JP2002159768A - Working device for sewing work, body for holding object to be worked, and object to be worked - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a working device for sewing work, with which the loosening of stitches is prevented and an object to be worked is attachable and detachable to/from the working device and to provide a body for holding object to be worked and the object to be worked. SOLUTION: This working device is provided with a hollow needle 81 capable of passing through a cloth 70 and a presser foot 83 for pressing the cloth 70 provided with a needle passing hole 83b which the hollow needle 81 can pass through. At least a part of thread T from a working point Px at which the needle is located in the previous time to a needle location point Py to locate the needle this time is pressed by the presser foot 83. Thus, the sewing work is applied to the cloth 70 without using bobbin thread.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a processing apparatus for sewing, a workpiece holder, and a workpiece. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for causing a thread to remain on the workpiece by a thread holding force due to elasticity of the workpiece. And techniques for preventing seam fraying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sewing device such as a sewing machine has a needle for holding an upper thread and penetrating the cloth, a balance for tightening the upper thread,
Means for driving the needle and the balance, a thread catching kettle for accommodating the lower thread bobbin and forming the upper thread loop in cooperation with the needle and the balance and interlacing the upper thread and the lower thread, a feed dog for cloth feeding, A means for driving the feed dog is provided, and sewing is performed while feeding the cloth while driving the needle and the balance up and down.

[0003] Here, in a normal household embroidery sewing machine,
In place of the feed dog, there is provided an embroidery frame for attaching a cloth, and means for independently moving and driving the embroidery frame in two horizontal orthogonal directions (X direction and Y direction), and embroidery is performed by a control means based on embroidery data. The sewing is performed while the frame is moved independently in the X direction and the Y direction.

Recently, handy small and light sewing machines and sewing machines have been developed, and in the near future, sewing machines having an embroidery function that can be easily handled by children and the like are expected to be put to practical use. Sewing devices with such an embroidery function
It is anticipated that the sewing device will be a small and lightweight sewing device that uses only the upper thread without using the lower thread and has a relatively simple configuration.

[0005]

When sewing is performed using both the upper thread and the lower thread as in a normal sewing apparatus, the structure of the thread catching hook and its driving means becomes complicated, and the size and weight are reduced. Is difficult to achieve. Therefore, a sewing machine that sews only with the upper thread has been proposed, but in that case, the sewing is formed only with the upper thread, and the upper thread and the lower thread are not entangled.
The seams are easily frayed and cannot be said to be complete seams, and lack practicality. Further, when sewing is performed using only the upper thread, there is no idea that a seam or an embroidery pattern is hardly frayed by applying a cloth having a special configuration as a cloth to be sewn. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing apparatus and a workpiece for sewing that can prevent fraying of a seam, and to provide a workpiece holder that can attach and detach the workpiece to the processing apparatus. It is to be.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sewing apparatus for sewing, wherein a thread is retained on the workpiece by a thread holding force due to elasticity of the workpiece when performing sewing on the workpiece. In the processing device, a processing needle that can penetrate the workpiece, and a presser foot that presses the workpiece, which includes a presser foot having a needle passage hole through which the processing needle can pass, the needle was previously dropped. At least a part of the yarn from a processing point to a needle drop point to be needle-dropped this time is configured to be pressed by the presser foot.

When sewing the workpiece, the presser foot presses the workpiece, and at least a part of the yarn from the processing point at which the needle was previously dropped to the needle drop point at which the needle is dropped this time is removed. Press with the presser foot. When the presser foot presses the workpiece and the thread, subsequently, the working needle descends through the needle passage hole of the presser foot and pierces the workpiece. At this time, the thread remains on the workpiece due to the thread holding force due to the elasticity of the workpiece, and the workpiece can be sewn by the thread presser of the presser foot without using a lower thread. Thereafter, the processing needle is removed from the workpiece, and the workpiece and the thread presser by the presser foot are released.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sewing machine according to the first aspect, the presser foot has a presser portion having a needle passage hole, and the presser portion is formed in a substantially circular shape. It is characterized by the following. Therefore, irrespective of various sewing processing patterns, at least a part of the thread from the processing point to the needle drop point extending in all directions of 360 degrees in the horizontal direction can be reliably pressed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sewing machine according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein when processing is performed in a straight line in a certain direction, a processing point which has been previously dropped by a needle is used when a needle is dropped this time. The presser foot is configured to be pressed by a presser portion. At least when processing in a straight line in a certain direction, the processing point is pressed by the pressing portion of the presser foot, and it is difficult to pull out the thread remaining at the processing point from the workpiece, and sewing is performed on the workpiece without using a lower thread. Processing can be performed. Here, when the processing needle is a hollow needle (claim 4), the yarn can be supplied to the workpiece through the inside of the hollow needle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing apparatus for sewing processing according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the presser foot is detachably attached to the processing apparatus. When sewing the workpiece, at least a part of the thread from the processing point where the needle was previously dropped to the needle drop point where the needle was dropped this time with the presser foot with the presser foot attached to the processing device. Can be suppressed.

In the case where the presser foot is provided on a processing cassette detachably mounted on a processing device (claim 6), the presser foot is mounted by mounting the processing cassette itself on the processing device. Can be easily attached to the processing device.

A sewing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a processing apparatus for sewing a workpiece, wherein the thread remains on the workpiece by a thread holding force due to the elasticity of the workpiece. A processing needle that can penetrate a workpiece, a yarn storage unit that stores a yarn to be supplied to the processing needle, a yarn path member that guides a yarn in a yarn path from the yarn storage unit to the processing needle,
A workpiece moving means for relatively moving the workpiece with respect to the processing needle, wherein the friction acting on the yarn from the thread path member and the processing needle when the workpiece is moved by the workpiece moving means; The resistance is configured to be smaller than the yarn holding force of the workpiece.

When sewing the workpiece, the thread is supplied from the thread storage section to the processing needle via the thread path member, and the processing needle is penetrated through the workpiece. At this time, the yarn remains on the workpiece due to the yarn holding force due to the elasticity of the workpiece. In a state where the processing needle is removed from the workpiece, the workpiece is moved relative to the processing needle by the workpiece moving means, but when the workpiece is moved, the workpiece is moved from the thread path member and the processing needle. Since the frictional resistance acting on the yarn is configured to be smaller than the yarn holding force of the workpiece, the thread extending from the tip of the processing needle is inserted into the workpiece while the processing needle pierces the workpiece and descends to the lower limit position. The yarn is pulled out from the yarn storage part side with almost no downward pulling.

Here, when the processing needle is a hollow needle (claim 8), the yarn can be supplied to the workpiece through the inside of the hollow needle. In a case where the yarn storage section, the yarn path member, and the processing needle are provided in a processing cassette detachably mounted on a processing apparatus (claim 9), the processing cassette itself is mounted on the processing apparatus, The yarn storage section, the yarn path member, and the processing needle can be easily mounted on the processing apparatus.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing apparatus for sewing, wherein a workpiece support for supporting a workpiece is moved relative to a processing needle for sewing. A needle plate portion having a passage portion through which the processing needle passes, and a projection portion provided around the passage portion of the needle plate portion and protruding upward. It is characterized by the following.

When sewing the workpiece, the workpiece support is moved relative to the processing needle while the workpiece is supported on the workpiece support. When the processing needle is pierced into the workpiece while the workpiece support is stopped moving,
The processing needle passes through the protruding portion and the passing portion located below the workpiece support. That is, the sewing process is performed in a state where the workpiece support is supported by the protruding portion from below.

If the processing needle is a hollow needle (claim 11), the yarn can be supplied to the workpiece through the hollow needle. When the processing needle is provided on a processing cassette detachably mounted on a processing apparatus (claim 12), the processing needle is easily mounted on the processing apparatus by mounting the processing cassette itself on the processing apparatus. can do.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the sewing machine according to any one of the first, seventh and tenth aspects, a swing arm for vertically moving a support member for supporting the processing needle, and the swing arm are provided. A plurality of gears for oscillating driving, and an exposed portion formed so as to be exposed from a main body of the processing apparatus on at least a part of any of the gears, and any one of the gears is provided through the exposed portion. Are configured to be manually operable.

When sewing the workpiece, the supporting arm supports the working needle, and then the swing arm is driven to swing by a sewing machine motor via a plurality of gears. When the swing arm is manually swung in the drive stop state, one of the plurality of gears is manually operated via the exposed portion. Here, when a cover for covering the exposed portion is provided (claim 14), when the swing arm is driven to swing by a driving means such as a normal sewing machine motor, the exposed portion is covered by the cover. It is possible to prevent dust and lint from entering the exposed portion.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a sewing machine according to any one of the first, seventh and tenth aspects, further comprising a swing arm for vertically moving a support member for supporting the processing needle.
The speed at which the swing arm is driven upward to remove the processing needle from the workpiece is lower than the speed at which the swing arm is driven downward to pierce the processing needle with the workpiece. It is assumed that. Therefore, when the processing needle comes out after being pierced into the workpiece, the hole formed in the workpiece is prevented as much as possible from trying to come out faster than it is trying to close due to the elasticity of the workpiece. The thread can remain on the workpiece.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the sewing machine according to the fifteenth aspect, a cam mechanism for swinging the swing arm is provided, and the speed at which the working needle is pulled out of the workpiece is reduced. The present invention is characterized in that the cam mechanism is configured to be slower than the speed at which the processing needle is pierced into the workpiece. Therefore, the speed can be easily controlled by the cam mechanism, and the control system is simplified.

A workpiece holder according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is a workpiece holder which is detachably attached to a processing device for sewing and holds a workpiece. , A second holding member, a holding member for holding the first and second holding members in a holding state, and an operating member operating to release the holding state of the holding member, An attachment portion for attaching the workpiece holder to the processing device is formed at a part of the operation member.

When the workpiece is held on the workpiece holder, the workpiece is held between the first and second holding members, and the first and second holding members are held by the holding portion. Hold in the sandwiched state. Thereafter, the mounting portion of the operation member is mounted on the processing device, and sewing is performed. After the sewing process is completed, the mounting portion of the workpiece holder is removed from the processing device, and the holding member is released from the holding state by operating the operating member, and then the workpiece is removed from the first and second holding bodies.

The workpiece holder of claim 18 is the first aspect of the present invention.
In the invention of the seventh aspect, the holding state of the holding member is released by providing the operating members on the first and second holding members, respectively, and separating the operating members of the first and second holding members in opposite directions. It is characterized by having been constituted so that. When the workpiece is set on the workpiece holder before the sewing process, or when the workpiece is removed from the workpiece holder after the sewing process is completed, the operating members of the first and second holding bodies are mutually moved. Separate in the opposite direction. As a result, the holding state of the holding member is released, and the workpiece can be set or removed.

The workpiece according to claim 19 is mounted on a processing device for sewing while being mounted on the workpiece holder, and is held near the outer periphery of the workpiece to be processed by the processing device. It is characterized by forming a form frame. As the shape-retaining frame is formed near the outer periphery of the workpiece, the workpiece can be easily held on the workpiece holder,
It is possible to prevent the workpiece from being deformed during or after processing. Here, when the shape retaining frame is a rectangular frame made of cardboard (Claim 20), the shape retaining frame can be formed easily and inexpensively, and the workpiece after sewing can be easily rearranged. Processing (processing such as cutting with scissors) can be performed.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided the workpiece according to the nineteenth or twentieth aspect, wherein an elastic layer is provided for generating a thread holding force that causes a thread to remain on the workpiece when sewing with the processing device. It is characterized by the following. When sewing a workpiece with a processing device, the elastic layer provided on the workpiece generates a thread holding force that causes the thread to remain on the workpiece, so that the thread hardly comes off from the workpiece. Become.
Therefore, processing can be performed without using a lower thread.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the sewing apparatus 1 (processing apparatus) of the present embodiment is connected to a home game machine 6 as a data supply unit including a controller 7 via a connection cable, and uses the game machine 6. The embroidery pattern selected and edited while watching the screen (home television) of the display 8 as a display means on a predetermined cloth (workpiece).
Is formed by sewing. Note that the front, rear, left and right in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sewing device 1
The sewing apparatus main body 2 (processing apparatus main body), a safety cover 3 slidably mounted on the sewing apparatus main body 2 in a front-rear direction, and a workpiece support detachably mounted on the sewing apparatus main body 2. The embroidery frame 4 and a sewing cartridge 5 (processing cassette) serving as a support member for supporting the processing needle are provided. A cloth 70 as a workpiece to be sewn is attached to the embroidery frame 4. Cloth 70
Is provided with a hollow needle 81 (processed needle) for sewing that can penetrate through.

First, the sewing apparatus main body 2 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, the sewing apparatus main body 2 includes a casing 10 and an embroidery frame 4 on which a cloth 70 is attached.
And an embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 as a workpiece moving means for moving the sewing cartridge 5 in the horizontal direction relative to the hollow needle 81 of the sewing cartridge 5, and mounting the sewing cartridge 5 on the swing arm 40 to swing up and down. A drive mechanism 12 is provided for driving the cartridge drive mechanism 12 and a control device 13 (see FIG. 38) for controlling the embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 and the cartridge drive mechanism 12.

The casing 10 is formed in a relatively small rectangular parallelepiped (for example, 130 mm in length, 165 mm in width, and 70 mm in height). Inside the casing 10, the main parts of the embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 and the cartridge drive mechanism 12 are controlled. The device 13 is housed. However, the casing 10 has a notch space 10a in which a left and right length of about 2/3, a front and rear length of about 1/4, and an upper and lower length of about 1/2 of the top and bottom are cut into a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Are formed.

An embroidery frame driving mechanism 1 is provided at the lower end of the front wall 10b of the casing 10 forming the cutout space 10a.
A slit 10c for mounting the embroidery frame 4 on one carriage 18 and moving the embroidery frame 4 in the horizontal direction is formed in the left-right direction. The swing arm 40 of the cartridge drive mechanism 12 is provided on the side wall of the casing 10 forming the notch space 10a.
A slit (not shown) for vertically projecting from the inside of the casing 10 toward the notch space 10a so as to be able to swing up and down is formed in a vertical direction.

A front convex guide upper surface portion 10e is formed in a stepped shape on the upper wall portion 10d of the casing 10, and a power switch electrically connected to the control device 13 is provided on the right side of the guide upper surface portion 10e. 15 and a start / stop switch 1 as command means for commanding start and end of sewing
6 are provided. The upper end surfaces of the switches 15 and 16 are located at the same height level as or slightly below the upper surface of the upper wall 10d.

At the front side of the guide upper surface 10e, the front end of the guide upper surface 10e is attached to the sewing cartridge 5 so that the sewing cartridge 5 can be attached to and detached from the swing arm 40 (to be described in detail later). It is longer than the left-right width and extends to the rear left side of the sewing cartridge 5 mounted on the swing arm 40.

The left and right side walls 1 of the casing 10
At 0f, guide grooves 10g and 10h are formed in the front-rear direction. The vertical width of the guide groove 10g is the guide groove 10
A locking block 67 is fixed to the guide groove 10g of the casing 10 at a substantially central position in the front-rear direction of the casing 10 so as to protrude laterally. However, due to the presence of the notch space 10a, the front and rear lengths of the left wall portion 10f and the guide grooves 10g and 10h are shorter than the front and rear lengths of the right wall portion 10f and the guide grooves 10g and 10h.

The embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 6, a carriage 18 for detachably mounting the embroidery frame 4, an X-direction drive mechanism 20 for driving the carriage 18 in the X direction (left-right direction) in a horizontal plane,
The X-direction drive mechanism 20 and the Y-direction drive mechanism 30 that drives the carriage 18 in the Y direction (front-rear direction) orthogonal to the X direction in the horizontal plane.

The carriage 18 has an engaging portion 18a capable of engaging and disengaging the rear end supporting portion 4a of the embroidery frame 4, and a guide plate 18b extending rearward from below the engaging portion 18a. In this case, it is located below the swing arm 40. In the movable frame 21 of the X-direction drive mechanism 20, a guide portion 21a oriented in the left-right direction is formed at the rear portion, and a guide rod 22 oriented in the left-right direction is provided at the front portion. A carriage 18 is supported by a guide so as to be movable in the left-right direction.

The X-direction drive mechanism 20 includes the movable frame 2
1, a guide rod 22, a screw shaft 23, a pulse motor 24, and a guide pin 25. The movable frame 21 is formed in a substantially box shape with an open top, and both end portions of the guide rod 22 are supported on both side walls. The screw shaft 23 extends in the left-right direction inside the movable frame 21, and the left end thereof is rotatably supported by the left wall of the movable frame 21. The pulse motor 24 is fixed to the right side of the right wall of the movable frame 21, and its output shaft is directly connected to the right end of the screw shaft 23.

A guide plate 18b of the carriage 18 is disposed above the screw shaft 23, and a guide pin 25 is fixed to the guide plate 18b so as to project downward.
Is slidably engaged with the spiral groove of. Pulse motor 24
When the screw shaft 23 is rotated, the guide pin 25 is guided by the spiral groove and moves left and right, so that the carriage 18 is driven to move in the X direction.

The Y-direction drive mechanism 30 includes a support frame 3
1 and 2 guide rods 32 and 33, screw shaft 3
4, a pulse motor 35 and guide pins 36 are provided. The support frame 31 is formed in a substantially concave shape in a side view, and both end portions of guide rods 32 and 33 oriented in the front-rear direction are supported by both front and rear walls. And these guide rods 3
The movable frame 21 of the X-direction drive mechanism 20 is supported by the guides 2 and 33 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

The screw shaft 34 extends in the front-rear direction, and its rear end is rotatably supported by the rear wall of the support frame 31. The pulse motor 35 is fixed to the front side of the front wall of the support frame 31, and its output shaft is directly connected to the front end of the screw shaft 34. The guide pin 36 is fixed to the movable frame 21 so as to project downward, and slidably engages with a spiral groove of the screw shaft 34. When the screw shaft 34 is rotated by the pulse motor 35,
Since the guide pin 36 is guided by the spiral groove and moves back and forth, the carriage 18 and the movable frame 21 are driven to move in the Y direction. The Y-direction drive mechanism 30 is disposed below the X-direction drive mechanism 20.

The moving area (moving range) in which the embroidery frame 4 mounted on the carriage 18 can be moved by the embroidery frame driving mechanism 11 is an area 38 shown in FIG. In the position, the sewing device main body 2
The hollow needle 81 of the sewing cartridge 5 mounted on the sewing cartridge 5 is located. However, since the sewing cartridge 5 is mounted on the front of the sewing apparatus main body 2, the front of the moving area 38 protrudes outside the casing 10. In this way, the X-direction drive mechanism 20 and the Y-direction drive mechanism 30 are arranged vertically,
Since any one of the drive mechanisms is arranged below the moving area 38 of the carriage 18, the sewing apparatus main body 2 can be downsized.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 14,
A needle plate portion 121 is provided on the lower wall portion 10i of the casing 10, and the needle plate portion 121 is located below the moving area 38 of the embroidery frame 4, and has a passage portion 121a through which the hollow needle 81 passes.
A substantially cylindrical protruding portion 122 protruding upward is provided around the passage portion 121a of the needle plate portion 121. When the hollow needle 81 is pierced into the cloth 70, the cloth 70 is lowered by the protruding portion 122. The needle cover 83 of the sewing cartridge 5 is
To press the cloth 70 from above.

The cartridge driving mechanism 12 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 10, a swing arm 40 to which the sewing cartridge 5 can be attached and detached, and a sewing machine motor 45 as an AC motor as a drive source for swinging the swing arm 40 up and down.
And a gear mechanism 5 for reducing the rotation speed of the sewing machine motor 45
0 and a cam mechanism 55 for converting the rotational movement decelerated by the gear mechanism 50 into the vertical swing movement of the swing arm 40.

The swing arm 40 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 24, an arm portion 40a long in the left-right direction
And a lever portion 40b that is long in the up-down direction is integrally formed, and is disposed in a substantially right half portion on the front side of the casing 10. An intermediate portion of the lever portion 40b is pivotally supported by a pivot 41b supported by the sewing apparatus main body 2 via a bracket 41a, and most of the arm portion 40a of the swing arm 40 is directed toward the notch space 10a. The protruding portion and other portions are housed inside the casing 10.

At the left end of the arm portion 40a, an engagement pin 42 oriented in the front-rear direction is fixed so as to project forward.
On the right side of the engagement pin 42, a lock release pin 43 oriented in the front-rear direction is fixed in a protruding forward direction. An engaging member 44a is rotatably supported by the swing arm 40, and a torsion spring (not shown) for urging the engaging member 44a to rotate clockwise is provided. Further, the swing arm 4
0, a front plate 1 integrated with the machine frame of the sewing device main body 2.
9 is provided so as to rise from the right portion of the machine casing and extend to the left. An operating member 44b for rotating the engaging member 44a counterclockwise is provided on the front side of the front plate 19. It is movably supported.

The engagement pin 42, the lock release pin 43,
The engaging member 44a, the operating member 44b, etc.
This is a member for mounting the sewing cartridge 5 to the sewing machine 5 and removing the sewing cartridge 5 from the swing arm 40. The sewing machine motor 45 is connected to the front wall 3 of the support frame 31.
It is fixed to the rear side of the lower right of 1a so as to face forward.

The gear mechanism 50 includes a plurality of gears 51 to 54 disposed on the front side of the front wall 31a of the support frame 31, as shown in FIGS. The drive gear 51 is fixed to the output shaft of the sewing machine motor 45, and the intermediate gears 52, 53 and the large-diameter gear 54, which are coaxially and integrally connected, are connected to the front wall 3
Each is pivotally supported by 1a. Drive gear 51 and intermediate gear 5
2 and the intermediate gear 53 and the large-diameter gear 54 mesh with each other, and the rotation speed of the large-diameter gear 54 is reduced with respect to the rotation speed of the sewing machine motor 45 (drive gear 51).

As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of gears 51
The exposed portion 123 is formed at the right end of the intermediate gear 52 among the parts 54 to 54 so as to be exposed from the sewing device main body 2, and a cover 124 that covers the exposed portion 123 is detachably provided on the machine frame of the sewing device main body 2. Have been. The cover 124 is removed while the driving of the sewing machine motor 45 is stopped, and the intermediate gear 52 can be manually operated via the exposed portion 123. An exposed portion exposed from the sewing apparatus main body 2 may be formed at the right end of the large-diameter gear 54, and the large-diameter gear 54 may be configured to be manually operable via the exposed portion.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, a cam mechanism 55 for swinging the swing arm 40 includes a cam member 56 pivotally supported by the front wall 31a and a lower right end of the swing arm 40. And a cam follower 57 fixed in a protruding forward shape to the portion, and gear teeth of the large-diameter gear 54 are formed on an outer peripheral portion of the cam member 56. A cam groove 56a is formed in the cam member 56 from the rear side, and a cam follower 57 is slidably engaged with the cam groove 56a.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cam groove 56a is formed in an annular shape by changing the distance from the center of rotation of the cam member 56. When the cam member 56 makes one rotation, the arm portion 40a moves to the upper limit position shown in FIG. And the lower limit shown in FIG.
The hollow needle 8 is configured to swing up and down and reciprocate.
1 is pulled out of the cloth 70,
It is formed so as to be slower than the speed at the time of piercing.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, about 160 points from the point P1 to the point P2 in the entire circumference of the cam groove 56a.
In the range of degrees, the cam follower 57 is formed such that the distance between the engagement position where the cam follower 57 engages with the cam groove 56a and the rotation axis of the cam member 56 has a constant value and a maximum value, and the swing The arm portion 40a of the arm 40 is configured to hold the upper limit position (see FIG. 7). In the range of about 50 degrees from point P2 to point P3 in the entire circumference of the cam groove 56a,
The distance is formed so as to change from the maximum value to the minimum value, and the arm portion 40a is configured to rapidly descend from the upper limit position to the lower limit position (see FIG. 8).

From the point P3 to the point P in the entire circumference of the cam groove 56a.
In the range of about 150 degrees up to 1, the distance is formed so as to change from the minimum value to the maximum value, and the arm portion 40 is formed.
a is gradually increased from the lower limit position to the upper limit position. With the configuration of the cam mechanism 55, the speed at which the swing arm 40 for vertically moving the sewing cartridge 5 is driven upward to pull the hollow needle 81 from the cloth 70 is reduced.
The speed is lower than the speed at which the swing arm 40 is driven downward to pierce the hollow needle 81 into the cloth 70.

Next, the safety cover 3 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the safety cover 3 has a function of guarding the driven embroidery frame 4, the sewing cartridge 5, and the swing arm 40, and prevents a child or the like from breaking the clothing with the hollow needle 81. This cover has a function of covering the movement area 38 of the hollow needle 81 and the cloth 70, a function of preventing the start / stop switch 16 from being erroneously operated, and the like. The safety cover 3 is a cover that can cover the entire moving area 38 of the embroidery frame 4, and is returned from a sewing position (see FIG. 3) for covering the moving area 38 at the time of sewing and from the sewing position. It is configured to be movable over a storage position (see FIG. 2) for packing and storage.

The safety cover 3 is made of a transparent or translucent material made of a synthetic resin, and has an upper wall 3a and a front wall 3a.
b and left and right side wall portions 3c, and is configured to be open at the bottom and rear. A concave notch 3d is formed in the upper wall 3a of the safety cover 3 from the rear end side, and the notch 3d is engaged with the guide upper surface 10e of the casing 10 so as to be slidable back and forth. The lower surface of the upper wall portion 3a can abut on the upper surface of the upper wall portion 10d of the casing 10 other than the guide upper surface portion 10e.

A vertical plate 60 is fixed inside the rear portion of each side wall portion 3c of the safety cover 3, and an engagement piece 66 is fixed to the inside of the upper rear portion of the vertical plate 60, and an engagement portion 66 is fixed below the vertical portion. 60
a is formed integrally. And the casing 10
The engagement piece 66 is slidably engaged with the guide groove 10g formed in each side wall 10f of the first member 10f, and the engagement portion 60 is engaged with the guide groove 10h.
a is slidably engaged. An engagement piece 61 slidably engageable with the guide groove 10g is fixed inside the front end portion of the right side wall 3c of the safety cover 3.

Here, there is provided a stopper mechanism 65 for positioning the safety cover 3 at the sewing position and for preventing the safety cover 3 from being detached from the apparatus main body 2. The stopper mechanism 65 includes the guide piece 66 fixed to each side wall 3c of the safety cover 3 and the locking block fixed to the guide groove 10g of each side wall 10f of the casing 10 so as to protrude laterally. When the guide piece 66 is locked by the locking block piece 67, the safety cover 3 is positioned at the sewing position and cannot be moved forward any more.

With the safety cover 3 switched to the storage position shown in FIG. 2, the notch 3d of the safety cover 3 is completely engaged with the guide upper surface 10e of the casing 10 and the upper wall of the safety cover 3 The rear end of the portion 10d abuts on the step of the guide upper surface 10e, and the front wall 3b of the safety cover 3 comes close to the front of the casing 10. When the safety cover 3 is located at the storage position, the safety cover 3 does not cover the entire moving area 38 of the embroidery frame 4, but slides the safety cover 3 forward from the storage position of FIG. Then, when the sewing position is switched to the sewing position shown in FIG. 3, the entire area of the movement area 38 is covered by the safety cover 3.

When the safety cover 3 is switched to the sewing position shown in FIG. 3, the front end of the guide upper surface 10e of the casing 10 and the notch 3d of the safety cover 3 determine the width of the sewing cartridge 5 in the front-rear direction. A cartridge mounting opening 68 that is substantially equal and longer than the left and right lengths of the sewing cartridge 5 is formed. The sewing cartridge 5 can be mounted on the swing arm 40 from the cartridge mounting opening 68.

A switch operation hole 3e is formed in the right part of the upper wall 3a of the safety cover 3. When the safety cover 3 is switched to the storage position shown in FIG.
Is opposed to the power switch 15 and can be operated, and the upper side of the start / stop switch 16 provided in front of the power switch 15 is covered with the safety cover 3 as prohibiting means. The operation of the / stop switch 16 is disabled and prohibited.

The distance between the centers of the power switch 15 and the start / stop switch 16 arranged before and after is the same as the sliding distance of the safety cover 3 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the safety cover 3 is switched to the sewing position shown in FIG. In this state, the switch operation hole 3e faces the start / stop switch 16 so that the switch can be operated. That is, the prohibition of the prohibition means is released.

When the safety cover 3 is located at the sewing position, the power switch 15 is located at the rear side of the safety cover and is exposed, so that the power switch 15 can be operated. Thus, the power switch 15 can be operated both when the safety cover 3 is in the sewing position and in the storage position. The power switch 15, the start / stop switch 16, and the switch operation hole 57 are circular and have substantially the same size in plan view.

An embroidery frame insertion hole 3f through which the embroidery frame 4 can be inserted into the interior of the safety cover 3 is formed in the lower portion of the front wall 3b of the safety cover 3 near the center in the left-right direction. When the embroidery frame 4 is inserted into the inside of the safety cover 3 through the embroidery frame insertion hole 3f and is mounted on the carriage 18, the guide member 69 for guiding the embroidery frame 4 in the front-rear direction is provided by the front wall 3.
b, and is configured to protrude forward from the front wall 3b. The embroidery frame insertion hole 3f is located at the center in the left-right direction of the front wall 3b, and is slightly shifted to the right from the center position in the left-right movement range of the carriage 18 (the center position in the left-right direction of the movement area 38). Is provided.

When the carriage 18 is located substantially below the swing arm 40, the carriage 18 is moved to the frontmost position, and is guided by the guide member 69 through the embroidery frame insertion hole 3f. The embroidery frame 4 inserted in the inside can be mounted on the carriage 18. The guide member 69 is also used as a handle for holding the safety cover 8.

Next, the embroidery frame 4 for holding the cloth 70 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2, 6, 11 to 13,
The embroidery frame 4 includes first and second holding members 71 and 72, a holding member 125, operation members 126 and 127, and the like. 1st, 2nd
The holding members 71 and 72 are members for holding the cloth 70, are formed in a rectangular frame shape, and their rear ends are rotatably connected via a pivot shaft 128. The holding unit 125 has 1
It is composed of a pair of engaging portions 125a and a pair of engaging holes 125b, and has a function of holding the first and second holding members 71 and 72 in a holding state.

That is, a pair of engaging portions 125a are formed in the left and right corners of the rear end of the first holding body 71 so as to protrude upward, and the rear end of the second holding body 72 is A pair of engaged holes 125b that can be engaged and disengaged is formed in the pair of engaging portions 125a. Each engaging portion 125a is formed in a circumferentially-split shape and is slightly elastically urged in the radially expanding direction, and is engaged with the engaged hole 125b, that is, the first and second holding members 71, 72 is held.

The operation members 126 and 127 are members which are operated to release the holding state of the holding portion 125, and are provided on the first and second holding members 71 and 72, respectively. An operating member 126 is integrally formed at the rear end of the first holding member 71, and a mounting portion 129 for mounting the embroidery frame 4 to the sewing apparatus main body 2 is formed at a part of the operating member 126. An operating member 127 is integrally formed at the rear end of the second holding member 72, and the holding state of the holding member 125 is released by separating the operating members 126, 127 in opposite directions.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, near the inner edge of the first holding member 71, a step 71a having a stepped shape with respect to the upper end surface is formed in a frame shape. An outer peripheral portion of a rectangular special cloth 70 is fitted, and in some cases, is peelably fixed via a double-sided tape, an adhesive, or the like.
The cloth 70 is attached to substantially the entire embroidery frame 4 in a taut state by being pressed by the holding body 72 of the embroidery frame. The second
A plurality of minute projections 130 are formed near the inner edge of the lower surface of the holding body 72, and the cloth 70 is stably held in a state where the minute projections 130 are bitten by the cloth 70. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the cloth 70
For example, a multilayered elastic cloth 7 formed by laminating a urethane elastic film body 73 (an elastic laminate layer as an elastic layer) between a pair of woven cloths 74.
0. When sewing with the sewing device 1, the elastic membrane 7
By 3, a yarn holding force that causes the yarn T to remain on the cloth 70 is generated. A shape-retaining frame 131 made of cardboard is fixed to the vicinity of the outer periphery of the upper surface of the cloth 70 to prevent the cloth from being deformed during sewing or after sewing, and to easily perform post-processing such as cutting with scissors after sewing. You can do it. A plurality of sets of the embroidery frame 4 and the cloth 70 attached to the embroidery frame 4 in advance are prepared.

Next, the sewing cartridge 5 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 15 to 21, etc., the sewing cartridge 5 includes a cassette body 80, a hollow needle 81 as a processing needle capable of penetrating a cloth 70 as a workpiece,
A thread spool 82 wound with the thread T supplied to the hollow needle 81, a needle cover 83 covering at least the distal end of the hollow needle 81,
A compression coil spring 84 as urging means for urging the needle cover 83 to the projecting position covering the hollow needle 81, a movement inhibiting mechanism 85 for inhibiting movement of the needle cover 83 from the projecting position, and the like are provided. The sewing apparatus 1 is provided with a plurality of sewing cartridges 5 that can be attached to and detached from the swing arm 40. The sewing cartridges 5 accommodate threads of different colors, respectively. It can be formed.

The cassette main body 80 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the match box is set upright, and has a housing case 86 as a movable body portion which is movable with respect to the sewing apparatus main body 2 while being mounted on the swing arm 40. And an opening / closing lid 87 as a fixed body part substantially fixed to the sewing apparatus main body 2, and inside the housing case 86, the upper part of the hollow needle 81 and the needle cover 83, the thread spool 82, the compression coil spring 84, and the movement inhibition. Mechanism 85
Is housed.

At the upper right end of the cassette body 80,
The storage case 86 and the opening / closing lid 87 are rotatably connected,
The opening / closing lid 87 opens and closes with respect to the storage case 86 between a closed position shown in FIG. 18 and an open position shown in FIG. That is, the opening / closing lid 87 is always held at a fixed position, and the housing case 86 is opened and closed with respect to the opening / closing lid 87. Storage case 86
The torsion spring 8
8 is attached, and the torsion spring 88 urges the opening / closing lid 87 to rotate to the closed position.

The sewing cartridge 5 includes a thread spool 82.
Storage section 90 (thread storage section) for storing the thread, an anti-spin mechanism 91 for preventing the spinning of the thread spool 82 stored in the storage section 90, and applying resistance to the middle of the thread T from the thread spool 82 to the hollow needle 81 Backflow prevention mechanism 92 for preventing the thread T from flowing backward from the hollow needle 81 to the storage section 90 side (that is, the thread holding mechanism 92 for holding the thread from the storage section), Lock mechanism 93 for integrally locking 87 in the closed position
Etc. are provided.

Inside the storage case 86, a storage section 90, an idling prevention mechanism 91 and a lock member 110 of a lock mechanism 93 are provided. Inside the opening / closing cover 87, the thread holding mechanism 92 as a balance section and a lock are provided. An engaged portion 87d of the mechanism 93 is provided. An engagement hole 86a engageable with the engagement pin 42 of the swing arm 40 is formed in the lower left end of the storage case 86 in a U-shaped notch from the left. Is formed with an engagement groove 86b which is concavely engageable with an engagement member 44b attached to the swing arm 40.

Here, attachment and detachment of the sewing cartridge 5 to and from the swing arm 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 22, when the sewing cartridge 5 is mounted on the swing arm 40, the sewing cartridge 5 is tilted to the lower left and inserted through the cartridge mounting opening 68 formed by the forward movement of the safety cover 3. Then, the engaging hole 86a is engaged with the engaging pin 42, and thereafter, the sewing cartridge 5 is rotated clockwise until the mounting posture becomes substantially horizontal.

As shown in FIG. 23, the lower right portion of the sewing cartridge 5 comes into contact with the engaging member 44a shortly before the sewing cartridge 5 is brought into the mounting position, and the engaging member 44a resists the urging force of the torsion spring. The sewing cartridge 5 is set in the mounting posture while being rotated counterclockwise. Then, as shown in FIG. 24, the engaging member 44a is slightly rotated and returned clockwise by the urging force of the torsion spring to engage with the engaging groove 86b, and the housing case 86 is moved to the swing arm 40. Fixedly attached to

When the swing arm 40 is at the upper limit position, the sewing cartridge 5
As described above, when the housing case 86 is fixedly mounted on the swing arm 40 as described above, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, the locked portion 87a of the opening / closing lid 87 is locked so as to abut on the left end portion of the locking plate 19 (front plate) of the sewing device main body 2 from above, and is substantially fixed to the sewing device main body 2. It will be in a fixed state.

When removing the sewing cartridge 5 from the swing arm 40, the operating member 44b is rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 24, and the engaging member 44a is screwed through the operating member 44b. By rotating counterclockwise against the urging force of the torsion spring, as shown in FIG.
6b, the sewing cartridge 5 can be detached from the swing arm 40 in this state by operating the sewing cartridge 5 in the reverse of the mounting operation.

In the housing case 86 of the cassette body 80,
An opening 86c is formed in a front wall on the front side of the storage section 90 of the storage case 86, as an opening 86c as a remaining amount visually recognizable section from which the remaining amount of the thread T of the thread spool 82 stored in the storage section 90 can be viewed from the outside.
A storage unit 90 is provided on the upper surface of the open / close lid 87 of the cassette body 80.
A thread color display portion 87b for displaying the same color or a similar color to the color of the thread T of the thread spool 82 stored in is provided by bonding the same color or similar color seal or the like.

The flange 82b of the thread spool 82 is transparent or translucent. Therefore, the remaining amount of the thread wound on the thread spool 82 can be visually recognized from the opening 86c through the flange 82b. In addition, by providing the thread color display portion 87b on the upper surface of the opening / closing lid 87, the thread color display portion 87b can be visually exposed to the outside when the sewing cartridge 5 is mounted on the sewing device main body 2. .

The hollow needle 81 is disposed on the left side of the cassette body 80 in a substantially upright position. A cylindrical needle support member 9 in which at least the upper end portion of the hollow needle 81 is fixed to the housing case 86
5, the lower end portion of the hollow needle 81 projects below the cassette body 80. The tip of the hollow needle 81 is sharpened so as to be inclined from left to lower right. When the sewing cartridge 5 is mounted on the sewing apparatus main body 2, the leading end of the hollow needle 81 is the swing arm. It is located substantially at the swing center side end (right end) of No. 40.

The storage portion 90 is formed in the right half of the storage case 87 at a portion surrounded by the arc wall 90a of the storage case 87, and the thread spool 82 stored in the storage portion 90 is formed.
Is slidably fitted in the shaft member 90b of the housing case 87 and is rotatably supported. Thread 8 extending from thread spool 82
8 is a yarn passing port 90 between the storage section 90 and the arc wall 90a.
c, the thread T is introduced into the hole from the upper end of the hollow needle 81 through the thread holding mechanism 92 as a thread path member for guiding the thread T in the thread path from the storage section 90 to the hollow needle 81, and is sewn from the lower end of the hollow needle 81 It is fed out of the cartridge 5.

The thread T, which is the upper thread wound around the thread spool 82, is a slightly thick thread, and the hole of the hollow needle 81 is
Is formed in a size that allows threading. In addition, the hollow needle 8
Sewing is started in a state where the thread T is fed out from the lower end of the thread 1 by a certain length.

The needle cover 83 has a protruding position for covering the distal end portion of the hollow needle 81, and a retreat position for retreating upward from the protruding position to allow the hollow needle 81 to pass through the cloth 70. It is configured to be movable. This needle cover 83
Is a presser foot that presses the cloth 70 at the time of sewing, and a cover portion 83a (presser portion) formed in a substantially circular shape.
And a guided portion 83b extending upward from the right end of the cover portion 83a.

A needle passage hole 83c through which the hollow needle 81 can pass is formed in the cover portion 83a, and the guided portion 83b is guided by the housing case 86 so as to be movable up and down.
A compression coil spring 84 is interposed between 3b and the housing case 86. A protruding portion 83d is provided at the center in the vertical direction of the guided portion 83b so as to protrude rightward.
Are ribs 86 for guiding the guided portion 83b in the vertical direction.
In a state in which the needle cover 83 is in contact with the upper end of the needle d, the needle cover 83 is in the protruding position, and the distal end of the hollow needle 81 is located inside the needle passage hole 83c and is covered by the cover 83a.

From the protruding position, the needle cover 83 is
When it moves upward with respect to 1, the retracted position is reached, and the hollow needle 8
1 protrudes below the cover 83a through the needle passage hole 83c. As shown in FIG. 14, the needle cover 83 presses at least a part of the thread T from the needle dropping processing point Px to the needle dropping point Py for the current needle dropping. It should be noted that, when processing is performed linearly in a certain direction, the processing point Px which was previously dropped by the needle may be pressed by the needle cover 83 of the needle cover 83 when the needle is dropped this time.

The movement prohibiting mechanism 85 prohibits the needle cover 83 from moving from the projecting position in a state where the sewing cartridge 5 is detached from the sewing apparatus main body 2 as shown in FIGS. It is configured to be. The movement inhibition mechanism 85 has a movement inhibition member 100,
Numeral 0 is provided in the lower part of the center in the left-right direction inside the storage case 86. The movement inhibiting member 100 includes a vertical pivot shaft portion 100a and a lock portion 100b located on the left side of the pivot shaft portion 100a.
And the input part 100c located on the right side of the pivot shaft part 100a. The movement inhibiting member 100 has a pivot shaft portion 100a pivotally supported by the housing case 86, and is provided so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis and not to be vertically movable.

The lock portion 100b is relatively long in the vertical direction,
The lower end portion substantially contacts the protruding portion 83d of the needle cover 83 located at the protruding position, that is, the upper surface of the protruding portion 83d abutting the upper surface of the rib 86d. In this state, the lock portion 100b is interposed between the rib 86e and the protruding portion 83d, and the needle cover 83 at the protruding position is locked and cannot move upward. The movement prohibiting member 100 is rotatable between the unlocked position (see FIG. 25) and the unlocked position (see FIG. 26) in which the lock portion 100b is retracted from the vertical movement locus of the projecting portion 83d. When the movement prohibiting member 100 is at the unlock position, the needle cover 83 can move upward.

A torsion spring 100d is mounted on the pivot shaft portion 100a, and the movement inhibiting member 100 is urged to rotate to the lock position by the torsion spring 100d, so that the sewing cartridge 5 is moved to the sewing apparatus main body. In the state where the movement inhibiting member 100 is detached from the second position, the movement prohibiting member 100 is held at this locked position. An opening 86f corresponding to the input portion 100c is formed in the front wall of the storage case 86. When the movement prohibiting member 100 is at the lock position, the input portion 100c faces the outside from the opening 86f.

As shown in FIG. 27, the opening 86f is formed to be open at the lower end, and a tapered portion 100e inclined upward and outward is formed below the input portion 100c. As described above, the swing arm 40 is provided with the lock release pin 43. When the sewing cartridge 5 is mounted on the swing arm 40, the lock release pin 43 enters the opening 86f from below, and The lock release pin 43 engages with the tapered portion 100e of the input portion 100c, and rotates the movement prohibiting member 100 from the lock position to the lock release position against the urging force of the torsion spring 100d. Unlock.

As described above, when the sewing cartridge 5 is detached from the sewing apparatus main body 2, the movement inhibiting mechanism 100 inhibits the movement of the needle cover 83 at the protruding position, and moves the sewing cartridge 5 to the sewing apparatus main body 2. 2, the needle cover 83 is allowed to move from the protruding position to the retracted position.

Next, the idling prevention mechanism 91 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the anti-spin mechanism 91 includes a contact 10 that can contact one flange 82 b of the thread spool 82.
1 and a torsion spring 102 for urging the contact 101 so as to press it against the flange 82b.
The idler 82 is configured to prevent idling of the thread spool 82 due to the frictional force acting between the threads b. The contact 101 is a housing case 86
Pivotally supported by a shaft 103 near the storage portion 90 of
A torsion spring 102 is mounted on the shaft 103. The distal end of the contact 101 is in contact with the flange 82b of the thread spool 82 in the storage section 90 through the gap 90d between the arc walls 90a.

Next, the thread holding mechanism 92 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 18, 19, 21, and 28, the thread holding mechanism 92 includes a guide pin 105 (shaft-shaped member) and a guide pin 105.
105 and a leaf spring member 106 which is in contact with the hollow needle 81 and the storage portion 90. Between the guide pin 105 and the leaf spring member 106, a thread passing portion 107 having a minute gap is formed. The thread T extending from the thread spool 82 is passed through the thread passing portion 107, and the guide pin 105 and the leaf spring It is configured to exert frictional resistance due to contact with the member 106.

Front and rear bosses 87c are formed on the left side of the opening / closing cover 87, and both ends of the guide pin 105 are connected to the front and rear bosses 87c.
c and fixed. The leaf spring member 106 presses the guide pin 105 in a downwardly inclined position,
It is fitted and fixed to the opening / closing lid 87. Guide pin 105
An annular concave portion 105a is formed in the central portion of the outer peripheral portion, and the thread passing portion 107 is constituted by the annular concave portion 105a and the leaf spring member 106. Accordingly, the yarn T passing through the yarn passing portion 107 can be given an appropriate frictional resistance, and the yarn T can be reliably guided to the hollow needle 81.

Next, the lock mechanism 93 will be described.
When the sewing cartridge 5 is detached from the sewing device main body 2 as shown in FIGS.
And a lock member 110 provided on the right side of the housing case 86. The lock member 110 includes pivot portions 110a and 110b, an engagement portion 110c, and an input portion.
110d is integrally formed, and the pivot portions 110a and 110b are pivotally supported by the housing case 86 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis, and are locked and unlocked (see FIG. 18).
The position can be switched between

The lock member 110 is immovable in the vertical direction, and is urged to the lock position by the torsion spring 111. An engaging portion 110c is formed on the upper portion of the lock member 110 so as to protrude leftward, and an input portion 110d is formed on the lower end portion of the lock member 110 so as to protrude leftward. The engaging portion 110c and the input portion 110d are
The housing case 86 can protrude leftward from holes 86g and 86h formed in an upper portion of a front wall and a rear end wall of the engagement hole 86a.

When the sewing cartridge 5 is detached from the sewing apparatus main body 2, that is, the swing arm 40, the opening / closing lid 8
Reference numeral 7 denotes a closed position. In this state, the engaging portion 110c of the lock member 110 at the lock position comes into contact with the engaged piece 87d projecting rightward (inward) from the front wall of the opening / closing lid 87 from above. Because of the engagement, the opening / closing lid 87 cannot move upward with respect to the storage case 86 and is integrally locked at the closed position.

When the sewing cartridge 5 is mounted on the swing arm 40, as described above, the engagement hole 86a of the housing case 86 engages with the engagement pin 42 of the swing arm 40, and the Since the dowel pin 42 pushes the input portion 110d of the lock member 110 rightward, the lock member 110 is switched from the locked position to the unlocked position. The engagement portion 110c of the lock member 110 at the lock release position is disengaged from the engaged piece 87d, and the opening / closing cover 87 can move upward with respect to the housing case 86, so that the lock is released.

Normally, the sewing cartridge 5 is removed from the swing arm 40 with the opening / closing cover 87 being at the closed position. Is locked together. If the sewing cartridge 5 is removed from the swing arm 40 in a state where the opening / closing lid 87 is located at a position other than the closed position, first, the lock member 110 is switched to the locked position without locking the opening / closing lid 87. Is the engaging portion 110c of the lock member 110.
Is formed at the left end portion thereof with a downwardly tapered portion.
Is rotated to the closed position. At this time, the engaged piece 87d temporarily pushes the lock member 110 to the unlocked position side via the tapered portion to enable switching to the closed position.

According to the sewing apparatus 1 described above, at the time of sewing, the needle cover 83 (presser foot) presses the cloth 70, and the needle drop point Py for the current needle drop from the processing point Px at which the needle was previously dropped. At least a part of the thread T reaching the needle cover 83 is pressed by the needle cover 83, and then the needle passage hole 83c of the needle cover 83 is pressed.
The hollow needle 81 descends and penetrates the cloth 70. At this time, the yarn T is transferred to the cloth 7 by the yarn holding force due to the elasticity of the cloth 70.
0 and the cover portion 83a presses at least a part of the thread T, so that the cloth 70 can be used without using a lower thread.
Can be sewn.

Since the cover portion 83a is formed in a substantially circular shape, the thread extending from the processing point Px to the needle drop point Py extending in all directions of 360 degrees in the horizontal direction regardless of various sewing processing patterns. At least a part of T can be reliably held down. Since the frictional resistance acting on the thread T from the thread holding mechanism 92 and the hollow needle 81 when the cloth 70 is moved by the embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 is configured to be smaller than the thread holding force of the cloth 70, the hollow needle 81 While piercing the cloth 70 and descending to the lower limit position, the thread T extending from the tip of the hollow needle 81 is hardly pulled to the lower side of the cloth 70 and the thread T is pulled out from the storage section 90 side.

It is located below the moving area 38 of the embroidery frame 4,
Since the needle plate portion 121 having a passage portion through which the hollow needle 81 passes, and the projection portion 122 of the needle plate portion 121 provided around the passage portion 121a and protruding upward, the embroidery is performed. When the hollow needle 81 is pierced into the cloth 70 in a state where the movement of the frame 4 is stopped, the hollow needle 81 passes through the projecting portion 122 and the passing portion 121a located below the embroidery frame 4. In other words, embroidery frame 4
Is sewn while the projecting portion is supported from below. Further, since the hollow needle 81 is provided in the sewing cartridge 5 which is detachably mounted on the sewing device 1, the hollow needle 81 is easily mounted on the sewing device 1 by mounting the cartridge itself on the sewing device 1. can do.

When sewing the cloth 70, the swing arm 40 is driven to swing by the sewing machine motor 45 via the plurality of gears 51 to 54 with the sewing cartridge 5 set on the swing arm 40. can do. When the swing arm 40 is swung by manual operation in the drive stop state, the intermediate gear 52 can be easily manually operated via the exposed portion 123. When the swing arm 40 is driven to swing by the sewing machine motor 45, the cover 124 covers the exposed portion 123, so that not only is the safety excellent, but also it is possible to prevent dust and lint from entering the exposed portion 123. it can.

When the swing arm 40 is driven upward, the hollow needle 8
The speed at which the needle 1 is pulled out of the cloth 70 is configured to be lower than the speed at which the swing arm 40 is driven downward to stab the hollow needle 81 into the cloth 70. At this time, it is possible to prevent the hollow needle 81 from coming off earlier than the hole formed in the cloth 70 is closed by the elasticity of the cloth 70 as much as possible, and the thread T can be reliably left on the cloth 70. Since the cam mechanism 55 is configured so that the speed at which the hollow needle 81 is pulled out of the cloth 70 is lower than the speed at which the hollow needle 81 is pierced into the cloth 70, the desired speed control can be easily performed by the cam mechanism 55. And the control system is simplified.

When the cloth 70 is set on the embroidery frame 4 before the sewing processing, or when the cloth 70 is removed from the embroidery frame 4 after the sewing processing is completed, the operating members 126 and 127 of the first and second holding bodies 71 and 72 are operated. Hold and hold in opposite directions
The holding state of 125 can be released, and the cloth 70 can be easily set or removed. A shape retaining frame 131 is provided near the outer periphery of the cloth 70.
Is formed, the cloth 70 can be easily held in the embroidery frame 4,
Not only can the attachment and detachment of the cloth 70 be simplified, but also the shape of the cloth 70 can be prevented from being deformed during or after processing. Further, the double-sided tape is easily attached to the back surface of the cloth 70. Since the shape retaining frame 131 is made of cardboard, it can be cut easily with scissors for easy post-processing, and the shape retaining frame 131 can be formed easily and inexpensively.

The urethane elastic film 73 provided on the cloth 70 generates a yarn holding force that allows the yarn to remain on the elastic film 73, so that it is difficult for the thread T to be pulled out of the cloth 70.
Therefore, processing can be performed without using a lower thread.

Next, the sewing operation of the sewing apparatus 1 and the stitches formed on the cloth 70 by the sewing operation will be described with reference to FIG.
The description will be made based on the explanatory diagrams of FIGS.

With the embroidery frame 4 with the cloth 70 attached to the sewing apparatus main body 1 and the sewing cartridge 5, the cartridge driving mechanism 12 swings the sewing cartridge 5 up and down. At this time, the hollow needle 81, the needle cover 83 (when the needle cover 83 is not in contact with the cloth 70), the thread spool 82, and the idling prevention mechanism 9 are integrally formed with the housing case 86.
Although 1 and the like move up and down, the opening / closing lid 87 is fixed to the sewing apparatus main body 2 and hardly moves up and down together with the thread holding mechanism 92 provided therein.

When sewing is performed for the first time after the sewing cartridge 5 is mounted on the swing arm 40, as shown in FIG. 30, the sewing is performed in a state in which the thread T is fed out from the lower end of the hollow needle 81 to a certain length. When the storage case 86 is lowered from this state, as shown in FIG. 31, first, the needle cover 83 as the presser foot presses the cloth 70 and presses the upper thread T against the cloth 70. The needle cover 83 stops substantially when the cloth 70 is pressed,
Subsequently, the hollow needle 81 descends with respect to the needle cover 83 and pierces the cloth 70. The moment when the hollow needle 81 pierces the cloth 70 is substantially perpendicular to the cloth 70, and the most distal end of the hollow needle 81 is located at the end of the hollow needle 81 on the swing center side of the swing arm 40. Prevent displacement.

The hollow needle 81 pierces the elastic membrane 74,
When the thread T extending from the hollow needle 81 contacts the cloth 70, the cloth 7
The thread T at the portion penetrating through the cloth 70 is held by the thread holding force of the elastic film 73, particularly the elasticity of the elastic film body 73. In this state,
When the hollow needle 81 (the thread spool 82 and the spinning prevention mechanism 91) further descends, the thread T is pulled out from the thread spool 82 against the thread pull-out resistance by the spinning prevention mechanism 91 and the thread holding mechanism 92, and the lower side of the cloth 70. A free loop 75 is formed. At this stage, about half the thread T of the free loop 75 is inside the hollow needle 81.

Here, the idling prevention mechanism 91 and the yarn holding mechanism 9
2 is configured to be smaller than the yarn holding force, and therefore, while the hollow needle 81 pierces the cloth 70 and descends to the lower limit position, the yarn T extending from the hollow needle 81 moves below the cloth 70. The thread T is pulled out from the thread spool 82 side almost without being pulled to the side, and a free loop 75 is formed below the cloth 70. Even before the descending hollow needle 81 pierces the cloth 70, after the thread T extending from the hollow needle 81 is pressed by the cloth 70 with the needle cover 83, the thread T is not pulled to the lower side of the cloth 70. . In addition, the needle cover 8
The above effect can be obtained even without the cloth holding force of 3.

Next, when the storage case 86 is lifted, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the hollow needle 81 rises from the lower limit position, the tip of the hollow needle 81 comes off the cloth 70, and then the cloth presser by the needle cover 83 is released and moves up to the upper limit position together with the hollow needle 81. Thread holding mechanism 9 stopped at a certain position
The hollow needle 81 rises so as to pass through the thread T in a fixed state connecting the cloth 2 and the cloth 70, and the whole of the hollow needle 81 is exposed to the outside while the free loop 75 formed on the lower side of the cloth 70 is held.
On the other hand, when the hollow needle 81 moves to the upper limit position, the thread spool 82 and the idling prevention mechanism 91 also move to the upper limit position. At this time, the thread T is not drawn out from the thread holding mechanism 92 to the hollow needle 81 side. Since the holding mechanism 92 and the idling prevention mechanism 91 exert a yarn pull-out resistance on the yarn T, the space between the thread spool 82 and the yarn holding mechanism 92 is loosened.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 33, when the cloth 70 is moved in the horizontal direction by the embroidery frame driving mechanism 11, the thread T extending from the hollow needle 81 is held by the cloth 70.
The thread T is pulled by the thread holding force, and the slack thread T between the thread spool 82 and the thread holding mechanism 92 is pulled out via the thread holding mechanism 92. At this time, the cloth 70 by the embroidery frame driving mechanism 11 is
Since the frictional resistance acting on the yarn T from the yarn holding mechanism 92 and the hollow needle 81 during the movement of the thread 70 is much smaller than the yarn holding force of the cloth 70, the yarn T of the free loop 75 is pulled toward the hollow needle 81. There is no danger of slipping out.

After the cloth 70 moves in the horizontal direction, the storage case 86 is lowered, and the needle cover 83 presses the cloth 70 and the hollow needle 81 pierces the cloth 70 as shown in FIG. When the hollow needle 81 descends from the upper limit position to the lower limit position,
When the slack remaining thread T between the thread holding mechanism 92 and the thread holding mechanism 92 is pulled out, the thread spool 82 subsequently rotates to feed out the thread T.
The yarn T is subjected to a yarn pull-out resistance by the idle rotation prevention mechanism 91 and the yarn holding mechanism 92. As described above, the yarn extraction resistance by the idle rotation prevention mechanism 91 and the yarn holding mechanism 92 is not
Is smaller than the thread holding force of the needle cover 83.
As a result, the thread T can be pressed against the cloth 70, so that the free loop 75 formed this time is formed without being pulled out of the cloth 70 by being pulled.

Next, as shown in FIG. 35, the hollow needle 81 and the needle cover 83 are raised, and thereafter, FIGS. 33 to 35 are repeated. In this manner, sewing is performed by the thread holding force due to the elasticity of the cloth 70 while the thread remains on the cloth 70 for each sewing processing, and a large number of threads are formed on the back side of the cloth 70 by the upper thread 88 as shown in FIG. A free loop 75 is formed,
The stitches of the embroidery pattern 76 are formed on the surface of the cloth 70. Then, when a double-sided tape 77 as a fixing material for fixing a large number of free loops 75 is adhered to the back surface of the cloth 70, FIG.
The pattern sewing cloth 78 which is a pattern workpiece shown in FIG.

The free loop 7 is formed by the double-sided tape 77.
Since the thread 5 is not extracted, the embroidery pattern 76 on the surface of the cloth 70 is stabilized without fraying without fixing the thread with another thread or a thread before and after the thread. Then, the pattern sewing cloth 78 can be used as an emblem and adhered and fixed to various objects via the double-sided tape 77. Note that, in addition to the double-sided tape 77, various adhesives or adhesives may be applied in layers on the back surface of the cloth 70 where the free loops 75 remain,
A tape of these various adhesives or adhesives may be formed, and the plurality of free loops 75 may be fixed to the back surface of the cloth 70 with the tape.

Since a large number of free loops 75 are located on the back side of the cloth 70, the double-sided tape 7
When 7 is attached, irregularities occur on the double-sided tape 77. Therefore, when the cloth 70 is applied as an emblem or the like to the garment via the double-sided tape 77, the garment to be affixed is soft and such an emblem is easily peeled off. Can be improved. Whether the unevenness is formed for each individual free loop or a plurality of free loops depends on the material of the thread or the double-sided tape.

According to the sewing cartridge 5, at least the distal end of the hollow needle 81 is covered with the needle cover 83, not only when the cartridge is mounted on the sewing apparatus main body 2 but also when it is detached from the sewing apparatus main body 2. Can be done,
Needle cover 83 at the projected position by movement prohibition mechanism 85
Of the hollow needle 81 can be prevented from being exposed to the outside due to careless handling. Therefore, when the sewing cartridge 5 is attached to and detached from the sewing apparatus main body 2 in particular, breakage of clothing and the like due to the hollow needle 81 can be prevented, and safety is excellent and handling is easy.

The hollow needle 81 is fixedly provided so that the distal end portion protrudes from the cassette body 80.
Can be reciprocated up and down together with the sewing cartridge 5 so that the hollow needle 81 can penetrate the cloth 70 to perform sewing processing. Further, since the needle cover 83 is also used as a presser foot, the sewing cartridge 5 can be used. Small and easy to configure,
The mechanism for reciprocating the hollow needle (sewing cartridge 5) can also be simplified, which is advantageous in reducing the size and weight of the sewing device 1.

Incidentally, the sewing cartridge 5 may be partially modified as follows. 1) The needle cover 83 may be manually moved and switched between the projecting position and the retracted position. In that case, the compression coil spring 84 for urging the needle cover 83 to the projecting position can be omitted. 2) Instead of the hollow needle 81, a general sewing needle may be applied.

3) In the anti-spin mechanism 91, besides pressing the contact element 101 urged by the torsion spring 102 against the flange 82b of the thread spool 82 to impart frictional resistance, a thread spool presser and other members It can be configured so that the frictional resistance is imparted by contacting the thread portion with the thread spool 82. 4] In the thread holding mechanism 92, the thread passing portion may be formed by forming a recess in the leaf spring member 106 without forming the annular recess 105a in the guide pin 105.

5) Instead of forming the opening 86c as a remaining amount visually recognizable portion that allows the remaining amount of the thread T to be visually recognized from outside, the housing case 86 and / or the opening / closing lid 87 are made of a transparent or translucent material. The remaining amount of the thread T may be configured to be visible from outside through the storage case 86 and / or the opening / closing lid 87. 6] Open / close lid 87 of cassette body 80
May be provided at a portion other than the upper surface portion of the thread color display portion 87.
As b, a part or the whole of the case main body 80 may be colored in the same color or a similar color to the color of the thread T of the thread spool 82 housed inside the case body 80 other than bonding the seal.

Next, the control system will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The control device 13 of the sewing device 1
It has a computer including a PU 13a, a ROM 13b, and a RAM 13c, an input / output interface 13d, and an input / output terminal 13e, which are connected by a bus 13f. A drive circuit 24a for the pulse motor 24 of the X-direction drive mechanism 20 and a drive circuit 35 for the pulse motor 35 of the Y-direction drive mechanism 30 are provided on the input / output interface 13d.
a, a drive circuit 45a for the sewing machine motor 45 of the cartridge drive mechanism 12, a power switch 15, a start / stop switch 16, and a phase detector 119 are connected.

Here, the phase detector 119 will be described. For example, the phase detector 119 is fixed to a plurality of photo-interrupters and a pivot that rotates integrally with the large-diameter gear 54, and corresponds to each photo-interrupter. The rotation phase of the pivot shaft is detected to detect the upper limit position, the lower limit position, the needle removal position, and the like of the swing arm 40.

On the other hand, the game machine 6 has a CPU 6a and a ROM
A computer including a RAM 6c and a RAM 6c, and a DVD drive 6d (DVD
D), a flash card connector 6e, input / output terminals 6f and 6g, an input terminal 6h, and an output terminal 6i, which are connected by a bus 6j. Input / output terminal 6
f is connected to the input / output terminal 13e of the sewing apparatus 1, and the controller 7 is connected to the input terminal 6h. A drive circuit 8a (LCDD) for the CRT 8 is connected to the output terminal 6i, and the input / output terminal 6g can be connected to the telephone line 9a.

A DVD 120 as an external storage medium for storing various sewing data and programs in a computer readable manner can be attached to and detached from the DVD drive 6d. , The game screen can be displayed on the CRT 8 and the controller 7 can be operated to enjoy the game. The input / output terminal 9g and the telephone line 9
a, a server of a manufacturer (for example, Brother Industries, Ltd.) or another manufacturer (for example, a manufacturer other than Brother Industries) which is a manufacturer of the sewing apparatus 1, data, programs, etc., via the telephone line 9a. Various data related to sewing can be captured from the server on the side of)) through the server of the connection company. In other words, various data on sewing supplied from a manufacturer (for example, Brother Industries) via the Internet can be captured.

Note that the homepage of this maker does not need to be set up in the country where the game machine or sewing terminal exists, as long as it is set up so that it can be accessed via the Internet via a telephone line or the like. It may be. For example, a window that serves as a home page for a company "Home" is opened in the United States, and transmission of control programs, control signals, data, etc. relating to the sewing is performed in a country different from the United States (for example, Europe). Link to the homepage of the United States so that it can be performed from the homepage of a company or a related company or individual, and control programs,
Control signals, data, and the like may be distributed via the Internet as transmission media.

The sewing apparatus 1 controls the drive of the embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 (the X-direction drive mechanism 20 and the Y-direction drive mechanism 30) and the cartridge drive mechanism 12 on the basis of the sewing data by the control device 13, and the cloth 70 The control program for the embroidery pattern is stored in the ROM 13b. In the case of the present embodiment, various characters (persons, animals, robots, etc.) displayed on the CRT 8 by the game software using the game machine 6 are selected or edited via the screen, and the characters are displayed. The pattern data to be embroidered is created in the game machine 6 and can be supplied to the sewing device 1.

For this reason, the game machine 6 is provided with a dedicated DVD 120 capable of selecting and editing sewing data. That is, as shown in FIG. 39, the DVD 120 has a plurality of embroidery patterns selected from the game software as described above, the pattern data of the plurality of embroidery patterns input in advance, and the plurality of embroidery patterns. A pattern selection control program for selecting a desired embroidery pattern from the list, a pattern editing control program for editing (enlargement, reduction, combination, inversion, etc.) the selected embroidery pattern, and displayed on the CRT for selecting and setting the pattern A display control program to be executed is stored. The flash card that can be connected to the flash card connector 6e can store the pattern data of the selected and edited embroidery pattern.

Further, the DVD 120 stores a game data and a pattern data creation control program for creating pattern data by selecting and editing characters of the game software based on the data of the game software. In the case of creating pattern data by a program, this control program is downloaded to the RAM 6c, a DVD for game software is operated to display various characters, and characters to be provided for embroidery are selected and edited, and pattern data is created. I do. However, the pattern data is D
It is stored in VD120.

Next, a series of operations of the sewing apparatus 1 described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the sewing apparatus 1 and the game machine 6 are connected via a connection cable, and the DVD drive 6d of the game machine 6 is equipped with a DVD 120 storing the data of FIG. Shall be.
Note that the game machine 6 and the display 8 are also connected via a connection cable.

First, the game machine 6 controls the display 8
The user operates the controller 7 to select and edit the embroidery pattern while viewing the screen of the above. The embroidery pattern can be selected and edited without turning on the sewing machine 1.

In the control device of the game machine 6, as shown in FIG. 40, control is started when the power is turned on, and after initialization (S1), data of the DVD 120 (the pattern selection control program, pattern editing A control program, a display control program, etc.) are read (S2). Thereafter, in a pattern selection process (S3), a desired embroidery pattern can be selected from a plurality of types of embroidery patterns stored in the DVD 120. In the pattern editing process (S4), the selected embroidery pattern is edited (enlarged, (Reduction, combination, inversion, etc.).

Next, when the selection and editing of the embroidery pattern is completed by operating a predetermined button of the controller 7 (S5; Ye)
s) Next, when the sewing apparatus 1 can receive data (S6; Yes), the pattern data of the embroidery pattern selected and edited is transmitted to the sewing apparatus 1 (S7), and the process returns to S3. However, when the sewing apparatus 1 cannot receive data, such as when the power of the sewing apparatus 1 is not turned on (S
6; No) Return to S5.

As shown in FIG. 41, the control device 13 of the sewing device 1 starts the control when the power switch 15 is operated to turn on the power, and after the initial setting (S10), data can be received. Next, when there is a transmission of the pattern data selected and edited from the game machine 6 (S1
1; Yes), the pattern data is received (S12). Next, when the start / stop switch 16 is turned on (S13; Yes), a sewing process (S14) is executed based on the received pattern data.

Here, preparations that need to be performed before starting sewing will be described. First, with the safety cover 3 of the sewing apparatus 1 positioned at the storage position in FIG.
The embroidery frame 4 on which is attached the guide member 69 of the safety cover 3
The embroidery frame 4 is inserted into the cover 3 through the embroidery frame insertion hole 3f, and the rear end support portion 4a of the embroidery frame 4 is engaged with the engagement portion 18a of the carriage 18 and mounted. The position of the carriage 18 to which the embroidery frame 4 can be securely mounted is located substantially below the swing arm 40, and the carriage 18 is moved to this position in the initial setting (S10) and is on standby.
The embroidery frame 4 projects slightly beyond the safety cover 3 in a state where the safety cover 3 is located at the storage position.

After the embroidery frame 4 is mounted, the guide member 69 serving as a handle is gripped, and the safety cover 3 is slid forward to switch to the sewing position shown in FIG. In this state, the cartridge mounting port 68 is formed, so that the sewing cartridge 5 containing a thread of a desired color is inserted into the safety cover 3 from the cartridge mounting port 68, and is mounted on the swing arm 40 and mounted. . With these preparations, the sewing process can be executed.

When the safety cover 3 is located at a position other than the sewing position, the start / stop switch 16 is turned on.
When the safety cover 3 is switched to the sewing position, the start / stop switch 16 faces the switch operation hole 3e, so that the operation is possible. That is, after that, when the start / stop switch 16 is turned on (S13; Yes), the sewing process (S1)
4) is executed.

[0138] Here, as shown in FIG.
The pattern data of each embroidery pattern stored in the embroidery pattern is composed of pattern data of a plurality of pattern parts, and the sewing color is changed by changing the sewing cartridge for each pattern part. That is, as shown in FIG. 41, when the start / stop switch 16 is turned on (S13; Yes), the sewing process (S1)
4) is executed, and the embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 and the cartridge drive mechanism 12 are controlled based on the pattern data of one pattern portion, and the pattern portion is sewn on the cloth 70.

When one pattern portion is formed, sewing on the pattern portion is completed (S15). When the thread color of the pattern portion to be sewn next is changed, the sewing cartridge 8 containing the thread 88 of the color is used. Replace. In this case, before the currently mounted sewing cartridge 5 is removed, for example, if a thread change is instructed by operating a predetermined button of the controller 7 (S16; Yes), then, thread trimming and sewing are performed. A thread loosening process (S17) is performed to replace the cartridge 5 for use.

When the sewing cartridge 5 is not replaced,
There is no need to execute the thread slackening process in S18. When the thread change is not instructed (S16; No), the process returns to S13. If the start / stop switch 16 is turned on after the sewing interruption (S15) (S13; Yes), the sewing process (S14) is executed and Is formed.

Next, the yarn slackening process will be described. In this thread loosening process, after the sewing is completed, the embroidery frame 4 is moved from the sewing completion position to the movement limit position in the movement area 38 (see FIG. 6) in order to pull out the thread 88 from the thread block 82 in the sewing cartridge 5. After that, the embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 is controlled so that the thread 88 between the hollow needle 81 and the cloth 70 is slackened. The thread slack control program for that purpose is the sewing device 1
Is stored in the ROM 13b of the control device 13. However, this thread slack control program is stored in the RO
Instead of being stored in the M13b, it may be stored in various storage media such as the DVD 120 and transferred to the sewing device 1.

FIG. 42 (a) shows the sewing completion position of the embroidery frame 4 immediately after the sewing of one pattern portion is completed, and “の” in (a) to (c) of FIG. The needle drop position of the hollow needle 81 located substantially at the center is shown, and “×” indicates the hollow needle 8.
1 indicates the sewing completed needle drop position which has finally dropped on the cloth 70 and moves together with the embroidery frame 4.

FIG. 42B shows that the hollow needle 81 is moved from the sewing completed needle drop position to the maximum separated position which is separated from the sewing completed needle drop position by the movement of the embroidery frame 4. 42 shows a state in which the embroidery frame 4 has been moved to the movement limit position in the movement area 38. FIG.
The state where the embroidery frame 4 is moved to the movement limit position farthest from the frame take-out position indicated by the chain line in the movement area 38 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 43, when the thread slackening process in S17 is started, it is first determined in S20 whether or not the final color is present. At the time of the final color (S20; Yes), that is, when all of the plurality of pattern portions of the embroidery pattern are formed, as shown in FIG. The movement limit position furthest away from the embroidery frame is calculated (S21), and based on the calculated data, the embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 is controlled to move the embroidery frame 4 to the movement limit position (S22).

As a result, the thread 88 is pulled out from the thread spool 82 of the sewing cartridge 5. Next, the embroidery frame is moved to the frame removal position and stopped (S23).
The thread 88 between the and the hollow needle 81 is slackened. Then, CRT
8 displays a thread trimming operation and a frame removal instruction via the game machine 6 (S24). Note that S23 corresponds to control means for controlling the embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 so as to move the embroidery frame 4 together with the cloth 70 to a predetermined frame removal position after the sewing is completed. When the embroidery frame 4 is moved to the frame take-out position, the carriage 18 moves forward as much as possible and is located below the swing arm 40.

On the other hand, when it is not the final color (S20; No),
That is, when all of the plurality of embroidery pattern portions of the embroidery pattern are not formed, for example, the sewing completion position of the embroidery frame 4 is determined as shown in FIG.
In the case of the position 2 (a), as shown in FIG. 42 (b), the movement limit position of the embroidery frame 4 for moving the hollow needle 81 to the maximum separation position from the sewing completed needle drop position is calculated (S).
25), the embroidery frame drive mechanism 11 based on the calculated data
To move the embroidery frame 4 to the movement limit position (S26).

As a result, the thread 88 is sufficiently pulled out from the thread spool 82 of the sewing cartridge 5. Next, the movement of the embroidery frame 4 is reversed to move the embroidery frame 4 to the sewing completion position and return (S27), and the thread 88 between the cloth 70 and the hollow needle 81 is slackened. After that, the CRT 8 displays a frame removal prohibition warning and a thread trimming operation instruction via the game machine 6 (S28).

When S22 and S23 and S26 and S27 are executed, the thread 8 between the hollow needle 81 and the cloth 70 is
8, the thread 88 is cut in accordance with the instruction of the thread cutting operation displayed on the CRT 8 in S24 and S28. In this case, the safety cover 3 is not removed from the sewing apparatus main body 2 and the embroidery frame 4
While covering the moving area 38, the user inserts, for example, scissors into the inside of the safety cover 3 through the embroidery frame insertion opening 3f, and looks inside from the outside of the safety cover 3 made of a transparent material or a translucent material. The thread 88 can be easily cut by hooking on the slack thread 88.

Next, if the sewing of the embroidery pattern has been completed, that is, if steps S21 to S24 have been executed, C
The embroidery frame 4 located at the frame removal position can be easily removed from the embroidery apparatus main body 2 in accordance with the frame removal instruction displayed on the RT 8. In addition, when the embroidery frame 4 is at the frame removal position where the embroidery frame 4 has moved to the maximum forward in the movement area 38, the carriage 18 is located substantially below the swing arm 40. Then, after removing the cloth 70 on which the embroidery pattern is formed from the embroidery frame 4, as shown in FIG. 37, a double-sided tape 77 is adhered to the back of the cloth 70 to form a pattern sewing cloth 78, and the pattern sewing is performed. The cloth 78 can be adhered and fixed to various objects via the double-sided tape 77.

If the sewing of the embroidery pattern has not been completed, that is, if steps S25 to S28 have been executed, the thread is cut and the sewing cartridge 5 containing the thread 88 of that color is replaced. Thereafter, when the start / stop switch 16 is turned on in S13, the processes in S14 and thereafter are executed again. After the sewing, when the safety cover 3 is positioned at the storage position, the embroidery frame 4 projects from the embroidery frame insertion hole 3f and can be taken out.

As described above, according to the sewing apparatus 1,
A desired embroidery pattern can be selected and edited from a plurality of types of embroidery patterns using the game machine 6, and the embroidery pattern can be sewn on the cloth 70 attached to the embroidery frame 4.
Further, a colorful embroidery pattern can be sewn by changing the thread colors of a plurality of pattern portions forming the embroidery pattern. Then, the cloth 70 on which the embroidery pattern has been sewn is removed, the double-sided tape 77 is adhered, and a pattern sewing cloth 78 serving as an emblem can be prepared and attached to various objects.

In the sewing operation, the movement area 38 of the embroidery frame 4 can be covered by the safety cover 3 switched to the sewing position, and most of the sewing cartridge 5 including the swinging hollow needle 81. And the swing arm 40, the safety cover 3 cannot be removed from the sewing apparatus main body 2, and the start / stop switch 16 is covered by the safety cover 3 in a position other than the sewing position. Since the switch operation becomes impossible and the malfunction of the sewing device 1 can be prevented, the safety and the operability are also very excellent.

In addition, since it is small and lightweight, it is convenient to carry, store and store. The embroidery frame 4 and the sewing cartridge 5 can be easily attached and detached, and the embroidery frame 4 and the sewing cartridge 5 can be attached and detached. Therefore, the safety cover 3 can be slid back and forth to easily switch between the storage position and the sewing position, and the thread 88 between the hollow needle 81 and the cloth 70 can be easily cut after the sewing is completed. It is easy to handle.

Further, since the user can see the state of sewing in the safety cover 3 through the safety cover 3 made of a transparent material or a translucent material, the fun is increased.
From the above, it is possible to provide the embroidery device 1 that is very easy to handle even for children and the like, and is very excellent in safety and operability. Since various characters appearing in the game software can be selected to make an embroidery embroidered with the characters, it is very meaningful and fun for children and the like.

In the above embodiment, a desired embroidery pattern is selected and edited from a plurality of types of embroidery patterns stored in the DVD 120 using the game machine 6, and the pattern data is supplied to the sewing apparatus 1. In this case, the embroidery pattern is sewn, but the game machine 6 supplies the image data of the character of the game software to the sewing device 1 side, and the sewing device 1 creates the pattern data based on the image data. You may.

[0156]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of sewing, the presser foot presses the workpiece, and at least one of the threads from the processing point at which the needle was previously dropped to the needle drop point at which the needle is dropped this time. The part is held down by the presser foot, and then the working needle descends through the needle passage hole of the presser foot and pierces the workpiece. At this time, the thread remains on the workpiece by the thread holding force due to the elasticity of the workpiece, and the presser foot presses at least a part of the thread, so that the workpiece is sewn without using the lower thread. be able to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the thread extending from the processing point to the needle drop point extending in all directions of 360 degrees in the horizontal direction is surely irrespective of various sewing processing patterns. Can be suppressed. The other effects are the same as those of the first aspect.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when processing is performed in a straight line at least in a certain direction, the processing point is pressed by the pressing portion of the presser foot so that the yarn remaining at the processing point is hardly pulled out of the workpiece. The workpiece can be sewn without using a bobbin thread. The other effects are the same as those of the first or second aspect. Here, when the processing needle is a hollow needle (claim 4), the yarn can be supplied to the workpiece through the inside of the hollow needle. Other effects similar to those of any one of the first to third aspects are exhibited.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when performing sewing on a workpiece, the needle drop is performed from the processing point where the needle is dropped this time with the presser foot attached to the processing device. At least a part of the yarn reaching the point can be pressed by the presser foot. Other effects similar to those of any one of the first to fourth aspects are exhibited. Here, when the presser foot is provided on a processing cassette detachably mounted on a processing device (claim 6), the presser foot is mounted on the processing device by mounting the processing cassette itself on the processing device. It can be easily installed.
In addition, the same effect as any one of the first to fifth aspects is obtained.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when the workpiece is moved by the workpiece moving means, the frictional resistance acting on the yarn from the thread path member and the processing needle is more than the thread holding force of the workpiece. Since the processing needle is pierced into the workpiece and descends to the lower limit position, the thread extending from the tip of the processing needle is hardly pulled to the lower side of the workpiece, and the thread is received from the thread storage unit side. Drawn out.

When the processing needle is a hollow needle (claim 8), the yarn can be supplied to the workpiece through the hollow needle. In a case where the yarn storage section, the yarn path member, and the processing needle are provided in a processing cassette detachably mounted on a processing apparatus (claim 9), the processing cassette itself is mounted on the processing apparatus, The yarn storage section, the yarn path member, and the processing needle can be easily mounted on the processing apparatus.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the processing needle is pierced into the workpiece while the movement of the workpiece support is stopped, the processing needle is inserted into the projecting portion located below the workpiece support. Pass through the passage. That is, the sewing process is performed in a state where the workpiece support is supported by the protruding portion from below. here,
When the processing needle is a hollow needle (claim 11), the yarn can be supplied to the workpiece through the hollow needle. When the processing needle is provided in a processing cassette detachably mounted on the processing apparatus (claim 12), the processing needle is easily mounted on the processing apparatus by mounting the processing cassette itself on the processing apparatus. be able to.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when performing sewing on the workpiece, the swing arm is swung through a plurality of gears by, for example, a sewing machine motor after supporting the working needle with the support member. It can be driven dynamically. When the swing arm is swung by manual operation in the drive stop state, any one of the plurality of gears can be easily manually operated via the exposed portion. Other claims 1, 7,
10 has the same effect as any of the tenth embodiment.

In the case where a cover for covering the exposed portion is provided (claim 14), the exposed portion is covered with the cover when the swing arm is normally driven to swing by driving means such as a sewing machine motor. In addition to excellent safety, dust and lint can be prevented from entering the exposed portion.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the speed at which the swinging arm is driven upward to remove the processing needle from the workpiece is determined by the speed at which the swinging arm is driven downward to pierce the processing needle with the workpiece. Is configured to be slower than the speed of the workpiece, so that when the processing needle pierces the workpiece and then exits, the hole formed in the workpiece will be pulled out faster than the hole will be closed by the elasticity of the workpiece. Is prevented as much as possible, and the yarn can be reliably left on the workpiece. Other claims 1, 7, 10
It has the same effect as.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the cam mechanism is configured so that the speed at which the processing needle is pulled out of the workpiece is lower than the speed at which the processing needle is pierced into the workpiece. The desired speed control can be easily performed by the cam mechanism, and the control system is simplified. The other effects are the same as those of the fifteenth aspect.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the workpiece is held between the first and second holding bodies, and the first and second holding bodies are held in the holding state by the holding section. After removing the attachment portion of the operation member from the processing device and operating the operation member to release the holding state of the holding member, the workpiece is moved to the first or first position.
It can be removed from the second clamp.

According to the eighteenth aspect, when the workpiece is set on the workpiece holder before the sewing processing, or
When the workpiece is removed from the workpiece holder after the sewing process is completed, the operating members of the first and second holding bodies are separated from each other in the opposite directions to release the holding state of the holding holder, and the workpiece is removed. Can be easily set or removed. The other effects are the same as those of the seventeenth aspect.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, since the shape-retaining frame is formed near the outer periphery of the workpiece, the workpiece can be easily held on the workpiece holder, and the workpiece can be easily attached and detached. In addition to this, it is possible to prevent the workpiece from being deformed during or after processing. Further, the double-sided tape is easily attached to the back surface of the workpiece. Here, when the shape retaining frame is a rectangular frame made of cardboard (claim 20), the shape retaining frame can be cut easily with scissors for easy post-processing, and the shape retaining frame can be formed easily and inexpensively. .

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, when sewing is performed on a workpiece by the processing apparatus, the elastic layer provided on the workpiece provides a thread holding force that causes the thread to remain on the workpiece. Since it is generated, it is difficult for the yarn to be pulled out of the workpiece. Therefore, processing can be performed without using a lower thread. Other effects similar to those of the nineteenth or twentieth aspect are exhibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing device and a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sewing device (a state in which a safety cover is in a storage position).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sewing device (a state in which a safety cover is in a sewing position).

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a sewing device (a state in which a safety cover is in a sewing position).

FIG. 5 is a side view of the sewing device (a state in which a safety cover is in a sewing position).

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sewing device.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view from the front of the sewing device (the state in which the hollow needle is at the upper limit position).

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view from the front of the sewing device (the state in which the hollow needle is at the lower limit position).

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of a gear mechanism and a cam mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a cam member.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embroidery frame.

FIG. 12 is a partial vertical sectional view of an embroidery frame.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cloth.

FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a relationship between a presser foot, a hollow needle, and a needle plate portion.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the sewing cartridge.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the sewing cartridge.

FIG. 17 is a left side view of the sewing cartridge.

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sewing cartridge (closed state).

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sewing cartridge (in an open state).

FIG. 20 is a vertical sectional view of the sewing case on the side of a storage case.

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sewing cartridge on the side of an opening / closing lid.

FIG. 22 is a front view of the swing arm and the sewing cartridge (in an unmounted state).

FIG. 23 is a front view of the swing arm and the sewing cartridge (in an unmounted state).

FIG. 24 is a front view of the swing arm and the sewing cartridge (attached state).

FIG. 25 is a plan view of a movement prohibition mechanism (locked state).

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the movement inhibition mechanism (unlocked state).

FIG. 27 is a side view of the movement inhibition mechanism.

FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view of a thread holding mechanism.

FIG. 29 is a side view of a lock member of the lock mechanism.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a sewing operation (before starting sewing).

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of the sewing operation (when the first needle is dropped).

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of a sewing operation (a needle rising state immediately after the first needle has dropped).

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of the sewing operation (during cloth feeding).

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view of the sewing operation (when the needle drops after the first stitch).
It is.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of a sewing operation (a needle up state after the first stitch).

FIG. 36 is a sectional view of a cloth, an embroidery pattern formed on the cloth, and a double-sided tape.

FIG. 37 is a sectional view of a pattern sewing cloth.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the sewing apparatus and the game machine.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing data stored on a DVD.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart of control executed by the game machine.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart of control executed by the sewing device.

FIG. 42 is a plan view of the embroidery frame with respect to the movement area;
(A) shows the sewing completion position of the embroidery frame, and (b) and (c)
Indicates the movement limit position of the embroidery frame.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of thread loosening control executed by the sewing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 T thread 1 sewing device 2 sewing device main body 4 embroidery frame 5 sewing cartridge 11 embroidery frame drive mechanism 52 intermediate gear 55 cam mechanism 70 cloth 71, 72 first and second holding bodies 73 elastic film body 81 hollow needle 83 needle cover 83b Needle passage hole 90 Storage part 82 Thread spool 92 Thread holding mechanism 121 Needle plate part 121a Passing part 122 Projection part 123 Projection part 124 Cover 125 Nipping and holding part 126,127 Operating member 129 Mounting part 131 Shape retaining frame Px Processing point Py Needle drop point

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) D05B 55/14 D05B 55/14 Z 85/10 85/10 D05C 15/26 D05C 15/26 F-term (reference) 3B150 AA15 BA01 CB04 CD07 CE01 CE02 CE07 CE09 CE22 CE25 CE27 GF02 GF03 GG04 JA19 LA05 LA21 LA29 LA67 LA71 LA77 LA89 LB02 NA05 NA20 NA28 NA62 NA64 NA76 NA80 NB07 NB09 NB18 QA06 QA07

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A processing device for allowing a thread to remain on the workpiece by a thread holding force due to elasticity of the workpiece when performing sewing processing on the workpiece, a processing needle capable of penetrating the workpiece. A presser foot for pressing the workpiece, the presser foot having a needle passage hole through which a processing needle can pass, and at least one of the yarns from the processing point at which the needle was previously dropped to the needle drop point at which the current needle is dropped. A processing device for sewing processing, wherein a portion is pressed by the presser foot. 2. The sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presser foot has a presser portion having a needle passage hole, and the presser portion is formed in a substantially circular shape. . 3. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when processing is performed in a straight line in a certain direction, a processing point which has been previously dropped by a needle is pressed by a holding portion of a presser foot when a needle is dropped this time. Or the processing device for sewing processing according to 2. 4. The sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing needle is a hollow needle. 5. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presser foot is detachably mounted on the processing apparatus. 6. The sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presser foot is provided on a processing cassette detachably mounted on the processing apparatus. 7. A processing device for allowing a thread to remain on the workpiece by a thread holding force due to elasticity of the workpiece when performing sewing processing on the workpiece, a processing needle capable of penetrating the workpiece. A yarn storage unit that stores a yarn to be supplied to the processing needle; a yarn path member that guides a yarn in a yarn path from the yarn storage unit to the processing needle; and a workpiece that relatively moves a workpiece with respect to the processing needle. A workpiece moving means, wherein a frictional resistance acting on the yarn from the thread path member and the processing needle when the workpiece is moved by the workpiece moving means is smaller than a thread holding force of the workpiece. A sewing machine for sewing. 8. The processing apparatus for sewing according to claim 7, wherein the processing needle is a hollow needle. 9. The yarn storage section, the yarn path member, and the processing needle,
The sewing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing apparatus is provided in a processing cassette detachably attached to the processing apparatus. 10. A processing apparatus for performing sewing processing by moving a workpiece support supporting a workpiece relative to a processing needle, wherein the processing apparatus is located below a moving range of the workpiece support. A needle plate portion having a passage portion through which a needle passes, and a protruding portion provided around the passage portion of the needle plate portion and protruding upward; apparatus. 11. The sewing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processing needle is a hollow needle. 12. The sewing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processing needle is provided in a processing cassette detachably mounted on the processing apparatus. 13. A swinging arm for vertically moving a supporting member for supporting the processing needle, a plurality of gears for swingingly driving the swinging arm, and at least a part of any one of the gears includes 11. An exposure part formed so as to be exposed from the main body, wherein any one of the gears is configured to be manually operable via the exposure part. Processing equipment for sewing. 14. The processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a cover for covering the exposed portion. 15. A swing arm for vertically moving a support member for supporting the processing needle, wherein a speed at which the swing arm is driven upward to remove the processing needle from the workpiece is determined by moving the swing arm downward. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving needle is configured to be driven at a lower speed than when the processing needle is inserted into the workpiece.
The processing device for sewing according to any one of claims 7 and 10. 16. A cam mechanism for swinging the swing arm so that a speed at which the processing needle is pulled out of the workpiece is lower than a speed at which the processing needle is pierced into the workpiece. The sewing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a cam mechanism is configured. 17. A workpiece holder which is detachably attached to a processing device for sewing and holds a workpiece, comprising: first and second clamping bodies for clamping a workpiece; A holding member that holds the first and second holding members in a holding state, and an operation member that is operated to release the holding state of the holding member, wherein a part of the operation member is processed. A workpiece holder, wherein an attachment portion for attaching the workpiece holder to a processing device is formed. 18. The holding state of the holding member is released by providing the operating members on the first and second holding members, respectively, and separating the operating members of the first and second holding members in directions opposite to each other. 18. The workpiece holder according to claim 17, wherein the workpiece holder is configured to perform the following. 19. A workpiece to be attached to a sewing machine while being mounted on a workpiece holder and to be processed by the processing apparatus, wherein a shape-retaining frame is formed near an outer periphery of the workpiece. Workpiece to be characterized. 20. The workpiece according to claim 19, wherein the shape retaining frame is a rectangular frame made of cardboard. 21. The workpiece according to claim 19, further comprising an elastic layer that generates a thread holding force that causes the thread to remain on the workpiece when sewing with the processing device.