Embroidery frame

An embroidery frame includes a mounting portion to be mounted on a sewing machine and a frame portion. The frame portion has a first frame, a hinge portion, a second frame, a first clamping portion, and a second clamping portion. The first frame is connected to the mounting portion. The hinge portion is connected to one end of the first frame. The second frame is connected at one end to the hinge portion such that the second frame is able to rotate with respect to the first frame. The first clamping portion is configured to clamp the first sewing object together with the first frame while the second frame is open with respect to the first frame. The second clamping portion is configured to clamp the second sewing object together with the second frame while the second frame is open with respect to the first frame.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an embroidery frame to be mounted on a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing.

An embroidery frame to be mounted on a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing is known. With a related embroidery frame, while a first sewing object is clamped between a cloth frame and a front frame, a second sewing object is overlapped on the surface of the first sewing object, and the second sewing object can additionally to be clamped by the front frame and an inner frame. When sewing a stuffed toy or the like with a sewing machine on which the embroidery frame is mounted, a pattern is first embroidered on the first sewing object, and then the second sewing object is held to the surface of the first sewing object, and sewing can be performed along the outline of the pattern.

SUMMARY

With the related embroidery frame, when patterns are sewn on both the first sewing object and the second sewing object, the operation of overlapping the first sewing object and the second sewing object taking the arrangement of the patterns into account becomes complicated.

Various embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide an embroidery frame to be mounted on a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing, in which it is easy to position the second sewing object relative to the first sewing object by a simpler operation than in the past, even when a pattern is embroidered on both the first sewing object and the second sewing object.

Embodiments provide an embroidery frame that includes a mounting portion and a frame portion. The mounting portion is a portion to be mounted on a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing. The frame portion is configured to hold a first sewing object and a second sewing object. The frame portion has a first frame, a hinge portion, a second frame, a first clamping portion, and a second clamping portion. The first frame is connected to the mounting portion and configured to hold the first sewing object. The hinge portion is connected to one end of the first frame. The second frame is connected at one end to the hinge portion such that the second frame is able to rotate with respect to the first frame. The second frame has a frame shape. The second frame is configured to hold the second sewing object. The first clamping portion is configured to clamp the first sewing object together with the first frame while the second frame is open with respect to the first frame. The second clamping portion is configured to clamp the second sewing object together with the second frame while the second frame is open with respect to the first frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings. A physical configuration of a sewing machine1on which an embroidery frame movement mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the movement mechanism)40is mounted will be explained with reference toFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The up-down direction, the lower right side, the upper left side, the lower left side and the upper right side ofFIG. 1respectively correspond to the up-down direction, the front side, the rear side, the left side and the right side of the sewing machine1on which the movement mechanism40is mounted. The longitudinal direction of a bed portion11and an arm portion13is the left-right direction of the sewing machine1, and the side on which a pillar12is disposed is the right side. The extending direction of the pillar12is the up-down direction of the sewing machine1.

As shown inFIG. 1, the sewing machine1is provided with the bed portion11, the pillar12, the arm portion13and a head portion14. The bed portion11is a base portion of the sewing machine1and extends in the left-right direction. The pillar12is provided so as to extend upward from the right end portion of the bed portion11. The arm portion13faces the bed portion11and extends to the left from the upper end of the pillar12. The head portion14is coupled to the left leading end portion of the arm portion13.

A feed dog, a feed mechanism, a shuttle mechanism and the like, which are not shown in the drawings, are provided inside the bed portion11of the sewing machine1. When normal sewing that is not embroidery sewing is performed, the feed dog is driven by the feed mechanism and moves the sewing object by a predetermined movement amount. The shuttle mechanism entwines an upper thread (not shown in the drawings) with a lower thread (not shown in the drawings) below a needle plate (not shown in the drawings) that is provided on an upper surface of the bed portion11. The pillar12is internally provided with a sewing machine motor31(refer toFIG. 2). An upper portion of the arm portion13is provided with a cover16that can open and close.FIG. 1shows the sewing machine1when the cover16is in an open state. When the cover16is in a closed state, a thread housing portion18is provided below the cover16(namely, inside the arm portion13). The thread housing portion18can house a thread spool20around which the upper thread is wound. A drive shaft (not shown in the drawings) that extends in the left-right direction is provided inside the arm portion13. The drive shaft is rotationally driven by the sewing machine motor31. The head portion14is provided with a needle bar6, a pressor bar8, and the like. The sewing needle7is detachably mounted on the lower end of the needle bar6. A pressor foot9is detachably attached to the lower end portion of the pressor bar8. The needle bar6is driven in the up-down direction by the rotation of the drive shaft.

The movement mechanism40is configured to be removably mounted on the bed portion11of the sewing machine1. The movement mechanism40is configured to relatively move an embroidery frame50configured to hold a sewing object C by a first frame51and a second frame52, with respect to the needle bar6. The single embroidery frame selected from among a plurality of types of embroidery frames including the embroidery frame50and an embroidery frame80(refer toFIG. 3) described later, can be mounted on and removed from the movement mechanism40. The movement mechanism40is provided with a main body portion41and a carriage42. The carriage42is provided with a holder43, a Y axis movement mechanism (not shown in the drawings) and a Y axis motor33(refer toFIG. 2). The holder43is provided on the right side surface of the carriage42. The embroidery frame50is configured to be mounted on and removed from the holder43. The Y axis movement mechanism causes the holder43to move in the front-rear direction (a Y axis direction). The Y axis motor33is configured to drive the Y axis movement mechanism.

The main body portion41is internally provided with an X axis movement mechanism (not shown in the drawings) and an X axis motor32(refer toFIG. 2). The X axis movement mechanism causes the carriage42to move in the left-right direction (an X axis direction). The X axis motor is configured to drive the X axis movement mechanism. When embroidery sewing is performed using the embroidery frame50, the movement mechanism40is configured to move the embroidery frame50mounted on the carriage42(more specifically, on the frame holder) to a position indicated by an XY coordinate system (an embroidery coordinate system) specific to the embroidery frame50.

An electrical configuration of the sewing machine1will be explained with reference toFIG. 2. The sewing machine1is provided with the CPU61, a ROM62, the RAM63, the flash memory64and an input/output (I/O) interface66. The CPU61is connected to the ROM62, the RAM63, the flash memory64and the I/O interface66, via a bus65.

The CPU61performs overall control of the sewing machine1and performs various types of calculations and processing that relate to sewing, in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM62. The ROM62is provided with a plurality of storage areas (not shown in the drawings) including a program storage area. The various programs (including a program to execute sewing processing described later) to operate the sewing machine1are stored in the program storage area.

The RAM63is provided with a storage area to store calculation results etc. obtained by the CPU61performing arithmetic processing. The flash memory64stores various parameters etc. for the sewing machine1to perform various types of processing. The flash memory64may store, for each of a plurality of patterns, the embroidery data for sewing patterns that can be sewn by the sewing machine1. The embroidery data includes stitch data for each piece of color change data. The color change data is data indicating the color of thread that forms a stitch. The stitch data is data indicating a stitch forming position (needle drop position) included in the pattern by coordinates in an embroidery coordinate system. That is, the stitch data includes data groups indicating a plurality of coordinates for each needle drop point. The flash memory64may further store the correspondence between the type of embroidery frame that can be mounted on the holder43, and the sewing area. The sewing area is the area where sewing is possible, which is set inside the embroidery frame that is mounted on the holder43of the sewing machine1. Drive circuits71to74, the touch panel26, the start/stop switch29, and the detector36are connected to the I/O interface66. The detector36detects that the embroidery frame50has been mounted on the movement mechanism40, and outputs a detection result corresponding to the type of the embroidery frame. The detector36of the present embodiment is configured to detect the type of embroidery frame according to the ON and OFF combination of a plurality of mechanical switches (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2015-147008, the relevant portions of which are herein incorporated by reference). Furthermore, the detector36of the present embodiment is configured to detect the open/closed state of the embroidery frame80when the embroidery frame80is mounted on the holder43. The detector for detecting the type of embroidery frame and the detector for detecting the state of the embroidery frame may be separate, or the detector may be omitted as necessary.

The drive circuit71is connected to the sewing machine motor31. The drive circuit71drives the sewing machine motor31in accordance with a control signal from the CPU61. When the sewing machine motor31is driven, the needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism is driven via the drive shaft (not shown in the drawings) of the sewing machine1, and the needle bar6moves up and down. The drive circuit72is connected to the X axis motor32. The drive circuit73is connected to the Y axis motor33. The drive circuits72and73drive the X axis motor32and the Y axis motor33, respectively, in accordance with a control signal from the CPU61. When the X axis motor32and the Y axis motor33are driven, the embroidery frame50mounted on the movement mechanism40moves in the left-right direction (the X axis direction) and the front-rear direction (the Y axis direction) by a movement amount corresponding to the control signal. The drive circuit74drives the LCD15in accordance with a control signal from the CPU61, and causes an image to be displayed on the LCD15.

Operations of the sewing machine1will be explained briefly. When embroidery sewing is performed using the embroidery frame, the needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism (not shown in the drawings) and the shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings) are driven in combination with the embroidery frame being moved in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction by the movement mechanism40. Thus, an embroidery pattern is sewn on the sewing object C held by the embroidery frame, using the sewing needle7mounted on the needle bar6.

The embroidery frame80will now be described with reference toFIG. 3toFIG. 7, andFIG. 9. The embroidery frame80is used, for example, when making a stuffed toy onto which an embroidery pattern is sewn, or a bag onto which an embroidery pattern is sewn. The embroidery frame80includes a mounting portion81and a frame portion45. The mounting portion81is a portion to be mounted on the sewing machine1capable of embroidery sewing. The frame portion45is a portion that can hold a first sewing object C1and a second sewing object C2exemplified inFIG. 9. The frame portion45includes a first frame82, a pair of hinge portions84, a second frame83, a first clamping portion85, and a second clamping portion86. The first sewing object C1and the second sewing object C2may be a single sewing object or separate sewing objects. In the description below, the configuration of the embroidery frame80will be described based on a state in which the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82shown inFIG. 4(A). The up-down direction, the lower right side, the upper left side, the lower left side, and the upper right side inFIG. 4(A)andFIG. 4(B)correspond to the up-down direction, the right side, the left side, the front side, and the rear side, respectively, of the embroidery frame80mounted on the movement mechanism40. The longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81is the front-rear direction of the embroidery frame80. The side on which mounting portion81is arranged is the left side.

The mounting portion81is a portion that is to be detachably mounted on the holder43of the sewing machine1, with the front-rear direction being the longitudinal direction. The mounting portion81has a connecting portion92that connects to the first frame82on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81, and has a restricting portion78on the other end side in the longitudinal direction. The mounting portion81of the present embodiment has the connecting portion92that protrudes toward the right on a rear end portion of the mounting portion81, and has the restricting portion78on a front end side of the mounting portion81. The restricting portion78restricts the second frame83from rotating beyond a predetermined angle with respect to the first frame82. The predetermined angle is set, as appropriate, according to the configuration of the sewing machine1, and the predetermined angle of the present embodiment is 180 degrees extending substantially parallel to the upper surface of the bed portion11. That is, the first frame82and the second frame83are arranged on the same plane, when the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82. The predetermined angle may be an angle with a set range (from 178 degrees to 182 degrees, for example). The restricting portion78of the present embodiment is a portion that protrudes in the direction (toward the right) toward the second frame83from the mounting portion81when the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82. As shown inFIG. 9, the mounting portion81has, on a left portion, four protruding portions59protruding toward the left that are arranged in the front-rear direction and indicate the type of the embroidery frame80. The sewing machine1on which the embroidery frame80is mounted detects, with a plurality of mechanical switches, the arrangement of the four protruding portions59and a detection portion97, described later, and can detect the type as well as the open/closed state of the embroidery frame80.

The first frame82is a frame-shaped member that is connected to the mounting portion81and can hold the first sewing object C1. The first frame82of the present embodiment has a frame shape that is rectangular in a plan view, and a left end portion is fixed by three screws38to the connecting portion92of the mounting portion81. The three screws38extend in the up-down direction and are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the front-rear direction. The first frame82includes a first magnetic body2. The entire first frame82of the present embodiment is formed by the first magnetic body2of stainless steel or the like. An inner periphery76of the first frame82has, on each of the left side portion and the right side portion of the inner periphery76, two recessed portions44that are recessed toward the side away from the region surrounded by the largest rectangle inscribed in the inner periphery76. The embroidery frame80has, on the rear end of the first frame82, a lock mechanism89that fixes the second frame83to the first frame82when the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82. This lock mechanism89will be described later.

The pair of hinge portions84are connected to one end of the first frame82. The pair of hinge portions84are connected to the left end portion of the front end of the first frame82and the right end portion of the front end of the first frame82, respectively. The rotational center M of the hinge portions84extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81. The longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81of the present embodiment is the front-rear direction, and the rotational axis of the hinge portions84extends in the left-right direction. That is, the rotational axis of the hinge portions84of the present embodiment extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81in a horizontal plane that is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the bed portion11of the sewing machine1, when the embroidery frame80is mounted on the sewing machine1.

The second frame83is a frame-shaped member of which one end is connected to the pair of hinge portions84in a manner rotatable with respect to the first frame82, and is capable of holding the second sewing object C2. That is, the first frame82and the second frame83are connected by the pair of hinge portions84, such that the second frame83can rotate with respect to the first frame82. The second frame83includes a second magnetic body3. The entire second frame83of the present embodiment is formed by the second magnetic body3of stainless steel or the like. The second frame83has a frame shape that is rectangular in a plan view, and the shape of the region surrounded by an inner periphery77of the second frame83is rectangular in a plan view. The second frame83has, on each of a left side portion and a right side portion of an outer periphery4of the second frame83, one recessed portion49that is recessed toward the side of the region surrounded by the inner periphery77.

The second frame83includes an abutting portion91that abuts against the restricting portion78of the mounting portion81when the second frame83is opened a predetermined angle with respect to the first frame82. The abutting portion91is provided on the opposite side (the front side) of the second frame83from the side (the rear side) that is connected to the hinge portions84, and on the side (the left side) of the second frame83that faces the restricting portion78, i.e., the left front side of the second frame83. The embroidery frame80has a fixing portion90that fixes the position of the second frame83with respect to the first frame82in a state where the abutting portion91is abutted against the restricting portion78, that is, in a state where the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82. The fixing portion90is a bar-shaped lever that is configured to rotate about a shaft87that extends in a direction intersecting the restricting portion78. The fixing portion90can fix the position of the second frame83with respect to the first frame82by clamping the abutting portion91of the second frame83together with the restricting portion78in the up-down direction, when the fixing portion90is oriented extending in the front-rear direction shown inFIG. 3. The fixing portion90unfixes the position of the second frame83with respect to the first frame82when the fixing portion90is oriented extending in the left-right direction shown inFIG. 4(B). The second frame83has a gripping portion98on the front end. The gripping portion98is a plate-shaped portion that has an L-shape created by the front end protruding upward in a right side view, and has a U-shape with the rear side being open in a plan view. The second frame83also has a protruding portion39that protrudes upward at a center portion, in the front-rear direction, of a left side portion of the second frame83. The abutting portion91of the second frame83abuts against the upper surface of the abutting portion34of the connecting portion92of the mounting portion81when the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82. The abutting portion34is a portion in substantially the center, in front-rear direction, of the connecting portion92, which extends substantially parallel on the first frame82side (the rear side).

The first clamping portion85is a member capable of clamping the first sewing object C1together with the first frame82, while the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82. The first clamping portion85is in the shape of a frame capable of clamping the first sewing object C1with the first frame82by magnetic force, and includes a first magnet93in a position facing the first magnetic body2in a clamping position. The first clamping portion85of the present embodiment is in the shape of a rectangular frame having sides that extend in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction in a plan view. The clamping position of the present embodiment is a position where the overlapping portion of the first frame82and the first clamping portion85via the first sewing object C1is largest, as shown inFIG. 4(A)andFIG. 9. In the clamping position, the front side and the rear side of the inner periphery76of the first frame82, and the front side and the rear side of the inner periphery46of the first clamping portion85, are substantially aligned in a plan view. In the clamping position, the first clamping portion85does not overlap with the hinge portions84. The first clamping portion85is made of resin such as plastic resin. With the first clamping portion85of the present embodiment, two cylindrical first magnets93are disposed on each of the left side portion and the right side portion of the first clamping portion85, and three first magnets93are disposed on the rear side portion of the first clamping portion85. The first magnet93is not disposed on the front side portion (the portion on the hinge portions84side) of the first clamping portion85. Each of the first magnets93is retained in a hole68recessed downward that is provided in an upper surface of the first clamping portion85, as shown inFIG. 7(D). The first magnet93and the hole68are both covered from above by a yoke94that has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The yoke94is a magnetic body (an iron plate, for example) that guides the magnetic flux generated by the first magnet93. The yoke94extends along the side of the first clamping portion85, and both end portions in the longitudinal direction are fixed to the first clamping portion85from below by a pair of screws35. Each of the first magnets93is disposed between the pair of screws35that fix the yoke94to the first clamping portion85.

The second clamping portion86is a member capable of clamping the second sewing object C2together with the second frame83, while the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82. The second clamping portion86is in the shape of a frame capable of clamping the second sewing object C2with the second frame83by magnetic force, and includes a second magnet95in a position facing the second magnetic body3in the clamping position. The second clamping portion86of the present embodiment is in the shape of a rectangular frame having sides that extend in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction in a plan view. The clamping position of the present embodiment is a position where the overlapping portion of the second frame83and the second clamping portion86via the second sewing object C2is largest, as shown inFIG. 4(A)andFIG. 9. In the clamping position, the inner periphery77of the second frame83and the inner periphery47of the second clamping portion86are substantially aligned in a plan view. In the clamping position, the second clamping portion86does not overlap with the hinge portions84. The second clamping portion86is made of resin such as plastic resin. With the second clamping portion86of the present embodiment, two cylindrical second magnets95are disposed on each of the left side portion and the right side portion of the second clamping portion86, and three second magnets95are disposed on the front side portion of the second clamping portion86. The second magnet95is not disposed on the rear side portion (the portion on the hinge portions84side) of the second clamping portion86. Each of the second magnets95is retained in a hole (not shown in the drawings) recessed downward that is provided in an upper surface of the second clamping portion86, similar to the first magnet93. The upper surface of each of the second magnets95is covered from above by a yoke96that has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The yoke96is a magnetic body (an iron plate, for example) that guides the magnetic flux generated by the second magnet95. The yoke96is fixed at both end portions in the longitudinal direction to the second clamping portion86by a pair of screws37. Each of the second magnets95is disposed between the pair of screws37that fix the yoke96to the second clamping portion86.

As shown inFIG. 4(B), when the first clamping portion85and the second clamping portion86are each provided in the clamping position, and the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82, the left side and the right side of the inner periphery77of the second frame83each overlap with a portion of the inner periphery76of the first frame82where the recessed portions44are not provided. When the first clamping portion85and the second clamping portion86are each provided in the clamping position, and the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82, the second clamping portion86is not in a position facing the first magnets93, and the first clamping portion85is not in a position facing the second magnets95. More specifically, while the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82, the members of the embroidery frame80are in the following positional relationships. The left side portion, the rear side portion, and the right side portion of the first clamping portion85, where the first magnets93are provided, are to the outside of a left side portion, a rear side portion, and a right side portion, respectively, of the second clamping portion86. The left side portion, the rear side portion, and the right side portion of the first clamping portion85do not overlap in the up-down direction with the left side portion, the rear side portion, and the right side portion, respectively, of the second clamping portion86. The first magnets93on the front side, of the two first magnets93on each of the left side portion and the right side portion of the first clamping portion85, are disposed in the recessed portions49of the second frame83, and the rear first magnets93are disposed to the rear of the second frame83and the second clamping portion86. The three second magnets95disposed on the side portion on the side opposite the hinge portions84side in the front-rear direction of the second clamping portion86are disposed to the front of the rear side portion of the first frame82and the rear side portion of the first clamping portion85. The two second magnets95disposed on each of the left side portion and the right side portion of the second clamping portion86are disposed in the recessed portions44corresponding to the first frame82. None of the first magnets93are disposed overlapping with any of the second magnets95in the up-down direction.

The embroidery frame80further includes the detection portion97that detects when the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82. The detection portion97of the present embodiment is disposed in a recessed portion that is recessed downward and extends in the left-right direction, and is provided slightly to the rear of the center, in the front-rear direction, of the mounting portion81, as shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5. The detection portion97has a lever shape that extends in the left-right direction. The detection portion97is rotatably supported on the mounting portion81by a shaft48that extends in the front-rear direction, in a position to the right of the center, in the left-right direction, of the mounting portion81. When the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82, the left end portion of the detection portion97abuts against the mounting portion81, as shown inFIG. 5(A). When the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82, the right end of the detection portion97is pushed downward by the protruding portion39of the second frame83, such that the shaft48rotates clockwise in a front view about the shaft48, and the left end portion of the detection portion97separates from the mounting portion81, as shown inFIG. 5(B). When the embroidery frame80is mounted on the sewing machine1, the detector36of the sewing machine1can detect whether the second frame83of the embroidery frame80is closed with respect to the first frame82, on the basis of the position in the up-down direction of the left end portion of the detection portion97. More specifically, when the second frame83of the embroidery frame80is open with respect to the first frame82, the left end portion of the detection portion97is at the same height as the four protruding portions59of the mounting portion81, and abuts against a mechanical switch that is in a position facing the detection portion97, of a plurality of mechanical switches of the detector36, turning the mechanical switch ON. When the second frame83of the embroidery frame80is closed with respect to the first frame82, the left end portion of the detection portion97is higher than the upper ends of the four protruding portions59of the mounting portion81, so none of the plurality of mechanical switches of the detector36turn ON. The detector36of the sewing machine1can detect whether the second frame83of the embroidery frame80is closed with respect to the first frame82, on the basis of the ON and OFF combination of the plurality of mechanical switches being different when the embroidery frame80is open than when the embroidery frame80is closed.

The lock mechanism89includes a lever99that is long in the left-right direction, and shafts79and75that extend in the front-rear direction, as shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7. The lever99has a hole88passing through it in the front-rear direction in the right end. The shaft79is inserted into the left end of the lever99and rotatably supports the lever99. The shaft75can be inserted into the hole88. When the shaft75is not inserted into the hole88and the right end portion of the lever99is disposed in front of the front end of the shaft75, the lever99can rotate about the shaft79, as shown inFIG. 6(B),FIG. 6(C),FIG. 7(B)andFIG. 7(C). When the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82while the lever99is separated from the shaft75in the up-down direction, the gripping portion98is disposed lower than the shafts75and79. In this state, when the shaft75is inserted through the hole88in the lever99, the lever99restricts the gripping portion98from moving upward, thereby fixing the second frame83with respect to the first frame82, in the up-down direction, as shown inFIG. 6(A)andFIG. 7(A).

The sewing processing executed when sewing using the embroidery frame80will now be described with reference toFIG. 8toFIG. 10. As a specific example, a case when making a star-shaped stuffed toy100shown inFIG. 10will be described. When making the stuffed toy100, the sewing machine1sews a star-shaped first pattern E1with a first color thread on the first sewing object C1, and sews a star-shaped second pattern E2with a second color thread on a second sewing object C2, in accordance with embroidery data. The sewing machine1sews an outline N around the patterns E1and E2, in accordance with embroidery data, while the first sewing object C1and the second sewing object C2are overlapped. The embroidery data for sewing the patterns E1and E2and the outline N may be generated by the sewing machine1, or the embroidery data may be stored beforehand in flash memory64or the like. The first pattern E1and the second pattern E2are arranged in line symmetry with the rotational center M of the hinge portions84as the axis of symmetry. Upon acquiring a start command to start the sewing processing, the CPU61reads a program for executing the sewing processing from the flash memory64into the RAM63, and executes the sewing processing in accordance with instructions included in the program. The start command is input via the touch panel26, together with instructions specifying the embroidery data, for example.

As shown inFIG. 8, the CPU61first acquires the embroidery data (step S1). In a specific example, embroidery data for sewing the patterns E1and E2and the outline N are acquired. The CPU61identifies the type of embroidery frame80, and determines whether the embroidery frame80is closed, i.e., whether the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82, on the basis of a signal from the detector36(step S2). If the embroidery frame80is closed (yes at step S2), the CPU61notifies a user of the state of the embroidery frame80by displaying, on the LCD15, a message urging the user to open the embroidery frame80, i.e., to open the second frame83with respect to the first frame82(step S3), after which the processing returns to step S2. If the embroidery frame80is open (no at step S2), the CPU61determines whether a command to start sewing has been input (step S4). The user clamps the first sewing object C1with the first frame82and the first clamping portion85, and clamps the second sewing object C2with the second frame83and the second clamping portion86, as shown inFIG. 9, for example. After confirming that the position of the second frame83is fixed with respect to the first frame82by the fixing portion90and the restricting portion78, the user inputs a command to start sewing, by depressing the start/stop switch29. If a command to start sewing has not been input (no at step S4), the CPU61returns the process to step S4. If a command to start sewing has been input (yes at step S4), the CPU61sews the first pattern E1onto the first sewing object C1in a sewing region to the inside of the inner periphery76of the first frame82, in accordance with the embroidery data (step S5), as shown inFIG. 9. After sewing the first pattern E1, the CPU61sews the second pattern E2onto the second sewing object C2in a sewing region to the inside of the inner periphery77of the second frame83(step S6). If it is necessary to change the thread while sewing the first pattern E1and the second pattern E2due to the thread breaking or in order to change the thread color, in steps S5and S6, the CPU61interrupts the sewing, as appropriate, and then resumes processing after the thread has been changed. The sewing order of the first pattern E1and the second pattern E2may be reversed.

After the sewing of the first pattern E1and the second pattern E2are complete, the CPU61notifies the user by displaying, on the LCD15, a message urging the user to close the second frame83with respect to the first frame82(step S7). The CPU61moves the embroidery frame80to a position where the embroidery frame80can be changed from open to closed, as necessary. The user confirms the message on the LCD15, and unfixes the position of the second frame83to the first frame82by operating the fixing portion90. The user then closes the second frame83with respect to the first frame82and fixes the second frame83with respect to the first frame82with the lock mechanism89, and then inputs a command to start sewing, as shown inFIG. 10. The CPU61determines whether the embroidery frame80is closed on the basis of a signal from the detector36(step S8). If the embroidery frame80is not closed (no at step S8), the CPU61returns the process to step S8.

If the embroidery frame80is closed (yes at step S8), the CPU61determines whether a command to start sewing has been input, similar to the processing at step S4(step S9). If a command to start sewing has not been input (no at step S9), the CPU61returns the process to step S9. If a command to start sewing has been input (yes at step S9), the CPU61sews the outline N in a sewing region to the inside of the inner periphery77of the second frame83that is closed with respect to the first frame82, in accordance with the embroidery data, as shown inFIG. 10(step S10). The outline N of the present embodiment is a stitch formed a predetermined distance to the outsides of the outlines of the first pattern E1and the second pattern E2, and a partially unsewn portion is provided as an opening for turning out, which will be described later. That is, the outline N does not go fully around the outsides of the first pattern E1and the second pattern E2. The outline N may be a portion that overlaps with the outlines of the first pattern E1and the second pattern E2. After sewing the outline N, the CPU61ends the sewing processing. The user removes the first sewing object C1and the second sewing object C2from the embroidery frame80, and cuts along the outside of the outline N. The user then turns the first sewing object C1and the second sewing object C2inside out from the opening for turning out in the outline N, and stuffs the sewing object with cotton or the like through the opening for turning out, after which the user sews the opening for turning out by hand or with the sewing machine1. In this way, the stuffed toy100in which the first pattern E1has been sewn onto the first sewing object C1, as shown in the lower left ofFIG. 10, and the second sewing object C2has been sewn onto the second sewing object C2on the opposite side from the first sewing object C1, as shown in the lower right ofFIG. 10, is made.

The embroidery frame80of the above embodiment can clamp the first sewing object C1with the first frame82, and clamp the second sewing object C2with the second frame83. The embroidery frame80can be used to sew the first pattern E1onto the first sewing object C1, and sew the second pattern E2onto the second sewing object C2, while the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82. Then, the embroidery frame80enables the first sewing object C1and the second sewing object C2to be overlapped while the position of the first sewing object C1with respect to the first frame82, and the position of the second sewing object C2with respect to the second frame83, are maintained as a result of the second frame83being closed with respect to the first frame82. With the sewing machine1on which the embroidery frame80is mounted, the embroidery frame80can be closed such that stitching of the outline N can be formed in accordance with the arrangement of both of the patterns E1and E2. The embroidery frame80enables the position of the second sewing object C2with respect to the first sewing object C1to be aligned by a simpler operation than in the past, even when a pattern is sewn on both the first sewing object C1and the second sewing object C2.

The embroidery frame80includes the restricting portion78that restricts the second frame83from rotating more than a predetermined angle with respect to the first frame82. The second frame83includes the abutting portion91that abuts against the restricting portion78when the second frame83is opened a predetermined angle with respect to the first frame82. Therefore, the embroidery frame80can reliably restrict the second frame83from rotating beyond a predetermined angle with respect to the first frame82.

The rotational center M of the hinge portions84extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81. Therefore, with the embroidery frame80, it is easier to balance the entire embroidery frame80while the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82than it is with an embroidery frame in which the second frame83is on the side opposite the mounting portion81side with respect to the first frame82, while the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82. The sewing machine1on which the embroidery frame80is mounted can sew a pattern more stably than it can in a case where the second frame83is on the side opposite the mounting portion81side with respect to the first frame82.

The mounting portion81of the embroidery frame80is provided on an extension line of the rotational center M of the hinge portions84. Therefore, with the embroidery frame80, the balance when mounting the embroidery frame80to the holder43while the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82is better than it is with an embroidery frame in which the mounting portion81is not on the extension line of the rotational center M of the hinge portions84. The sewing machine1on which the embroidery frame80is mounted can sew a pattern more stably than the sewing machine1on which the embroidery frame including the mounting portion81that is not on the extension line of the rotational center M of the hinge portions84is mounted.

The mounting portion81of the embroidery frame80has the connecting portion92that connects to the first frame82at one end side in the longitudinal direction, and has the restricting portion78on the other end side in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, with the embroidery frame80, it is easier to balance the entire embroidery frame80while the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82.

The abutting portion91of the embroidery frame80is provided on the opposite side of the second frame83from the side that is connected to the hinge portions84, and on the side of the second frame83that faces the restricting portion78. The restricting portion78is a portion that protrudes in a direction toward the second frame83from the mounting portion81while the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82. Therefore, the embroidery frame80can effectively restrict the second frame83from rotating beyond a predetermined angle at the abutting portion91, by a relatively simple configuration.

The embroidery frame80includes the fixing portion90that fixes the position of the second frame83with respect to the first frame82, in a state in which the abutting portion91is abutted against the restricting portion78. The embroidery frame80can be reliably kept a state in which the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82. The embroidery frame80can inhibit the second frame83from jouncing in the up-down direction due to vibration or the like during sewing. The sewing machine1on which the embroidery frame80is mounted can stably sew a pattern onto each of the first sewing object C1clamped by the first frame82and the first clamping portion85, and the second sewing object C2clamped by the second frame83and the second clamping portion86, while the second frame83is open with respect to the first frame82.

The first frame82includes the first magnetic body2, and the second frame83includes the second magnetic body3. The first clamping portion85is in the shape of a frame capable of clamping the first sewing object C1with the first frame82by magnetic force, and includes the first magnets93in a position facing the first magnetic body2in the clamping position. The second clamping portion86is in the shape of a frame capable of clamping the second sewing object C2with the second frame83by magnetic force, and includes the second magnets95in a position facing the second magnetic body3in the clamping position. Therefore, the embroidery frame80can clamp the first sewing object C1between the first frame82and the first clamping portion85with magnetic force, and can clamp the second sewing object C2between the second frame83and the second clamping portion86with magnetic force. With the embroidery frame80, the first clamping portion85and the second clamping portion86are separate, so the operation of clamping the first sewing object C1with the first frame82and the first clamping portion85, and the operation of clamping the second sewing object C2with the second frame83and the second clamping portion86, are easy. With the embroidery frame80, the first clamping portion85and the second clamping portion86are in the shape of frames, so it is easy to clamp the first sewing object C1and the second sewing object C2with even tension.

When the first clamping portion85and the second clamping portion86are provided in the clamping position and the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82, as shown inFIG. 4(B), the second clamping portion86is not in a position facing the first magnets93, and the first clamping portion85is not in a position facing the second magnets95. Therefore, with the embroidery frame80, the overall thickness of the embroidery frame80while the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82can be thinner than it can be with an embroidery frame in which there is a clamping portion in a position facing a magnet.

The embroidery frame80has the lock mechanism89configured to fix the second frame83with respect to the first frame82while the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82. The embroidery frame80can be reliably kept a state in which the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82. The sewing machine1on which the embroidery frame80is mounted can stably sew the first sewing object C1and the second sewing object C2that are clamped by the embroidery frame80, while the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82.

The embroidery frame80further includes the detection portion97configured to detect the state where the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82. The sewing machine1on which the embroidery frame80is mounted can ascertain, by the detection portion97, whether the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82. The sewing machine1can determine whether to execute sewing, in accordance with the open/closed state of the embroidery frame80, by detecting the state of the detection portion97with the detector36. Therefore, the sewing machine1can reliably avoid stitches being formed when the embroidery frame80is in an incorrect state.

An embroidery frame of the present disclosure is not limited to the above described embodiment, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications may be added as appropriate.

The configuration of the sewing machine1on which the embroidery frame80can be mounted may be modified as appropriate. The sewing machine1may be an industrial sewing machine or a multi-needle sewing machine. It is sufficient that the movement mechanism40be such that the holder43is able to move relative to the needle bar6in a first direction and a direction intersecting the first direction. The movement mechanism40may be integrally formed with the sewing machine1. At least one of components selected from the group of the restricting portion, the abutting portion, the fixing portion, the detecting portion, the lock mechanism, the first magnet, and the second magnet may be omitted as appropriate. or the configuration of the at least one of the components, such as the shape and arrangement, may be changed as appropriate. The first frame82and the second frame83need not be formed by magnetic bodies. The first frame82and the second frame83may be formed by magnetic bodies only at the portions facing the first clamping portion85and the second clamping portion86, respectively. The first frame82and the second frame83may be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the rotational center of the hinge portions84. If the first frame82and the first clamping portion85do not hold the first sewing object by magnetic force, the first clamping portion85, for example, may be a clip or the like. Similarly, the second clamping portion86may be a clip or the like. The first clamping portion85and the second clamping portion86may be a single member or separate members. At least one selected from the group of the first clamping portion85and the second clamping portion86does not have to be shaped like a frame. The number, arrangement, and shape and the like of the first magnet93with respect to the first clamping portion85may be changed as appropriate. Similarly, the number, arrangement, and shape and the like of the second magnet95with respect to the second clamping portion86may be changed as appropriate. Magnets may be disposed on portions of the clamping portions85and86that are on the hinge portions84side. At least one selected from the group of the first clamping portion85and the second clamping portion86may be a magnet sheet. A clamping portion may be in a position facing a magnet when the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82.

The shape and size of the embroidery frame80may be changed as appropriate. The embroidery frame80may have a circular or oval shape or the like. The arrangement of the first frame, the second frame, and the mounting portion may be changed as appropriate. The rotational center M of the hinge portions84may extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81, or may extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81. The mounting portion81need not be provided on the extension line of the rotational center M of the hinge portions84. When the rotational center M of the hinge portions84extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81, the mounting portion may have a connecting portion that connects to the first frame along the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion, and an arm portion which connects to one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion. A restricting portion may be provided on the arm portion. In this case, the abutting portion may be provided on the opposite side of the second frame from the side that is connected to the hinge portions, and on the side of the second frame that faces the restricting portion, and the lock mechanism and the detecting portion may be provided on the mounting portion. Also, in a case where the rotational center M of the hinge portions84extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion81, The at least one of the components including the restricting portion, the abutting portion, the fixing portion, the detecting portion, the lock mechanism, the first magnet, and the second magnet may each be omitted as appropriate.

The detecting portion need simply be able to detect when the second frame83is closed with respect to the first frame82, and may be a known mechanical switch or the like. The first frame may be connected to the connecting portion by a method other than screws, such as welding, or the first frame may be integrally formed with the mounting portion. It is sufficient that the hinge portions84be able to connect the first frame82and the second frame83such that the second frame83can rotate relative to the first frame82. The number and arrangement of the hinge portions84may be changed as appropriate. Aside from being used in the sewing processing shown inFIG. 8, the embroidery frame80may be used, as appropriate, in other processing such as normal pattern sewing, free motion sewing, and bobbin work sewing.