Patent DE-19923912-A1 (DE)
Title: Ribbon embroidery has a pantograph to move the embroidery frame which is fitted with two holders to clamp and tense the ribbon during embroidering and release it for advance into a new ribbon section
Inventor: HELGERT KARL-GEORG
IPC: D05C9/06
Filed: 1999-05-26
Abstract: The appts. to embroider a ribbon (2), for an embroidery machine with a pantograph to move the embroidery frame (1) on a plane, has at least two holders (3) where the ribbon is held between them during embroidering. The holders are operated by a control, and especially the embroidery machine control, so that the ribbon is clamped during sewing, is released for onwards movement and then clamped again for the next embroidering phase.  The ribbon is taken from a supply roll or container to the first holder at the embroidery frame. The first holder carries the ribbon to the second holder, and from the second holder it travels to a winding roll or a catch container, or onwards to a further working stage. The appts. has at least one mechanism to tense the ribbon, so that it is taut between the first holder and the ribbon winder/catch container and/or between the second holder and the ribbon winder/catch container or the next working stage. The ribbon is tensed by rotation of the winding bobbin, through a drive or manually The onward transport of the ribbon by the pantograph is especially by the pricking of an embroidery needle into the ribbon which is fixed in relation to the needle. The embroidery frame is moved by the pantograph so that the next section (2a) to be embroidered is between the two holders. The appts. can have an additional holder to prevent the ribbon from moving against the winding direction. As the ribbon section is embroidered, the ribbon is not shifted by the embroidery frame, and during the embroidering action there is a sufficient length of ribbon to the left and right of the embroidery frame to allow frame movements according to the embroidering program. The ribbon holder is clamped selectively between two bodies, where one of them has movement. The holder has an eccentric rotating roller, rotated by a drive between two positions. In the first position, the roller is pressed against a part of the embroidery frame to hold the ribbon against the frame, and it is retracted from the frame in the second position. The roller has a profiled surface. The ribbon movement is set by guides at the frame, acting on the ribbon sides. One guide can slide and be locked in place, to accommodate ribbons of different widths. A cutter severs the embroidered section of the ribbon from the blank ribbon still to be stitched. An Independent claim is included for an embroidering action, where two holders keep the ribbon under tension during embroidering. When the embroidery pattern has been established, a needle is inserted into the ribbon. With the needle in place, and the holders released, the embroidery frame is moved against its movement direction for onward transport leaving the needle in place and the fresh ribbon section is drawn between the two holders. Preferred Features: After a new ribbon section has been drawn into position, the holding system is set so that the ribbon movement is stopped or held. The embroidery needle or additional holder releases the ribbon, and the ribbon is tensed, and the additional holder stops or holds it. After embroidering, the holder system is released for the embroidered ribbon to be wound back on to the supply bobbin from the winding bobbin. The additional holder can replace the embroidery needle holding the ribbon. The fresh ribbon section is for a continuation of the previous embroidering and/or for a separated embroidery pattern at the embroidery frame between the holders.