Abstract: A drive platform assembly is provided for attachment to the carriage of an existing manually-operable fabric spreading machine to convert the machine to motorized operation. The drive platform is connected to the fabric spreading carriage of the fabric spreading machine and includes a drive motor which drives the drive platform in both a forward and reverse direction thereby enabling the carriage to spread successive layers of fabric onto a cutting table. This motion of the drive platform is guided by guide wheel assemblies which cooperate with a guide track mounted on the cutting table. This apparatus includes a speed control and a pair of cam assemblies which automatically reverse the direction of travel of the drive platform and the fabric spreading carriage at the end of each spreading stroke. The drive platform assembly includes a platform upon which an operator may stand to regulate the speed of the fabric spreading carriage, and also to observe and regulate the spreading operation.

Abstract: An adjustable motion control apparatus for fabric spreading machines includes a track which is attached to an edge of the table on which the fabric spreading machine deposits layers of fabric. A pair of blocks are slidably mounted on the track and a rail member is mounted on the pair of blocks. An end of the rail member includes a cam surface which actuates a switch on a carriage assembly of the fabric spreading machine to decrease the traverse speed of the carriage assembly. A cam block is mounted on the rail member and actuates a second switch on the carriage assembly which reverses the direction of traverse of the carriage assembly. When it is desired to adjust the motion of the carriage assembly to vary the length of the fabric being deposited, the operator need only loosen a pair of set screws on the blocks, slide the rail to a new position relative to the table and retighten the set screws.

Abstract: A cutter box and clamp assembly is provided in a spreading machine for laying fabric or other sheet material on a cutting table, for the purpose of cutting off the sheet material at the end of each layer which is spread. The assembly includes a housing mounted on the spreading machine carriage, a cutter frame movably mounted in the housing, a cutter disc rotatably mounted on the cutter frame and drive apparatus for moving the cutter frame and the cutter disc, carried thereby, from one end of the housing to the other. A spring-mounted pressure bar bears against the edge of the cutter disc and the sheet material is fed between the cutter disc and the pressure bar. A clamp member operates to clamp the sheet material to the pressure bar prior to operation of the cutter disc. When the cutter frame is driven in a cutting stroke, the cutter disc rolls along the pressure bar and traverses the sheet material forcing its way through the material to perform a scoring cut and causing the material to part.

Abstract: In a spreading machine for laying fabric or other sheet material on a cutting table, a cutter box assembly is provided for cutting off the sheet material at the end of each layer spread. The cutter box assembly includes a housing mounted on the spreading machine carriage, a cutter frame movably mounted in the housing, a cutter disk rotatably mounted on said cutter frame, and drive apparatus for moving the cutter frame, and the cutter disk carried thereby, from one end of the housing to the other, when the machine carriage reaches the limit of its travel along the table. A spring-mounted pressure bar bears against the edge of the cutter disk, and the sheet material is fed between the cutter disk and the pressure bar. When the cutter frame is driven in a cutting stroke, the cutter disk rolls along said pressure bar and traverses the sheet material forcing its way through the material to perform a scoring cut and causing the material to part.

Abstract: An end catcher for a one-way cloth-laying machine having a protruding cutter box assembly, including an actuator rod adapter mounted on the cloth-laying machine, an end catcher assembly including a base secured to a cloth-laying table, first and second frame sides mounted for linear horizontal movement on the base by means of first roller assemblies secured to the base and received in horizontal slots in the frame sides, an end catcher bar mounted on second roller assemblies received in vertical slots in the first and second frame sides, and cams attached to the end catcher bar for engagement by the actuating rod so as to cause the second roller assemblies and the end catcher bar attached thereto to be lifted relative to the first and second frame sides, while the first roller assemblies in the horizontal slots permit the frame sides to move in a direction away from the machine to thereby provide clearance for the cutter box assembly on the machine.