Vertical stitching machine and method

摘要

The disclosed stitching machine has perimeter clamps to grip the edges of flexible sheet(s): the leading edge clamps being carried on a conveyor to pull the sheet(s) to the stitching area, and the side edge clamps at the stitching area being positioned initially within the area of the sheet(s) and then separated until reaching the respective side sheet(s) edge and being closed, and then being shifted to square the side edges relative to the leading edge. Separation of the opposed clamps stretches the sheet(s) to a flat stitchable condition. The sewing machine can be moved from its home start position until positioned accurately proximate the trailing and side edges of the flat sheet(s), for centering or otherwise locating the stitching pattern relative to the sheet(s).