Apparatus adapted for use in the toe closing of hosiery
United States Patent 1- 1 Hazelgrove et al. 1 Apr. 8, 1975 APPARATUS ADAPTED FOR USE IN THE 3.429.284 2/1969 Bryan i12/12|.|2 TOE CLOSNG OF HOSIERY 3,452,69l 7/1969 Ditrich [IQ/121.15 3.520.262 7/1970 Bolles et a]. III/I212) [75] Inventors: Bo l az lgr a an Edward 3.733.294 6/1973 Christiansen ll2/l2l.l5 Tucker, both of High Wycombe. 3.769.924 11/1973 Rogers ll2/l2l l2 England [73] Assign: nflefomai fy Limiled-l Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Buckmghamshlrebngkmd Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Flynn &amp; Frishauf [22] Filed: June 4, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 367,026 ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apparatus for use in hosiery toe closing comprises June [972 United Kingdom N 26481, clamp means arranged to present a toe end portion of a hosiery blank to seaming means for closing thereof, 52 us. Cl. ll2/l2l.l5; 112/12129; 223/43- Said Clamp means comprising a clamp 223/112 ber co-operable with a stationary plate to clamp the 5| Int. Cl D05b 21/00 end Portion tween the ClamP member [58] Field of Search. HZHZHS 2H2 12129. plate, a carrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto 223/39 42 A I the hosiery blank for presentation to the clamp means; Q and means to assist in drawing the hosiery blank onto {56} References Cited the camer UNITED STATES PATENTS ll Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 3.327.664 6/]967 Bryan et ul, 7 223/112 PATENTEDAPR 8l975 SziLU l U? 5 PATENTEDAPR 8&amp;975 75, 0  
 sum 3 OF 5 FIGS.  
 APPARATUS ADAPTED FOR USE IN THE TOE CLOSING 0F HOSIERY This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to apparatus adapted for use in the toe closing of hosieryincluding full hose (stockings and tights) and half hose (socks).  
  It has been previously proposed for example to manufacture hose by knitting a generally tubular blank with an open toe end. a toe pocket close to the open toe end. and possibly a similar heel pocket. A toe closing operation involves making a seam across the open toe end portion of the blank.  
  It is an object of the invention to provide improved apparatus adapted for use in closing the toe of a hosiery blank.  
  The invention provides in one ofits aspects apparatus adapted for use in hosiery toe closing comprising clamp means arranged to present a toe end portion of a hosiery blank to seaming means for closing thereof. said clamp means comprising a movable clamp member cooperable with a stationary plate to clamp the toe end portion between the clamp member and the plate; a  
 carrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto the hosiery blank for presentation to the clamp means; and means to assist in drawing the hosiery blank onto the carrier leg.  
  In a preferred embodiment, the means to assist in drawing the hosiery blank onto the carrier leg comprises a powered wheel adapted frictionally to engage the hosiery blank on the carrier leg.  
  The wheel may be supported upon an arm for movement between an inoperative position in which it permits the hosiery blank to be drawn onto the end of the carrier leg. and an operative position in which it engages the hosiery blank to draw it further onto the carrier leg. the arm also being adapted to transmit power to the wheel.  
  The carrier leg may comprise means to receive the hosiery blank in a retracted position. said means extending to present said portion to the clamp means.  
  The means to receive the hosiery blank may comprise a pair of blades disposed side by side. the spacing of the blades being adjustable.  
  The carrier leg may comprise means for untwisting the hosiery blank before it is drawn onto the carrier leg.  
  The apparatus may comprise seaming means. the clamp means comprising means to move the clamped toe end portion along a predetermined seam contour past the seaming means.  
  The seaming means may comprise a sewing machine which is pivotally mounted whereby it can be withdrawn from its operative position for servicing.  
  The clamp means may comprise a movable plate having a resilient surface facing towards the fixed plate. and means urging the movable plate towards the fixed plate. There may be reverser means arranged to reverse a hosiery blank the toe end portion of which has been closed. and transfer means arranged to transfer a welt end portion of the hosiery blank from the carrier leg to ,the reverser means.  
 &#39; The carrier leg may comprise means to gather the hosiery blank so that the welt end portion is positioned adjacent the spread toe end portion. the transfer means being adapted to enter the so-positioned welt end poriron.  
  The transfer means may comprise a pair of structures relatively movable between a closed position in which they enter the welt end portion and an open position in which they open the welt end portion for presentation to the reverser means.  
  The reverser means may comprise a tube and means for producing a reduced air pressure therein whereby to suck the toe end portion ofthe hosiery blank into the tube.  
  The. reverser means may comprise a to draw todraw the closed toe end portion against the end of the tube.  
  The above and other aspects of the invention will become more clear from the following description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings. of apparatus embodying the invention. This description, which is also illustrative of method aspects of the invention. is given by way of example of the invention only and not by way of limitation thereof.  
 In the accompanying drawings:  
 FIG. I shows a perspective view of the apparatus;  
  FIG. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of parts of the apparatus;  
  FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a carrier leg assembly of the apparatus;  
 FIG. 4 shows a side view corresponding to FIG. 3;  
  FIG. 5 shows a plan view ofa transfer assembly of the apparatus:  
  FIG. 6 shows a side view of means for assisting in drawing hosiery onto the leg assembly;  
  FIG.7 shows a detailed plan view of parts of the hosiery drawing means and FIG. 8 shows a side view corresponding to FIG. 5.  
 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE APPARATUS The apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 8 is adapted for use in closing the toe of a lady&#39;s stocking or the toe of a tight leg which is subsequently to be joined to another tight leg. The apparatus comprises a machine frame 12 on which operative parts of the apparatus are mounted. Control of the apparatus is generally via cams and pneumatic switches.  
  The apparatus comprises a seaming device 14 adapted to provide a toe closing seam. The device can be an adhesive applicator for adhesive seaming but in this case is a sewing machine. A bobbin thread supply assembly 16 supplies thread to the sewing machine 14. The apparatus also comprises a clamp assembly 18 arranged to present a stocking toe end portion to the sewing machine for closing thereof. a carrier leg assembly 20 arranged to have drawn thereonto a stocking blank S for presentation to the clamp assembly 18, a rcverser assembly 22 arranged to reverse stockings the toe ends of which have been closed by the sewing machine. and a transfer assembly 24 arranged to transfer a welt end portion of a stocking S from the leg assembly 20 to the reverser assembly 22.  
  The apparatus also comprises a foam rimmed wheel assembly 26 to assist in drawing the stocking blank S onto the carrier leg assembly 20; operation of the wheel assembly 26 is initiated in the operation of the apparatus by a hand lever 28. The carrier leg assembly 20 comprises a central tube 30 which in the operation of the apparatus at times communicates with a vacuum pump (not shown) via a valve (not shown) and the assembly 20 also comprises a pair of flat horizontal reciprocable blades 32 (H65. 1 and 3). The carrier leg assembly also comprises stop members 33 mounted on the blades 32.  
 The reverser assembly 22 is generally similar to that sembly 22 is arranged to communicate with the vacuum pump via suitable valving in the operation of the apparatus. and is connected to an assembly {not shown) for discharging the stockings in extended condition generally as described in patent specification No. 1073280.  
  The transfer assembly 24 comprises a finger assembly 37 which is mounted for bodily movement on a horizontal shaft 39. The finger assembly 37 comprises two pairs of fingers 38. 40 one pair of fingers 40 being movable between a first position in which they are coplanar with the fingers 38 (FIG. and a second position in which they are spread apart from the fingers 38 (FIG. 2).  
  The clamp assembly 18 comprises a momvable clamp member 42 which is arranged to co-operate with movable smooth horizontal stationary plate 44 to clamp the toe end portion of the blank S between the clamp member 42 and the plate 44; the sewing machine I4 is located adjacent the plate 44. The clamp member 42 is of generally fish mouthed configuration and is movable between an upper position in which it is spaced from the plate 44 and a lower position (FIG. 2) in which it is resiliently urged by a spring 43 against the plate 44. A lower surface of the clamp member 42 is covered by a foam backing 46.  
  The clamp assembly comprises drive means to move the clamp member 42 along a required seam contour passed the sewing machine 14. The drive means is generally similar to that described in patent specification No. l 149965. but modified to provide a seam comprising two straight portions joined by an arcuate portion. Movement of the clamp member 42 between its upper and lower positions is effected by a pneumatic cylinder and piston (not shown) acting via a rocker arm (not shown). Control of the clamp assembly is via pneumatic switches operated by cams within the assembly.  
  The apparatus also comprises a support/guide plate 48 sloping downwardly from the plate 44.  
 OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS In a cycle of operation of the apparatus, the operator takes up a stocking blank S the toe end portion of which is to be closed and which is in a more or less twisted condition. The operator introduces the blank S toe end portion first into the central tube to untwist Shuts off the vacuum to the tube 30. It will be realised that in this drawing operation the blank S is retrieved from the tube 30 and the toe end portion thereof is located over a front end portion of the leg assembly 20.  
  The operator now aligns the toe end portion of the blank with an identification mark provided on the leg assembly and having done this. depresses a foot pedal 50. This initiates forward movement of the blades 32 from a retracted position thereof to present the toe end portion of the blank to the clamp assembly 18; the stops 33 carry the welt end portion of the blank to a position close to the front end of the tube 30. The clamp member 42 is at this time in its upper position spaced from the stationary plate 44 and the blades 32 place the toe end portion of the blank 8 between the clamp member 42 and the plate 44. The clamp member 42 now moves to its lower position (FIG. 2) and thereafter the blades 32 are retracted from the clamp assembly I8 to their original retracted position leaving the toe end portion of the blank 8&#39; clamped between the clamp member 42 and the plate 44. Prior to movement of the clamp member 42 to its lower position, the blades 32 are spaced a little above the plate 44 and on movements of the clamp member 42 to its lower position, the blades 32 are deflected downwardly against the plate 44.  
  The clamp member 42 now moves parallel to the plane of the plate 44 thereby moving the toe end portion ofthe blank past the sewing machine 14 to provide the blank supported by the finger assembly 37; retraction of the blades initiates re-application of the suction to the tube 30 via an appropriate cam and pneumatic control switch. The finger assembly 37 now moves along the shaft 39 to a position adjacent the reverser assembly 22, and the assembly 37 presents the welt end portion to the reverser assembly 22; this presentation occurs prior to completion of the toe closing operation by the sewing machine 14. The finger assembly 37 has now moved away from the blank. and suction in the annular spaced between the tubes 34, 36 draws the blank welt end portion first into the annular space.  
  On completion of the toe closing operation the clamp member 42 is raised slightly by a cam (not shown). thereby releasing the toe end portion. and the closed toe end portion is drawn by the suction against the open end of the tube 36. The suction in the annular space is now relieved and suction applied to the inner tube reverses the hose and conveys it along the inner tube to the hosiery discharge assembly.  
  Once the blank S has been removed by the transfer assembly 24 from the leg assembly 20, the operator is able to commence immediately another cycle of operation by placing another blank S on the leg assembly 20. She may now operate the foot pedal again as soon as she is ready.  
 LEG ASSEMBLY The leg assembly 20 (FIGS. 3 and 4) comprises a yoke 52 comprising an extended tube 53 mounted for sliding movement along the tube 30. A rearwardly extending arm 54 is secured to the yoke 52 and three earns 56 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) are secured to the arm 54 for the operation of pneumatic control switches. The yoke 52 also comprises a laterally extending arm 58, which is secured to a piston rod (not shown) of a pneumatic cylinder.  
 The blades 32 are adjustably secured to the yoke 52 by a bracket and two brackets 62. A threaded spindle 64 connects opposed threaded bores 66, 68 in the yoke 52 and the bracket 60 respectively. A knurled wheel 70 is secured to the spindle 64 and rotation thereof adjusts the spacing of outer end portions of the blades 32.  
 The blades 32 are pivotally connected to the bracket guides 72 secured to the tube 30. A rear end portion of the tube 30 is connected to a hose 74 leading to the vacuum pump by a hose connector 76.  
  In the operation of the apparatus, the blades 32 are moved by the cylinder and piston to which reference has been made.  
 WHEEL ASSEMBLY The wheel assembly 26 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is movable between a lower position in which it is clear of the leg assembly 20 and an upper (operative) position in which it is adjacent the leg assembly 20 to engage the stocking blank S.  
  The wheel assembly 26 comprises two similar wheels 27 mounted for rotation on a shaft 78 in the end of the arm 80. Each wheel 27 comprises a frame 27:! and a foam rim 27b.  
  The shaft 78 carries a pulley 82 which is driven by a belt 84 from a further pulley 86. This pulley is driven by an electric motor 88 via a worm wheel and a shaft 90.  
  The arm is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of the shaft 90, in bearing 92.  
  A piston and cylinder assembly 94 is mounted adjacent the arm 80. and parallel thereto. The piston 96 carries a wedge shaped linear cam 98 which is engaged by a roller-follower I00 upon the arm.  
  When the piston 96 is retracted. the follower 100 engages the thin end of the cam and the wheels assembly 26 is in its lower position. When the piston 96 is extended. the cam forces the follower 100 upwards. thereby raising the wheel assembly 26. Raising of the wheel assembly 26 closes a micro-switch (not shown) which energises the motor 88 and rotates the wheels 27.  
  In the operation of the apparatus immediately prior to operation of the arm 28 by the operator. the wheel assembly 26 is stationary and in its lower position. On operation of the arm 28, the piston 96 extends thus moving the wheels 27 into contact with the stocking blank S on either side of the carrier leg assembly 20. The mirco-switch closes the wheels 27 rotate to, bring the welt end portion of the stocking blank 8 into engagemcnt with the stop members 33. Then the piston 96 is retracted and returns the wheel assembly 26 to its lower position ready for the next cycle of operation of the apparatus.  
 TRANSFER ASSEMBLY The transfer assembly (FIGS. 5 and 8) comprises a l framework 120, and the shaft 39 is mounted for rotation in bearings 122 of the framework 120. The finger assembly 37 comprises a generally U-shaped member 124 from which the fingers 38 extend; the member 127 comprises lateral extensions 126 which serve as stops 1 for the material of the stocking welt end portion (see FIG. 2). The member 124 is secured to a yoke 128 which is free to slide along that shaft 39 but is restrained against rotation relative thereto by a key 130.  
  A link 132 connects the yoke 128 and the framework via a pivot pin 134 and a cam roller 137 the cam roller 137 is freely mounted in a circular groove 139 of the yoke 128. The link 132 is pivotally connected at 138 to a piston rod 140 of a pneumatic cylinder 141 via a threaded connector 142. The cylinder 141 is pivotally connected to the framework 120 by a pivot pin 144. The pneumatic control switch 146 is mounted in the framework 120 and an operating cam roller 148 is arranged to be operated by a member 150 extending downwardly from the link 132.  
  A pair of generally triangular brackets 150 extend upwardly from the framework 120 and a pneumatic cylinder 152 is pivotally mounted between the brackets 150 by a spindle 154. A piston rod 156 of the cylinder 152 is pivotally connected via a threaded connector 158 and a pivot pin 160 to a yoke 162 which is keyed to the shaft 39 against lateral and rotational movement relative thereto. A member 164 is secured to the yoke 162 and is arranged to operate an operating cam roller 166 of a pneumatic control switch 168 secured in the framework 120.  
  Another yoke is also keyed to the shaft 39 against rotational movement relative thereto. but is laterally movable therealong. A ring 169 secured to the shaft 39 limits the lateral movement of the yoke 170. The yoke 170 comprises a circular groove 172.  
  A pneumatic cylinder 173 is mounted in the frame work 120 and a piston rod 175 thereof is connected to the yoke 170. A bracket 174 extends from the yoke 162 and bellcrank link 176 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 174 by a pivot pin 178. A cam roller 180 is mounted on the link 176 and received in the groove 172.  
  The bellcrank link comprises an arm 179 of inverted channel shaped cross section providing a cam track. A cam roller 182 is received in the cam track of the arm 179. The cam roller 182 is mounted on an L-shaped member 183 which is mounted for linear sliding movement in a linear groove 184 of the yoke 128. The L- shaped member 183 mounts a U-shaped member 186 on which are mounted the fingers 40.  
  In the operation of the apparatus, immediately prior to retraction of the blades 32 of the leg assembly 20 from the clamp assembly 18, the piston rod 156 is moved to the right (FIGS. 5 and 8) to move the shaft 39 via the yoke 162 in a clockwise (FIG. 8) sense to move the finger assembly 37 via the yoke 128 also clockwise into an upright position in which the fingers internally engage the welt end portion of the stocking blank on the leg assembly. In this clockwise movement. the member 164 actuates the switch 168 to cause operation of the cylinder 141 to move the piston rod 140 inwardly relative to the cylidner 141; this causes via the link 132 corresponding movement of the finger assem- LII movement causes via the L-shaped member 183 and the U-shaped member 186. movement of the fingers 40 to their second position in which the welt end portion of the blank is spread for presentation to the reverser assembly. in the movement of the finger assembly 37 along the shaft 39 the cam roller [82 runs along th cam track of the arm 179.  
 On actuation of the switch 146 by the member 150.  
 the cylinder 152 operates to return the finger assembly 37 anti-clockwise leaving the stocking welt on the reverser assembly 22. The finger assembly 37 then returns by the operation of the cylinder 141 to its position as shown in FIG. 5, and then operation of the cylinder I73 returns the fingers 40 to their first position.  
 We claim:  
 I. Apparatus for use in hosiery toe closing. comprising:  
 a. seaming means for closing a toe end portion of a hosiery blank;  
 b. clamp means to present said toe end portion to said seaming means. said clamp means including a stationary plate and a movable clamp member cooperable therewith to clamp said toe end portion between said clamp member and said plate;  
 c. a carrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto the hosiery blank;  
 d. means for drawing the hosiery blank onto said carrier leg; said carrier leg including advancing means movable along said carrier leg and operable to advance the toe end portion of a hosiery blank drawn onto said carrier leg between said clamp member and said plate, said advancing means being retractable from said toe end portion subsequent to toeclamping by said clamp means; reverser means alongside said carrier leg for reversing the hosiery blank after toe-seaming; and g. transfer means operable to transfer a welt end portion of said hosiery blank from carrier leg to said reverser means. said transfer means comprising a pair of structures relatively movable between a closed position in which they enter the welt end portion and an open position in which they open the welt end portion for presentation to said reverser means.  
  2. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein the means to assist in drawing the hosiery blank onto the carrier leg comprises a rotatably powered wheel adapted frictionally to engage the hosiery blank on the carrier.  
  3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising an arm for supporting the wheel for movement between an inoperative position in which it permits the hosiery blank to be drawn onto the end of the carrier leg. and an operative position in which it engages the hosiery blank to draw it further onto the carrier leg. the arm also comprising means to transmit power to the wheel.  
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein the ad- 8 vancing means comprises a pair of blades disposed side by side along said carrier leg and means for adjusting the spacing of the blades.  
  5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrier leg comprises means for untwisting the hosiery blank before it is drawn onto the carrier leg.  
  6. Apparatus as claimed in claim I the clamp means comprising means to move the clamped toe end portion along a predetermined seam contour past the seaming means.  
  7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clamp members comprises a movable plate having a resilient surface facing towards the fixed plate. and means urging the movable plate towards the fixed plate.  
  8. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein the said advancing means includes means to convey the weld end portion forward to a position adjacent the advanced toe end portion, the transfer means being adapted to enter the so-positioned weld end portion.  
  9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reverser means comprises a tube and means for producing a reduced air pressure therein whereby to suck the toe end portion of the hosiery blank into the tube.  
  10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the reverser means comprises a means to draw the closed toe end portion against the end of the tube.  
  ll. Apparatus for use in hosiery toe closing. comprising:  
 a. seaming means for closing a toe end portion of a hosiery blank;  
 h. clamp means to present said toe end portion to said seaming means. said clamp means including a stationary plate and a movable clamp member cooperable therewith to clamp said toe end portion between said clamp member and said plate;  
 c. a carrier leg arranged to have drawn thereonto the hosiery blank:  
 d. means for drawing the hosiery blank onto said carrier leg. said drawing means including a drive wheel. an arm mounting said wheel for movement from an inoperative to an operative position in which latter position said wheel is frietionally engageable with said hosiery blank on said carrier leg. said arm including means to transmit power to said wheel whereby said wheel is rotated in contact with said hosiery blank to draw the blank onto said carrier leg;  
 c. said carrier leg including advarieing means movable along said carrier legand operable to advance the toe end portion of a hosiery blank drawn onto said carrier leg between said clamp member and said plate. said advancing means being retractable from said toe end portion subsequent to toeclamping by said clamp means;  
 f. reverser means alongside said carrier leg for reversing the hosiery blank after toe-seaming; and  
 g. transfer means operable to transfer a welt end portion of said hosiery blank from said carrier leg to said reverser means. said transfer means comprising a pair of structures relatively movable between a closed position in which they enter the welt end portion and an open position in which they open the welt end portion for presentation to said re-