Patent Publication Number: US-5829711-A

Title: Supporting table for spools

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a supporting table, more particularly, to a supporting table for spools. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of spools having different colors and sizes can be readily disposed thereon for readily use when it is needed. By this arrangement, changing a new spool or replacing an exhausted spool can be eliminated. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     In the conventional sewing machines, both for industrial and family use, are provided with a spool having a thread thereof. When the stitching starts, the thread on the spool is continuously withdrawn and is stitched onto the fabric sheets. Finally, the fabric sheets to be sewed are connected. 
     However, there are a plurality of stitching processes to be performed and different sizes and colors of threads are required during processing. As a matter of fact, the conventional sewing machine is only provided with a mounting post for spool. In case the existing spool is exhausted or needs to be replaced, the operator needs to firstly select a new one and then mount this select one to the sewing machine. It will take a great deal of time in changing the spool since the subsequent routing of the thread really takes time. As a result, a great deal of precious time will be exhausted because of change threads of different sizes and colors. Consequently, the cost is also increased. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the objective of this invention to provide a supporting table for spools which comprises a supporting bracket rotationally disposed on a polygonal positioning collar. A plurality of spokes are provided and each of the spokes is equiangularly connected to the peripheral of the supporting bracket at one end. The other end of the spoke is mounted with a supporting disk having a retaining post thereof. By this arrangement, a plurality of spools having different colors and sizes can be readily supported by the supporting table for immediately use. The free end of the thread of the spool can be readily clipped and cut by a clipping plate and cutting blade disposed at the supporting disk. The time spent on the routing is therefore reduced. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     In order that the present invention may more readily be understood the following description is given, merely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the supporting table for spools; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the supporting table shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the connection between the supporting bracket and the supporting posts; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view showing the connection between the central supporting post and the supporting disks; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a supporting disk shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the thread routing of the supporting disk shown in FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing the supporting table is mounted on a sewing machine. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the supporting table made according to the present invention generally comprises a supporting column 10 having a positioning collar 30 disposed at the lower portion. A supporting bracket 20 is rotationally disposed above the positioning collar 30 and which is provided with a plurality of supporting spokes 40 disposed equiangularly along the peripheral of the supporting bracket 20. Each of the supporting spokes 40 is provided with a supporting disk assembly 41 for an individual spool. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the supporting bracket 20 has a ring shape configuration having an opening 21 at the central portion. One end of the spokes 40 is fixedly and equiangularly disposed at the peripheral of the supporting bracket 20. A radial through hole 23 is disposed between two adjacent spokes 40. 
     The positioning collar 30 has a polygonal shape and has a round plateau 31 at the top surface and which can be rotationally received within the central opening 21 of the supporting bracket 20. The round plateau 31 is also provided with a radial recess 32 having installed a biasing spring 33 and a ball 34 therein. The round plateau 31 further includes a blind hole 36 which is parallel to the axis of the threaded opening 35 for receiving a thread passing barrel 37 therein. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the supporting bracket 20 is enveloped onto the positioning collar 30 by the rotational engagement between the central opening 21 and the round plateau 31, the supporting bracket 20 can be readily positioned at a selected position with respect to the positioning collar 30 since the ball 34 is biased and projected into the radial through hole 23 of the supporting bracket 20, as clearly shown in FIG. 1. Since the radial through hole 23 is disposed between two adjacent spokes 40, as a result, a selected spool can be readily positioned at the desired position. If the user need to select another spool, the user may simply rotate the supporting bracket 20 such that the ball 34 is pressed inward by the inner wall of the opening 21 of the supporting bracket 20 and the ball 34 will be biased and projected when another radial through hole 23 comes closer. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the supporting post 10 is provided with a threaded portion 12 at the bottom and can be fixedly connected to the supporting collar 30 by the engagement between the threaded portion 12 and the central threaded opening 35. A bottom supporting post 13 can be also connected to the supporting collar 30. The top of the supporting post 10 can be connected with a supporting disk 11 having a retaining post 14 at the central portion. A spool 15 can be rotationally disposed at the retaining post 14. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the supporting bracket 20 is disposed equiangularly with a plurality of spokes 40 and each of the spokes 40 is provided with a supporting disk 41 and retaining post 42. Each of the retaining posts 42 can be disposed with a spool with different color for backup application. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the retaining post 42 is disposed with a clipping plate 43 and a cutting blade 44 adjacent to a thread passing hole. When the spool 45 is not in use, the free end of the spool 45 can be firstly cut at suitable length by the cutting blade 44 and then is retained at the clipping plate 43, as shown in FIG. 5. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, one of the backup spool can be connected with another winding wheel 90. 
     From the forgoing description, it can be readily appreciated that each of the backup spools are well positioned with the free end of the thread being clipped on the clipping plate 43. When a desired spool is to be used, the supporting bracket 20 can be readily positioned at a position and the thread wound on the spool can be readily released from the clipping plate 43 and directly put in use. 
     By this arrangement, spools of different colors and sizes can be readily and neatly disposed on the backup retaining posts for direct use. The conventional inconvenience is therefore solved.