Automated Machinery Systems, Inc.

Amf Sewn Products, Inc.

Automated Machinery System, Inc.

Mason S Small

Michael N Bennison

Malcolm Craven

Apparatus for use in turning inside out a stitched, hollow necktie assembly includes a guide comprising a hollow tube (2) of which part (4) of the wall is cut away over a shaped length extending from an intermediate part of the tube to a first end region thereof. A turning loop (7) is angled away from the first end region of the tube, the outer surface of the turning loop lying substantially within the projection of the outer surface of the tube along the axis thereof. The turning loop has a turning surface (27) facing generally away from the tube and an opposite surface (28) facing generally towards the tube. The perimeter of the minimum envelope at any part of the shaped length of the tube and at any part of the turning loop is less than the cross-sectional external perimeter of the tube. Drive mechanisms (13,14) are provided for driving a tie engagement mechanism (21) between an advanced position adjacent to the turning loop and a retracted position. During movement to the retracted position the engagement means pulls the tie assembly through the turning loop, around which the assembly is turned inside out, and complete through the tube.

Necktie handling apparatus

A sewing machine capable of simulating hand stitching. The machine comprises a throat plate (101), a needle passage region (104) through the throat plate, a needle (2), upper and lower needle holders (4, 5) for driving the needle between a raised position lying wholly above the throat plate and a lowered position lying wholly below the throat plate, and thread-control drum and looper (9, 11) lying below the throat plate. A thread-guide tube (26) is located above the throat plate for guiding supplied thread so that a section thereof lies in a first thread path. A first clamp (33, 34) is operable to releasably clamp the thread adjacent to a free end thereof when lying in said first thread path. A thread pick-up (42) is movable from a retracted position to an advanced, thread pick-up position, the pick-up being cooperable with the raised needle so that during movement back to the retracted position the picked up thread engages and is held by the raised needle and part of the thread is caused to lie in a second thread path extending from the raised needle to the retracted pick-up. Second clamp jaws (46, 47) are operable to releasably clamp thread lying in the second thread path.

Floating needle sewing machine for simulating hand stitching

Handling apparatus for use in conjunction with a sewing machine and a stitching template for sewing the longitudinal seam in a prepared tie blank. The apparatus comprises a table (1) designed to accomodate a base plate (2) of the sewing machine in a rear central region of the table. The table defines a template loading station (47a) at a front part of the table and to a first side of the table center, a template presentation station (47b) at a rear part of the table and to the first side of the table center, a template delivery station (47c) at a rear part of the table and to a second side of the table center and a template return station (47d) at a front part of the table and to the second side of the table center. Positioning means (69, 71) are provided at the loading station to assist in positioning the tie blank on the template. First drive means (33, 35) are provided for moving a loaded template from the sewing machine to the delivery station; second drive means (41) are provided for moving the template from the delivery station to the return station; and third drive means (46) are provided for moving the template from the return station towards the loading station.

Handling apparatus

A method for forming a template for use in the garment manufacture industry. Apparatus used in the method comprises a support table (10) having an opening (26) therein. A router (13) is mounted below the support table for vertical movement relative thereto and drives a routing cutter (15) that may extend through the opening (26). A blank comprising hinged, overlying plates is positioned so that part of the blank overlies the opening (26) beneath a stylus (38) which can guide a pattern attached to the blank so that the cutter forms a track in the blank having a shape corresponding to the shape of the pattern. The track is cut simultaneously through both plates, and separating cuts are made across the hinge line through the thickness of the first plate only. During the cutting operation cut material is extracted through a tube (27) connected to a source of vacuum.

Growing community of inventors

Leeds, United Kingdom

Mason S Small