A fabric spreading machine

Abstract

A fabric spreading machine has a chassis, an unspooling cradle of opposing proximal and distal drive belt assemblies and a tilting actuator interfacing the cradle and the chassis. The tilting actuator is configured to position the cradle in an unspooling position wherein the cradle is raised to provide clearance under the cradle for piled fabric lengths as the chassis traverses the fabric spreading table in use and in a loading position wherein the cradle is lowered and a proximal drive belt assembly is lowered towards the fabric spreading table to a lesser angle to allow a replacement spool to be more easily loaded into the cradle.

Description

A fabric spreading machineField of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to a type of a fabric spreading machine used for piling fabric lengths cut from a roll of fabric on a spreading table.Background of the Invention

[0002] A fabric spreading machine is used for piling fabric lengths on a spreading table. The machine may comprise a chassis which moves back-and-forth across the table whilst cutting fabric from a spool held in a cradle into individual lengths.

[0003] However, a roll of fabric which may weigh approximately 20 - 30 kg, or even more than 100 kg for heavier fabrics. As such, it is difficult to lift a roll of fabric into the cradle, especially in that the cradle may be approximately at a height of 1 .3 m more.

[0004] Forklifts or specialised lifting apparatus are therefore generally used to lift the roll of fabric into the cradle.

[0005] US 5405100 A (Cooper et al.) 1 1 April 1995 discloses a V-shaped cradle which can pivot with respect to a frame between a loading position and an unwind position. In the loading position, the cradle is pivoted to a position such that a first belt support means is substantially horizontal to the frame and floor to more easily load fabric into the cradle.

[0006] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.Summary of the Disclosure

[0007] There is provided herein a fabric spreading machine comprising a chassis configured to traverse a fabric spreading table in use.

[0008] The machine comprises an unspooling cradle of opposing proximal and distal drive belt assemblies. These opposing drive belt assemblies defining a lower vertex therebetween.

[0009] The machine further comprises a tilting actuator supporting the cradle from the chassis. The tilting actuator is configured to position the cradle in an unspooling position wherein the cradle is raised so that the drive belt assemblies are each angled with respect to the fabric spreading table to cradle a roll of fabric therebetween for unspooling.

[0010] In the unspooling position, the vertex and the fabric spreading table define a raised offset therebetween.

[0011] The raised offset provides clearance under the cradle for piled fabric lengths as the chassis traverses the fabric spreading table in use.

[0012] The tilting actuator is configured to position the cradle in a loading position wherein the cradle is lowered so that the proximal drive belt assembly is lowered towards the fabric spreading table to a lesser angle with respect to a surface of the fabric spreading table as compared to when the cradle is in the unspooling position.

[0013] The drive belt assemblies may be fixed with respect to each other so that the distal drive belt assembly is also lowered in the loading position, but to greater angle as compared to when the cradle in the unspooling position.

[0014] In the loading position, the vertex and the fabric spreading table define a lowered offset therebetween. The lowered offset is less than the raised offset.

[0015] As such, the lowered offset and the lesser angle of the proximal drive belt assembly allow a replacement spool to be more easily loaded into the cradle.

[0016] Unlike the arrangement taught by Cooper et al. which only pivots the cradle about a pivot point, the current arrangement raises and lowers the entire cradle whilst also pivoting the cradle, thereby providing clearance under the cradle for the traversal of the fabric spreading machine to meet the very specific clearance requirements required by the present fabric spreading machine.

[0017] In one embodiment, the tilting actuator comprises a pivot arm supporting the cradle from a distal end and pivoting with respect to a pivot point at a proximal end and wherein the pivot point is laterally offset from the vertex.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, side portions of the chassis may define guide rails interfacing the cradle and wherein a linear actuator pushes or pulls the cradle along the guide rails between the unspooling position and the loading position.

[0019] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a simplified view of a fabric spreading machine when in an unspooling position;

[0022] Figure 2 shows the fabric spreading machine of Figure 1 in a loading position;

[0023] Figure 3 shows a more detailed view of a fabric spreading machine in accordance with an embodiment when in the unspooling position; and

[0024] Figure 4 shows a more detailed view of a fabric spreading machine in accordance with an embodiment when in the loading position .Description of Embodiments

[0025] Figures 1 and 2 show a simplified illustration of a fabric spreading machine 100 whereas Figures 3 and 4 show a more detailed view of the fabric spreading machine 100 in accordance with an embodiment.

[0026] The machine 100 comprises a chassis 101 configured to traverse a surface 102 of a fabric spreading table 103 in use.

[0027] The chassis 100 may traverse the surface 102 on wheels 104, at least a subset of which may be electrically driven. Figure 3 shows a drive motor 123 turning a wheel 104 via a drive belt.

[0028] The machine 100 comprises a generally V-shaped unspooling cradle 107 of opposing drive belt assemblies 108. With reference to Figure 3, each drive belt assembly 108 may comprise opposing rollers 109 acting on a plurality of endless belts1 10 therebetween.

[0029] The drive belt assemblies 108 are described as having a distal drive belt assembly 108A and a proximal drive belt assembly 108B. The proximal drive belt assembly 108B is closer to fabric roll loading position at one end of the table 103.

[0030] The drive belt assemblies 108 define a vertex 1 1 1 therebetween. The vertex 1 1 1 may be defined by the intersection of imaginary lines through the drive belt assemblies 108 and generally represents the lowermost point under the cradle 107 between the drive belt assemblies 108.

[0031] The machine 100 further comprises a tilting actuator 1 12 supporting the cradle107 from the chassis 101 .

[0032] The machine 100 comprises a controller for controlling the operation of the machine 100. The controller comprises a processor which is in operable communication with a memory device configured for storing digital data including computer program code instructions. In use, the processor fetches these computer program code instructions and associated data for implementing the control functionality described herein.

[0033] The computer program code instructions may be logically divided into a plurality of computer program code instruction controllers.

[0034] The tilting actuator 1 12 may be controlled to position the cradle 107 in an unspooling position as is shown in Figures 1 and 3 wherein the drive belt assemblies108 are each angled up with respect to the fabric spreading table 102 to cradle a roll of fabric 1 13 of fabric therebetween.

[0035] The rollers 109 of the drive belt assemblies 108 may be turned synchronously so that the belts 1 10 travel in the same direction to rotate the roll of fabric 1 13 to feed a sheet 1 14 of fabric from the roll of fabric 1 13.

[0036] The sheet 1 14 may be fed through counterrotating feed rollers 106 down a dispensing chute 1 15 onto the fabric spreading table 103. A mechanised cutter 1 15 may cut across the sheet 1 14 to cut the sheet 1 14 into a pile of individual lengths 1 16.

[0037] In the unspooling position, the cradle 107 is raised so that the vertex 1 1 1 and the fabric spreading table 102 define a raised offset 1 16 therebetween. The raisedoffset 1 16 provide sufficient clearance under the cradle 107 for the pile of individual lengths 1 16 of fabric.

[0038] Preferably the raised offset is at least 10 cm but may be 20 cm or more in embodiments.

[0039] The tilting actuator 1 12 is further configured to support the cradle 107 in a loading position shown in Figures 2 and 4 wherein the proximal drive belt assembly 108B is lowered towards the surface 102 of the fabric spreading table 103 and to a lesser angle with respect to the surface 102 of the fabric spreading table 103 as compared to when the cradle 107 is in the unspooling position.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, the proximal assembly 108B may be lowered to be horizontal or parallel with respect to the surface 102 of the fabric spreading table 103. In embodiments, the undersurface of the proximal assembly 108B may lie close or flat against the surface 102 of the fabric spreading table 103.

[0041] The drive belt assembly 108 may be fixed with respect to each other. As such, as the proximal drive belt assembly 108B is lowered to a lesser angle, the distal drive belt assembly 108A is also lowered, but to a greater angle with respect to the surface 102 of the fabric spread in table 103.

[0042] In the loading position, the vertex 1 1 1 and the fabric spreading table 102 define a lowered offset 1 17 therebetween, the lowered offset 1 17 being less than the raised offset 1 16. Preferably, the lowered offset 1 17 is less than half the raised offset 1 16. For example, where the raised offset 1 16 is greater than 10 cm, the lowered offset 1 16 may be less than 5 cm.

[0043] The lower offset 1 17 and the lesser angle of the proximal drive belt assembly 108B allows a new roll of fabric 1 13 to be loaded into the cradle 107 more easily from a lower height.

[0044] The controller may be controlled to only lower the cradle 108 to the lowered position at an end of the fabric spreading table 103 as shown in Figure 2. The controller may interface a rotary transducer interfacing at least one wheel 104 to determine the position of the chassis 101 across the surface.

[0045] The controller may measure the length of fabric dispense from the roll of fabric 1 13 and automatically go to the end of the fabric spreading table 102 and lower the cradle 108 when a new spool is required to be loaded. In this regard, the controller may interface a rotary transducer interfacing one of the feed rollers 106.

[0046] Figures 3 and 4 show a specific embodiment wherein the tilting actuator 1 12 comprises a pivot arm 1 18 interfacing the cradle 108 and the chassis 101 and pivoting with respect to a pivot point 1 19 which is laterally offset from the vertex 1 1 1 between the drive belt assemblies 108.

[0047] The tilting actuator 1 12 may comprise a curved rack arm 1 19 interfacing the pivot arm 1 19 and a pinion 120. The pinion 120 may interface an electric motor 121 via stepdown gearing 122.

[0048] The stepdown gearing 1 12 may comprise a worm drive to prevent gearing runaway when the electric motor 1 12 is unpowered.

[0049] The machine 100 may comprise a single electric motor 1 12 acting on a cross driveshaft at the pivot point 1 19 which acts on respective pivot arms 1 18 at each side of the chassis 101 . Preferably the tilting actuator 1 12 is devoid of any driveshafts or componentry beneath the pivot point 1 19 so as to maintain clearance beneath the cradle 107.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the machine 100 comprises a drive motor 121 at each side of the chassis 101 acting on a respective pivot arm 1 18 and which are controlled synchronously. Similarly in accordance with this embodiment, the tilting actuator 1 12 is also devoid of any cross driveshaft or the like to maintain clearance beneath the cradle 107.

[0051] In alternative embodiments, side portions of the chassis 101 may define guide rails interfacing the cradle 108. A linear actuator may act on the cradle 108 to drive the cradle 108 along the guide rails between the unspooling position and the loading position.

[0052] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order topractise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A fabric spreading machine comprising: a chassis configured to traverse a fabric spreading table in use; an unspooling cradle of opposing proximal and distal drive belt assemblies, the opposing drive belt assemblies defining a lower vertex therebetween; and a tilting actuator supporting the cradle from the chassis, the tilting actuator configured to position the cradle in: an unspooling position wherein the cradle is raised so that: the drive belt assemblies are each angled with respect to the fabric spreading table to cradle a roll of fabric therebetween for unspooling; and the vertex and the fabric spreading table define a raised offset therebetween to provide clearance under the cradle for piled fabric lengths as the chassis traverses the fabric spreading table in use; and a loading position wherein the cradle is lowered so that: the proximal drive belt assembly is lowered towards the fabric spreading table to a lesser angle with respect to a surface of the fabric spreading table as compared to when the cradle is in the unspooling position; and the vertex and the fabric spreading table define a lowered offset therebetween, the lowered offset being less than the raised offset so that the lowered offset and the lesser angle allow a replacement spool to be more easily loaded into the cradle.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein rollers of the drive belt assemblies are turned synchronously so that belts of the drive belt assemblies travel in the same direction to rotate the spool to unspool a sheet of fabric from the spool.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sheet is fed through counterrotating feed rollers down a dispensing chute.

4. The machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein a mechanised cutter cuts across the sheet to cut the sheet into individual sheets.

5. The machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the raised offset is at least 10 cm.

6. The machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lowered offset is less than half the raised offset.

7. The machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the proximal drive belt assembly is lowered to be parallel with respect to the surface of the fabric spreading table.

8. The machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the proximal drive belt assembly is lowered to lie flat against the surface of the fabric spreading table.

9. The machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive belt assemblies are fixed with respect to each other, so that the distal drive belt assembly is also lowered when the cradle moves to the loading position but the distal drive belt assembly tilts to a greater angle as compared to when in the cradle is in the unspooling position.

10. The machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the machine comprises a controller and wherein the controller is controlled to only lower the cradle to the lowered position at an end of the fabric spreading table.1 1 . The machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to measure a length of fabric dispensed from the spool and automatically control the chassis to travel to and end of the fabric spreading table and to control the tilting actuator to lower the cradle when a new spool is required to be loaded.

12. The machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tilting actuator comprises a pivot arm pivoting with respect to a pivot point and wherein the pivot point is laterally offset from the vertex.

13. The machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tilting actuator comprises a curved rack arm interfacing the pivot arm and a pinion turning against the curved rack arm.

14. The machine as claimed in claim 13, further comprising an electric motor interfacing the pinion via stepdown gearing.

15. The machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the stepdown gearing comprises a worm drive.

16. The machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the machine comprises a cross driveshaft at the pivot point acting on respective pivot arms at each side of the chassis.

17. The machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the machine comprises electric motors at each side of the chassis which are controlled synchronously to act on respective pivot arms.

18. The machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tilting actuator is devoid of any driveshaft componentry across the chassis beneath the pivot point.

Images