U.S. patent application number 13/021120 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for sequin feeder apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOKAI KOGYO MISHIN KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Akihiko FUSHIMI, Aisuke MURASE, Satoru SUZUKI.
Application Number | 20110192332 13/021120 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44352668 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110192332 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUZUKI; Satoru ; et
al. |
August 11, 2011 |
SEQUIN FEEDER APPARATUS
Abstract
The present invention has a support member which rotatably
supports a reel by supporting the outer periphery of the reel at
least two positions and a posture restriction member (a pair of
wall members or press roller) which restricts a posture of the reel
supported by the support member. As another example, the reel is
rotatably held in the hold member, and the hold member is supported
by the support member and its posture is restricted by the posture
restriction member. As still another example, the reel is arranged
between a pair of wall members and the reel is pivotally supported
by inserting the support member which has a support shaft which is
suitable to be inserted detachably in an insertion hole provided in
at least a pair of wall members.
Inventors: |
SUZUKI; Satoru; (Komaki-shi,
JP) ; MURASE; Aisuke; (Kasugai-shi, JP) ;
FUSHIMI; Akihiko; (Kitanagoya-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
TOKAI KOGYO MISHIN KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Kasugai-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
44352668 |
Appl. No.: |
13/021120 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
112/113 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05C 7/08 20130101; D05B
3/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
112/113 |
International
Class: |
D05B 3/22 20060101
D05B003/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 8, 2010 |
JP |
2010-025404 |
Claims
1. A sequin feeder apparatus comprising: a reel support section
that supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip wound
thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous
sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing position,
wherein the reel support section comprises: a support member that
rotatably supports the reel at least two positions of an outer
periphery of the reel; and a posture restriction member that
restricts a posture of the reel supported by the support
member.
2. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
support member further comprises a roller at each support
position.
3. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the
posture restriction member is formed with a pair of wall members
that form a gap in which the reel is inserted; and an interval of
the gap formed by a pair of wall members is adjustable.
4. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
posture restriction member comprises a roller that abuts on the
outer periphery of the reel and presses the reel in a direction of
the support position of the reel by means of the support member,
the roller being able to move away from the reel.
5. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at
least one of the roller that presses the reel in a direction of the
support position of the reel by means of the support member and a
roller that is arranged in each support position of the reel in the
support member has a radius reduced toward a center.
6. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the
support member comprises a pair of wall members that form a gap in
which the reel is inserted, an insertion hole in which a support
shaft is detachably inserted being formed in at least one of the
pair of wall members; and a support shaft member that comprises the
support shaft that is suitable to be inserted in the insertion hole
detachably; and the reel is further pivotally supported by
inserting the reel in the gap of the pair of wall members and
inserting the support shaft in the insertion hole.
7. A sequin feeder apparatus comprising: a reel support section
that supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip wound
thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous
sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing position,
wherein the reel support section comprises: a hold member that
rotatably holds the reel; a support member that supports the hold
member from an outer side of the hold member; and a posture
restriction member that restricts a posture of the hold member (51,
52) supported by the support member.
8. A sequin feeder apparatus comprising: a reel support section
that supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip wound
thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous
sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing position,
wherein: the reel support section comprises: a pair of wall members
that form a gap in which the reel is inserted, an insertion hole in
which a support shaft is detachably inserted being formed in at
least one of the pair of wall members; and a support member that
comprises the support shaft that is suitable to be inserted in the
insertion hole detachably; and the reel is pivotally supported by
inserting the reel in a gap of the pair of wall members and
inserting the support shaft in the insertion hole to pivotally
support the reel by means of the support shaft.
9. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a deflection member that is arranged in the middle of a
route where a continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes
to reach the sequin feed mechanism, and that abuts on the sequin
continuous strip to deflect the route; and a damper member that is
arranged in a downstream beyond the deflection member in the route
to abut on the sequin continuous strip, which can be displaced
according to a tension applied to the sequin continuous strip and
which is biased to hold a predetermined position.
10. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 7, further
comprising: a deflection member that is arranged in the middle of a
route where a continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes
to reach the sequin feed mechanism, and that abuts on the sequin
continuous strip to deflect the route; and a damper member that is
arranged in a downstream beyond the deflection member in the route
to abut on the sequin continuous strip, which can be displaced
according to a tension applied to the sequin continuous strip and
which is biased to hold a predetermined position.
11. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising: a deflection member that is arranged in the middle of a
route where a continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes
to reach the sequin feed mechanism, and that abuts on the sequin
continuous strip to deflect the route; and a damper member that is
arranged in a downstream beyond the deflection member in the route
to abut on the sequin continuous strip, which can be displaced
according to a tension applied to the sequin continuous strip and
which is biased to hold a predetermined position.
12. A sequin feeder apparatus comprising: a reel support section
that rotatably supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip
wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the
continuous sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing
position, wherein the sequin feeder apparatus further comprises a
deflection member that is arranged in the middle of a route where
the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes to reach
the sequin feed mechanism, and that abuts on the continuous sequin
strip to deflect the route; and a damper member that is arranged in
a downstream beyond the deflection member in the route to abut on
the continuous sequin strip, which can be displaced according to a
tension applied to the sequin continuous strip and which is biased
to hold a predetermined position.
13. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
deflection member is configured to apply a sliding resistance to
the continuous sequin strip.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a sequin feeder apparatus
in a sewing machine which sews a sequin onto a sewing workpiece
while severing the sequin from a continuous sequin strip and, more
particularly, a reel support structure for rotatably supporting a
reel having the continuous sequin strip wound thereon.
[0002] Conventional sequin feeder apparatuses are, for example,
disclosed in, for example, following Patent Document 1. Such a
sequin feeder apparatus includes a sequin feed mechanism for
feeding a continuous sequin strip at a predetermined pitch, and
which lets out from a reel a strip of multiple
continuously-connected sequins (or spangles), having the continuous
sequin strip wound thereon, to set on the upper surface of a
support plate of the sequin feed mechanism, feeds the continuous
sequin strip at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the size of
each sequin of the strip, according to a feeding operation of the
sequin feed mechanism, and sews one sequin onto a sewing workpiece
while severing one sequin from the continuous sequin strip having
been fed in interlocked relation to a sewing operation by a needle
bar of the sewing machine.
[0003] Apart from this, following Patent Document 2 discloses a
sequin feeder apparatus which can be switched while sewing a sequin
to be sewn. With this sequin feeder apparatus, two sequin reels
having continuous sequin strips of different shapes and sizes wound
thereon are arranged in parallel and two feed blocks in the sequin
feed mechanism, and, by letting out and leading the continuous
sequin strips from respective reels to respective feed blocks and
selecting and positioning one feed block in a predetermined sewing
operation position, the sequin is sewn by the feeding operation of
the selected feed block. Then, by switching selection of feed
blocks, it is possible to continuously sew a sequin while switching
the continuous sequin strip to be fed.
[0004] With these conventional sequin feeder apparatuses, the
center of the sequin reel is pivotally supported by a spindle, and
a lock member is provided at the distal end portion of the spindle
comes off. Then, the continuous sequin strip let out from the
sequin reel is led to the sequin feed mechanism through a plurality
of guide rollers.
[0005] Further, the conventional sequin feeder apparatuses can
raise and lower the sequin feed mechanism between a lowered
position where a sequin is sewn and a withdrawal position where the
sequin feed mechanism is withdrawn upward from the lowered
position, and, in this case, while, with the apparatus disclosed in
following Patent Document 1, the sequin reel ascends and descends
together with the sequin feed mechanism, with the device disclosed
in following Patent Document 2, the sequin reel is immobile, and
does not ascend and descend. With the sequin feeder apparatus in
which the sequin reel does not ascend or descend, when the sequin
feed mechanism ascends to the withdrawal position, a continuous
sequin strip led to the sequin feed mechanism from the sequin reel
slackens. Therefore, by providing a guide roller which guides a
continuous sequin strip in a ascending/descending portion which
ascends or descends together with the sequin feed mechanism as
disclosed in following Patent Document 2 it is possible to prevent
the continuous sequin strip from slackening by pulling the
continuous sequin strip by means of the guide roller when the
continuous sequin strip ascends to the withdrawal position. [0006]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2004-167097 [0007] [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2008-114049
[0008] When a sequin reel is replaced in a conventional sequin
feeder apparatus, the sequin reel is removed from a spindle by
releasing the lock member of the spindle to insert the next sequin
reel in the spindle and lock the lock member. Releasing or locking
this lock member or inserting the reel in the spindle requires
labor. Further, with a mode where two sequin reels are arranged in
parallel as in Patent Document 2, when the sequin reel at the base
end portion of the spindle is replaced, the distal end portion of
the spindle needs to be first removed from the spindle, thereby
making operations complicated.
[0009] Further, with a conventional sequin feeder apparatus, a
continuous sequin strip let out from the sequin reel is supported
at a plurality of guide rollers and is led to the sequin feed
mechanism. Supporting this continuous sequin strip at a plurality
of guide rollers requires labor.
[0010] Further, with a sequin feeder apparatus of a type in which a
sequin reel does not ascend and descend when the sequin feed
mechanism ascends or descends, the continuous sequin strip when the
sequin feed mechanism ascends to the withdrawal position is
prevented from slackening by providing a guide roller in an
ascending/descending portion which ascends and descends. However,
there are cases where the continuous sequin strip slackens while
ascending or descending and comes off from the guide roller, or the
continuous sequin strip is let out unnecessarily from the sequin
reel due to vibration of a sewing machine and comes off from the
guide roller.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a sequin feeder apparatus with a reel support
structure which can stably support a sequin reel rotatably and
which can easily replace a sequin reel. Further, the present
invention provides a sequin feeder apparatus which can easily
support a continuous sequin strip with respect to a guide member
for leading the continuous sequin strip to the sequin feed
mechanism.
[0012] In order to accomplish the above mentioned object, the
present invention according to the first aspect provides an
improved sequin feeder apparatus, which comprises: a reel support
section that supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip wound
thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous
sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing position,
wherein the reel support section comprises: a support member that
rotatably supports the reel at least two positions of an outer
periphery of the reel; and a posture restriction member that
restricts a posture of the reel supported by the support
member.
[0013] According to the first aspect, the reel support section
employs a configuration in which the reel is not pivotally
supported in its center hole and is rotatably supported by the
support member at least two positions of the outer periphery of the
reel, so that, when the reel is replaced, it is only necessary to
pull out the reel supported by the support member and place the
next reel on the support member. Accordingly, a conventional
troublesome operation of attaching and detaching the support shaft
with respect to the center hole of the reel is not required, and
the sequin reel can be very easily replaced. Further, by
restricting the posture of the reel by means of the posture
restriction member, the reel supported by the support member at
least two positions of the outer periphery maintains a stable
posture.
[0014] As one aspect, the support member may employ a configuration
including a roller at each support position. According to the above
aspect, it is possible to smoothly rotate the reel by rolling
friction between the outer periphery of the reel and the
roller.
[0015] As one aspect, the posture restriction member is formed with
a pair of wall members which form a gap in which the reel is
inserted; and an interval of the gap formed by a pair of wall
members may be configured to be adjustable. According to the above
aspect, a pair of wall members restrict both lateral surfaces of
the reel, so that it is possible to reliably maintain the stable
posture of the reel. Further, the intervals of gaps formed by a
pair of wall members are adjustable, so that it is possible to
easily adapt a pair of wall member to a reel of a different
size.
[0016] As one aspect, the posture restriction member has a roller
that abuts on the outer periphery of the reel and presses the reel
in a direction of the support position of the reel by means of the
support member, and the roller may be configured to be able to move
away from the reel. According to the above aspect, when the reel is
replaced, it is only necessary to pull out a sequin reel by moving
the roller which presses the reel in the direction of the support
member, in a direction to part from the sequin reel, and place the
next sequin reel. Consequently, it is very easy to replace a sequin
reel.
[0017] Further in this case, at least one of the roller that
presses the reel in a direction of the support position of the reel
by means of the support member and a roller that is arranged in
each support position of the reel in the support member may be
configured to have a radius reduced toward a center. According to
the above aspect, the roller has the radius reduced toward the
center, so that the sequin reel is held in the center of the roller
without wobbling. Further, even when the width of the reel varies
depending on the size of a sequin, that is, even when the reel has
any width, the reel is accommodated to the center of the roller and
held without wobbling.
[0018] The sequin feeder apparatus of the present invention
according to the second aspect comprises: a reel support section
that supports a reel, having a continuous sequin strip wound
thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous
sequin strip let out from the reel, toward a sewing position, and
the reel support section comprises: a hold member that rotatably
holds the reel; a support member that supports the hold member from
an outer side of the hold member; and a posture restriction member
that restricts a posture of the hold member supported by the
support member.
[0019] According to the above aspect, the reel is rotatably held in
the hold member, and the hold member is simply held by the support
member from the outer side of the hold member. This support portion
may be formed with a plurality of point contact portions or one or
a plurality of surface contact portions. It is only necessary to
simply place the hold member on the support member to support the
hold member by means of the support member and, further, simply
pull out the hold member on the support member when the hold member
is detached from the support member, and, consequently, it is easy
to attach and detach the hold member to and from the support
member. Consequently, when the reel is replaced, it is only
necessary to simply pull out the hold member which holds an
unnecessary reel, from the support member and then simply place the
hold member which holds a desired reel, on the support member and,
consequently, it is very easy to replace the sequin reel. Further,
by restricting the posture of the hold member by means of the
posture restriction member, the hold member contacted and thereby
supported by the support member maintains a stable posture.
[0020] The sequin feeder apparatus according to the third aspect
comprises: a reel support section that supports a reel, having a
continuous sequin strip wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism
that feeds the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel,
toward a sewing position, and the reel support section comprises: a
pair of wall members that form a gap in which the reel is inserted
where an insertion hole in which a support shaft is detachably
inserted is formed in at least one of the pair of wall members; and
a support member that comprises the support shaft that is suitable
to be inserted in the insertion hole detachably; and the reel is
pivotally supported by inserting the reel in a gap of the pair of
wall members and inserting the support shaft in the insertion hole
to pivotally support the reel by means of the support shaft.
[0021] According to the third aspect, a configuration is employed
where the reel is pivotally supported by the support shaft by
inserting the reel in the gaps between a pair of wall members and
then inserting the support shaft in the insertion hole, so that it
is only necessary to attach and detach the support member to and
from the wall members when a sequin reel is replaced, and it is
very easy to replace the sequin reel. Further, a configuration of
pivotally supporting a sequin reel is employed, so that it is
possible to smoothly rotate the sequin reel even when the sequin
reel is heavy.
[0022] The sequin feeder apparatus of the present invention
according to the fourth aspect comprises: a reel support section
that rotatably supports a reel, having a continuous sequin strip
wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the
continuous sequin strip let out from the reel, toward a sewing
position, and further comprises: a deflection member that is
arranged in the middle of a route where the continuous sequin strip
let out from the reel takes to reach the sequin feed mechanism, and
that abuts on the continuous sequin strip to deflect the route; and
a damper member that is arranged in a downstream beyond the
deflection member in the route to abut on the continuous sequin
strip, which can be displaced according to a tension applied to the
continuous sequin strip and which is biased to hold a predetermined
position.
[0023] According to this sequin feeder apparatus, the route where
the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes to reach
the sequin feed mechanism is formed with a simple configuration
including the deflection member and damper member, so that it is
only necessary to support the continuous sequin strip at the
deflection member and damper member to set the continuous sequin
strip let out from the reel, in the route reaching the sequin feed
mechanism, and it is easy to set the continuous sequin strip.
Further, the damper member is arranged in the downstream of the
deflection member in the route, and therefore the damper member is
arranged to the vicinity of the sequin feed mechanism, so that it
is possible to displace the damper member in good response to the
change of the tension of the continuous sequin strip accompanying a
continuous sequin feeding operation of the sequin feed mechanism,
and it is possible to prevent the continuous sequin strip from
slackening.
[0024] As one aspect, the deflection member may be configured to
apply a sliding resistance to the continuous sequin strip. This
sliding resistance prevents the continuous sequin strip from
slackening in the deflection member portion, so that it is possible
to prevent the continuous sequin strip from coming off from the
deflection member and damper member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] For better understanding of the object and other features of
the present invention, its preferred embodiments will be described
hereinbelow in greater detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a right side view of a sequin feed unit (sequin
feeder apparatus) according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a front view of a sequin feed unit illustrated in
FIG. 1:
[0028] FIG. 3 is a right side view illustrating a state where a
sequin feed mechanism installed in a mounting base in the sequin
feed unit is raised to a withdrawal position;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a right side view of a sequin feed unit (sequin
feeder apparatus) according the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a front view of the sequin feed unit illustrated
in FIG. 4.
[0031] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a reel
support structure according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a reel support structure
according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a
support shaft member illustrated in FIG. 7 applied to
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
First Embodiment
[0034] FIG. 1 is a right side view of a sequin feed unit (sequin
feeder apparatus) 1 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, and H indicates a sewing machine head, 2
indicates a needle bar case and 3 indicates a needle plate. The
sequin feed unit 1 is attached respectively to the left side and/or
right side of the needle bar case 2, and is attached to the left
side alone with the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view
illustrating the sequin feed unit 1 alone. The sequin feed unit 1
described in the present embodiment is formed by providing two
sequin reels 12 side by side and can be switched while sewing the
sequin to be sewn, by switching a sequin reel used for sewing, to
one of the reels 12.
[0035] The sequin feed unit 1 has a base 4 fixed to the left side
surface of the needle bar case 2 and amounting base 5 which is
provided in the base 4 to ascend and descend. An upper portion
bracket 6 is fixed to an upper portion of the base 4 and is
provided with a motor 7. The mounting base 5 is driven by this
motor 7 and is raised and lowered between the lowered position
where a sequin is sewn as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the
withdrawal position illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0036] The mounting base 5 is provided horizontally slidably with
the sequin feed mechanism 10 which has two feed blocks 8 and 9, and
the sequin feed mechanism 10 slides to select one of the feed
blocks 8 and 9 to connect to a feed driving source, and a sequin
let out from the reel 12 matching the selected feed block 8 or 9 is
fed to a sewing position. In addition, the sequin feed mechanism 10
is the same as in above Patent Document 2, and therefore detailed
description thereof will not be repeated.
[0037] The base 4 supports in parallel the two reels 12 having
continuous sequin strips 11 wound thereon respectively. A fan-like
support bracket 13 is fixed to the upper portion bracket 6. The
support shafts 14 and 14 are respectively fixed to the left and
right ends of the support bracket 13, and are provided with two
rollers 15 and 15 respectively. The bracket 16 is formed at the
lower end in the center of the support bracket 13, a center support
plate 17 is fixed to the center of the bracket 16 and external
support plates 18 and 18 are fixed near the left and right end
portions of the bracket 16 such that the positions of the external
support plates 18 and 18 in the axial direction can be adjusted.
Felts 19 are pasted on both of the left and right sides of the
center support plate 17 and the inner sides of the external support
plates 18 and 18. The reels 12 are respectively set between this
center support plate 17 and the right side of external support
plate 18 and between the center support plate 17 and the left side
of the external support plate 18, and the outer periphery of the
lower portions thereof are rotatably supported by the two rollers
15 and 15 (at two positions) and the postures thereof are
restricted virtually vertically by the center support plate 17 and
external support plates 18. In addition, when the widths of the
reels 12 are different due to the sizes of sequins of the
continuous sequin strips 11, the fixed positions of the external
support plates 18 can be adjusted in the axial direction to support
the different widths.
[0038] In this way, the support bracket 13, support shaft 14 and
rollers 15 form a support member which supports the outer periphery
of the reels 12 at two positions and rotatably support the reels
12. Further, the bracket 16, center support plate 17 and external
support plates 18 form the posture restriction member which
restricts the posture of the reel 12 in a state where the reels 12
are supported by the support member. Further, the center support
plate 17 and external support plates 18 function as a pair of wall
members which form gaps in which the reels 12 are inserted, and the
intervals of the gaps formed by a pair of the wall members can be
adjusted by adjusting the positions of the external support plates
18 as described above.
[0039] The mounting base 5 is provided with a guide pin 20 which
guides the continuous sequin strip 11, a guide member 21 which is a
deflection member and a tension rod 24, and is provided with a
detection device 26 which detects that the continuous sequin strip
11 wound on the reel 12 is fully supplied. In the guide member 21,
a guide hole 22 which guides the continuous sequin strip 11 is
formed, and a slit 23 which allows the continuous sequin strip 11
to enter the guide hole 22 is formed. A pair of linear springs 25
and 25 are fixed to the front of the guide member 21, and the end
portion of the tension rod 24 is fixed to the lower end portions of
the linear springs 25 and 25, respectively. This tension rod 24 and
a pair of linear springs 25 and 25 form the damper member. The
detection device 26 employs a common configuration, and two levers
27 and 27 with abut portions 27a which can abut on the continuous
sequin strip 11 are pivotally provided, with the shaft 26a to
detect pivoting of the levers 27. The detection device 26 makes the
continuous sequin strip 11 abut on the abut portion 27a of this
lever 27 and receives the lever 27 pivoting clue to the weight of
the abutting portion 27a and pivots the lever 27 when the
continuous sequin strip 11 runs out to detect that the continuous
sequin strip 11 is fully supplied.
[0040] The continuous sequin strip 11 let out from the reel 12 is
supported at the guide pin 20 and abutting portion 27a of the
detection device 26, is guided to the guide hole 22 of the guide
member 21 and then is supported at the tension rod 24. By this
means, the upper side 21a and the lower side 21b which form the
guide hole 22 of the guide member 21, and the tension rod 24 bend
the continuous sequin strip 11. These upper side 21a, lower side
21b and tension rod 24 are arranged on a virtually straight line,
and, while the continuous sequin strip 11 is smoothly let out
accompanying sewing of a sequin, a sliding resistance is produced
due to the above bending when a sequin is not sewn and, therefore,
the continuous sequin strip 11 does not slacken in this portion and
thereby does not come off from the tension rod 24.
[0041] In addition, a pivoting bias due to the weight of the abut
portion 27a is applied to the lever 27 of the detection device 26
between the guide pin 20 and guide member 21, so that, even in this
portion, the continuous sequin strip 11 does not slacken due to the
sliding resistance.
[0042] When a sequin is sewn, the reels 12 having the continuous
sequin strips 11 of different shapes and sizes between the center
support plate 17 and each external support plate 18 wound thereon
are set. The continuous sequin strip 11 let out from each reel 12
is supported at the guide pin 20, abut portion 27a of the lever 27,
guide hole 22 of the guide member 21 and tension rod 24 in order as
illustrated in FIG. 1, and is guided to the respective feed blocks
8 and 9 of the sequin feed mechanism 10. Then, the selected one of
the feed blocks 8 and 9 of the sequin feed mechanism 10 performs a
feeding operation of letting out one continuous sequin strip, and
the sewing machine head H performs a sewing operation to sew the
sequin at the distal end portion of the continuous sequin strip 11
onto the sewing workpiece. In addition, a cutter mechanism for
cutting off the distal end portion of the sewn continuous sequin
strip in interlocked relation to a sewing operation is commonly
known, and therefore illustration and description thereof will not
be repeated.
[0043] With the present embodiment, when the reel 12 is replaced,
it is only necessary to pull out the reel 12 from the center
support plate 17 and each external support plate 18, and insert
another reel 12 to replace the reel 12 very easily. Further, the
two reels 12 provided side by side can be individually replaced
and, consequently, it is not necessary to detach one reel 12 in
order to detach (or replace) the other reel 12.
[0044] With the present embodiment, it is only necessary to support
the continuous sequin strip 11 let out from the reel 12 at the
guide pin 20, abut portion 27a of the lever 27, guide hole 22 of
the guide member 21 and tension rod 24 in order, and, consequently,
it is very easy to perform manual labor for setting the continuous
sequin strip 11. In view of above, it is very easy to perform a
series of manual labors of replacing the reel 12 and leading the
continuous sequin strip 11 of the replaced reel 12 to the sequin
feed mechanism 10, and it is possible to substantially reduce the
time required for this manual labor.
[0045] Further, with the present embodiment, the continuous sequin
strip 11 let out from the reel 12 is bent at the upper side 21a and
lower side 21b of the guide member 21 and tension rod 24, so that,
when the mounting base 5 is raised to the withdrawal position
illustrated in FIG. 3, the continuous sequin strip 11 does not
slacken in this portion, and does not come off from the guide
member 21, let alone, the tension rod 24. Furthermore, in this
case, although part of the continuous sequin strip 11 slackens in
the reel 12 portion as illustrated in FIG. 3, the slackened portion
of the continuous sequin strip 11 does not jump sideward from the
reel 12 due to the roller 15 which supports the outer periphery of
the lower portion of the reel 12.
Second Embodiment
[0046] FIG. 4 is a right side view of a sequin feed unit (sequin
feeder apparatus) 30 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention, and, similar to the first embodiment, H
indicates the sewing machine head, 2 indicates the needle bar case
and 3 indicates the needle plate, and the sequin feed unit 30 is
attached to the left side of the needle bar case 2 alone. FIG. 5 is
a front view illustrating the sequin feed unit 30 alone. The sequin
feed unit 30 according to the present embodiment can sew only a
sequin let out from one sequin reel.
[0047] The sequin feed unit 30 has a base 31 fixed to the left side
surface of the needle bar case 2 and a mounting base 32 provided to
the mounting base 31 to ascend and descend. An air cylinder 33 is
provided to the base 31, and, by driving this air cylinder 33, the
mounting base 32 is raised and lowered between the lowered position
where a sequin is sewn as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 and the
withdrawal position above the lowered position.
[0048] A sequin feed mechanism 34 which feeds sequins is provided
to the mounting base 32. In addition, the sequin feed mechanism 34
may be a common mechanism, and therefore the detailed description
thereof will not be repeated.
[0049] The upper portion bracket 35 is fixed to an upper portion of
the base 31, and the fan-like bracket 36 is fixed to the upper
portion bracket 35. Support shafts 37 and 37 are fixed to the left
and right ends of the support bracket 36 respectively, and support
rollers 38 and 38 are provided to the both support shafts 37 and
37. A support arm 39 having a press roller 40 is pivotally
supported on the distal end portion of the support shaft 37 on the
right side (rear side) of the support bracket 36. The torsion
spring 41 is provided in the base end portion of the support arm
39, and the support arm 39 is pivotally biased in the
counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4. These two support rollers 38
and 38 support the outer periphery of the lower portion of the reel
42 and the press roller 40 presses the reel 42 from above.
[0050] In this way, the support bracket 36, support shaft 37 and
rollers 38 form a support member which supports the outer periphery
of the reel 42 at two positions and rotatably supports the reel 42.
Further, the support arm 39, press roller 40 and torsion spring 41
form the posture restriction member which restricts the posture of
the reel 42 in a state where the reel 42 is supported by the
support member. Meanwhile, by raising the roller 40 by the human
hand, the roller 40 is moved away from the reel 42 against the
biasing force of the torsion spring 41. Then, when the hand lets go
the raised roller 40, the biasing force of the torsion spring 41
returns the roller 40 to the position in which the roller 40 abuts
on the outer periphery of the reel 42.
[0051] In addition, as is clear from FIG. 5, roller portions of the
two support rollers 38 and 38 and the press roller 40 have shapes
reduced toward the center (that is, a double tapered shape or a
valley shape which reduces the radius toward the center portion),
and the supported reel 42 is restricted in the center position of
the roller portion and does not wobble. Further, even when the
widths of reels 42 are different according to the sizes of sequins,
the reel 42 is positioned in the center of each roller portion, so
that it is not necessary at all to adjust the position in the axial
direction according to the width of the reel 42.
[0052] The reel 42 is set by raising the press roller 40 upward
against the biasing force of the torsion spring 41, inserting the
reel 42 between three rollers 38, 38 and 40 and then returning the
press roller 40 to the original position to abut on reel 42. The
mounting base 32 is provided with a guide pin 43 which guides a
continuous sequin strip 49 similar to the first embodiment, a guide
member 44 which has a guide hole 45, a tension rod 46 and a linear
spring 64 which form a damper member, and a detection device 47
which has a lever 48. Although these components have shapes and
configurations matching one reel 42, the functions are the same as
in the first embodiment and description thereof will not be
repeated.
[0053] When a sequin is sewn, the press roller 40 is raised upward,
the reel 42 having a desired continuous sequin strip 49 loaded
thereon is inserted between three rollers 38, 38 and 40, and the
press roller 40 is returned to the original position to abut on the
reel 42 in order to set the reel 42. The continuous sequin strip 49
let out from the reel 42 is supported at the guide pin 43, lever 48
of the detection device 47, guide hole 45 of the guide member 44
and tension rod 46 in order as illustrated in FIG. 4, and is guided
to the sequin feed mechanism 34. Then, the sequin feed mechanism 34
performs a feeding operation of letting out the continuous sequin
strip 49, and the sewing machine head H performs a sewing operation
to sew the sequin onto the sewing workpiece.
[0054] With the present embodiment, when the reel 42 is replaced,
it is only necessary to pull out the reel 42 by raising the press
roller 40 upward against the biasing force of the torsion spring
41, insert another reel 42 between the three rollers 38, 38 and 40
and return the press roller 40 to the original position, and it is
easy to replace the reel 42. Further, the roller portions of the
three rollers 38, 38 and 40 each have the radius reduced toward the
center, so that the reel 42 is not only held in the center of the
roller portions without wobbling but also needs not to be adjusted
at all even if the width of the reel 42 is different.
Other Embodiments
[0055] FIG. 6 illustrates a reel support structure according to
another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a
mode where a reel 50 is rotatably held by means of a pair of hold
members 51 and 52. The support members 51 and 52 have disc shapes,
and the center portion of one hold member 51 is provided with a
hollow support shaft 53 which rotatably supports the reel 50 and
the center portion of the other hold member 52 is provided with a
fitting insertion member 54 which fits by insertion to the inner
periphery of the support shaft 53. In a state where the support
shaft 53 of this hold member 51 is inserted in the center hole of
the reel 50 to rotatably support the reel 50, the reel 50 is
sandwiched and held by a pair of hold members 51 and 52. With the
present embodiment, the reel support portion in the sequin feed
unit is formed with the hold members 51 and 52 which hold the reel
50 as described above, the support member which supports the hold
members 51 and 52 holding the reel 50, from the outer sides of the
hold members 51 and 52, and a posture restriction member which
restricts the postures of the hold members 51 and 52 in a state
where the hold members 51 and 52 are supported by the support
member. This support portion of the support member only needs to be
formed with a plurality of point contact portions or one or a
plurality of surface contact portions, and prevent the hold members
51 and 52 from falling due to the action of gravity. Further, the
postures of the hold members 51 and 52 which are supported by the
support member are restricted by the posture restriction member, so
that unstable motions of the hold members 51 and 52 in the lateral
direction are stopped by this posture restriction member.
[0056] Although details of the support member and posture
restriction member adopted in the present embodiment are not
particularly illustrated, one of configurations illustrated in the
first embodiment and second embodiment may be used, or an
equivalent configuration thereof may be used. That is, as the
support member which supports the hold members 51 and 52 from the
outer sides of the hold members 51 and 52, the configurations
indicated by reference numerals 13, 14 and 15 or 36, 37 and 38 in
the first or second embodiment or an equivalent configuration
thereof may be used. Further, as the posture restriction member
which restricts the postures of the hold members 51 and 52 in a
state where the hold members 51 and 52 are held by the support
member, the configuration indicated by reference numerals 17 and
18, and 39, 40 and 41 in the first or second embodiment or an
equivalent configuration thereof may be used.
[0057] In addition, with the present embodiment, the reel 50 is
rotatable inside the hold members 51 and 52, and therefore the hold
members 51 and 52 themselves do not need to rotate, so that the
above support member which supports the hold members 51 and 52 may
not include the rollers (15 or 38). Further, when the configuration
of the first or second embodiment is employed as the support
member, there are a plurality of portions of the hold members 51
and 52 supported by the support member, the support member is not
limited to this point contact structure and may be supported by at
least one surface contact structure. For example, when the
configuration of FIG. 1 is employed, instead of a pair of rollers
15, the hold members 51 and 52 may be supported by an arc surface
contact structure connecting two points at which a pair of rollers
15 are arranged.
[0058] In addition, a sidewall for preventing a slackened
continuous sequin strip from jumping sideward from the hold members
51 and 52 may be provided in the outer peripheral portion of one of
the hold members 51 and 52. This sidewall may be provided in the
virtually entire periphery, or may be partially such as on an upper
portion alone. In addition, although the hold members 51 and 52 may
have a disc shape, other shapes such as a square shape are
possible, and, in this case, the support member which supports the
hold members 51 and 52 employs a configuration matching the shape.
With the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the reel 50 is pivotally
supported at its rotation center rotatably inside the hold members
51 and 52, and there is an advantage of smoothly rotating the reel
50 even when the reel 50 is heavy.
[0059] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate a reel support structure of
still another embodiment according to the present invention. A mode
where the support shaft which pivotally supports the reel 55 is
detachable is illustrated. A pair of support plates 56 and 56 are
provided to stand in the portion to set the reel 55, and at least
one support plate 56 is made of a metal (magnetic body) and a hole
57 through which the support shaft is inserted is formed in the
support plate 56. FIG. 8 illustrates a support shaft member 58
which pivotally supports the reel 55, the support shaft member 58
has a support shaft 59 and a flange portion 60 which support the
reel 55 and a magnet 61 is pasted on the surface of the flange
portion 60 on the support shaft 59 side. The support shaft 59 of
this support shaft member 58 is inserted in the hole 57 of the
support plate 56 to pivotally support the reel 55. In this state,
by means of magnetic attraction of the magnet 61, the support shaft
member 58 is attracted and held by the support plate 56 which is
made of a magnetic body. Then, the reel 55 is replaced by attaching
and detaching the support shaft member 58 to and from the support
plate 56. In this case, the two support members 62 are preferably
provided such that the reel 55 does not fall when the support shaft
member 58 is detached. In a state where the support shaft member 58
is attached to the support plate 56 to pivotally support the reel
55, this support member 62 does not contact at all the outer
periphery of the reel 55 or slightly contacts the reel 55 to an
extent that the support member 62 does not prevent smooth rotation
of the reel 55 even if the support member 62 contacts the reel
55.
[0060] In addition, the mode of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 may be
additionally applied to the first embodiment. That is, it may be
possible to provide in the outer support plates 18 of the first
embodiment the holes in which the support shaft 59 of the support
shaft member 58 is inserted, additionally attach the support shaft
member 58 when the reel 12 (FIG. 1) is heavy, and pivotally support
the reel 12 by means of the support shaft 59. In other words, it
may be possible to form the support member 62 in FIG. 7 with a
roller, and additionally support the reel 55 by means of the roller
rotatably.
[0061] Although the two reels 12 are provided side by side with the
above first embodiment, the structure is not limited to this and
may support only one reel 12. In this case, instead of the
structures illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the structure of the
sequin feed mechanism 10 employs the same configuration as the
sequin feed mechanism 34 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. That
is, the reel support structure as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be
applied to the sequin feed unit 30 as illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0062] Similarly, with the above second embodiment, although only
one reel 42 is attached, the structure is not limited to this and
may be provided with two reels side by side. In this case, instead
of the structure as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the structure
of the sequin feed mechanism 34 may employ the same configuration
as the sequin feed mechanism 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.
That is, the reel support structure illustrated in FIG. 4 may be
applied to the sequin feed unit 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0063] Although the support member which abuts on the outer
periphery of the reels at two positions to rotatably support the
reels employs a configuration including the rollers 15 and 38 with
the above first and second embodiment, the support member may
employ a configuration including, for example, pins which do not
rotate instead of the rollers 15 and 38, and the pins preferably
have little portions contacting the outer periphery of the reels to
an extent that smooth rotation of the reels are not prevented.
[0064] Although the positions of a pair of support members (rollers
15 or 38) which abut on the outer periphery of the reels at two
positions to rotatably support the reels are fixed in the above
first and second embodiments, the positions of a pair of support
members are not limited to this and the position of at least one of
a pair of support members (rollers 15 or 38) may be configured to
be adjustable according to the diameter of the reel.
[0065] Although a pair of support members (rollers 15 or 38) which
abut on the outer periphery of the reels at two positions to
rotatably support the reels are utilized in the above first and
second embodiments, a pair of support members (rollers 15 or 38)
are not limited to this and may be configured to rotatably support
the reels at three or more positions.
[0066] Although the roller portions of the two support rollers 38
and 38 and the press roller 40 have shapes which reduce the radius
toward the center with the above second embodiment, all or part of
rollers which are straight and do not have a varying radius may be
used. By, for example, making the two support rollers 38 and 38
have a straight radius and making the press roller 40 have a
reduced radius, straight rollers and a roller of a reduced radius
may be adequately combined. Further, one roller may have a shape
which is straight and does not have a varying radius in a certain
range close to the outer side and which reduces the radius toward
the center from a certain portion.
[0067] Although the press roller 40 is raised upward by a human
hand when the reel 42 is replaced with the above second embodiment,
the press roller 40 is not limited to this and may be driven and
moved accompanying insertion and pull-out of the reel 42. In this
case, the biasing force of the torsion spring 41 is adequately set
such that the press roller 40 is driven and moved accompanying
insertion and pull-out of the reel 42. Further, in this case, a
stopper which restricts the position of the support arm 39 is
preferably provided such that the press roller 40 is adequately
positioned in a state where the reel 42 is not set.
[0068] Although, with the above first embodiment, the guide hole 22
is formed in the guide member 21 and the continuous sequin strip 11
is bent in the upper side 21a and lower side 21b, the guide hole 22
is not necessarily required and the continuous sequin strip 11 may
be each bent by individual members. The same applies to the second
embodiment.
[0069] As described above, the present invention makes it easy to
set a reel and support a continuous sequin strip let out from the
reel, at each member which leads the continuous sequin strip to the
sequin feed mechanism, and substantially reduce the time required
to replace the reel.
[0070] This application is based on, and claims priority to, JP PA
2010-025404 filed on 8 Feb. 2010. The disclosure of the priority
application, in its entirety, including the drawings, claims, and
the specification thereof, is incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *