GB2071171A

GB2071171A - Improvements in or relating to embroidery machinery

Info

Publication number: GB2071171A
Application number: GB8105119A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Devoge and Co Ltd
Current assignee: Devoge and Co Ltd
Priority date: 1980-03-04
Filing date: 1981-02-18
Publication date: 1981-09-16

Abstract

There is disclosed an embroidery machine having means for removably mounting each of a pair of embroidery frames (17) at each work-station (18) and for exchanging one for the other of each pair between successive machine embroidery cycles. The frames may be carried on a slide member (14) mounted on the machine pantograph (13) or directly on the pantograph itself. The arrangements substantially reduce down-time between machine cycles. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to embroidery machinery This invention relates to a multi-head embroidery machine of the kind (hereinafter termed of the kind referred to) comprising a plurality of laterally spaced work-stations located between the working parts of a like number of laterally-spaced embroidery heads.

Each work-piece of textile fabric is clamped in a stretched condition in an embroidery frame which is provided with clip means which cooperate with associated means carried by a pantograph forming part of the embroidery machine for removably securing the frames at the work-stations of the machine.

Conventionally when a machine or sewing cycle is complete, that is when the embroidery at each work-station is finished, the machine is stopped and the frames removed from each workstation and replaced by other frames carrying work-pieces to be embroidered during the next machine cycle. This operation is rather timeconsuming and thus detracts from the production capability of the embroidery heads themselves.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved embroidery machinery which reduces the magnitude of the problem aforesaid.

According to the present invention, there is provided an embroidery machine of the kind referred to including means for removably mounting each of a pair of embroidery frames in side-by-side relationship at each work-station and means for replacing the one just worked by the other at each work-station between successive machine sewing cycles.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing which shows, by way of example only, one form of embroidery machine embodying the invention.

Of the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic front view of the machine; and Fig. 2 shows a fragmentary cross-section through the machine on the line Il-Il of Fig. 1 and on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawing, it will be seen that the embroidery machine comprises a plurality of embroidery heads generally indicated at 10 and typically six in number arranged at laterally spaced positions along the frame of the machine. Each embroidery head comprises an upper working part 11 and a lower working part 12.

Extending along the length of the machine is a pantograph 1 3 which is adapted to mount the work-pieces such that one thereof is located at the work-station between the parts 11 and 1 2 of each embroidery head 10 and to move the work-pieces under automatic control so that the required pattern is embroidered.

In accordance with the invention, a slide member 14 is mounted on the pantograph 1 3 and this slide member 14 is provided with clip means 15 and 1 6 for mounting a pair of embroidery frames 1 7 carrying work-pieces to be embroidered in side-by-side relationship for each work-station of the machine.

The member 14 can be slid manually or automatically when desired relative to the pantograph 13 to exchange one of each pair of embroidery frames 1 7 for the other at each workstation.

Referring to Fig. 2, the position of a workstation located in an embroidery head 10 is indicated by the chain dotted line 1 8. The slide 14 carries a work-piece A mounted in one of the frames 1 7 which is being worked in a sewing cycle. During this sewing cycle a new work-piece B mounted in the other of the embroidery frames 1 7 can be positioned on the slide 14.At the end of the sewing cycle the slide member 14 can be moved in the direction of the arrow X to bring the work-piece B into the work-station, at the same time displacing the completed work-piece A to the position indicated in chain-dotted lines 1 9 for removal from the machine and replacement by a fresh work-piece which can be moved into the work-station by sliding the member 14 in the opposite direction from the arrow X when the work-piece has been completed.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible without departing from the scope thereof.

Thus, for example, instead of providing a slide member mounted for reciprocable movements of the machine pantograph, the machine pantograph itself may be modified to carry directly a pair of embroidery frames in side-by-side relationship for each work-station. The pantograph can then be slid laterally between successive machine sewing cycles to replace the embroidery frames just worked by those loaded during the sewing cycle.

Conveniently these sliding movements can be incorporated into the programme which controls the pantograph movement during the operational cycles of the machine.

Again, for example, the means for mounting each pair of embroidery frames may be such that the frames are in a side-by-side relationship, one behind the other or diagonally relative to each embroidery head, rather than laterally adjacent as previously described, the slide member or pantograph then being arranged for appropriate fore and aft or diagonal movements between machine cycles instead of the lateral movements previously described,

CLAIMS 1. An embroidery machine of the kind referred to including means for removably mounting each of a pair of embroidery frames in a side-by-side relationship at each work-station and means for replacing the one just worked by the other at each work-station between successive machine sewing cycles.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to embroidery machinery This invention relates to a multi-head embroidery machine of the kind (hereinafter termed of the kind referred to) comprising a plurality of laterally spaced work-stations located between the working parts of a like number of laterally-spaced embroidery heads. Each work-piece of textile fabric is clamped in a stretched condition in an embroidery frame which is provided with clip means which cooperate with associated means carried by a pantograph forming part of the embroidery machine for removably securing the frames at the work-stations of the machine. Conventionally when a machine or sewing cycle is complete, that is when the embroidery at each work-station is finished, the machine is stopped and the frames removed from each workstation and replaced by other frames carrying work-pieces to be embroidered during the next machine cycle. This operation is rather timeconsuming and thus detracts from the production capability of the embroidery heads themselves. It is an object of the present invention to provide improved embroidery machinery which reduces the magnitude of the problem aforesaid. According to the present invention, there is provided an embroidery machine of the kind referred to including means for removably mounting each of a pair of embroidery frames in side-by-side relationship at each work-station and means for replacing the one just worked by the other at each work-station between successive machine sewing cycles. The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing which shows, by way of example only, one form of embroidery machine embodying the invention. Of the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic front view of the machine; and Fig. 2 shows a fragmentary cross-section through the machine on the line Il-Il of Fig. 1 and on an enlarged scale. Referring to the drawing, it will be seen that the embroidery machine comprises a plurality of embroidery heads generally indicated at 10 and typically six in number arranged at laterally spaced positions along the frame of the machine. Each embroidery head comprises an upper working part 11 and a lower working part 12. Extending along the length of the machine is a pantograph 1 3 which is adapted to mount the work-pieces such that one thereof is located at the work-station between the parts 11 and 1 2 of each embroidery head 10 and to move the work-pieces under automatic control so that the required pattern is embroidered. In accordance with the invention, a slide member 14 is mounted on the pantograph 1 3 and this slide member 14 is provided with clip means 15 and 1 6 for mounting a pair of embroidery frames 1 7 carrying work-pieces to be embroidered in side-by-side relationship for each work-station of the machine. The member 14 can be slid manually or automatically when desired relative to the pantograph 13 to exchange one of each pair of embroidery frames 1 7 for the other at each workstation. Referring to Fig. 2, the position of a workstation located in an embroidery head 10 is indicated by the chain dotted line 1 8. The slide 14 carries a work-piece A mounted in one of the frames 1 7 which is being worked in a sewing cycle. During this sewing cycle a new work-piece B mounted in the other of the embroidery frames 1 7 can be positioned on the slide 14.At the end of the sewing cycle the slide member 14 can be moved in the direction of the arrow X to bring the work-piece B into the work-station, at the same time displacing the completed work-piece A to the position indicated in chain-dotted lines 1 9 for removal from the machine and replacement by a fresh work-piece which can be moved into the work-station by sliding the member 14 in the opposite direction from the arrow X when the work-piece has been completed. It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible without departing from the scope thereof. Thus, for example, instead of providing a slide member mounted for reciprocable movements of the machine pantograph, the machine pantograph itself may be modified to carry directly a pair of embroidery frames in side-by-side relationship for each work-station. The pantograph can then be slid laterally between successive machine sewing cycles to replace the embroidery frames just worked by those loaded during the sewing cycle. Conveniently these sliding movements can be incorporated into the programme which controls the pantograph movement during the operational cycles of the machine. Again, for example, the means for mounting each pair of embroidery frames may be such that the frames are in a side-by-side relationship, one behind the other or diagonally relative to each embroidery head, rather than laterally adjacent as previously described, the slide member or pantograph then being arranged for appropriate fore and aft or diagonal movements between machine cycles instead of the lateral movements previously described, CLAIMS

1. An embroidery machine of the kind referred to including means for removably mounting each of a pair of embroidery frames in a side-by-side relationship at each work-station and means for replacing the one just worked by the other at each work-station between successive machine sewing cycles.

2. An embroidery machine according to claim 1 wherein the means for removably mounting the pairs of embroidery frames are carried on a slide member which extends past all of the workstations and which is mounted for reciprocable movements, to effect the exchange of embroidery frames on the pantograph of the embroidery machine.

3. An embroidery machine according to claim 2 wherein the reciprocable movements of the slide member can be effected manually.

4. An embroidery machine according to claim 2 wherein the reciprocable movements of the slide member are effected automatically.

5. An embroidery machine according to claim 1 wherein the machine pantograph carries the means for mounting the pairs of embroidery frames, there being means for moving the pantograph laterally to exchange the embroidery frames between successive machine cycles.

6. An embroidery machine according to claim 5 wherein the lateral movements for exchanging the embroidery frames are incorporated into the programme which controls movement of the pantograph during the operational cycles of the machine.

7. An embroidery machine substantially as described herein.