Patent Publication Number: US-9416473-B2

Title: Upper feed device and sewing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-067289 filed Mar. 23, 2012, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an upper feed device that is provided above a needle plate of a sewing machine and is capable of feeding a work cloth and to a sewing machine that includes the upper feed device. 
     An upper feed device for a sewing machine is known that is disposed higher than a bed of the sewing machine and that may operate in conjunction with a feed dog to feed a work cloth. For example, a known work cloth guide device may be secured by a screw to the rear side of a head. The head is provided on a left portion of an arm. A drive transmission mechanism is provided in a right rear portion of the arm. A rotary movement of the drive transmission mechanism is transmitted to the work cloth guide device through a universal joint and a connecting shaft. The feeding of the work cloth may thus be carried out. 
     SUMMARY 
     The sewing machine is not control the known upper feed device. 
     Embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide an upper feed device that can be controlled by a sewing machine, as well as a sewing machine that includes an upper feed device. 
     Embodiments provide an upper feed device that includes a mounting portion, a feed mechanism, a drive portion, and a connecting portion. The mounting portion is configured to mount the upper feed device to a presser bar of a sewing machine. The feed mechanism is configured to feed a work cloth. The drive portion is configured to drive the feed mechanism. The connecting portion is configured to electrically connect the drive portion to a control portion of the sewing machine. 
     Embodiments also provide a sewing machine that includes a presser bar, a control portion, and an upper feed device. The upper feed device includes a mounting portion, a feed mechanism, a drive portion, and a connecting portion. The mounting portion is configured to mount the upper feed device to the presser bar. The feed mechanism is configured to feed a work cloth. The drive portion is configured to drive the feed mechanism. The connecting portion is configured to electrically connect the drive portion to the control portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a sewing machine; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side view of the sewing machine; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the sewing machine; 
         FIG. 4  is an oblique view of an upper feed device in a case where a feed mechanism is in a feed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view of the upper feed device in the case where the feed mechanism is in the feed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a right side view of the upper feed device, with an area around a presser foot in  FIG. 5  shown in a cross section to show the front end of the feed mechanism; 
         FIG. 7  is an oblique view of a switching mechanism in the case where the feed mechanism is in the feed position; 
         FIG. 8  is a right side view that shows positional relationships among a lever, a rotating plate, and the feed mechanism in the case where the feed mechanism is in the feed position; 
         FIG. 9  is a right side view of a drive mechanism that may drive a belt; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of the drive mechanism that may drive the belt; 
         FIG. 11  is a right side view of the upper feed device in a case where the feed mechanism that is shown in  FIG. 6  is moved to a standby position; 
         FIG. 12  is an oblique view of the switching mechanism in the case where the feed mechanism is in the standby position; 
         FIG. 13  is a figure that shows positional relationships among the lever, the rotating plate, and the feed mechanism in the case where the feed mechanism is in the standby position; 
         FIG. 14  is a figure that shows a state in which an ordinary selection screen is displayed on a liquid crystal display; 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram that shows an electrical configuration of the sewing machine and the upper feed device; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart of main processing; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart of display setting processing; 
         FIG. 18  is a figure that shows a state in which a screen that includes stitch selection keys for stitch types for which disabling settings have been made is displayed on the liquid crystal display; 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart of first display switching processing; 
         FIG. 20  is a figure that shows a state in which a message is displayed on the liquid crystal display; and 
         FIG. 21  is a flowchart of second display switching processing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings. A sewing machine  1  according to the present embodiment can form a stitch on a work cloth by moving the work cloth in relation to a needle that is moved up and down. The sewing machine  1  according to the present embodiment is an example of a sewing machine to which an upper feed device  4 , which will be described below, can be mounted. 
     A physical structure of the sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . In the following explanation, the near side, the far side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of  FIG. 1  are respectively defined as the front side, the rear side, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of the sewing machine  1 . In other words, a direction in which a pillar  12 , which will be explained below, extends is the up-down direction of the sewing machine  1 . A longitudinal direction of a bed  11  and an arm  13  is the left-right direction of the sewing machine  1 . A surface on which a switch cluster  21  is arranged is the front surface of the sewing machine  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sewing machine  1  includes the bed  11 , the pillar  12 , the arm  13 , and a head  14 . The bed  11  is long in the left-right direction. The pillar  12  extends upward from the right end of the bed  11 . The arm  13  extends to the left from the upper end of the pillar  12 . The head  14  is provided on the left side of the arm  13 . The bed  11  is provided with a needle plate  33  (refer to  FIG. 5 ), a feed dog  34  (refer to  FIG. 5 ), a cloth feed mechanism (not shown in the drawings), a feed adjustment motor  78  (refer to  FIG. 15 ), and a shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings). The needle plate  22  is disposed on an upper surface of the bed  11 . The feed dog  34  is provided under the needle plate  33 . The feed dog  34  may feed, by a specified feed distance, a work cloth  100  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) on which sewing is performed. The cloth feed mechanism may drive the feed dog  34 . The feed adjustment motor  78  may adjust the feed distance. The head  14  is provided with a needle bar mechanism (not shown in the drawings), a needle bar swinging motor  80  (refer to  FIG. 15 ), and a thread take-up mechanism (not shown in the drawings). The needle bar mechanism may move a needle bar (not shown in the drawings) in the up-down direction. A sewing needle  29  may be attached to the needle bar. The needle bar swinging motor  80  may swing the needle bar in the left-right direction. 
     A liquid crystal display  15  is provided on the front face of the pillar  12 . The liquid crystal display  15  has a vertical rectangular shape. For example, keys that are used to execute various functions necessary to the sewing operation, various messages, and various patterns etc. may be displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . 
     A transparent touch panel  26  is provided in the upper surface (front surface) of the liquid crystal display  15 . A user may perform an operation of pressing the touch panel  26 , using a finger or a dedicated touch pen, in a position corresponding to one of the various keys or the like displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . This operation is hereinafter referred to as a “panel operation.” The touch panel  26  detects the position pressed by the finger or the dedicated touch pen etc. The sewing machine  1  (more specifically, a CPU  61  to be described below) determines an item corresponding to the detected position. In this way, the sewing machine  1  recognizes the selected item. By performing the panel operation, the user can perform pattern selection and various settings etc. 
     The structure of the arm  13  will be explained. A cover  16  is attached to the upper portion of the arm  13  along the longitudinal direction of the arm  13 . The cover  16  is supported such that the cover  16  can be opened and closed by being rotated about an axis that extends in the left-right direction at the upper rear edge of the arm  13 . A thread container portion (not shown in the drawings) is provided close to the middle of the top of the arm  13  under the cover  16 . The thread container portion is a recessed portion for containing a thread spool (not shown in the drawings). A spool pin is provided in the thread container portion. A thread spool may be mounted to the spool pin. The head  14  is provided with a thread guide that includes a tensioner, a thread take-up spring, a thread take-up lever, and the like, which are not shown in the drawings. An upper thread (not shown in the drawings) may be supplied from the thread spool via the thread guide to the sewing needle  29  that is attached to the needle bar. 
     A sewing machine motor  79  (refer to  FIG. 15 ) is provided inside the pillar  12 . The sewing machine motor  79  may rotate a drive shaft (not shown in the drawings). The drive shaft extends in the direction in which the arm  13  extends. The needle bar mechanism and the thread take-up mechanism may be driven by the rotating of the drive shaft. The switch cluster  21  is provided on the lower part of the front face of the arm  13 . The switch cluster  21  includes a sewing start/stop switch, a reverse stitch switch, a needle up/down switch, and the like. 
     A presser bar  27  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) is located at the rear of the needle bar. The upper feed device  4  may be mounted to the lower end of the presser bar  27 . The upper feed device  4  may be positioned higher than the bed  11 . The upper feed device  4  may feed the work cloth  100  by operating in coordination with the feed dog  34 . 
     The upper feed device  4  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 13 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the upper feed device  4  includes a housing  41 , a mounting portion  42 , a feed mechanism  43 , a drive mechanism  49 , a switching mechanism  45 , a pressure adjustment mechanism  48 , a connecting portion  52 , and a presser foot  51 . The mounting portion  42  is a portion by which the upper feed device  4  is mounted on the presser bar  27  of the sewing machine  1 . The feed mechanism  43  may feed the work cloth  100 . The drive mechanism  49  may drive the feed mechanism  43 . The switching mechanism  45  may switch the position of the feed mechanism  43  between a feed position (refer to  FIGS. 5 to 8 ) and a standby position (refer to  FIGS. 11 to 13 ). The feed position is a position in which the feed mechanism  43  can press and feed the work cloth  100 . The standby position is a position in which the feed mechanism  43  is separated from the work cloth  100  and does not feed the work cloth  100 . The connecting portion  52  electrically may connect a motor  491  to a control portion  60  (refer to  FIG. 15 ) of the sewing machine  1 . The motor  491  is included in the drive mechanism  49 . The pressure adjustment mechanism  48  may adjust the pressure of a belt  435  on the work cloth  100 . The belt  435  is included in the feed mechanism  43 . 
     The switching mechanism  45  is provided inside the housing  41 . The switching mechanism  45  includes a base portion  451 , a lever plate  452 , a spring  468 , a detector switch  457 , a rotating member  469 , and a rotating plate  471 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the base portion  451  is a plate-shaped member that extends in the front-rear direction at the lower portion inside the housing  41 . Bent portions  453 ,  454 ,  455 ,  456  are provided on the side faces of the front and rear ends of the base portion  451 . The bent portions  453 ,  454 ,  455 ,  456  are portions that are each bent upward from the base portion  451 . The detector switch  457  is provided on the upper side of the front end portion of the base portion  451  (the end portion on the upper right side in  FIG. 7 ). A movable portion  458  is provided on the rear edge of the detector switch  457 . The movable portion  458  extends obliquely downward and rearward in a state in which the movable portion  458  is biased in an upward direction. In a case where the movable portion  458  extends obliquely downward and rearward, the detector switch  457  is in an OFF state (refer to  FIG. 7 ). In a case where the movable portion  458  is pressed downward by a shaft member  464  (described below), the movable portion  458  is rotated counterclockwise as seen from the left side. The detector switch  457  then enters an ON state (refer to  FIG. 12 ). 
     The bent portion  453  is provided at the left rear part of the base portion  451 . A shaft member  459  is inserted through the bent portion  453 . The plate-shaped lever plate  452  is provided on the left end of the shaft member  459  (the lower right side in  FIG. 7 ). The lever plate  452  can be rotated with the shaft member  459  as the center of rotation. The lever plate  452  includes a lever portion  460  and an extension portion  475 . The lever portion  460  extends upward from the location where the shaft member  459  is inserted, and then extends toward the front. The lever portion  460  bends toward the right at a bent portion  461  that is in a central portion of the lever portion  460  in the front-rear direction, and then extends toward the front again. The tip of the lever portion  460  is exposed to the outside of the housing  41 . The user may therefore move the lever portion  460  by hand. In the explanation that follows, the part of the lever portion  460  that is toward the front from the position of the bent portion  461  is referred to as the lever front portion  462 . The part of the lever portion  460  that is toward the rear from the position of the bent portion  461  is referred to as the lever rear portion  463 . 
     The extension portion  475  extends toward the front from the location where the shaft member  459  is inserted. The shaft member  464  is inserted through the front end portion of the extension portion  475  in the left-right direction. The shaft member  464  may be moved up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the lever plate  452 . The left end portion of the shaft member  464  thus may be moved away from and press against the movable portion  458  of the detector switch  457 . In this manner, the detector switch  457  may be switched between the OFF state and the ON state. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a rear end portion of a linking member  465  is coupled to the right end portion of the shaft member  464 . A hole  466  is provided in the bent portion  456  in the right front portion of the base portion  451  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). The hole  466  is slightly elongated in the front-rear direction. A shaft member  467  is inserted through the hole  466 . The shaft member  467  can be slid in the front-rear direction within the hole  466 . The shaft member  467  is coupled to the front end portion of the linking member  465 . The spring  468  is provided such that the shaft member  467  is coupled with the shaft member  459 . The spring  468  is provided in an extended state. Therefore, the spring  468  constantly generates a force in the direction of contraction. The shaft member  467  is therefore pulled toward the rear by the spring  468 . Accordingly, the shaft member  467  is in contact with the rear end portion of the hole  466  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the rotating member  469  is provided above the front end of the base portion  451 . The rotating member  469  can be rotated with a central shaft  470  of the rotating member  469  as the center of rotation. The rotating plate  471  is coupled to the rear portion of the rotating member  469 . The rotating plate  471  extends obliquely upward and rearward. The rear portion of the rotating plate  471  is positioned to the right of the lever rear portion  463  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). A shaft member  472  extends toward the left from the rear end portion of the rotating plate  471  (refer to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , not shown in  FIG. 4 ). The shaft member  472  is positioned below the lever rear portion  463 . The front end of the rotating member  469  is coupled to the feed mechanism  43 . 
     The feed mechanism  43  will be explained. The feed mechanism  43  extends obliquely downward and forward. The feed mechanism  43  includes plate portions  431 ,  432  (refer to  FIG. 4 ), pulleys  433 ,  434 , and the belt  435 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the plate portions  431  and  432  are positioned opposite one another. The plate portions  431  and  432  extend obliquely downward toward the front from the front end of the rotating member  469  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). The front end portions of the plate portions  431  and  432  support the pulley  433  such that the pulley  433  can be rotated. The rear end portions of the plate portions  431  and  432  support the pulley  434  such that the pulley  434  can be rotated. The belt  435  is provided around the pulley  433  and the pulley  434 . The front end portion of the belt  435  is positioned at a belt positioning portion  512  (described below) of the presser foot  51  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). The front end portion of the belt  435  may press the work cloth  100  and may feed the work cloth  100  in the front-rear direction. The way in which the position of the feed mechanism  43  is switched by the switching mechanism  45  will be described below. Screws  436  and  437  fix the position of the plate portion  431 . In a case where the screws  436  and  437  are removed, the plate portion  431  may be removed from the feed mechanism  43 . In a state in which the plate portion  431  has been removed, the user may replace the belt  435  with another belt. 
     A structure for adjusting the pressure when the feed mechanism  43  presses the work cloth  100  will be explained. A lower edge portion of a plate portion  473  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) is fixed by screws (not shown in the drawings) to the bent portions  454  and  455  on the left side of the base portion  451  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , the plate portion  473  extends upward. An extension portion  474  that extends toward the right is provided in a central portion of the upper edge of the plate portion  473  in the front-rear direction. The extension portion  474  is positioned above the motor  491  (described below). The pressure adjustment mechanism  48  is provided on the right end portion of the extension portion  474 . 
     The pressure adjustment mechanism  48  includes a male threaded portion  481 , a female threaded portion  482 , and a spring  483 . The male threaded portion  481  penetrates in the up-down direction through the top face of the housing  41  and through the extension portion  474 . The female threaded portion  482  is located on the top side of the top face of the housing  41  above the extension portion  474  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The upper end portion of the male threaded portion  481  is inserted through the female threaded portion  482 . The upper end portion of the spring  483  is fixed to the lower end portion of the male threaded portion  481 . The spring  483  extends downward. The lower end portion of the spring  483  is fixed to the rear end portion of the rotating plate  471 . The spring  483  pulls the rear end portion of the rotating plate  471  upward. The male threaded portion  481  is moved in the up-down direction when the female threaded portion  482  is turned. When the male threaded portion  481  is moved upward, the spring  483  is extended. Therefore, the force with which the spring  483  pulls the rear end portion of the rotating plate  471  upward becomes stronger. When the rotating plate  471  is pulled upward, a force is applied to the feed mechanism  43  in a counterclockwise direction as seen from the right side, with the central shaft  470  serving as the center of rotation. Therefore, the force with which the front end portion of the belt  435  presses downward against the work cloth  100  becomes stronger. When the male threaded portion  481  is moved downward, the spring  483  contracts. Therefore, the force with which the spring  483  pulls the rear end portion of the rotating plate  471  upward becomes weaker. Accordingly, the force with which the belt  435  presses against the work cloth  100  becomes weaker. In this manner, the force with which the belt  435  presses against the work cloth  100  can be adjusted by adjusting pressure adjustment mechanism  48 . 
     The mounting portion  42  and the presser foot  51  will be explained. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the mounting portion  42  is provided above the feed mechanism  43  in the front end portion of the upper feed device  4 . The mounting portion  42  includes two holding portions  421  and  422 . The holding portions  421  and  422  are mounted on and fixed to the presser bar  27  by a shoulder screw  423 . The shoulder screw  423  includes a head  425 , a shank  426 , and a threaded portion  424 . The outside diameter of the shank  426  is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the head  425 . The outside diameter of the threaded portion  424  is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the shank  426 . The holding portions  421  and  422  are provided on the front end of the upper feed device  4 . The holding portion  421  is provided above the holding portion  422  and is set apart slightly from the holding portion  422 . Each of the holding portions  421  and  422  has a recessed portion that is recessed toward the left. The lower end portion of the presser bar  27  may be disposed in the recessed portions. A threaded hole (not shown in the drawings) is provided in the lower end portion of the presser bar  27 . The threaded hole extends through the presser bar  27  in the left-right direction. The threaded portion  424  may be screwed into the threaded hole. A slot (not shown in the drawings) is formed in the left side face of the head  425 . A tool (not shown in the drawings), which will be described below, may be fitted into the slot. 
     When mounting the upper feed device  4  to the presser bar  27 , the user may match the position of the threaded portion  424  to that the position of the threaded hole in the presser bar  27 . In that state, the user may turn the head  425  with his fingers or may fit the tool into the slot to turn the head  425 . The right side face of the shank  426  may thus come into contact with the left side faces of the holding portions  421  and  422 . In that state, if the shoulder screw  423  is turned and tightened, the holding portions  421  and  422  are clamped between the shank  426  and the presser bar  27 . In that state, the holding portions  421  and  422  are fixed to the presser bar  27 . The upper feed device  4  may thus be mounted to the presser bar  27 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a presser foot support portion  511  is provided on the lower edge portion of the holding portion  422 . The presser foot support portion  511  straddles the front end portion of the feed mechanism  43  at the left and right. The presser foot support portion  511  extends obliquely downward and forward. The presser foot  51  is provided on the lower end of the presser foot support portion  511 . The sewing needle  29  may pass through a hole  513  in the presser foot  51 . The belt positioning portion  512  is provided at the rear of the hole  513 . The belt positioning portion  512  is a rectangular open portion that extends to the rear edge of the presser foot  51 . The front end portion of the belt  435  of the feed mechanism  43  may be disposed on the inner side of the belt positioning portion  512 . When the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position, the front end portion of the belt  435  may feed the work cloth  100  while pressing downward against the work cloth  100  in the belt positioning portion  512 . 
     The upper feed device  4  may be mounted to the presser bar  27  by the mounting portion  42 . Therefore, when the presser bar  27  is moved upward, the upper feed device  4  is also moved upward. The presser foot  51  is also moved away from the work cloth  100 . When the presser bar  27  is moved downward, the upper feed device  4  is also moved downward. The presser foot  51  also presses downward against the work cloth  100 . 
     The drive mechanism  49  will be explained. As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the drive mechanism  49  includes the motor  491 , gears  492  to  497 , and an electric substrate  498  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). The motor  491  is positioned above the base portion  451  and on the right side of the plate portion  473  (refer to  FIGS. 4 and 10 ). A drive shaft  499  of the motor  491  extends through the plate portion  473  and protrudes from the left side of the plate portion  473  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). The gear  492  is fixed to the projecting end of the drive shaft  499 . The gear  493  is positioned obliquely below and at the front of the gear  492 . The gear  492  meshes with the gear  493 . The gear  494  is provided on the left side face of the gear  493 . The diameter of the gear  494  is smaller than the diameter of the gear  493 . The gears  493  and  494  are formed as a single unit. The gear  495  is positioned in front of the gear  494 . The gear  494  meshes with the gear  495 . The gear  495  is provided around a central shaft  500 . The central shaft  500  extends through the plate portion  473  and protrudes from the right side of the plate portion  473  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). The gear  496  is provided around the central shaft  500  at the right of the plate portion  473 . The gear  496  meshes with the gear  497 , which is in front of the gear  496 . The gear  497  is formed as a single unit with the pulley  434  of the feed mechanism  43 . The electric substrate  498  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) is positioned at the left of the plate portion  473  and the gear  495 . The motor  491  is connected to the electric substrate  498  through a lead wire  501  (refer to  FIGS. 4 to 6 ). 
     The connecting portion  52  is connected to the electric substrate  498  via a connector  504  (refer to  FIG. 15 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the connecting portion  52  includes a lead wire  502  and a connector  503 . The lead wire  502  extends from the electrical circuit board  498  to the outside of the housing  41  of the upper feed device  4 . The connector  503  is provided on one end of the lead wire  502 . The connector  503  may be connected to a connector  141 . The connector  141  is provided in the head  14  of the sewing machine  1 . The connector  141  is electrically connected to the control portion  60  of the sewing machine  1  (refer to  FIG. 15 ). The motor  491  may be electrically connected to the control portion  60  of the sewing machine  1  via the electric substrate  498 , the lead wire  502 , and the connector  503 . In other words, the motor  491  and the control portion  60  of the sewing machine  1  may be electrically connected via the connecting portion  52 . The CPU  61  may control the operation of the motor  491 . 
     When the motor  491  turns, the pulley  434  is rotated via the gears  492  to  497 . When the pulley  434  is rotated, the belt  435  is moved. The pulley  433  is rotated in conjunction with the moving of the belt  435 . The belt  435  can feed the work cloth  100  by moving while making contact with the work cloth  100 . Furthermore, the control portion  60  can perform control that synchronizes the timing of the operation by which the upper feed device  4  feeds the work cloth  100  and the timing of the operation by which the feed dog  34  feeds the work cloth  100 . Accordingly, the upper feed device  4  and the feed dog  34  can operate in coordination to feed the work cloth  100 . 
     The way in which the position of the feed mechanism  43  is switched between the feed position (refer to  FIGS. 6 to 8 ) and the standby position (refer to  FIGS. 11 to 13 ) will be explained. First, a case will be explained in which the position of the feed mechanism  43  is switched from the feed position to the standby position. In a case where the user switches the position of the feed mechanism  43  from the feed position to the standby position, the user may press the lever portion  460  downward (refer to the arrow  200  in  FIG. 6 ). When the lever portion  460  is pressed downward, the lever plate  452  is rotated counterclockwise as seen from the right side, with the shaft member  459  as the center of rotation. That causes the extension portion  475  of the lever plate  452  and the shaft member  464  to rotate downward (refer to the arrow  201  in  FIG. 6 ), so that the shaft member  467  is pushed toward the front via the linking member  465 . Then the shaft member  467  slides toward the front within the hole  466  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) against the contracting force of the spring  468 . 
     When the shaft member  464  is moved lower than the spring  468 , the shaft member  467  is pulled toward the rear by the contracting force of the spring  468  and by the movement of the linking member  465 . Therefore, the shaft member  467  slides toward the rear within the hole  466 . When the shaft member  467  is moved to the rear end of the hole  466 , the rotation of the lever plate  452  stops (refer to  FIG. 11 ). 
     In the process of the rotating of the lever plate  452 , the lower edge of the lever rear portion  463  comes into contact with the shaft member  472  and pushes the shaft member  472  downward. The rotating plate  471 , on which the shaft member  472  is provided, is then rotated downward, with the central shaft  470  of the rotating member  469  as the center of rotation (refer to the arrow  202  in  FIG. 6 ). Therefore, the feed mechanism  43  is rotated upward, with the central shaft  470  as the center of rotation (refer to the arrow  203  in  FIG. 6 ). The belt  435  of the feed mechanism  43  is thereby moved away from the work cloth  100  (refer to  FIG. 11 ). In other words, the position of the feed mechanism  43  is switched from the feed position (refer to  FIGS. 6 to 8 ) to the standby position (refer to  FIGS. 11 to 13 ). The contracting force of the spring  468  operates constantly. Therefore, even if the user removes the user&#39;s hand from the lever portion  460 , the shaft member  467  can be held in the state in which the shaft member  467  has been moved to the rear end of the hole  466 . The shaft member  464  can therefore be held in the state in which the shaft member  464  is positioned lower than the spring  468 . Therefore, the position of the feed mechanism  43  can be held in the state in which the position of the feed mechanism  43  has been switched to the standby position. 
     In the process of the switching of the position of the feed mechanism  43  from the feed position to the standby position (refer to  FIGS. 11 to 13 ), the left end of the shaft member  464  of the extension portion  475  pushes the movable portion  458  of the detector switch  457  downward (refer to  FIG. 12 ). The detector switch  457  is thereby switched from the OFF state to the ON state. The CPU  61  of the sewing machine  1  can thus detect that the feed mechanism  43  has been switched from the feed position to the standby position. 
     Next, a case will be explained in which the position of the feed mechanism  43  is switched from the standby position (refer to  FIGS. 11 to 13 ) to the feed position (refer to  FIGS. 6 to 8 ). In a case where the user switches the position of the feed mechanism  43  from the standby position to the feed position, the user may press the lever portion  460  upward. In this case, the lever portion  460  and the extension portion  475  operate in the opposite way from how the lever portion  460  and the extension portion  475  operate in the case that was described above, where the position of the feed mechanism  43  is switched from the feed position to the standby position (refer to the arrows  204  and  205  in  FIG. 11 ). 
     When the lever portion  460  is rotated upward, the lever rear portion  463  begins to be moved away from the shaft member  472 , which is provided in the rotating plate  471 . The rotating plate  471  is pulled upward by the spring  483  of the pressure adjustment mechanism  48 . The rotating plate  471  is therefore rotated upward, with the central shaft  470  as the center of rotation (refer to the arrow  206  in  FIG. 11 ). Therefore, the feed mechanism  43  is rotated downward (refer to the arrow  207  in  FIG. 11 ). The front end portion of the belt  435  of the feed mechanism  43  may thereby press downward against the work cloth  100 . In other words, the feed mechanism  43  is switched to the feed position. In this state, the upper feed device  4  may operate in coordination with the feed dog  34  to feed the work cloth  100 . 
     Images that are displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 14 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , a utility stitch key  91  and the like, for example, may be displayed along the top of the liquid crystal display  15 . In a case where the utility stitch key  91  is selected by a panel operation, stitch type selection keys  103  for utility stitches may be displayed in a first display area  101  (described below), as shown in  FIG. 14 . The stitch type selection keys  103  for the utility stitches are used for selecting utility stitch types to be formed by the sewing machine  1 . The utility stitch types include a straight stitch, a zigzag stitch, an overcasting stitch, a buttonhole stitch, a transverse stitch, and the like, for example. The transverse stitch type will be explained below. 
     The first display area  101  may be displayed below the utility stitch key  91 . The stitch type selection keys  103  and the like may be displayed in the first display area  101 . Some (sixteen in  FIG. 14 ) of the stitch type selection keys  103  may be displayed in the first display area  101 . A stitch type number  132  and a stitch type pattern  133  may be displayed on each of the stitch type selection keys  103 . The stitch type number  132  is a number that identifies each of the stitch types. The stitch type pattern  133  shows a simplified version of the shape of the stitch type. The CPU  61  can display the stitch type selection keys  103  by referencing a stitch type data table that will be described below. The user may perform a panel operation on one of the stitch type selection keys  103  while looking at the stitch type number  132  and the stitch type pattern  133 . In that way, the user can select a stitch type for performing sewing. A second display area  160  may be provided below the first display area  101 . Function keys  50  may be displayed in the second display area  160 . The function keys  50  are used for making settings for the stitch types. 
     The stitch type data table will be explained. The stitch type data table is stored in a stitch type data table storage area  641  of an EEPROM  64  (described below, refer to  FIG. 15 ). In the stitch type data table, the stitch type number, stitch type pattern data, sewing data, and an upper feed device use flag are stored in association with each of the stitch types. The stitch type pattern data are data for displaying the stitch type patterns  133  on the stitch type selection keys  103 . The sewing data are data for performing the sewing that corresponds to the stitch type patterns  133 . The CPU  61  can cause the sewing machine  1  to sew the stitch types in accordance with the sewing data. The upper feed device use flag is a flag that indicates whether the upper feed device  4  is to be used in a case where the sewing is performed based on the sewing data. A stitch type for which the associated upper feed device use flag is set to “1” is a stitch type that can be sewn while the work cloth  100  is fed by using the upper feed device  4 . A stitch type for which the associated upper feed device use flag is set to “0” is a stitch type that is to be sewn without using the upper feed device  4 . Hereinafter, a stitch type that can be sewn while the work cloth  100  is fed by using the upper feed device  4  is referred to as an upper feed enabled stitch type. Hereinafter, a stitch type that is sewn without using the upper feed device  4  is referred to as an upper feed disabled stitch type. An example of the upper feed disabled stitch type is the transverse stitch type, which is mentioned above. The transverse stitch type is a stitch type that is to be sewn while the work cloth  100  is fed to one of the left and the right by operating the feed dog  34  so as to be moved in the left-right direction. 
     The electrical configuration of the sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 15 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the control portion  60  of the sewing machine  1  includes the CPU  61 , a ROM  62 , a RAM  63 , the EEPROM  64 , and an input/output interface  65 , all of which are connected to one another via a bus  67 . ROM  62  stores programs for the CPU  61  to perform processing, as well as data and the like. EEPROM  64  includes the stitch type data table storage area  641 . The above-described stitch type data table is stored in the stitch type data table storage area  641 . EEPROM  64  also stores upper limit values and lower limit values for a stitch length, thread tension, and the like, as well as optimum values and set values, for each of the stitch types. EEPROM  64  also stores various types of other data. RAM  63  may store various types of temporary data. 
     The switch cluster  21 , the touch panel  26 , drive circuits  71 ,  72 ,  74 ,  75 , and the connector  141  are electrically connected to the input/output interface  65 . The drive circuit  71  may drive the feed adjustment motor  78 . The drive circuit  72  may drive the sewing machine motor  79 . The drive circuit  74  may drive the needle bar swinging motor  80 . The drive circuit  75  may drive the liquid crystal display  15 . 
     The connector  141  may be connected to one end of the connecting portion  52 . The connecting portion  52  is connected to the connector  504 . The connector  504  and a drive circuit  151  are mounted on the electric substrate  498 . The connector  504  is electrically connected to the detector switch  457  (refer to  FIGS. 7 and 15 ) and the drive circuit  151 . The drive circuit  151  may drive the motor  491 . By controlling the drive circuit  151 , the CPU  61  can control the driving of the motor  491 . The CPU  61  also can detect the output (the ON state or the OFF state) of the detector switch  457 . 
     Although this is not shown in the drawings, the circuitry is configured such that a Low signal is input to the CPU  61  in a case where the upper feed device  4  is connected via the connector  141 . Furthermore, the circuitry is configured such that a High signal is input to the CPU  61  in a case where the upper feed device  4  is not connected via the connector  141 . By detecting one of the Low signal and the High signal, the CPU  61  can detect whether the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected. 
     Main processing will be explained with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 16 . The main processing is performed by the CPU  61  of the sewing machine  1  in accordance with a program that is stored in the ROM  62 . The main processing is performed in a case where, for example, a panel operation is performed on the utility stitch key  91 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , first, a screen for selecting a utility stitch type is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  (Step S 11 ). In the processing at Step S 11 , the screen that is shown in  FIG. 14  may be displayed, for example. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the stitch type selection keys  103  are displayed in the first display area  101 . The stitch type pattern  133  and the stitch type number  132  are displayed on each of the stitch type selection keys  103 . The stitch type patterns  133  are displayed based on the stitch type data in the stitch type data table that is stored in the EEPROM  64 . 
     Next, the CPU  61  detects whether the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected by the connecting portion  52  of the upper feed device  4  (Step S 12 ). Specifically, as described above, by detecting one of the Low signal and the High signal, the CPU  61  can detect whether the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected. Next, a determination is made as to whether the result of the detection at Step S 12  is that the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected (Step S 13 ). In other words, a determination is made as to whether the upper feed device  4  and the sewing machine  1  are connected via the connecting portion  52 . In a case where the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are not electrically connected (NO at Step S 13 ), an ordinary selection screen is displayed (Step S 16 ). The ordinary selection screen is a screen on which settings that are made in a case where the processing at Step S 33  (refer to  FIG. 17 ), which will be described below, is performed have not been made. The ordinary selection screen may be the screen that is shown in  FIG. 14 , for example. In other words, the screen that was displayed at Step S 11  (refer to  FIG. 14 ) continues to be displayed. Next, the processing at Step S 18 , which will be described below, is performed. 
     In a case where the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected (YES at Step S 13 ), the position of the feed mechanism  43  (one of the feed position and the standby position) is detected (Step S 14 ). Specifically, the state of the detector switch  457  is detected. If the detector switch  457  is in the OFF state, the CPU  61  detects that the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position (refer to  FIGS. 6 to 8 ). If the detector switch  457  is in the ON state, the CPU  61  detects that the feed mechanism  43  is in the standby position (refer to  FIGS. 11 to 13 ). 
     Next, a determination is made as to whether the result of the detection at Step S 14  is that the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position (Step S 15 ). In a case where the feed mechanism  43  is in the standby position (NO at Step S 15 ), the ordinary selection screen is displayed (Step S 16 ). In a case where the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position (YES at Step S 15 ), display setting processing is performed (Step S 17 ). 
     The display setting processing will be explained with reference to  FIG. 17 . The display setting processing is processing that makes a setting such that an upper feed disabled stitch type is not selected. As shown in  FIG. 17 , first, the upper feed device use flag for one of the stitch types that are stored in the stitch type data table is checked (Step S 31 ). Next, a determination is made as to whether the result of the check at Step S 31  is that the stitch type is an upper feed enabled stitch type (Step S 32 ). In a case where the stitch type is not an upper feed enabled stitch type (NO at Step S 32 ), settings are made such that the stitch type selection key  103  for the stitch type for which the upper feed device use flag was checked at Step S 31  cannot be used (Step S 33 ). For example, in  FIG. 18 , the stitch type selection keys  103  for some of the stitch types (the stitch type numbers  1 - 05 ,  1 - 06 ,  1 - 07 , and  1 - 14  among the stitch type selection keys  103 ) are displayed in gray (grayed out). A setting is also made such that the grayed out stitch type selection key  103  does not respond even if a panel operation is performed on the grayed out stitch type selection key  103 . In the explanation that follows, the settings that are made at Step S 33  are referred to as the disabling settings. 
     In a case where the stitch type is an upper feed enabled stitch type (YES at Step S 32 ), settings are made such that the stitch type selection key  103  for the stitch type for which the upper feed device use flag was checked at Step S 31  can be used (Step S 34 ). At Step S 34 , the stitch type selection key  103  is not grayed out, unlike at Step S 33 . The setting for the stitch type selection key  103  is retained that makes it possible for the user to select the stitch type selection key  103  for the stitch type by performing a panel operation. In the explanation that follows, the settings that are made at Step S 34  are referred to as the enabling settings. 
     Next, a determination is made as to whether the processing at one of Steps S 33  and S 34  has been performed for all of the utility stitch types that are stored in the stitch type data table (Step S 35 ). In a case where a stitch type exists for which the processing at one of Steps S 33  and S 34  has not been performed (NO at Step S 35 ), the processing returns to Step S 31 , and the upper feed device use flag for the next stitch type is checked. The processing at Steps S 31  to S 35  is thus repeated. In a case where there exists among the stitch types that are stored in the stitch type data table a stitch type for which the disabling settings have been made as a result of the processing, a screen like that shown in  FIG. 18 , for example, is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . On the liquid crystal display  15  that is shown in  FIG. 18 , a screen is displayed on which the stitch type selection keys  103  for some of the stitch types have been grayed out. In a case where the processing at one of Steps S 33  and S 34  has been performed for all of the utility stitch types that are stored in the stitch type data table (YES at Step S 35 ), the display setting processing is terminated. 
     The processing returns to the main processing that is shown in  FIG. 16 , and a determination is made as to whether a stitch type has been selected by a panel operation (Step S 18 ). In a case where a stitch type has not been selected (NO at Step S 18 ), the processing at Step S 18  is repeated. In a case where a stitch type has been selected (YES at Step S 18 ), a determination is made as to whether a command to start sewing has been input (Step S 19 ). In a case where a command to start sewing has not been input (NO at Step S 19 ), the processing at Step S 19  is repeated. 
     In a case where the sewing start/stop switch that is included in the switch cluster  21  is operated, for example, a determination is made that a command to start sewing has been input (YES at Step S 19 ). Then the sewing of the stitch type that was selected at Step S 18  is performed (Step S 20 ). In a case where the sewing is performed with the upper feed device  4  being used, for example, the sewing is performed while the work cloth  100  is fed by the upper feed device  4  and the feed dog  34 . When the sewing is finished, the main processing is terminated. 
     First display switching processing will be explained with reference to the flowchart that is shown in  FIG. 19 . The first display switching processing is processing that switches the displayed screen to the ordinary selection screen (refer to  FIG. 14 ) in a case where the upper feed device  4  has changed from a state in which the upper feed device  4  can be used to a state in which the upper feed device  4  cannot be used, after the display setting processing (refer to  FIG. 17 ) has been performed. A case where the upper feed device  4  has been changed to a state in which the upper feed device  4  cannot be used may be, for example, a case where the connector  503  of the upper feed device  4  has been removed from the connector  141  of the sewing machine  1 , or a case where the position of the feed mechanism  43  has been switched from the feed position to the standby position. The CPU  61  performs the first display switching processing while also performing the processing from Step S 18  onward, after the display setting processing at Step S 17  of the main processing (refer to  FIG. 16 ). 
     In the first display switching processing, first, the CPU  61  detects whether the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected by the connecting portion  52  (Step S 41 ), in the same manner as in the processing at Step S 12 . Next, by referencing the result of the detection at Step S 41 , the CPU  61  determines whether the state of the connection between the motor  491  and the control portion  60  has changed (Step S 42 ). As explained above, the first display switching processing is processing that is performed after the screen that was created by the display setting processing has been displayed at Step S 17  (refer to  FIG. 16 ). The first display switching processing is therefore performed in a state in which the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected. Therefore, in a case where the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are not electrically connected at Step S 42 , a determination is made that the state of the connection has changed. A case where the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are not electrically connected may be, for example, a case where the connector  503  of the upper feed device  4  has been removed from the connector  141  of the sewing machine  1 . 
     In a case where the state of the connection has changed (YES at Step S 42 ), the processing at Step S 45 , will be described later, is performed. In a case where the state of the connection has not changed (NO at Step S 42 ), the position of the feed mechanism  43  (one of the feed position and the standby position) is detected (Step S 43 ), in the same manner as in the processing at Step S 14  (refer to  FIG. 16 ). Next, by referencing the result of the detection at Step S 43 , the CPU  61  determines whether or not the position of the feed mechanism  43  has changed (Step S 44 ). As explained above, the first display switching processing is processing that is performed after the screen that was created by the display setting processing has been displayed at Step S 17  (refer to  FIG. 16 ). The first display switching processing is therefore performed in a case in which the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position. Therefore, in a case where the position of the feed mechanism  43  has changed from the feed position to the standby position at Step S 44 , a determination is made that the position of the feed mechanism  43  has changed. 
     In a case where the position of the feed mechanism  43  has not changed (NO at Step S 44 ), the processing returns to Step S 41 . In a case where the position of the feed mechanism  43  has changed (YES at Step S 44 ), a determination is made as to whether sewing is in progress (Step S 45 ). For example, if the sewing at Step S 20  in the main processing (refer to  FIG. 16 ) is in the course of being performed, a determination is made that sewing is in progress. In a case where sewing is not in progress (NO at Step S 45 ), the processing at Step S 48 , will be described below, is performed. In a case where sewing is in progress (YES at Step S 45 ), the sewing is stopped (Step S 46 ). Next, a message is displayed (Step S 47 ). At Step S 47 , a message is displayed that is in accordance with the change that was determined at one of Steps S 42  and S 44 . For example, in a case where the connector  503  of the upper feed device  4  has been removed from the connector  141  of the sewing machine  1 , the message “Upper feed device has been removed” may be displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 , as shown in  FIG. 20  (NO at Step S 42 , YES at Step S 45 , Step S 46 , Step S 47 ). After the message has been displayed for a specified time period (for example, five seconds), the message is cleared from the screen on the liquid crystal display  15 . 
     Next, the ordinary selection screen (refer to  FIG. 14 ), which is not created by the display setting processing, is displayed (Step S 48 ). For example, the screen that is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  may be switched from the state that is shown in  FIG. 18  to the state that is shown in  FIG. 14 . Next, the first display switching processing is terminated. In this manner, in the first display switching processing, the user may be notified that the upper feed device  4  has changed from a state in which the upper feed device  4  can be used to a state in which the upper feed device  4  cannot be used. The user may also select an upper feed disabled stitch type. 
     Second display switching processing will be explained with reference to the flowchart that is shown in  FIG. 21 . The second display switching processing is processing that switches to the screen (refer to  FIG. 18 ) that is created by the display setting processing (refer to  FIG. 17 ) in a case where the upper feed device  4  has changed from a state in which the upper feed device  4  cannot be used to a state in which the upper feed device  4  can be used, after the ordinary selection screen (refer to  FIG. 14 ) has been displayed. A case where the upper feed device  4  has changed to a state in which the upper feed device  4  can be used may be, for example, a case where the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected by the connecting portion  52  and the position of the feed mechanism  43  has been switched to the feed position. The CPU  61  performs the second display switching processing while performing the processing from Step S 18  onward, after displaying the ordinary selection screen at Step S 16  in the main processing (refer to  FIG. 16 ). In the explanation that follows, the same reference numerals are assigned to and detailed explanations will be omitted for the processing steps that are the same as the processing steps in the first display switching processing (refer to  FIG. 19 ). 
     In the second display switching processing, first, the processing at Steps S 41  to S 47  is performed in the same manner as in the first display switching processing. At Step S 47 , a message is displayed that is in accordance with the change that was determined at one of Steps S 42  and S 44 . For example, in a case where the position of the feed mechanism  43  has been switched from the standby position to the feed position, the message “Upper feed device has been switched to feed position” may be displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 . 
     In a case where it has been determined at Step S 45  that sewing is not in progress (NO at Step S 45 ), as well as when the message is displayed at Step S 47 , a determination is made as to whether or not the upper feed device  4  can be used (Step S 51 ). At Step S 51 , by referencing the results of the detections at Steps S 41  and S 43 , the CPU  61  determines that the upper feed device  4  can be used if the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are connected by the connecting portion  52  and if the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position (Step S 51 ). 
     In a case where the upper feed device  4  cannot be used (NO at Step S 51 ), the processing returns to Step S 41 . In other words, the ordinary selection screen (refer to  FIG. 14 ) continues to be displayed. In a case where the upper feed device  4  can be used (YES at Step S 51 ), the display setting processing (refer to  FIG. 17 ) is performed (Step S 52 ). In this manner, the screen that is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15  is switched from the ordinary selection screen (refer to  FIG. 14 ) to the screen that is created by the display setting processing (refer to  FIG. 18 ). Then, the second display switching processing is terminated. In the second display switching processing, the user can thus be notified that the upper feed device  4  has changed from a state in which the upper feed device  4  cannot be used to a state in which the upper feed device  4  can be used. The user may select an upper feed enabled stitch type. 
     In the present embodiment, the motor  491  and the feed mechanism  43  are both provided in the one upper feed device  4 . It is therefore possible to make the number of members through which the driving force of the motor  491  is transmitted to the feed mechanism  43  smaller than it would be in a case where the motor  491  and the feed mechanism  43  are provided in separate devices. That in turn makes it possible to reduce the size of the device (the upper feed device  4 ) for feeding the work cloth  100 . The upper feed device  4  can be mounted to the presser bar  27  of the sewing machine  1 . It is therefore not necessary for the user to move around to the rear of the sewing machine  1  in order to perform the work of mounting the upper feed device  4 . Accordingly, the upper feed device  4  can be mounted more easily. 
     The force with which the front end portion of the belt  435  presses against the work cloth  100  can be adjusted by adjusting the pressure adjustment mechanism  48 . That makes it possible to adjust the force with which the front end portion of the belt  435  presses against the work cloth  100  to a force that is appropriate for the thickness, the material, and the like of the work cloth  100 . Accordingly, the work cloth  100  can be fed more appropriately, and the quality of the sewing can be improved. 
     When the switching mechanism  45  is operated, the position of the feed mechanism  43  is switched between the feed position and the standby position. Accordingly, the feed mechanism  43  can easily be moved away from the work cloth  100  simply by operating the switching mechanism  45 . In a state in which the feed mechanism  43  has been moved away from the work cloth  100 , the user may perform various types of work. The various types of work include, for example, moving the work cloth  100  manually, sewing while the work cloth  100  is fed only by the feed dog  34 , and the like. In other words, there is no need to remove the upper feed device  4  itself from the presser bar  27 , even if the form of the sewing work changes. Accordingly, sewing can be performed more efficiently than it can in a case where it is necessary to remove the upper feed device  4 , even when the work cloth  100  is fed only by the feed dog  34 . The position of the feed mechanism  43  can be switched easily to the feed position. Therefore, sewing for which the upper feed device  4  is used can be started smoothly. 
     In a case where the presser bar  27  is moved upward, the upper feed device  4  is moved upward, and the presser foot  51  is moved away from the work cloth  100 . In a case where the presser bar  27  is moved downward, the upper feed device  4  is moved downward, and the presser foot  51  may press the work cloth  100  downward. Thus the upper feed device  4  is moved up and down in conjunction with the upward and downward movements of the presser bar  27 . Therefore, various types of work can be performed when the presser bar  27  is in a raised state without removing the upper feed device  4 . For example, when the presser bar  27  is in a raised state, the user may set and remove the work cloth  100  manually. The user may rotate and move the work cloth  100  in order to change the direction of the sewing. The user can move the presser bar  27  from a raised state to a lowered state and perform sewing smoothly. The operating efficiency of the sewing may be improved accordingly. 
     The belt  435  may be replaced by another belt. Therefore, the belt  435  may be replaced by a belt that has a coefficient of friction that is appropriate for the thickness, the material, and the like of the work cloth  100 , for example. In that way, the work cloth  100  may be fed appropriately. The quality of the sewing may be improved accordingly. In a case where the upper feed device  4  is used for a long time, the belt  435  may become worn. In those cases, the belt  435  may be replaced by a new belt. The work cloth  100  may thereby be fed appropriately. The quality of the sewing may therefore be maintained well. 
     In the main processing (refer to  FIG. 16 ), the CPU  61  detects whether the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected by the connecting portion  52  (Step S 12 ). In a case where the result of the detection at Step S 12  is that the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are not connected (NO at Step S 13 ), the ordinary selection screen (refer to  FIG. 14 ) is displayed (Step S 16 ). A case where the screen that is created by the display setting processing (refer to  FIG. 18 ) is displayed (Steps S 31  to S 35 ) is a case where the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are connected (YES at Step S 13 ). In other words, by displaying the screen that is created by the display setting processing, the CPU  61  informs the user that the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected. Therefore, by checking the liquid crystal display  15 , the user may easily determine the state of the connection between the motor  491  and the control portion  60 , that is, the state of the connection between the upper feed device  4  and the sewing machine  1 . The burden of the work of checking the state of the connection may be lightened accordingly. Therefore, the efficiency of the sewing work may be improved. 
     In the main processing, the CPU  61  detects whether the position of the feed mechanism  43  is the feed position or the standby position (Step S 14 ). In a case where the result of the detection at Step S 14  is that the feed mechanism  43  is not in the feed position (NO at Step S 15 ), the ordinary selection screen (refer to  FIG. 14 ) is displayed. In a case where the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position (YES at Step S 15 ), the screen that is created by the display setting processing (refer to  FIG. 18 ) is displayed (Steps S 31  to S 35 ). In other words, by displaying the screen that is created by the display setting processing, the CPU  61  can notify the user that the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position. Therefore, by checking the liquid crystal display  15 , the user may easily determine the position of the feed mechanism  43 . The burden of the work of checking the state of the position of the feed mechanism  43  may be lightened accordingly. Therefore, the efficiency of the sewing work may be improved. 
     In the first display switching processing (refer to  FIG. 19 ) and the second display switching processing (refer to  FIG. 21 ), in a case where it is determined that the state of the connection between the motor  491  and the control portion  60  has changed (YES at Step S 42 ), the sewing is stopped (Step S 46 ). Thus, in a case where the state of the connection between the motor  491  and the control portion  60  has changed for some reason while the sewing is in progress, it is possible to stop the sewing automatically. For example, the connecting portion  52  may be disconnected from the sewing machine  1  for some reason while sewing is being performed with the upper feed device  4  being used. In this sort of case, the sewing machine  1  stops at the same time that the upper feed device  4  stops. The user may therefore perform the sewing work safely. Moreover, the stitches that are formed in the work cloth  100  may not be affected by the change in the state of the connection. It is therefore possible to prevent a drop in the quality of the sewing. 
     In the first display switching processing (refer to  FIG. 19 ) and the second display switching processing (refer to  FIG. 21 ), in a case where it is determined that the position of the feed mechanism  43  has changed (YES at Step S 44 ), the sewing is stopped (Step S 46 ). Thus, in a case where the position of the feed mechanism  43  has changed while the sewing is in progress, it is possible to stop the sewing operation automatically. For example, the feed mechanism  43  may be switched to the feed position for some reason while sewing is being performed with the work cloth  100  being fed by the feed dog  34  alone. In this case, the belt  435  may come into contact with the work cloth  100 . The sewing machine  1  stops immediately, so the user may perform the sewing work safely. Moreover, the stitches that are formed in the work cloth  100  may not be affected by the change in the position of the feed mechanism  43 . It is therefore possible to prevent a drop in the quality of the sewing. 
     In the display setting processing (refer to  FIG. 17 ) in the main processing (refer to  FIG. 16 ) and the second display switching processing (refer to  FIG. 21 ), in a case where the stitch type is not an upper feed enabled stitch type (NO at Step S 32 ), the disabling settings are made (Step S 33 ). In a case where the stitch type is an upper feed enabled stitch type (YES at Step S 32 ), the enabling settings are made (Step S 34 ). The stitch type selection keys  103  for the stitch types for which the disabling settings have been made are grayed out. In other words, by making one of the disabling settings and the enabling settings, the CPU  61  can notify the user whether the stitch type is an upper feed enabled stitch type. Therefore, by looking at the screen that is displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 , the user may easily determine whether any one of the stitch types is an upper feed enabled stitch type. The user may determine in a short time whether the upper feed device  4  is to be used and may perform the sewing accordingly. The efficiency of the sewing work may therefore be improved. 
     In the present embodiment, the work cloth  100  may be fed by being clamped between the upper feed device  4  and the feed dog  34 . The work cloth  100  may be a work cloth that is difficult to sew (difficult to feed), such as a vinyl cloth, a synthetic leather, or the like, for example, or the work cloth  100  may be a material on which sewing slippage tends to occur, such as a quilted material in which cotton is sandwiched between two layers of cloth, a velvet with a raised nap surface, or the like. In the present embodiment, the work cloth  100  may be fed reliably even in these sorts of cases. The quality of the sewing may thereby be improved. As shown in  FIG. 6  and the like, ordinary sewing may be performed on two of the work cloths  100 , one on top of the other. In this sort of case, the upper and lower work cloths  100  may be fed reliably without any slippage. The quality of the sewing may therefore be improved even more. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment that is described above, and various types of modifications can be made. For example, in the embodiment that is described above, the belt  435  can be replaced. However, the belt  435  cannot be replaced. The position of the feed mechanism  43  can be switched between the feed position and the standby position. However, the position of the feed mechanism  43  cannot be switched between the feed position and the standby position. 
     In the embodiment that is described above, the CPU  61  can notify the user that the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position by displaying the screen that is created by the display setting processing (Step S 17 ). However, the user may be notified of the position of the feed mechanism  43  by a different method. For example, the CPU  61  may display on the liquid crystal display  15  a mark or a message that indicates that the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position. The CPU  61  may display on the liquid crystal display  15  a mark or a message that indicates that the feed mechanism  43  is in the standby position. The sewing machine  1  may be provided with a light-emitting diode (LED). Then, when the feed mechanism  43  is in the standby position, the CPU  61  may keep the LED lighted continuously. The CPU  61  may cause the LED to flash when the feed mechanism  43  is in the feed position. 
     In the embodiment that is described above, the CPU  61  can notify the user that the motor  491  and the control portion  60  are electrically connected by displaying the screen that is created by the display setting processing (Step S 17 ). However, the user may be notified of the state of the connection between the motor  491  and the control portion  60  by a different method. For example, in the same manner as when the CPU  61  notifies the user of the position of the feed mechanism  43 , the CPU  61  may inform the user of the state of the connection between the motor  491  and the control portion  60  by displaying a mark or a message or by turning the LED on. 
     In the embodiment that is described above, the CPU  61  causes the stitch type selection key  103  to be grayed out in a case where the CPU  61  makes the disabling settings (Step S 33 ). The CPU  61  also makes a setting such that the stitch type selection key  103  does not respond even if a panel operation is made on the stitch type selection key  103 . However, the disabling settings may be made by a different method. For example, the CPU  61  may clear from the display the stitch type selection key  103  for the upper feed disabled stitch type, and the CPU  61  may display only the stitch type selection key  103  for the upper feed enabled stitch type. The CPU  61  may make only the setting that prevents the stitch type selection key  103  from responding even if a panel operation is made on the stitch type selection key  103 , without causing the stitch type selection key  103  to be grayed out. 
     The apparatus and methods described above with reference to the various embodiments are merely examples. It goes without saying that they are not confined to the depicted embodiments. While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying principles.