Patent Publication Number: US-4056294-A

Title: Open arm sewing machine cabinet

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The structure according to the present invention is especially adapted for use with modern sewing machines capable of both open arm and flat bed sewing. The structure is characterized by a simple arrangement for supporting the machine for both kinds of sewing with the machine in either kind of sewing position being surrounded by the panels to define a plane for convenience of the operator. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     Developed in a search appears to be best exemplified in the following patents: 
     Parsons   U.S. Pat. No. 3051538   Class 312/30 
     Williams  U.S. Pat. No. 3765739   Class 312/30 
     Kakishima  U.S. Pat. No. 3823993   Class 312/21 
     Roberts et al  U.S. Pat. No. RE 28835   Class 312/20 
     Parsons achieves locking of a machine for open arm sewing by hinging the support panel to a locking panel having edges captured in notches within the cabinet. 
     Williams employs a special locking shelf cooperating with a spring biased locking arm disposed on the panel supporting the machine. 
     Kakishima has a special ramp for movement of the panel supporting the machine. 
     Roberts et al effects storage movement of the machine by means of a remotely controlled lever, a construction made unnecessary by this invention structure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The structure according to the present invention makes it possible to store a sewing machine and to raise the same to operating position for either open arm or flat bed operation all without the need for involved mechanism and remotely operated control devices. In position for either kind of sewing the machine is surrounded by panels presenting coplanar surfaces for convenience of the opertor. 
    
    
     THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a prspective view of a sewing machine cabinet embodying the improvements according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the closure panel thereof in open position; 
     FIG. 3 is a similar view showing one of the steps in raising a sewing machine stored therein to operative position; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar views showing further steps; 
     FIGS. 6 to 11 inclusive are transverse sectional views through the cabinet of FIG. 1 showing details of structure and steps in raising the machine to operative position; 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the machine in operative position for open arm sewing; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13--13 of FIG. 12 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing details of structure for mounting the machine; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 14--14 of FIG. 12 showing details of hinge structure for the panel supporting the machine; 
     FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing further details of the hinge structure; 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line 16--16 of FIG. 12 showing details of a hinge structure; and 
     FIG. 17 is a similar view showing further details of the hinge structure seen in FIG. 16. 
    
    
     The improved sewing machine cabinet seen in FIGS. 1 to 5 is denoted generally by the reference numeral 20 and includes an enclosure for storing a sewing machine SM, such enclosure including a front wall 21, a back wall 22 (see FIGS. 6 to 11) and opposed side walls 23 (see again FIGS. 7 to 11). Cabinet 20 is mounted upon vertical legs 24, and the top of walls 22 and 23 and legs 24 are surmounted by a top 26 having a rectangular shaped opening 27 whereby top 26 is essentially U-shaped in plan view. 
     A closure panel 27 is held by hinges 28 by one side of U-shaped top 26, and is moved to the position seen in FIG. 1 to complete the appearance of cabinet 20 when storing a sewing machine therein. Front wall 21 is supported on hinges 29 to one of the front legs 24 for swinging movement, and wall 21 is provided with a pull 31 for such purpose. 
     Structure is provided for providing planar work surfaces for sewing machine SM stored within the cabinet thus far described. Such planar work surfaces are provided for the machine irrespective of whether it is employed for flat bed or open arm sewing. 
     To this end the walled enclosure has a lower panel 32 lying in an horizontal plane and secured to the inside of walls 22 and 23, one side of panel 32 being secured to a rail 33 extending between the front legs 24. Panel 32 has a rectangular shaped opening 34 for accommodating swinging movement of a first pair of panels 36 and 37 therein. Panel 36 has a sewing machine SM secured thereto in any convenient manner, and is secured for swinging movement in opening 34 upon knife hinges 38. In the storage position of machine SM panel 36 hangs pendantly. 
     Panel 37 is similarly mounted for swinging movement within rectangular opening 34 upon knife hinges 39. Panel 37 is normally biased to horizontal position against stops 41 located on the underside of panel 32 at opening 34 therein by a spring 42 connected between panel 37 and panel 32 and disposed beneath both. 
     When it is desired to raise machine SM to position for open arm sewing, it is raised as seen in FIG. 8, panel 36 moving past panel 37, the latter pivoting as seen in FIG. 8 against the bias of spring 42. As seen in FIG. 9, panel 37 and machine SM are then moved in an opposite swinging direction to be held in position with reference to panel 37 by stops 43 protruding from the edge of panel 37. Together with stops 41 the two panels 36 and 37 are maintained in locked position for open arm sewing and are in planar relationship with panel 32 to define a work surface for the operator. 
     The structure for providing a work surface for flat bed sewing comprises a second pair of panels 44 and 46 overlying panels 36 and 37. Panels 44 and 46 have cut out portions 47 and 48 respectively for machine SM to protrude therethrough when in position. Panels 44 and 46 when in the planar position overlie panels 36 and 37. 
     Panel 44 is hingedly supported at its ends on pintles 49 supported in top 26 within opening 27 thereof, and panel 46 is likewise supported in pintles 51 also supported in opening 27. 
     During storage of machine SM panel 44 is supported along its side edges on stops 52 as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, and panel 46 is likewise supported along its side edges in opening 27 on stops 52. 
     Panels 44 and 46 and top 26 provide a planar surface for flat bed sewing by machine SM. 
     When it is desired to operate machine SM for open arm sewing, panels 44 and 46 are moved to position as seen in FIG. 9, panel 44 hanging pendantly against rail 33, and panel 46 being folded back. For flat bed sewing panels 44 and 46 are moved to position as seen in FIG. 10. 
     For storage of machine SM a reverse set of sequences takes place, preparatory to closing lid 27.