Patent ID: 9265298
Filing Date: 2016-02-23
CPC Classification: A42C,D05B,D05C

Claim Text:
1. A clamp fixture for supporting a cap of the type having a crown portion and a brim portion that extends outwardly from the crown portion in an embroidery machine, the clamp fixture comprising: (a) a cap saddle frame, the cap saddle frame extending along a curved path; (b) first and second clamping posts supported by the cap saddle frame at spaced positions along the cap saddle frame's curved path, the first and second clamping posts extending outwardly from a first side of the cap saddle frame in generally parallel relationship to each other; (c) a clamping member, the clamping member being movably connected to the cap saddle frame about a first end portion of the clamping member that is hingedly interconnected to the cap saddle frame so as to facilitate movement of the clamping member between open and closed positions relative to the cap saddle frame, the clamping member having a second end portion that is releasably securable to the cap frame saddle's second end portion when the clamping member is in the closed position, the clamping member including (i) a brim band extending between the first and second end portions of the clamping member, and (ii) a pair of clamping surfaces that are spaced in correspondency to the first and second clamping posts on the cap saddle frame, the pair of clamping surfaces being adapted to cooperatively interact with the clamping posts on the cap saddle frame to compressingly engage a fabric therebetween whenever the second end portion of the clamping frame member is secured to the cap frame saddle; (d) the brim band extending from one portion of the clamping member to another portion, the brim band being movable with the clamping member as the clamping member is moved between open and closed positions, the brim band being externally disposed to the cap saddle frame when the clamping frame member is securably connected to the cap saddle frame's second end portion, the brim band having a contact surface proximal to the cap saddle frame that is obliquely oriented with respect to the cap saddle frame, the contact surface being positioned relative to the cap saddle frame so as to be operative to apply pressure against a brim portion of a hat having a brim portion when a cap having a crown portion and a brim portion is interposed between the cap saddle frame and the brim band, and the clamping member is in a closed position with the second end of the clamping frame secured to the cap saddle frame.