This invention relates to multi-operation work¬ stations.

In some industries where batch production is carried out, it is customary to effect different operations towards completing a product along a production line. One such industry is the garment making-up industry where sewing operations are carried out on garment panels. Different sewing operations, c- . q . seaming two panels together, overlook stitching on hems and so on are carried out on different sewing machines by different operatives, with the work flowing from machine to machine.

It has been found that it can be more efficient to have all or some sewing operations carried out at a single workstation by a single operative. However, it is also found that this can lead to increased operator fatigue and lost time through back problems and the like caused by working conditions at such a workstation.

The present invention provides a workstation that alleviates these problems.

The invention comprises a multi-operation work- Station, comprising a set of operator controls, a plurality of machines each adapted for separate instal¬ lation at said workstation and for connection to and operation by said controls, and machine selection means adapted to select which of said plurality of machines is installed at said workstation and connected to said set of controls.

The workstation may comprise a worktable adapted to receive any one of said machines, said machine selection means being operable to place a selected one of said machines at said location, and said machines may be arranged in a carousel which is indexed by said machine selection means to place selected ones of said machines at said location. The said carousel may rotate said machines about a horizontal axis or about a vertical for said indexing.

The workstation may comprise a worktable which has a plurality of spaced apart machines at different working locations, said machine selection means effecting relative movement between said worktable and said set of operator controls. The worktable may move and said set of controls may then be stationary. The said worktable may be arcuate and revolve. Alternatively, the worktable may be stationary and the said set of controls then moves.

The workstation may comprise an operator support containing at least some controls of said set of controls. The said support may comprise a chair.

The said set of operator controls may be connected to any one of said plurality of machines by electrical sliding connectors.

The workstation may comprise at least one machine having hydraulic or pneumatic controls, the operator control unit comprising valving therefor.

The workstation may comprise contact-less controls. The contact-less controls may comprise infra-red remote switching devices.

The workstation may comprise the said plurality of machines comprising a set of machines specific to a given set of tasks. The said set of machines may be exchange¬ able for another set specific to a different set of tasks. At least one of said machines may be a sewing machine.

Embodiments of a multi-operation workstation according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic front elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detail of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of a second embodiment;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 5;

Figure 6a is a diagrammatic plan view of a third embodiment;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of a fourth embodiment;

Figure 8 is a front elevation of part of the embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of a fifth embodiment;

and Figure 10 is a front elevation of the embodiment of Figure 9.

The drawings illustrate a multi-operation work¬ station 11, comprising a set 12 of operator controls, a plurality of machines 14a, 14b ... each adapted for separate installation at said workstation 11 and for connection to and operation by said controls 12, and machine selection means, comprising a switch arrangement 17, adapted to select which of said plurality of machines 14a, 14b ... is installed at said workstation 11 and connected to said set 12 of controls.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a workstation 11, comprising a worktable 13 having a location 16, comprising a well adapted to receive any one of said machines 14a, 14b ... Said machine selection means 17 are operable to place a selected one of said machines 14a, 14b ... in said well at said location 16.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a workstation 11, in which said machines 14a, 14b ... are arranged in a carousel 15 which is indexed by said machine selection

means 17 to place selected ones of said machines 14a, 14b ... in said well at said location 16.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a workstation 11 in which said carousel 15 rotates said machines 14a, 14b ... about a vertical axis for said indexing, each machine being lowerable and raisable on a horizontal axis to bring it down to the location 16 and raise it up therefrom when indexed into position about the vertical axis .

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a workstation 11. in which .said carousel 15 rotates said machines 14a, 14b ... about a horizontal axis for said indexing.

Figures 7 to 10 illustrate a workstation 11, in which the worktable 13 has a plurality of spaced apart machines 14a, 14b ... at different working locations thereon and said machine selection means 17 effects relative movement between said worktable 13 and said set 12 of operator controls.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a workstation 11, in which said worktable 13 moves and said set 12 of controls is stationary.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a workstation 11, in which said worktable 13 is stationary and said set 12 of controls moves.

Figures 7 to 10 illustrate a workstation 11, in which at least some controls of said set 12 of controls are comprised in an operator support 22.

Figures 7 to 10 illustrate a workstation 11, in which said support 22 comprises a chair.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a workstation 11, in which said set 12 of operator controls are connected to any one of a. selection of said plurality of machines 14a, 14b ... by electrical sliding connections 20, 21. On additional set of controls for selected machine 14a, 14b ... comprises a pedal 19.

Figure 6a illustrates a workstation 11, in which at least one of machines 14a, 14b ... has hydraulic controls, the operator control unit 12 comprises valving therefor.

Figures 7 to 10 illustrate a workstation 11 comprising infra-red, remote contact-less controls 23.

Figures 1 to 10 illustrate a workstation 11, in which said plurality of machines 14a, 14b ... comprises a

set of machines specific to a given set of tasks. Said set of machines 14a, 14b ... are exchangeable for another set specific to a different set of tasks. At least one of said machines 14a, 14b ... may be a sewing machine.