Sewing machine and pantograph drive, bracket, boom, and hoop assembly

Sewing apparatus utilizes a conventional multi-head sewing machine for embroidering or stitching and includes a single rail pantograph with a double ended electric motor and ribbed drive end and support arm. A multi-purpose holding bracket allows the operator to quickly change from embroidering tubular goods such as sweatshirts to baseball caps or other circular type goods without tools by the use of an easily releasable hoop support boom. An embroidery hoop assembly provides ears which can be easily and securely positioned on the hoop support boom for secure holding thereto during high speed embroidering operations. The ribs on the drive end of the pantograph prevent warping of the end during the high speed operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field Of The Invention 
The invention herein pertains to machines and apparatus for sewing, and 
particularly to commercial multi-head sewing machines which utilize 
pantographs for embroidering and stitching along multiple stations. 
2. Description Of The Related Art 
Multi-head sewing machines have been used for many years in industry for 
embroidering shirts, caps and other articles and for placing trademarks on 
several garments and other articles simultaneously. In order to insure 
identical stitching, multi-head sewing machines employ computer driven 
pantographs which allow all the sewing heads to perform the identical 
stitch simultaneously, for example at ten or more sewing stations (sewing 
heads). As customers have become more and more demanding regarding the 
precision of the stitching or embroidery work, various improvements have 
been made to rectangular and single rail or T-shaped pantographs. However, 
in high velocity embroidering on multi-head sewing machines, it is not 
uncommon for the stitch or pattern to be "out of register" at various 
sewing heads. This can be due in part to various reasons one of which is 
the pantograph slightly bending or buckling during rapid movement. Such 
buckling or warping by the pantograph can cause unacceptable embroidering 
and can be quite costly at sewing machine speeds of seven hundred fifty 
stitches per minute or more which is not uncommon with modern sewing 
equipment. In addition to problems associated with the movement of the 
pantograph, it has also been found that the mechanisms by which the 
embroidery hoops are held on the machine are often not properly secured 
and many times the embroidery hoops slip or slightly move during 
stitching. This also can contribute to an unacceptable embroidery design 
or pattern. Additionally, there has also been a need in the past to 
develop hoop assembly holding devices for pantographs which can be quickly 
and easily exchanged so the machine operators can embroider baseball caps 
for example in the morning and that afternoon can embroider tubular goods 
such as sweatshirts, with only minimal machine down-time. 
Thus, with the problems and disadvantages of prior art sewing and 
embroidering equipment, the present invention was conceived and one of its 
objectives is to provide a multi-head sewing machine apparatus having a 
drive mechanism which accurately and efficiently moves a pantograph on a 
sewing machine table. 
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a drive 
mechanism for a pantograph as used on a high speed multi-head sewing 
machine which will prevent the pantograph from warping or bending during 
rapid directional changes. 
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an 
improved pantograph which includes a reinforced ribbed drive end for more 
accurate, positive pantograph movement. 
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose 
holding bracket for a pantograph whereby cap frames or tubular article 
frames can be affixed thereto and can be easily and rapidly exchanged as 
desired with minimal labor. 
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a hoop 
support boom which will rigidly hold an embroidery hoop assembly and which 
will securely engage the multi-purpose holding bracket. 
It is also another objective of the present invention to provide improved 
hoop ears for embroidery hoops which will provide a more stable hoop 
position of the hoop assembly on the pantograph during high speed 
embroidering. 
It is an additional objective of the present invention to provide a 
multi-purpose holding bracket having a rapid releasable, slidable frame 
receiver for securely holding cap frames or the like. 
Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention become 
more apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed presentation 
is set forth below. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention herein pertains to sewing machine apparatus, particularly for 
use with multi-head sewing machines as are commercially employed for 
embroidering, stitching and the like. An improved T-shaped single rail 
pantograph is movably affixed to the sewing machine table for controlling 
the motion of a plurality of embroidering hoops or cap securing frames. 
The pantograph has a ribbed drive end to insure accurate movement without 
warping or bending and to drive the pantograph along its longitudinal 
axes. The drive mechanism utilizes a double belt drive system having a 
dual electric motor therebetween. A plurality of drive rollers are 
positioned on a transverse member joined to the belts for a more accurate 
response to the movement commands. A series of support arms are affixed to 
the table top between the sewing heads for stabilizing and increasing the 
accuracy of the pantograph movement. A series of multi-purpose holding 
brackets are affixed to the pantograph along the rail for releasably 
holding hoop support booms at each sewing station. The multi-purpose 
holding bracket will also accept a cap frame or the like for stitching on 
circular goods such as baseball caps. The hoop support boom includes a 
holding member for engaging slotted hoop ears for quick insertion and 
release after the embroidery pattern is complete.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The preferred forms and features of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 
1-13 which clearly show the sewing apparatus employing the improved 
T-shaped pantograph attached to the sewing apparatus of FIG. 1 consisting 
of a multi-head sewing machine which has been adapted to operate the 
improved T-shaped pantograph of FIGS. 2 and 3. Said pantograph is driven 
by the mechanism of FIG. 2 and is supported for consistent and stable 
operation on the sewing machine table top by support arms as featured in 
FIG. 6. 
In order to sew or embroider a variety of goods, a multi-purpose holding 
bracket as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 demonstrates the versatility for holding 
a cap frame during embroidering as illustrated in FIG. 8 and a support 
boom as shown in FIG. 7 which can be used for tubular goods. 
The preferred embroidery hoop ears are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, with FIG. 
13 illustrating the ears in place on engaged embroidery hoops. 
For a more complete understanding of the invention and its operation, 
turning now to the drawings, sewing apparatus 20 consisting of a 
multi-head sewing machine is shown in FIG. 1 having pantograph 21 movably 
attached thereto. Pantograph 21 is a single rail T-shaped pantograph which 
is moved by drive mechanism 22 as shown in FIG. 2. Sewing apparatus 20 
includes twelve (12) sewing heads 35 or stations. Pantograph 21 is 
controlled by drive mechanism 22 as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 2. 
Drive mechanism 22 includes belts 23, 23' which move transverse member 24 
for directing drive rollers 25 to and from the machine controls, generally 
shown at 26. As further seen in FIG. 2, transverse member 24, through 
belts 23, 23' is driven by dual electric motors 27, 27' which are united 
by a central shaft (not shown). Motor 27 drives shaft 28 and pulley 90 
whereas motor 27' drives shaft 28' and pulley 90'. Sewing table 29 as seen 
in FIG. 1 includes a series of five (5) slots 30 through which roller 
axles 31 pass (see FIG. 4). Rollers 25 fit within u-shaped channel 32 of 
pantograph drive end 33 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. As further shown 
in FIG. 3, pantograph 21 is T-shaped and includes a somewhat wedge-shaped 
drive end 33 having a series of raised ribs 34 therealong. Ribs 34 
strengthen drive end 33 and prevent it from warping during rapid motion of 
the high speed sewing operations. As depicted, ribs 34 are positioned 
parallel to the longitudinal axis of pantograph 21. Pantograph rail 36 is 
joined to drive end 33 and extends longitudinally under sewing heads 35 of 
sewing apparatus 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and behind needles 59. As 
would be understood, transverse member 24 is moved in accordance with 
controls 26 (FIG. 1) to thereby move pantograph 21 generally along the 
longitudinal axis of pantograph rail 36 as seen in FIG. 3. Lateral 
movement of pantograph 21 results from belt driven rollers 80 (FIG. 2) 
which are affixed to transverse member 84. Belts 81 which are motor driven 
by second fractional horsepower dual electric motor 82 in conventional 
manner from the rear of table 29 drive transverse member 84. Second motor 
82 thus moves pantograph 21 front to rear along sewing table 29 and 
channel 32 (FIG. 4) allows pantograph 21 to move backward and forward 
along table 29 while rollers 80, within channel 83 drive rail 36 front to 
rear and rollers 25 drive rail 36, side to side. 
In FIG. 3, sewing heads 35 are shown with pantograph 21 therebehind. 
Extending forward from rail 36 are hoop support booms 37 affixed thereto 
by T-shaped holding brackets 50 for releasably engaging an embroidery hoop 
assembly 38 as seen enlarged in FIG. 13. Rail 36 is subject to bend or 
flex, especially on longer sewing apparatus having six (6) or more heads. 
In order to insure uniform movement from end to end, with no flexing, 
pantograph support arm 39 as shown in FIG. 6 is employed. Support arm 39 
may comprise a one-half inch steel plated rod 40 which is pivotally 
mounted in turret 41. Rod 40 will slide along inside of cylindrical turret 
bushing 43 which, in turn will rotate around turret base 42. Base 42 is 
affixed to the top of table 29. Rod 40 engages coupling 44 at its end 
opposite turret base 42. Coupling 44 is pivotally mounted to rail 36 by 
shoulder bolt 45 which acts as a support arm axle to allow support arm 39 
to rotate relative at rail 36. 
In FIG. 7 T-shaped holding bracket 50 is attached to pantograph rail 36 (as 
seen in FIG. 3) for receiving hoop support boom 37. In FIGS. 7 and 8, 
bracket 50 includes a pair of threaded studs 51, 52 and apertures 53, 54 
which act as a means for affixing bracket 50 to rail 36 by machine screws 
or the like. Slot 55 is positioned proximate studs 51 and 52. Stud 52 of 
bracket 50 provides a means to releasably affix hoop support boom 37 as 
shown in FIG. 3. Bracket lip 56 is raised slightly from base bar 57 and 
acts as a means to receive an embroidery frame end 58 thereunder. 
Embroidery frame end 58 may be for example, one end of a cap frame as are 
conventionally known and used in the embroidery trade. In order to attach 
a corresponding cap frame to rail 36, a means has to be provided for 
releasably affixing slidably adjustable embroidery frame receiver 60 
thereto. FIG. 9 shows a top view of slidable embroidery frame receiver 60 
which includes lip 61 for engaging embroidery cap frame end 58' as shown 
in FIG. 8. Slidable frame receiver 60 is slotted at 62 for receiving 
bracket stud 51 therethrough. Slot guide lug 63 extends downwardly through 
frame receiver 60 and is fastened thereto by nut 69 whereby it projects 
approximately 3/16 of an inch and during assembly sits within bracket slot 
55. When properly adjusted on cap frame end 58', knob 64 is tightened to 
securely hold cap frame end 58' thereto. With frame receiver 60 removed 
from bracket 50, bracket 50 can then accept hoop support beam 37, as more 
clearly illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
Hoop support boom 37 is shown fragmented in FIG. 10 in a side view with 
hoop ear 70 therein. As earlier seen in FIG. 7, hoop support boom 37 is 
releasably engaged by threaded bracket stud 52 which fits within slot 47 
of hoop support boom 37. Slot guides 48, 48' as seen in broken lines in 
FIG. 11 depend from hoop support boom 37 for reception within bracket slot 
55 of bracket 50 to maintain boom 37 rigidly on bracket 50 and prevent 
movement therealong as knob 64 is tightened onto bracket stud 52. As 
further shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, hoop support boom 37 includes at its end 
opposite slot 47 a pair of tension members 49, 49'. Tension members 49, 
49' are resiliently mounted to hoop support boom 37 by resilient spring 
member 46 which is fastened by screws 65. Resilient member 46 is formed 
from a thin spring steel to allow tension member 49, 49' to accept hoop 
ears 70, 70' shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B thereunder. Hoop tension member 49 
fits within ear groove 71 to hold embroidery hoop assembly 38 (not shown) 
in place against shelf 66. Shelf 66 is covered with a thin, friction 
reducing surface such as polyethylene sheeting 67 which allows ear 70 to 
slide more easily therealong. Mushroom-shaped post 68, 68' act as a 
shoulder for stop bar 72 on left ear 70 and on right ear 70', finger 73 
engages mushroom-shaped post 68' within finger slot 74. Thus, as would be 
understood, a pair of hoop support booms 37 can be positioned on 
pantograph rail 36 on either side of a particular sewing head 35. Hoop 
assembly 38 as shown in FIG. 13 thus engages one support boom with right 
ear 70 and another support boom 37 with left ear 70'. Finger 73 prevents 
lateral movement of embroidery hoop assembly 38 during sewing and when the 
sewing operation is complete, the operator can simply pull hoop assembly 
38 from the pair of hoop support booms 37 whereupon tension members 49, 
49' efficiently release ears 70, 70' and another hoop assembly 38 can be 
quickly installed for embroidering on another garment. 
As further shown in FIG. 13 hoop assembly 38 is formed by frictionally 
engaging conventional outside hoop 75 and inside hoop 76. The correct 
spacing or frictional mating of hoops 75, 76 can be adjusted by 
conventional turn screw 77. Ears 70, 70' are mounted to inside hoop 76 and 
extend outwardly, across outside hoop 75. 
The invention as shown herein provides a more accurate and dependable 
stitch duplication from one end of a multi-head sewing machine to the 
other and with less down-time and unacceptable "seconds" due to bending or 
warping of pantograph 21 during high speed sewing operations. While 
certain embodiments and features of the sewing apparatus have been shown 
the examples and illustrations herein are not intended to limit the scope 
of the appended claims.