L&p Property Management Company

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

Michael J Gribetz

Glenn E Leavis

Michael A James

Harry M Cornell, Jr

Mattress cover pad

An automatic thread trimming method and apparatus are provided for tack and jump sewing of fabrics. In a preferred embodiment, a quilting apparatus having a plurality of sets of, preferably, double lock chain stitch forming elements, is disposed on a mechanically linked mechanism in a reconfigurable array corresponding to an array of discrete patterns to be sewn. Each set of the array is equipped with a thread trimming element. In a preferred embodiment, a thread trimming cutting edge is formed on one surface of a thread stitch forming element, preferably on a revolving retainer element that is mechanically linked to the mechanism. When operated in a forward direction, a chain stitched pattern is sewn with the stitches formed in cooperation with the retainer revolving in a forward direction. Upon completion of the pattern, the mechanism is reversed for half of a cycle to bring the cutting edge against a thread, the thread tension is released, the fabric is advanced to pull the thread, the thread tension is reapplied to cause the thread to be cut, and the fabric is positioned for the start of a new discrete pattern.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States of America

Michael J Gribetz