Device and method for automatically tufting upholstery
OwnerJonathon Nicholas Whaleyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for the automatic tufting of upholstery units using tufts (22) comprising a retaining link (12) with a tuft element (14a, 14b) at either end and associated with further tufts (24, 26) is provided. The device comprises engagement means (30, 34) for a tuft (22); means (20) for separating the engaged tuft (22) from the associated tufts (24); means for driving one tuft element (14a) and the retaining link of the engaged tuft (22) through an upholstery unit (40) and withdrawing the engagement means once the tuft is released; and means for automatically reloading the device with a further tuft. A method of automatically tufting upholstery units using such a device is also provided.
Claims18
A device for the automatic tufting of upholstery units using tufts comprising a retaining link with a tuft element at either end and associated with further such tufts, said device including:
- engagement means for a tuft;
- means for separating the engaged tuft from the associated tufts;
- means for driving the engagement means, together with one tuft element and the retaining link of the engaged tuft, through an upholstery unit and withdrawing the engagement means once the tuft is released;
- and
- means for automatically reloading the engagement means with a further tuft.
A device for automatic tufting of upholstery units using tufts comprising a retaining link with a tuft element at either end, said tufts being associated with further such tufts, said device including:
- a tufting needle for engaging a tuft;
- a separator for separating said engaged tuft from said further associated tufts;
- a piston for driving said tufting needle, together with one tuft element and said retaining link of said engaged tuft, through an upholstery unit and withdrawing said tuning needle after said tuft is released from said tufting needle;
- said device being adapted so as to be capable of automatically reloading said tufting needle with a further tuft.
A device for automatic tufting of upholstery units using tufts comprising a retaining link with a tuft element at either end, said tufts being connected to further such tufts in a string, said device including:
- a tufting needle for engaging a tuft;
- a cutter, located in proximity to said tufting needle, for cutting said engaged tuft from said string;
- a piston, coupled to said tufting needle, for driving said tufting needle, together with one tuft element and said retaining link of said engaged tuft, through an upholstery unit and withdrawing said tufting needle after said tuft is released from said tufting needle;
- and
- a reloading mechanism for automatically reloading said tufting needle with a further tuft.
A method for the automatic tufting of upholstery units, said method including the following steps:
- providing a tuft, said tuft comprising a retaining link with a tuft element at either end and associated with further such tufts;
- engaging the tuft in engagement means;
- separating the engaged tuft from the associated tufts;
- driving the engagement means, together with one tuft element and the retaining link of the engaged tuft, through an upholstery unit;
- releasing the engaged tuft;
- withdrawing the engagement means;
- and
- automatically reloading the engagement means with a further tuft.
A method for the automatic tufting of upholstery units, said method including the following steps:
- providing a tuft, said tuft comprising a retaining link with a tuft element at either end and associated with further such tufts;
- engaging the tuft in a tufting needle;
- separating said tuft so engaged from the associated tufts;
- driving said tufting needle, together with one tuft element and said retaining link of said engaged tuft, through an upholstery unit;
- releasing said engaged tuft;
- withdrawing said tufting needle;
- and
- automatically reloading the engagement means with a further tuft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.