US3082719A - Automatic work positioning attachment for button hole machine - Google Patents

Description

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 y L w INVENTOR. BERNARD ZE/TL/N 57M ATTORNEY llllllll |ll|| III I IN IHHM B. ZElTLlN AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE Filed March 12, 1958 B. ZEITLIN March 26, 1963 AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE Filed March 12, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BERNARD ZE/TL/N ATTORNEY B. ZElTLlN 3,082,719

AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE March 26, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 12, 1958 BERNARD ZEH'L/N ATTORNEY March 26, 1963 B. ZEITLIN 3,08

AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE Filed March 12, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheep 4 5 4 aura/1 BERNARD ZEITLIN ATTORNEY B. ZElTLIN March 26 I963 AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 12, 1958 INVENTOR.

' AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE Filed March 12, 1958 B. ZEITLIN March 26, 1963 'T Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG.5

INVENTQR. BERNARD ZEl't'L/N ATTORNEY B. ZEITLIN March 26, 1963 AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE Filed March 12, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 FIG.8 450 v OINVENTOR. Bernard Zeiflin y ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,082,719 AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE Bernard Zeitlin, 1132 Rahway Ave., Westfield, NJ.

Filed Mar. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 720,901 12 Claims. (Cl. 112-65) This invention relates to the formation of button holes in garments and, more particularly, to a novel combination of a button hole sewing machine with means for automatically positioning successive button hole locations on a garment in operative relation to the sewing head.

In the garment industry, a special sewing machine known as a button hole machine is used to stitch the peripheries of button holes. This machine has a cyclic action and involves a constantly running motor and a clutch control for initiating and terminating the button hole forming operation. A relatively movable platen and stitching head are provided and, when the garment is properly positioned on the platen relative to the stitching head, the clutch is engaged by the operator and the machine goes through a cycle, involving such relative movement, wherein the stitching head forms a stitched seam around the periphery of the button hole. The operator then repositions the garment on the platen for formation of the next button hole.

With the button hole machine as presently used, an operator is unable to tend more than about two machines. In doing this, the operator first positions a garment on one machine and starts its button hole forming cycle. The operator then repeats this operation on an adjacent machine. By this time, the first button hole is formed and the operator must re-position the garment onthe first machine. Thus, the operator performs the garment position and cycle starting operations alternately on the two machines. The output per operator is thus relatively low, resulting in undue labor expense per garment.

' In view of this, arrangements have been proposed for modifying button hole machines so that they will auto matically form a number ofbutton holes in succession without requiring attention from the operator after a garment is properly positioned in the machine for formation of the first button hole. However, these arrangements have had the disadvantage of high initial cost or capital investment, in addition to requiring specialized servicing not capable of being performed by the usual maintenance or service personnel available in the garment manufacturin g plant.

In accordance with the present invention, a relatively inexpensive garment clam-ping and positioning attachment is provided which is easily attachable to either a lock stitch or chain stitch'button hole machine, and which in corporates novel automatic positioning controls cooperable with the machine controls to elfect automatic movement of the garment to successive button hole positions responsive to completion of the button hole stitching at each preceding button hole position. In addition, the operation of the-mechanism is automatically terminated after the last button hole has been completed. With this attachment, one operator can operate several button hole machines, such as six machines for example. The operator merely positions and clamps the garment in the attachment at one machine and then starts the machine to operate. This procedure is repeated at each of the other machines, and then the operator takes the completed garment from the first machine, re-loads this machine, and repeats these operations at successive machines.

In addition to being usable with any type of automatic button hole sewing machine, the attachment and its automatic controls are simple and easily serviced by the service personnel normally employed at a sewing establish- 3,082,719 Patented Mar. 26, 1963 "Ice ment to service the sewing machines. The attachment is usable with the completed garment and may move a garment from left to right, for mens garments, or from right to left, for womens garments.

More specifically, the attachment comprises a fiat platen extending support including a central clamp easily attachable to the platen of the sewing machine and two platen extension sections which project coplanar with the platen from each side edge thereof. Each extension section has a pair of guide slots therein, the slots of one section being aligned with those of the other section.

The front slots on the sections receive pins or the like interconnecting upper and lower rods for movement as a unit. The upper rod is guided through bushings on the clamp and has secured thereto a pair of rearwardly extending arms carrying pins received in slots in a second arm overlapped with each pin carrying arm. Each such second arm carries, at its rear end a simple spring clamp for securing the garment to the attachment. The pin and slot connections provided for reciprocation of the garment by the sewing machine clamp during stitching of the button hole.

The lower rod has adjustably secured therealong a plurality of abutments which may be positioned in accordance with the button hole locations. A biasing means is secured to the slide structure, comprising the two rods, to pull the slide in one direction laterally of the sewing machine. The attachment carries solenoid operated stops, such as levers, to releasably engage the abutments in succession to hold the slide fixed during stitching of a button hole.

In using the attachment, the operator first positions the abutments to correspond with the button hole positions. The operator then clamps a garment to the attachment with the button hole line extending beneath the sewing machine clamp, and pulls the clamp down. This operates a switch to energize a solenoid moving the clutch lever to engage the clutch and start the stitching cycle. At the end of the cycle, the clutch is automatically disengaged by the usual sewing machine controls, and the resulting movement of the clutch lever operates a switch which energizes a solenoid to lift the clamp. Lifting of the clamp closes a switch which operates the stop control solenoid. The stop means releases an abutment and the biasing means pulls the slide laterally of the machine until the next abutment is engaged by the stop means. This action operates a switch to 'deenergize the clamp lifting solenoid, the clamp drops, the stop control solenoid is deenergize'd, and the stitch cycle is again initiated.

The operation is cyclically repeated until the last button hole is formed. At the end of the last stitching cycle, the slide operates a limit switch to stop operation of the attachment.

For anunderstanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following descriptions of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view, partly broken away, of the attachment and associated parts of the machine as disposed to form button holes in a mans garmenti' FIGS. 2 and 2A conjointly provide a plan view, partly broken away, corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view;

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and illustrating the attachment arranged for operation on a ladys garment;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic wiring diagrams of the control circuits;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged side elevation views of garment clamps used in the attachment; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the attachment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 2A and 3.

Referring .to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a button hole sewing machine, generally designated at 10, is illustrated, in part, as including a movable platen 15, a needle 11, a clutch operating lever 12 controlling a clutch schematically illustrated at 12A in FIG. 3, and a clamp operating lever 13. Machine is mounted on a support surface or table 14.

As is well-known in the art, this machine has a constantly running motor which may be selectively coupled to the button hole forming components by engaging the clutch 12A through operation of lever 12. In using the machine in the normal manner, an operator positions a garment on platen 15, operates lever 13to move the clamp to hold the garment fixed on the platen, and then operates lever 12 to engage the clutch. This starts the stitching operation of needle 11 and, during the stitching, platen is moved relative to the needle so that the needle stitches around the outline of the button hole. When this stitching cycle is completed, the clutch is automatically disengaged.

In accordance with the present invention, an attachment generally indicated at is operatively combined with levers 12 and 13 and platen 15 of machine 10 in such a manner that machine 10, when started at a first button hole, automatically forms each of a series of button holes in succession, and then automatically shuts off after formation of the last button hole.

Device or attachment 20 includes garment support means in the form of horizontal surface wings or extensions 21, 22, 21', 22' on each side of platen 15 and substantially coplanar therewith. These wings or extensions' are supported on arms extending laterally from platen- 15. The wings or extensions are secured to cross members 23, 23' resting on surface 14, and the cross members are interconnected by a relatively narrow and elongated horizontal surface front member 24. For a purpose to be described, members 21, 21 are spaced from members 22, 22 to provide slots 26, 26', and member 24 is spaced from members 21, 21' to provide slots 27, 27'.

A U-shape bracket 5 is screwed or bolted to the forward edge of platen 15, and the ends of the legs of bracket are formed to provide spaced bearings 28 for the upper rod of a slide generally indicated at 30 and including a lower rod beneath rod 35 and rigidly connected thereto by posts 31 extending through slots 27, 27. Slide 30 is reciprocable transversely of platen 15 by virtue of the sliding mounting of rod 35 through eyelets or bearings 28.

Rod 35 has secured thereto straps 32, 32' extending rearwardly from the rod and carrying headed pins 33, 33 engaged in slots 34, 34' in straps 36, 36' overlying and slidable longitudinally of straps 32, 32, respectively. Straps 32, 32' have downturned outer ends 32A looped around and anchored to rod 35, and straps 36, 36 have upturned operating loops 36A on their outer ends. Pins 127 extend downwardly from loops 32A. The inner end of strap 36 has a slotted strap 37 slidably secured at right angles thereto and biased to the left by a spring 38 surrounding a rod 41. Rod 41 extends through a block 42 secured to strap 36 and spring 38 is engaged between this block and a block 43 on the rear end of rod 41 and secured to strap 37. A spring biased garment clamp is secured on the right end of strap 37. Clamp 45 comprises a bar bent intermediate its ends to provide an upwardly sloping operating end 45A and a clamping end 45B, as best seen in FIG. 7. End 45B is biased towards strap 37 by a coil spring 45C surrounding the stern of a headed pin or bolt 45D secured in strap 37 and extending loosely through an aperture in clamping end 45B.

Strap 36' has a slotted strap 37 secured at right angles to its inner end, and a spring biased garment clamp 45 is adjustable along strap 37 Pins 44 project from straps 32, 32 through slots 26, 26 (FIG. 3) and carry washers 46 limiting upward movement of straps 32, 32' and 36, 36'. Clamp 45' is a Z-shape strap having an elevated operating end 45A and a clamping end 458' pressed towards strap 37 by a coil spring 45C embracing the stern of a headed pin or bolt 45D secured in strap 37', as best seen in FIG. 8.

Rod 40 has mounted thereon abutments 50 adjustably positionable along this rod by means of set screws 51. These abutments are positioned along rod 40 in accordance with the spacing of the button holes. Slide 30 is biased to the right, in FIG. 1, and to the left in FIG. 4, by a spring tension device 55 having its flexible wind-up element 52 connected to the end of rod 40 adjacent a limit stop 53 on this rod. Stop 53 is arranged to operate a toggle limit switch SW-1, mounted on a bracket 54 on a member 23', after completion of the last button hole.

Abutments 50 cooperate with stop levers 61, 62 pivotally mounted on a bracket 62' on a base 63 secured to support 14. Springs 64 bias the levers to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Lever 61 is normally in a position where its upper end will engage an abutment 50, whereas the abutment engaging end of lever 62 is normally retracted. Both levers have ends cooperable with cams 65, 65 adjustable along the normally outwardly biased plunger 60 of a solenoid S-1 mounted on base 63.

When solenoid S-1 is energized, as described in connection with FIG. 5, plunger 60 is retracted. Cam 65 swings lever 61 counter clockwise to disengage stop 50, and cam 65' swings lever 62 clockwise into the path of the next abutment '50, all with reference to FIG. 1. Device 55 pulls slide 30 to the right until the next abutment 50 engages lever 62. When solenoid S-1 is de-energized, as described hereinafter, plunger 60 is retracted. Cam 65' releases lever 62 from stop 50 and cam 65 releases lever 61 into the path of this stop. Device 55 moves the slide 30 a short distance until stop 50 engages lever 61.

A switch SW-5 is mounted on across member 23' adjacent slide 30, and has an operator 66 so disposed that, when an abutment or stop 50- is engaged with either lever 61 or lever 62, switch SW-5 is open. When solenoid 8-1 is energized to release slide 30, the movement of an abutment 50 releases operator 66 to close switch SW-S until the next abutment engages lever 62.

Clutch lever 12 extends through the forked free end of a lever 67 pivoted, intermediate its ends, on a fixed bracket 68. The other end of this lever is secured to the plunger 70 of solenoid S-2. A bracket 71 on bracket 68 supports a switch SW-3 having an operator 72 engageable with lever 16 which operates the sewing machine knife. In the known button hole machine which is partly schematically illustrated in the drawings this knife, after completion of the stitching cycle, operates to cut the button hole slit and to cut the thread. When lever 16 is raised as the knife pierces the fabric, the lever operates switch SW-3 to open the circuit of clutch solenoid 8-2 as described hereinafter.

Lever 13, for the clamp of sewing machine 10, has an extension arm 73 rigidly secured to its free end and connected to the plunger 75 of a solenoid S-3 mounted on table 14. Ann 73 extends between the operators OP-2 and OP-4 of switches SW-2 and SW-4 mounted on a bracket 74 on the base of solenoid 8-3. The free end of arm 73 moves down when the clamps are raised and up when the clamps are pressed against the fabric. As arm 73 moves down, it closes switch SW4 in the energizing circuit of solenoid S-1, and as arm 73 moves up, it closes switch SW-2 in the energizing circuit of clutch solenoid S-2.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, single phase alternating current is supplied to terminals 76. When start button 77 is depressed, it energizes the coil of contactor 80 which closes contacts 81 closing a contactor holding circuit which may be broken by pressing stop button 78. A switch SW-6 is associated with thread 17 in such a manner that, if the thread breaks, switch SW-6 opens to deenergize contactor 80.

Closure of contactor 80 provides operating potential to the control circuit at terminals 82. One terminal 82 is connected to line 83 directly, and the other terminal 82 is connected to switch SW-l which, when thrown to the on position (FIG. 5), connects line 84 to the other terminal 82. Switch SW-l is a double pole, double throw toggle switch having arms 86 and 87. In the on position, arm 86 connects line 84 to a terminal 82, and arm 87 connects solenoid S-1 to switch SW4. In the off position, to which switch SW-1 is operated by limit stop 53, arm 86 energizes clamp lifting solenoid S-3, and arm 87 opens the circuit of solenoid 5-1.

To use the apparatus, the operator pulls slide 30 back until the abutment 50 next adjacent limit stop 53 is engaged with the end of lever 61. The operator then clamps the garment in clamps 45, 45' making adjustments until the first button hole location is aligned with needle 11. Abutments 50 are then adjusted along rod 30 at the desired button hole spacings. A basket 35 may be hung from device 20 to contain the overhang of the garment, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 3.

The operator then moves switch SW-l to the on position illustrated in FIG. 5. As arm 86 disengages its lower contact, solenoid S-3 is deenergized to drop the clamp of sewing machine against the work to hold the latter fixed to platen 15. Clamp lever 13 opens switch SW-4 and closes switch SW2. As arm 86 engages its upper contact, clutch solenoid S2 is energized through line 84, switch SW2, switch SW-3, and line 83.

The machine 10 starts its button hole forming cycle, during which platen is reciprocated back and forth. As the platen is reciprocated, clamps 45, 45' may be reciprocated due to the longitudinally slidable connection of straps 36, 36' with the straps 32, 32'.

When the button hole forming cycle is complete, the knife descends to pierce the fabric and cut the thread. Lever 16 moves operator 72 of switch SW-3- to engage its upper contact, thus deenergizing clutch solenoid S-2 and energizing clamp lift solenoid S-3. As the clamps lift, arm 73 moves down to open switch SW2 and close switch SW4. Meanwhile the knife lifts and lever 16 moves switch SW-3 to engage its lower contact. However, clutch solenoid 5-2 is not reenergized as switch SW-Z is open.

Closure of switch SW-4 energizes solenoid S-1 through arm 87 of switch SW-l. Plunger 60 moves into the solenoid, swinging lever 61 counterclockwise (FIG. '1) and lever 62 clockwise (FIG. 1). This releases the first abutment 50, and slide 30 is drawn to the right until the next abutment strikes lever. 62. During such abutment release, switch SW5 is closed to maintain the clamps lifted but, as such next abutment engages lever 62, switch SW-S is reopened to drop the clamps.

As the clamps drop, lever 13 moves up toopen switch SW-4 and re-close switch SW-3. This deenergizes solenoid S-1 and energizes clutch solenoid S-Z. Lever 62 releases such next abutment to engage lever 61, and the cycle repeats. When the last button hole is completed, release of slide 30 causes stop 53 to move switch SW-l to the off position. Arm 86 energizes clamp lift solenoid S-3 and opens the circuit of clutch solenoid S-Z. Arm 87 opens the circuit of solenoid S-l. The operator then removes the garment and re-loads the machine. The operating cycle is suchthat an operator has time to load several machines before the first machine is ready for reloading after automatic completion of a series of button holes.

FIG. 4 is identical with FIG. 1 except that slide 30 is arranged for leftward movement by tension device 55 for making button holes in a ladies garment.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including a sewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to each other during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to the platen to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operating lever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine to driving means for operation of the machine through a button-hole stitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of the button-hole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from the platen at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the button hole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitching cycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage said clutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism for automatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a workpiece in operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes at each of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to be clamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to be mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to the needle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spaced relation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each direction of movement of said slide; abutments adjustably positionable along said slide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; means biasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stop means normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of said spaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; operating means effective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutment and position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasing means moves said slide in said one direction; means adapted to be operated, responsive to work piercing operation of the knife to operate the clutch operating lever in a disengaging direction to retract the clamp from the work on the platen, and to actuate said operating means; and means operable, responsive to engagement of said stop means with the next abutment, to

re-engage said clamp with the work on the platen and to operate the clutch operating lever in an engaging direction to restart the button hole forming cycle.

2. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including a sewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to each other during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to the platen to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operating lever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine to driving means for operation of the machine through a button-hole stitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of the button-hole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from the platen at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the button hole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitching cycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage said clutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism for automatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a workpiece in operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes at each of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to be clamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to be mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to the needle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spaced relation longitudinally thereof and beyond said platen in each direction of movement of the slide; abutments adjustably positionable along said slide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; means biasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stop means normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of said spaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; operating means effective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutment and position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasing means move said slide in said one direction; means adapted to be operated, responsive to work piercing operation of the knife to operate the clutch operating lever in a disengaging direction, to retract the clamp from the work on the platen, and to actuate said operating means; means operable, responsive to engagement of said stop means with said next abutment, to reengage the clamp with the work on the platen to operate the clutch operating lever in an engaging direction to restart the buttonhole forming cycle; and limit means operable by said slide at its limit of movement in said one direction to render said mechanism ineffective to re-start the button hole forming cycle.

3. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including a sewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to each other during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to the platen to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operating lever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine to driving means for operation of the machine through a button-hole stitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of the buttonhole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from the platen at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the button hole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitching cycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage said clutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism for automatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a work piece in operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes at each of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to be clamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to be mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to the needle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spaced relation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each direction of movement of said slide; abutments adjustably positionable along said slide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; means biasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stop means normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of said spaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; first operating means adapted to be associated with the clamp operating lever and effective, when actuated, to retract the clamp from the Work on the platen; means operable responsive to work piercing operation of the knife, to actuate said first operating means; second operating means effective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutment and position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasing means moves said slide in said one direction; means adapted to be operated by the clamp lever, in retracting said clamp to operate the clutch operating lever in a disengaging direction and to actuate said second operating means; and means operable, responsive to engagement of said stop means with said next abutment, to re-engage the clamp with the work on the platen and to operate the clutch operating lever in an engaging direction to restart the button hole forming cycle.

4. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including a sewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to each other during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to the platen to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operating lever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine to driving means for operation of the machine through a button-hole stitching cycle a clutch operating lever for initiation of the button hole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from the platen at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the button hole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitching cycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage said clutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism for automatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a work piece in operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes at each of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to be clamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to be mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to the needle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spaced relation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each direction of movement of said slide; abutments adjustably positionable along said slide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; means biasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stop means normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of said spaced areas is in operative relation to said needle; first operating means adapted to be associated with the clamp operating lever and effective, when actuated, to retract the clamp from the Work on the platen; means adapted to be operated, responsive to work piercing operation of said knife, to actuate said first operating means; second operating means effective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutment and position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasing means moves said slide in said one direction; means adapted to be operated by the clamp lever, in retracting the clamp, to operate the clutch operating lever in a disengaging direction and to actuate said second operating means; means operable, responsive to engagement of the stop means with said next abutment, to re-engage the clamp with the work on the platen and to operate the clutch operating lever in an engaging direction to restart the button hole forming cycle; and limit means operable by said slide at its limit of movement in said one direction to render said mechanism ineffective to re-start the button hole forming cycle.

5. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including a sewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to each other during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to the platen to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operating lever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine to driving means for operation of the machine through a button-hole stitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of the button hole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from the platen at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the button hole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitching cycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage said clutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism for automatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a work piece in operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes at each of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to be clamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to be mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to the needle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spaced relation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each direction of movement of said slide; abutments adjustably positionable along said slide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; means biasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stop means normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of said spaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; first operating means associated with the clamp operating lever and effective, when actuated, to retract the clamp from the work on the platen; means adapted to be operated, responsive to work piercing operation of the knife to actuate said first operating means; second operating means effective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutment and position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasing means moves said slide in said one direction; third operating means adapted to be connected to the clutch operating lever and effective, when actuated, to operate the clutch operating lever in a dis engaging direction; means adapted to be operated by the clamp lever, in retracting the clamp, to actuate said second and third operating means; and means operable, responsive to engagement of said stop means with said next abutment, to reengage said clamp with the work on the platen and to operate the clutch operating lever in an engaging direction to restart the buttonhole forming cycle.

6. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including a sewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to each other during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to the platen to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operating lever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine to driving means for operation of the machine through a button-hole stitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of the buttonhole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from the platen at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the button hole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitching cycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage said clutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism for automatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a Work piece in operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes at each of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to be clamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to be mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to the needle and platen; work clamping means carried by the slide in spaced relation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each direction of movement of the slide; abutments adjustably positionable along said slide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; means biasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stop means normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of said spaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; first operating means adapted to be associated with the clamp operating lever and effective, when actuated, to retract the clamp from the work on the platen; means adapted to be operated, responsive to work piercing operation of the knife to actuate said first operating means; second operating means effective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutment and position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasing means moves said slide in said one direction; third operating means adapted to be connected to the clutch operating lever and effective, when actuated, to operate the clutch operating lever in a disengaging direction; means operable by the clamp lever, in retracting the clamp, to actuate said second and third operating means; means operable, responsive to engagement of said stop means with said next abutment, to re-engage the clamp with the work on the platen and to operate the clutch operating lever in an engaging direction to restart the button hole forming cycle; and limit means operable by said slide at its limit of movement in said one direction to render said mechanism ineffective to restart the button hole forming cycle.

7. Mechanism as claimed in claim 5 in which said operating means comprise normally de-energized solenoids.

8. Mechanism as claimed in claim 5 in which said stop means comprises a pair of conjointly operable levers, the first normally biased to engage an abutment and the second moving into the path of the abutrnents upon disengaging movement of the first lever.

9. Mechanism as claimed in claim 5 including a bracket adapted to be secured to said platen and slidably supporting said slide.

10. Mechanism as claimed in claim 9 in which said slide comprises parallel upper and lower rods rigidly secured to each other, the upper rod being engaged in said bracket and positioned above the surface of the platen, and carrying said work clamping means; the lower rod having said abutments adjustably mounted therealong.

11. Mechanism as claimed in claim 10 in which said work clamping means comprises arms extending normal to said upper rod and releasable work grips adjustable along said arms.

12. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which said slide is movable parallel to the front edge of the platen.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 593,577 Hawes Nov. 16, 1897 1,243,679 Allen Oct. 23, 1917 1,492,084 Ray Apr. 29, 1924 1,539,629 Bazzoni May 26, 1925 1,569,394 Ray Jan. 12, 1926 2,465,232 Jones et al. Mar. 22, 1949 2,899,919 Myska Aug. 18, 1959 2,944,496 Gardner July 12, 1960

Claims (1)

1. FOR USE WITH A BUTTON HOLE SEWING MACHINE OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A SEWING NEEDLE AND A WORK SUPPORTING PLATEN MOVABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER DURING STITCHING OF A BUTTON HOLE, A CLAMP MOVABLE RELATIVE TO THE PLATEN TO CLAMP THE WORK THEREAGAINST AND HAVING A CLAMP OPERATING LEVER, A RELEASABLE CLUTCH WHICH, WHEN ENGAGED, CONNECTS THE MACHINE TO DRIVING MEANS FOR OPERATION OF THE MACHINE THROUGH A BUTTON-HOLE STITCHING CYCLE, A CLUTCH OPERATING LEVER FOR INITIATION OF THE BUTTON-HOLE STITCHING CYCLE, AND A KNIFE MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE PLATEN AT THE END OF THE CYCLE TO PIERCE THE WORK TO FORM THE BUTTON HOLE AND HAVING AN ARM OPERABLE THEREWITH, THE BUTTON HOLE STITCHING CYCLE BEING INITIATED BY OPERATION OF SAID CLUTCH LEVER TO ENGAGE SAID CLUTCH AND TERMINATED BY OPERATION OF SAID KNIFE; MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY AND SUCCESSIVELY POSITIONING SPACED AREAS OF A WORKPIECE IN OPERATIVE RELATION TO THE NEEDLE FOR FORMATION OF BUTTON HOLES AT EACH OF SAID AREAS, SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING A SUPPORT ADAPTED TO BE CLAMPED TO THE PLATEN; A RELATIVELY ELONGATED SLIDE ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED FOR LONGITUDINAL RECIPROCATION IN SAID SUPPORT RELATIVE TO THE NEEDLE AND PLATEN; WORK CLAMPING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SLIDE IN SPACED RELATION LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF AND BEYOND THE PLATEN IN EACH DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SLIDE; ABUTMENTS ADJUSTABLY POSITIONABLE ALONG SAID SLIDE IN SPACED RELATION CONFORMING TO THE SPACING OF SAID AREAS; MEANS BIASING SAID SLIDE TO MOVE IN ONE DIRECTION RELATIVE TO THE PLATEN; STOP MEANS NORMALLY ENGAGED WITH ONE OF SAID ABUTMENTS WHEN ONE OF SAID SPACED AREAS IS IN OPERATIVE RELATION TO THE NEEDLE; OPERATING MEANS EFFECTIVE, WHEN ACTUATED, TO DISENGAGE SAID STOP MEANS FROM ONE ABUTMENT AND POSITION SAID STOP MEANS TO ENGAGE THE NEXT ABUTMENT AS SAID BIASING MEANS MOVES SAID SLIDE IN SAID ONE DIRECTION; MEANS ADAPTED TO BE OPERATED, RESPONSIVE TO WORK PIERCING OPERATION OF THE KNIFE TO OPERATE THE CLUTCH OPERATING LEVER IN A DISENGAGING DIRECTION TO RETRACT THE CLAMP FROM THE WORK ON THE PLATEN, AND TO ACTUATE SAID OPERATING MEANS; AND MEANS OPERABLE, RESPONSIVE TO ENGAGEMENT OF SAID STOP MEANS WITH THE NEXT ABUTMENT, TO RE-ENGAGE SAID CLAMP WITH THE WORK ON THE PLATEN AND TO OPERATE THE CLUTCH OPERATING LEVER IN AN ENGAGING DIRECTION TO RESTART THE BUTTON HOLE FORMING CYCLE.

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