Presser foot assembly and sewing machine

Abstract

A presser foot assembly includes a presser foot and a presser holder. The presser holder is connected to the presser foot and mountable to a presser bar of a sewing machine. The presser foot includes a presser plate and a connection portion. The presser holder includes a mounting member, a holder body, a guide member, and a fixing member. The holder body is connected to the connection portion. The guide member guides the holder body to be movable in a second direction with respect to the mounting member. The fixing member fixes the holder body with respect to the mounting member. A first recess and a second recess of the presser plate are located between one end and the connection portion in a first direction. The connection portion is located between the first recess and another end in the first direction.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-058252 filed on Mar. 31, 2025. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A presser foot for holding a sewing workpiece is used with a sewing machine.SUMMARY

[0003] A one-side presser foot (zipper presser foot) is detachably attached to a lower end of a presser bar of a sewing machine. The one-side presser foot has recesses for dropping a needle at both left and right ends of a plate-shaped presser portion.

[0004] A sewing machine holds and feeds a sewing workpiece between a feed dog and a presser foot. The one-side presser foot is often used for the purpose of sewing an end of the sewing workpiece. For example, the one-side presser foot is used for sewing a zipper. Therefore, in the sewing workpiece, the region sandwiched between the one-side presser foot and the feed dog is smaller than, for example, the region sandwiched between a zigzag presser foot and the feed dog. The region of the sewing workpiece which is sandwiched between the presser foot and the feed dog affects the feed performance. In other words, the feeding performance of the one-side presser foot tends to be lower than that of the zigzag presser foot. In order to sufficiently exhibit the feeding performance in the one-side presser foot, the position of the presser foot with respect to the feed dog and the presser bar may be adjusted. However, the known one-side presser foot cannot change the position with respect to the feed dog and the presser bar. Therefore, the feeding performance may not be sufficiently exhibited.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, an example of an object of this disclosure is to provide a presser foot assembly and a sewing machine configured to press a sewing workpiece so that the sewing workpiece is appropriately fed by a feed dog of the sewing machine.

[0006] According to a first aspect, this specification discloses a presser foot assembly. The presser foot assembly includes a presser foot and a presser holder. The presser holder is connected to the presser foot and mountable to a presser bar of a sewing machine. The presser foot includes a presser plate and a connection portion. The presser plate extends in a first direction. The connection portion connects the presser plate to the presser holder. The presser plate includes a first end, a second end, a first recess, a second recess, a third end, and a fourth end. The first end is an end in one direction along a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The second end is an end in an other direction along the second direction. The first recess is recessed from the first end toward the second end. The second recess is recessed from the second end toward the first end. The third end is an end in one direction along the first direction. The fourth end is an end in an other direction along the first direction. The presser holder includes a mounting member, a holder body, a guide member, and a fixing member. The mounting member is mountable to the presser bar. The holder body is connected to the connection portion of the presser foot. The guide member extends in the second direction. The guide member is configured to guide the holder body to be movable in the second direction with respect to the mounting member. The fixing member is configured to fix the holder body with respect to the mounting member. The first recess and the second recess are located between the third end and the connection portion in the first direction. The connection portion is located between the first recess and the fourth end in the first direction.

[0007] According to a second aspect, this specification also discloses a sewing machine. The sewing machine includes a presser bar, a presser foot assembly, and a bed. The presser foot assembly includes a presser foot extending in a first direction, and a presser holder connected to the presser foot and mountable to the presser bar. The presser foot assembly has configurations as described above. The bed extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] According to the first and second aspects, the presser foot connected to the holder body of the presser holder is movable in the second direction with respect to the mounting member fixed to the presser bar. Thus, the presser foot assembly contributes to making the position of the presser foot with respect to the presser bar adjustable. The presser foot assembly contributes to pressing the sewing workpiece such that the sewing workpiece is appropriately fed by the feed dog of the sewing machine.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing machine 1.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the vicinity of a presser bar 14B of the sewing machine 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a presser foot assembly 2 located at a central position.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the presser foot assembly 2.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view of the presser foot assembly 2.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the presser foot assembly 2.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the presser foot assembly 2.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the presser foot assembly 2.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7 as viewed in the direction of the arrow.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 5 as viewed in the direction of the arrow.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 5 as viewed in the direction of the arrow.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the presser foot assembly 2 with a holder body 5A at a first position.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the presser foot assembly 2 with the holder body 5A at a second position.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a simplified view of the presser foot assembly 2, feed dog holes 160 and a sewing needle S with the holder body 5A at the first position.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a simplified view of the presser foot assembly 2, the feed dog holes 160 and the sewing needle S with the holder body 5A at the second position.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a simplified view of a presser foot 7A, the feed dog holes 160 and the sewing needle S in a case where a presser foot assembly 7, which is a one-side presser foot, is mounted on the sewing machine 1.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a simplified view of a presser foot 8A, the feed dog holes 160 and the sewing needle S in a case where a presser foot assembly 8, which is a zigzag presser foot, is mounted on the sewing machine 1.

[0026] FIG. 18 is a view showing a presser foot assembly 2.DESCRIPTION

[0027] A sewing machine 1 and a presser foot assembly 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, left upper, right lower, left lower, right upper, upper and lower are left, right, front, rear, upper and lower of the sewing machine 1 and the presser foot assembly 2.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the sewing machine 1 includes a bed 11, a column 12, an arm 13, and a head 14. The bed 11 is a base of the sewing machine 1 extending in the left-right direction. The column 12 extends upward from the right end of the bed 11. An LCD 15 is connected to the front surface of the column 12. The arm 13 extends leftward from the upper end of the column 12. The column 12 faces the bed 11 in the upper-lower direction (vertical direction). The head 14 is located at the left end of the arm 13.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, a needle bar 14A and a presser bar 14B are connected to the head 14. The needle bar 14A and the presser bar 14B extend in the upper-lower direction. The lower ends of the needle bar 14A and the presser bar 14B protrude downward from the lower end of the head 14.

[0030] A sewing needle S is detachably attached to the lower end of the needle bar 14A. When a sewing workpiece is sewn, the needle bar 14A is reciprocated in the upper-lower direction. The needle bar 14A is movable in the left-right direction according to the setting of the user. The setting in which the needle bar 14A is located at the center in the left-right direction is referred to as "middle baseline setting". The setting in which the needle bar 14A is located on the left is referred to as "left baseline setting". The setting in which the needle bar 14A is located on the right is referred to as "right baseline setting".

[0031] The presser bar 14B is located rearward of the needle bar 14A. The presser foot assembly 2 is attached to the lower end of the presser bar 14B. The presser foot assembly 2 is fixed to the presser bar 14B by a thumb screw 19.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 14, a needle plate 16 is located on the upper surface of the bed 11. The needle plate 16 is a plate perpendicular to the upper-lower direction. A needle hole 16H and feed dog holes 160 are formed in the needle plate 16. The needle hole 16H and the feed dog holes 160 are formed through the needle plate 16 in the upper-lower direction.

[0033] The needle hole 16H is an elongated hole extending in the left-right direction and is curved. When sewing is performed with the middle baseline setting, the sewing needle S passes through the center of the needle hole 16H in the left-right direction. When sewing is performed with the left baseline setting, the sewing needle S passes through the left end of the needle hole 16H. When the sewing is performed with the right baseline setting, the sewing needle S passes through the right end of the needle hole 16H.

[0034] The feed dog holes 160 include a plurality of center holes 16C, a left hole 16L, and a right hole 16R. The center holes 16C, the left hole 16L, and the right hole 16R are elongated holes extending in the front-rear direction. The left hole 16L is located to the left of the plurality of center holes 16C. The right hole 16R is located to the right of the plurality of center holes 16C. In FIG. 3, the plurality of center holes 16C are located below the presser foot assembly 2 and are hidden.

[0035] The bed 11 accommodates a hook (not shown), feed dogs 18, and so on below the needle plate 16.

[0036] The hook accommodates a bobbin thread. When the sewing needle S moves through the needle hole 16H to the inside of the bed 11, the hook entwines a needle thread with the bobbin thread to form a stitch.

[0037] The feed dogs 18 feed a sewing workpiece M placed on the bed 11 forward. The feed dogs 18 are driven by a feed mechanism in the bed 11 and repeat an upward movement, a rearward movement, a downward movement, and a forward movement. The feed dogs 18 move upward with respect to the feed dog holes 160 by the upward movement, and contact the lower surface of the sewing workpiece M. The feed dogs 18 move rearward by the rearward movement, and feed the sewing workpiece M rearward. The feed dogs 18 move downward with respect to the feed dog holes 160 by the downward movement, and are separated from the lower surface of the sewing workpiece M. The feed dogs 18 move forward under the needle plate 16 by the forward movement.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the feed dogs 18 include a plurality of center feed dogs 18C, a left feed dog 18L, and a right feed dog 18R. Each of the center feed dogs 18C, the left feed dog 18L, and the right feed dog 18R extends in the front-rear direction. The center feed dogs 18C, the left feed dog 18L, and the right feed dog 18R have a plurality of teeth on the upper surface. The plurality of center feed dogs 18C move up and down with respect to the plurality of center holes 16C of the feed dog holes 160. The left feed dog 18L moves up and down with respect to the left hole 16L of the feed dog holes 160. The right feed dog 18R moves up and down with respect to the right hole 16R of the feed dog holes 160. The dimension of the left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R in the front-rear direction is greater than the dimension of the plurality of center feed dogs 18C in the front-rear direction. The left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R have a larger area for sandwiching (clamping) the sewing workpiece M between the presser foot assembly 2 and the feed dogs 18 than the center feed dogs 18C. That is, the left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R have higher feed performance than the plurality of center feed dogs 18C. In FIG. 3, the plurality of center feed dogs 18C are located below the presser foot assembly 2 and are hidden.

[0039] The distance in the left-right direction between the left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R of the feed dogs 18 is denoted by L1. More specifically, L1 is the distance in the left-right direction between the left end of the left feed dog 18L and the right end of the right feed dog 18R. The distance between the front end and the rear end of the feed dog holes 160 in the front-rear direction is denoted by L4. The distance L4 corresponds to the distance in the front-rear direction of a movable region in which the left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R are movable.

[0040] The presser foot assembly 2 presses the sewing workpiece from above to reduce the lifting of the sewing workpiece during sewing. The presser foot assembly 2 presses the sewing workpiece against the feed dogs 18 during rearward movement of the feed dogs 18. The presser foot assembly 2 supports the feed of the sewing workpiece by the feed dogs 18. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 11, the presser foot assembly 2 includes a presser foot 2A and a presser holder 2B.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the presser foot 2A includes a presser plate 3A and a connection portion 3B.

[0042] The presser plate 3A includes a rectangular plate body 31 having a curved portion. The long side of the plate body 31 extends in the front-rear direction. The plate body 31 includes a flat portion 30A, a front curved portion 30B, and a rear curved portion 30C. The flat portion 30A is flat and perpendicular to the upper-lower direction. The dimension of the flat portion 30A in the front-rear direction is, for example, approximately 27 mm. The front curved portion 30B is located forward of the flat portion 30A and is curved upward. The angle of inclination of the front curved portion 30B with respect to the horizontal plane is, for example, approximately 37 degrees. The rear curved portion 30C is located rearward of the flat portion 30A and is curved upward. The dimension of the front curved portion 30B in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension of the rear curved portion 30C in the front-rear direction.

[0043] The left end of the plate body 31 is referred to as a "first end 31L". The right end of the plate body 31 is referred to as a "second end 31R". The front end of the plate body 31 is referred to as a "third end 31F". The rear end of the plate body 31 is referred to as a "fourth end 31B". The third end 31F is located above the fourth end 31B. As shown in FIG. 7, an imaginary line passing through the center of the plate body 31 in the left-right direction is referred to as a "center line C". Although not shown in the drawing, the center line C extends in the front-rear direction.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the distance in the left-right direction between the first end 31L and the second end 31R of the plate body 31 is denoted by L2. The distance L2 is smaller than the distance L1 in the left-right direction between the left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R of the feed dogs 18. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the distance between the third end 31F and the fourth end 31B of the plate body 31 in the front-rear direction is denoted by L5. The distance L5 is larger than the distance L4 in the front-rear direction between the front end and the rear end of the feed dog holes 160. In other words, the distance L5 is larger than the distance L4 in the front-rear direction of the movable region of the left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first recess 32L is formed in the first end 31L of the flat portion 30A of the plate body 31. The first recess 32L is recessed toward the second end 31R. A second recess 32R is formed in the second end 31R of the flat portion 30A of the plate body 31. The second recess 32R is recessed toward the first end 31L.

[0046] A through hole 33 is formed in the plate body 31 to the right of the first recess 32L and to the left of the second recess 32R. The through hole 33 has a circular shape and is formed through the plate body 31 in the upper-lower direction. The center of the through hole 33 is located on the center line C.

[0047] The first recess 32L, the second recess 32R, and the through hole 33 are arranged in the left-right direction. The through hole 33 is located between the first recess 32L and the second recess 32R in the left-right direction. The first recess 32L, the second recess 32R, and the through hole 33 are located in the vicinity of the boundary between the flat portion 30A and the front curved portion 30B in the front-rear direction.

[0048] A first protrusion 34L is located in a portion of the plate body 31 between the first recess 32L and the through hole 33. A second protrusion 34R is located in a portion of the plate body 31 between the second recess 32R and the through hole 33. As shown in FIG. 9, the first protrusion 34L and the second protrusion 34R protrude upward from the plate body 31 and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 9, the first protrusion 34L has a first vertex 35P and a first inclined portion 350.

[0050] The first vertex 35P is an end of the first protrusion 34L protruding upward. The first vertex 35P is a ridge formed on the surface of the first protrusion 34L and extends in the front-rear direction. The distance between the first vertex 35P and the left end of the through hole 33 in the left-right direction is denoted by L11. The distance between the first vertex 35P and the right end of the first recess 32L in the left-right direction is denoted by L12. The distance L11 is greater than the distance L12.

[0051] The first inclined portion 350 is inclined toward at least the through hole 33 or the first recess 32L, that is, toward either or both of the through hole 33 and the first recess 32L. The first inclined portion 350 includes a first inclined surface 35A and a second inclined surface 35B crossing at the first vertex 35P. The first inclined surface 35A and the second inclined surface 35B are inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. The first inclined surface 35A extends from the first vertex 35P toward the through hole 33 obliquely downward to the right. The second inclined surface 35B extends from the first vertex 35P toward the first recess 32L obliquely downward to the left.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 9, the second protrusion 34R has a second vertex 36P and a second inclined portion 360.

[0053] The second vertex 36P is an end of the second protrusion 34R protruding upward. The second vertex 36P is a ridge formed on the surface of the second protrusion 34R and extends in the front-rear direction. The distance between the second vertex 36P and the right end of the through hole 33 in the left-right direction is denoted by L21. The distance between the second vertex 36P and the left end of the second recess 32R in the left-right direction is denoted by L22. The distance L21 is greater than the distance L22.

[0054] The second inclined portion 360 is inclined toward at least the through hole 33 or the second recess 32R, that is, toward either one or both of the through hole 33 and the second recess 32R. The second inclined portion 360 includes a third inclined surface 36A and a fourth inclined surface 36B crossing at the second vertex 36P. The third inclined surface 36A and the fourth inclined surface 36B are inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. The third inclined surface 36A extends from the second vertex 36P toward the through hole 33 obliquely downward to the left. The fourth inclined surface 36B extends from the second vertex 36P toward the second recess 32R obliquely downward to the right.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, a window 37 is formed in the front curved portion 30B of the plate body 31. The window 37 is a through hole formed through the plate body 31 in the upper-lower direction. The window 37 is rectangular in shape. The long side of the window 37 extends in the front-rear direction. The dimension of the window 37 in the front-rear direction is greater than the dimension of the window 37 in the left-right direction. The extending direction of the window 37 is parallel to the moving direction of the sewing workpiece moved by the feed dogs 18.

[0056] The center of the window 37 in the left-right direction is located on the center line C. The window 37 and the through hole 33 overlap each other in the front-rear direction. That is, the window 37 and the through hole 33 are located on a common line extending in the front-rear direction.

[0057] The connection portion 3B connects the presser plate 3A to the presser holder 2B described later. The connection portion 3B has a first connection portion 38L, a second connection portion 38R, and a connecting shaft 39.

[0058] The first connection portion 38L extends upward from a position rearward of the first recess 32L in the first end 31L of the flat portion 30A of the plate body 31. The second connection portion 38R extends upward from a position rearward of the second recess 32R in the second end 31R of the flat portion 30A of the plate body 31.

[0059] The first connection portion 38L and the second connection portion 38R are plates perpendicular to the left-right direction. Each of the first connection portion 38L and the second connection portion 38R has a through hole 38H in the vicinity of the front end. The through holes 38H are formed through the first connection portion 38L and the second connection portion 38R in the left-right direction.

[0060] The connecting shaft 39 is a cylindrical body. The connecting shaft 39 extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the connecting shaft 39 is inserted into the through hole 38H of the first connection portion 38L. The right end of the connecting shaft 39 is inserted into the through hole 38H of the second connection portion 38R.

[0061] The first recess 32L and the second recess 32R are located between the third end 31F of the plate body 31 and the connection portion 3B in the front-rear direction. The connection portion 3B is located between the fourth end 31B of the plate body 31 and the first recess 32L and the second recess 32R in the front-rear direction. The presser plate 3A includes a portion extending forward from the connection portion 3B toward the third end 31F and a portion extending rearward from the connection portion 3B toward the fourth end 31B.

[0062] The presser holder 2B is a holder for mounting the presser foot assembly 2 on the presser bar 14B. The presser holder 2B includes a mounting member (mounting bracket) 4, a holder body 5A, a guide member (elongate member) 5B, and a fixing member 6.

[0063] The mounting member 4 is mounted on the presser bar 14B. After the mounting member 4 is mounted on the presser bar 14B, the mounting member 4 is fixed to the presser bar 14B by the thumb screw 19. The mounting member 4 includes a first mounting portion 4A and a second mounting portion 4B.

[0064] The first mounting portion 4A includes a first base portion 41 and positioning portions 42, 43, and 44. The first base portion 41 is a plate perpendicular to the left-right direction. The positioning portion 42 extends from the rear end of the first base portion 41 toward the right. A recess 45 is formed in the front end of the first base portion 41. The recess 45 is recessed toward the rear. The positioning portion 43 extends rightward from a position above the recess 45 at the front end of the first base portion 41. The positioning portion 44 extends to the right from a position below the recess 45 in the front end of the first base portion 41.

[0065] The second mounting portion 4B is located below the first mounting portion 4A. The second mounting portion 4B includes a second base portion 47. The second base portion 47 is a plate perpendicular to the left-right direction. The second base portion 47 is formed with a guide hole 48 and a screw hole 49. The guide hole 48 is a through hole formed through the second base portion 47 in the left-right direction. The screw hole 49 extends forward from the rear end of the second base portion 47. The front end of the screw hole 49 communicates with the guide hole 48 inside the second base portion 47. A thread is formed on the surface of the screw hole 49.

[0066] The holder body 5A is connected to the connection portion 3B of the presser foot 2A. The holder body 5A includes a first body portion 51 and a second body portion 52.

[0067] The first body portion 51 includes a first wall 51L, a second wall 51R, a rear extension portion 51B, and a lower extension portion 51S.

[0068] The first wall 51L and the second wall 51R are plates perpendicular to the left-right direction. The first wall 51L is located to the left of the mounting member 4 in the left-right direction. The second wall 51R is located to the right of the mounting member 4 in the left-right direction. The first wall 51L and the second wall 51R are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The rear extension portion 51B extends between the rear ends of the first wall 51L and the second wall 51R. The lower extension portion 51S extends between the lower ends of the first wall 51L and the second wall 51R.

[0069] The distance between the first wall 51L and the second wall 51R in the left-right direction is denoted by L3. The distance L3 corresponds to the maximum dimension of the holder body 5A in the left-right direction. The distance L3 is larger than a distance L2 which is the dimension of the presser plate 3A of the presser foot 2A in the left-right direction.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the first wall 51L and the second wall 51R are formed with through holes 56. The through holes 56 are circular. The through holes 56 are formed through the first wall 51L and the second wall 51R in the left-right direction.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8, the rear extension portion 51B is formed with an elongated hole 57. The elongated hole 57 extends in the left-right direction. The elongated hole 57 is formed through the rear extension portion 51B in the front-rear direction. The elongated hole 57 includes a first restricting portion (first restricting surface) 57L and a second restricting portion (second restricting surface) 57R. The first restricting portion 57L and the second restricting portion 57R are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The elongated hole 57 extends in the left-right direction between the first restricting portion 57L and the second restricting portion 57R. The distance between the first restricting portion 57L and the second restricting portion 57R in the left-right direction is denoted by L6.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, the second body portion 52 is connected to the center in the left-right direction of the lower extension portion 51S of the first body portion 51. The second body portion 52 extends downward and obliquely forward. A through hole is formed through the front end of the second body portion 52 in the left-right direction. The connecting shaft 39 of the connection portion 3B of the presser foot 2A is inserted through the through hole of the second body portion 52. The presser plate 3A of the presser foot 2A is connected to the second body portion 52 by the connection portion 3B. The presser plate 3A is not detachable from the holder body 5A. The presser plate 3A is rotatable about the connecting shaft 39 with respect to the holder body 5A.

[0073] The guide member 5B is a cylindrical shaft. The guide member 5B extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the guide member 5B is inserted into the through hole 56 of the first wall 51L of the holder body 5A and fixed to the first wall 51L. The right end of the guide member 5B is inserted through the through hole 56 of the second wall 51R of the holder body 5A and fixed to the second wall 51R.

[0074] The guide member 5B is inserted through the guide hole 48 of the mounting member 4. The mounting member 4 is located between the first wall 51L and the second wall 51R of the holder body 5A in the left-right direction. The mounting member 4 is movable in the left-right direction along the guide member 5B. The guide member 5B guides the holder body 5A such that the holder body 5A is movable in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting member 4.

[0075] The fixing member 6 is a thumb screw. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the fixing member 6 includes an operating portion 61, a first shaft 62, and a second shaft 63.

[0076] The operating portion 61 corresponds to the head of the thumb screw and is operated by the user. The operating portion 61 is located rearward of the rear extension portion 51B of the holder body 5A. The operating portion 61 is located rearward of the fourth end 31B of the plate body 31 of the presser foot 2A in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the operating portion 61 overlaps a center line C passing through the center of the plate body 31 in the left-right direction when viewed from above. Therefore, in the state viewed from above, the operating portion 61 overlaps the plate body 31 of the presser foot 2A in the front-rear direction. That is, the operating portion 61 and the plate body 31 of the presser foot 2A are located on a common line extending in the front-rear direction, when viewed in the upper-lower direction. In other words, the fixing member 6 (thumb screw) and the presser foot 2A are located on a common line extending in the front-rear direction, when viewed in the upper-lower direction. Further, the fixing member 6 (thumb screw) and the presser bar 14B are located on a common line extending in the front-rear direction, when viewed in the upper-lower direction (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first shaft 62 is a cylindrical body and extends forward from the operating portion 61. The first shaft 62 is inserted through the elongated hole 57 of the rear extension portion 51B. The first shaft 62 is inserted through the elongated hole 57 in a state where a small space is formed with respect to the upper end and the lower end of the elongated hole 57. When the mounting member 4 is not mounted on the presser bar 14B, the rotation of the fixing member 6 about the first shaft 62 is stopped at the point when the operating portion 61 contacts the rear extension portion 51B, and thus the rotation is restricted.

[0078] The first shaft 62 is located to the right of the first restricting portion 57L shown in FIG. 8. The first shaft 62 is located to the left of the second restricting portion 57R shown in FIG. 8. The diameter of the first shaft 62 is the distance between the left end and the right end of the first shaft 62 and the distance between the upper end and the lower end of the first shaft 62. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the diameter of the first shaft 62 is denoted by L7.

[0079] The second shaft 63 is a screw shaft and extends forward from the front end of the first shaft 62. The second shaft 63 is screwed into the screw hole 49 of the mounting member 4. The fixing member 6 and the mounting member 4 contact each other via the second shaft 63 and the screw hole 49.

[0080] The fixing member 6 moves rearward with respect to the mounting member 4 when the fixing member 6 is rotated counterclockwise (when viewed from the rear) about the first shaft 62 and the second shaft 63. As shown in FIG. 11, the front end of the second shaft 63 is spaced apart from the guide member 5B. The mounting member 4 is movable in the left-right direction with respect to the guide member 5B. The mounting member 4 is movable leftward with respect to the guide member 5B until the fixing member 6 contacts the first restricting portion 57L. The mounting member 4 is movable to the right with respect to the guide member 5B until the fixing member 6 contacts the second restricting portion 57R.

[0081] The fixing member 6 moves forward with respect to the mounting member 4 when the fixing member 6 is rotated clockwise (when viewed from the rear), which is opposite to counterclockwise, about the first shaft 62 and the second shaft 63. As shown in FIG. 10, the front end of the second shaft 63 is close to the guide member 5B. In a state where the front end of the second shaft 63 contacts the guide member 5B, the mounting member 4 is not movable in the left-right direction with respect to the guide member 5B.

[0082] Mounting of the presser foot assembly 2 on the sewing machine 1 is described. The user moves the presser foot assembly 2 from the left of the sewing machine 1 toward the presser bar 14B. The presser bar 14B contacts the right surface of the first base portion 41 of the mounting member 4. The position of the mounting member 4 in the front-rear direction with respect to the presser bar 14B is determined by the positioning portions 42, 43, and 44.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 2, the user inserts the screw shaft of the thumb screw 19 into the screw hole of the presser bar 14B from the left. The screw shaft passes through the region surrounded by the recess 45 of the mounting member 4 of the presser foot assembly 2 toward the left. The user rotates the operating portion of the thumb screw 19 to screw the screw shaft of the thumb screw 19 into the screw hole of the presser bar 14B. The first base portion 41 of the mounting member 4 is sandwiched and held between the left end of the presser bar 14B and the operating portion of the thumb screw 19. In this way, the presser foot assembly 2 is mounted on the presser bar 14B and fixed by the thumb screw 19.

[0084] Movement of the presser foot 2A with respect to the presser bar 14B is described. The user rotates the operating portion 61 of the fixed portion 6 in the counterclockwise direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the fixing member 6 moves rearward with respect to the mounting member 4. The front end of the second shaft 63 is spaced apart from the guide member 5B. The mounting member 4 is movable in the left-right direction with respect to the holder body 5A to which the guide member 5B is fixed.

[0085] The user moves the holder body 5A in the left-right direction by holding the holder body 5A. The presser foot 2A connected to the holder body 5A moves in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting member 4. That is, the presser foot 2A connected to the holder body 5A moves in the left-right direction with respect to the presser bar 14B to which the mounting member 4 is fixed.

[0086] FIG. 12 shows a state where the holder body 5A is moved to the left with respect to the presser bar 14B. The first shaft 62 of the fixing member 6 contacts the second restricting portion 57R of the holder body 5A. The second mounting portion 4B of the mounting member 4 contacts the second wall 51R. The position of the holder body 5A in the left-right direction in a state where the first shaft 62 of the fixing member 6 contacts the second restricting portion 57R is referred to as a "first position". FIG. 14 schematically shows the presser foot assembly 2 in the same state as FIG. 12, that is, the state where the holder body 5A of the presser foot assembly 2 is at the first position.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 14, in a state where the holder body 5A is at the first position, the first end 31L of the plate body 31 of the presser plate 3A and the left end of the left feed dog 18L overlap in the upper-lower direction. The through hole 33 of the presser foot assembly 2 is located above the left end of the needle hole 16H of the needle plate 16. The second recess 32R of the presser foot assembly 2 is located above the center of the needle hole 16H of the needle plate 16 in the left-right direction. The presser foot assembly 2 overlaps the left hole 16L and the left feed dog 18L in the upper-lower direction. That is, the sewing workpiece is sandwiched and held between the presser foot assembly 2 and the left feed dog 18L.

[0088] FIG. 13 shows a state where the holder body 5A is moved to the right with respect to the presser bar 14B. The fixing member 6 contacts the first restricting portion 57L of the holder body 5A. The second mounting portion 4B of the mounting member 4 does not contact the first wall 51L. The position of the holder body 5A in the left-right direction in a state where the first shaft 62 of the fixing member 6 contacts the first restricting portion 57L is referred to as a "second position". FIG. 15 schematically shows the presser foot assembly 2 in the same state as FIG. 13, that is, the state where the holder body 5A of the presser foot assembly 2 is at the second position.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 15, in a state where the holder body 5A is at the second position, the second end 31R of the plate body 31 of the presser plate 3A and the right end of the right feed dog 18R overlap in the upper-lower direction. The through hole 33 of the presser foot assembly 2 is located above the right end of the needle hole 16H of the needle plate 16. The first recess 32L of the presser foot assembly 2 is located above the center of the needle hole 16H of the needle plate 16 in the left-right direction. The presser foot assembly 2 overlaps the right hole 16R and the right feed dog 18R in the upper-lower direction. That is, the sewing workpiece is sandwiched and held between the presser foot assembly 2 and the right feed dog 18R.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the value obtained by subtracting a distance L7 in the left-right direction between the left end and the right end of the first shaft 62 of the fixing member 6 from a distance L6 in the left-right direction between the first restricting portion 57L and the second restricting portion 57R indicates a maximum movement distance M1 in the left-right direction of the holder body 5A with respect to the mounting member 4. The value obtained by subtracting the distance L2 in the left-right direction between the first end 31L and the second end 31R of the presser plate 3A from the distance L1 in the left-right direction between the left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R of the feed dogs 18 indicates a maximum movement distance M2 in the left-right direction of the presser plate 3A connected to the holder body 5A. The maximum movement distance M1 is equal to the maximum movement distance M2.

[0091] FIG. 3 shows a state where the holder body 5A is in the center position. The center position is a position located at the center between the first position and the second position in the left-right direction.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 12, when the holder body 5A is at the first position, the operating portion 61 overlaps the plate body 31 of the presser foot 2A in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 13, when the holder body 5A is at the second position, the operating portion 61 overlaps the plate body 31 of the presser foot 2A in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3, when the holder body 5A is located at the center position, the operating portion 61 overlaps the plate body 31 of the presser foot 2A in the front-rear direction, when viewed in the upper-lower direction. That is, the fixing member 6 overlaps the plate body 31 of the presser foot 2A in the front-rear direction, when viewed in the upper-lower direction, regardless of the position of the presser foot assembly 2.

[0093] After the presser foot 2A is moved to an intended position in the left-right direction, the user rotates the operating portion 61 of the fixing member 6 clockwise. The fixing member 6 moves forward with respect to the mounting member 4. As shown in FIG. 10, the front end of the second shaft 63 contacts the guide member 5B. The holder body 5A to which the guide member 5B is fixed becomes unmovable with respect to the mounting member 4. That is, the holder body 5A to which the guide member 5B is fixed becomes unmovable with respect to the presser bar 14B. The position of the presser foot 2A in the left-right direction with respect to the presser bar 14B is fixed.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 3, when the sewing machine 1 with the middle baseline setting is used to perform sewing in a state where the holder body 5A of the presser foot assembly 2 is at the center position, the sewing needle S passes through the through hole 33 of the presser foot 2A. When the sewing machine 1 with the left baseline setting is used to perform sewing in a state where the holder body 5A of the presser foot assembly 2 is at the center position, the sewing needle S passes through the first recess 32L of the presser foot 2A. When the sewing machine 1 with the right baseline setting is used to perform sewing in a state where the holder body 5A of the presser foot assembly 2 is at the center position, the sewing needle S passes through the second recess 32R of the presser foot 2A.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 12, when the sewing machine 1 with the left baseline setting is used to perform sewing in a state where the holder body 5A of the presser foot assembly 2 is at the first position, the sewing needle S passes through the through hole 33 of the presser foot 2A. When the sewing machine 1 with the middle baseline setting is used to perform sewing in a state where the holder body 5A of the presser foot assembly 2 is at the first position, the sewing needle S passes through the second recess 32R of the presser foot 2A.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 13, when the sewing machine 1 with the right baseline setting is used to perform sewing in a state where the holder body 5A of the presser foot assembly 2 is at the second position, the sewing needle S passes through the through hole 33 of the presser foot 2A. When the sewing machine 1 having the middle baseline setting is used to perform sewing in a state where the holder body 5A of the presser foot assembly 2 is at the second position, the sewing needle S passes through the first recess 32L of the presser foot 2A.

[0097] The operations and advantageous effects of the present embodiment are described. The mounting member 4 of the presser foot assembly 2 fixed to the presser bar 14B is guided in the left-right direction by the guide member 5B. Therefore, the presser foot 2A connected to the holder body 5A of the presser holder 2B is movable in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting member 4. Therefore, the presser foot assembly 2 contributes to making the position of the presser foot 2A with respect to the presser bar 14B adjustable. The presser foot assembly 2 serves to press the sewing workpiece so that the sewing workpiece is appropriately fed by the feed dogs 18 of the sewing machine 1.

[0098] FIG. 17 is a simplified view showing a presser foot 8A, the feed dog holes 160, and the sewing needle S when a presser foot assembly 8, which is a zigzag presser foot, is attached to the sewing machine 1. The dimension of the presser foot 8A in the left-right direction of a presser plate 81 is equal to the distance L1 which is the dimension of the feed dog holes 160 in the left-right direction. The left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R sandwich and hold the sewing workpiece M together with the pressing plate 81. The presser foot assembly 8 uses the left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R when feeding the sewing workpiece M.

[0099] The pressing plate 81 is formed with a through hole 83 through which the sewing needle S passes. The sewing needle S shown in FIG. 17 passes through the center in the left-right direction of the through hole 83 and the needle hole 16H. The sewing needle S may pass through the left ends of the through hole 83 and the needle hole 16H or the right ends of the through hole 83 and the needle hole 16H.

[0100] When a user performs a zipper sewing operation, the user wants to sew an end Me of the sewing workpiece M, which is in the vicinity of metal teeth of the zipper. However, if the presser plate 81 is in a region adjacent to the through hole 83 and the needle hole 16H in the left-right direction as in the case of the zigzag presser foot assembly 8 shown in FIG. 17, the presser plate 81 interferes with the metal teeth of the zipper.

[0101] FIG. 16 is a simplified view showing a presser foot 7A, the feed dog holes 160, and the sewing needle S when a presser foot assembly 7, which is a known one-side presser foot (zipper presser foot), is attached to the sewing machine 1. A presser plate 71 of the presser foot 7A has a first recess 72L and a second recess 72R through which the sewing needle S passes. The first recess 72L and the second recess 72R are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The first recess 72L is located at the left end of the pressing plate 71. The second recess 72R is located at the right end of the pressing plate 71. The first recess 72L overlaps the left end of the needle hole 16H in the upper-lower direction. The second recess 72R overlaps the right end of the needle hole 16H in the upper-lower direction. In the presser foot assembly 7, the presser plate 71 is not in the region adjacent to the first recess 72L on the left. In the presser foot assembly 7, the presser plate 71 is not in the region adjacent to the second recess 72R on the right.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 16, when the user performs a zipper sewing operation, the sewing needle S passes through the second recess 72R. Since no presser plate is in in the region adjacent to the second recess 72R on the right, the presser foot assembly 7 is unlikely to interfere with the zipper even if the metal teeth of the zipper are placed. This allows the user to smoothly perform the operation of attaching the zipper. Therefore, the presser foot assembly 7, which is a one-side presser foot, is often used for attaching the zipper.

[0103] As in the case of the presser foot assembly 7 which is a known one-side presser foot, the dimension of the presser plate 71 in the left-right direction is smaller than the distance L1 which is the dimension of the feed dog holes 160 in the left-right direction. The left feed dog 18L and the right feed dog 18R do not overlap the pressing plate 71 in the upper-lower direction. That is, the presser foot assembly 7 does not sandwich and hold the sewing workpiece M together with the left feed dog 18L or the right feed dog 18R. The presser foot assembly 7 does not use the left feed dog 18L or the right feed dog 18R when feeding the sewing workpiece M. Therefore, the known one-side presser foot has a lower feed performance than the zigzag presser foot.

[0104] According to the present embodiment, for example, when the user performs a zipper sewing operation using the presser foot assembly 2, the user moves the holder body 5A to the first position or the second position.

[0105] FIG. 14 is a simplified view of the presser foot assembly 2, the feed dog holes 160, and the sewing needle S when the holder body 5A is at the first position. The user places the metal teeth of the zipper adjacent to the presser plate 3A on the right and forms a stitch in the vicinity of the metal teeth of the zipper. The sewing needle S passes through the second recess 32R. As in the case of the known one-side presser foot, the presser plate 3A is not in the region adjacent to the second recess 32R on the right. Therefore, when using the presser foot assembly 2, the presser foot 2A is less likely to interfere with the metal teeth of the zipper. Since the holder body 5A is moved to the first position, the left feed dog 18L overlaps the presser plate 3A in the upper-lower direction. The presser foot assembly 2 uses the left feed dog 18L when feeding the sewing workpiece M. Therefore, the presser foot assembly 2 has a higher feed performance than the known one-side presser foot.

[0106] FIG. 15 is a simplified view of the presser foot assembly 2, the feed dog holes 160, and the sewing needle S when the holder body 5A is at the second position. The user places the metal teeth of the zipper to the left of the presser plate 3A and forms a stitch in the vicinity of the metal teeth of the zipper. The sewing needle S passes through the first recess32L. As in the known one-side presser foot, the presser plate 3A is not in the region adjacent to the first recess 32L on the left. Therefore, when using the presser foot assembly 2, the presser foot 2A is less likely to interfere with the metal teeth of the zipper. Since the holder body 5A is moved to the second position, the right feed dog 18R overlaps the presser plate 3A in the upper-lower direction. The presser foot assembly 2 uses the right feed dog 18R when feeding the sewing workpiece. Therefore, the presser foot assembly 2 has a higher feed performance than the known one-side presser foot.

[0107] The presser foot assembly 2 contributes to sewing by forming stitches in the vicinity of the metal teeth of the zipper while preventing the presser foot 2A from interfering with the metal teeth of the zipper. When the holder body 5A is at the first position, the presser foot assembly 2 presses the sewing workpiece against the center feed dogs 18C and the left feed dog 18L by the presser foot 2A. When the holder body 5A is at the second position, the presser foot assembly 2 presses the sewing workpiece against the center feed dogs 18C and the right feed dog 18R by the presser foot 2A. The presser foot assembly 2 contributes to the sewing machine 1 feeding the sewing workpiece properly by the feed dogs 18 when the holder body 5A is at either the first position or the second position.

[0108] The sewing machine 1 performs sewing by causing the sewing needle S to pass through the through hole 33 of the presser foot 2A when the holder body 5A is at either the first position or the second position. The presser foot 2A presses both the left and right positions with respect to the sewing position of the sewing workpiece. The presser foot assembly 2 contributes to pressing the sewing workpiece by the presser foot 2A so that the sewing workpiece is appropriately fed by the feed dogs 18.

[0109] The presser plate 3A of the presser foot 2A extends in the front-rear direction with respect to the connection portion 3B. The plate body 31 of the presser plate 3A includes the flat portion 30A, the front curved portion 30B, and the rear curved portion 30C. The third end 31F of the plate body 31 is located above the fourth end 31B. Therefore, the presser foot assembly 2 contributes to the sewing operation of the sewing machine 1 while guiding the sewing workpiece by the front curved portion 30B. More specifically, when the sewing machine 1 sews an edge of a piping having a large height, for example, the presser foot assembly 2 contributes to performing the sewing operation while guiding the piping by the front curved portion 30B. The presser foot assembly 2 also contributes to pressing the sewing workpiece with the rear curved portion 30C. Therefore, in the presser foot assembly 2, even when the presser plate 3A is rotated (inclined) in the direction in which the front curved portion 30B moves upward about the connecting shaft 39, the rear curved portion 30C presses the sewing workpiece against the feed dogs 18 of the sewing machine 1.

[0110] The presser plate 3A of the presser foot 2A has the window 37. The window 37 has a light-transmitting property, and therefore contributes to visually recognizing the sewing position of the sewing workpiece through the window 37.

[0111] The window 37 is rectangular. Therefore, the window 37 contributes to the improvement of visibility more than a circular window.

[0112] The dimension of the window 37 in the front-rear direction is greater than the dimension in the left-right direction. The direction in which the long sides of the windows 37 extend is parallel to the direction of movement of the sewing workpiece moved by the feed dogs 18. The sewing position of the sewing workpiece extends in parallel with the moving direction of the sewing workpiece. In the presser foot assembly 2, since the dimension of the window 37 in the front-rear direction is greater than the dimension in the left-right direction, the visibility of the sewing position of the sewing workpiece is improved.

[0113] The mounting member 4 has the guide hole 48 extending in the left-right direction. The guide member 5B is fixed to the holder body 5A and is inserted through the guide hole 48. The mounting member 4 is movable in the left-right direction along the guide member 5B. Accordingly, the guide member 5B guides the holder body 5A such that the holder body 5A is movable with respect to the mounting member 4 in the left-right direction. The presser foot assembly 2 contributes to realizing a structure for moving the presser holder 2B in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting member 4 with a simple structure.

[0114] The first shaft 62 of the fixing member 6 is located between the first restricting portion 57L and the second restricting portion 57R of the elongated hole 57 of the holder body 5A. The mounting member 4 is relatively movable leftward until the first shaft 62 of the fixing member 6 contacts the first restricting portion 57L and relatively movable rightward until the first shaft 62 contacts the second restricting portion 57R. The first restricting portion 57L and the second restricting portion 57R of the presser foot assembly 2 contribute to defining the movable range of the presser holder 2B in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting member 4.

[0115] The presser plate 3A has the first protrusion 34L between the first recess 32L and the through hole 33. The first protrusion 34L has the first inclined portion 350 inclined toward both the through hole 33 and the first recess 32L. The presser plate 3A has the second protrusion 34R between the through hole 33 and the second recess 32R. The second protrusion 34R has the second inclined portion 360 inclined toward both the through hole 33 and the second recess 32R. Therefore, the first protrusion 34L and the second protrusion 34R of the presser foot assembly 2 contribute to guiding the sewing needle S to the through hole 33, the first recess 32L, and the second recess 32R.

[0116] The first inclined portion 350 of the first protrusion 34L has the first inclined surface 35A and the second inclined surface 35B. The second inclined portion 360 of the second protrusion 34R has the third inclined surface 36A and the fourth inclined surface 36B. The first inclined surface 35A and the third inclined surface 36A contribute to guiding the sewing needle S to the through hole 33. The second inclined surface 35B contributes to guiding the sewing needle S to the first recess 32L. The fourth inclined surface 36B contributes to guiding the sewing needle S to the second recess 32R.

[0117] The distance L11 between the first vertex 35P of the first protrusion 34L and the through hole 33 is larger than the distance L12 between the first vertex 35P and the first recess 32L. The distance L21 between the second vertex 36P of the second protrusion 34R and the through hole 33 is larger than the distance L22 between the second vertex 36P and the second recess 32R. Therefore, this structure of the presser foot assembly 2 contributes to guiding the sewing needle S into the through hole 33 rather than into the first recess 32L or the second recess 32R.

[0118] The window 37 and the through hole 33 overlap in the front-rear direction. Therefore, this positional relationship of the presser foot assembly 2 contributes to visually recognizing, through the window 37, the relationship between the position of the sewing needle S inserted through the through hole 33 and the sewn position.

[0119] Generally, the user performs sewing while pressing the sewing workpiece in the vicinity of the presser foot 2A with his or her hand. The thumb screw as the fixing member 6 and the presser foot 2A overlap in the front-rear direction. When the user performs sewing, the fixing member 6 does not deviate from the presser foot 2A in the left-right direction, and the fixing member 6 is less likely to interfere with the user's hand. It is easy for the user to check the state and stitches of the sewing workpiece located at the rear of the presser bar 14B. In terms of the user's viewpoint, since the fixing member 6 overlaps with the presser bar 14B which already exists, the fixing member 6 does not hinder the user's visual recognition. Therefore, the presser foot assembly 2 contributes to smooth sewing by the user.

[0120] The connection portion 3B connects the presser plate 3A to the holder body 5A in a manner that the presser plate 3A is not detachable from the holder body 5A. Therefore, the presser foot assembly 2 contributes to reducing the rattling of the presser plate 3A with respect to the holder body 5A of the presser holder 2B.

[0121] The dimension of the presser plate 3A in the left-right direction is smaller than the dimension of the presser holder 2B in the left-right direction. The presser foot assembly 2 contributes to pressing a small portion of the sewing workpiece by the presser plate 3A by reducing the width of the presser plate 3A in the left-right direction.

[0122] In the state where the holder body 5A is at the first position, the first end 31L of the plate body 31 of the presser plate 3A and the left end of the left feed dog 18L overlap each other in the upper-lower direction. In the state where the holder body 5A is at the second position, the second end 31R of the plate body 31 of the presser plate 3A and the right end of the right feed dog 18R overlap each other in the upper-lower direction. Therefore, the presser plate 3A contributes to appropriately pressing the sewing workpiece against the feed dogs 18 in a state where the guide member 5B is disposed at any position.

[0123] The maximum movement distance M1 of the holder body 5A in the left-right direction with respect to the mounting member 4 is equal to the maximum movement distance M2 of the presser plate 3A with respect to the feed dogs 18. Therefore, the presser foot assembly 2 contributes to preventing the presser plate 3A from moving to the outside of the feed dogs 18 in the left-right direction.

[0124] The distance L5 of the presser foot 2A in the front-rear direction is larger than the distance L4 of the movable region of the feed dogs 18 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the presser plate 3A contributes to pressing the sewing workpiece to the entire movable region of the feed dogs 18 in the front-rear direction.

[0125] While the disclosure has been described in conjunction with various example structures outlined above and illustrated in the figures, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents, whether known or that may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the example embodiments of the disclosure, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative of the disclosure, and not limiting the disclosure. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is intended to embrace all known or later developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents. Some specific examples of potential alternatives, modifications, or variations in the described disclosure are provided below.

[0126] For example, the guide member 5B may be fixed to the guide hole 48 of the mounting member 4 and may be movable in the left-right direction with respect to the through holes 56 of the holder body 5A. The guide member 5B may be a rail having a groove into which the mounting member 4 is fitted. The rail may not be supported at both ends in the left-right direction by the first wall 51L and the second wall 51R, but may be supported by the lower extension portion 51S or the rear extension portion 51B.

[0127] The connection portion 3B of the presser foot 2A and the second body portion 52 of the presser holder 2B may be formed by a common member. The presser foot 2A may be nonrotatable with respect to the presser holder 2B. The presser plate 3A may not be curved and may extend in a flat shape as a whole.

[0128] The shape of the window 37 of the presser plate 3A is not limited to a rectangle that is long in the front-rear direction, and may be another shape. The window 37 may have a plurality of rectangular through holes that are long in the left-right direction. The plurality of through holes may be arranged in the front-rear direction. The window 37 of the presser plate 3A may not be formed by a through hole. The window 37 may be formed by a light-transmitting portion located in a part or the entirety of the presser plate 3A. The light-transmitting portion may be, for example, a transparent or semitransparent portion. The light-transmitting portion may have such a light transmittance that a state from the upper side to the lower side of the presser plate 3A is visually recognizable.

[0129] The first vertex 35P of the first protrusion 34L may be located at a portion equidistant from the through hole 33 and the first recess 32L. The second vertex 36P of the second protrusion 34R may be located at a portion equidistant from the through hole 33 and the second recess 32R. The first inclined surface 35A and the second inclined surface 35B of the first protrusion 34L may be curved. The first inclined surface 35A and the second inclined surface 35B of the first protrusion 34L may be perpendicular to the left-right direction. The third inclined surface 36A and the fourth inclined surface 36B of the second protrusion 34R may be curved. The third inclined surface 36A and the fourth inclined surface 36B of the second protrusion 34R may be perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0130] The method of fixing the position of the holder body 5A to the mounting member 4 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the first shaft 62 of the fixing member 6 may be screwed into the elongated hole 57 of the holder body 5A. The screw hole 49 may not be formed in the mounting member 4. The fixing member 6 may fix the holder body 5A to the mounting member 4 by bringing the front end of the second shaft 63 into contact with the rear end of the mounting member 4.

[0131] The distance L3 which is the maximum dimension of the holder body 5A in the left-right direction may be equal to the distance L2 which is the dimension of the presser plate 3A of the presser foot 2A in the left-right direction. The distance L2 may be greater than the distance L3.

[0132] The distance L5 which is the dimension of the presser foot 2A in the front-rear direction may be equal to the distance L4 of the movable region of the feed dogs 18 in the front-rear direction. The distance L4 may be greater than the distance L5.

[0133] The movement range of the mounting member 4 and the fixing member 6 may be restricted by the mounting member 4 contacting the first wall 51L or the second wall 51R. In this case, the first wall 51L may be the first restricting portion and the second wall 51R may be the second restricting portion.

[0134] In the case of a sewing machine in which the distance between the presser bar 14B and the needle plate 16 is short, no space may be formed for arranging the guide member 5B under the presser bar 14B. As shown in FIG. 18, the guide member 5B may be located rearward of the presser bar 14B.

[0135] The front-rear direction is an example of the "first direction" of the present disclosure. The left-right direction is an example of the "second direction" of the present disclosure. The upper-lower direction is an example of the "third direction" of the present disclosure. The forward direction is an example of the "one direction along the first direction" of the present disclosure. The rearward direction is an example of the "other direction along the first direction" of the present disclosure. The leftward direction is an example of "one direction along the second direction" of the present disclosure. The rightward direction is an example of the "other direction along the second direction" of the present disclosure. The left feed dog 18L is an example of the "first feed dog" of the present disclosure. The right feed dog 18R is an example of the "second feed dog" of the present disclosure. The plurality of center feed dogs 18C is an example of the "third feed dog" of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A presser foot assembly comprising:a presser foot; anda presser holder connected to the presser foot and mountable to a presser bar of a sewing machine,the presser foot including:a presser plate extending in a first direction; anda connection portion connecting the presser plate to the presser holder,the presser plate including:a first end that is an end in one direction along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction;a second end that is an end in an other direction along the second direction;a first recess recessed from the first end toward the second end;a second recess recessed from the second end toward the first end;a third end that is an end in one direction along the first direction; anda fourth end that is an end in an other direction along the first direction,the presser holder including:a mounting member mountable to the presser bar;a holder body connected to the connection portion of the presser foot;a guide member extending in the second direction, the guide member being configured to guide the holder body to be movable in the second direction with respect to the mounting member; anda fixing member configured to fix the holder body with respect to the mounting member,the first recess and the second recess being located between the third end and the connection portion in the first direction,the connection portion being located between the first recess and the fourth end in the first direction.

2. The presser foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein the presser plate includes a window having a light-transmitting property.

3. The presser foot assembly according to claim 2, wherein the window has a rectangular shape.

4. The presser foot assembly according to claim 3, wherein a dimension of the window in the first direction is greater than a dimension of the window in the second direction.

5. The presser foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member has a guide hole formed to extend in the second direction;wherein the guide member is a shaft fixed to the holder body and inserted through the guide hole; andwherein the mounting member is movable along the guide member, and the guide member guides the holder body to be movable in the second direction with respect to the mounting member.

6. The presser foot assembly according to claim 5, wherein the holder body includes a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion spaced apart from each other in the second direction;wherein the fixing member is located between the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion in the second direction;wherein the holder body is movable in the other direction along the second direction until the fixing member contacts the first restricting portion; andwherein the holder body is movable in the one direction along the second direction until the fixing member contacts the second restricting portion.

7. The presser foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein the presser plate has a through hole located between the first recess and the second recess in the second direction, the through hole being formed to extend in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; andwherein the presser plate includes:a first protrusion located between the through hole and the first recess, the first protrusion protruding in the third direction, the first protrusion including a first inclined portion inclined toward at least the through hole or the first recess; anda second protrusion located between the through hole and the second recess, the second protrusion protruding in the third direction, the second protrusion including a second inclined portion inclined toward at least the through hole or the second recess.

8. The presser foot assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first protrusion includes a first vertex that is an end protruding in the third direction;wherein the first inclined portion includes:a first inclined surface extending from the first vertex toward the through hole; anda second inclined surface extending from the first vertex toward the first recess;wherein the second protrusion includes a second vertex that is an end protruding in the third direction; andwherein the second inclined portion includes:a third inclined surface extending from the second vertex toward the through hole; anda fourth inclined surface extending from the second vertex toward the second recess.

9. The presser foot assembly according to claim 8, wherein a distance between the first vertex and the through hole in the second direction is greater than a distance between the first vertex and the first recess in the second direction; andwherein a distance between the second vertex and the through hole in the second direction is greater than a distance between the second vertex and the second recess in the second direction.

10. The presser foot assembly according to claim 2, wherein the presser plate has a through hole located between the first recess and the second recess in the second direction, the through hole being formed to extend in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; andwherein the window and the through hole are located on a common line extending in the first direction when viewed in the third direction.

11. The presser foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member includes a screw configured to fix a position of the holder body with respect to the mounting member;wherein, when the screw contacts the guide member, the position of the holder body with respect to the mounting member is fixed;wherein, when the screw does not contact the guide member, the position of the holder body with respect to the mounting member is movable; andwherein the screw and the presser foot are located on a common line extending in the first direction when viewed in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

12. The presser foot assembly according to claim 8, wherein the fixing member includes a screw configured to fix a position of the holder body with respect to the mounting member;wherein the holder body has an elongated hole formed through the holder body in the first direction, the elongated hole being elongated in the second direction;wherein the screw is inserted through the elongated hole and the mounting member;wherein, when the screw contacts the guide member, the position of the holder body with respect to the mounting member is fixed; andwherein, when the screw does not contact the guide member, the position of the holder body with respect to the mounting member is movable.

13. The presser foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion connects the presser plate to the holder body, the presser plate being undetachable from the holder body.

14. The presser foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein a dimension of the presser plate in the second direction is smaller than a dimension of the presser holder in the second direction.

15. A sewing machine comprising:a presser bar;a presser foot assembly including:a presser foot extending in a first direction; anda presser holder connected to the presser foot and mountable to the presser bar; anda bed extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction,the presser foot including:a presser plate extending in the first direction; anda connection portion connecting the presser plate to the presser holder,the presser plate including:a first end that is an end in one direction along the second direction;a second end that is an end in an other direction along the second direction;a first recess recessed from the first end toward the second end;a second recess recessed from the second end toward the first end;a third end that is an end in one direction along the first direction; anda fourth end that is an end in an other direction along the first direction,the presser holder including:a mounting member mountable to the presser bar;a holder body connected to the connection portion of the presser foot;a guide member extending in the second direction, the guide member being configured to guide the holder body to be movable in the second direction with respect to the mounting member; anda fixing member configured to fix the holder body with respect to the mounting member,the first recess and the second recess being located between the third end and the connection portion in the first direction,the connection portion being located between the first recess and the fourth end in the first direction.

16. The sewing machine according to claim 15, wherein the bed includes one or more feed dogs;wherein the holder body is movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the presser bar;wherein, when the holder body is located at the first position, the first end of the presser plate overlaps an end of the one or more feed dogs in the one direction along the second direction when viewed in a third direction, the third direction being perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; andwherein, when the holder body is located at the second position, the second end of the presser plate overlaps an end of the one or more feed dogs in the other direction along the second direction when viewed in the third direction.

17. The sewing machine according to claim 16, wherein the one or more feed dogs include:a first feed dog located at the end of the one or more feed dogs in the one direction along the second direction;a second feed dog located at the end of the one or more feed dogs in the other direction along the second direction; anda third feed dog located between the first feed dog and the second feed dog in the second direction;wherein a dimension of the first feed dog in the first direction is greater than a dimension of the third feed dog in the first direction;wherein a dimension of the second feed dog in the first direction is greater than a dimension of the third feed dog in the first direction;wherein, when the holder body is located at the first position, the first end of the presser plate overlaps the first feed dog when viewed in the third direction; andwherein, when the holder body is located at the second position, the second end of the presser plate overlaps the second feed dog when viewed in the third direction.

18. The sewing machine according to claim 15, wherein the mounting member has a guide hole formed to extend in the second direction;wherein the guide member is a shaft fixed to the holder body and inserted through the guide hole;wherein the mounting member is movable along the guide member, and the guide member guides the holder body to be movable in the second direction with respect to the mounting member;wherein the holder body includes a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion spaced apart from each other in the second direction;wherein the fixing member is located between the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion in the second direction;wherein the holder body is movable in the other direction along the second direction until the fixing member contacts the first restricting portion;wherein the holder body is movable in the one direction along the second direction until the fixing member contacts the second restricting portion;wherein the bed includes one or more feed dogs; andwherein a value obtained by subtracting a dimension of the presser plate in the second direction from a dimension of the one or more feed dogs in the second direction is equal to a value obtained by subtracting a dimension of the fixing member in the second direction from a distance between the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion in the second direction.

19. The sewing machine according to claim 15, wherein the bed includes one or more feed dogs; andwherein a dimension of the one or more feed dogs in the first direction is smaller than a dimension of the presser foot in the first direction.

20. The sewing machine according to claim 15, wherein the fixing member includes a screw configured to fix a position of the holder body with respect to the mounting member;wherein, when the screw contacts the guide member, the position of the holder body with respect to the mounting member is fixed;wherein, when the screw does not contact the guide member, the position of the holder body with respect to the mounting member is movable; andwherein the screw and the presser bar are located on a common line extending in the first direction when viewed in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

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