EP0085638B1 - Embroidery frame constituted by elements nesting in one another - Google Patents

Abstract

A hoop for holding a piece of textile and a backing web for embroidery on the textile piece comprises outer, intermediate and inner rings. The outer ring is generally rigid, formed of a limitedly elastically deformable synthetic resin, and has a generally polygonal inner periphery generally centered on an axis. The intermediate ring is formed of a limitedly elastically deformable synthetic resin and has an outer periphery generally complementary to and axially fittable with limited play within the inner periphery of the outer ring and a generally polygonal inner periphery. Thus the intermediate ring can be elastically deformed and snapped into the outer ring with the backing web gripped between the inner periphery of the outer ring and the outer periphery of the intermediate ring. The inner ring is formed of a limitedly elastically deformable synthetic resin and has an outer periphery generally complementary to and axially fittable with the limited play within the inner periphery of the intermediate ring.

Description

The present invention relates to an embroidery frame more specially - although not exclusively - suitable for precise and rapid positioning of an article on the plate of an automatic or electronic embroidery machine.

The frames currently used for setting up and maintaining an article on the plate of an embroidery machine consist essentially of two complementary elements: a first element, whose perimeter is fixed, intended to come s '' fit into a second element, the perimeter of which can be varied and then fixed, generally by means of screws or pliers so as to enclose between these two elements the article to be embroidered, as well as a support (paper or non-woven) generally necessary when the material constituting the article is a light fabric or mesh (cf. for example GB-A-25 232).

Frames of this type, whether they are circular, ellipsoidal, square or rectangular frames with rounded interior edges, nevertheless have several drawbacks; in fact, due to the irregular tensions caused by the simultaneous tightening between the two elements of the support (non-woven or paper) and of the article to be embroidered, there is often a shearing of this article, which can harm both its solidity and 'to its external appearance. On the other hand, the installation of these frames on the machine is a long operation which immobilizes the work plan.

It has been proposed to improve the speed of placement of these frames by placing on the machine a support plate into which fit the frames described above; the frames and the plate being made up of the combination of elements having no (or little) elasticity, there are however the drawbacks mentioned above of irregular tension of the nonwoven support and shearing of the article to be embroidered.

The setting up of the frames on the support plate is often difficult since it involves fixing a frame whose external part is adjustable in a rigid element of fixed shape.

Another way of presenting items on an embroidery machine is to place them on a large frame covering the entire work surface of the machine; in the aforementioned case of light fabrics or mesh articles, it is first of all necessary to ensure the fixing of the non-woven support on this frame; it is difficult, given the dimensions of the latter, to provide the nonwoven with regular tension; the placement of the articles to be embroidered, directly on this support also constitutes a long operation immobilizing each time the work plan of the machine.

The present invention has set itself the aim of overcoming these drawbacks by proposing new embroidery frames allowing on the one hand to apply to the embroidery support possibly used (non-woven or paper) a uniform and regular tension while avoiding subject the article to be embroidered (fabric or mesh) to a harmful action of shearing and on the other hand to ensure a very easy and rapid installation, outside the machine, both of the article to be embroidered and of the support embroidery in the frame as said frame on the work plan of the machine thus significantly reducing the downtime of this work plan.

Thus, the invention relates to an embroidery frame intended in particular for automatic or electronic machines, the originality of which consists of the assembly of three complementary concentric polygonal elements, fitting into one another. one inside the other, made of a synthetic material, resistant, light, and elastic without permanent deformation, a first external element and a second intermediate intended to ensure the positioning on the machine and to allow fixing, under regular tension , of the embroidery support, being assembled by force clipping and the third, central element, intended to secure the item to be embroidered being assembled by clipping with a slight axial clearance on the assembly constituted by the assembly of the two first elements.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a first female external element of substantially rectangular cross section, at least some of the internal faces of which are curved concave and having, in cross section, an angular profile the apex of which is directed towards the center, thus defining an internal edge, a second male-female intermediate element, of cross section in angle iron, the tubular wing of which has an external face of profile substantially complementary to that of the internal face of the external female element , whose dimensions allow it to be forcibly engaged and elastically retained inside said external element, and whose internal face has a profile substantially similar to that of the internal face of the first external female element, and a third central element male, of shape and section substantially similar to that of the intermediate element and the tubular wing of which ire, however slightly longer than the second element to provide an axial clearance capable of accommodating the periphery of the article to be embroidered, is capable of being engaged in force and resiliently retained with said intermediate element.

Clearances in the form of frustoconical segments are advantageously provided at each interior angle of the polygon constituting the first female element.

• Figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée des trois éléments constitutifs du cadre selon l'invention ;
• Figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon 2-2 de figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 est une vue en perspective partiellement arrachée du cadre monté, prêt à être placé sur la machine à broder ;
• Figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon 4-4 de figure 3 ;
• Figure 5 est une vue similaire à figure 2 d'un mode de réalisation particulier des trois éléments constitutifs du cadre ;
• Figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation particulier de l'élément supérieur du cadre ;
• Figure 7 est une vue de la plaque assurant le positionnement des cadres selon l'invention sur le plan de travail de la machine à broder.

The present invention will be better understood moreover and its advantages will emerge clearly from the description which follows with reference to the dried drawing. attached material in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the three elements of the frame according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along 2-2 of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the mounted frame, ready to be placed on the embroidery machine;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view along 4-4 of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a particular embodiment of the three elements of the frame;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the upper element of the frame;
• Figure 7 is a view of the plate ensuring the positioning of the frames according to the invention on the work surface of the embroidery machine.

In the figures, 1 designates the first external element, 2 the intermediate element, 3 the internal or central element, 4 the article to be embroidered and 5 the embroidery support.

The embroidery frame according to the invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, consists of a set of three concentric complementary polygonal elements 1, 2 and 3 made of a resistant synthetic material, light and having good properties of elasticity, without permanent deformation, such as, for example, polycarbonate.

The first female external element 1 has a substantially rectangular cross section 6; its internal faces 7 are curved concave; they have, in cross section, an angular profile, the apex of which is directed towards the center and defines an internal edge 8. Clearances 9, in the form of frustoconical segments, are provided at each internal angle of the quadrilateral constituting the external element 1.

The second intermediate element, male-female 2, has an angle section; its tubular wing 10 has an external face of profile substantially complementary to that of the internal face of the female external element 1; the internal face of the intermediate element 2 has a profile similar to that of the internal face of the female external element 1.

The dimensions of the male-female element 2 allow it to be engaged in force and retained elastically inside the female element 1; the substantially rectangular cross section 6 of this element 1 communicating to it on the other hand a certain rigidity.

The third male central element 3 is of shape and section substantially similar to that of the second male-female element 2; its tubular wing 11 is capable of being engaged in force and retained elastically inside the intermediate element 2.

The length of the segment 11a of the tubular wing 11 of the central element 3 is however slightly greater than that of the segment 10a of the tubular wing 10 of the intermediate element 2 thus providing an axial clearance capable of accommodating the periphery of the item to embroider.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the tubular wings of the male-female element 2 and of the central element 3 also have a concave profile which is accentuated with respect to that of the internal edge of the external element 1 in view of providing, between the intermediate element 2 and each of the central 3 and external 1 elements, a radial clearance capable of facilitating the distribution of the tensions of the embroidery support (non-woven sheet) 5 and of the article to be embroidered 4.

Gripping tabs 12 and 13 are provided at one of the external angles of the intermediate 2 and central 3 elements.

The operations for placing the embroidery support 5 and the article to be embroidered 4 will now be described in detail.

The operator places, in a first step, on the element 1, a nonwoven sheet 5, of dimensions greater than those of said external element 1; it then has above the sheet 5 the second intermediate element 2 and forcibly engages it in the external element 1; the nonwoven is then perfectly fixed between the two elements and the presence of the recesses 9 formed at each interior angle of the exterior element 1 ensures good distribution of the tension imparted to it.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 6 the tubular wing 11 has on its outer face, at each corner of the central element 3 a frustoconical recess 14 which also promotes, especially in the case where the article to be embroidered is relatively thick, a good distribution of the tensions which are imparted to it during the placement of said central element 3.

The article to be embroidered 4 is then placed on the assembly constituted by the external element 1, the support 5 and the intermediate element 2, then there is above the article 4 the third central element 3 which the force is engaged in the intermediate element 2.

The article to be embroidered is perfectly set in place and no longer risks being subjected to a harmful shearing action on its edges; in fact, the positioning is no longer ensured in this case by clipping between a relatively thick external element, and an intermediate element as was the case for the embroidery support, but indeed by clipping between two thin elements 2 and 3, between which an axial clearance has been provided as described above.

Figures 3 and 4 show the frame mounted, once the support 5 and article 4 in place. All these operations are of course done outside the machine; it is thus possible to store a relatively large number of ready-to-use frames, which it will suffice to position when the time comes under the heads of the embroidery machine.

To facilitate this positioning, a large plate 15 (FIG. 7) can also be provided, with dimensions substantially equal to those of the work surface of the machine and in which recesses 16 are provided in a number corresponding to the number of heads of the machine, of profile complementary to that of the external face of the external element 1 and allowing rapid fixing by clipping of the equipped frame of the support 5 and of the article to be embroidered 4.

It is quite obvious that, without departing from the scope of the invention, the frame can be used for the establishment and fixing of the only article to be embroidered 4 if the thickness and the holding thereof do not require the presence of the support 5. The set of exterior 1 and intermediate 2 elements is then only used for positioning on the work surface of the machine.

As is obvious and as is clear from the above, the present invention is not limited to the single embodiment described above by way of example; on the contrary, it embraces all the variants thereof, whatever in particular the nature of the elastic synthetic material without permanent deformation, the number of sides of the concentric polygonal elements.

Claims (6)

1. An embroidery frame, characterized in that it is formed by the assembly of three concentric, polygonal, complementary units (1, 2, 3) interlocking into one another, produced in a synthetic material that is strong, light, and elastic without permanent deformation ; a first external unit (1) and a second intermediate unit (2), whose purpose is to ensure setting in position on the machine and to allow the support unit (5) of the embroidery to be fixed under even tension, being capable of assembly by forcibly clipping together ; and the central third unit (3), whose purpose is to ensure the fixation of the article to be embroidered (4), being capable of assembly by clipping with slight axial play on to the assembly formed by fitting together the first two units (1, 2).

2. A frame according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first external female unit (1) has a transverse cross-section (6) that is approximately rectangular, at least some of the internal faces (7) of which are curved inwards in a concave manner and, in cross-section, present an angular profile the peak of which is directed towards the centre thus defining an internal ridge ; the second intermediate unit (2), of male and female type, has an angular-shaped cross-section, the tubular flank (10) of which exhibits an external surface having a profile approximately complementary to that of the internal surface of the external female unit (1), the dimensions of which enable it to be forcibly inserted into and elastically secured in the interior of said external unit, and the internal surface of which exhibits a profile that is very similar to that of the internal surface of the first external female unit (1) ; and the third central male unit (3) has a shape and cross-section that are very similar to those of the second intermediate unit (2), its tubular flank (11), whilst slightly greater in length than that of the second intermediate unit in order to provide axial play suited to accommodate the periphery of the article to be embroidered (4), is suitable to the forcibly inserted into and elastically secured by the said intermediate unit.

3. A frame according to Claim 2, characterized in that the tubular flanks of the male and female unit (2) and of the central unit (3) exhibit a concave profile that is accentuated in comparison with that of the internal edge of the external unit (1) in order to provide, between the intermediate unit (2) and each of the central (3) and external (1) units, radial play suited to facilitate distributions of the tensions in the embroidery support (5) and the article to be embroidered.

4. A frame according to Claim 2 and Claim 3, characterized in that disengagement means in the form of segments of a truncated cone (9) are provided at each internal angle of the polygon forming the first external female unit.

5. A frame according to any of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that cavities (14) in the form of truncated cones are provided at each angle of the tubular flank (11) of central unit (3).

6. A frame according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that positioning on the working surface of the machine is ensured by means of a sheet of material (15) in which cavities (16) are provided having internal profiles complementary to that of the outer surface of external unit (1), the number of these cavities corresponding to that of the heads of the embroidery machine.

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