Drive platform for fabric spreading machines

摘要

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.