U.S. patent application number 13/141051 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-29 for embroidery fabric clamping unit for use with embroidery machine and embroidery machine comprising same.
Invention is credited to Kyung-Min Kim, Tae-Hoon Lee.
Application Number | 20110315059 13/141051 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42281758 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110315059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Tae-Hoon ; et
al. |
December 29, 2011 |
EMBROIDERY FABRIC CLAMPING UNIT FOR USE WITH EMBROIDERY MACHINE AND
EMBROIDERY MACHINE COMPRISING SAME
Abstract
Disclosed are an embroidery fabric clamping unit for use with an
embroidery machine, and an embroidery machine comprising the same,
which allow the embroidering of even embroidery fabrics of
arbitrary shape. The embroidery fabric clamping unit comprises: a
unit body having a joining part provided for attachment to and
detachment from a work table of the embroidery machine; an
embroidery fabric support table which is linked to the unit body
and supports the embroidery fabric to be embroidered by the
embroidery machine; a lever which is supported on the unit body,
with the embroidery fabric placed in between, and is able to apply
pressure to and release pressure from the embroidery fabric support
table; and a lever driving part for driving the lever.
Inventors: |
Lee; Tae-Hoon; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kim; Kyung-Min; (Seoul, KR) |
Family ID: |
42281758 |
Appl. No.: |
13/141051 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
March 5, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2010/001383 |
371 Date: |
June 20, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
112/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05C 9/04 20130101; D05B
35/02 20130101; D05B 39/00 20130101; D05B 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
112/103 |
International
Class: |
D05C 9/04 20060101
D05C009/04; D05B 35/00 20060101 D05B035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 6, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0019199 |
Claims
1. An embroidery fabric clamping unit for an embroidery machine,
comprising: a unit body comprising a joining part detachably
disposed on a work table of the embroidery machine; one or more
embroidery fabric support tables each coupled to the unit body and
supporting an embroidery fabric to be embroidered by the embroidery
machine; one or more levers each supported by the unit body and
applying a pressure to a corresponding embroidery fabric support
table or releasing the pressure from the corresponding embroider
fabric support table across the embroidery fabric; and a lever
driving part driving the one or more levers.
2. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the one or more embroidery fabric support tables and the one
or more levers are provided in plurality.
3. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 2, wherein at least
one of the one or more embroidery fabric support tables and the one
or more levers are provided so that the gaps therebetween are
adjustable.
4. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claims 1, wherein the
unit body includes a lever support part supporting the one or more
levers and detachably coupled to the unit body.
5. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 4, wherein the one
or more levers are detachably coupled to the lever support
part.
6. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claims 1, wherein the one
or more levers comprise an elastic material.
7. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claims 1, wherein each of
the one or more levers pivotaly move between a clamping position
where the embroidery fabric is clamped by pressing the
corresponding embroidery fabric on the corresponding embroidery
fabric support tables and a release position where the embroidery
fabric is unclamped by being spaced from the clamping position.
8. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 7, wherein the
lever driving part includes: a pneumatic cylinder; a piston
supported by the pneumatic cylinder and selectively applying a
pressure to the one or more levers; and a foot switch selectively
supplying air to the pneumatic cylinder.
9. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 7, wherein the
lever driving part may further comprise an elastic member allowing
the one or more levers to be elastically biased to the release
position.
10. An embroidery machine, comprising: a work table on which a raw
fabric to be embroidered or an embroidery fabric is disposed; an
embroidery fabric clamping unit according to claim 1 detachably
mounted on the work table; a raw fabric setting frame for setting
the raw fabric; and a needle embroidering the embroidery fabric
clamped by the embroidery fabric clamping unit.
11. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 2, wherein the
unit body includes a lever support part supporting the one or more
levers and detachably coupled to the unit body.
12. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 11, wherein the
one or more levers are detachably coupled to the lever support
part.
13. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 3, wherein the
unit body includes a lever support part supporting the one or more
levers and detachably coupled to the unit body.
14. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 13, wherein the
one or more levers are detachably coupled to the lever support
part.
15. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 2, wherein the one
or more levers comprise an elastic material.
16. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 3, wherein the one
or more levers comprise an elastic material.
17. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 2, wherein each of
the one or more levers pivotaly move between a clamping position
where the embroidery fabric is clamped by pressing the
corresponding embroidery fabric on the corresponding embroidery
fabric support tables and a release position where the embroidery
fabric is unclamped by being spaced from the clamping position.
18. The embroidery fabric clamping unit of claim 3, wherein each of
the one or more levers pivotaly move between a clamping position
where the embroidery fabric is clamped by pressing the
corresponding embroidery fabric on the corresponding embroidery
fabric support tables and a release position where the embroidery
fabric is unclamped by being spaced from the clamping position.
19. An embroidery machine, comprising: a work table on which a raw
fabric to be embroidered or an embroidery fabric is disposed; an
embroidery fabric clamping unit according to claim 2 detachably
mounted on the work table; a raw fabric setting frame for setting
the raw fabric; and a needle embroidering the embroidery fabric
clamped by the embroidery fabric clamping unit.
20. An embroidery machine, comprising: a work table on which a raw
fabric to be embroidered or an embroidery fabric is disposed; an
embroidery fabric clamping unit according to claim 3 detachably
mounted on the work table; a raw fabric setting frame for setting
the raw fabric; and a needle embroidering the embroidery fabric
clamped by the embroidery fabric clamping unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an embroidery fabric
clamping unit for an embroidery machine and an embroidery machine
including the same, and more particularly, to an embroidery fabric
clamping unit for an embroidery machine and an embroidery machine
including the same which enable embroidering of embroidery fabrics
having an arbitrary shape.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] An embroidery machine is an apparatus that automatically
embroiders various patterns such as characters, figures, and images
on raw fabrics using various colors of yarns. Embroidery machines
are classified into single needle machines and multi needle
machines according to the number of needles mounted thereon.
[0003] Embroidery machines include an embroidery frame for setting
embroidery fabrics such as raw fabrics. Korea Patent Publication
No. 10-2004-91598 discloses an embroidery frame for setting a raw
fabric which can prevent deformation of the embroidery frame.
[0004] However, since the disclosed embroidery frame is one for
setting a fabric itself, it is difficult to set ready-made-products
such as shoes, bags, pants, and T-shirts whose sewing has been
already completed. The reason is because a typical embroidery frame
has a structure in which ready-made-products such as shoes could
not be properly fixed because it is configured to clamp four edges
of a raw fabric.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Technical Problems
[0005] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
embroidery fabric clamping unit for an embroidery machine and an
embroidery machine including the same which enables embroidering of
embroidery fabrics of arbitrary shape.
Technical Solutions
[0006] The above object can be achieved by embroidery fabric
clamping units for an embroidery machine which includes: a unit
body including a joining part detachably disposed on a work table
of the embroidery machine; one or more embroidery fabric support
tables each coupled to the unit body and supporting an embroidery
fabric to be embroidered by the embroidery machine; one or more
levers each supported by the unit body and applying a pressure to a
corresponding embroidery fabric support table or releasing the
pressure from the corresponding embroider fabric support table
across the embroidery fabric; and a lever driving part driving the
one or more levers. Here, at least one of the one or more
embroidery fabric support tables and the one or more levers are
provided in plurality. Also, at least one of the one or more
embroidery fabric support tables and the one or more levers are
provided so that the gaps therebetween are adjustable.
[0007] Furthermore, the unit body may include a lever support part
supporting the one or more levers and detachably coupled to the
unit body.
[0008] Here, the one or more levers may be detachably coupled to
the lever support part.
[0009] Furthermore, the one or more levers may comprise an elastic
material.
[0010] Also, each of the one or more levers may pivotaly move
between a clamping position where the embroidery fabric is clamped
by pressing the embroidery fabric on the corresponding embroidery
fabric support tables and a release position where the embroidery
fabric is unclamped by being spaced from the clamping position.
[0011] Also, the lever driving part may include: a pneumatic
cylinder; a piston supported by the pneumatic cylinder and
selectively applying a pressure to the one or more levers; and a
foot switch selectively supplying air to the pneumatic
cylinder.
[0012] Here, the lever driving part may further comprise an elastic
member allowing the one or more levers to be elastically biased to
the release position.
[0013] The above-mentioned object can be achieved by an embroidery
machine which comprises: a work table on which a raw fabric to be
embroidered or an embroidery fabric is disposed; an embroidery
fabric clamping unit according to any one of claims 1 through 3
detachably mounted on the work table; a raw fabric setting frame
for setting the raw fabric; and a needle embroidering the
embroidery fabric clamped by the embroidery fabric clamping
unit.
Advantageous Effects
[0014] The embroidery fabric clamping unit for an embroidery
machine and the embroidery machine including the same provide the
following advantages.
[0015] First, since ready-made-products such as shoes and bags can
be embroidered through clamping, the usability of an embroidery
machine can be enhanced.
[0016] Second, since a gap between levers for clamping embroidery
fabrics or embroidery fabric support tables can be adjusted,
various shapes of embroidery fabrics can be clamped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an embroidery machine
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view illustrating an embroidery
fabric clamping unit of the embroidery machine of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective plan view illustrating an embroidery
fabric clamping unit of the embroidery machine of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective front view illustrating an
embroidery fabric clamping unit of the embroidery machine of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views illustrating a clamping process of
an embroidery fabric clamping unit of the embroidery machine of
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating an embroidery fabric
clamping unit of a second embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0023] FIGS. 8 through 10 are magnified views illustrating an
embroidery fabric clamping unit of the embroidery machine of FIG.
1, which is attached with an elastic member.
BEST MODES FOR PRACTICING INVENTION
[0024] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of an embroidery fabric
clamping unit for an embroidery machine and an embroidery machine
including the same will be described in detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, an embroidery machine 1 includes a work
table 10 that enables an embroidering work by moving embroidery
fabrics E in the X or Y direction; a needle 20 stitching the
embroidery fabrics E; a needle driving part 30 feeding a yarn for
stitching and driving the needle 20; a main body 40 supporting the
work table 10; and a user input part 50 inputting an embroidery
pattern to be embroidered on the embroidery fabric and inputting a
control command.
[0026] Sports shoes are exemplified as embroidery fabrics in FIG.
1, and a bobbin wound with a bobbin thread is received in the
sports shoes.
[0027] Depending on an embodiment, the user input part 50 may be
omitted.
[0028] An embroidery fabric clamping unit 100 for clamping
embroidery fabrics such as raw fabrics, shoes, bags, pants, and
T-shirts may be detachably coupled to the work table 10.
[0029] If needed, a typical raw fabric setting frame (not shown)
may be installed on the work table 10 to clamp a raw fabric at an
edge thereof with a rectangular or circular shape. The raw fabric
setting frame (not shown) may also be detachably installed on the
work table 10.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the embroidery fabric
clamping unit 100 for the embroidery machine according to the first
embodiment of the present invention includes a unit body 140
detachably coupled to the work table 10; an embroidery fabric
support table 110 supporting the embroidery fabrics E to be
embroidered by the embroidery machine 1; a lever 120 applying a
pressure to the embroidery fabric support table 110 or releasing a
pressure from the embroidery fabric support table 110 when the
embroidery fabrics are disposed therebetween; and a lever driving
part 130 driving the lever 120.
[0031] The unit body 140 includes a joining part 143 coupled to the
work table 10 and a connection part 145 connected to the embroidery
fabric support table 110.
[0032] One or more joining holes 143a are formed in the joining
part 143 to allow the joining part 143 to be coupled to the work
table 10 by a coupling member (not shown), but embodiments are not
limited thereto. For example, the joining part 143 may be coupled
to the work table 10 by various coupling methods.
[0033] One or more joining holes 146 are formed in the connection
part 145 to allow the connection part 145 to be coupled to the
embroidery fabric support table 110.
[0034] Each of the embroidery fabric support table 110 includes a
connection end 111 connected to the connection part 145 of the unit
body 140 and a contact end 113 contacting the embroidery fabrics
E.
[0035] The surface of the contact end 113 is processed to have a
surface roughness for a larger contact frictional force against the
embroidery fabrics E.
[0036] Each lever 120 is supported by the unit body 140.
[0037] Each lever 120 includes an extension part 121 extending
along the longitudinal direction; a bent part 123 bent toward the
contact end 113; and a contact part 125 extending from the bent
part 123 and facing the contact end 113. The shape of the lever 120
may be modified as long as the lever 120 can clamp the embroidery
fabrics E together with the embroidery fabric support table
110.
[0038] As shown in the drawing, the surface of the contact part 125
may be processed to have a surface roughness to generate a larger
contact frictional force against the embroidery fabrics E.
[0039] Here, the lever 120 may be formed of a metallic material
such as aluminum and stainless steel. The lever 120 may also be
formed of an elastic material. The elastic material may include
plastic.
[0040] When the lever 120 is formed of a metallic material, the
lever 120 may be coated with an elastic material such as rubber,
sponge, and plastic.
[0041] The lever driving part 130 may drive the levers 120 using
one of driving sources such as pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric
motors.
[0042] The unit body 140 may include a lever support part 150 for
supporting the levers 120.
[0043] The lever support part 150 may be detachably provided to the
unit body 140. The lever support part 150 may be slidably provided
to the unit body 140.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lever support part 150
includes a lever insertion part which the lever 120 is inserted
into, a lever clamping part 155 for clamping the lever 120 in the
lever insertion part 153, and a support body 151 for supporting the
lever insertion part 153.
[0045] The lever insertion part 153 may have an insertion hole 153a
for receiving the lever 120. The lever 120 inserted into the
insertion hole 153a is clamped by the lever clamping part 155
provided on one side of the lever insertion part 153. The lever
insertion part 153 may be omitted in certain embodiments. More
specifically, as shown throughout the attached drawings, the lever
120 is not coupled to the support body 151 indirectly while it is
inserted in the lever insertion part 153, but may be directly
coupled to the support body 151 without intervention of the lever
insertion part 153.
[0046] The lever 120 may be replaced by unfastening the lever
clamping part 155. In other words, the lever 120 is detachably
coupled to the lever support part 150.
[0047] The support body 151 may have an opening 151 a for receiving
one end of the lever insertion part 153 such that the lever
insertion part 153 receiving the lever 120 pivotaly moves between a
clamping position C and a release position B that are described
later.
[0048] The lever insertion part 153 received in the opening 151 a
is pivoted on a hinge 152 in the support body 151.
[0049] Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lever 120
inserted into the lever insertion part 153 may apply a pressure to
an embroidery fabric E, and may pivot between the clamping position
C where the embroidery fabric is clamped and the release position B
where the embroidery fabric is unclamped. The lever 120 may also
vertically move instead of pivotaly moving. Also, the lever 120 may
vertically slide along a guide rail (not shown). In other words,
the lever 120 may slide between the clamping position C where the
embroidery fabric is clamped and the release position B where the
embroidery fabric is unclamped.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the support body 151 is disposed on the
connection end 111 of the embroidery fabric support table 110.
[0051] A coupling hole (not shown) communicating with the joining
hole 146 of the unit body 140 is formed in the connection end 111
of the embroidery fabric support table 110. A slot 154
communicating with the joining hole 146 and the coupling hole (not
shown) is formed in the support body 151. The unit body 140, the
support 110, and the support body 151 are coupled to each other by
the coupling member penetrating the joining hole 146, the coupling
hole (not shown), and the slot 154.
[0052] Hereinafter, an example of the lever driving part 130 that
drives the lever using a pneumatic pressure will be described in
detail. As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the lever driving part 130
includes a pneumatic cylinder 132 including an air nipple 131, and
a piston 133 supported by the pneumatic cylinder 132 and
selectively applying a pressure to the lever 120.
[0053] When air is injected through the air nipple 131, the piston
133 downwardly moves to apply a pressure to the lever 120 toward
the embroidery fabric support table 110.
[0054] When air injection through the air nipple 131 is
interrupted, the piston 133 may enter into an idle state in which a
pneumatic pressure is not applied to the lever 120.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the lever driving part 130 may further
include an elastic member 135 that restores the lever 120 to the
release position B. When air injection is interrupted, the lever
120 may be restored to the release position B.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic member 135 is disposed
between an elastic member support piece 134 connected to the
support body 151 and the end of the lever insertion part 153
penetrating the opening 151a of the support body 151. The elastic
member 135 may apply an elastic force to the lever insertion part
153 to allow the lever 120 to be elastically biased. In certain
embodiments, the elastic force may be directly applied to the lever
120.
[0057] Here, the elastic member 135 may be disposed on the opposite
side to the piston 133 across the hinge 152. More specifically, the
elastic member 135 may apply an elastic force to the end of the
lever insertion part 153 such that the contact part 125 of the
lever 120 pivots toward the release position B. That is, the
elastic force F of the elastic member 135 is applied in the
direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 5.
[0058] In certain embodiments, the elastic member 135 may also be
disposed on the side of the piston based on the hinge 152. In this
case, the elastic force of the elastic member 135 should be applied
in the opposite direction of the elastic force F shown in FIG.
5.
[0059] Also, the lever driving part 130 may further include a
switch (not shown) that can selectively supply air through the air
nipple 131. The switch (not shown) may be manually or automatically
manipulated.
[0060] When a manual manipulation method is adopted, the switch
(not shown) may include a mechanical switch.
[0061] The switch (not shown) may be provided as a foot switch (not
shown) that is manipulated by a foot such that a user grips the
embroidery fabric E by his/her hands and puts the embroidery fabric
E between the lever 120 and the embroidery fabric E.
[0062] The foot switch (not shown) may adopt a toggle switching
method. That is, when a user steps on the foot switch (not shown)
once, air is supplied, whereas, when a user steps on the foot
switch once more, air supply is interrupted.
[0063] When an automatic manipulation method is adopted, the lever
driving part 130 includes a sensor (not shown) for sensing whether
the embroidery fabric E exists between the embroidery fabric
support table 100 and the lever 120, and a controller (not shown)
for control the switch (not shown) based on a sensed result of the
sensor (not shown).
[0064] Here, the switch (not shown) may be disposed between an air
tank (not shown) storing air and the pneumatic cylinder 132. The
switch may include an electronic switch (not shown)
supplying/interrupting air by receiving an electrical control
signal from the controller (not shown).
[0065] When the embroidery fabric E exists, the controller (not
shown) may control the electronic switch (not shown) to be opened,
thereby supplying air to the air nipple 131 (more precisely, to the
pneumatic cylinder 132).
[0066] On the other hand, when the embroidery fabric E does not
exist, the controller may control the electronic switch to
interrupt air supply.
[0067] Here, the controller may be disposed in the embroidery
machine 1, and the controller installed in the embroidery machine 1
may automatically sense whether the embroidery fabric clamping unit
100 for the embroidery machine 1 is disposed on the work table 10.
The presence or absence of the clamping unit 100 is automatically
sensed by disposing a contact sensor and a photo sensor on a
joining part of the work table 10 and the clamping unit 100.
[0068] In FIGS. 1 through 6, the embroidery fabric support tables
110 and the levers 120 have been exemplified as disposed in pair,
respectively, but embodiments are not limited thereto.
[0069] For example, three or more embroidery fabric support tables
110 and levers 120 may be disposed, respectively.
[0070] Also, in certain embodiments, one embroidery fabric support
table 110 and two levers 120 may be disposed.
[0071] Accordingly, the numbers and shapes of embroidery fabric
support tables 110 and levers 120 may be modified as long as they
can be engaged with each other across the embroidery fabric E to
clamp the embroidery fabric E.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 3, when the embroidery fabric support
tables 110 and the levers 120 are disposed in pair to correspond to
each other, respectively, a distance D between each pair of the
embroidery fabric support tables 110 and the levers 120 can be
adjusted.
[0073] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of the
joining holes 146 by which the embroidery fabric support tables 110
and the levers 120 (the lever support part 150 to be exact) may be
disposed in the unit body 140 in the direction of the distance D,
and then the embroidery fabric support tables 110 and the levers
120 may be appropriately located according to the length of an
embroidery fabric. Accordingly, the distance D may be adjusted
using the coupling member S.
[0074] The joining holes 146 may be disposed at a certain interval
in the direction of the distance D. The interval between the
joining holes 146 may also increase as becoming distant from a
central line A in the direction of the distance D. This is for fine
adjustment of the distance D near the central line A.
[0075] The method of adjusting the distance D is merely an example.
The method of adjusting the distance D between a pair of embroidery
fabric support tables 110 may be modified in various manners.
[0076] Hereinafter, an operation process of the embroidery fabric
clamping unit 100 of the embroidery machine 1 will be described in
detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6,
[0077] First, a user may locate a portion of an embroidery fabric E
(e.g., shoes) to be embroidered between the embroidery fabric
support table 110 and the lever 120.
[0078] In the case of the above-described manual manipulation
method, a user may step on the foot switch (not shown) to supply
air to the pneumatic cylinder 132. The piston 133 is projected by a
pneumatic pressure to apply a pressure to the lever 120 (precisely,
the lever insertion part 153).
[0079] Thus, the lever 120 may pivot from the release position B of
FIG. 5 to the clamping position C where the embroidery fabric E is
clamped.
[0080] After the clamping, an embroidery command is inputted into
the user input part 50 of the embroidery machine 1 to start
embroidering.
[0081] When the embroidering is completed, the user may step on the
foot switch once again to interrupt the pneumatic pressure, and
thus the lever 120 is restored to the release position B by an
elastic force F of the elastic member 153.
[0082] Thereafter, the user takes out the embroidery fabric E
between embroidery fabric support table 110 and the lever 120.
[0083] Accordingly, since even an embroidery fabric having an
arbitrary shape can be automatically embroidered using the
embroidery machine 1, the usability of the embroidered machine 1
can significantly increase.
[0084] In the case of the automatic manipulation method, the
embroidery fabric clamping unit 100 of the embroidery machine 1
will be operated as follows.
[0085] First, a user interposes a portion of an embroidery fabric E
(e.g., shoes) to be embroidered between the embroidery fabric
support table 110 and the lever 120. The sensor (not shown) senses
whether the embroidery fabric E is interposed between the lever 120
and the embroidery fabric support table 110, and transmits a sensed
result to the controller (not shown).
[0086] The controller controls the electronic switch (not shown) to
supply air and allow the piston 133 to apply a pressure to the
lever 120.
[0087] When embroidering is completed, the controller controls the
electronic switch to interrupt air supply. Thus, the lever 120 is
spaced from the embroidery fabric support table 110 by the elastic
member 135 to be restored to the release position B.
[0088] Thereafter, the user takes out the embroidery fabric E that
has been embroidered.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 7, an embroidery fabric clamping unit for
an embroidery machine according to a second embodiment of the
present invention includes: a Y-shaped embroidery fabric support
table 110a; and a lever 120a having a shape corresponding thereto.
Other configuration of the embroidery fabric clamping unit
according to the second embodiment of the present invention is
similar to that of the clamping unit 100 of the first
embodiment.
[0090] When the embroidery fabric support table 110a and the lever
120a have a Y-shape, one pair of embroidery fabric support tables
110 and one pair of levers 120 shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 may be
replaced by the Y-shape of the embroidery fabric support table 110a
and the lever 120a.
[0091] Here, a distance between a first branch 115 and a second
branch 117 of the Y-shape embroidery fabric support table 110a may
be adjusted. In this case, the distance may be adjusted according
to the length of an embroidery fabric to more easily clamp the
embroidery fabric.
[0092] A distance between a first branch 126 and a second branch
127 of the lever 120a may also be adjusted like the embroidery
fabric support table 110a. Adjustment of the distance between the
first branch 126 and the second branch 127 of the lever 120a may be
performed by installing a rack on at least one of the first branch
126 and the second branch 127, disposing a pinion engaged with the
rack, and then turning the pinion.
[0093] The method for adjusting the distance may be similar to a
method for adjusting the size of the jaw of an adjustable-end
wrench that is a tool for fastening or unfastening bolts or nuts,
but embodiments are not limited thereto. Accordingly, various
methods may be applied to adjust the distance.
[0094] FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate the lever 120 attached with an
elastic member 160.
[0095] When the lever 120 applies a pressure to the embroidery
fabric support table (110 of FIG. 5), the elastic member 160 itself
may be compressed to apply a larger pressure to the embroidery
fabric (E of FIG. 5).
[0096] The elastic member 160 includes at least one of sponge,
rubber, and plastic.
[0097] As shown in FIG. 9, an elastic member 160a may have an
increasing thickness as it becomes closer to the end of the contact
part 125. Since a gripping force between the lever 120 and the
embroidery fabric support table (110 of FIG. 5) may be reduced at
the end of the contact part 125 due to the weight of an embroidery
fabric, it may be necessary to complement the elastic force of the
elastic member 160a at the end thereof.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 10, elastic members 160b and 160c formed of
different materials may be attached to the contact part 125 of the
lever 120.
[0099] The modulus of elasticity of the elastic member 160c closer
to the end of the contact part 125 of the lever 120 is preferably
greater than that of the elastic member 160b distant from the end
of the contact part 125. The reason is the same as what is
described with reference to FIG. 9.
[0100] The embodiments described above are provided for
illustration purposes only, and the person skilled in the art would
appreciate that various modifications and equivalent embodiments
are possible therefrom.
[0101] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the particular illustrative embodiment, it is not to
be restricted by the above embodiment but only by the appended
claims.
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