US 6,065,412 A · Vertical stitching machine and method

Abstract

The disclosed stitching machine has perimeter clamps to grip the edges of flexible sheet(s): the leading edge clamps being carried on a conveyor to pull the sheet(s) to the stitching area, and the side edge clamps at the stitching area being positioned initially within the area of the sheet(s) and then separated until reaching the respective side sheet(s) edge and being closed, and then being shifted to square the side edges relative to the leading edge. Separation of the opposed clamps stretches the sheet(s) to a flat stitchable condition. The sewing machine can be moved from its home start position until positioned accurately proximate the trailing and side edges of the flat sheet(s), for centering or otherwise locating the stitching pattern relative to the sheet(s).

Claims10

Dependent claims

Apparatus for handling flexible sheet(s) to be stitched by a sewing machine having cooperating needle and hook components, comprising the combination of,

clamp means to releasibly grip a leading edge of the sheet(s), and means for moving the clamp means and gripped leading edge to be vertically above the trailing remainder of the sheet(s) suspended between the sewing machine components;
clamp means and means supporting and moving the clamp means to positions suited for gripping opposite side edges of the suspended sheet(s) and then to positions for squaring up the side edges relative to the leading edge;
clamp means to grip a remaining edge of the sheet(s);
and
means to move the clamp means apart to draw the sheet(s) to a generally flat condition for stitching, whereby
the cooperating sewing machine components can be moved as needed to stitch the flexible sheet(s).

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vertical stitching machine and method

Life of this patent

Vertical stitching machine and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10