Hat frame

Abstract

To provide a hat frame enabling embroidery by supporting not only a cap but also a hat.SOLUTION: In the hat frame 1 for supporting the hat by receiving the side of the embroidered part of the crown C from the lower side by a lower frame 2 and pressing the side of the embroidered part of the crown C from the upper side by an upper frame 8, the upper frame 8 does not interfere with the whole peripheral flange D so as to prevent the support when supporting the hat B with the whole peripheral flange D. An aspect in which the upper frame and the lower frame are separate components that do not have a connection portion with each other can be exemplified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hat frame used for embroidering on the crown of a hat. [Background technology]

[0002] Hats A and B generally have a crown C to be worn on the head, a brim D (peak) protruding from the bottom of the crown C, and a sweatband E (sweat guard) attached to the edge of the opening of the crown C (see Figures 9(a) and 9(c)). When embroidering on the crown C, a hat frame is used to support the embroidery area in an appropriate position directly above the cylindrical bed of the embroidery machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). During embroidery, the sweatband E is pulled out to the outside of the crown C to prevent it from being sewn on (see Figures 9(b) and 9(d)).

[0003] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, a conventional cap frame 51 supports the cap by using a lower frame 52 to support the sides of the embroidery area on the crown C from below, and an upper frame 54 to press the sides of the embroidery area on the crown from the outside. The lower frame 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a flange 53 that protrudes outward. The upper frame 54 includes a support post 55 protruding forward from the lower portion of the flange 53, a hook 56 also protruding from the support post 55, a band 57 rotatably attached at one end to the support post 55 and wound around the flange D of the crown C, and a toggle clamp 58 attached to the other end of the band 57. The toggle clamp 58 detachably engages with the hook 56. When the toggle clamp 58 engages with the hook 56, the band 57 presses against the flange D of the crown C, and a claw 59 attached to the band 57 bites into the boundary between the crown C and the flange D. The upper frame of Patent Document 1 also includes a sub-band that presses against the top of the crown C from the outside.

[0004] This hat frame had the following problems: (1) There are two types of hats: hat A, in which a brim D is attached only to the front of a crown C (hereinafter referred to as a "cap," and the brim is referred to as a "front brim"; see Figures 9(a) and 9(b)); and hat B, in which a brim D is attached around the entire circumference of a crown C (hereinafter referred to as a "hat," and the brim is referred to as a "full-circumference brim"; see Figures 9(c) and 9(d)). The conventional cap frame 51 can support the cap A but cannot support the hat B. This is because the front brim D of the cap A is not interfered with by the support posts 55 and hooks 56, but the entire brim D of the hat B is interfered with by the support posts 55 and hooks 56, preventing support.

[0005] (2) Because the band 57 holds down the area around the brim D of the crown C, it was not possible to embroider near the brim D of the crown C. If the band 57 were not present, the area around the brim D of the crown C would rise, causing problems with the embroidery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-105837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a hat frame that can support not only caps but also hats and allows embroidery thereon, by solving the above problem (1). [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] [1] A hat frame that supports a hat by supporting the sides of the embroidered part of the crown from below with a lower frame (receiving frame) and pressing the sides of the embroidered part of the crown from above with an upper frame, This hat frame is characterized in that when supporting a hat with a brim attached all around, the upper frame does not interfere with the brim all around so as to prevent the support.

[0009] [2] The cap frame described in [1], wherein the upper frame and the lower frame are separate parts that do not have any connecting parts.

[0010] [3] The upper frame is a hat frame as described in [2], which includes a main part of the upper frame that holds down the sides of the embroidered part of the crown from above, and a belt that is wrapped around the crown.

[0011] [4] The hat frame according to [3], wherein the belt has a tightening mechanism.

[0012] [5] The cap frame described in [3] or [4], wherein the lower frame has a stopper to prevent the belt from coming off the lower frame toward the front.

[0013] [6] A cap frame according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the lower frame is provided with a slider pressing device that presses the slider from above when pulled out from the cap.

[0014] [7] The hat frame described in [6] has no part on the lower frame to support the brim of the crown, and no part on the upper frame to hold the brim of the crown. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, not only caps but also hats can be supported freely at any position in 360 degrees, and embroidery can be performed thereon, which is an excellent effect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cap frame of the first embodiment when the lower frame and the upper frame are separated. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hat frame when the hat is supported by the lower and upper frames. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are a front view and a side view, respectively, of the cap frame of FIG. 2 (without the hat). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the cap frame of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main part of the embroidery machine to which the cap frame is attached. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cap frame of the second embodiment when the lower frame and the upper frame are separated. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hat frame when the hat is supported by the lower and upper frames. [Figure 8] 8A is a side view of the cap frame of FIG. 7 before the slider is pressed, and FIG. 8B is a side view of the cap frame after the slider is pressed. [Figure 9] 9(a) is a perspective view of the cap, (b) is a perspective view of the cap with the slider pulled out, (c) is a perspective view of the hat, and (d) is a perspective view of the hat with the slider pulled out. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of a conventional cap frame. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cap when supported by the lower and upper frames of the cap frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] <1> Bottom frame The lower frame is attached to the embroidery machine, and the embroidery area is driven left and right (X direction) and front and back (Y direction) of the bed. The drive in the X direction is preferably by rotational drive of the lower frame, but it can also be driven horizontally. The shape of the lower frame is not particularly limited, but when the drive in the X direction is a rotational drive, examples include a cylindrical shape, a half-cylindrical shape, and the like.

[0018] The material of the lower frame is not particularly limited, but metal is preferred. When the material of the lower frame is metal, it is preferable to provide a non-slip material, a cushioning material, or a non-slip and cushioning material on the surface that supports the sides of the embroidered part of the crown. Examples of the non-slip material include cloth, and a resin plate or rubber plate with an uneven surface. Examples of the cushioning material or the non-slip and cushioning material include a foamed resin plate and a foamed rubber plate.

[0019] <2> Upper frame The upper frame is not particularly limited as long as it does not interfere with the entire circumferential flange in a way that hinders support, but an example is one in which the upper frame and lower frame are separate parts that do not have any connecting parts with each other. The upper frame is not particularly limited, but preferably includes a main upper frame part that presses the sides of the embroidery part of the crown from above, and a belt that is wrapped around the crown.

[0020] (A) Main part of upper frame The material for the main part of the upper frame is not particularly limited, but metal is preferred. It is preferable to provide a non-slip material, a cushioning material, or a material that functions both as a non-slip and cushioning material on the pressing surface of the main part of the upper frame. Examples of non-slip materials include cloth, a resin plate or a rubber plate with an uneven surface, etc. Examples of cushioning materials or materials that function both as a non-slip and cushioning material include a foamed resin plate or a foamed rubber plate.

[0021] (A) Belt The belt is not particularly limited, but examples include wire, leaf spring, band, etc. By using a belt where it is wrapped around the crown, the crown fabric is less likely to be damaged and it becomes possible to attach crowns with complex shapes.

[0022] <3> Combination of the main parts of the lower and upper frames The sides of the embroidered area on the crown include the lower part of the embroidery area (near the brim of the crown), the upper part of the embroidery area (top of the crown), and both sides of the embroidery area. Examples of combinations of the main parts of the lower frame / upper frame include those that support / hold near the brim, the top and both sides, those that support / hold near the brim and the top, those that support / hold near the brim and both sides, those that support / hold near the brim, those that support / hold the top and both sides, and those that support / hold the top. Of these, those that support / hold the top and both sides and those that support / hold the top do not support / hold the area near the brim, which allows the embroidery area to be expanded to the area near the brim, meaning that embroidery can be done up to the area near the brim.

[0023] <4> Anti-slip device The slider pressing device is preferably one that presses down at least the vicinity of the brim of the slider pulled out from the hat. This is because it is more effective in preventing the crown near the brim from lifting up. At least the vicinity of the brim of the slider pulled out from the hat preferably includes a portion of the slider that is 3 mm or 8 mm away from the boundary between the slider and the brim. It is preferable that the slider presser device presses down the slider pulled out from the hat over a width that is at least half the width of the embroidery area, as this is more effective in preventing the area around the brim of the crown from lifting up.

[0024] The anti-slip device is not particularly limited, but an example thereof includes the above-mentioned vertically movable pressing piece and a pressing mechanism that presses the pressing piece downward. The pressing piece is preferably one that presses at least the vicinity of the brim of the slider when pulled out from the hat. The pressing piece preferably presses down a width of the slider pulled out from the hat that is at least half the width of the embroidery area. The material of the pressing piece is not particularly limited, but metal is preferred. It is preferable to provide a non-slip material, a cushioning material, or a material that functions as a non-slip cushion on the pressing surface of the pressing piece. The pressing mechanism is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a cam lever that moves the pressing piece up and down by tilting the lever, because this is easy to operate. [Example]

[0025] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the structures, materials, numerical values, shapes, and dimensions described in the embodiments are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0026] [Example 1] The cap frame 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a cap frame 1 that supports caps A and B by using a lower frame 2 (receiving frame) to support the sides of the embroidery area of ​​the crown C from below, and an upper frame 8 to press the sides of the embroidery area of ​​the crown C from above, and is characterized in that when supporting the hat B, the upper frame 8 does not interfere with the entire brim D to hinder the support.

[0027] The lower frame 2 is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape, and is provided with a flange 3 that protrudes outward from the middle of the cylindrical length. A slider receiving portion 4 is provided near the flange 3 of the lower frame 2 to receive the slider E pulled out from the cap from below. The lower frame 2 is provided with a region 5a that supports the upper portion of the crown C, which is on the sides of the embroidery area, a region 5b that supports both side portions of the crown C, and a region 5c that supports the vicinity of the brim D of the crown C. The embroidery area of ​​the crown C is stretched between a lower opening 6 formed by being surrounded by the regions 5a to 5c and an upper opening 10, which will be described later. An anti-slip material (not shown) may be provided on the receiving surfaces of the regions 5a to 5c. A stopper 7 protruding outward is provided at the front edge of the lower part of the lower frame 2 to prevent a belt 15 (described later) from coming off.

[0028] The upper frame 8 and the lower frame 2 are separate components with no connecting parts between them. The upper frame 8 includes an upper frame main part 9 and its attachments for pressing the sides of the embroidery part from above, and a belt 15 and its attachments for wrapping around the lower part of the crown C other than the embroidery part in order to hold the upper frame main part 9.

[0029] The upper frame main portion 9 is formed from a metal plate and is composed of a portion 9a that presses the upper portion of the crown C, a portion 9b that presses both side portions of the crown C, and a portion 9c that presses the vicinity of the brim D of the crown C. An upper opening 10 formed by being surrounded by portions 9a to 9c corresponds to the lower opening 6 above and below. In addition, non-slip and cushioning material 11 is provided on the pressing surfaces of portions 9a to 9c. In addition, a plurality of locking pieces 12 that protrude downward are provided on the front edge of portion 9a that presses the upper portion of the crown C. As attachments to the upper frame main part 9, a belt attachment part 13 is provided on one side, and a belt hook 14 is provided on the other side.

[0030] A metal wire is used for the belt 15. One end of the belt 15 is attached to the belt attachment portion 13 via a coil spring 16. As an attachment to the belt 15, a toggle clamp 17 is attached to the other end of the belt 15 as a tightening mechanism that can be detachably engaged with the belt hook 14.

[0031] The cap frame 1 of the first embodiment configured as described above can support a cap (hat B in the illustrated example) as follows. (1) Pull the slider E of the hat B out of the crown C, and place the slider E and the crown C over the entire circumference of the lower frame 2, including the slider receiving portion 4 and portions 5a to 5c, and position the embroidery area of ​​the crown C directly above the lower opening 6. At this time, the entire brim D is not interfered with by the upper frame 8, so the embroidery area may be located anywhere within 360 degrees on the front panel, side panel, or rear panel of the crown C. (2) The upper frame main part 9 is placed over the crown C, and the upper opening 10 is aligned with the lower opening 6. At this time, the upper opening 10 can be easily aligned with the lower opening 6 by pressing the multiple locking pieces 12 against the front edge of the lower frame 2 via the fabric of the crown C. (3) The belt 15 is wound around the bottom of the crown C, and the toggle clamp 17 is engaged with the belt hook 14. The elastic force of the coil spring 16 tightens the belt 15, and the upper frame main part 9 presses down on the sides of the embroidery area from above. Even at this time, the entire flange D is not interfered with by the upper frame 8. The stopper 7 of the lower frame 2 is located near the belt 15 to prevent the belt 15 from slipping off towards the front.

[0032] In this way, the cap frame 1 of Example 1 supporting the hat B as shown in Figure 2 is attached to the cylindrical body 18 of the embroidery sewing machine shown in Figure 5, and the embroidery area is located directly above the needle plate of the cylindrical bed 19. Then, based on the embroidery data, the cap frame 1 is rotated and driven back and forth together with the cylindrical body 18, thereby driving the embroidery area in the X and Y directions, and embroidery is performed by cooperation between the needle 20 and the shuttle built into the cylindrical bed 19.

[0033] According to the cap frame 1 of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (A) As mentioned above, hat B can be supported freely at any position in the 360 ​​degrees of crown C, making embroidery possible. (i) The cap frame 1 of Example 1 is not limited to supporting hats B, but can also support caps A such as baseball caps (see Figures 9(a) and (b)). In this case, the cap frame 1 can be freely supported at any position in the 360 ​​degrees of the crown C (for example, on the front panel, side panel, or rear panel), allowing embroidery. (c) The stopper 7 on the lower frame 2 prevents the belt 15 from coming off. (e) The conventional cap frame 1 shown in Figures 10 and 11 does not have the support posts and hooks protruding from the flanges, so that the cap frame 1 of Example 1 can secure a larger space in the pocket, and the fabric of caps A and B can be made to escape more easily. (e) Furthermore, in comparison with Example 2 described later, there are no parts in the area indicated by the two-dot chain line in Figure 3(b), which also allows for a wider escape for the hat fabric.

[0034] [Example 2] The cap frame 1 of the second embodiment shown in Figs. 6 to 8 differs from that of the first embodiment only in the following points, and is otherwise common to the first embodiment. The lower frame 2 is provided with a slider presser device 21 for pressing the slider E pulled out from the hat from above. By pressing down the slider E from above, the area around the brim D of the crown C is prevented from lifting up, and there is no need to press down the area around the brim D. Therefore, the area (9c) that presses down the area around the brim D from the main upper frame 9 is eliminated, and furthermore, the area (5c) that receives the area around the brim D from the lower frame 2 is eliminated, allowing embroidery up to the area around the brim D.

[0035] The slippery presser device 21 includes a presser piece 22 that can move up and down on the lower frame 2, and a pressing mechanism 26 that moves the presser piece 22 up and down and presses when it moves down.

[0036] The pressing piece 22 is made of metal and formed into a curved shape corresponding to the lower frame 2, and the pressing surface is provided with an anti-slip cushioning material 23. The pressing piece 22 is attached to a metal leaf spring 25 cantilevered on a fixing part 24 fixed to the flange 3, allowing it to move up and down. The pressing piece 22 presses down at least the vicinity of the brim D of the slider E when it is pulled out of the hat. The vicinity of the brim D includes areas of the slider E that are 3 mm and 8 mm away from the boundary between the slider and the brim. The pressing piece presses down a width of at least half the width of the embroidery area of ​​the slipper E pulled out from the hat (the curved width W of the longest part shown in Figure 6).

[0037] The pressing mechanism 26 comprises a support shaft 27 that is implanted in the lower frame 2 and passes through the presser piece 22, and a cam lever 28 that is rotatably attached to the support shaft 27, and a cam nose 29 is located on the right side of the cam lever 28 in FIG. 7. When the cam lever 28 is tilted to the left in FIG. 7, the cam nose 29 separates from the leaf spring 25 and the presser piece 22, and as shown in FIG. 8(a), the leaf spring 25 and the presser piece 22 move upward due to the elastic force of the leaf spring 25. When the cam lever 28 is tilted to the right in FIG. 7, the cam nose 29 presses the leaf spring 25 and the presser piece 22 downward, and as shown in FIG. 8(b), the leaf spring 25 and the presser piece 22 move downward.

[0038] The method of supporting the hat B on the hat frame 1 of the second embodiment configured as above is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the following points. When the slider E that has been pulled out of the crown C is to be placed over the lower frame 2, the leaf spring 25 and the retaining piece 22 are raised as shown in Figure 8(a), and the slider E is inserted into the gap that has formed between the retaining piece 22 and the lower frame 2. Next, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the leaf spring 25 and the pressing piece 22 are moved downward to press the slider E from above.

[0039] According to the cap frame 1 of the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (c) As mentioned above, embroidery near the brim D is possible. (K) By pressing down on the slip E first, the upper frame can be attached while keeping the fabric taut to prevent wrinkles, making it easier to support the hat on the hat frame.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied by making appropriate modifications within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 hat frame 2 Bottom frame 4 Slide support area 5a The part that receives the upper part of the crown 5b Parts that receive both sides of the crown 5c The part that receives the brim of the crown 6 Bottom opening 7 Stopper 8 Upper Frame 9 Main part of upper frame 9a The part that holds the top of the crown 9b Parts that hold both sides of the crown 9c The part that holds the brim of the crown 10 Top opening 15 Belt 21 Anti-slip device 22 Presser piece 26 Pressing mechanism 28 Cam lever A Cap B Hat C Crown D Brim E Slide

Claims

1. A hat frame that supports a hat by supporting the sides of the embroidery part of the crown from below with a lower frame and pressing the sides of the embroidery part of the crown from above with an upper frame, This hat frame is characterized in that when supporting a hat with a brim attached all around, the upper frame does not interfere with the brim all around so as to prevent the support.

2. 2. The cap frame according to claim 1, wherein the upper frame and the lower frame are separate components with no connecting portion therebetween.

3. 3. The cap frame according to claim 2, wherein the upper frame includes a main portion for pressing the sides of the embroidery portion of the crown from above, and a belt for wrapping around the crown.

4. 4. The cap frame according to claim 3, wherein the belt has a tightening mechanism.

5. 4. The cap frame according to claim 3, wherein the lower frame is provided with a stopper for preventing the belt from coming off the lower frame toward the front side.

6. The cap frame according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower frame is provided with a slider presser device that presses the slider from above when pulled out from the cap.

7. 7. The hat frame according to claim 6, wherein the lower frame has no portion for receiving the vicinity of the brim of the crown, and the upper frame has no portion for pressing the vicinity of the brim of the crown.

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