GB2257717A

GB2257717A - Work support table for embroidery sewing machine

Info

Publication number: GB2257717A
Application number: GB9214835A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hisato Sakakibara; Edgar F Moore Iii
Original assignee: Barudan Co Ltd
Current assignee: Barudan Co Ltd
Priority date: 1991-07-18
Filing date: 1992-07-13
Publication date: 1993-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-13
Also published as: FR2679267B1; IT1255456B; FR2684394A1; GB9501235D0; FR2684394B1; DE4223009C2; ES2120316B1; DE4223009A1; ES2082679B1; KR930002580A; GB9214835D0; ES2120316A1; GB2257717B; KR100217954B1; ES2082679A2; ITMI921716A0; ES2082679R; FR2679267A1; ITMI921716A1

Description

2-1 1 3 -17 7 1 SEWING.MACHINE TABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of The Invention

The present invention relates to sewing machine tables and particularly to industrial type sewing machine tables which are used with multiple sewing machine heads whereby two or more items are sewn or embroidered simultaneously. Specifically, the invention described herein pertains to a table which will enable the operator to change the sewing machines from acceptance of flat goods such as open shirts to acceptance of three dimensional goods such as baseball caps for embroidering or stitching.

2. Description Of The Prior Art And Objectives Of The Invention

It has become increasingly popular in recent years to sew and embroider various garments such as shirts, pants, jackets, caps and the like. Trademarks, company names, and the names of social organizations are now routinely placed on garments and various groups have increasingly sought uniforms or other matching garments to wear at different events and occasions with identical logos. Commercial sewing machines which utilize a plurality of sewing heads are in wide spread use whereby an operator may stitch or sew, by computer control, the logo or name simultaneously on a plurality of similar articles of wearing apparel. "Flat goods" embroidering is conventionally done with sewing 1 machines employing a standard table or bed whereby the goods are positioned thereon in frames and logos or the like are embroidered on multiple pieces at the same time. However, when so called "three dimensional" objects such as baseball caps or the like are to be embroidered, the sewing table or bed has to be removed or positioned out of the way since a frame for insertion into the cap is affixed to the machine proximate the sewing machine needles for maintaining the cap in a proper position during stitching. Such cap frames are generally circular and cannot lay on a conventional flat sewing table. Thus, the sewing table must be removed and positioned out of the way while the operator modifies the sewing machine equipment to receive the cap frames. Commercial sewing machines employing a series of two (2) or more sewing heads utilize a flat, heavy laminated table. Such sewing machine tables are not only heavy but are bulky and must be handled with care to prevent damage thereto. These tables are also difficult to remove by even a pair of operators, and if care is not taken, can accidentally strike the needles of the sewing machines during removal or replacement, causing delays and added expense in the set up or take down time.

Thus, with the problems and disadvantages of the removal of conventional sewing machine tables from conventional sewing machines having multiple sewing heads, the present invention was C onceived and one of its objectives is to provide a sewing machine table which will allow the operator to easily convert 2 from sewing flat goods to three dimensional objects such as baseball caps, or tubular goods such as polo shirts, pockets, pant legs or other items and back again.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a sewing machine table which includes a mechanism for allowing a movable table top section to move downwardly, away from the sewing machine needles and cylinder arms which houses thread bobbins.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a mechanism for a sewing machine which includes a pair of pivot arms and coil springs which help maintain the movable table top section in either a raised or lowered position.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a sewing machine table mechanism which allows for easy table movement and includes a crank member to which an L-shaped arm and a linear arm are attached.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a sewing machine table mechanism which includes a hydraulic cylinder for dampening the upward movement of the movable table top section to insure a smooth, safe table conversion operation.

Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed presentation is provided below.

SUINMARY OF THE INVENTION 3 The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing a sewing machine table which includes a mechanism whereby a movable table top section can be released and urged simultaneously, downwardly and horizontally away from the sewing machine heads and cylinder arms. The mechanism is affixed to the frame of the sewing machine table and included is a first or rear table top section which is permanently joined to the frame. A second or complementary front table top section is mechanically attached to the frame by a mechanism hereinafter more completely described which allows the second section to move from a first position in continuous horizontal alignment with the first table top section to a second position vertically spaced from said first top section, therebelow and out of the way whereby the operator can affix cap frames proximate the sewing machine heads for embroidering thereon goods such as jerseys, polo shirts or the like. The extended sewing machine table may include three separate mechanisms affixed to the frame for smooth efficient mechanical movement of the second table top section, the exact number of mechanisms depending on the length and weight of the particular table top encountered. The mechanisms include a pair of arms which are rotatably affixed to the sewing machine table frame and are likewise affixed to a crank member attached to the second or movable top section. A first coil spring as a first resilient member constantly urges the second top section upwardly while a second spring as a second resilient member helps maintain the 4 movable table top section in either the raised or lowered position as the spring rotates below a pivot point. Each spring is adjustable so as to counter balance different table weights. An alignment member attached to the second table top section for contact with the first or fixed top section and prevents further upward movement of the second top section. A means to dampen the upward motion of the movable table top is included in the form of one or more hydraulic cylinders which are attached to one of the arms. The movable mechanisms described allow the second table top section to move either upwardly or downwardly by manual urging by a single operator and a latch is provided to hold the second table top section downwardly, out of the way during use of the sewing machine for embroidering baseball caps or other three dimensional objects.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embroidering machine; Fig. 2 is an exploded view in perspective of an embroidery f rame; Fig. 3A is a sectional.view, which is taken along a line A-A in Fig. 5, of a movable portion in a raised position of a table; Fig. 3B is a sectional view, which is taken along the line B-B in Fig. 5, of the movable portion in the same condition; Fig. 4A is a sectional view, which is taken along the line A-A in Fig. 5, of the movable portion in a lowered position of the table; Fig. 4B is a sectional view, which is taken along the line B-B in Fig. 5, of the movable portion in the same condition; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in Fig. 4A; Fig. 6 is a partially cutaway view in side elevation of an arm and a leg fastened thereto; Fig. 7 is a partial view showing the relation between the arm and the leg; Fig. 8 is a construction diagram of another embodiment; Fig. 9 represents in enlarged fashion sewing machine mechanism of still another embodiment in a side elevational view with the table section in a raised position; Fig. 10 illustrates the pivotal mechanism as seen in Fig. 9 with the movable table section in a mid or partial downward position; Fig. 11 demonstrates the pivotal mechanism as seen in Fig. 9 with the table section in a fully lowered position; and Fig. 12 demonstrates the latch mechanism as seen in Fig. 11. Description of the Preferred Embodiments:

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to Fig. 1, a reference numeral 1 denotes an embroidering machine, 2 a regular embroidery frame used when embroidery is made on a sheet type cloth or flat goods such as open shirts in the embroidering machine 1, and 3 an embroidery frame used when embroidery is made 6 on a cylindrical cloth or three dimensional goods. This embroidering machine 1 has ordinary construction except that a part of a table is made vertically movable. A reference numeral 4 denotes a table, 5 a table top or a top plate consisting of a first table top section or a fixed portion 6 and a second table top section or a vertically movable portion 7, 8 a plurality of beds or cylinder arms, for example, eight (four beds only are shown in the drawing) beds attached to the fixed portion 6 in parallel with one another, 9 driving means for moving the embroidery frame in the longitudinal direction, and 11 driving means for moving the embroidery frame in the lateral direction, these driving means 9, 11 being exposed to the upper side of the top plate 5 through slits 10, 12 provided in the top plate and comprised of rollers. The driving means 9 are fastened to a driving plate ga (refer to Fig. 3A) adapted to be moved by a driving unit provided in the table 4. The driving means 11 are formed in the same manner, though the construction thereof is not shown. A reference numeral 13 denotes a support frame provided in a horizontally- laid state above the table 4. Heads 14 are fixed to this support frame 13 so that the head 14 are positioned above the beds 8.

The embroidery frame 2 is a known frame, which is provided in the lower surface thereof with recesses in which the driving means 9, 11 are to be fitted.

The embroidery frame 3 consists of a driving frame 16, and 7 cloth spreading frames 18 capable of being attached to and detached from the driving frame 16. The driving frame 16 has recesses, in which the driving means 9, 11 are to be fitted, just as in the embroidery frame 2. The cloth spreading frames 18 are provided so that the number of the cloth spreading frames corresponds to that of the beds 8. A reference numeral 19 denotes embroidery holes formed in the cloth spreading frames 18.

Next, the sewing machine 1 is explained. A sewing machine table top 5 having a first, rigid or permanently affixed top section 6 and a second, movable top section 7 are affixed to the table frame. As shown in Figs. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B, the movable top table section 7 is changeable from a raised position to a lowered position which allows the operator to transform the sewing machine heads from acceptance of conventional flat goods to three dimensional goods such as baseball caps for the purpose of embroidering logos, trademarks or other indicia thereon.

A structure for vertically moving the movable portion 7 in the embroidering machine 1 will now be described on the basis of what are shown in Figs. 3 and 5. A reference numeral 21 denotes base frames of the table 4, 22 a leg sheathing plate, and 23 a vertically extending rail fixed to the base frames 21 via the leg sheathing plate 22. On the other hand a reference numeral 24 denotes a support frame having on its rear surface slide members 25 vertically movable along the rail 23, and 26 a table support member of the support frame 24, which consists, for example, of 8 an angle material to which the movable portion 7 is fixed. A reference numeral 27 denotes a spring member for lifting the movable portion 7, which spring member is adapted to apply an upward urging force to the support frame 24. For example, a gas cylinder is used as the spring member 27, which is connected at one end to the support frame 24 and at the other end to the base frame 21 via a bracket 28. A reference numeral 29 denotes a stopper fixed to the base frame 21 and used to stop an upward movement of the support frame 24 in a position in which the upper surfaces of the movable and fixed portions 7, 6 become flush with each other as shown in Fig. 3B, 30 a main body of a lowered state holding unit, which is fixed to the lower portion of the support frame 24, and 31 a locking member of the lowered state holding unit, which is fixed to the base frame 21. These parts are adapted to hold the lowered state of the movable portion 7 with the locking member 31 engaging the main body 30 when the movable portion 7 of the top plate is moved down. This lowered state holding unit consists, for example, of a part called a lock. The movable portion 7 is normally held in a position, in which the upper surfaces of the movable and fixed portions 7, 6 become flush with each other, by the urging force of the spring member 27 and the positioning force of the stepper 29. When the movable portion 7 is pressed down, for example, manually against the urging force of the spring member 27, the main body 30 of the lowered state holding unit and locking member 31 are engaged with each other, so that 9 the movable portion 7 is held in a lowered position as shown in Fig. 4A.

The embroidery frame 3 will now be described with reference to Fig. 2. First, a cloth spreading frame 18 will be described. A reference numeral 33 denotes a base plate having ribs 34, 35 at the left, right and rear end portions thereof and formed so that it has a sufficiently high strength even when it consists of a comparatively thin material. This base plate 33 is formed by pressing, for example, a steel plate. The width W of the base plate 33 is, for example, 460 mm, and the length L thereof 570 mm. The rib 35 constitutes a contact member to be engaged with a receiving member which will be described later. The rib 35 is provided at the end portions thereof with positioning through holes 36. A reference numeral 37 denotes connecting members provided integrally with the ribs 34 and having positioning through holes 38. The embroidery hole 19 referred to above is formed in this base plate 33 (to a diameter of, for example, 420 mm). An inner frame 39 is attached to the lower surface of the base plate 33. A reference numeral 40 demotes a known outer frame. The outer frame 40 is cut off at one portion of its cir cularly extending body. The resultant end portions of the outer frame are formed so as to be tightened together with a tightening screw 41. The tightening of these end portions enables a cloth to be embroidered to be set firm between the outer circumferential surface of the inner frame 39 and the inner circumferential sur- face of the outer frame 40.

A structure for connecting the cloth spreading frame 18 to the driving frame 16 will now be described. A reference numeral 43 denotes arms fixed at their base end portions to the driving frame 16, formed to an L-shaped cross section and having a length of about 400 mm. A horizontal portion at the free end section of each arm 43 constitutes a support portion 44 for supporting the relative connecting portion 37 referred to above. A reference numeral 45 denotes a receiving member fixed to the driving frame 16 and provided thereon with magnets 46 for connecting the cloth spreading frame 18 to the driving frame 16, and pins 47 for positioning the cloth spreading frame 18 with respect to the driving frame 16. These pins 47 are provided in the positions corresponding to the through holes 36 mentioned above. A reference numeral 48 denotes a connecting magnet provided on the support portion 44 and similar to the magnets 46, and 49 a positioning pin similar to the pins 47 and provided in the position corresponding to the relative through hole 38.

A reference numeral 51 denotes a leg for supporting the cloth spreading frame 18 at the free end portion thereof and fastened detachably to the lower surfaces of adjacent arms 43. The portions of adjacent arms 43 to which the leg 51 is fastened are, for example, about 280 mm away from the base end portions of the arms 43. These leg-fastening portions of the arms 43 may be closer to the free end portions thereof. The leg 51 will now be 11 described in detail with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. As shown in Fig. 6, the leg 51 is formed with an upper cylindrical member 52 and a lower cylindrical member 53 inserted withdrawably into the upper cylindrical member 52 so that the length of the leg 51 can be increased and decreased. The lower member 53 can be f ixed to the upper member 52 by means of a tightener 54 provided on the lower end portion of the upper member 52. A reference numeral 55 denotes a connecting structure provided on the upper end portion of the upper member 52 and formed as follows. A reference numeral 56 denotes a threaded portion formed at the upper section of the upper member 52, 57 a flange type stopper member fixed to the upper end portion of the upper member 52, and 58 a tightening member engaged with the threaded portion 56. Reference numerals 61, 61 denote stopper members fixed to the lower surfaces of adjacent arms 43 so that the stopper members 61, 61 are spaced in an opposed state by a distance G which corresponds to the diameter of the threaded portion 56. A reference numeral 62 denotes a roller provided at the lower end portion of the lower member 53 so that the roller 62 can be moved horizontally and smoothly on the movable portion 7 of the top plate, and 63 a skirt provided so as to prevent a cloth from entering the lower side of the roller 62. The legs 51 formed as described above are used in the positions shown in Fig. 1, in such a manner that each of the cloth spreading frames 18 can be supported at either the left side or the right side thereof. Such legs 51 may be fastened to all the arms 12 43 so as to support each cloth spreading frame 18 at both the left and right sides thereof.

A cloth embroidering operation carried out by using the embroidering machine 1 will now be described. In the case where embroidery is made on an ordinary sheet type cloth and a flat cloth, the embroidery frame 2 is used. This embroidering operation is as generally known. Namely, a cloth to be embroidered is set on the embroidery frame 2. The resultant embroidery frame 2 is joined to the driving means 9, 11 with the movable portion 7 in the lifted condition as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. Embroidery is then made on the cloth in a usual manner by operating the embroidering machine 1.

In the case where embroidery is made on a cylindrical cloth, for example, the back of a sports jacket, the embroidery frame 3 is used. In this case, the movable portion 7 of the top plate 5 is held in the lowered condition as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. First, in a place away from the embroidering machine 1, a cloth is set on the cloth spreading frame 18 so that a region (back) to be embroidered thereof is positioned in the hole 19. This operation is identical with a cloth setting operation using a conventional cloth spreading frame. In such an operation, the relation between the inner and outer frame 39, 40 in the cloth spreading frame 18 is as shown in a partial enlarged illustration in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, cloths are designated by a reference numeral 65, and regions to be embroidered by a reference numeral 65a. In the 13 meantime, the driving frame 16 is joined to the driving means 9, 11 on the embroidering machine 1, and legs 51 are fastened to the arms 43. In order to fasten a leg 51 to arms 43, the leg 51 in the condition shown in Fig. 7 is f irst placed under the arms 43 so as to insert the stopper members 61 into a clearance 59 between the stopper member 57 and tightening member 58 of the leg 51. The tightening member 58 is then tightened to obtain a legfastened condition shown in Fig. 6.

The cloth spreading frame 18 on which the cloth 65 has been set is then connected to the driving frame 16 in the following manner. First, the cloth spreading frame 18 is inclined so that the front portion (lower left portion in Figs. 1 and 2) thereof becomes higher with the rear portion (the portion on the side of the contact member 35) thereof becoming lower. The contact member 35 is then applied to the receiving member 45 so that the pins 47 are fitted into the through holes 36. The front portion of the cloth spreading frame 18 is then lowered, and the pins 49 are fitted into the through holes 38. Consequently, the magnets 46 attract the contact member 35, and the magnets 48 the connecting members 37. As a result, the cloth spreading frame 18 is joined reliably to the driving frame 16. Owing to these steps taken, the leg 51 supports the cloth spreading frame 18 at the free end portion thereof.

The embroidering machine 1 is then operated in a usual manner with the cloth spreading frame 18 in this condition. Con- 14 sequently, the driving frame 16 is moved horizontally by the driving means 9, 11, and the cloth spreading frame 18 is moved horizontally with the driving frame 16. Accordingly, the region to be embroidered, which is positioned in the hole 19, of the cloth is moved horizontally. Embroidery is then made on this region of the cloth in accordance with the operations of an embroidery needle 14a provided on the head 14 and the rotating hook on the bed 8. During this time, the leg 51 is moved horizontally with the cloth spreading frame 18 owing to the roller 62 lightly rolling on the movable portion 7 of the top plate, thus preventing the free end portion of the cloth spreading frame 18 from lowering.

The present embroidery frame having the above-described construction has the following effects. When the cloth spreading frame is formed to a larger size so as to make embroidery on a region of a large area of a cloth, and, moreover, with materials of a large diameter and a large thickness so as to enable the cloth spreading frame to follow up a horizontal movement of the driving frame without being vibrated laterally thereby, the weight of the cloth spreading frame increases. However, the present embroidery frame has advantageous features that the cloth spreading frame is supported at its free end portion on the leg, whereby the lowering of the free end portion can be prevented even when the weight of the cloth spreading frame is thus increased. Owing to this advantageous structure, following problems of the conventional embroidery frame can be solved.

The conventional embroidery frame of this kind includes the following. A driving frame is adapted to be moved horizontally by a driving means in the embroidering machine. A cloth spreading frame is joined to the driving frame so that the cloth spreading frame projects horizontally from the driving frame. The cloth spreading frame is provided with an embroidery hole used to expose a region to be embroidered of a cloth thereto.

When this conventional embroidery frame is used, a small article, such as a sock can be embroidered without any trouble with the sock held on a cloth spreading f rame so that a region to be embroidered thereof is positioned in the embroidery hole in the cloth spreading frame. However, in order to make embroidery on a wide region, such as the whole surface of the back of, for example, a sports jacket, it is necessary that a cloth spreading frame be formed to a larger size accordingly. In order that a larger-sized cloth spreading frame can follow up a horizontal movement of the driving frame without being vibrated laterally, it is necessary that the cloth spreading frame be made of a material of a large diameter and a material of a large thickness. If a cloth spreading frame is formed with such materials, the weight thereof increases. If embroidery is made on a cloth by using such a cloth spreading frame, a free end portion of the cloth spreading frame lowers due to its own weight. If the free end portion of the cloth spreading frame thus lowers, the lower is surface of the region to be embroidered of a cloth rubs against a bed of the embroidering machine, so that the cloth wears out. In some cases, the region being embroidered of the cloth becomes unable to be moved in accordance with the movement of the driving frame due to the resistance occurring in the cloth rubbing against the bed of the embroidering machine, to cause a deformed embroidered pattern to be produced. These are the problems encountered in a conventional embroidery frame.

In order to prevent the free end portion of the cloth spreading frame from lowering as mentioned above, the cloth spreading frame may be formed with materials of a further larger diameter and a further larger thickness which permit the resultant cloth spreading frame to withstand its own weight. However, if the cloth spreading frame is formed in this manner, the weight thereof becomes very large. A heavy cloth spreading frame constitutes an unbalanced load with respect to the driving frame. This prevents a regular driving mechanism from providing a highspeed horizontal movement of the driving frame. A large and heavy cloth spreading frame has such problems.

But the present embroidery frame is supported at the free end portion by the leg so that the abrasion of the lower surface of the region to be embroidered of a cloth against the bed of an embroidering machine and the deformation of embroidered patterns, which are encountered in a conventional embroidery frame, can be prevented. Accordingly, proper embroidery can be made on a cloth.

17 Moreover, while the cloth spreading frame is moved horizontally, load on the free end portion thereof is supported on the leg mentioned above, though the cloth spreading frame is joined in a projecting state to the driving frame. Therefore, the occurrence of an unbalanced load imparted to a prior art driving frame can be prevented. This enables the driving frame to be moved lightly.

A different mode of embodiment will now be described. The arm 43 may be provided fixedly on the base plate 33 of the cloth spreading frame 18 with the base end portion of the arm 43 detachably joined to the driving frame 16. The leg 51 may be fastened directly to the free end, or a portion close to the free end, of the cloth spreading frame 18. A structure for connecting the cloth spreading frame 18 in a horizontally projecting state to the driving frame 16 may be formed as follows. Namely, a forklike holder is attached to the driving frame so as to project horizontally therefrom. The connecting members provided at the left and right edges of the cloth spreading frame are then joined to the front end portions of the holder.

Another embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 8. In this embodiment, the lower ends of legs 51e for supporting the cloth spreading frames are supported on a support frame 66 which is moved horizontally with a driving frame 16e. Referring to the drawing, the support frame 66 is provided below the cloth spreading frames, and, in this em- 18 bodiment, below the arms 43e for holding the cloth spreading frames, in such a manner that the support frame 66 can be moved horizontally. A timing belt 68 is connected to a pulse motor 67, which is adapted to move the driving frame 16e forward and backward, in such a manner that the timing belt 68 can be turned in accordance with an operation of the pulse motor 67. A driving means gae similar to that mentioned above is attached to this timing belt 68. Another timing belt 70 is connected via a timing belt 69 to the pulse motor 67 so that the timing belt 70 can be turned in accordance with an operation of the pulse motor 67. A driving means 71 is attached to the timing belt 70. The relation between the driving means 71 and support frame 66 is the same as that between the driving means gae and driving frame 16e. The movements of the driving means 71 in the directions of a dual arrow are transmitted to the support frame 66, and the support frame 66 can be moved freely in the horizontal direction which is at right angles to this dual arrow, with respect to the driving means 71. A reference numeral 72 denotes a pulse motor for use in moving the driving frame 16e in the lateral direction, and a timing belt 73 is joined to this motor. Driving means identical with the driving means 11 shown in Fig. 1 are fixed to this timing belt 73. Another timing belt 75 is connected to the pulse motor 72 via a timing belt 74. The support frame 66 is connected to the timing belt 75 so as tohave relation identical with that between the timing belt 73 and driving frame 16e.

19 In the embodiment having such construction, the driving frame 16e and support frame 66 are moved together in the horizontal direction. and the legs Sle and cloth spreading frames together horizontally. Therefore, the driving frame 16e and the cloth spreading frames mounted thereto are moved together in the horizontal direction. The timing belts 70, 75 may be operated by other pulse motors adapted to be turned synchronously with the pulse motors 67, 72, respectively. The parts of this embodiment which are considered functionally identical with or equivalent to any parts of the embodiment of the previously-mentioned drawings are designated by the same reference numerals as are used in the latter drawings with the letter "e" added thereto, whereby duplicated descriptions of the parts are omitted.

Next, another embodiment of the mechanism which allows the movable table top section to so operate from the upper position to the lower position is shown in Fig. 9, with the movable top section in a raised position. On a twelve (12) head sewing machine, three (3) such mechanisms are employed. The movable mechanism includes a crank member which is rigidly affixed to the movable table top section and a pair of arms which are rotatably affixed to the crank and extend outwardly to the table frame where they are rotatably joined thereto. A pair of resilient coil springs are affixed to the rear of the upper arm and to the lower, linear arm. Both springs (lower and upper) help maintain the movable top section in a raised position whereas the lower spring continues to urge the top section downwardly when the movable top section is in a fully lowered posture (Fig. 11) while the upper spring urges the top section to return upwardly. A means to dampen the upward motion of the pivotal table top section is affixed to the linear arm and includes a hydraulic cylinder which retards the upward motion, thus safety for the operator. A lip is affixed to the movable table top section to insure an even alignment with the permanently affixed first table top section upon raising as the two sections abut.

For a better understanding of the embodiment and its operation, turning now to the drawings Figs 9 to 12, sewing machine table 110 is depicted in Fig. 9 having a plurality of twelve sewing machine heads 111 which are affixed to table frame 112. Frame 112 may be made from tubular or channel steel which has been enameled and from other suitable, sturdy materials. Table top 113 which may be of laminated wood or other smooth, planar surface materials having a finished upper surface consists of a first top section 114 which is permanently affixed to table frame 112. First top section 114 may be bolted or like attached to frame 112 and does not move. Second movable top section 115 as seen in Figs. 9 and 11 is movably affixed to frame 112 and raised, as shown in Fig. 9, into horizontal alignment with top section 114 whereby flat goods such as shirts or the like can be placed thereon and conveniently stitched by sewing heads 111, As further shown in Figs. 10 and 11, second movable top section 115 21 is lowered, away from sewing machine heads 111.

In Figs. 9 and 11, a fully raised and lowered positions respectively of a movable portion or a movable table top section 115 are shown and in Fig. 11, the arcuate path traveled by top section 115 is illustrated in broken lines. An arcuate rotation rather than a straight, vertical lowering of top 115 is ac complished in order to overcome or avoid cylinder arms 117 which are affixed to frame 112 as seen in Fig. 10. Lip member 116 is also shown in Fig. 9 which insures proper alignment with top sec tion 114.

In order for top section 115 to lower, a means is provided by mechanism 120 as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. In Fig. 9, top section 115 is in its raised position in horizontal alignment with top section 114. As further seen therein, top section 115 includes an alignment lip member or stopper 116 which insures correct horizontal alignment as top section 115 abuts top section 114. As this alignment lip member 116 abuts the top section 114, the top section 115 becomes flush with the top section 114. Crank member 121 is welded or otherwise rigidly affixed to angle iron support 122 and screws affix angle iron support 122 to top section 115. Linear pivot arm 124 is rotatably attached to crank member 121 through crank arm axle 126 and pivots therearound. Lshaped pivot arm 125 is rotatably joined to crank member 121 through upper crank arm axle 127 as shown in Fig. 9, with axles 126 and 127 in vertical alignment. Likewise, linear pivot arm 124 22 which is below L-shaped pivot arm 125, is affixed to table frame 112 by lower frame axle 128 whereas L-shaped arm 125 is affixed to frame 12 through upper frame axle 129. Thus, both arms 124 and 125 are affixed to rotate on frame 112 at points in straight vertical alignment.

In Fig. 9, upper coil spring 130 is affixed to the rear of pivot arm 125 at a position slightly above upper frame axle 129. Thus, when table section 115 is in a lowered or downward position as shown in Fig. 11, coil spring 130 is extended and urges table top section 115 upwardly. Threaded adjusting stud 131 comprises a means for tension adjustment of coil spring 130. Likewise, lower coil spring 132 is attached to threaded adjustment stud 133 which comprises a means for tension adjustment of coil spring 132. Coil spring 132 is affixed to frame 112 by bracket 134 which may be welded or otherwise attached to frame 112. Coil spring 132 is shown in an relaxed or contracted posture in Fig. 9 and helps to hold table 115 in its raised position. As shown in Fig. 10, when table section 115 is partially lowered, resilient coil spring 130 is stretched and coil spring 132 is likewise extended or stretched. As seen in Fig. 9, member 135 which likewise is threadably adjustable, acts as a means to stop the rotation of linear arm 124, is affixed to frame 112 and contacts linear pivot arm 124 when table top 115 is in its raised posture as seen in Fig. 9. Hydraulic cylinder 136 which also is conventionally adjustable, provides a means to dampen the upward motion of table 23 section 115 and is likewise joined to frame 112. Spring 130 in Fig. 11 is stretched or extended more so than in Fig. 10. whereas spring 132 is stretched in Fig. 11 but less than in Fig. 10. Accordingly, spring 132 in Fig. 11 urges top section 115 downwardly towards frame 112. Spring 132 thus helps maintain top section 115 in both its upward position (Fig. 9) and in its downward position (Fig. 11) since the pull or force from spring 132 on table top section 115 is downwardly in Fig. 11, due to the slant or bias position of spring 132, as spring 132 is partially below the pivot point (at lower frame axle 128) of arm 124. Spring 130 connection point 137 on arm 125 moves as arm 125 rotates, thus allowing connection point 137 to move downward as arm 125 moves downward.

Latch 140 as seen in Figs. 11 and 12 includes foot pedal 141 and allows upper end 142 to enter table notch 143 to hold table section 115 in its lowered position. To release top section 115, pedal 141 is depressed whereupon rotation of latch 140 will then allow latch 140 to exit notch 143 permitting top 115 to lift to its raised position as shown in Fig. 9. Table top section 115 as shown herein is moved by manual force, however, electric, pneumatic, hydraulic or other means could also be employed.

24

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A table comprising; a frame, a first table top section,said first table top section rigidly joined to said frame, a second table top section, said second table top section movably joined to said frame whereby said second table top section is movable from a first position in continuous horizontal alignment with said first table top section to a second position vertically spaced from said first table top section.

2. The table of claim 1 and including means to move said second table top section, said moving means joined to said frame.

3. The table of claim 2 wherein said moving means comprises a pair of pivot arms, a crank member, said pivot arms rotatably joined to said crank member, said crank member attached to said second table top section.

4. The table of claim 3 wherein said crank member depends vertically from said second tablq top section.

5. The table of claim 3 wherein said pivot arms are attached at points in vertical alignment on said crank member.

6. The table of claim 3 wherein said pivot arms are rotatably joined at points in vertical alignment on said frame.

7. The table of claim 3 and including a first resilient member, said first resilient member for maintaining said second table top section in its first position, said first resilient member joined to one of said pair of pivot arms.

8. The table of claim 7 wherein said first resilient member is attached to the other of said pair of pivot arms.

9. The table of claim 7 and including a second resilient member, said second resilient member attached to the other of said pair of pivot arms and to said frame.

10. The table of claim 3 and including a means to dampen the upward motion of said second table top section, said dampening means joined to one of said pivot arms and to said frame.

11. The table of claim 3 and including means to stop the upward motion of said second table top section, said stop means attached to said frame.

12. The table of claim 11 wherein said stop means is threadably adjustable.

13. The table of claim 1 and including means to latch said second 26 table top section in said second position, said latch means attached to said frame.

14. The table of claim 7 and including means to adjust the tension of said first resilient member, said first tension adjusting means joined to said first resilient member.

15. The table of claim 9 and including means to adjust the tension of said second resilient member, said second tension adjusting means joined to said second resilient member.

16. The table of claim 1 and including an alignment lip member, said lip member Joined to said second table top section for contacting said first table top section.

17. The table of claim 2 and including a plurality of pivot means joined to said frame.

18. A pivotable mechanism for a movable table top section comprising: a crank member, a pair of arms, said arms rotatably joined to said crank member, said crank member affixed to said movable table top section, one of said pair of arms having generally an L-shape, the other of said pair of arms being generally linear, said L-shaped arms positioned above said linear arm, means to dampen the pivotable movement of said movable table 27 1 top section, said pivoting movement dampening means affixed to said linear arm, and a pair of resilient members, said resilient members joined to said linear arm.

19. The mechanism of claim 18 and including means to adjust the tension of said resilient member, said adjustment means affixed to said linear arm.

20. The mechanism of claim 18 wherein said arms are fixed in vertical alignment to said crank member.

21. An embroidery frame having a driving frame adapted to be moved horizontally by driving means provided in an embroidery sewing machine, and a cloth spreading frame which is connected to said driving frame so as to project horizontally therefrom over a movable table top section in a lowered state in said sewing machine, and which is provided with an embroidery hole, characterized in that a leg for supporting said cloth spreading frame is provided on the side of free end portion of said cloth spreading frame so that said leg is moved horizontally with said cloth spreading frame.

22. An embroidery frame according to claim 21, wherein said leg Is provided at the lower end portion thereof with a roller adapted to be rolled on said movable table top section in the 28 lowered state.

23. An embroidery frame according to claim 21, wherein said cloth spreading frame can be attached to and detached from said driving frame.

24. An embroidery frame according to claim 21, wherein said driving frame can be attached to and detached from driving means in said embroidering machine.

25. An embroidery frame according to claim 21, wherein a support frame adapted to be moved horizontally with said driving frame is provided below said cloth spreading frame, the lower end of said leg being supported on said support frame.

26. A sewing machine table comprising a frame substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

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