Patent Publication Number: US-11655575-B2

Title: Embroidery frame, method for causing sewing object to be held on embroidery frame, and inner frame of embroidery frame

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-057178 filed Mar. 27, 2020, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an embroidery frame, a method for causing a sewing object to be held on an embroidery frame, and an inner frame of an embroidery frame. 
     A known embroidery frame is provided with an outer frame, an inner frame, a pair of screw mounting portions, an adjustment screw, an operation shaft, and a coupling mechanism. The outer frame has a shape in which a frame-shaped member is divided. The pair of screw mounting portions are respectively provided on a pair of divided end portions of the outer frame. The adjustment screw is inserted through the pair of screw mounting portions and can be used to adjust an interval between the pair of end portions of the outer frame. A user rotates the adjustment screw by operating the operation shaft. The coupling mechanism transmits a rotational torque of the operation shaft to the adjustment screw. When the user rotates the adjustment screw using the operation shaft, the interval between the pair of screw mounting portions is narrowed, and in a state in which the sewing object is clamped between the outer frame and the inner frame of the embroidery frame, the outer frame is tightened with respect to the inner frame. 
     SUMMARY 
     With the above-described embroidery frame, in some cases, depending on a type, a thickness, and the like of the sewing object, an operation to cause the embroidery frame to hold the sewing object in a stretched state becomes troublesome. 
     Embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide an embroidery frame capable of holding a sewing object in a stretched state using a simpler operation than in related art, a method for causing a sewing object to be held on an embroidery frame, and an inner frame of an embroidery frame. 
     Embodiments provide an embroidery frame that includes a frame-shaped outer frame and an inner frame configured to hold a sewing object together with the outer frame. The inner frame includes a first member provided with a restriction portion, and a second member configured to be rotatably supported around a rotating shaft between a first position and a second position with respect to the first member. The first member and the second member of the inner frame form a frame shape along an inner periphery of the outer frame when the second member is in the first position with respect to the first member. The second position is a position at which an angle of the second member with respect to the first member is a contact angle larger than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees on one side in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft. The second member includes a contact portion which comes into contact with the restriction portion when the second member is in the second position with respect to the first member and which restricts the second member from rotating further to another side in the circumferential direction than the second position with respect to the first member. A first distance between a first end portion and a second end portion when the second member is in the first position with respect to the first member is longer than a second distance between the first end portion and the second end portion when the second member is in the second position with respect to the first member. The first end portion is a farthest section of the first member from the rotating shaft in a radius direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft, and the second end portion is a farthest section of the second member from the rotating shaft in the radius direction. 
     Embodiments also provide a method for causing a sewing object to be held on an embroidery frame that includes a sewing object arrangement process of arranging a sewing object on a frame-shaped outer frame, and an inner frame arrangement process of arranging, on an inner side of an inner periphery of the outer frame on which the sewing object is arranged, an inner frame which includes a first member and a second member configured to be rotatably supported around a rotating shaft between a first position and a second position with respect to the first member and in which the first member and the second member form a frame shape along the inner periphery of the outer frame, when the second member is in the second position at which an angle of the second member with respect to the first member is a contact angle larger than 0 degrees and smaller than 180 degrees on one side in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, and of causing a first end portion of the first member and a second end portion of the second member to come into contact with the sewing object arranged on the outer frame. The first end portion is most separated from the rotating shaft in a radius direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft, and the second end portion is most separated from the rotating shaft in the radius direction. The method further includes a holding process of causing the sewing object to be held by the outer frame and the inner frame. The holding process includes moving the second member to the first position with respect to the first member by pressing the inner frame arranged in the inner frame arrangement process to the sewing object side to widen a distance between the first end portion and the second end portion in comparison to when the second member is in the second position with respect to the first member. 
     Embodiments further provide an inner frame of an embroidery frame that includes a first member provided with a restriction portion, and a second member configured to be rotatably supported around a rotating shaft between a first position and a second position with respect to the first member. The first member and the second member of the inner frame form a frame shape along an inner periphery of a frame-shaped outer frame when the second member is in the first position with respect to the first member. The second position is a position at which an angle of the second member with respect to the first member is a contact angle larger than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees on one side in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft. The second member includes a contact portion which comes into contact with the restriction portion when the second member is in the second position with respect to the first member and which restricts the second member from rotating further to another side in the circumferential direction than the second position with respect to the first member. A first distance between a first end portion and a second end portion when the second member is in the first position with respect to the first member is longer than a second distance between the first end portion and the second end portion when the second member is in the second position with respect to the first member. The first end portion is a farthest section of the first member from the rotating shaft in a radius direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft, and the second end portion is a farthest section of the second member from the rotating shaft in the radius direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view of an embroidery frame; 
         FIG.  2    is a plan view of a disassembled inner frame; 
         FIG.  3    is a right-side view of the disassembled inner frame; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a plan view of a left-side portion of the inner frame when a second member is in a second position with respect to a first member, and  FIG.  4 B  is a plan view of the left-side portion when the second member is in a first position with respect to the first member; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows along a line A-A shown in  FIG.  4 A , and  FIG.  5 B  is a cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows along a line B-B shown in  FIG.  4 B ; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a right-side view of the left-side portion of the inner frame when the second member is in the second position with respect to the first member, and  FIG.  6 B  is a right-side view of the left-side portion of the inner frame when the second member is in the first position with respect to the first member; 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart of a method for causing a sewing object to be held on the embroidery frame; 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of an embroidery frame of a modified example; 
         FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional view of an embroidery frame of a modified example; and 
         FIG.  10    is a cross-sectional view of an embroidery frame of a modified example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, an embroidery frame  1  of an embodiment, and an inner frame  3  of the embroidery frame  1  will be explained with reference to the drawings. The upper side, the lower side, the left-side and the right-side in  FIG.  1    are, respectively, the left-side, the right-side, the front side and the rear side of the embroidery frame  1  and the inner frame  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the embroidery frame  1  is an embroidery frame which is used to sew an embroidery pattern and which is mounted on a sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing, such as a multi-needle sewing machine (not shown in the drawings) that is provided with a plurality of needle bars. The embroidery frame  1  is provided with an outer frame  2 , the inner frame  3 , and a pair of left and right coupling portions  27  and  28 . The outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3  can hold a sewing object C (refer to  FIG.  7   ) that is to be embroidered. Each of the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3  is long in the left-right direction, and is a rectangular frame-shaped member having rounded corners. An inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  has substantially the same shape as an outer periphery  30  of the inner frame  3 , and the inner frame  3  is removably fitted with the inner side of the outer frame  2 . The sewing object C is clamped between the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3 , and is held in a stretched state on the embroidery frame  1 . 
     The left and right coupling portions  27  and  28  are portions that are mounted on and supported by a mounting portion of a multi-needle sewing machine. Each of the coupling portions  27  and  28  is a rectangular plate member. The left coupling portion  27  is fixed to a left portion of the outer frame  2  using screws  271  and  272  at two positions of a right end portion of the left coupling portion  27 . The right coupling portion  28  is fixed to a right portion of the outer frame  2  using two screws  281  and  282  at two positions of a left end portion of the right coupling portion  28 . An engagement hole  273  is provided in the vicinity of a rear left portion of the left coupling portion  27 , and an engagement groove  274  is provided in the vicinity of a front left portion of the left coupling portion  27 . An engagement hole  283  is provided in the vicinity of a front right end portion of the right coupling portion  28 , and an engagement groove  284  is provided in the vicinity of a rear right end portion of the right coupling portion  28 . The engagement holes  273  and  283 , and the engagement grooves  274  and  284  are used to fix the coupling portions  27  and  28  to correct positions of the mounting portion of the multi-needle sewing machine. 
     The outer frame  2  is provided with end portions  21  and  22 , the inner periphery  26 , and a tightening mechanism  29 . The end portions  21  and  22  are provided on a rear left corner portion of the outer frame  2 , and are portions at which an annular frame member is divided. The end portions  21  and  22  are separated from each other. The inner periphery  26  has a rectangular frame shape having rounded corners. The tightening mechanism  29  is provided with a pair of screw mounting portions  23  and  24  and an adjustment screw  25 . The pair of screw mounting portions  23  and  24  are coupled to the end portions  21  and  22 , respectively. The adjustment screw  25  is fastened to the pair of screw mounting portions  23  and  24 . After the adjustment screw  25  is fastened to the pair of screw mounting portions  23  and  24 , when the adjustment screw  25  is further rotated in a fastening direction, an interval between the end portions  21  and  22  becomes narrower than that before the operation on the adjustment screw  25 , and the outer frame  2  is tightened with respect to the inner frame  3 . After the adjustment screw  25  is fastened to the pair of screw mounting portions  23  and  24 , when the adjustment screw  25  is rotated in an opposite direction to the fastening direction, the interval between the end portions  21  and  22  becomes wider than that before the operation on the adjustment screw  25 , and the tightening of the outer frame  2  with respect to the inner frame  3  is released. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  6   , the inner frame  3  is provided with a first member  4 , a second member  8 , and a pair of rotating shafts  9 . In the explanation below, a direction from the outer periphery  30  of the inner frame  3  toward an inner periphery  40  of the inner frame  3  will be referred to as an inner side of the embroidery frame  1 , the outer frame  2 , and the inner frame  3 . A direction from the inner periphery  40  of the inner frame  3  toward the outer periphery  30  will be referred to as an outer side of the embroidery frame  1 , the outer frame  2 , and the inner frame  3 . The inner frame  3  has a left-right symmetrical shape taking, as a reference, a center M 1  of the inner frame  3  in the left-right direction. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the first member  4  includes a left-side portion  31 , a right-side portion  33 , and a front side portion  32 , and has a U shape having an open rear side in a plan view. The front side portion  32  is coupled to the front-end of the left-side portion  31  and to the front-end of the right-side portion  33 , and extends in the left-right direction. As shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , each of the left-side portion  31  and the right-side portion  33  of the first member  4  is provided with a restriction portion  41 , a protruding portion  43 , a hole  42 , and a pair of screw hole portions  44 . Hereinafter, the structure of each of the members provided on the left-side portion  31  of the first member  4  will be explained, and an explanation of the structure of each of the members provided on the right-side portion  33  will be omitted. The restriction portion  41  has a shape inclined diagonally downward toward the front. The protruding portion  43  is a section that protrudes further to the rear than the restriction portion  41 . The protruding portion  43  is provided on a rear end portion of the left-side portion  31  of the first member  4 , at a central portion of the first member  4  in a thickness direction (the left-right direction at the rear end portion of the first member  4 ). The hole  42  is a hole that is provided in the protruding portion  43  and that penetrates in the left-right direction. Each of the pair of screw hole portions  44  protrudes upward from the upper surface of the first member  4 , and includes a screw hole that extends in the up-down direction. 
     The first member  4  is further provided with an outer periphery  45 , a first end portion  46 , a pair of left and right ribs  48 , and a rib  49 . The outer periphery  45  has a shape along the shape of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 . The first end portion  46  is the farthest section of the first member  4  from the rotating shafts  9  in a radius direction that is orthogonal to the rotating shafts  9 . In the present embodiment, the first end portion  46  is a lower front-end portion of the first member  4 . The first end portion  46  is positioned at the center M 1  (refer to  FIG.  1   ) of the first member  4  in the left-right direction. The pair of left and right ribs  48  are respectively provided on the left-side portion  31  and the right-side portion  33  of the first member  4 , and are sections that protrude to the inner side from the inner periphery  40  of the inner frame  3  and that extend in the horizontal direction. The rib  49  is provided on the front side portion  32  of the first member  4 , and is a section that protrudes to the inner side from the inner periphery  40  of the inner frame  3  and that extends in the horizontal direction. The pair of ribs  48  and the rib  49  reinforce the inner frame  3 , and make stretching of the sewing object C easier when the sewing object C is held by the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3 . 
     The second member  8  is rotatably supported around the rotating shafts  9  between a first position and a second position (to be described later) with respect to the first member  4 . The second member  8  is disposed to the rear of the first member  4 . The second member  8  includes a left-side portion  34 , a right-side portion  36 , and a rear side portion  35 , and has a U shape having an open front side in a plan view. The rear side portion  35  is coupled to the rear end of the left-side portion  34  and to the rear end of the right-side portion  36 , and extends in the left-right direction. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the left-side portion  34  and the left-side portion  31  of the first member  4  together form a left-side portion  37  of the inner frame  3 . The right-side portion  36  and the right-side portion  33  of the first member  4  together form a right-side portion  38  of the inner frame  3 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , a thickness T 2  of the second member  8  is the same as a thickness T 1  of the first member  4 . The thickness T 2  of the second member  8  and the thickness T 1  of the first member  4  are larger than a thickness T 3  of the outer frame  2  shown in  FIG.  6   . As shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , the length of the second member  8  in the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the first member  4  in the front-rear direction. 
     Each of the front-end portion of the left-side portion  34  of the second member  8  and the front-end portion of the right-side portion  36  of the second member  8  is provided with a contact portion  81 , a hole  82 , a recessed portion  83 , a protruding portion  84 , and a housing recessed portion  87 . Hereinafter, the structure of each of the members provided at the left-side portion  34  of the second member  8  will be explained, and the structure of each of the members provided at the right-side portion  36  will be omitted. When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the contact portion  81  comes into contact with the corresponding restriction portion  41 , and restricts the second member  8  from rotating around the rotating shafts  9  further in a clockwise direction in a right-side view than the second position with respect to the first member  4 . Thus, the first member  4  and the second member  8  are not folded in a posture in which the lower surface of the first member  4  comes into contact with the lower surface of the second member  8 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the hole  82  is a hole that penetrates in the left-right direction. The length from the lower surface of the second member  8  to the hole  82  is the same as the length from the lower surface of the first member  4  to the hole  42 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the recessed portion  83  is a portion that is recessed to the rear and that is provided in the front-end portion of the left-side portion  34  of the second member  8 . The recessed portion  83  is provided in the front-end portion of the left-side portion  34 , at a central portion of the second member  8  in the thickness direction (the left-right direction at the front-end portion of the second member  8 ). The protruding portion  43  of the first member  4  is disposed in the recessed portion  83 . As shown in  FIG.  4 A , in a state in which the protruding portion  43  is disposed in the recessed portion  83 , when the rotating shaft  9  is inserted through the hole  42  of the first member  4  and the hole  82  of the second member  8 , the second member  8  is rotatably supported with respect to the first member  4 . As shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , the protruding portion  84  is a triangular plate-shaped portion, in a right-side view, that is provided on the inner peripheral side of the left-side portion  34  of the second member  8  and that extends upward. The housing recessed portion  87  is a columnar recessed portion that is provided in the upper surface of the second member  8 , and is positioned to the rear of the recessed portion  83  and to the left of the protruding portion  84 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  3   , the second member  8  is further provided with an outer periphery  85 , a second end portion  86 , a pair of left and right ribs  88 , and a rib  89 . The outer periphery  85  has a shape along the shape of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 . The outer periphery  85  and the outer periphery  45  of the first member  4  together form the outer periphery  30  of the inner frame  3 . The second end portion  86  is the farthest section of the second member  8  from the rotating shafts  9  in the radius direction that is orthogonal to the rotating shafts  9 . In the present embodiment, the second end portion  86  is a lower rear end portion of the second member  8 . The pair of left and right ribs  88  are respectively provided on the left-side portion  34  and the right-side portion  36  of the second member  8 , and are sections that protrude to the inner side from the inner periphery  40  of the inner frame  3  and that extend in the horizontal direction. The rib  89  is provided on the rear side portion  35  of the second member  8 , and is a section that protrudes to the inner side from the inner periphery  40  of the inner frame  3  and that extends in the horizontal direction. 
     Each of the pair of rotating shafts  9  is a shaft that is inserted through the hole  42  and the hole  82  and that extends in the left-right direction. In the left-side portion  37  and the right-side portion  38  of the inner frame  3 , the pair of rotating shafts  9  are respectively disposed at positions that are separated from a center M 2  of the inner frame  3  in the front-rear direction. The rotating shafts  9  of the present embodiment are positioned to the front of the center M 2  of the inner frame  3  in the front-rear direction, and extend in the left-right direction. The positions of the pair of rotating shafts  9  in the front-rear direction overlap with the positions of the coupling portions  27  and  28  in the front-rear direction. As shown in  FIG.  6 A , when the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the rotating shaft  9  is positioned on a side that is further separated from a virtual plane V in the thickness direction of the first member  4  than a center M 3  of the first member  4  in the thickness direction, and on a side that is further separated from the virtual plane V in the thickness direction of the second member  8  than a center M 4  of the second member  8  in the thickness direction. The virtual plane V is a virtual plane that is in contact with the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86 , and that is parallel to the rotating shaft  9 . 
     When the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the first member  4  and the second member  8  of the inner frame  3  form a frame shape along the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , and the inner frame  3  can hold the sewing object C together with the outer frame  2 . As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the first position is a position at which an angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is a holding angle K 1  that is larger than 180 degrees on one side in a circumferential direction. The angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is defined such that 0 degrees corresponds to a state in which the lower surface of the first member  4  and the lower surface of the second member  8  face and overlap each other, and an angle formed between the lower surface of the first member  4  and the lower surface of the second member  8  is represented in a range from 0 to 360 degrees. In the inner frame  3  of the present embodiment, the lower surface of each of the first member  4  and the second member  8  is, of two surfaces that are orthogonal to the thickness direction of the inner frame  3 , a surface on a side facing the sewing object C. When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the lower surface of each of the first member  4  and the second member  8  is, of the two surfaces orthogonal to the thickness direction of the inner frame  3 , a surface positioned on a side closer to the virtual plane V. The circumferential direction is a direction around the rotating shaft  9 , and in  FIG.  6 B , the one side in the circumferential direction is an angle in a counterclockwise direction from the first member  4  in a right-side view. When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , when the inner frame  3  is disposed on the inner side of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  and thereafter the second member  8  is moved to the first position with respect to the first member  4 , each of the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  comes into contact with the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , the outer periphery  30  of the front side portion  32  of the inner frame  3  comes close to the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , and the outer periphery  30  of the rear side portion  35  comes close to the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 A , the second position is a position at which the angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is a contact angle K 2  that is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft  9 . The contact angle K 2  of the present embodiment is an angle that is equal to or more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction. An absolute value of a difference between the holding angle K 1  and 180 degrees is smaller than an absolute value of a difference between the contact angle K 2  and 180 degrees. When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , a shaft distance D is less than twice the thickness T 3  of the outer frame  2 . The shaft distance D is a distance between the rotating shaft  9  and the virtual plane V that is parallel to the rotating shaft  9  and that is in contact with the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  when the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 . When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , when the inner frame  3  is disposed on the inner side of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , each of the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  is separated from the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , the outer periphery  30  of the front side portion  32  of the inner frame  3  comes into contact with the upper end portion of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , and the outer periphery  30  of the rear side portion  35  comes into contact with the upper end portion of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 . When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , when the inner frame  3  is disposed on the inner side of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , each of the outer periphery  30  of the left-side portion  37  of the inner frame  3  and the outer periphery  30  of the right-side portion  38  partially comes into contact with the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  in the front-rear direction. In the embroidery frame  1 , when the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , when the inner frame  3  is disposed on the inner side of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , a ratio of a part of the outer frame  2  that can clamp the sewing object C together with the inner frame  3  in the second position is large, and a ratio of a part of the outer frame  2  that cannot clamp the sewing object C together with the inner frame  3  is small, in comparison to an embroidery frame in which the shaft distance D is equal to or more than twice the thickness T 3  of the outer frame  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 A  and  FIG.  6 B , a first distance L 1  is longer than a second distance L 2 . The first distance L 1  is a distance between the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  when the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . The second distance L 2  is a distance between the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  when the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 . The second distance L 2  is preferably equal to or more than 75 percent and less than 100 percent of the first distance L 1 , and more preferably, equal to or more than 87.5 percent and less than 100 percent of the first distance L 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  3   , each of the left-side portion  37  and the right-side portion  38  of the inner frame  3  is further provided with a restriction member  6 , a lock mechanism  5 , a lock release member  7 , and an urging member  10 . Hereinafter, the structure of each of the members provided on the left-side portion  37  of the inner frame  3  will be explained, and an explanation of the structure of each of the members provided on the right-side portion  38  will be omitted. The restriction member  6  restricts the second member  8  from rotating from the first position to the one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the first member  4 . The restriction member  6  is formed by processing a metal plate, for example. The restriction member  6  is provided with plate portions  61  to  63 , and screws  68 . The plate portion  61  is a plate-shaped portion that is long in the front-rear direction, and extends parallel to the upper surface of the first member  4 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , an outer peripheral shape of a front left portion of the plate portion  61  is a shape along the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 . The right end portion of the plate portion  61  extends linearly in the front-rear direction. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the plate portion  61  is provided with a pair of holes  64  and holes  65  and  66 , each of which penetrates in the up-down direction. The pair of holes  64  are circular holes in a plan view, and are provided in a left portion of the plate portion  61 . The restriction member  6  is fixed to the left-side portion  34  of the first member  4  using the pair of screws  68  (refer to  FIG.  3   ) that are respectively inserted through the pair of holes  64  of the restriction member  6  and the pair of screw hole portions  44  of the first member  4 . The hole  65  is a circular hole in a plan view, and is provided in a rear right portion of the plate portion  61 . The hole  66  is a long hole that is long in the front-rear direction in a plan view, and is provided between the pair of holes  64  and the hole  65  in the front-rear direction. The protruding portion  84  of the second member  8  is inserted through the hole  66 . When a lock engaging portion  51  to be described later is disposed higher than the upper surface of the inner frame  3 , the protruding portion  84  comes into contact with the lock engaging portion  51 , and restricts the lock engaging portion  51  from moving to a position that faces the upper surface of the inner frame  3 . The plate portion  62  extends downward from the right end of the plate portion  61 . The length of the plate portion  62  in the up-down direction substantially matches the thickness of the first member  4 . The plate portion  63  extends downward from the rear end of the plate portion  61 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the length of the plate portion  63  in the up-down direction is shorter than the length of the plate portion  62  in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , when the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the lock mechanism  5  restricts the second member  8  from rotating from the first position with respect to the first member  4 . The lock mechanism  5  is provided with a rotating shaft  53 , the lock engaging portion  51 , a lock urging member  52 , and a lock engaged portion  80  (refer to  FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  5 B ). The rotating shaft  53  is a shaft that extends in the thickness direction of the first member  4 , and is inserted through the hole  65  of the restriction member  6  and a hole  54  of the plate-shaped member  50 . The lock engaging portion  51  is movably provided on one selected from the group of the first member  4  and the second member  8 . The lock engaging portion  51  of the present embodiment is a front side portion of the plate-shaped member  50  that is long in the front-rear direction, and is attached to the restriction member  6  fixed to the first member  4 . The lock engaging portion  51  is provided to the front of the rotating shaft  53  inserted through the center of the plate-shaped member  50  in the front-rear direction. As shown in  FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  5 B , the lock engaging portion  51  is a portion that extends parallel to the plate portion  61  of the restriction member  6 , and is coupled to a right portion  56  that extends perpendicularly to the plate portion  61  of the restriction member  6 . The lock engaging portion  51  can rotate around the rotating shaft  53 , in parallel with the plate portion  61  of the restriction member  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2    to  FIG.  4   , the lock urging member  52  is provided on one selected from the group of the first member  4  and the second member  8 , and urges the lock engaging portion  51  in a direction intersecting a plane that forms the outer periphery  30  of the inner frame  3 . The lock urging member  52  of the present embodiment is a torsion spring, through which the rotating shaft  53  is inserted, and is attached to the restriction member  6  fixed to the first member  4 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the lock urging member  52  is disposed between the plate portion  61  of the restriction member  6  and the plate-shaped member  50  in the up-down direction. The lock urging member  52  urges the lock engaging portion  51  in the clockwise direction in a plan view, around the rotating shaft  53 . As shown in  FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  5 B , the lock engaged portion  80  is provided on the other selected from the group of the first member  4  and the second member  8 . When the second member  8  is rotated to the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the lock engaged portion  80  engages with the lock engaging portion  51  that is moved by an urging force of the lock urging member  52 . The lock engaged portion  80  of the present embodiment is provided in a recessed portion  90  that is recessed outward from the inner periphery of the second member  8 . The lock engaged portion  80  is a portion that protrudes downward in a front portion of the recessed portion  90 . As shown in  FIG.  5 B , when the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4  and the lock engaged portion  80  is engaged with the lock engaging portion  51 , the lower surface of the lock engaged portion  80  comes into contact with the upper surface of the lock engaging portion  51 , and the right-side surface of the lock engaged portion  80  faces the left-side surface of the right portion  56 . As shown in  FIG.  5 A , when the second member  8  is not in the first position with respect to the first member  4  and the engagement of the lock engaged portion  80  with the lock engaging portion  51  is released, the lock engaged portion  80  is separated from the lock engaging portion  51 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  4   , the lock release member  7  can move the lock engaging portion  51  against the urging force of the lock urging member  52 , and can thus release the engagement between the lock engaging portion  51  and the lock engaged portion  80 . The lock release member  7  of the present embodiment is a lever-shaped member that is formed on the right-side portion of the plate-shaped member  50 . More specifically, the lock release member  7  of the present embodiment is a member integrated with the lock engaging portion  51 . The lock release member  7  extends further to the rear than the rear end of the restriction member  6 . The upper surface of the lock release member  7  comes into contact with the plate portion  63 . The plate-shaped member  50  is provided with a protruding portion  55  that protrudes upward and that is positioned to the front and left of the hole  54 . The protruding portion  55  comes into contact with the lower surface of the plate portion  61  of the restriction member  6 . The plate-shaped member  50  is maintained in a posture parallel to the plate portion  61  by the protruding portion  55  and the plate portion  63 . The urging member  10  urges the second member  8  to another side in the circumferential direction with respect to the first member  4 . The other side in the circumferential direction is the clockwise direction in a right-side view, of the directions around the rotating shaft  9 . The urging member  10  of the present embodiment is a coil spring disposed in the housing recessed portion  87  of the second member  8 . The urging member  10  is disposed between the bottom surface of the housing recessed portion  87  and the lower surface of the plate portion  61 . The urging member  10  comes into contact with each of the second member  8  and the first member  4 . 
     A method for holding the sewing object C using the embroidery frame  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG.  7   . As shown in  FIG.  7   , first, a user performs a sewing object arrangement process of arranging the sewing object C on the frame-shaped outer frame  2  (step S 1 ). For example, the user arranges the sewing object C so as to cover the upper surface of the outer frame  2 . In a state in which the second member  8  is in the second position at which the angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is the contact angle K 2  that is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft  9 , the user performs an inner frame arrangement process of arranging the inner frame  3  on the inner side of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  on which the sewing object C is arranged (step S 2 ). Through the process at step S 2 , the first end portion  46  of the first member  4  and the second end portion  86  come into contact with the upper surface of the sewing object C arranged on the outer frame  2 . When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the inner frame  3  is in a gentle inverted V-shaped posture, in a right-side view, in which the second member  8  is bent with respect to the first member  4  in a direction in which the lower surface of the first member  4  and the lower surface of the second member  8  approach each other. When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , an angle formed between the lower surface of the first member  4  and the sewing object C, and an angle formed between the lower surface of the second member  8  and the sewing object C are each an acute angle. A shape surrounded by the lower surface of the first member  4 , the lower surface of the second member  8 , and the sewing object C is a triangle. The user adjusts, as appropriate, the arrangement of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2  and a degree of stretch of the sewing object C, and provisionally determines the arrangement of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2 . At this time, in comparison to when the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the sewing object C is clamped lightly by the inner frame  3  and the outer frame  2 . Therefore, the user can easily and finely adjust the arrangement of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2 . 
     The user presses the inner frame  3  arranged in the inner frame arrangement process to the sewing object C side, and moves the second member  8  to the first position with respect to the first member  4 . Thus, the user widens the distance between the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  in comparison to when the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , and performs a holding process of causing the sewing object C to be held by the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3  (step S 3 ). For example, the user presses down the vicinity of each of the rotating shafts  9  of the inner frame  3 . In the course of the movement of the second member  8  from the second position to the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the inner frame  3  pulls the sewing object C to the outer side of the inner frame  3 . Therefore, the sewing object C is further stretched from the state in which the arrangement with respect to the outer frame  2  is provisionally determined in the inner frame arrangement process. When the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the restriction member  6  restricts the second member  8  from rotating further to the one side in the circumferential direction than the first position with respect to the first member  4 . When the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the inner frame  3  is in a gentle V-shaped posture, in a right-side view, in which the second member  8  is deflected with respect to the first member  4  in a direction in which the upper surface of the first member  4  and the upper surface of the second member  8  approach each other. When the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , in the up-down direction, the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  are at substantially the same position as the lower surface of the outer frame  2 , and a section of the inner frame  3  positioned at the lowest side is disposed slightly lower than the lower surface of the outer frame  2 . When the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the entire periphery of the lower surface of the inner frame  3  is in contact with the sewing object C. 
     When removing the sewing object C from the embroidery frame  1 , the user rotates the lock release members  7 , which are respectively provided on the left-side portion  37  and the right-side portion  38  of the inner frame  3 , around the rotating shafts  53  in a direction approaching the inner periphery  40  of the inner frame  3 . The lock release member  7  provided on the left-side portion  37  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in a plan view around the rotating shaft  53 . The lock release member  7  provided on the right-side portion  38  is rotated in the clockwise direction in a plan view around the rotating shaft  53 . When each of the lock release members  7  is operated, the lock engaging portion  51  rotates in a direction parallel to the plate portion  61  of the restriction member  6 . As a result, the engagement between the lock engaging portion  51  and the lock engaged portion  80  is released, and the second member  8  is allowed to move to the other side in the circumferential direction with respect to the first member  4 . When the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the restriction portion  41  of the first member  4  comes into contact with the contact portion  81  of the second member  8 , and the second member  8  is restricted from rotating further to the other side in the circumferential direction than the second position with respect to the first member  4 . 
     The embroidery frame  1  of the above-described embodiment is provided with the frame-shaped outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3 . The inner frame  3  includes the first member  4  having the restriction portion  41 , and the second member  8  that is rotatably supported around the rotating shafts  9  between the first position and the second position with respect to the first member  4 . When the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the first member  4  and the second member  8  of the inner frame  3  form the frame shape along the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , and the inner frame  3  can hold the sewing object C together with the outer frame  2 . The second position is the position at which the angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is the contact angle K 2  that is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft  9 . The second member  8  includes the contact portion  81  that comes into contact with the restriction portion  41  when the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , and restricts the second member  8  from rotating further to the other side in the circumferential direction than the second position with respect to the first member  4 . The first distance L 1  is longer than the second distance L 2 . The first distance L 1  is the distance between the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  when the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . The first end portion  46  is the farthest section of the first member  4  from the rotating shafts  9  in the radius direction that is orthogonal to the rotating shafts  9 . The second end portion  86  is the section of the farthest second member  8  from the rotating shafts  9  in the radius direction. The second distance L 2  is the distance between the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  when the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 . 
     Thus, the inner frame  3  of the embroidery frame  1  can allow the second member  8  to rotate around the rotating shafts  9  between the first position and the second position with respect to the first member  4 . When the user causes the sewing object C to be held on the embroidery frame  1 , for example, the user arranges the inner frame  3  on the inner side of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  on which the sewing object C is arranged, in the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4 . Since the second distance L 2  is shorter than the first distance L 1 , in the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the interval in the front-rear direction between the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3  is larger than that in the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . In this state, the user can adjust, as appropriate, and provisionally determine the arrangement of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2 , and the degree of stretch of the sewing object C. The user presses the inner frame  3  to the sewing object C side, and thus moves the second member  8  to the first position with respect to the first member  4 . The interval between the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3  is made narrower than that before the movement, and the sewing object C is held by the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3 . The user can cause the sewing object C to be held by the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3 , by performing a simple operation of pressing the inner frame  3  to the sewing object C side after determining the position of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2 . Thus, with a simpler operation than that of related art, the embroidery frame  1  can hold the sewing object C in a stretched state. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 A , the contact angle K 2  is the angle that is equal to or more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction. With the embroidery frame  1 , when the user moves the second member  8  from the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4  to the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position, a distance by which the inner frame  3  is moved downward can be made shorter than when the contact angle K 2  is less than 90 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction. With the embroidery frame  1 , when the user moves the second member  8  from the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4  to the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position, a movement amount in the front-rear direction, of the thickness direction of the first member  4 , can be made relatively small in comparison to when the contact angle K 2  is less than 90 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the positioning of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2  is easy. When the user presses the inner frame  3  downward from the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the pressing force of the user is transmitted along the extending direction of the first member  4  and the second member  8 . Therefore, with the embroidery frame  1 , in comparison to when the contact angle K 2  is less than 90 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction, the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  can easily move to a side on which they approach the outer frame  2 . Thus, with the embroidery frame  1 , in comparison to when the contact angle K 2  is less than 90 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction, the operation to move the second member  8 , on the inner side of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  on which the sewing object C is arranged, from the state of being disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4  to the state of being disposed in the first position, is made easy. 
     The second distance L 2  between the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  when the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4  is equal to or more than 75 percent and less than 100 percent of the first distance L 1  between the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  when the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . In the embroidery frame  1 , when the inner frame  3  is disposed on the inner side of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , on which the sewing object C is arranged, in the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the ratio of the part of the inner frame  3  disposed facing the outer frame  2  with respect to the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  is large, in comparison to when the second distance L 2  is less than 75 percent of the first distance L 1 . Particularly, of the left-side portion  37  and the right-side portion  38  of the inner frame  3  on which the rotating shafts  9  are respectively provided, the ratio of the part that is disposed facing the outer frame  2  is large. In other words, in the embroidery frame  1 , in comparison to when the second distance L 2  is less than 75 percent of the first distance L 1 , of the part of the sewing object C that is in contact with the outer frame  2 , the ratio of the part clamped between the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3  is large, and the arrangement of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2  is provisionally determined in a secure manner. Therefore, with the embroidery frame  1 , in comparison to when the second distance L 2  is less than 75 percent of the first distance L 1 , in the course of causing the transition from the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4  to the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position, the arrangement of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2  is unlikely to be displaced, and the sewing object C is easily and appropriately held on the embroidery frame  1 . 
     When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the shaft distance D, which is the distance between the rotating shaft  9  and the virtual plane V that is in contact with the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  and that is parallel to the rotating shaft  9 , is less than twice the thickness T 3  of the outer frame  2 . Therefore, in the embroidery frame  1 , when the inner frame  3  is disposed on the inner side of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , on which the sewing object C is arranged, in the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the ratio of the part of the inner frame  3  disposed facing the outer frame  2  with respect to the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  is large, in comparison to the embroidery frame  1  in which the shaft distance D is equal to or more than twice the thickness T 3  of the outer frame  2 . Particularly, of the left-side portion  37  and the right-side portion  38  of the inner frame  3  on which the rotating shafts  9  are respectively provided, the ratio of the part that is disposed facing the outer frame  2  is large. In comparison to the embroidery frame  1  in which the shaft distance D is equal to or more than twice the thickness T 3  of the outer frame  2 , in the embroidery frame  1 , of the part of the sewing object C that is in contact with the outer frame  2 , the ratio of the part which is clamped between the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3  and whose arrangement with respect to the outer frame  2  is provisionally determined is large, and the arrangement of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2  is provisionally determined in a secure manner. Therefore, in comparison to the embroidery frame  1  in which the shaft distance D is equal to or more than twice the thickness T 3  of the outer frame  2 , in the embroidery frame  1 , in the course of causing the transition from the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position with respect to the first member  4  to the state in which the second member is disposed in the first position, the arrangement of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2  is unlikely to be displaced, and the sewing object C is easily and appropriately held on the embroidery frame  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the first position is the position at which the angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is the holding angle K 1  that is larger than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction. The absolute value of the difference between the holding angle K 1  and 180 degrees is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the contact angle K 2  and 180 degrees. The inner frame  3  is provided with the restriction members  6  that restrict the second member  8  from rotating from the first position to the one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the first member  4 . Therefore, in the embroidery frame  1 , when the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is the holding angle K that is larger than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction. In the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  and the outer periphery  30  of the inner frame  3  have substantially the same shape, and in the state in which the sewing object C is arranged between the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3 , the inner frame  3  receives, from the outer frame  2 , a clamping force toward the inner side of the inner frame  3 . The embroidery frame  1  is provided with the lock mechanisms  5  that restrict the second member  8  from rotating from the first position with respect to the first member  4  when the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . Therefore, the clamping force applied to the inner frame  3  by the outer frame  2  acts to continue to hold the second member  8  in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . For that reason, in order to move the second member  8  from the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4  to the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position, it is necessary that a force toward the outer side of the inner frame  3  that exceeds the clamping force acting on the inner frame  3  from the outer frame  2  be applied to the inner frame  3 . More specifically, in the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , when the inner frame  3  is disposed on the inner side of the outer frame  2 , the embroidery frame  1  forms a toggle structure as the whole of the embroidery frame  1 , and the second member  8  is held in the first position with respect to the first member  4  due to an effect of the toggle structure. Thus, in comparison to when the first position is a position at which the angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is equal to or less than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction, in the embroidery frame  1 , due to the effect of the toggle structure, it is unlikely that the second member  8  is unintentionally moved from the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4  to the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position, and it is easy to stably maintain the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . 
     The embroidery frame  1  is provided with the lock mechanisms  5  that restrict the second member  8  from rotating from the first position with respect to the first member  4  when the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . Therefore, by using the lock mechanisms  5 , the embroidery frame  1  can reliably avoid the rotation of the second member  8  from the first position with respect to the first member  4 . In comparison to when the embroidery frame  1  is not provided with the lock mechanisms  5 , the second member  8  can be easily maintained in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . 
     The lock mechanism  5  is provided with the lock engaging portion  51 , the lock urging member  52 , and the lock engaged portion  80 . The lock engaging portion  51  is movably provided on one selected from the group of the first member  4  and the second member  8 . The lock urging member  52  is provided on the one selected from the group of the first member  4  and the second member  8 , and urges the lock engaging portion  51  in the direction intersecting the plane that forms the outer periphery  30  of the inner frame  3 . The lock engaged portion  80  is provided on the other selected from the group of the first member  4  and the second member  8 . When the second member  8  is rotated to the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the lock engaged portion  80  engages with the lock engaging portion  51  that is moved by the urging force of the lock urging member  52 . Thus, in the embroidery frame  1 , the lock mechanism  5  can have a relatively simple structure. 
     The inner frame  3  of the embroidery frame  1  is provided with the lock release members  7 , each of which can move the lock engaging portion  51  against the urging force of the lock urging member  52  and can thus release the engagement between the lock engaging portion  51  and the lock engaged portion  80 . In comparison to when the embroidery frame  1  is not provided with the lock release members  7 , the engagement between the lock engaging portion  51  and the lock engaged portion  80  can be easily released. Since the lock release member  7  of the present embodiment is a member integrated with the lock engaging portion  51 , the structure thereof is simpler than when they are separate bodies. 
     The rotating shaft  9  is positioned on the side that is further separated from the virtual plane V in the thickness direction of the first member  4  than the center M 3  of the first member  4  in the thickness direction. The virtual plane V is in contact with the first end portion  46  and the second end portion  86  and is parallel to the rotating shaft  9 . Thus, in the embroidery frame  1 , a difference between the first distance L 1  and the second distance L 2  can be made larger than when the rotating shaft  9  is disposed on a side closer to the virtual plane V than the center M 3  of the first member  4  in the thickness direction. 
     When the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the first member  4  and the second member  8  of the inner frame  3  form a rectangular frame shape along the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 . In the two side portions  37  and  38  of the inner frame  3  that face each other, the rotating shafts  9  are respectively located at positions that are separated from the center M 2  of the two side portions  37  and  38 . In comparison to when the rotating shafts  9  are respectively located at the center M 2  of the two side portions  37  and  38  of the inner frame  3 , in the embroidery frame  1 , it is possible to improve design freedom of the structure to rotatably couple the second member  8  to the first member  4 . Given a condition in which the distance from the virtual plane V to the rotating shaft  9  in the second position is not changed, the more the rotating shaft  9  is separated from the center M 2 , the larger the difference between the first distance L 1  and the second distance L 2  can be made. Given a condition in which the second distance L 2  is not changed, the more the rotating shaft  9  is separated from the center M 2 , the shorter the shaft distance D can be made. Further, in the embroidery frame  1  of the present embodiment, the rotating shaft  53  of the lock release member  7  can be disposed in the vicinity of the center M 2  in the front-rear direction, and an operation by the user is easy in comparison to when the rotating shaft  53  is disposed at a corner portion of the embroidery frame  1 . 
     The inner frame  3  is provided with the urging members  10  that urge the second member  8  to the other side in the circumferential direction with respect to the first member  4 . Thus, it is possible to avoid the movement of the second member  8  from the second position to the first position with respect to the first member  4  when the user does not intend to move the second member  8 . 
     The method for causing the sewing object C to be held on the embroidery frame  1  includes the sewing object arrangement process (step S 1 ), the inner frame arrangement process (step S 2 ), and the holding process (step S 3 ). According to the method for causing the sewing object C to be held on the embroidery frame  1 , the user can cause the sewing object C to be held by the outer frame  2  and the inner frame  3 , by performing a simple operation of pressing the inner frame  3  to the sewing object C side after determining the position of the sewing object C with respect to the outer frame  2 . 
     In the method for causing the sewing object C to be held on the embroidery frame  1 , the first position is the position at which the angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is the holding angle K 1  that is larger than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction. The absolute value of the difference between the holding angle K 1  and 180 degrees is smaller than the absolute value of the difference between the contact angle K 2  and 180 degrees. In comparison to when the first position is a position at which the angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is equal to or less than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction, in the embroidery frame  1 , it is unlikely that the second member  8  is unintentionally moved from the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4  to the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the second position, and it is easy to maintain the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . 
     In the holding process, when the second member  8  is in the first position with respect to the first member  4 , the restriction member  6  restricts the second member  8  from rotating further to the one side in the circumferential direction than the first position with respect to the first member  4 . By using the lock mechanism  5 , the embroidery frame  1  can reliably avoid the rotation of the second member  8  from the first position with respect to the first member  4 . In comparison to when the embroidery frame  1  is not provided with the lock mechanism  5 , it is easy to maintain the state in which the second member  8  is disposed in the first position with respect to the first member  4 . 
     An embroidery frame of the present disclosure, a method for causing a sewing object to be held on an embroidery frame, and an inner frame of an embroidery frame are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes may be added without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications may be added as appropriate. 
     (A) The structures of the embroidery frame and the inner frame of the embroidery frame may be changed as appropriate. The embroidery frame  1  may be an embroidery frame that can be attached to various sewing machines having an embroidery function, or may be an embroidery frame that cannot be attached to the sewing machine. When the embroidery frame  1  can be attached to the sewing machine, the coupling portions  27  and  28  to attach the embroidery frame  1  to the sewing machine may be fixed to the inner frame  3 . It is sufficient that, in order to attach the embroidery frame  1  to the sewing machine, one or more coupling portions be provided on the outer frame  2  or the inner frame  3  of the embroidery frame  1 . The shape, the size, and the like of the embroidery frame  1  may be changed as appropriate, and for example, the embroidery frame  1  may have an annular shape or a polygonal shape. 
     (B) The shape of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2 , and the shape of the outer periphery  30  of the inner frame  3  may be changed as appropriate. Although not shown in the drawings, in embroidery frames  100 ,  200  and  300  of the following modified examples, structures other than the shape of the inner periphery  26  of the outer frame  2  and the shape of the outer periphery  30  of the inner frame  3  are the same as those of the embroidery frame  1 . As shown in  FIG.  8   , the embroidery frame  100  of a modified example is provided with an outer frame  102  and an inner frame  103 . An inner periphery  121  of the outer frame  102  is provided with an outer frame engagement portion  122 . The outer frame engagement portion  122  is a recessed portion that is recessed toward the outer side of the outer frame  102 , and is provided lower than the center of the inner periphery  121  in the up-down direction. The outer frame engagement portion  122  may be formed along the entire periphery of the inner periphery  121  of the of the outer frame  102 , or may be formed along a part of the inner periphery  121 . An outer periphery  131  of the inner frame  103  is provided with an inner frame engagement portion  132  that engages with the outer frame engagement portion  122  when the second member is in the first position with respect to the first member. The inner frame engagement portion  132  is a protruding portion that protrudes to the outer side of the inner frame  103 , and is provided on the outer periphery  131  of the inner frame  103 . When the inner frame engagement portion  132  and the outer frame engagement portion  122  are engaged with each other, it is easy to maintain the state in which the second member is in the first position with respect to the first member. 
     In a similar manner to the embroidery frame  100  of the modified example, as shown in  FIG.  9   , the embroidery frame  200  of a modified example is provided with an outer frame  202  and an inner frame  203 . The outer frame  202  is provided with an outer frame engagement portion  222  provided in an inner periphery  221 , and a rib  223  that protrudes from a lower portion of the inner periphery  221  to the inner side of the outer frame  202 . An outer periphery  231  of the inner frame  203  is provided with an inner frame engagement portion  232  that engages with the outer frame engagement portion  222  when the second member is in the first position with respect to the first member. When the inner frame  203  is attached to the outer frame  202 , the inner frame engagement portion  232  engages with the outer frame engagement portion  222 , and the lower surface of the inner frame  203  is disposed on the upper surface of the rib  223 . As shown in  FIG.  10   , the embroidery frame  300  is provided with an outer frame  302  and an inner frame  303 . The outer frame  302  is provided with an inner periphery  321  that is recessed to the outer side of the outer frame  302 . The inner frame  303  is provided with an outer periphery  331  that engages with the inner periphery  321  when the second member is in the first position with respect to the first member. The outer periphery  331  has a shape that protrudes to the outer side of the inner frame  303 . In comparison to the embroidery frame  1  that does not include an outer frame engagement portion and an inner frame engagement portion, the above-described embroidery frames  100 ,  200  and  300  can stably hold the sewing object C, respectively, using the inner frames  103 ,  203  and  303 , and the outer frames  102 ,  202  and  302 . The shapes and the arrangement of the outer frame engagement portion and the inner frame engagement portion may be changed as appropriate. 
     The first position, the second position, the first distance L 1 , the second distance L 2 , the shaft distance D, the holding angle K 1 , and the contact angle K 2  may be changed as appropriate. The first position may be a position at which the angle of the second member  8  with respect to the first member  4  is equal to or less than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft  9 . With respect to the first member, the contact angle may be an angle that is less than 90 degrees or equal to or more than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction. With respect to the first member, the holding angle may be an angle that is equal to or more than 90 degrees and equal to or less than 180 degrees on the one side in the circumferential direction. The second distance L 2  may be less than 75 percent of the first distance L 1 . When the second member  8  is in the second position with respect to the first member  4 , the shaft distance D may be twice or more of the thickness T 3  of the outer frame  2 . The absolute value of the difference between the holding angle K 1  and 180 degrees may be equal to or more than the absolute value of the difference between the contact angle K 2  and 180 degrees. The rotating shaft  9  may be positioned at the center M 3  of the first member  4  in the thickness direction, or on a side closer to the virtual plane V than the center M 3 . 
     At least one selected from the group of the restriction member  6 , the lock mechanism  5 , the lock release member  7  and the urging member  10  may be omitted from the inner frame  3 . In the inner frame  3 , the structure, the number, the arrangement and the like of the restriction member  6 , the lock mechanism  5 , the lock release member  7  and the urging member  10  may be changed as appropriate. For example, in the inner frame  3 , only the left-side portion  37  of the inner frame  3  may be provided with the restriction member  6 , the lock mechanism  5 , the lock release member  7  and the urging member  10 , and at least some of the members of the right-side portion  38  may be omitted. The arrangement of the rotating shafts  9  may be changed as appropriate. The structures of the lock urging member  52  and the urging member  10  may be changed as appropriate, and, for example, a plate spring or the like may be used. The lock engaging portion  51  and the lock release member  7  may be separate bodies. The rotating shafts  9  may be respectively provided at central portions in the extending direction of the two side portions  37  and  38  of the inner frame  3  that face each other. The rotating shafts  9  may be disposed on side portions of the embroidery frame  1  that are not provided with the coupling portions  27  and  28 . The length of the first member  4  in the front-rear direction may be the same as the length of the second member  8  in the front-rear direction, or may be longer than the length of the second member  8  in the front-rear direction. The rotating shafts  9  may be provided at a central portion of the inner frame  3  in the thickness direction. The lock engaging portion  51  and the lock urging member  52  may be provided on the second member  8 , and the lock engaged portion  80  may be provided on the first member  4 . The rotating shafts  9  may be formed integrally with the first member  4  or the second member  8 . 
     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.