Pin type conveyor fabric feeding apparatus for a sewing machine

An apparatus for feeding a sewing machine with textile fabrics, the apparatus comprising:

• two sets of rotary wheels disposed at opposite sides of the sewing machine;
• a pair of loop members wrapped respectively around the two sets of wheels so that elements of each of the loop members can move around the respective sets of wheels with at least one section of their path being horizontal, and spaced from and parallel to the horizontal section of the path of the other loop member's elements;
• drive means, drivingly connected to one of each set of wheels, for driving the elements of the loop member synchronously with those of the other so that, within the horizontal sections of the paths, the loop member's elements are moved in the same direction;
• a pair of holding means, mounted respectively on the loop members, for holding opposite side hems of the fabric to hold the fabric between the pair of holding means at the respective horizontal sections of the loop paths, each of the holding means including a plurality of spike members disposed around the corresponding loop member, the spike members being pointed upward when the spike members are in the corresponding horizontal section, so as to pierce the corresponding side hem of the fabric horizontally disposed;
• adjusting means for adjusting the space between the horizontal sections of the paths so as to stretch or slacken the fabric held by the pair of holding means;
• a first suspension means for suspending the textile fabric in such a manner that the fabric extends between the first suspension means and the horizontal section of the loop path, the suspension means being disposed at a level above the horizontal section of the fabric feeding apparatus;
• and
• a pair of covers which respectively cover over the pair of horizontal sections of the loop paths, the covers holding the fabric in contact with the spike members to hold the fabric.