or looper. To meetthis essential requirementone sewing 9i. machine can be removed and another one put in its place very quickly, there bein?, 'i clamps, attaching bolts other mcchan means to interfere with the quick hI thereof. lThe sewing machines are for continuous stitching and the cl f, stitching Vwire fabric, the speed chines relative to the ned of the fabL fixed as to place a sti i. in every me fabric or in every other mesh or at other tervals to suit the requirements. ,Vhen electric motor drive is used for ope` `l i sewing machines this drive is enrirell dependent of the feed of the fabric, thor the ratio of speed and feed will place stitches quite uniformly relative to the meshes of the wire.

In some instances it mayv be found desirable to synchronize the drive of the se* g machine to operate the needle somewhat exactly relative to the feed of the fabric fro that the needle will more regularly through the open mesh of the wires as piearranged. i

The sewing machines used i il have merely the stitching thread handling means .s the stitches, there being no feeding elements in the machine such as the usual f and presser foot, for the action of ing elements would damage cory especially those that have been enameled painted.

of the f The Vfeed of the ma erial of the processing machine carries the work past the stitching elements. 1

In thd dr; s accompanying and forming part of this specification, Fig. l is a front vieu7 of this machine illustratin the organi-- nation of the sewing machines in the process ing machine. 13G

Fig. 2 is a side view 3 is a top plan Fig. l is a perspec carriages for support gthe sei-.ving mach Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tracks he carriage of the sewing machine and which may be inclined to cause the sewing machines to shift towards each other to exert suitable pressure on the fabric.

Fia'. 6 is a front detail view of one of the sewing machines showing mounting on the carriage i nd the carriage on the l ined track. This view also illust. the drive to synchronize the stitching with the feed of the fabric.

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail view of the sewing needle, the work guide, the threat late the needle guards above and below the throat pla-te.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the sewing machines and illustrates the needle, the looper, the operating parts therefor and the guide for acting against the edge of 'the fabric, and

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail view of the work guide.

Similar characters of reference indicatY corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining in detail the present improvement and mode of operation thereof, l desire to have it understood that the invention is not limited to the details of consti c tion and arrangement of parts which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and that the phrascology which l employ is for the purpose of description and of limitation.

As the framework of the processing machines vary according to the character of such machine, such frame structure members will be referred to but brieiiy, "ll

El O c inis frame work comprises the upright members 1, 2, 3, and 5 to which may be connected cross -members G and 7. To the members 6 and 7 are secured upright members 8 (see Fig. The fabric indicated by 9 feeds down and around a roller 10 carried by the uprights 1 and 2. Then it feeds over and around rollfr 11 carried by upright-s 8 and then down and under roller 12 also carried by uprights 8 and then past the sewing machines to be desc ibed later. then around rollers 13 and 14; and wrapped around roller 15, from which point it may again fee-:gl upward around rol.- er 16 carried by the upright 5. 'ihe feed of this fabric may come from any source and it is iinally delivered to a rolling up means.

Attache-d to the upright members 1 and 2 is a cross bar 17 and to the horizontal members (i is another cross bar 1S. rFliese 'wo bars are spaced apart, see Fig. 3 to form a support for the sewing machines.

The sewing machines about to be described are arranged for right and left stitching mechanism and as these machines are identical except one is right hand and the other left hand, a description of one will suffice for both.

Pivotally secured at their front ends by pivots 19 and 20 to the supports 17 and 18 are the tracks 21 upon which the sewing machines travel. These tracks 21 may be in the form of angle iron, see Fig. e, secured together by cross members 22 or this track supporting structure may be in the form of a casting see Fig. 5, in which the pivots 19 and may be integral with the tracks 21, while the crossmembers 22 would form the end walls. ln this construction there may be a depression 23 to hold lubricant for gearing in case of a synchronized drive to be de scribed hereinafter. To support the rear end of the tracks brackets 24v are secured to the uprights 1 and 2, see Figs. 1 and 2. These brackets carry adjusting screws 25 in position to contact with the outer or rear cross member 22 so that by adjusting these screws the tracks may be inclined toward the centerof the machine. Operating on the tracks are carriages 26, scc Fig. e, the frame struc ture of which is formed to snit the outline of the sewing machine base. Each carriage is shown provided with three wheels 27, two of which engage one track and one the other and these wheels permit the carriage to roll freely on the tracks. rPhe frame of the carriage is provided with a web or bottom forming corner pockets 23, into which the base of the sewing machine fits freely for quick removal and replacement.

To the bottom of the frame 26 of each carn riage may be attached the electric motor 29, which is provided with a belt wheel 30 carrying a drive belt 31 running to a belt wheel 32 carried by the sewing machine.

rlhe sewing machines generally indicated by 33 need not be described in detail for they are the well-known ls/letropolitan sewing machines with rotary top and bottom crank shaft for driving the stitching elements. These sewing machines com arise an overhangin g arm 3ft and a base 35, and the needle operating mechanism is contained in the arm 3e while the looper operating mechanism is carried by the base 35. Fach machine detachably rests on its carriage 26 for travel therewith. Each sewing machine carries a supply of thread 36 for feeding thread to the needle and loopers, and this thread is supported by a bracket forming a thread stand 37, secured to the sewing machine frame. In order to thread the machines it may be necessary en some installations to withdraw the sewing machine from the processing inachine. This may be accomplished in one way as shown in Fig. 1 by having the frame members 17 and 18 slotted as at 38 with the pivots 19 and 20 of the tracks projecting thereinto whereupon the track pivots may be shifted to the rear ends of the slots 39 free entrance of the material underneath the and thus permit the tracks 2l to be shifted into the position shown by dotted lines at 40. After the sewing machines are threaded or adjusted they can then be quickly put into working position by shoving the tracks inward. In practice, however, it may be found preferable to immediately substitute one machine for another and make repairs or adnstments elsewhere other than at the working position in the processing machine. Under some working conditions it may be desired to incline the tracks to a greater degree than would be practical to operate the machines at under their own gravity.

Where a synchronized drive is necessary so as to time the sewing machine stitching elements with the feed of the fabric, power may be obtained from a shaft 4l, see Fig. 6 of the processing machine to which will be applied a friction clutch 42 and a chain or belt drive 43 to drive a shaft 44 carried in bearings 45 and 46 of the track structure, see Figs. 5 and 6. In this construction the shaft 44 carries a drum gear 47 in mesh with a gear 48 carried by the bottom shaft of the sewing machine. This gear 48 slides back and forth along the drum gea-r 47 'as the sewing machine is carried along the track to adjust itself to variations in the width of the fabric being stitched. To start and stop the sewing machines l provide a shifting lever 50 pivoted as at 48, see Fig. 6 and this lever operates the member 5l of the clutch 42. Pivoted to the upper end of the lever 50 as at 52 is a rod reaching the outside of the machine structure for convenient manipulation by hand for starting and stopping the sewing machine or connecting and disconnecting it with the source of power of the processing machine. The organization is also such as to permit the sewing machine to be lifted off of its carriage and quickly replaced. The depression 23 of the track structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6 forms a housing for the drum gear and permits proper lubrication thereof.

The needle bar 54 of the sewing machine, see Figs. 7 and 8 ca ries the needle 55 which passes down through a slot 56 of a fabric 'f guide 57 which is adjustably secured to a throat plate 58 by screw 59 which passes through an elongated slot, and thus permits lateral adjustment of the guide along the throat plate. The throat plate is provided with a needle hole for the passage of the needle and has its rear end secured to the sewing machine frame as at 60 and its front end secured thereto as at 6l. The guide 57 is cut out or recessed to fit over the throat plate as at 62, thus being guided thereby. The

guide and throat plate form a square or right angle, the throat plate supporting the fabric, while the guide acts against the edge thereof. The guidel has an upturned lip 63, see Figs. 7 and 9 extending along its front edge for the guide and also has a step 64 nnlled on its bottom side, which accommodates the thiol.- ness of the fabric passing thereunder between it and the top surface of the throat plate. This step forms a vertical wall against which the edo'e of the fabric may contact to control the position of the sewing machine relative to the fabric. The length of this guide is sufficient to act as a straight edge so as not to follow minute variations in the fabric such as a slight break in the edge. However, the length of the guide is arranged to snit the requirements and conditions of the work.

Since the feed of the work is continuous, there is considerable st-rain upon the needle, and therefore a needle guard 65 is provided to guard the needle below the throat plate and a needle guard 66 is also attached to the guide to guard the needle and take the pressure thereof above the throat plate. The looper 67 operates in the space 68 between the top surface of the needle guard 65 and the bottom surface. of the throat plate 58.

From the foregoing it will thus be seen that I have provided a machine which is particularly adapted for applying to a wire fabric a reinforced or built-upy friction cushioned edge as the fabric is continuously fed along by stitching the fabric with a chain stitch, which my experiments have shown is the only kind of a stitch that is suitable for this work and in which machine the organization is such that the fabric guides the sev ing instrumentalities instead of the fabric being guided thereby, so that the sewing instrumentalities will automatically adjust themselves to varying widths of work and to irregular edges of the work being held and exerting a constant pressure against the edges of the work by their own weight, and which sewing instrumentalities are not only readily detachable but are also withdrawable away from the work as occasion requires.

llVhile this machine is particularly adapted for the use just described, it, nevertheless, may be used in connection with various fabrics which may require stitching along the edges thereof during the formation or processing of such fabrics, and as such fabrics are usually held taut or fed under tension, it follows that they would guide the sewing inachinos which, as will be seen are located at right angles to the line of feed of the fabric, back and forth according to the width of the fabric or any irregularities in the edges thereof, so as to properly and uniformly place the stitch line along the edges of the fabric.

It is to be understood that by describing in detail herein any particular form, structure or arrangement, it is not` inten ded to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims or the requirements of the prior art.

Having thus explained the nature of my ilo vtically adjusting the tracks,

ably supported by each pair of tracks at the f of its use, I claim:

1. In a machine for stitching a continuously fed tensioned fabric, the combination of. a snp port, two pairs of pivotally supported tracks carried thereby, means for vera carriage shiftopposed edges of the fabric for gravitational movementtoward the edge of the fabric, and a sewing machine carried by each carriage and spaced apart by the fabric.

2. In a machine for stitching a continuously fed tensioned fabric, the combination of a support, two pairs of pivotally supported tracks carrie/dftbereby, means for verticaliy adjusting the tracks, a carriage shiftably supported by each pair of tracks at the opposed edges of the fabric for gravitational movement toward the edge of the fabric, a sewing machine carried by each carriage and spaced apart by the fabric, and means for operating the stitching element-s of the sewing machines and for synchronizing the movement of the sewing instrumentalities of the sewing machines with the feed of the fabric.

. ing the tracks, a carriage shiftablly supported by each pair of tracks at the opposed edges of the fabric for gravitational movement toward the edge of the fabric, a sewing machine carried by each carriage and spaced apart by the fabric, adjustable guiding means carried by each sewing machine for engaging the edge of the fabric, and means for operating the stitching elements of the sewing machines and for synchronizing the movement of the sewing instrumentalities of the sewing machines with the feed of the fabric, and comprising means effective to permit the shiftable movement of the sewing machines relatively to the fabric.

et. In a machi ne for stitching a continuouslv fed tensioned fabric, the combination of a air of spaced sewing instrumentalities supat the opposed edges of and guided he fabric, means for shiftably supporting said sewing instrumentalities, and means for om a gravitational movement of the necrine owing t.instrumentalities toward the fabric, whereby they are self-adjustable to varying widths and the irregular edges of the fabric and whereby the weight thereof will hold `hem against such edges to exert constant pressure against the fabric edges.

5. In a machine for stitching a continuously fed wire fabric, the combination of a pair of spaced sewing instrumentalities 'supported at the opposed edges of and guided by the fabric, means for shiftably supporting said sewing instrumentalities, and means for effecting a gravitational movement of the sewing instrumentalities toward the fabric, whereby they are self-adjustable to varying widths and the virregular edges of the fabric and whereby the weight thereof will hold them against such edges to exert constant pressure against the fabric edges, said shiftabie supporting means comprising two pairs of pivotally supported tracks and a pair of carriages roliing upon said tracks.

6. In a. machine for stitching a continuousiy fed wire fabric, the combination of a pair of spaced sewing instrumentalities supported at the opposed edges of and guided by the fabric, means for shiftably supporting said sewing instrumentalities, and means for effecting a gravitational movement of the sewing instrumentalities toward the fabric, whereby they are self-adjustable to varying widths and the irregular edges of the fabric and whereby the weight thereof will hold them against such edges to exert constant pressure against the fabric edges, said shiftable supporting means comprising two pairs of pivotally supported tracks and a` pair of carriages rolling upon said tracks and said sewing instrumentalities comprising a pair of sewing machines detachably carried by said carriages.

7 In a machine for stitching a continuously fed wire fabric, the combination of a pair of spaced sewing machines supported at the opposed edges of and guided by the fabric, means for shiftably supporting said sewing machines and comprising two pairs of tracks, a pair of carriages shiftable on said tracks for the reception of said sewing machines, means for effecting a gravitational movement of the sewing machines towari the fabric, whereby they are self-adjustable to varying widths and the irregular edges of the fabric and whereby the weight thereof will hold them against such edges to exert constant pressure against the fabric edges, means for operating the stitching elements of the sewing machines. and means carried by the sewing machines for supplying thread to the stitching elements.

8. In a machine for stitching a continuously fed tensioned fabric, the combination of a pair of spaced sewing instrumentalities shiftably supported for gravitational movement toward the opposed edges cf the fabric and guided by thefabric and automatically adjustable to varying widths and the irregular edges of the fabric, and ustable guides carried by said sewing instrumentalities for contact with the edges of the fabric.

9. In a machine for stitching a continuously fed wire fabric, the combination of a supporting framework, means carried thereby for guiding the fabric, a pair of spaced sewof a support, two

ing machines supported at the opposed'edges of and guided by the fabric, two pairs of tracks each pair vertically shiftable and lengthwise adjustable, a carriage rolling upon each pair of tracks and detachably supporting one of said sewing machines, means for vertically adjusting each pair of tracks,thereby to incline the same toward each other thereby to effect a gravitational movement of the carriages toward the edge of the fabric,

whereby the sewing machines are self-adjustable to varying widths and the irregular edges of the fabric, means for automatically operating the stitching elements of the sewing machines, and an adjustable guide carried by each sewing machine for the edge of the fabric.

10. In a machine for stitching a continuously fed tensioned fabric, the combination pairs of pivotally supported tracks carried thereby, means fo-r vertically adjusting the tracks, a carriage shiftably supported by each pair of tracks at the opposed edges of the fabric for gravitational movement toward the edge of the fabric, a sewing machine carried by each carriage and spaced apart by the fabric, power driven means located below the carriages for operating the stitching elements of the sewing machines, and means for synchronizing the movement of the sewing instrumentalities of the sewing machines with the feed of the fabric.

11. In a machine for stitching a continuously fed wire fabric, the combination of a support, two pairs of pivotally supported tracks carried thereby, means for vertically adjusting the tracks, a carriage shiftably supported by each pair of tracks at the opposed edges of the fabric for gravitational movement toward the edge of the fabric, a sewing machine carried by each carriage and spaced apart by the fabric, adjustable guiding means carried by each sewing machine for engaging the edge of the fabric, power driven means located below the carriages for operating the stitching elements of the sewing machines and for synchronizing the movement of the sewing instrumentalities of the sewing machines with the feed of the fabric, and comprising means effective to permit the shiftable movement of the sewing machines relatively to the fabric.

12. In a machine for stitching a shiftable fabric, the combination of a sewing instrumentality located in position to stitch said fabric, means for supporting said sewing instrumentality for shiftable movement toward the fabric, and means for supporting the fabric in position relative to the sewing instrumentality so that the movement of the fabric will automatically shift and control thel position of the sewing instrumentality relative to the fabric according to the width or the shape of such fabric.

13. In a machine for stitching a shiftable fabric, the combination of a sewing instrumentality located in position to stitch said fabric, means inclined toward the edge of the fabric for supporting said sewing instrumentality for shiftable movement toward the fabric, and means for supporting the fabric in position relative to the sewing instrumentality so that the movement of the fabric will automatically shift and control the position of the sewing instrumentality relative to the fabric according to the width or the shape of such fabric.

14. In a machine for stitching a shiftable fabric, the combination of a sewing instrumentality located in position'to stitch said fabric, means inclined toward the edge of the fabric for supporting said sewing instrumentalities for automatic shiftable movement toward the fabric, and means for guiding a continuously-fed web of fabric and thereby automatically shifting the sewing instrumentality relatively to the fabric according to the width or shape thereof.

15. In a machine for stitching a shiftable fabric, the combination of a pair of sewing instrumentalities located in position to stitch opposite portions of the fabric, means for supporting said sewing instrumentalities for automatic shiftable movement toward and from the fabric transversely to the feed of the fabric, and means for guiding a continuouslyfed web of fabric so that the movement thereof will automatically shift and control the position of the sewing instrumentalities relative to the fabric according to the width or the shape of suoli fabric.

16. In a machine for stitching a shiftable fabric, the combination of a pair of sewing instrumentalities located in position to stitch opposite portions of the fabric, means inclined toward the edges of the fabric for supporting said sewing instrumentalities for shiftable movement toward the fabric, and means for supporting the fabric whereby the movement thereof will automatically shift and control the position of the sewing instrumentalities relative to the fabric according to the width or the shape of such fabric.

In a machine for stitching a shiftable fabric, the combination of a pair of sewing instrumentalities located in position to simultaneously stitch said fabric, and means inclined toward the fabric for supporting said sewing instrumentalities for shiftable movement toward the fabric.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for guiding a continuously-fed web of fabric, a pair of shiftable sewing instrumentalities spaced apart and located at opposite edges of the work, and means whereby the sewing instrumentalities are automatically held in engagement assai??V with the opposed edges of the work to stitch the same and permit the work during the fieding thereof to guide and automatically shift the sewing ii trumentalities toward and from each other according to the varying widths and the ii gnlar edges of the work.

19. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for guiding a continuously-fed tensioned web of fabric, a pair of shiftable lewing instrmnentalities spaced apart and located at opposite edges of the web and having guiding means for the edges of the fabric, and means whereby the sewing instrument-oldies are automatically held in engagement with the opposed edges of the web to stitch the same and permit the web during the feeding thereof to automatically shift the sewing; strumentalities toward and ill from each other accom-.ing to the vaiJ widths and irregular edges of the web.

20. In a machine of the class described the combination of means for guiding a continuously-fed web of fabric, a `pair of spaced sewing instrumentalities located at opposite edges of the work, and means for supporting the sewinoinstrumentalities for gravitational movement toward the opposed edges of the work to stitch the same and permit the work to automatically guide and shift the sewing f nstrumentalities toward and from each other according to the varying widths and the irregular edges of the work.

2l. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for guiding a continumslvfed web of wire fabric flatwise in a horizontal plane, a sewing machine located in position to stitch the fabric, and means for shiftably supporting the sewing machine for gravitational movement toward the edge of 1 the fabric to sew the same.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for continuously guiding a continuously-fed tensioned web of fabric flatwise in horizontal plane, a sewing machine located in position to stitch the fabric, means for shiftably supporting said sewing machine for gravitational movement toward the edge of the fabric to stitch the same so that its own weight will hold it against the edge of the fabric and thus cause the fabric as it passes along to automatically shift the machine toward and from the edge of the fabric according to the varying widths and the irregular edges of the fabric.

ln machine of the class described, the lcmbination of means for continuously guida continuously-fed web of fabric, a supan inclined track carried thereby and .iaving the lower end thereof extending tord the fabric, and a sewing machine shiftably mounted on said track for gravitational movement toward the edge of the fabric for stitching the fabric.

In machine of the class described, the combii'iation of means for guiding a continuonsly-fed web of fabric, a support, an inclined track carried thereby and having the lower end thereof extending toward the fabric, a sewing machine shift-ably mounted on said track for gravi' ational movement toward the edge of the fabric for stitching the fabric, and means for adjusting said track.

25. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for guiding a continuonsly-fed web of fabric,a support,an inclineLl track carried thereby and having the lower end thereof extending toward the fabric, said tract: having a lengthwise shiftable movement vely to its support, and a sewing maeliiftably mounted on said track for gravitational movement toward the edge of the fabric for stitching the fabric.

2G. ln a machine of the class lescribed, the combination of means for guiding a continuonsly-fedweb of fabric,a support,an inclined thereby and having the lower crack carried ond thereof extending toward the fabric, said track having a lengthwise shiftable move ment relatively to its support, a sewing machine shiftably mounted on said track for gravitational movement toward the edge of the fabric for stitching the fabric, and means f ljnsting the track to vary 'the inclination thereof.

27. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of means for Duiding continuously-fed tensioned web or fabric, a support, a track carried thereby, a carriage shiftable thereon, sewing machine carried by said carriage, and means whereby a gravitational movement of the carriage and its sewing machine tow'ard the edge of the fabric to stitch the same is obtained.

28. ln a machine of the described, the combination of means for guic ing a continu ously-fed web of wire fabric, a support, a tracl carried thereby and shiftable engthwise relatively to the support, a carri age shiftably mounted upon said track, a sewing machine carried by the carriage, and means whereby a gravitational movement of the machine toward the edge of the fabric to stitch the same is obtained. l

29. The combination of means for supporting a fabric flatwise in a horizontal -olane,

sewing means located in position to sfitcb. said fabric, said fabric and sewing mea s mpported for traveling movement one relatively to the other in the direction of the length of the fabric, and means inclined toward the edge of the fabric for shiftably supporting said sewing meansl for movement down iv d ly transversely to and in position to sii the fabric so that the weight of s. means will automatically hold it. i fabric, the shiftable movement of said sewing means on its inclined means being automatically controlled by the varying widtl s or irregularities of the fabric. 1

30. ln a machine of the class described, the

combination of means for supporting a traveling web of fabric, a pair` of later spaced sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fabric and shiftable relatively .,toward and from each other, and means 'whereby the machines are automatically held in engagement with the edges of the fabric whereby, simultaneously with the traveling of the fabric, the edges of the fabric will be stitched.

3l. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a tensioned traveling web of fabri a pair of laterally-spaced sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fabric and shiftable relatively toward and from each other, and means whereby the machines are held in engagement with the edges of the fabric whereby, simultaneously with the traveling of the fabric, the edges of the fabric will be stitched, and the machines automatically spaced relative to each other in accordance with the width of the fabric.

32. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a travcling web of tensioned, wire screen-formed fabric, a pair of laterally-spaced sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fab 1ic and shiftable relatively toward and from each other, and means whereby the machines are held in engagement with the edges of the fabric, the machin-es be-ing automatically shifted relative to each other in accordance with the width of the screen fabric.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a traveling web of fabric, a pair of laterally-spaced sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fabric, and means including wheels for supporting the machines for relative rolling movement toward and from each other, said means being maintained in spaced relation in accordance with the width of the fabric.

34. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a traveling` web of tensioned screen fabric, a pair of laterally-spaced, chain-stitch sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fabric for stitching parallel rows of chain stitches in said fabric, means including wheels for supporting said machines for relative roliing movement toward and from eacl otlmr, and means whereby the machines are hud in engagement with the edges of the fabric, said machines being automatically shifted relative to each other in accordance with the width of the fabric.

35. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a traveling web of fabric, a pair of laterally spaced sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fabric, means whereby the machines are maintained in proper position to co-operate with the edges of the fabric whereby simultaneously with the traveling of the fabric, the edges thereof will be stitched and whereby the machines are shiftable toward and from each other in accordance with the width of the fabric.

36. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a traveling web of tensioned wire screenformed fabric, a pair of laterally spaced sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fabric and shiftable relatively toward and from each other, and means whereby the machines are shifted into engagement with the edges of the fabric and maintained in spaced relation in accordance with the width of the fabric.

87. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a traveling web of fabric, a pair of laterally spaced chain stitch sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fabric and shiftable relatively toward and from each other for stitching parallel rows of chain stitches in the edges of the fabric, thereby forming a friction grip cushioned edge, and means whereby the machines are shifted into engagement with the edges of the fabric and maintained in spaced relation in accordance with the width of the fabric.

38. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a traveling web of fabric, a pair of laterally spaced sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fabric 'for relatively shiftable movement toward and from each other and operative to stitch parallel rows of stitches along said edges. operating means therefor, and means whereby the machines are shifted into engagement with the edges of the traveling web of fabric and maintained in spaced relation in accordance with the width of the fabric.

39. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for supporting a traveling web of tensioned screen fabric, a pair of laterally-spaced, looper-carrying sewing machines located at opposite edges of the fabric for simultaneously stitching parallel rows of stitches along the opposite edges of said fabric thereby to form a friction grip cushioned edge, and means whereby the machines are held in engagement with the edges of 'the fabric, said machines being automatically spaced relative to each other in accordance with the width of the screen fabric.

Signed at Nyack, New York, this 4th day of November, 1927.

JOI-IN P. VVEIS.

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