Patent Publication Number: US-6655305-B2

Title: Apparatus for the embroidery of surface-shaped sewing material on a column-type, or free arm-type, sewing machine including distance adapter

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates, generally, to an apparatus for the embroidery of surface-shaped sewing material on a column-type, or free arm-type, sewing machine. 
     More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for the embroidery of surface-shaped material on a free-arm sewing machine or a column sewing machine, which inventive apparatus includes a distance adapter capable of being docked onto the column, or the free arm, of the sewing machine with which an embroidery frame is able to be shifted in the X- and Y-directions by drive means, so that the entire surface of the sewing material clamped into the embroidery frame is able to be embroidered. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The production of embroidery patterns by using sewing machines, especially household sewing machines, is known. For that purpose, the surface-shaped sewing material, i.e., the embroidery substrate, is clamped into an embroidery frame and the embroidery frame is moved by a drive (capable of moving the embroidery frame in the X- and Y-directions) in accordance with the embroidery pattern. 
     The drive of the embroidery frame is located in a housing, which can be docked onto the free arm of the sewing machine. The housing is connected to the rear of the free arm and/or the base plate via a coupling, which provides the mechanical link. The embroidery frame, movable by the drive, normally features a width which is approximately equivalent to the distance between the sewing machine pillar and the needle, and a length which, in any event, amounts to double the width. This embroidery surface, which is relatively small and limited by the construction of the particular sewing machine, does not lend itself well to larger, continuous embroidery patterns; it is intended primarily for the embroidery of monograms or individual items. 
     In the case of single-purpose sewing machines and that of special sewing machines, which feature an integrated drive component for the embroidery frame in the area of the machine stand, the use of embroidery frames with two or four embroidery fields is known. Such embroidery frames feature two adjacent frame couplings each, and means by which the rectangular embroidery frame can be connected to the embroidery machine (or the embroidery-frame drive) at two adjacent points; the square embroidery frame, with four embroidery fields, features four couplings and can, therefore, be coupled at four points for the processing of one quadrant each. Alternatively, the offtakes can be infinitely shiftable and adjustable along the embroidery frame. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the embroidery of surface-shaped sewing material on a column-type, or free arm-type, sewing machine, which is capable of being docked onto the column or free arm of the sewing machine and with which an embroidery frame is capable of being more readily shifted in the X- and Y-directions by drive means. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an embroidery-frame drive for column-type sewing machines and free arm-type sewing machines, with which embroidery frames with single to multiple standard embroidery surfaces can be driven. 
     The foregoing and related objects are achieved by the inventive apparatus for the embroidery of surface-shaped sewing material on a free arm or column sewing machine, which includes an embroidery device. With the embroidery device, an embroidery frame is able to be shifted in the X- and Y-directions by drive means, so that the entire surface of the sewing material, which is clamped into the embroidery frame, is able to be embroidered. The claimed apparatus includes a distance adapter, which is inserted between the embroidery device, with the drive for the embroidery frame, and the sewing machine. The distance adapter increases the distance between the embroidery device and the needle of the sewing machine. A plurality of receiving accommodations are formed at the embroidery frame, so that with the receiving accommodations, the embroidery frame with its drive means is able to be connected to the embroidery device. 
     Inserting a distance adapter between the free arm or the column of the sewing machine and the embroidering device with the embroidering frame drive arranged in it, makes it possible to utilize, to the fullest extent, the space available between the needle axis and the pillar of the sewing machine on which the free arm is fixed. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the accessories box (in which the sewing utensils can be accommodated) and which is attached to the underarm when no narrow tube-shaped parts are being worked) forms the distance adapter. As a consequence, no additional machine parts must be stored or purchased in order to turn a sewing machine and an embroidering device into one whose use makes it possible to process embroidery surfaces several times larger. 
    
    
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when considered in combination with the accompanying drawing figures which illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures are intended to illustrate only certain embodiments of the claimed invention and are not intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar features throughout the several views: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine, as known from the prior art, with a built-on embroidery device; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the area of the free arm of the sewing machine and of the embroidery device that is attached directly to the free arm according to FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the arrangement of the embroidery device on the sewing machine according to FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the presently claimed invention having a distance adapter with an embroidery device that is shifted in the sewing machine axis (X-direction); 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the presently claimed invention having an embroidery device that is fully shifted away from the free arm; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a distance adapter with an embroidery device distanced both in the lengthwise axis and in the crosswise axis (X- and Y-directions); 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the embroidery frame linked with the embroidery device according to FIG. 5 in a first working position, designated as position “A”; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the embroidery frame linked with the embroidery device according to FIG. 5 in a second working position, designated as position “B”; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the embroidery frame linked with the embroidery device according to FIG. 5 in a third working position, designated as position “C”; 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the embroidery frame linked with the embroidery device according to FIG. 5 in a fourth working position, designated as position “D”; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embroidery device, which is set onto the distance adapter of the present invention; and, 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embroidery device, wherein the sewing machine is set onto the distance adapter. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now, in detail, to an analysis of the accompanying drawing figures, a free arm sewing machine  2  is shown in FIG.  1 . The construction of this free arm sewing machine will not be explained in detail, since it is conventional to the prior art. Only parts of sewing machine  2  that are necessary for an understanding of the invention will be designated by reference symbols and explained in detail. In contrast to the free arm sewing machine  2 , in the column sewing machine, the free space under the working and sewing surface is absent. In the case of a column sewing machine, a table surface, on which the pillar for the overarm is set, serves as the working and sewing surface. 
     In the accompanying drawing figures, reference numeral  1  designates the sewing machine housing, which is set onto a base plate  5 , and features a substantially L-shaped form. The free arm  3  is formed on the vertical pillar  4  of the sewing machine housing  1 , at a distance from base plate  5 . At the free end of the free arm (not visible), underneath a stitch needle hole  7 , a gripper is supported in a drivable manner. Above needle hole  7 , a needle  11  is inserted on a needle rod  9 . Facing the operator of the sewing machine, on the front side of machine housing  1 , a monitor screen  13  is schematically represented as a rectangle. Alternatively, a differently embodied display, or operating unit, can also be provided. Also provided on the same side of the sewing machine housing  1  is a rolling ball  15 . The associated operating keys are designated by reference numeral  16 . A further row of keys  17  serves for the purpose of selecting special functions. None of the elements needed to guide the thread, nor the thread itself, are shown, inasmuch as they are not needed for a complete understanding and description of the present invention. 
     An embroidery device  21  is linked to the front end  19  of the free arm  3 . Embroidery device  21  also lies completely against the rear side  23  of the free arm  3  and is mechanically connected to the sewing machine  2  by coupling means (not shown.) An embroidery frame carrier  25  is supported on the embroidery device  21  in a manner capable of being driven in the X-direction. Furthermore, an embroidery frame  27 , capable of being driven in the Y-direction, is supported on the embroidery frame carrier  25 . The drive elements for the embroidery frame  27  is a feature known to the prior art, e.g., German Utility Model Patent No. 29 614 512. A variety of other drive means for the X/Y movements of an embroidery frame are amply known from the prior art and will, therefore, not be explained in greater detail herein. 
     By way of an appropriately designed control, embroidery frame  27  can be made to travel in a known manner on a programmable path. Using sewing machine  2 , one can accordingly produce freely programmable patterns on a textile product clamped into embroidery frame  27 . The mutual position between the embroidery device  21  and the free arm  3  of the sewing machine  2 , shown in FIGS. 1-3, is in accordance with the prior art. 
     The schematic representations in FIGS. 4-11 show only the parts essential to the present invention, or the outlines of the sewing machine  2  and the embroidery device  21 . 
     In FIG. 4, which illustrates several of the features of the present invention, a distance adapter  29  has now been inserted between the embroidery device  21  and the free arm  3 . Distance adapter  29  causes embroidery device  21  to come to lie in the lengthwise direction of free arm  3 , i.e., in the X-direction, distanced before the sewing machine  2 . This shift by the quantity R 1  makes it possible to set onto embroidery device  21 , an embroidery frame  27  having an edge length that is double the one shown in FIG.  2 . In this position, needle  11  can penetrate into the embroidery area within embroidery frame  27 , as far as the area&#39;s middle and, when seen in the Y-direction, can work on the entire quadrant A. 
     For working in the first quadrant “A,” embroidery frame  27  is connected with the embroidery device at the point K I  via a frame coupling  28  (see, FIG. 7.) For working in the second quadrant “B,” embroidery frame  27  is attached at point K II  (see, FIG. 9.) This yields a shift of the embroidery frame  27  in the Y-direction. FIG. 9 illustrates the situation in which embroidery frame  27  has been rotated 180° around its center and the work now proceeds on the third quadrant “C.” Embroidery frame  27  is now attached to the embroidery device at the fastening point, or coupling point, K III . In order to work the fourth quadrant, “D,” the connection with the embroidery frame  27  is made at the point K IV  (see, FIG. 10.) After the coupling switch, the adjustment of the embroidery frame  27 , underneath needle  11 , is made electronically via mechanical adjustment. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5, the distance adapter  29  attaches the embroidery device  21  at a distance from the free arm  3  in the X-direction equal to the quantity R 2 . Now there is no direct contact between embroidery device  21  and free arm  3 . The distance adapter  29  surrounds the free arm  3  on three sides. Through this additional lateral distance, a correspondingly even larger embroidery frame  27  can be used. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 6, there occurs a distancing of the embroidery device  21  from the free arm  3 , both in the X-direction and in the Y-direction by the quantities R 1  and S 1 . 
     Distance adapter  29  is connected, preferably, in a positive manner, via a first coupling means to free arm  3  and/or to the base plate  5 , via a second coupling means to the embroidery device  21 . These two coupling means are not visible in the drawing figures. The energy input for the drives in embroidery device  21  can be effected via the foregoing coupling means or via a cable to the embroidery device. 
     In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the distance adapter  29  simultaneously serves as an accessories box. Alternatively, the accessories box (generally supplied with sewing machine  2 ), whose surface, linked with the free arm  3 , increases the sewing surface, serves as the distance adapter. In this fashion, the accessories box alone must be equipped with the coupling means for the embroidery device  21 , or else the distance adapter must feature a drawer or rotary draw, and inside contain the corresponding supports for the accessory parts. 
     In FIG. 11, embroidery device  21  lies on an accommodating plate  29 ′ that is arranged laterally on distance adapter  29 . The accommodating plate makes it possible to also attach the embroidery device to sewing machine  2 , in which the needle plate lies higher than the surface of the embroidery device  21 . 
     In FIG. 12, distance adapter  29  features, in its area that surrounds the sewing machine support with the needle hole plate, a bed plate  29 ″. The latter makes it possible to set smaller sewing machine models, in which the sewing material support lies lower than the surface of embroidery device  21 , onto the bed plate  29 ″. 
     The accommodating plate  29 ′ and the bed plate  29 ″ can be a part of the distance adapter  29  or, in an alternative construction, can be made to be attachable to the distance adapter  29 . 
     While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.