CA2077484A1 - Adjustable stand for sewing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A stand for sewing machines with an open base design 22 is readily accessible to users in special seating such as wheel chairs, and adaptable to accessory equipment related to the handling of materials. A vertically adjustable pedestal 25 extends upward from one side of the base. On the pedestal, extending out over the base, is a platform 40 which receives and holds a variety of sewing machines.
Adjustable attaching mechanisms 50 on the platform connect to the bases of different sewing machines, to support them securely and to present them at various orientations above the open base of the stand. Attaching mechanisms are provided for a variety of table configurations, each adapted to the configuration of the sewing machine mounted in the stand for quick interchange of tables onto the platform.
The platform is attached to the top of the pedestal by a rotary joint 32,. 35 of substantial proportions which provides for rotation of the entire platform about an axis extending horizontally, side-to-side, over the open base The entire stand is mounted on feet and/or rollers which permit rotational motion of the entire stand and the machine thereon about vertically extending axes.

Description

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ADJU~:TABI,E ~3~aNI) F'OR i:EWING~ NaC~IINE8 Bac]cqround of the Invention The invention relates to adjustab:le stands, and particularly so-called ergonomic standr" for supporting industrial sewing machines and the like. The purpose of the stand is to optimiæe user-machine interface and comfort, and also to provide a stand which can support different makes of sewing machines and auxiliary devicesO
Due to the large variety of jobs required of industrial (or commercial) sewing machines, it is often necessary to arrange special devices to hold, to guide, to feed and/or to remove, various sizes and shapes of ~loth and similar pieces being joined by the mechanism of the sewing head of the machineO In the past~ each adaptation has been a custom arrangement, often haphazardly erected by the user of the equipment, and little planning has been expended on the provision of adaptable stands, etcO by the suppliers of the equipmentO
In addition, as consciousness regarding employment of handicapped persons has expand~d/ there has baen a realization that, with some forethought, the operation of industrial sewing equipment is a job market available to persons with varying handicaps, and who may be wheel-chair bound or similarly partially incapacitated. This availability can readily be enhanced by design of adaptable~
ergonomic stands andlor supports for the sewing equipmentO
Thus, a need has been observed for a basic adjustable sewing machine stand which can accomplish three-dimensional adjustment of the sewing head to present it conveniently to such workers, while also adapting to a variety of specific job-related needs.
SummarY oP the Invention The present invention provides a stand with an open base design, readily accessible to users in special seating such as wheel chairs, and likewise accessible to accessory 2~7 ~84 MI~ 008 P2 -2-equipment related to the handling of materialsO A
vertically adjustable pedestal extends upward from one side of the base, and at the top of the pedestal, extending out over the base, is a framework or platform which can receive and hold a variety of sewing machines~ This platform includes adjustable attaching mechanisms for connecting to the bases of different sewing machines, so as to support them securely and to present them at a desired orientation above the open base of the stand.
There are also attaching mechanisms for a variety of table configurations, each of which may be adapted to the con~iguration of the sewing machine mounted in the standO
This allows quick interchange of tables onto the platform when a certain table design is needed to facilitate a specified task to be performsd by the-machine and operator.
The platform is attached to the top of thP pedestal by a rotary joint of substantial proportions which provides for rotation of the entire platform about an axis extending horizontally~ side-to sideO over the open baseO The entire stand is mounted on feet and/or rollers which permit rotational motion of the entire stand and the machine thereon about vertically extending axesO
The principal object o~ the invention7 there~ore, is to provide a unique adjustable ~tand for a sewing machinel to provide such a stand which will accept a varie~y of commercial type sewing machines~ to provide such a stand having an open base construction permitting placement of special operator seating and auxiliary equipment into convenient and comfortable proximity to the sewing head of the supported machinel to provide in such a stand a vertical adjustment for a framework-like platform onto which the various styles of machine can be latched; to provide mechanisms for quick mounting and interchange of special tables on the platform, at least partially surrounding the machine base; to provide a rotatable supporting joint 2 ~

between the stand and platform allowing tilting of the supported machine and table about a horizontal axis extending over the base of the stand; to provide support for the stand itself which allows adjustm~nt of the machine about vertical axes.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claimsO
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinqs Fig. 1 is a perspective over-all view of the adjustable sewing machine stand provided by the invention, with a typical sewing machine and one form of work table mounted thereon;
FigO 2 is an exploded view o~ the base parts of the pedestal or tower of the stand;
FigO 3 is a perspective view of the pedestal supported platform and its rotatable mount, wi~h portions of the mount shown separated from each other~
FigsO 4 and 5 are enlarged perspective views of details of the ad~ustable platform mechanisms which atta~h to th2 bases of different sewing machine headsO and to different forms of tables, and FigO 6 is a perspective view of an extended post sewing machine and its supporting pedestal a~d standl which comprises another form of the invention~
Descri~tion of ths Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings/ particularly to Fig. 1~
there is illustrated in somewhat schematic manner a sewing machine 10 including a sewing head 11 and a base 12. The base includes the usual presser foot 13 and reciprocating power driven needle 14, and a foot plate (within the base 12) which includes the usual bobbin and reciprocably moving feed dog ~not shown). The present invention .is adaptable to a variety of such machines, it being understood that sach includes basically the aforementioned elements in unique design and dimensional arrangement~ ~ motor 15 i5 mounted in a ixed relation to the sewing head~ as later described, and provides rotary power for the sewing head and for the parts within the oot plate, in conventional fashion. A
table 16 surrounds bass 12. The table 16 has an internal opening which is contoured to surround base 12 of machine 10, and an outer configuration which may be variable, and is adapted to particular tasks of the machine. Table 16 is thus demonstrative of a variety of table sizes and shap~s which can be mounted interchangeably about the base of the machine as later described in more detailO
The entire machine is mounted to a stand 20, and including a generally U-shaped base 22 having a shorter leg 22A~ a longer leg 22B, and a rearward located cross member 22C connecting the two legs~ Adjacent the ends of the legs, adjustable feet 23 are provided, these feet may also be in the form of rollers or casters (not shown). A vertically extending post 25 extends upward from the front to back center of the longer leg 22Bo As seen in Fig. 2~ post 25 is hoilow, of generally square cross-section, and is fitted with four gibs or guide plates 267 at least some of which may be adjustable with respect to their associated post wall, so as to maintain a tight sliding bearing assembly within post 25. A hydraulic jack 28 is located within the bottom of post 25, and may be actuated by inserting an appropriate rod through access hole A vertically adjustable internal post 30 (see Fig. 3) is received in telescopic fashion within post 25~ and can be raised by jack 280 on top of post 30 i9 a cross-mounted cylindrical bearing support or sleeve 32, which preferably includes a clamp 32A for adjusting the tightness of the bearing sleeve. A plate 33 extends about and downward from one end of sleeve 32, and provides a mounting for a worm gear 34A which has attached to it a rotating handle 34B~

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MIM 008 P2 ~5-Support sleeve 32 receives and holds a horizontally extending shaf~. 35 which is fixed at one end to a plate 360 That plate ~orms one end of a machine and table supporting platform 40. This platform is skeletal in nature, formed for example of square tubing or bar stock, and comprises upper and lower front rails 42A, 42B, similar rear rails 43A, 43B~ and a connecting end rail 43C. The rails are all secuxed, as by welding, to each other and to an ~nd plate 44~ ~xtending outward perpendicular to its surfaceO with the centerline of sleeve 32 being approximately coincident with the center of the plat~orm between the upper rails~ thls ¢enterline is indicated in FigO 3 by the dot-dash line 45O
The worm wheel 34C is bolted (or-otherwise attached) to plates 36 and 44 on the side opposite shaft 35, with i~s center (axis of rotation) located on centerline 45O
Therefore, rotation of handle 34B causes worm wheel 34C to xotate and adjust the angular position of the entire platform 40 about a horizontal axis, e~g centerline 45O A
bracket 48 ~-xtends from plate 36~ spaced from and parallel to shaft 351 and provides a convenient mounting for the motor 15 ~Fig~ l~ which drives the s~wing machine. This is a conventional motor having a belt drive to the sewing head, and preferably having a digital controller (not shown3 such as i9 often used in such machinesO ~hus~ the motor l5 and its mounting rotate with the sewing machine and supporting platform 400 and belt tension or other adjustments are not disturbed by such rotationO
FigsO 4 and 5 show details of adjustable mounting mechanisms 50 which are fitted to the platform rails, and can slide therealong~ Sewing heads typically have two spaced apart fittings which form a hinge mounting aligned along the rear of the machine base 12. The machine support receptaclss incorporated into mechanisms 50 include receptacles 55A, 55B to receive these fittings, and include slots 56A, 56B into which the ~itting can be engagedO The mechanisms 50 and receptacles are supported on the rear upper rails ~3A and can be moved along those rails, and clamped at a selected position, to accommodate the hinge ~itting spacings of different machinesO The front of the machine base 12 is supported by similar mechanisms carried on front upper rail 42A and providing rest pads in place of the receptacles. Thus, the rear of a machine base 12 is effectively hinged ~o the rearward platform rail, and the front of the machine base rests on pads whi~h support the base on the front platform railO
Various forms of table 16~ as mentioned~ may be used.
The mechanisms 60 provide the basis for adjustable table supports~ and as seen in FigO 5l are slidably mounted on the lower rails 43B (corresponding mechanisms, not shown, are provided on the front rails), and on the extension of the upper rails as shown in FigO 5O The mechanisms 60 include vertically adjustable extensions 62 having support shoes 64 at their tops, with angled entry ends 65~ 5hoes 64 are adapted to enter into slottPd receptors or pockets ~not shown) on the table bottomsO Only the rear shoes on the platform are illustrated, it being understood that the front shoes are of complementary construction.
Thus, a desired table can be mounted simply by adjusting the location of mechanisms 60 on platform 40 and then securing the table to the shoes by simply sliding the tabIe receptors over the four shoes. This facilitates quick interchange of tablesO Such interchange may be as a result of particular job requirements, or a need to adapt a particular machine to the specialized needs of a handicapped operator.
Referring to FigO 6, a post-type sewing machine is shown having a main vertical extension 70 and a vertlcally elongated stitching post 72 supported on khe machine base 74, and in turn supporting and ~orming a mounting for a conventional sewing head 75. A motor 77 provides rotary 2 ~ P~
MIM 008 P2 ~7-power for the sewing head and (through extended shafting not shown) for the parts within the post 72, in conventional fashionO The entire machine is mounted to a stand indicated generally at 80 which includes a generally open H-shaped base 81 and a vertically adjustable upward extending pedestal 82 on top of which is a cross-mounted bearing support or sleeve 84. This support rece.ives a hori20ntally extending shaft which i5 fixed at one ,end to the main vertical extension 70, holding the base 74 of the machine suspended slightly above the stand base 800 A worm/worm gear mechanism 87 is mounted between pedestal 82 and sleeve 84~ to control rotational adjustment of the machine over the standO
While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is de~ined in the appended claimsO
What i~ claimed is

Claims (14)

1. An adjustable stand for sewing machines, having an open base accessible to users in special seating and to accessory equipment related to the handling of materials in use of the sewing machine, comprising a base having spaced apart horizontally extending side legs and a cross member connecting said side legs, a vertically adjustable pedestal extending upward from one side of said base, a rotary support sleeve fixed to the top of said pedestal, a support shaft rotatably received in said sleeve, and means attached to said support shaft joint for holding a sewing machine over said base and permitting adjustment of the orientation of the machine with respect to said base about a horizontally extending axis above said base.

2. A stand as defined in claim 1, said legs including feet permitting rotational motion of the entire stand and a machine thereon about vertically extending axes.

3. A stand as defined in claim 1, further including a worm gear attached to said pedestal in fixed relation to said sleeve, a worm wheel attached to said support shaft and meshing with said worm gear, whereby rotation of said worm gear will control the tilt angle of said machine holding means.

4. A stand as defined in claim 1, further including a bracket attached to said support shaft and extending in spaced relation to said sleeve, providing a motor mount for a driving motor connected to the sewing machine, whereby tilting motion of the support shaft does not affect the motor to sewing machine drive connection.

5. A stand as defined in claim 1, further comprising said machine holding means including a platform adapted to receive and retain a variety of sewing machines thereon extending out over said base from the top of the pedestal.

6. A stand as defined in claim 5, said platform comprising a framework including front and back rails extending parallel to each other and to said sleeve and support shaft, means on said rails for receiving fittings at the base of different types of sewing machines, to adapt and retain each type selectively to said platform.

7. A stand as defined in claim 6, further comprising said fitting receiving means having receptacles for engaging with fittings on the sewing machine to provide a hinge-like connection between a selected machine and said platform.

8. A stand as defined in claim 6, further comprising attaching mechanisms for a variety of table configurational said tables being adapted to the configuration of the sewing machine mounted on said platform.

9. A stand as defined in claim 8, further comprising said table attaching means including shoe members supported for adjustment along said rails and engagable with said tables to provide for quick interchange of tables onto said platform when a certain table design is needed.
platform attached to the top of the pedestal by a rotary joint which provides for rotation of the entire platform about an axis extending horizontally, side-to-side, over the open base

10. An adjustable stand for sewing machines, having an open base accessible to users in special seating and to accessory equipment related to the handling of materials in use of the sewing machine, comprising a base having spaced apart horizontally extending side legs and a cross member connecting said side legs, a vertically adjustable pedestal extending upward from one side of said base, a platform adapted to receive and retain a variety of sewing machines thereon extending out over said base from the top of the pedestal.

11, A stand as defined in claim 10, said platform comprising a framework including front and back rails extending parallel to each other and to said sleeve and support shaft, means on said rails nor receiving fittings at the base of different types of sewing machines, to adapt and retain each type selectively to said platform.

12. A stand as defined in claim 11, further comprising said fitting receiving means having receptacles for engaging with fittings on the sewing machine to provide a hinge-like connection between a selected machine and said platform.

13. A stand as defined in claim 11, further comprising attaching mechanisms for a variety of table configurations, said tables being adapted to the configuration of the sewing machine mounted on said platform.

14. A stand as defined in claim 13, further comprising said table attaching means including shoe members supported for adjustment along said rails and engagable with said tables to provide for quick interchange of tables onto said platform when a certain table design is needed.