Title:
Presser bar unit for sewing machines
United States Patent 3877404
Abstract:
A presser bar unit for a sewing machine has a presser foot assembly pivotally mounted on a presser bar and carrying two presser feet such that either presser foot can be moved into operating position. A slidable locking member on the presser bar locks the assembly in a selected position, and unlocks the assembly for pivotal movement of the other presser foot into operating position. The two presser feet preferably extend outwardly from the assembly at a 90° angle to each other. The assembly is mounted in a forked end of the presser bar, and includes lugs which are selectively embraced by the sliding lock.
Application Number:
05/440089
Publication Date:
04/15/1975
Filing Date:
02/05/1974
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Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
D05B29/12; D05B29/00; D05B29/08; D05B29/12
Field of Search:
112/240,235,239,236
Primary Examiner:
Schroeder, Werner H.
Assistant Examiner:
Nerbun, Peter
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Larson, Taylor & Hinds
Claims:
Having thus described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I claim
1. A presser bar unit for a sewing machine comprising a presser bar axially slotted at one end to form a forked end, a presser foot mounting body extending into said slot and pivotally supported by a pivot pin passing through the slotted end of the presser bar, said presser bar carrying two presser feet substantially normal to each other and extending outwardly from the mounting body in generally L-shaped configuration, such that either presser foot can be moved into operating position as the other is moved to a non-operating position through pivotal movement of said presser mounting body, said mounting body including two lugs projecting outwardly therefrom substantially oppositely from said two presser feet relative to said pivot pin such that each lug will lie in the axial slot of said presser bar when its opposite presser foot is in the operating position, and means for selectively locking said assembly with either presser foot in operating position, said locking means comprising a locking member slidably mounted on said presser bar for movement between two positions wherein, in one position, it embraces and locks the lug which is located in the slot, and, in its other position, is located clear of the lug in the slot so as to permit pivoted movement of said mounting body to selectively lock said mounting body in either of two pivoted positions in which respective ones of said presser feet are in operative position, said locking member including portions encompassing ends of said pivot pin, said portions being axially slotted so as to permit axial movement of the locking member relative to said pivot pin.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said presser feet are removably mounted on said mounting body.
1. A presser bar unit for a sewing machine comprising a presser bar axially slotted at one end to form a forked end, a presser foot mounting body extending into said slot and pivotally supported by a pivot pin passing through the slotted end of the presser bar, said presser bar carrying two presser feet substantially normal to each other and extending outwardly from the mounting body in generally L-shaped configuration, such that either presser foot can be moved into operating position as the other is moved to a non-operating position through pivotal movement of said presser mounting body, said mounting body including two lugs projecting outwardly therefrom substantially oppositely from said two presser feet relative to said pivot pin such that each lug will lie in the axial slot of said presser bar when its opposite presser foot is in the operating position, and means for selectively locking said assembly with either presser foot in operating position, said locking means comprising a locking member slidably mounted on said presser bar for movement between two positions wherein, in one position, it embraces and locks the lug which is located in the slot, and, in its other position, is located clear of the lug in the slot so as to permit pivoted movement of said mounting body to selectively lock said mounting body in either of two pivoted positions in which respective ones of said presser feet are in operative position, said locking member including portions encompassing ends of said pivot pin, said portions being axially slotted so as to permit axial movement of the locking member relative to said pivot pin.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said presser feet are removably mounted on said mounting body.
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to presser bar units for sewing machines, and particularly to such a unit having two presser feet mounted on the presser bar and selectively movable into operating position.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
In general domestic or industrial sewing machines, the presser foot is usually secured directly to the lower end of the presser bar, and is spring loaded so as to permit normal seaming regardless of the thickness of the cloth. However, when used in a different sewing process, such as hem stitching or rolled hemming, it is often necessary to use an appropriately different presser foot. Generally the change of presser feet is accomplished manually by removing one and mounting the other on the presser bar. This lowers production efficiency, and increases production cost.
The present invention is intended to provide a more efficient arrangement in which at least two presser feet are carried simultaneously by the presser bar, either of which may be quickly pivoted into operating position, whereby to avoid the need for manually removing one and mounting the other. This purpose is accomplished by the exemplary embodiment shown in the appended drawings and described in the ensuing description, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular structural embodiment, which is susceptible of various structural and functional modifications.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially sectioned, showing an arrangement in accordance with the invention, as mounted on a conventional sewing machine apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation corresponding to FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation, partially in section, showing the arrangement in greater detail.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the drawings, A designates part of a conventional domestic or industrial sewing machine, B generally designates the presser mechanism which is normally positioned upright and urged downwardly by a spring or the like (not shown) housed in the machine, C generally designates a needle bar movable vertically by means of a needle bar crank (not shown) or the like located in the machine, D designates a conventional throat plate, E designates a conventional feed dog, and F indicates the cloth fed by the feed mechanism. More particularly, at the lower end of the presser bar 1 (constituted by the lower end portion of the presser mechanism B) are fixed two presser feet X and Y. Presser feet X and Y are formed with notched portions 2 and tapered slots or grooves 3 to facilitate their mounting on a presser foot mounting body generally indicated at 5. Mounting body 5 is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 10 in a slot 1a which forms a forked lower end of presser bar 1, pivot pin 10 passing through the two spaced portions of the forked end and spanning the axial slot therebetween. Mounting body 5 has tapered portions 6 which conform with the tapered grooves 3 of presser feet X and Y, and the presser feet are removably fixed to tapered portions 6 by screws 7, such that the mounted presser feet and the mounted body 5 form a generally L-shaped configuration. Mounting body 5 also includes, opposite each tapered arm 6 relative to pivot pin 10, lugs 9 and 9' which are movable into and out of slot 1a upon pivoting of the assembly about pivot pin 10. A sliding lock member, generally designated 4, is slidably mounted on the presser bar, and includes a knurled ring-shaped head portion for easy gripping by an operator, and a body portion 4b depending downwardly therefrom, the body portin 4b being substantially cylindrical but appropriately slotted to permit the pivoting movement of the mounting body 5, and formed with oblong holes or slots 4c adjacent the ends of pivot pin 10, these oblong holes permitting axial sliding movement of locking member 4 relative to pivot pin 10 and the other components. Lock member 4 is slidable vertically on the presser bar so as to embrace or clear the lugs 9 and 9' as indicated in FIG. 3.
The operation of the device will be apparent from the drawings and the foregoing description. Thus, with the mounting body 5 pivotally mounted in the forked lower end of presser bar 1, and carrying appropriate presser feet X and Y, either presser foot may be moved into vertical operative position, and locked therein by the action of lock member 4 sliding downwardly to embrace the vertically opposite lug 9 or 9'. When it is desired to switch to the other presser foot, locking member 4 is slid vertically upwardly (arrow I) to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, thus releasing the engagement between head portion 4a of locking member 4 and lug 9 of mounting body 5. Mounting body 5 is then pivoted in the direction of arrow II about pivot pin 10 to the position shown in broken lines, and then locking member 4 is moved downwardly (arrow III) to the full line position so as to embrace and lock lug 9'. The second presser foot, therefore, is in the normal operating position, and in each instance it will be noted that the nonoperative presser foot is out of the way and does not obstruct the operator's view.
This invention relates to presser bar units for sewing machines, and particularly to such a unit having two presser feet mounted on the presser bar and selectively movable into operating position.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
In general domestic or industrial sewing machines, the presser foot is usually secured directly to the lower end of the presser bar, and is spring loaded so as to permit normal seaming regardless of the thickness of the cloth. However, when used in a different sewing process, such as hem stitching or rolled hemming, it is often necessary to use an appropriately different presser foot. Generally the change of presser feet is accomplished manually by removing one and mounting the other on the presser bar. This lowers production efficiency, and increases production cost.
The present invention is intended to provide a more efficient arrangement in which at least two presser feet are carried simultaneously by the presser bar, either of which may be quickly pivoted into operating position, whereby to avoid the need for manually removing one and mounting the other. This purpose is accomplished by the exemplary embodiment shown in the appended drawings and described in the ensuing description, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular structural embodiment, which is susceptible of various structural and functional modifications.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially sectioned, showing an arrangement in accordance with the invention, as mounted on a conventional sewing machine apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation corresponding to FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation, partially in section, showing the arrangement in greater detail.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the drawings, A designates part of a conventional domestic or industrial sewing machine, B generally designates the presser mechanism which is normally positioned upright and urged downwardly by a spring or the like (not shown) housed in the machine, C generally designates a needle bar movable vertically by means of a needle bar crank (not shown) or the like located in the machine, D designates a conventional throat plate, E designates a conventional feed dog, and F indicates the cloth fed by the feed mechanism. More particularly, at the lower end of the presser bar 1 (constituted by the lower end portion of the presser mechanism B) are fixed two presser feet X and Y. Presser feet X and Y are formed with notched portions 2 and tapered slots or grooves 3 to facilitate their mounting on a presser foot mounting body generally indicated at 5. Mounting body 5 is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 10 in a slot 1a which forms a forked lower end of presser bar 1, pivot pin 10 passing through the two spaced portions of the forked end and spanning the axial slot therebetween. Mounting body 5 has tapered portions 6 which conform with the tapered grooves 3 of presser feet X and Y, and the presser feet are removably fixed to tapered portions 6 by screws 7, such that the mounted presser feet and the mounted body 5 form a generally L-shaped configuration. Mounting body 5 also includes, opposite each tapered arm 6 relative to pivot pin 10, lugs 9 and 9' which are movable into and out of slot 1a upon pivoting of the assembly about pivot pin 10. A sliding lock member, generally designated 4, is slidably mounted on the presser bar, and includes a knurled ring-shaped head portion for easy gripping by an operator, and a body portion 4b depending downwardly therefrom, the body portin 4b being substantially cylindrical but appropriately slotted to permit the pivoting movement of the mounting body 5, and formed with oblong holes or slots 4c adjacent the ends of pivot pin 10, these oblong holes permitting axial sliding movement of locking member 4 relative to pivot pin 10 and the other components. Lock member 4 is slidable vertically on the presser bar so as to embrace or clear the lugs 9 and 9' as indicated in FIG. 3.
The operation of the device will be apparent from the drawings and the foregoing description. Thus, with the mounting body 5 pivotally mounted in the forked lower end of presser bar 1, and carrying appropriate presser feet X and Y, either presser foot may be moved into vertical operative position, and locked therein by the action of lock member 4 sliding downwardly to embrace the vertically opposite lug 9 or 9'. When it is desired to switch to the other presser foot, locking member 4 is slid vertically upwardly (arrow I) to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, thus releasing the engagement between head portion 4a of locking member 4 and lug 9 of mounting body 5. Mounting body 5 is then pivoted in the direction of arrow II about pivot pin 10 to the position shown in broken lines, and then locking member 4 is moved downwardly (arrow III) to the full line position so as to embrace and lock lug 9'. The second presser foot, therefore, is in the normal operating position, and in each instance it will be noted that the nonoperative presser foot is out of the way and does not obstruct the operator's view.