Thread guide device for embroidery machine

Abstract

To enable an operator to insert a thread wound out from a new bobbin into a thread inlet from a front side of a sewing machine with high workability by looking straight at the thread inlet with high discriminability when exchanging a thread.SOLUTION: A thread guide device of an embroidery sewing machine includes a spool holder 1 on which a support member for supporting a bobbin B and a thread inlet for allowing a thread T wound out from the bobbin B to be inserted are provided, a tension table 15 provided in front of the thread holder 1, and a flexible tube 10 for guiding the thread T inserted from the thread inlet toward the tension table 15. The thread inlet opens forward and is located at a level higher than the bobbin B. The tube 10 extends backward from the thread inlet and is bent and extends forward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] 6, Patent Document 1 discloses a thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine, which includes a thread stand device 50 provided with a thread stand pin 51 as a support member for supporting a bobbin B and a thread inlet for receiving thread T unwound from the bobbin B, a tension table 53 provided in front of the thread stand device 50, and a flexible tube 54 for guiding thread T inserted through the thread inlet toward the tension table 53. Patent Documents 2 to 4 also disclose similar thread guide devices.

[0003] The thread inlet in Patent Document 1 is an opening at the rear end of a terminal tube 52 provided on the upper part of a thread stand device 50, and opens toward the rear. The thread inlet in Patent Document 2 is an opening at the rear end of a thread stand pin using a tube, and opens facing backward. The thread inlet in Patent Document 3 is an opening at the top end of a tubular thread stand pin, and opens facing upward. The yarn inlet in Patent Document 4 is an introduction port provided in a ladder-shaped frame that is erected on the yarn stand device, and opens downward.

[0004] When replacing the thread, the operator manually inserts the tip of the thread T unwound from a new bobbin B into the thread inlet, and then the thread is advanced into the tube 54 by the air flow and reaches the tension table 53. When the sewing machine is in operation, the thread T is smoothly guided and circulated within the tube 54. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-61179 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-211381 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-192580 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-104674 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] If the yarn inlet opens facing rear, up, or down as in Patent Documents 1 to 4, the tube 54 can be extended from the yarn inlet immediately toward the tension table 53, thereby shortening the tube 54. The reason for shortening the tube 54 in this manner is that it is believed that this allows for smoother yarn flow.

[0007] However, if the thread inlet is open facing rearward, upward or downward, the following problem occurs if the tip of the thread is inserted into the thread inlet from the front of the sewing machine. · It is difficult for the operator to reach from the front of the sewing machine to the rear, top or bottom of the thread entry hole. Even if you can reach it, the direction in which the tip of the thread enters the thread inlet is from back to front, top to bottom, or bottom to top, making it difficult to work with. - Because it is not possible to see the thread entrance directly, the work must be done by touch, which takes time and makes it difficult to identify which thread is which stitch.

[0008] Therefore, the operator must move to the rear of the sewing machine and perform this task near the thread stand. Even if the thread inlet is open facing backwards, it can be seen directly from the rear of the sewing machine. Also, even if the thread inlet is open facing upwards or downwards, it can be seen obliquely from nearby.

[0009] However, it is troublesome and inefficient for the operator to move to the rear of the sewing machine every time the thread is changed. In addition, when the sewing machine is installed against a wall, a space must be provided between the sewing machine and the wall for the operator to enter, which causes a problem of poor space efficiency.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to enable an operator to easily insert the thread unwound from a new bobbin into the thread inlet when changing thread from the front of the sewing machine, while allowing the operator to see the thread inlet clearly from the front, thereby eliminating the need for the operator to move to the rear of the sewing machine and also enabling the sewing machine to be installed against a wall, thereby improving space efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The inventors conducted various studies to solve the above problems, and verified that the smoothness of yarn flow is not significantly impaired even if the tube is longer. They also discovered a new effect that a longer tube makes the yarn less likely to twist, even if the yarn is highly twisted, and thus arrived at the present invention.

[0012] [1] A thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine, comprising a thread stand having a support member for supporting a bobbin and a thread inlet for receiving a thread unwound from the bobbin, a tension stand provided in front of the thread stand, and a flexible tube for guiding the thread inserted through the thread inlet toward the tension stand, The thread inlet faces forward and is at a higher level than the bobbin. This thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine is characterized in that a tube extends rearward from a thread inlet and then bends to extend forward.

[0013] <effect> If the thread inlet is open facing forward and is at a higher level than the bobbin, when you try to insert the tip of the thread unwound from the new bobbin into the thread inlet from the front of the sewing machine, -The operator's hands can easily reach from the front of the sewing machine to the front of the thread entrance. The tip of the thread goes into the thread inlet from front to back, making it easy to use. Since you can see the thread inlet directly, you can insert the thread reliably, saving time and making it easier to identify which thread is which stitch.

[0014] Furthermore, if the tube extends rearward from the yarn inlet and then is bent and extends forward, the length of the tube makes it difficult for the yarn to twist, even if the yarn is highly twisted.

[0015] [2] A thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine as described in [1], wherein the thread inlet is at a higher level than the tension table. Furthermore, the operator's hands can easily reach from the front of the sewing machine to the area in front of the thread entrance.

[0016] [3] A thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine according to [1] or [2], wherein a pair of guide protrusions are provided on both the left and right sides of the thread inlet. By passing the thread between the pair of guide projections, the thread T is prevented from becoming entangled.

[0017] [4] A thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine as described in any one of [1] to [3], which has multiple thread inlets and has a mark for identifying the thread attached near each thread inlet. Furthermore, it becomes easier to identify which thread belongs to which stitch.

[0018] [5] The thread guide device of an embroidery sewing machine described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein the tube extends rearward beyond the tension table. The tube gets longer.

[0019] [6] A thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the tube extends forward below the thread stand device. The tube is hidden under the thread stand, so it doesn't get in the way.

[0020] [7] The thread guide device of an embroidery sewing machine according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the tube is connected to a tension table. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, when changing thread, the operator can easily insert the thread unwound from the new bobbin into the thread inlet from the front of the sewing machine, and can easily see the thread inlet by looking directly at it, which eliminates the need for the operator to move to the rear of the sewing machine. It also makes it possible to install the sewing machine on a wall, improving space efficiency. Furthermore, the longer the tube, the less likely the thread will twist, even if it is a highly twisted thread. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embroidery sewing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the thread stand device of the embroidery sewing machine, where (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a perspective view of the main part as seen from the front side, and (c) is a perspective view of the main part as seen from the rear side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embroidery sewing machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the embroidery sewing machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of a conventional embroidery sewing machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] [1] Embroidery machine The embroidery machine is not limited to a specific model, and may be a lockstitch machine or a chainstitch machine, and may be a single-head or multi-head machine.

[0024] [2] Thread inlet The thread inlet may be an opening of the tube itself, or may be an opening of a member separate from the tube (for example, thread inlet portion 7 described later). In the latter case, the tube is connected to the separate member. "The yarn inlet opens facing forward" refers not only to the case where the perpendicular line of the yarn inlet is a horizontal line facing forward, but also to the case where the perpendicular line of the yarn inlet is inclined at an angle of 40 degrees or less (preferably 30 degrees or less, more preferably 20 degrees or less) from the horizontal line.

[0025] [3] Tube The material for the flexible tube is not particularly limited, but examples include polymeric materials such as soft resin, rubber, and elastomer. At least the inner surface of the tube is preferably made of a slippery material such as low-density polyethylene, which allows the thread to slide easily. Also, in order to release static electricity generated by the slippage of the thread, a part of the tube (e.g., the outer surface) is preferably made of a conductive material. Examples of conductive materials include conductive polymer materials and metal wires (including printed wires). EXAMPLES

[0026] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the structures, materials, values, shapes and dimensions described in the embodiments are merely examples and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027] The embroidery machine shown in Fig. 1 is a lock stitch sewing machine, and includes a sewing machine head 20, a bed 23 provided below the sewing machine head 20, and a frame drive device that drives an embroidery frame (not shown) back and forth and left and right on the bed 23. The sewing machine head 20 is provided with a plurality of needle bars 21 (15 in the illustrated example) and the same number of thread take-up levers 22. The bed 23 has one hook (not shown) built in at the sewing position. The sewing machine head 20 is moved by a color change mechanism (not shown), and one of the needle bars 21 is indexed to the sewing position.

[0028] 1 to 5, the thread guide device of the embodiment includes a thread stand device 1 provided with a thread stand pin 3 as a support member for supporting a bobbin B and a thread inlet for receiving thread T (needle thread) unwound from the bobbin B, a tension table 15 provided in front of the thread stand device 1 and above a sewing machine head 20, and a flexible tube 10 that guides the thread T inserted through the thread inlet toward the tension table 15. Thread guides 16 and thread tensioners 17, the same number as the number of needle bars 21, are arranged on the tension table 15.

[0029] The thread stand device 1 includes a thread stand base 2, thread stand pins 3 in the same number as the needle bars 21 (15 in the illustrated example) mounted on the thread stand base 2, left and right support posts 4 mounted on the thread stand base 2, connecting members 5 extending in the front-to-rear direction and supported by each of the left and right support posts 4, a cross member 6 extending in the left-to-right direction and mounted between the left and right connecting members 5, and a plurality of thread inlet portions 7 provided on the cross member 6.

[0030] The thread stand 2 is a flat plate formed, for example, in a rectangular shape, and is attached horizontally at a distance above the sewing machine housing. The thread stand pins 3 are for inserting and supporting the bobbins B, and are arranged in multiple rows (three rows in the illustrated example) on the front and back, with multiple pins (five pins in the illustrated example) in one row on the left and right.

[0031] The cross members 6 are made of resin or metal and formed into a specified cross-sectional shape (curved shape in the illustrated example), and are arranged so that one is located above each row of thread stand pins 3 (so a total of three in the illustrated example), and are staggered so that the rear ones are lower.

[0032] The thread inlet 7 is a cylindrical member with front and rear through holes that are formed integrally with the cross members 6 from resin or metal, and a plurality of thread inlets 7 (five in the illustrated example) are formed on the left and right sides of each cross member 6. The front end opening of the thread inlet 7 is a thread inlet into which the thread T unwound from the bobbin B supported by the thread stand pin 3 is inserted. The thread inlet opens facing forward, and in the illustrated example, the perpendicular line to the thread inlet is a horizontal line facing forward. The thread inlet is also at a higher level than the upper end of the bobbin B supported by the thread stand pin 3, and is also at a higher level than the tension table 15.

[0033] A pair of wall-shaped guide projections 8 are provided on both the left and right sides of each yarn inlet of the cross member 6. The illustrated guide projections 8 are arc-shaped when viewed from the front and protrude forward. Passing the yarn T between the pair of guide projections 8 has the effect of preventing tangling of the yarn T. The pair of guide projections 8 also serve as guides that lead the tip end of the yarn T to the yarn inlet.

[0034] Near each yarn inlet of the cross member 6, a mark 9 (a number in the illustrated example) for identifying the yarn T is provided, which makes it easy to identify which yarn belongs to which stitch.

[0035] The base end of a tube 10 is inserted into the rear end opening of the yarn inlet 7. The tube 10 extends rearward from the yarn inlet 7, then bends downward and forward, extends forward below the spool stand 2, and its tip is connected to a connection part at the top of the tension stand 15. The tube 10 has a two-layer structure, with an inner layer made of low-density polyethylene and an outer layer made of conductive elastomer.

[0036] 5, a Y-type pipe joint 11 is provided at a position close to the yarn inlet 7 of the tube 10, and an inlet 12 of the Y-type pipe joint 11 is connected to an air compressor 14 via a manual valve 13. When the manual valve 13 is pressed down, air pressurized by the air compressor 14 is sprayed from the inlet 12 and flows downstream of the tube 10.

[0037] According to the thread guide device of the embodiment configured as described above, when the end of the thread T unwound from the new bobbin B is to be inserted into the thread inlet from the front of the sewing machine during thread replacement, the thread inlet is open toward the front and is at a higher level than the bobbin B. -The operator's hands can easily reach from the front of the sewing machine to the front of the thread entrance. The tip of the thread T is inserted into the thread inlet from front to back, making it easy to work with. Since you can see the thread inlet directly, you can insert the thread T reliably, which saves time and makes it easy to identify which thread is which stitch.

[0038] This allows the operator to easily perform the work from the front of the sewing machine, eliminating the need for the operator to move to the rear of the sewing machine. Also, the sewing machine can be mounted on a wall, improving space efficiency.

[0039] After this operation, when the manual valve 13 is pressed down, the pressurized air is ejected from the inlet 12 of the Y-type pipe joint 11 and flows downstream of the tube 10. The yarn T is then pulled downstream of the tube 10 by the air flow and reaches the tension table 15. In this way, the yarn T can be instantly threaded.

[0040] During operation of the sewing machine, the thread T is smoothly guided and flows through the tube 10. The tube 10 extends rearward from the thread inlet and then bends and extends forward, so that it is longer than the conventional example. However, this does not significantly impair the smoothness of thread flow. In fact, the length of the tube 10 has the effect of preventing the thread from twisting even when the thread is highly twisted.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied by making appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention, for example, as described below. (1) The yarn inlet 7 may be attached to the cross member 6 as a separate body (not integrally formed). (2) The tube 10 may be inserted directly into the cross member 6 from the back to the front, with the opening of the tube itself serving as the thread inlet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Thread stand device 2 Thread stand 3 Thread stand pin 4 pillars 5 Connection parts 6 Cross members 7 Thread inlet 8 Guide protrusion 9 signs 10 Tubes 11 Y type pipe joint 12 Inlet 13 Manual valve 14 Air Compressor 15 Tension stand B Bobbin T-thread

Claims

1. A thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine includes a thread stand having a support member for supporting a bobbin and a thread inlet for receiving a thread unwound from the bobbin, a tension stand provided in front of the thread stand, and a flexible tube for guiding the thread inserted through the thread inlet toward the tension stand, the thread inlet is open toward the front for inserting the thread unwound from the bobbin in a front-to-back direction and is at a higher level than the bobbin; This thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine is characterized in that a tube extends rearward from a thread inlet and then bends to extend forward.

2. 2. A thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thread inlet is at a level higher than that of the tension table.

3. 2. The thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of guide projections provided on both the left and right sides of the thread inlet.

4. 2. A thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of thread inlets, and a mark for identifying the thread is provided near each thread inlet.

5. 5. The thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the tube extends rearward beyond the tension table.

6. 5. The thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the tube extends forward below the thread stand.

7. 5. The thread guide device for an embroidery sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the tube is connected to a tension table.

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