Multi-needle quilting machine and corresponding quilting method

Abstract

Multi-needle quilting machine comprising at least a base, an introduction unit configured to feed at least a material to be quilted in a direction of feed and at least a stitching unit to make stitches on at least one material. The machine comprises a first stitching unit and at least a second stitching unit each provided with at least a row of needles with an oblong development along a respective longitudinal axis, at least one of either the first stitching unit or the second stitching unit being installed on at least one platform selectively translatable, with respect to the base, in a direction of movement substantially orthogonal to the direction of feed.

1 . Multi-needle quilting machine comprising at least a base, an introduction unit configured to feed at least a material to be quilted in a direction of feed and at least a stitching unit to make stitches on at least one material, wherein the machine comprises a first stitching unit and at least a second stitching unit each provided with at least one row of needles with an oblong development along a respective longitudinal axis, at least one of either said first stitching unit or said second stitching unit being installed on at least one platform selectively translatable with respect to said base, in a direction of movement substantially orthogonal to said direction of feed. 
     
     
         2 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said machine comprises a first platform and a second platform disposed adjacent to each other and on which said first stitching unit and said second stitching unit are installed. 
     
     
         3 . Machine as in  claim 2 , wherein said first platform is installed on said base and is selectively translatable to the latter, and in that said second platform is installed on the first platform and said guide members are interposed between the first platform and the second platform. 
     
     
         4 . Machine as in  claim 3 , wherein the second stitching unit is installed on the first platform and the first stitching unit is installed on the second platform, and in that said guide members are the self-clamping type to selectively constrain the reciprocal position of the second platform with the first platform. 
     
     
         5 . Machine as in  claim 3 , wherein said second platform is provided with a clamping device configured to constrain the position of the second platform with respect to the base. 
     
     
         6 . Machine as in  claim 2 , wherein said first platform and said second platform are each installed on said base, respective guide members being associated to said first platform and to said second platform in order to allow their independent movement with respect to said base. 
     
     
         7 . Machine as in  claim 6 , wherein respective movement members are associated to said first platform and to said second platform in order to translate the first platform and the second platform with respect to the base, independently from each other. 
     
     
         8 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said first stitching unit is stationary with respect to said base and said second stitching unit is mobile with said first platform. 
     
     
         9 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said first stitching unit is mobile with said first platform and said second stitching unit is stationary with respect to said base. 
     
     
         10 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said first stitching unit and said second stitching unit are mobile with said first platform. 
     
     
         11 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of either said first stitching unit or said second stitching unit is mobile also with respect to said first platform in a direction of movement substantially orthogonal to said direction of feed. 
     
     
         12 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said introduction unit is stationary with respect to said base and is configured to feed said material only in said direction of feed. 
     
     
         13 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the first stitching unit and the second stitching unit are each provided with their own activation members, independent from each other. 
     
     
         14 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said first stitching unit is provided with said at least one row of needles and with auxiliary lower stitching members, clamping means being associated to said at least one row of needles and to said auxiliary lower stitching members configured to selectively clamp the movement of said row of needles and of said auxiliary lower stitching members in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one row of needles of said second stitching unit comprises at least a first support bar configured to support said needles aligned along said longitudinal axis, and actuation members configured to supply at least said row of needles of the second stitching unit with alternate motion. 
     
     
         16 . Machine as in  claim 15 , wherein said actuation members are connected to said row of needles of the first stitching unit in order to activate the latter. 
     
     
         17 . Machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said cutting devices are associated with said row of needles of the first stitching unit and are configured to cut said material in a direction parallel to said direction of feed. 
     
     
         18 . Machine as in  claim 17 , wherein said cutting devices comprise at least a blade mounted in a determinate position along the longitudinal extension of said row of needles of the first stitching unit and between at least a pair of needles. 
     
     
         19 . Method for quilting at least a material, which provides to feed said material in a direction of feed by means of an introduction unit and to make stitches on said material by means of at least one stitching unit mounted on a base, and comprising a first stitching unit and at least a second stitching unit each provided with at least a row of needles with an oblong development along a respective longitudinal axis, at least one of either said first stitching unit or said second stitching unit being installed on a first platform, and in that during the making of said stitches the translation is provided of said first platform with respect to said base in a direction of movement substantially orthogonal to said direction of feed. 
     
     
         20 . Method as in  claim 19 , wherein during the making of said stitches, said first stitching unit is kept stationary with respect to said base and said second stitching unit is moved with said first platform. 
     
     
         21 . Method as in  claim 19 , wherein during the making of said stitches, said first stitching unit and said second stitching unit are moved independently from each other in a direction of movement orthogonal to said direction of feed. 
     
     
         22 . Method as in  claim 19 , wherein during the making of said stitches, said first stitching unit is moved with said first platform and said second stitching unit is kept stationary with respect to said base. 
     
     
         23 . Method as in  claim 19 , wherein during the making of said stitches, said first stitching unit and said second stitching unit are moved with said first platform. 
     
     
         24 . Method as in  claim 19 , wherein during the making of said stitches, said first stitching unit and said second stitching unit are mobile with respect to the base in a coordinated manner. 
     
     
         25 . Method as in  claim 19 , wherein at least one of either said first stitching unit or said second stitching unit are also moved with respect to said first platform in a direction of movement substantially orthogonal to said axis of feed. 
     
     
         26 . Method as in  claim 19 , wherein during the making of said stitches the movement of said material is constrained in an orthogonal direction to said axis of feed. 
     
     
         27 . Method as in  claim 19 , wherein during the making of said stitches on said material said first stitching unit simultaneously makes other stitches aligned in a direction parallel to said direction of feed. 
     
     
         28 . Method as in  claim 19 , wherein during the making of said stitches, said material is cut in a parallel direction to said direction of feed.