CA2110277A1 - A method and apparatus for embroidering beads - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automatically embroidering beads (14, 16, 19) on a cloth (26). The method and apparatus utilizes a continuous bead string, which is made of a plurality of beads (14, 16, 19) with separable connecting sections (15, 18) arranged in the direction of an axial bore in the beads (14, 16, 19) of the bead string, and sets the continuous bead string in front of the cloth (26). The bead at the end of the bead string is bent and separated at the connecting section (15, 18) a needle (27) passes through axial bore of the bead (14, 16, 19) so that the bead is separated from the bead string and sewed onto the cloth (26).

Description

,, 2~ 277~ 91i~679~
03 Re~9d ~T/P~û O ~ DtC , ~92 A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMBROIDERING_BEADS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic bead embroidering method which makes it possible to sew beads to a cloth by the use of an embroideri~_appara~us that is used for embroidery on cloth~ and to an apparatus 5 whl~h is used togeth~r with the embroidering apparatus in order to perform the met~od.
Conventionally, decorative beads are made from materials such as glass, ceramîcs, metals, and plastics.
Such beads are embroidered on cloth, as ornamentation for 10 clothing. In such an embroidery, the beads are sewn to the cloth one by one using hand embroidering needles.
Meanwhile, in regard to clothing ornamentation other than beads, a method in which flat plate-form ornaments are ~ewn onto cloth is disclosed in Japanese : 15 Patent Application Publi~ation No. 45-16g85 (U.S. Patent No. 3;390,650). In this method, flat plate-~orm ornaments ~: ara sewn onto the cloth, and the disclo~ure does not : addre~s cylindrical~o~ects such as beads which cannot be embroidered. : :
: ~ ~ Furthermor~e, multi-head type embroidering machines .: w~i~h perfo ~ embroidery:by:causing ne~dles to perform a recip~ocating motion ~perpendicular to a~ cloth, and shuttle pe ~em~oidering ma~:hines with a size o~ 15 yards or gr~ter ~ (formed by~: ~scaling up the multi-head type 25 erabroidering machines) have been in a practical use and are thus well known (U.S. Patent Nos. 2,030,495 and 3,062,1~3).
In the ca~e of bead embroidering methods using conventional hand sewing techniques, considerable time and làbor are required4 ~ Thus, the productivity of such a 30 method :is extremely low. This dslays the finishillg of be~d-embroidered products such as clothing, so that there are problems in terms of late delivery dates. Such late delivery dates are an extremely serious problem in the clothing industry, which is subject to abrupt changes in GJ~l--18641 SUBS'rlTUrE SHEÇ~

W~ 93t~468 ~ . PCT/US91 JOli7g2 fashion.
Furthermore, in the case of bead embroidering methods using hand sewing techniques, the quality and pattern of the embroidery are not uniform, and the 5 reliability of the sewn attachments is poor. Embroidering threads on which beads are sewn may become slac~, or may break so that multiple nu~bers of beads are~ r~t. As a result, there are problems in terms of product quality.
Furthermore, since the conventional e~broidering 10 machines perform embroidery using embroidering threads with ttached beads, the bead embroidering process it~elf cannot ~e automat~d.

SUMMARY _ TH INVENTION
In light of the prior art described abov~, the present in~ention provides a method and apparatus for ~:~ embroidering ~eads which makes it possible to automate the ~mbroidering of beads on a cloth b~ linking a conventional : embroidering apparatus~to a bead embroidering mechani~m.
20 ~hs present inven~ion ~mploys a method for embroideriny eads wherein needles whi~h perform a reciprDcating motion ~: :relative to the ~urface of a cloth are used to ~ffix a bead severed fxo~ a ~ontinuous bead string to the cloth. The be~ds are provided to in a continuous be~d string by 25 conne~tin~ ~u~tlple nu~bers of beads via easily eparable : eonnecting:~ections. The respective indiv~dual b~ad of each of~-the~co~tinuoUS bead s~ring include ~n axial bore :the~ethro~gh,~ and the connecti~g ~ection~ are ~ormed to arrange the~b2ads in a virtually linear arrang~mQnt along 30 ~he direction of the axial bore of the beads.
, . . .
BRIEP D~ IPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
Figure 1 is a:flow chart of the operation of the m~thod:of the present invention;
Figures 2 ~aj, 2 ~b) and 2(c) are perspective ~iews illustrating different bead strings which are u~ed in the present inv~ntion;

' '. W093/O~K~ 2 1 1 ~ 2 7 7 PCT/VS9l,06792 Figures 3(a), 3(b) and 3~c) are top, cross sectional and front views, respectively, of the bead string shown in Figure 2(a);
Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 4~c) are top, cross 5 sectional and front views, respectively, of the bead string shown in Figure 2(b);
Figures 5~a), 5(b) and 5(c) are top~ cross sectional and front views, respectively, of the bead string shown in Figure 2(c);
Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram ~howing an example of a method of manufacturing the bead string shown in Figure 2(c);
Figures 7(a) through 7(h) are proce~s diagrams ~howing the steps of the method of the present invention in 15 sequence;
Figure 8 i5 an illustration showing one embodiment ::~ of the bead embroidering apparatus of the pr~sent invention;:
Figure 9 shows a;step of the oper~tion of the 20 embroidering apparatus~:shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10 shows the next step thereo~;
Figure 11 shows the next, n~x* step thereof;
Figure~12 shows he further step thereof;
Figure 13~sh~ws the still fu~ther etep thereof;

2~5 ~ igure 14:is a front view of a s~cond embodiment of khe~bead.~-e~broidering:apparatus of the pre~ent in~ention;
Figure:15 i~ a tsp:~iew ther~of; ~ .. :- :
Figure 16~:is~a side ~iew thereof;
FigNre 17 is a cross section ~aken along the line - 30:17-17 in Figure 14;
Figure 18 is a front ~iew o~ a portion of the : ;needle ~ar used in the embroidering apparatu~ to which the pre~ent inven~ion is applied; ~. ~
Figure l9-is a side view of the driving mechanism ,: , 35 of the app~r~tus shown in Figure ~4;
Figure 20 is a front view thereof;
Figure 21 shows the electrical control system used ~:

W~93/~U~ PCT/~S91t~792 21 ~ ~ 2 ~ 7 ~4~
in the apparatus shown in Figure 14;
Figure 22 shows a ~tep of the operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 14;
Figure 23 shows the next step thereof;
S Figure 24 shows the next, next ~tep thereof;
Figure 25 shows the further step thereo~;
Figure 26 show~ ~till further step ~hereof;
Figure 27 shows the next further step ther~of; and Figure 28 is an explanatory diagram which 10 illustrates third example of applica~ion of the present invention.

D~TAILED DESCRIPTIQN 0~ INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a flow chart of the ~ethod of the 15 present invention. First, in Step 1, continuous bead strings used in the present invention are prepared.
Examples of the continuous bead strings used in the bead embroidering method of the present invention are shown in Figures 2(a), 2(bj and 2(c), Cylindrical beads are depict~d 20 ~s examples. A top~::vi~w, longitudinal s~ction, and front view of each of the examples shown in Figure 2(a~, 2(b) and .
2(c:3 is shown in:Figures~3, 4 and 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c~, espectively. Moreover, in~regard to the b~ad shape, the pree~nt invention~is~not limited to the cyli~drical shapes `~ ~ 25~ ~cwn in the drawings it ~eing un~er~tood ~hat the . in~ention is also applicable to~o~her~bead shape~ w~ich :include an axia~l~bore:including;~beads with circular and an~ular:~eross secti~s including: ~(hexagonal, s~u~re and : other polygonal hap~s~. :
In the exa~ple ~hown in Figure 2(a~, multiple number of:gIa~s ~eads~14 which have been c~t beforehand into ~parate cylinders are bonded in a continuous line ~o : a sle~der transparent tape 15, e.g., consisting of an : acetat~ film with:a width of 1 mm, by means of an adhesiYe.
3S~The respective beads are connected to ~ach other Yia ~he tape 15. This tape 15 ha~ an adhesive strength which allows for easy separation durinq the bead embroidering ' W~93/O~K~ PCT/US91/~6792 -s~ 2 7 7 op~ration .
In the example shown in Figure 2(b), individual beads 16 are formed by way of cut-outs 17 (e.g., at 4-millimeter intervals) in a slender tube (consisting of 5 plastic, etc.) with an external diameter of 2.5 to 3 mm and an internal diameter of 1.5 to 2 ~m. Thes~ cut-outs 17 are formed in a cros~-sectional direc~ion by ~ea~s of a cutt~r, with a portion of the tube left in each cut-out a5 a connecting section 18. Like the tape 15, t~ese ~onnecting 10 ~ections 18 have a connecting strength that allows for easy separation during the bead embroidering operatio~.
In the example shown in Figure 2 (c), a belt i5 formed into a tube by: bending, and individual beads 19 are formed by forming cut-outs 17 in the tube with ~onnecting 15 sections 13 left intact as in the same ~anner as in the example illustrated in Figure 2(b). These connecting s~ction~ 18 have a strength which allows for easy ~: ~eparation during the bead e~broidering operation.
Figur~ 6 shows one example of a method which can be 20 used ~o ma~ufacture a continuous ~ad ~tring o~ the type sho~n in Figure 2(c). A tape 20, for ~xample a polyester film, which can withstand relatively high temper~tures but :~ al~o posses es:thermopl sticity, is fed out from a roll and is for~ed into a long, slender tube with an external ~: 25 diameter of approximately 2.5 ~m and an internal dia~ter ;: ~ of:~pproximately~2~ y means of for~ing rollers 21.~ This hape i8 fixed by me~ns of a heater 22. Th~ cut-outs 17 ar~ formed:in thi~ tub~:m~terial by ~eans of a cutter 23.
As ~ r sult,:a continuous bead string 25 is formed, and 30 thi~ continuous bead string 25 is tak~n up on a reel 24.
In ca~e~ where a bead string is manufactur~d by ~he :: for~ing and workin~ of such a p astlc film, various types ~; of pri~ting (us mg heat transfer printihg~ eto.) and ~: fi~i hing (using vacuum evaporation of aluminum, etc.) may ~: 35 be performed on the film before it is formed into a tube.
~rth~Emore, various types of films can b manufaG ured ~ r~latively easily by ~amination, and ~aad strings of :
~:

W093/~U~ P~T/US9~06792 2 1 1 0 ~ 7 7 -6-.
~arious colors can be manufactured using these films.
The connecting sections 18 of th~ bead strings are formed in a generally linear arrangement aligned with the direction o~ the axis of the axial bore of each beadO The 5 reason for this is that it is necessary to bend each bead in a fixed direction, as will bP described below.
Accordingly, as long as each bead can be se~ ~in a substantially ~ixed direction, it is not strictly necessary for the connecting sections 18 to be located on a straight 10 line.
Returning to Figure 1, in Step 2, the continuous bead strings are set in an e~broidering apparatus which i~
itself a universally known type of apparatus. In this case, as will be described in concrete terms below, the 15 bead e~broidering mechanism or apparatus of the present invention is mounted beforehand on a universally known embroidering apparatus, and the continuous bead strings are set as described below in he bead embroidering apparatus of the pre~ent invention. Figure 7(a) illustrates on~ of 20 the continuous b~ad strings 25 in its set ~tate. ~ach bead string 25 is preferably set so that its connecting s~ctiQns 18 face toward the cloth 26 that is to be .. embroider~d. Ea~h needle 27 in the embroidering apparatus : per~orms a reciprocating motion, together with a 25 corresponding ~houlder or pushing part 28 which will be des~cr~bed later, in a direction preferably perpendicular to - the cloth 26.
In St~p 3, when the setting o~ the co~tinuous!bead ~trings is co~plet~d, the embroidering apparatus is driven 30 so that the ~mbroidering operation is initiated. Each ne~dle Z7 p~rfor~s a reciprocatin~ motion a~ indicat~d by ~ arT~w A in Fi~ure 7(a), so that an ~mbroid~ring ~hread 2 : is stitched to the cloth 26. The cloth 26 is moved in accordance with the directi~n of embroidering, as ~hown by 35~arr~w B, relative to the reciprocating path 90 of each needle 27. ~re, assumi~g that the embroidering thr~ad 29 of each needls 27 i8 a surface-thread with r~8pe~t to the ' W093/~ PCT/U591~792 -7- 2 ~ 7 7 cloth 26, the back thread on the opposite side of the cloth 26 is n~t shown in the drawings.
Next, in Step 4, bead embroidering i~ started in accordance with a command to initiate bead stitching. As a 5 result in, in Step 5, a linking means which links the bead embroidering mechanism with the drivi~g mechanism or mechanisms of the needles 27 is actuated so~at beads are embroidered by the action of the needles 27 as will be described later.
First, in Step 6 and in accordance with the withdrawing action of each needle ~7, indicated by arrow ~
in Figure 7(b), tip bead 25a of each bead ~tring 25 is bent as indicated by arrow D. In this case, the tip bead 25a is bent about the corresponding connecting section 18 so that 15 the bead ~5a is oriented perpendicular to the cloth 26.
This is done in order to open the rear end of the bead so that the needle 27 can be inserted into the axial bor2 of bead. AGcordingly, as long as an opening which is suf~icient to guide the needle 27 into the baad is for~ed, ;~ 20 it is not absolutaly necessary that the be~d be bent into a p~rpendicular position.
In linkag~ with the withdrawing motion of ~ach ~: needle 27, in Step 7 ! each bead string 25 is fed by one pitch (the l~ngth of one bead) toward the reciprocating 25 path 90 of~the correspo~ding needle 27 as h~wn by ~rrow E
in~ Fi ~ e 7~c).. As a result, the tip bead 25a of each bead ~tri~g 25 i~ position~d in the reciproca~ing path ~0 of the corresponding needle 27. The bending action of Step 6 and ~ the feeding action of Step 7 are both performed in linkage :~ 30 with the withdrawing motion of each needle 27, as will be described later;ihowever, the order of these actions ma~ be rever~edc Next, in Step 8, each needle 27 advance~ as indicated by arrow F in Figure 7(d) and enters the 35 corresponding tip bead 25a.
Furthermore, in Step 9, as each needle 27 advances, the corresponding tip bead 25a is separated from the :

WO 93/O&K8 PCr/U~S~1/06792 contirluous bead string 25 by the corresponding pushing part 28 as shown in Figure 7 (e~ .
N~xt, in Step 10, the needle 27 withdraws, and the tip end of the tip bead 25a is stitched to the cloth 26 as 5 shown in Figure 7 ( f 3 .
Next, in Step ll, the cloth 26 is moved in the direction indic:ated by arrow G in Figure 7 (~g), i . e., in such a directi~n that the needle 27 is caused to return to a previous position. As a reæult, the bead 25a is caused 10 to fall over by the thread 29 as shown in Figure 7 (g~ ~
With the bead 25a fallen over, in Step 12, the needle 27 makes one reciprocating motion as shown in Figure 7 (h), ~ewing the tail end of the bead 25a. In S~ep 13, sewing action on one bead is thus f ini~hed .
Next, a concrete emb~sdiment of the bead ~mbroidering apparatus which is mounted on the universally known embroidering apparatus in order to perf orm the bead embroidering operation will be described with reference to the subsequent f igures .
Figure 8 illustrat~s the structure of one : ;; e~bodiment of the bead ~mbroidering apparatus of the pres~nt inven~ion. A univer~:ally known ~huttle type mbroidering appar~tus is equipped with a ne~dle bar 3 0 . A
multiple~ number of needles 27 are fa~tened tog~ther with 2 5 corr~lspc~nding pu~hing part-- 2 8 to the needle bar 3 0 at pre~c:r~ bed intervals via bolts S9 . B~ad e~broidering hani&ms 3 3 con~ct:ructed ac:cording to- the pre~ent ~; invention are: installed zlt positions corr~sponding to` the ~: ne~les 2?. These bead embroidering mechani~ms 33 are 30 fasten~ to the statie part (not shown in the figur~s) of ~h~ embroi~ering appar3tus via the fastening member 57 of ~the~ )rackets 32 that are installed at pr~scribed interY2lls on ~a plate: 31. Guide pipes 44 which guide be~d strings 25 to the respe tive needles 27 ~re fastened ~o the plate 31.
35 Threé shafts, i . e., ~irst, second and third ~hafts 34 , 35 ; and ~40, are ~ounted to the brack~ts 32. H~xagonal rollers 36 a~e ro~atabl~! mounted on the first shaft 34. The bead ~: :

:~ :
: ~: :

' WO93/~K~ 2 ~ 1 G 2 7 '7 PCT/VSgl~Q6792 _g_ strings 25 are carried around these hexagonal rollers 36 ~o that the cut-outs 17 ~see Figure 2) are opened up.
Bead-feeding ~procket wh~els 37 are mounted on a second shaft 35. This shaft 35 is connected to an air cylind~r 5 39 via a ratchet 38, so that the shaft 35 is intermittently driven by ~ prescribed pitch in one direction.
Levers 42 are connected to the third shaft'40 via links 41. These levers 42 are installed so that they can rotate about supporting points 91 which are fastened to th~ plate 10 31. Furthermore, a pin 43 is installed at ~he tip end of each lever 42. The shaft 40 is connected to an air cylinder 45, so that the shaft 40 is caused to perform a r~ciprocating rotary motion.
Reference numeral 51 is a jacguard punch tape used 15 in the e~broidering apparatus~ The horizontal and vertical movements, i.e., movements in the X and Y directions~ of ~h~ cloth frame (not sho~n), on which the cloth that is to be ~mbroidered is in~talled, are controlled ~y the hol~
program data of the tape 51, so that a desired e~broidery 20 pa*tern is automatically stitched. A b~-ad embroidering 5~ start" com~and is progr~mmed, by punching, into this punch tape 51. T~e reciprocating motion, indicated by arrow ~, ~;~ o~ the needle bar 30 on which he needl~s 27 are installed is contrsll~d by a cam 46. Ti~ing proj~ctions 47 ~nd 48 ~: :
25 are for~ed on ~his cam 46, and ~witches 49 and 50 are provided,~o as to:face~the projections. As a re~ult of thi8 co~tructionO ~he respectiYe s~itches 49 and 50 are :actuated ~or desiréd time periods ~y ~he ti~ing o~ the re~iprocating motion of the n~edles 27.
The bead embroidering "start" command punch~d înto ; the punc~ tape 51 is d~tectèd by a switch 52. ~hen this C~D and i~ detected, the outputs of the switches 49 and 50 are sent to he driving circuits 55 and 56 o~ the air cy~lind2rs 39 and 45 via AND circuits 53 and 54. As a 35 r~sult, ~he respective shaft 35 and 40 of the bead embroidering mechanism5 33 are rotated in linkage wi~h the needles 27.
;:

WO93/~K8 2 1 1 0 2 7 7 PCT~US~lt~792 --~0--The operation of the embodi~ent describe.d above is illu~trat~d in sequence in Figures 9 through 13. Figure 9 shows the state in which the bead strin~s 2 5 are set prior to the initiation of the bead embroidering ~p~ration. ~ach 5 bead stri~g 25 is carried around one of the hexagonal rollers 36 so that the spaces between the beads are enlarged. The respective pins o~ the adjac~nt sprocket whee~ 37 come into the respective space 92. Each bead string 2S i5 th~n guided into the corresponding guide pipe 10 44 with the connecting sections 18 of the bead string 25 facing towa~d the cloth 26. Thus, the cloth 26 is ready to be ~mbroidered by the reciprocating action of the needle bar 30.
When the bead embroidering "start" command of the 15 punch tape 51 is detected, the shaft 35 rotates by one pitch~as shown in Figure 10. As a result, the sprocket wh~el 37 is caused to rotate, so that each bead stri~g 25 is ~ed out by one pitch. Accordingly, the tip bead 25a of ~ the b~ad string 25 protrud~s from the tip of the guide pipe : 20 44 and ~o~e into the reciprocating path 90 o~ the corresponding needle 27.
Next, as shown in Figure 11, t~e shaft 40 is driven o ~hat the lever 42 is rotated via the link 41 in the direction indicated by:arrow H. As a result, the tipoend 25 pin 4 3 on the lever 42 presses again5t the tip ~ead 25a, ~and b~ds t~a bead 25a as indicated~by arr~w D.
Next,~:as~shown in Figure 12, th~ n~dle 27 ad~ances and enters the tip~bead 25a~ At th~:sam~ ti~e,- the l~v~r ~: 42 rotate in a reYerse direction so that the pin 43 mo~es : 30 away fro~ the guide pipe 44.
~ ~urthermore, by the advancing ~ot-ion of the needle : : bar 30 as shown by arrow ~, the pu hing part 28 comes into contact with the tip bead 25a and separates the tip bead : 25a fro~ the bead string 25 as sh~wn in Figure 13.
35 Sub equent operations are performed as illustrated in ~igures 7(f) through 7~h).
Front, top and side views of a second ~bodiment of .

W09~U~ PCr/USg1~7~2 21~ ~27 ~

th~ b~ad embroidering apparatus of the pres~nt inv~ntion are shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16, respectively. Like the previous embodim~nt described above, this second embodiment is mounted on a known bead embroidering apparatus. In this 5 embodiment, as shown in Figure 22, the fastening part 57 of the bracket 32 is fastened to a drill base 80 w~ich is used to open embroidering hol~s in th~ cloth. A ~ ~ft 60 is rotatably mounted onto the bracket 32 via bearings 64. A
shaft 61 is a}so m~unted to the bracket 32, and the bead 10 string 25 is wound around hexagonal rollers 61a which are ~ounted on this shaft 61.
A plate 31 is fastened to the brackets 32~ ~rooves are formed in this plake 31 at intervals corresponding to the spacing of the needles, and guide pipes 44 are 15 spot welded in these grooves as shown in Figure 17. Bead string guide pipes 65 are inserted into the guide pipes 44 with sleeve bearings 85 interposed so that the bead string guide pipes 65 are ~ree to s}ide. The bead strings 25 are : inserted into these bead string guide pipes 65. Figure 18 20 is a ~ront view of~the ~eedle bar 30. The needle 27 and puæhing:park 28 are fastened to the needle bar 30 by a boltO
As illustrated in Figure 14, collars 62 ar2 a~tened to the shaft 60, and a lever 42 is connected to ~5~each of the~e collars 62 via a link 41. Two pins 66 ~nd 67 are mounted.on~ each le~er 42 as shown in Fi~ure 16. The ~ re~pective pins 66 and 67 engage with both ~nds of a pipe ~ ~ 68 which is fastened to each 9f the bead ~tring ~uide p~pes 65.

3~ As shown-in Fi~ures lg and 20, an air cylinder 71 is installed for e~ch ~redetarmined n~ber of bead ~; ~ embroidering ~e hanis~s 33. The piston rod 72 of ea~h of : the e air ~ylinders 71 is connected to a link lever 73 via' : a æhaft 74. This link laver 73 is fa~t~ned to the shaft 35 60. As a re5ult, when the piston rod 72 of each air cylinder 71 performs a reciprocatin~ motion as indicated by arrow I, the shaft 60 is caused to perform re~iprocating ` :

:~

W~ 93J004~8 PC~/U~ 067g2 211027~ -12- ~`
rotary motion, as indicated by arrow J, via the cor~esponding link lever 7 3 .
Figure 21 illustrates the structure of the electrical control system of the embodiment. A shaft 75 is 5 used to drive the needle bar 3 0 . The needle bar 3 0 perf orms a reciprocatirlg motion in accordance with the shape of a :::a~n 46 which is fastened ts~ the s~a3~ 75. A
switch cam 7~ is also fastened to the ~;haft 75, and a switch 77 is also installed so as to be actuated by this 10 switch cam 76. When bead stitching positions are rea~hed during the embroidery process using an ~mbroidering thread~
the switch 52 detects a bead embroidering ~I start" ::ommand via pins ~5 in accordance with program data which is rormed in the punch tape 51 beforehand. Here, when the switch 77 15 is actuated, a relay 96 is actuated so that the contact P~S, and RS1z are actuated. These act together with the prev~ usl~ actuat2d switch 52 so that a further relay 9~ i5 ~ actuated. As a result, the contacts RS31 and RS32 of the :~ relay 98 are actuated. The contact RS31 maintains the relay 20 98 in th~ actuated state and also actuates an air valve 79 via a solenoid 78. As a result, the air cylinder 71 i5 driven so that the shaft 60 is caused to rotate. ~dhen the shaft 7~ ~nters its second revolution, the switch 52 has already been returned. When ~he switc:h 77 is again 25 a:ctuated by the cam 76, the relay 96 is actuat~d.
;: Accordingly, the contacts RS11 and RS12 of l:he r~l~y 96 are ~ctuat~d ~o that~the r~lay 97 is actuated. A6 a result of the actuation of this relay 97, the contact RS21 of the -~ re}ay 97 is ac:tuated so that the self maintenance of the 30 rel~y 98 is released and relay 98 is no longer ac:tua~ed.
The contacts RS31 and RS32 of the relay 98 then returrl to th~ir original positions, so that the air valve 79 is ~ raset. As a result, the air cylinder 71 per~orms a re~ers.
:~ driving action so that the shaft 60 is caused to rotate in ; 35 reverse.
The operation of the abo~e-described embodime~t i~
illustrated in ~e~uance in Figures 22 through 27. The ' W093/~ 2 1 1 0 ~ 7 7 P~T/US9~/~792 , .. ..

operation is substantially the same as that ~hown in Figure 7 which is described based upon the flow chart of Figure 1.
Figure 22 chows the state in which the ~ead string 25 is set. ~s described above, the bead strings 25 are loaded in 5 the bead string ~uide.pipes 65 with their connecting sections facing the cloth 26. The tip end b~ad 25a of each bead string 25 protrudes from the tip of th correspo~d?ng bead string guide pipe 65. In accordance with the bead embroidering 7'start" command, the ~haft 60 is driven as 10 indicated by arrow K, as shown in Figure 23~ in linkage with the withdrawing motion of the needle bar 30, so that the link 41 is pushed in the direction indica~ed by arrow L, thus causing the lever 42 to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow M. As a result, the pin 43 on the tip 15 of the l~ver 42 bends the corresponding tip bead 25a toward the clothO At this time~ the pin 67 on the lever 42 contacts the pipe 68 provided on the correspondiny bead string guide pipe 65 ! thus stopping the rotation of the : le~er 42. A~terward, when the collar 62 rotate further 20 du~ing the withdrawing action of the n~dle bar 30~ ~he lsver 42 ~o~s together with the pipe 68 in a dir~ctiQn parallel to ~he ~o~e~ent of the link 41 as indicated by the arrow P in Figure 24, ~ince the lever ~2 cannot rota~e.
Furthermore, the levers 42 are connected to the pipes 68 : 25:-vi~ supporting ~oints 100 50 that the levers 42 ~re free ~o rotate.~.~s a result,.~the bead string guide pipes 6~ ~lide h~ugh ~he guide.pipes 44 toward the needles, so ~hat the tip~bead~ 25a of each bead string 25 is positioned i~ the reciprocating path of the corresponding needle 27. As a 30 result of this action, each bead strin~ 25 is fed by one pitch in t~e direction indica~ed by arrow N.
N~xt, ~s sh~wn in Figure 25, the ne~dle 27 advances and enters the tip beads 25a, and the pu hing part 28 ~-: contacts the tip end bead 25a so that the bead 25a is ~ : .
35 separated ~rom the bead string 2~. Next, as shown in Figur 26, the shaft 60 is caused to rotate rever~ely, as indi~ated by arrow Q, together with the withdrawing motion WO93/~K~ P~T~U~I/~79~

of the needles 27. Accordingly, the link 4~ is drawn in the direc~ion indicated by arrow R, so that the lever 42 is caused to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow S. ~s a result, the pin 43 at the tip of the lever 4~ i5 caused 5 to move away from the tip of the bead string guide pipe 65.
Then, when ~he pin 69 on the lever 42 contac~s the pipe 68 which is fastened to the corresponding bead ctring guide pipe 65, the rotation of the levers 42 i~ stopped.
When the sh~ft 60 rotates even ~urther, the bead lO string guide pipes 65 are drawn upward in the direction indicated by arrow T in Figure 27 ~ia the pipe 68 together with the motion of the link 41, since the l~ver 42 cannot rotate. As a result~ the next bead 25b of the bead string 2s become~ the tip bead and is caused to protrude ~rom the 5 tip of the corresponding bead string guide pipe 65.
Together with:this operation, the bead stitching operation is per~ormed a~ illustrated in Figure 7~
Figure 28 illustrates third embodi~ent of the present iDvention. This embodiment illustrates a case in 20 which ~ead e~broidering mechani~m or mechanisms 33 constructed according to the pre~ent invention are attached o a ~ingle-head type or multi-head type embroidering apparatus 81 which performs embroidery on a horizontally posi ed cloth 26. By changing the sh~pe of mounts of 25 the brackets, it is possible to mount bead embroidering ~e~hani~s of th~ pre~ent inYention onto embroidering machine~ of various shape~ and dimensions~
According to the pre~ent invention, a~ d@scribed above, cylindrical b~ads or angular tube shaped beads are 30 auto~atically stitched at predetermined positions during an e~broidering process utilizing an ordinary ~broideri~g thread, :~Furthermore, bead embroidering mech~nis~
con~tru ted according tv the present in~ention can e~sily be attached to existing e~broidering machines, thus making 35 it possible to utilize ~he embroidering ~achine~
e~ecti~ely and to improYe the functioning of th~
machines. ~he use of the bead embroiderin~ method and :

wo9~ i Z ~ ~ ~ 27 7 P~r/U~gl/06792 apparatus~of the present invention makes it possible to manufacture desired stable bead embroidery patterns with high reliability compared to methods using conventional hand sewing techniques. Accordingly, the quality and the S productivity can be greatly improved while lowering the cost. Furthermore, along with the improvemen~ in quality and increase in productivity, there is a red~uction in the time required f or manuf acturing . ~ccordingly, product delivery times can be stabilized and shortened even in 10 areas remote from the manufacturing site. As a result, clothing fashions, which are subject to abrupt changes, can be dealt with timely.

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Claims (10)

CLAIMS:

1. A method for embroidering beads (14) onto a cloth (26) comprising:
providing an embroidering apparatus equipped with at least one thread carrying needle (27) which performs a reciprocating motion relative to the surface of a cloth (26) to attach a thread stitch to said cloth (26);
providing at least one continuous bead string having multiple numbers of tube shaped beads (14,16) each having an axial tube bore therethrough, said beads (14,16) of said continuous bead string interconnected via separable connecting sections, said beads (14,16) being provided sequentially in a manner such that said axial tube bores of said beads (14,16) are aligned with each other in said continuous bead string;
installing said continuous bead strings in said embroidering apparatus in an arrangement conducive to the respective sewing of said beads (14,16) to the surface of said cloth (26);
repetitively engaging a tip bead (14,16) of said continuous bead string with said thread carrying needle (27);
severing said connecting section (15, 18) between said needle engaged tip bead (14, 16) and said continuous bead string; and affixing said severed tip bead (14,16) to said cloth (26).

2. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said engaging, severing and affixing steps of said method further comprise:
bending a tip bead (14,16) of said continuous bead string about said connecting section (15,18);
feeding the continuous bead string such that, following said bending and feeding steps, said axial tube bore of said tip bead (14, 16) of said continuous bead string is positioned in the path of reciprocating motion of PCT/US 91/??792 said-at least one needle (27);
inserting said needle (26) into and through the axial bore of said tip bead (14,16);
forcibly advancing said tip bead (14,16) toward said cloth (26) to cause said connecting section (15,18) to break;
affixing a thread proximate a tip end of said tip bead (14,16) to said cloth (26);
withdrawing said needle (27) from said bead (14,16);
shifting said cloth (26) with respect to said needle (27) so that said separated bead orients properly on said cloth (26) surface; and sewing said thread proximate a tail end of said tip bead (14,16) to said cloth (26) after said tip bead (14,16) has oriented onto the cloth surface.

3. The method for embroidering beads (14) according, to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the continuous bead strings are initially formed by bonding beads to a belt-form material (15).

4. The method for embroidering beads (16) according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said at least one continuous bead sting is formed by forming cross-sectional cut-outs (17) in a tube-form material with a portion of the tube-form material left intact as a connecting section (18) between successive beads (16).

5. The method for embroidering beads according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the method further includes forming said at least one continuous bead string by the steps of:
bending a long belt-form material (20) to form a tube-form material; and forming cross-sectional cut-outs (23) in said tube-form material to devine individual beads (19,25) with a portion of the tube-form material left intact as a connecting section (18) between successive beads (19,253.

6. An embroidering apparatus, of the type equipped with needles (27) which perform a reciprocating motion relative to the surface of cloth (26), for embroidering beads (25) to the surface of cloth, said apparatus comprising:
continuous bead string advancing means (34,36) for providing a continuous string of interconnected tube shaped beads, each of said beads (25) having an axial tube bore therethrough;
means (40-44) for directing a tip bead (25) of said continuous bead string into alignment with the path of reciprocating motion of one of said needles (27);
tip bead bending means (40-43) for bending tip beads of said continuous bead strings, to align said axial tube bore in said beads with the path of reciprocating motion of said needles (27) wherein said tip bead bending means is included in said means for directing;
means for severing (28) said tip bead (25) from said continuous bead string; and means for affixing said severed tip bead (25) in a properly oriented arrangement on said cloth (26).

7. An embroidering apparatus, of the type equipped with needles (27) which perform a reciprocating motion relative to the surface of cloth (26), for embroidering beads (25) to the surface of cloth, said apparatus comprising:
continuous bead string advancing means (34,36) for providing a continuous string of interconnected tube shaped beads, each of said beads (25) having an axial tube bore therethrough;

means (40-44) for directing a tip bead (25) of said continuous bead string into alignment with the path of reciprocating motion of one of said needles (27), said means for directing further including:
a guide (44) for guiding said continuous bead strings toward said paths of reciprocating motion of said needles;
feeding means (36) for feeding said continuous bead strings one bead at a time along said guide (44);
tip bead bending means (40-43) for bending tip beads of said continuous bead strings, to align said axial tube bore in said bead with the path of reciprocating motion of said needles (27); and linking means (35,40, 50-56) for linking said reciprocating motion of said needles (27) with said feeding means (35) and said tip bead bending means (40-43);
means for severing (28) said tip bead (25) from said continuous bead string; and means for affixing said severed tip bead (25) in a properly oriental arrangement on said cloth (26).

8. The apparatus of Claims 6 or 7 wherein said means for severing comprises a shoulder (28) on said needle (27), said shoulder (28) engaging said bead (25) upon advancement of said needle (27) to forcibly break said connecting section (18).

9. The apparatus of Claims 6 or 7 wherein said means for affixing further comprises:
means for affixing (27,30,51) said thread proximate a tip end of said tip bead to said cloth;
means for withdrawing (27,30,51) said needle (27) from said separated bead;

means for shifting (51) said cloth (26) with respect to said needle (27) so that said separated bead is properly oriented on said cloth (26); and means for sewing (27,30,51) said thread proximate a tail end of said tip bead to said cloth (2,6) after said tip bead has oriented onto a surface of said cloth (26).

10. A cloth (26) material, including a plurality of tube shaped beads embroidered to a surface thereof, each of said beads having an axial tube bore extending the length of a major dimension of said beads, the bead embroidered cloth material constructed according to the process steps of:
providing an embroidering apparatus equipped with at least one thread carrying needle (27) which performs a reciprocating motion relative to the surface of a cloth (26);
providing at least one continuous bead string having multiple numbers of tube shaped beads (14,16) interconnected via easily separable connecting sections (15,18), said beads (14,16) being provided sequentially in a manner such that said axial tube bores of said beads (14,16) are aligned with each other in said continuous bead string;
installing said at least one continuous bead string in said embroidering apparatus;
bending a tip bead (25) of said continuous bead string about said connecting section (15,18), feeding said continuous bead string so that an axial tube bore of said tip bead (25) of said continuous bead string is positioned in the path of reciprocating motion of said at least one needle (27);
inserting said needle (27) into and through said axial tube bore of said tip bead (25);
separating said tip bead (25) from said continuous bead string with said needle (27) inserted in said tip bead (25);
affixing said thread proximate a tip end of said tip bead (25) to said cloth (26);
withdrawing said needle (27) from said bead (25);
shifting said cloth (26) with respect to said needle (27) so that said separated bead (25) is properly oriented on said cloth (26); and sewing said thread proximate a tail end of said separated bead (25) to said cloth (26) after said bead (25) has properly oriented onto the cloth surface.