US3433092A - Pattern cam selecting arrangement - Google Patents

Description

March 18, 1969 SUSUMU HANYU 3,433,092

PATTERN CAM SELECTING ARRANGEMENT Filed Oct. 18, 1966 Sheet 1 of s INVENTOR. M W

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PATTERN CAM SELECTING ARRANGEMENT Filed Oct. 18, 1966 Sheet 2 of 3 INVENTOR.

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PATTERN CAM SELECTING ARRANGEMENT F'iled Oct. 18, 1966 Sheet 3 of 5 INVENTOR.

United States Patent Oflice 3,433,092 Patented Mar. 18, 1969 3,433,092 PATTERN CAM SELECTING ARRANGEMENT Susumn Hanyu, Tokyo, Japan, assignor to Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Filed Oct. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 587,493 Claims priority, application Japan, Oct. 20, 1965,

40/ 63,922 US. Cl. 74568 Int. Cl. F16h 53/00 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a pattern cam selecting arrangement, and more particularly to an arrangement for selecting the pattern cams of a zig-zag sewing machine in order to obtain different ornamental stitch patterns.

In known Zig-zag sewing mechines, pattern cams are coaxially arranged in a stack, and each cam is associated with a cam follower, each of which can be selectively moved between an inoperative position and an operative position cooperating with the respective cam for transmitting oscillatory motion to the needle bar assembly.

In other known pattern cam selecting arrangements for sewing machines, a single cam follower is placed in engagement with any selected pattern cam. The latter construction has the advantage that only one cam follower is required, however, it is difiicult to move the cam followers in axial direction from one pattern cam to another, since the ditferent positions of the peaks and valleys of adjacent pattern cams block axial movement of the cam follower.

The pattern cam selecting arrangements according to the prior art require a very complicated selector mechanism, and it is one object of the invention to overcome this disadvantage of prior art constructions, and to provide a pattern cam selecting arrangement, particularly for sewing machines, of very simple construction which reliably and accurately operates.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pattern cam selecting arrangement in which a single cam follower is first moved to a position spaced from the pattern cams and then moved into engagement with a selected pattern cam.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pattern cam selecting arrangement with a single movable and turnable knob which, upon depression causes retraction of a single cam follower, and upon rotation causes the single cam follower to move to a position opposite a selected pattern cam.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pattern selecting arrangement in which the selection of a pattern cam can be effected by one finger of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pattern cam selecting arrangement having a single cam follower, with means for indicating the position of the cam follower and the pattern of the selected cam.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to an improved pattern cam selecting arrangement which is particularly suitable for a zig-zag sewing machine.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a set of rotary pattern cams; first and second threadedly engaged selector means, for example, a spindle and nut arrangement, the first selector means being axially movable and the second selector means being rotatable; a cam follower mounted on the first selecetor means for movement with the same in axial direction, and also for movement toward and away from said pattern cams; means biassing the cam follower toward the pattern cams, and preferably being part of output means connected with the cam follower; and manual operating means including first control means for moving the cam follower from an operative position engaging one of the pattern cams to a corresponding retracted position, and second rotary control means including a manually operated knob coupled by the manual operation with the second selector means so that the same can be manually turned.

Due to the threaded engagement between the first and second selector means, the first selector means moves axially when the second selector means is rotated, and places the cam follower while the same is retracted by the action of the first control means from the respective pattern cam, in another position located opposite another pattern cam. When the manual operating means is released, the cam follower moves into engagement with the respective selected pattern cam, and is oscillated by the cam track pattern of the same.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first control means includes an axially extending member along which the cam follower slides, and a knurled disc or knob which is depressed by one finger of the operator to retract the cam follower and to be coupled and rotate with a screw spindle constituting the second selector means. An indicator pointer is secured to the first selector means and moves in axial direction with the cam follower to indicate on a suitable indicia plate the pattern selected in the respective axially displaced position of the cam follower.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a sewing machine, with the casing partly broken off to show a pattern cam selecting arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line III in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view illustrating a detail.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 2, a first part A of the apparatus serves for selecting the position of the cam follower 4, a second part D indicates the position of the cam follower, a third part B transmits the rocking movement of the cam follower to the needle bar assembly, and a fourth part C is manually operated for carrying out the selection.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a sewing machine has a casing 20 closed by a top cover 19 and having an opening closed by a closure member 18 which has an indicator plate 10 provided with symbols representing different ornamental and zig-zag stitches with which pattern cams 1, 1a, 1b are associated. Closure member 18 has a cutout 18a through which a segment of a cylindrical disc or knob 92 projects. Knob 92 has a circular peripheral serrated surface 96 with alternating grooves and ridges, and which is dimensioned so as to be operated by one finger of the person using the sewing machine.

The sewing machine is provided in the usual manner with a needle bar assembly 100 which is transversely oscillatable and biassed by a spring into a lateral position so that a connecting linkage 12, see FIG. 2, is resiliently pressed against the arm 7, as disclosed, for example, in the US. Patent 3,208,417.

A main drive shaft 13, see FIG. 3, is connected by gears 15 and 16 and an intermediate shaft 21 to a gear 17 secured to a camshaft 2 on which the pattern cams 1, 1a, 1b are fixed in spaced positions by a key 22 engaging a corresponding groove in a fixed sleeve 3. During rotation of main shaft 13, cam shaft 2 and the set of pattern cams thereon rotate.

A single cam follower 4 is shown in FIG. 2 in an operative position engaging pattern cam 1 with an end portion 41.

A pair of support brackets 23 is mounted on a wall of casing 10 and provided with bearings for mounting a rocking support shaft 8 which passes through a bore 42 in cam follower 4, see FIG. 4, so that the same is supported for angular movement between the illustrated operative position, and an inoperative position retracted from the respective pattern cam, as shown in chain lines in FIG. 3.

Bore 42 permits axial movement of cam follower 4 along rocking shaft 8. Such movement is accomplished by a shifting member which has a pair of arms 5a and 5b with bores 52 through which rocking shaft 8 passes. Arms 5a and 5b form a gap 51, as best seen in FIG. 4, in which cam follower 4 is mounted for angular movement on the portion of shaft 8 passing through gap 51. Consequently, axial movement of shifting member 5 will axially displace cam follower 4 along rocking shaft 8, while the cam follower is in all positions turnable about shaft 8.

Arm 5b has a threaded bore 57 into which a screw 24 is threaded for holding an angular pointer 11 secured to shifting means 5. The end of pointer 11 is located opposite the indicia plate 10, and moves along the same when shifting means 5 displaces cam follower 4 in axial direction to positions registering with different pattern cams 1, 1a., 1b.

The yoke portion of shifting means 5 is penetrated by a bore 53 in which a spindle 6 is located. Spindle 6 has journal portions mounted in bearings of support bracket 23, and carries at the end thereof a coupling disc 62 whose cylindrical peripheral surface 66 is serrated and has alternating axially extending ridges and grooves. As best seen in FIG. 1, the serrated peripheral surfaces 66 and 96 are located opposite each other and, as will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, can be placed in meshing engagement so that by rotation of disc or knob 92, disc 62 can be rotated together with spindle 6.

Spindle 6 has a helical groove 61 engaged by a pin 54 which has a threaded portion engaging a threaded bore 55 in shifting means 5, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The inner end of pin 54 projects into the helical groove 61 of spindle 6 so that shifting means 5 is moved in axial direction when spindle 6 is rotated. Since the axial displacement of shifting means 5 with cam follower 4 effects the selection of a pattern cam, shifting means 5 constitutes a first selector means, and spindle 6 constitutes a second selector means, the selector means being threadedly engaged, and it will be appreciated that the term threadedly is used in a broad sense to include conventional threads as well as the disclosed pin and groove construction.

Rocking support shaft 8 carries two arms 82 fixed by screws 25. A motion-transmitting shaft or rod 81 connects the end of arms 82 and passes through an elongated opening or slot 43 in the radially outer portion of cam follower 4. Rocking shaft 8 has a portion projecting beyond one of the brackets 23 and carrying fixed thereon an oscillating arm 7 which is engaged by a rod 12 which is biassed by the spring of the needle bar assembly to urge oscillating arm 7 downward.

Consequently, rocking shaft 8 with arms 82 and shaft 81 is biassed to turn in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, and in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 for urging cam follower 4 toward a pattern cam.

When pattern cam 1 is rotated in the position of FIG. 2, cam follower 4 will rock on rocking shaft 8, and the rocking motion will be transmitted by the walls of slot 43 to motion transmitting shaft 81, and through arms 82 to shaft 8 so that the same rocks in synchronism with cam follower 4 and oscillates arm 7 which transmits the motion through link arm 12 to the needle bar assembly which performs oscillations corresponding to the pattern of cam 1 and makes a zig-zag or ornamental stitch, as indicated by pointer 11 on indicia plate 10 in the position of FIG. 2.

Since shaft 81 moves along a circular path, an elongated slot 43 is required. It will be seen that the motion transmitting means 82, 81 transmit the rocking motion of carn follower 4 to the rocking shaft 8 so that the same rocks in synchronism with cam follower 4 although the latter is mounted for free axial sliding movement on rocking shaft 8.

Since the cam projections of an adjacent cam would prevent an axial movement of cam follower 4 from one cam to the other in the illustrated operative position, it is necessary to retract cam follower 4 to an inoperative position in which end portion 41 is spaced from the pattern cams before cam follower 4 is shifted in axial direction.

Manual operating means are provided for this purpose. A frame 91 includes two arms mounted on shaft 8 for turning movement and being biased to turn in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 by a spring 99 coiled about shaft 8 and having arms respectively engaging a bracket 23 and an arm 90. A control member or shaft 9 connects arms 90 and extends across an engaging portion 44 of cam follower 4 so that portion 44 moves along shaft 9 during axial displacement of cam follower 4. Knob 92 with the serrated peripheral cylindrical surface 96 is mounted on shaft 9 and is manually turnable about the axis of the same. As explained above, a segmentshaped portion of knob 92 projects out of a window 181: provided in the closure member 10 so as to be accessible to the operator, while the other parts of the mechanism, excluding the end portion of pointer 11, are located within the casing 20, .19, 18.

Assuming that a selected zig-zag stitch has been made by the needle of the assembly 100 under the control of pattern cam 1, and that it is desired to select another pattern cam for stitching a different ornamental stitch, the operator places one finger on the serrated surface 96 of the projecting portion of knob 92, and presses the same in radial direction a small distance into the interior of the casing, the distance being limited by an arcuate recess 18b in the closure member 18. The finger pressure causes counterclockwise turning of frame 91 against the action of spring 92 to a position in which control shaft 9 first engages portion 44 of cam follower 4, and then turns the cam follower to the position shown in chain lines in FIG. 3 in which end portion 41 is spaced from the peripheral cam track of pattern cam 1. Irrespective of the axial position of cam follower 4, cam follower portion 44 Will be located opposite control shaft 9 since the same extends parallel to shafts 8, 6 and 2. Consequently in all axial positions of cant follower 4, irrespective of which pattern cam was engaged by the cam follower, movement of control shaft 9 to an actuated position by pressure on knob 92 will effect retraction of the cam follower to a position in which the projecting cam track portions of the pattern cams will not obstruct axial movement of the cam follower.

When knob 92 is pushed in and turns with frame 91 about shaft 8, it moves along a circular path into a position in which the cylindrical serrated surfaces 96, 66 engage each other and knob 92 is coupled with coupling member 62. The friction produced between the serrated surfaces by the pressure of the finger of the operator on knob 92, is sufficient to frictionally couple knob 92 with coupling disc 62 so that if the operator now turns knob 92 by applying with his finger a circumferential force, disc 62 is also turned together with spindle 61 whereby shifting means moves in axial direction. Turning movement of shifting means 5 is not possible since shaft 8 passes through aligned bores 52 in the arms 5a, 5b of shifting means 5.

Shifting means 5, moving in axial direction of spindle 6 during manual turning of coupling knob 92, axially displaces cam follower 4 which slides on shaft 8 in the above-described position spaced from the pattern cams. Pointer 11, secured to shifting means 5, moves with cam follower 4, and indicates its position on the indicia plate 10. When an indicia on plate indicates the desired and selected ornamental or zig-zag stitch pattern, cam follower 4 is located directly opposite and registering with the pattern cam whose cam track is shaped in such a pattern as to produce the desired stitch.

When a stitch and pattern cam has been selected in this manner, the operator releases control knob 92 so that spring 99 turns frame 91 in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 until stopped by an abutment means on support brackets 23 in the normal position of the manually operated means in which the device is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In this position, control shaft 9 is spaced from engaging portion 44 of cam follower 4, and the serrated peripheral surfaces 96 and 66 of coupling discs 92 and 62 are again spaced from each other.

The biassing spring of the needle bar assembly, acting through arm 12 on oscillating arm 7 and urging shaft 8 with arms 82 and shaft 81 to turn in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, turns cam follower 4 to the operative position engaging the respective selected pattern cam opposite which cam follower 4 is now located.

During rotation of shaft 2, the respective selected pattern cam rotates with the other pattern cams, and rocks cam follower 4 a small angle determined by the peaks and valleys of the cam track, and the rocking motion of cam follower 4 is transmitted by motion transmitting shaft 81 and arms 82 to shaft 8 which is rocked together with oscillating arm 7 so that arm 12 is raised against the action of the needle bar assembly spring when a peak of the cam track engages cam follower 4. The pressure of the needle bar assembly spring on arm 12 urges cam follower 4 to move into the valleys of the cam track. In this manner, an ornamental stitch corresponding to the cam track pattern of the selected cam is produced.

From the above description of the structure and mode of operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention it will become apparent that the output means 12, 7, 82, 8 are rocked and oscillated by cam follower 4, and that the first control means 9 moves the cam follower to a position spaced from the pattern cams, whereupon the second control means 92 is manually coupled with the rotary selector means 6, 61, 62 for causing axial displacement of the cam follower means by the axially displaced selector means 5. Indicating means 11 moves with cam follower 4 and selector means 5 to indicate the selected pattern cam and the ornamental or zig-zag stitch associated with the same.

The alignment of the cam follower with a selected cam is indicated by the indicating means 10, 11, but it is preferred to provide a number of arresting recesses 63 in disc 62, cooperating with an arresting catch 64 mounted in a stationary frame part of the machine and urged by a spring 65 into engagement with the recesses 63. Only two diametrically arranged arresting recesses 63 are shown since the helix angle of helical groove 61 is designed to cause axial movement of shifting means 5 a distance corresponding to the spacing between two adjacent pattern cams, when spindle 6 turns 180 and arresting catch 64 snaps into the respective other arresting recess 63.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of pattern selecting arrangements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a pattern cam selecting arrangement for a sewing machine having a single depressible and turnable knob for shifting a cam follower between positions cooperating with difierent pattern cams, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended Within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Pattern cam selecting arrangement comprising, in combination, a set of rotary pattern cams having a common first axis; first and second threadedly engaged selector means, having a second axis parallel with said first axis, said first selector means being mounted for axial movement on said second selector means, and said second selector means being rotatable about said second axis; a cam follower cooperating with said pattern cams; mounting means supporting said cam follower for axial movement with said first selector means between a plurality of axially displaced retracted positions located opposite and spaced from said pattern cams, respectively, and also for movement from each of said retracted positions to a corresponding operative position engaging the respective pattern cam and being oscillated by the same; biassed output means connected with said cam follower and being oscillated during oscillation of the same; and manual operating means movable from an inoperative position to an actuated position, and including first control means for moving said ca-m follower from any one of said operative positions to the corresponding retracted position, said first control means including an elongated control member extending in axial direction and across said cam follower in all positions of the same so that upon movement of said manual operating means to said actuated position, said control member engages said cam follower in any operative position and moves the same to the corresponding inoperative position, and second rotary control means including a manually turnable knob depressible to said actuated position for moving said control member into engagement with said cam follower, and engaging in said actuated position said second selector means for turning the same when said knob is turned by the operator whereby said first selector means is axially moved and places said cam follower in another selected position opposite a selected pattern cam which is engaged by said cam follower upon release of said manual operating means, said manual operating means including means supporting said control member and said knob for angular movement between said inoperative and actuated positions.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said second selector includes a threaded spindle, and a disc having a serrated peripheral surface and being secured to said spindle for rotation therewith; wherein said knob has a serrated peripheal suface frictionally engaging said serrated surface of said disc in said actuated position for turning the latter with said spindle.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2 including an indicating pointer secured to said first selector means for axial movement with the same and with said cam follower, and a stationary indicia plate having spaced indicia representing stitch patterns obtained by said pattern cams, respectively, said pointer registering with said indicia, respectively, when said cam follower is located opposite corresponding pattern cams, respectively.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a shaft supporting said cam follower for axial sliding movement, for angular movement between said retracted positions and said operative positions, and also for oscillating movement in said operative position; and comprising motion transmitting means connecting said cam follower with said shaft so that the same rocks and oscillates with said cam follower, said shaft being connected with said output means for oscillating the same.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4 wherein said motion transmitting means includes a pair of arms connected with said shaft for angular movement with the same, and a motion-transmitting shaft connecting the ends of said arms; and wherein said cam follower has an elongated opening through which said motion-transmitting shaft passes whereby angular displacement of said cam follower is transmitted through said motiontransmitting shaft and said arms to said first-mentioned shaft for oscillating the same and thereby said output means.

6. An arangement according to claim 4 wherein said manual operating means include a frame mounted on said shaft for angular movement; and wherein said control member is a control shaft extending in axial direction and crossing said cam follower in all positions of the same, wherein said knob has a circular serrated surface coaxial with said control shaft; and wherein said second selector means includes a disc having a serrated peripheral circular surface located opposite said first-mentioned serrated peripheral surface of said knob, and being frictionally engaged by the same in said actuated position of said manual opearting means, said control shaft engaging said cam follower during movement to said actuated position for turning the same to one of said inoperative positions so that manual turning of said knob causes axial displacement of said cam follower in said inoperative position.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6 and including spring means for urging said control shaft and said control knob to an inoperative position in which said control knob is spaced from said disc so that manual pressure on said knob is required for moving said control shaft and said control knob to said actuated position.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7 and including resilient catch means for resiliently arresting said disc in angular positions corresponding to axially displaced positions of said first selector means in which said cam follower is located opposite said pattern cams, respectively.

9. An arrangement according to claim 8 wherein said second selector means includes a spindle having a helical groove, and wherein said first selector means has a cylindrical bore through which said spindle passes, and includes a pin projecting in radial direction into said helical groove so that upon turning movement of said spindle, said first selector means is driven to move in axial direction.

10. An arrangement according to claim 9 wherein said first selector means has a pair of arms forming a gap in which said cam follower is located, said arms having aligned bores through which said oscillating shaft passes whereby said first selector means is prevented from turning movement.

11. An arrangement according to claim 10 and including an indicating pointer secured to said first selector means and moving in axial direction with the same and with said cam follower, and an indicia plate for indicating the stitch patterns of the cam opposite which said cam follower is located.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11 including a closure plate having a cutout through which a segmentshaped portion of said knob projects so as to be adapted to be engaged by the finger of an operator; and wherein said indicia plate is secured to said closure plate.

13. An arrangement according to claim '12 wherein said closure plate has an arcuate recess adjacent said segmentshaped portion of said knob for limiting movement of the finger of the operator.

14. Cam selecting arrangement comprising, in combination, a set of rotary cams having a common axis; a cam follower; mounting means supporting said cam follower for movement along said cams between a plurality of axially displaced positions located opposite said cams, respectively, spaced fro-m the same, and also for movement from each of said retracted positions to a corresponding operative position engaging the respective cam and being oscillated by the same about said first axis; biassing means for urging said cam follower to said operative positions; selector means connected with said cam follower and including a coupling member turnable about an axis parallel to said axis for moving said cam follower between said axially displaced positions; manually operated control means including an elongated control member extending parallel to said axes across said cam follower in all displaced positions of the same, spring means urging said control member away from said cam follower, and a manually operable coupling knob located opposite said coupling member and being rotatable about an axis parallel to said axes; and means supporting said control means for movement in a direction perpendicular to said axes between an inoperative position, and an actuating position in which said control member holds said cam follower in said retracted position and said coupling knob is coupled with said coupling member for rotation together so that radial finger pressure on said knob in a direction trans verse to said axes separates said cam follower from said cams whereupon a circumferential finger force on said knob causing rotation of said knob moves said cam follower to a selected position located opposite and spaced from a selected cam whereby upon release of said knob, said spring means moves said control member to release said cam follower, and said biassing means moves said cam follower to an operative position.

15. Cam selecting arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein said coupling knob and said coupling member have serrated cylindrical peripheral surfaces which are in meshing engagement in said actuating position of said control means.

16. Cam selecting arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein said control member is a control shaft; and wherein said coupling knob is mounted on said control shaft for rotation.

17. Cam selecting arangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein said mounting means include a support shaft mounting said cam follower for axial movement and for rotation about an axis parallel with said axes; wherein said control means include a frame mounted on said support shaft for angular movement and carrying said control member so that the same moves between said inoperative and actuating positions when said frame is angularly displaced about said support shaft by pressure on said knob.

18. Cam selecting arrangement as claimed in claim 17 wherein said cam follower has an elongated opening; and comprising motion transmitting means including a pair of arms connected with said support shaft for angular movement, and a motion transmitting rod connecting the ends of said arms and passing through said opening whereby angular displacement of said cam follower in all axially displaced position by a cam is transmitted to said support shaft for oscillating the same; and an output member secured to said support shaft and being oscillated by the same.

19. An arrangement according to claim 18 and comprising an indicating pointer secured to said first selector 9 10 means for axial movement with the same and with said 3,012,527 12/1961 Sternberlg. cam follower, and an indicia plate having indicia respec- 3,081,724 3/1963 Bono. tively representing different stitch patterns associated 3,208,417 9/ 1965 Eguchi et al. 74-483 with said pattern cams, respectively, said pointer register- 3,35 3,509 11/ 196-7 Reeber et al 1l2158 ing with said indicia, respectively, when said cam follower 5 is located opposite pattern cams, respectively, correlated FRED MATTERN, i ary Exammer.

with the indicia indicated by said pointer. F. SHOEMAKER, Assistant Examiner References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,971,482 2/1961 Koike.

US. Cl. X.R. 10 112158; 74-56 9; 200-61.6

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