Patent Publication Number: US-9845558-B1

Title: Multi-spool threader

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/466,029 filed on May 7, 2012, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/483,147 filed on May 6, 2011, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus allowing improved distribution of thread for use in sewing with at least one thread spool. The invention allows for improved operation and blending of threads, including those of different colors or qualities, during operation of a long arm quilting machine. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO 37 C.F.R. §1.171 (d)(c) 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright and trademark protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION—BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a long arm quilting machine as assembled and in operation on a table. 
         FIG. 2  provides a detailed side perspective view of a long arm quilting machine in operation. 
         FIG. 3  provides a left side view of a long arm quilting machine manufactured by Gammil and branded as the “Classic” series upon which a threader, as is found in the prior art, is mounted. 
         FIG. 4  provides a perspective view of the present art multi-spool threader mounted upon the long arm quilting machine illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4A  provides a detailed view of the single needle of the long arm quilting machine of  FIG. 4  with multiple threads positioned in the needle. 
         FIG. 5  provides a side view of the present art multi-spool threader wherein an attachment clamp is mounted under the center of the multi-spool threader frame. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the present art multi-spool threader wherein the attachment clamp is mounted at one end of the multi-spool threader frame. 
         FIG. 7  provides a detailed side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of the multi-spool threader. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 DETAILED DESCRIPTION - LISTING OF ELEMENTS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Element Description 
                 Element Number 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Frame 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Spool Holder 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Rod 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 Base 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Wing 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 Cone (Spool of Thread) 
                 6 
               
               
                   
                 Thread 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 Clamp 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 Deflected portion (of frame) 
                 9 
               
               
                   
                 Long Arm Quilting Machine 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Handle Arm 
                 11 
               
               
                   
                 Table 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                 Quilt 
                 13 
               
               
                   
                 Single Spool Threader (prior art) 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 Multi-Spool Threader 
                 15 
               
               
                   
                 Alternate Mounting Positions 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                 Adhesive Portion 
                 17 
               
               
                   
                 Body 
                 18 
               
               
                   
                 Blank 
                 19 
               
               
                   
                 Blank 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Blank 
                 21 
               
               
                   
                 1 st  Thread Guide (2 holes) 
                 22 
               
               
                   
                 Thread Post 
                 23 
               
               
                   
                 Intermittent Tension 
                 24 
               
               
                   
                 2 nd  Thread Guide (3 holes) 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 Rotary Tension 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 Take Up Lever 
                 27 
               
               
                   
                 Thread Guides 
                 28 
               
               
                   
                 Needle 
                 29 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components and elements set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways not explicitly disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a long arm quilting machine  10  as assembled and in operation on a table  12 .  FIG. 2  provides a detailed side perspective view of a long arm quilting machine  10  in operation.  FIG. 3  provides a left side view of a long arm quilting machine  10  manufactured by Gammil and branded as the “Classic” series upon which a single spool threader  14 , as is found in the prior art, is mounted. More information about operation of long arm quilting machines, such as the one shown, is publicly and readily available at www.gammill.com, which is incorporate by reference herein. Additionally, the Gammill Plus Service Manual, and in particularly section 8.6 “Timing the Sewing Hook” are instructional in the operation of this equipment and are incorporated by reference herein. The disclosure and incorporation of information regarding the Gammil brand of long arm quilting machines is for purposes of enablement and is for illustration purposes only, and is in no way meant to limit the present invention to one brand, embodiment or type of long arm quilting machine. 
       FIG. 3  demonstrates a prior art quilting machine used with a prior art single thread holder  14 , the operator typically places the cone of thread  6  on the cone holder  14  of the prior art as shown in the lower right hand corner of  FIG. 3 . A portion of thread  7  is then pulled from the cone of thread  6  for insertion into thread guide  22 , which typically has two holes, but is not limited as such. (not shown) Typically the first hole is parallel to the floor and the second is parallel to the wall. The operator should thread the first hole from bottom to top then thread the second hole from back to front. (not shown) The portion of thread  7  is then threaded from back to front through thread post  23  to the intermittent tension device  24  wherein the portion of thread  7  is threaded counter-clockwise through the intermittent tension device, approximately three-quarters of a turn. Although not shown, in some long arm quilting units, the thread will next be threaded counter-clockwise through a thread break sensor, approximately three-quarters of a turn. 
     Portion of thread  7  is then inserted into and through thread guide  25 . Although not shown in detail, typically thread guide  25  has three holes for convenience and to allow operator adjustment. Typically, during operation of the long arm quilting machine, all three holes are not used, and it is recommended that only the first and last holes are used. The first hole threaded from the bottom up and the third hole is threaded from the top down. (Not shown) Next, the thread portion  7  enters the rotary tension  26 . The tread portion  7  goes over the first post and is wound clockwise around the rotary tension device  26 , over the check spring and under the second post. The thread portion  7  is fed into the take-up lever  27  from back to front and is fed into the thread guides  28  from top to bottom. Finally, the thread portion  7  enters the needle  29  from the front to the back of the long arm quilting machine  10 . 
       FIG. 4  provides a perspective view of the present art multi-spool threader  15  mounted upon the long arm quilting machine  10  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the multi-spool threader  15  is mounted upon the long arm quilting machine  10  handle arm  11  located at the rear of the long arm quilting machine  10 . One of ordinary skill will appreciate that alternative mounting positions  16  and configurations are possible, including on top of the machine  16   a , at the front of the machine  16   b  and upon the front via the operator guide handles  16   c , without limitation, as illustrated as  FIG. 3 . 
     The multi-spool threader  15  functions as a supporter and threading device that allows for a plurality of threads (1-6), from a plurality of spools of threads (2-6), dependent upon the size of the spools, to be used by a threading device, such as a long arm quilting machine  10 . The multi-spool threader  15  is comprised of a frame  1  upon which a plurality of individual spool thread holders  2  are affixed. The frame  1  may have several embodiments and configurations as shown at  FIGS. 4 and 8 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6 , the spool thread holders  2  are comprised of a rod  3  affixed to and extending from a base  4 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 5-6 , the frame  1  configuration allows the three (3) spool thread holders  2  shown to be aligned horizontally in a linear formation substantially parallel with the body of the long arm quilting machine  10 . (See  FIG. 4 ) In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the frame portion is curved (deflected portion  9 ) allowing differences between the vertical heights of the spools (cones) of thread, and the point at which the thread portion  7  leaves the individual cones of thread  6  to enter the thread guide  22  of the long arm quilting machine  10 . Additionally, in this embodiment, the spool thread holders  2  are composed of a frame  1  having three bases  4  attached to it with three rods  3  extending away from the frame  1  and bases  4 . The multi-spool threader  15  may be affixed in several locations proximate to the long arm quilting machine  10 . In  FIG. 4 , a clamp  8  is used to affix the middle of the frame  1  to the handle arm  11 . The clamp  8  is shown in detail at  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the clamp  8  may be configured and used to attach either end of the multi-spool threader  15  to the handle arm  11 . The clamp  8  as shown is only way of securing the multi-spool threader  15  proximate the long quilting machine body  18  and other ways are possible including fasteners, cables, adhesives and weldments. 
     As one of ordinary skill will appreciate, the multi-spool threader  15  may be constructed in several different ways, as exemplified by the embodiment shown at  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the frame portion  1  may be constructed of plastic and steel with a base  4  constructed of rubber with rods  3  extending away from the base  4  and frame ( 1   a ,  1   b ). In this embodiment, the deflected portion of the frame  9  is not curved and is positioned in the center of frame portion  1   a  to form a ninety (90) degree angle between portions of the frame  1   a  and  1   b . A third spool of thread  6   c  may be engaged via the rod  3  affixed to the top portion of the frame  1   b . In this configuration, the frame is affixed to the body of the long arm quilting machine using an adhesive portion  17 . 
     Upon each rod  3  is typically affixed a wing  5 . Typically, the wing  5  is attached to the rod  3  along the axial length of rod  3 , proximate the midway point of the rod  3 . The wing  5  typically improves engagement with the interior of the cone of thread and does not allow the cone of thread to rotate and maintains engagement with the multi-spool threader  15 . The rod  2  and frame  1  as illustrated are fabricated from steel but other materials, including aluminum or plastic will work as well. 
     As arranged, each said spool thread holder  2  allows for receipt and engagement of a spool of thread  6 . It should be understood that a “spool of thread” to one of ordinary skill in the art is typically defined by the number of yards of thread wound onto the spool with an illustrative range being 300-600 yards. A “cone” of thread, on the other hand, may be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to be defined as more than a thousand 1000 yards, possibly ranging up to 4000 yards or more of thread wound onto the cone shaped spool of thread. As used herein, “spool of thread” is meant to have its most basic definition as that of a cylinder of wood, plastic, cardboard, or other material on which wire, thread, or string is wound without limitation as to size or yardage. 
     As the production of a quilt typically requires a large number of yards of thread, it is desirable to be able to have multiple cones of thread feeding into the thread guide  22  of the long arm quilting machine  10 . The wing  5  affixed to the rod  3  is configured to engage with and maintains the spool of thread  6  adjacent the base  4 . (Illustrated at  FIG. 5 ) The frame  1  may then be configured for attachment to a long arm quilting machine  10  to allow multiple threads  6  to unspool from each said non-rotating spool of thread  6  during operation under substantially equal tension. The wing  5  as illustrated is fabricated from aluminum using three separate pieces and functions to holds the spools of thread  6  on the rod  3  so they don&#39;t shift or change position. One of ordinary skill will appreciate other wing  5  configurations (not shown) will work to engage and fix the position of the spool of thread  6  and in no way is the present disclosure limiting. Other materials, such as steel or plastic may be chosen for the wing  5  without limiting function or application. Furthermore, the frame  1 , rod  3 , base  4  and wing  5  made be constructed as one-piece using conventional fabrication methods such as injection molding or casting. 
     As shown in the preceding figures, three large cones of thread may be used with the multi-spool threader  15 . Modification of the arrangement shown could also allow use of two cones of thread up to five cones of thread. (Not shown) Additionally, another three small rolls of thread may be used by positioning the small rolls onto the rods with the three large cones of threads (not shown). In another version, the number of spool holders may be increased to as many as six (6), if the spacing upon the frame  1  is altered to allow for smaller rolls of thread versus larger cones of thread. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, to accommodate a large number of small diameter spools of thread, the distance between the spool holders  2  attached to the frame  1  must be reduced.  FIG. 5  provides a side view of the present art threader wherein an attachment clamp  8  is mounted under the center of the multi-spool threader frame  1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 , the frame  1  between each base  4  has a deflected portion  9 . The amount of deflection in the frame  1  may be in the range of 1-10% producing an angle from horizontal of 1-20 degrees. As shown, and for illustration only, the frame  1  is composed of a piece of angle iron having a dimension of approximately 12 inches in length by 1 inch in width. The base  4  of the spool holders, as shown, and for illustration only, are fabricated from aluminum and have a diameter of three inches. The height of each base is approximately 1 inch. As shown, and for illustration only, the base may be implemented with a reduced diameter cone shape ( 4   a ), wherein the interior cone is approximately 1 inch in diameter. Each rod  3  as constructed, and without limitation, has a length of approximately 6.75 inches. The deflected portion  9 , as shown and illustrated, and without limitation, is positioned in the frame  1 , midway between the rods  3  affixed to the frame  1 . The rods are affixed to the frame using threaded bolts but other means of securement, including casting or welding, may be used without limitation. As constructed, with the rods  3  having an equal length, and affixed to the frame  1  in an equivalent manner, results in the outer rods  3   a  extending approximately 0.25 to 0.5 inches further from the frame  1  than the center rod  3 . As result, the deflected portion of the frame  9  allows the thread  7  leaving each cone or spool of thread  6  to occupy spaces which are offset to one and other above the cone or spool of thread  6  prior to feeding into the thread guide  22  thereby reducing the potential for intersection or tangling of the threads reducing the potential for disruption in operations of the long arm quilting machine  10 . The threads  7 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , as positioned by the multiple spool threader  15 , affixed to handle arm, positioned proximate the long quilting machine body and each other, occupy different positions in the space around the long arm quilting machine while feeding to the same location on the long arm quilting machine, thread guide  22 , such that multiple threads may be positioned in the needle  29  simultaneously, as shown in  FIG. 4A . Thus, the individual threads occupy different spatial vectors prior to receipt by the thread guide  22  of the long arm quilting machine  10 . As used herein, vector is defined as the Euclidean vector, meaning a geometric entity endowed with both length and direction; an element of a Euclidean vector space. Thereby reducing the potential for intersection or tangling of the threads reducing the potential for disruption in operations of the long arm quilting machine  10  caused by thread entanglement. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the present art multi-spool threader  15  wherein the attachment clamp  9  is mounted at one end of the frame  1  of the multi-spool threader  15 .  FIG. 7  provides a detailed side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  in which the clamp  9  is mounted at the end of the frame  1 . It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other methods of attachments of the frame  1  to the long arm quilting machine  10  are possible as previously discussed herein. 
     Although not shown, it should be apparent that the frame  1  need not be attached to the long arm quilting machine and instead it could be positioned adjacent to the long arm quilting machine  10  with its location, or the spatial relationship between the two, fixed via connection to a portion of the table  12  or a stand-alone type structure, not shown, without impairment to the present teachings or limiting the breadth of the claims or disclosure. 
     Illustrative Installation—First Embodiment 
     To install multi-spool threader  15 , remove the original single spool holder (see  FIG. 3 ) from your long arm quilting machine  10 . Usually there is one or two screws and a bracket securing it from underneath. (Not shown) Remove the nut and bolt from the clamp  8  in the multi-spool threader  15 , then gently slide the clamp  8  over the machine arm in its place. (See  FIGS. 3-4 ) A piece of electrical tape may be placed on the arm, between the clamp and the arm, to protect the paint of the arm from scratches. Reinsert the bolt and tighten the nut snugly. 
     Illustrative Installation—Second Embodiment 
     To install the multi-spool threader  15 , clean the upper or front portion ( 16   a  or  16   b ) of the body of the long arm quilting machine  10 . Remove the paper from the adhesive backing and affix the multi-spool threader  15  to the clean portion of the body of the long arm quilting machine as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 . 
     It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar methods and apparatus for allowing the use of multiple spools of thread or cones of thread, or a combination of both, with a long arm quilting machine  10 . Accordingly, modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention.