US1723195A - Thread controller for sewing machines - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 6, 1929.

J. R. MOFFATT THREADCONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed May '23, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 6, 1929. J. R. MOFFATT 1,723,195

THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed May 25, 1924 4 sheets-sheet 2 Aug. 6, 1929, J. R. MOFFATT THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 23, 1924 Aug. 6, 1929. J, MOFF'ATT 1,723,195

THREAD CONTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed May 23, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES males PATENT OFFICE. 1

JAMES R. MOFFATT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ABSIGNOR TO UNION SPECIAL MACHINE COI IPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORIOIl-ATION OF ILLINOIS.

THREAD CQNTROLLER FOR SEWING MACHINES,

Application filed May 23, Serial No. 715,421.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in thread controllers for sewing machines, and more particularly a rotary thread controller for the looper threads ot a sewing machine.

An obiect oi the invention is to provides thread controller oi. the above type which 13 so constructed that it the thread breaks it cannotpossibly be wound onto the rotat ng shaft of the thread controller or the moving parts of the thread controller. p

A turthcr object of the invention is to pro vide a rotatino; thread controller which very simple in donstruction, wherein the parts may be readily assembled and which s readily accessible for adjustment.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinuit more tullv disclosed.

the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention Figure 1 is a side View with parts in section of a sewing machine embodying my improve ments; I

2 is a plan view of the machine with parts broken away to sho more clearly the thread controller;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view partly in secti on iind partly in side elevation showing the thread controlling member and the parts associatelil there vith;

Fin. 4 is a sectional view on the line l4 of I 5 is a sectional view on the line 1b,. 6 is detached perspective. viewot the Fin. 7 is a persi iective view showing; the

thread uidi cl annel menil'ier and the cover plate therein]?itor directing the thread 'lrom the thread controller to the work supporting arm;

Fin. 8 is a view more or less diagrammutic showing;' the relation otthe thread controller to the loopers when the loopers are at the forward ends of their stroke;

Fig. 9 is a similar view but showing loopers slightly retracted;

Fi 1O a similar view but showing the loopers at the rear ends of their stroke and Fig. 11 is a view partly in section and part- "the ly in side elevation showing the cam for clamping the threads. The invention is directed to a thread controller for sewing machines, and more per as they move into and out of the needle thread loops. The looper is operated by a shaft mounted in the head ofthe machine and eX tc ding transversely of the looper sha it. On the end of this transverse shaftis myi1n proved thread controller. Said thread conpreterably consists of an outer cylindrical :liange mounted on a shatt and overhanging the end thereol, and a similar inner cylindrical flange. These two flanges are preferably formed integral with the supporting member and are spaced so to form an annular groove therebetween. lateral peripheral edges of the flanges are similarly shaped and are formed as to provide cams for taking u; and releasing the thread. Located within the inner flange a thread guide.

supply through Thu The threads are led from the this thread guide and then across the periphery of the flanges to an outer thread guide. A nipper mechanism provided which is adapted to engage the threads between this inner thread guide and the supply for clamping the same to prevent the c0iitrolling member iron} drawing oil thread. from the supply at intervals. i

Referring; more in detail to the drawings my improved thread controller shown as applied to a sewing machine which includes a standard 1 carrying an overhanging arm Bin which is mounted a needle bar 3 which needle bar is ,reciprocated by means of a needle lever l mounted on the overhanging arm 2. Said needle lover 4. is reciprocated by means of eccentric strap 5 which cooper-- ates with. an eccentric on the main shat't (3. Said needle bar 3 is provided with two needles 7, 7. The material is held on the work support by means of a presser foot 8 mounted on a presser bar 9 and held in engzigement W, ;l1

oil the machine is such as to teed the material an aux l being stitched on to the arm. Cooperating with each needle T henii the work su The looger threads are indicated at l, 1 1n the drawings. These loope t1 leans on their way from th supply to pass first through the tension l respectively, and thence throi .j proved threal controlling mes the end of the shat- 6 (see drical member i 15 which projects the axis of the shaltthereof. The member 1 flange 16 projecting thei less diameter than the n a a 1d therefrom so as to PIOVlCLQ an e 21. The periphery of these or '1 similar shape. The lateral flange 1S shaped to form car.

and releasing tlie tliread. 14; carrying these flanges ]u* r s hub 19 which fits on the d is secured theret 20. The thread s (re le 7 J! u iorinec 25. This n 26 so evlindric. s as clervl" eh X dr the shaft a cam is fastened t t o 18. Apin19 fits within the holds the samer i i x w i u N ire nieinoei 4i 27 through which the sol readily reached. This inch 1 raised cam portion 17 nds throughout about two-thirds of the l1'f11l11 ference of said member 1'5. Fae-id ra sed portion 17 is tapered at its edges. The of this raised member is to Ql ft fls threads between the threat guides vie 23 as the shaft rotates, and press against the member 24; Thus it is raised portion acts e nip ier, p the take'up from drawin thread rroin supply from the time that the loope their retracting movementuntil th of the loogers engage the needle loo succeeding stitch. The Slilflli 25 to a hr; Chet 28 which isformed as a frame 29 secured to the 1 LllG machine and extending the thread controllers on the end of the shaft A screw 30 passes through an open ing 31 in the end of the shank and is thre: ded into t iis bracket 28. A bolt carried by the auxiliary frame 29 teinunares l the shank portion L5 of member carrying the thread guides. This screw can be shifted endwise oi the i frame and its purpose is to force THC shenl' inwardly or to allow it to i T V ut l hus vary the ni portion 1T on FLORA are SO I in anv t he thread 0 t 1 inher grip on the thread, or ch21 the 1 diiierent sines 0 tii I. lb not A s 1 I J a. l M0311 the thread 18 SH is a;-

33o mater onar memwill always it is in the cycle looperq ind release it at t e seine. t1 i does not Tn OLilQl' w rds the length 01" the tliead giipging oerioe tor ecjuetr ents is precisely the nd the time of action of this thread period the stitch c le is always side or the ie-r' thread controlle"s. wardl g' progectin h eiztemls within the i reineli ns of the holt holds said finther with the walls of the means for firmly clsinpi sienlz or the cast ollf fins; r 'tseli, this forming a tE-sh r 5* shown in Fig.

2 of the drawings, and the bolt passes through the slot formed by the U-shaped shank and serves to permit the shank ot the cast off tin- ;r-er to be adjusted and thus the cast off linger adjusted relative to the controlling members.

This *ast oil linger projects into the annular groove 21 between the shell runs of the inner and outer thread controllers. By adjusting this *ast oFf linger in a direction outwardly away from the controlling cam and longitudinally of the axis of rotation of the same the thread will be cast off atan earlier interval in the cycle of rotation of controlling cam, and by adjusting the cast oil inwardly tor ard the rotating controlling cam it will cause the thread to be cast off at a later period in the cycle of rotation of the controlling member. It will be noted that this cast oil mounted independently of the retainer 35 and, therefore, the cast off army be adjusted without in any way disturbing the position of the retainor relative to the controlling member. The thread after leaving; the thread guides and 28,-nasses across the edges of the overhanging portions of the coi'itroilers. and thence in rear of a thread guide 4:1 and then along; a channel in a pl ate to until. it reaches he interior of the work supporting arm. Here it passes in rear of a gu dine; wire thence along the work suppertii'ig;- arm to .Sllllk able guide eyes attached thereto and to the loopers in the usual way. T he channel in the plate 4.9 is covered by means of a spring pressed cover plate ite (see Figures :2 and 7 Referring to Figures 8 to 10 inclusive, l. have shown more or less diagrannnati rally the thread controllers and the loopers they related to each other during theoperation of the machine. In Fig. 8 of the drawings, the looper has moved forward to the end of its stroke and is about to be retracted. The controllers rotate in the directimi of the arrow in this figure. When the threads pass from the hill or raised portion (a to the depression or valley 7), thread is given up to the loopers, and this permits the loopers to move forward to the ends of tacir strokcs withoutstraining the thread to a breaking: point. In Fig. 5), the loopers are on their rearward movement, and as they move back, they also move sidewise and form a thread triangh the needles to enter. it is essential that the threads should be put under tension in fornr ing' the three .riang'le and this is accomplish ed by cd or hill pintion of the thread controller. The cast o'll linger 59 resists the tendency of the projectii cam (Z to carry the thread around with the stating; controller and thus insures that the thread will follow or ride along the peripheral edge of troller. The thread can not slip over the shoulder (Z of the thread controller and hecomeslack by reason of the fact that the check finger comes into play and holds the thread until after the raised cam portion of he con-- the controller has passed the thread, after which the thread is gradually given up by the recessed portion a of the thread coi'itrollor; This enables the loopers to move to the rear ends of their strokes under a substantially taut thread and aid in the setting of the stitch. In Fig. 10, the loopers are shown at the rear ends of their stroke. As the loopers move forward, the raised portion g comes into play to take up the threads in a manner similar to that described in connection wih the shouldered part 0 and thus it is that the looper threads are taken up on the forward move ment of the loopers and all liability of the threads buckling and causing skipping of stitches is prevented.

It will be understood, of course, that the two thread controlling flanges are similar in construction, although one within the other. The two looper threads passing across the controlling cam surfaces are crowded in a direction lengthwise of the shaft carrying the rotating: cam flanges and consequently there is no tendency of the threads to roll one on the other. should break, the end of the thread cannot wind up in the shaft as usually occurs in connection with rotary take-ups and controllers, for the reason that the cam members overhang the end of the shaft, and there is no chance for the end. of the thread to be caughthy any rotating part on the shaft.

Then a -sin, the thread controlling or ins are readily accessible d may be easily adjusted on the supporting shaft therefor by loosening the set screws and turning the hub of the members carryingthe projecting cams. The

cast oti finger is likewise very a .cessible for um hary frame is provided V a side wheel machine and on the end of a rotating shaft, it will be understood. that it can be used in connect-ion .vith other types of machines, and otherwise disposed in the ma- I chine.

1t obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and the arrangement of the parts may be made ithout departing from thespirit of the invention s set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invent-ion, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, l5

1. A thread controller for the looper thread of a SQWlllQ' machine comprising a rotating shaft, a cylindrical flange mounted on and Furthermore, if a thread overhanging the end of said shaft, the edge of said flange having a laterally projecting thread engaging cam, and means located rauially within and without said flange for directing the 10 per thread into the path of said thread cam at one portion of the path of travel thereof.

2. A thread troller for the looper thread of a sewing machine comprising a rotating shaft, a cylindrical flange mounted on and overhanging the end of said shaft, the edge of said flange having a laterally projecting thread engaging cam, means for directing the looper thread into the path of said thread cam, and a ret iner linger cooperating with said cam for temporarily retaining the looper thread shifted into engagementtherewith by said cam.

3. A thread controller for the loo thread of sewing machine comprising a rotating shaft, a cylindrical flange mounted on and overhanging the end of said shaft, the edge of said flange having a laterally projecting thread engagin cam, means for directing the looper thread into the path of said thread cam, and a cast oft linger cooperating with said flange for insuring that the looper thread is engaged by said cam projection.

et. A thread controller for the looper thread of a sewing machine comprising a rotating shaft, a cylind 'ical flange mounted on and overhanging the end of said shaft, the edge of said flange having a laterally n'ojecting thread engaging cam, means for directing the looper thread into the path of said thread tam, a cast off finger for insuring that the looper thread is engaged by the cam, and a retainer linger cooperating with said cam for temporarily retaining the looper thread shiftct, into engagement ti'1 3? '6\\'itll by sad cam.

A thread controller for the looper thread a sewing machine comprising 1 inner and outer cylindrical flanges mounted on and overhanging the end of said shalt, said flanges being spaced from each other o as to form an annular r ess therebetween, each flange h= ving similar shaped and disposed projecting thread engaging cams, and means for directing the looper thread into the path of said cams.

6. A thread controller for the looper thread of a sewing machine comprising a rotating shaft, inner and outer cylindrical flanges mounted on and overhanging the end of said shaft, said flanges being spaced from each other so as to form an annular recess therehetween, each flange having similar shaped and disposed projecting tnread engaging cams, ieans for directing the looper thread into the path of said cams, and a retainer linger attending into the annular recess between the cylindrical flanges and cooperating with said cams for temporarily retainingthe looper thread shifted into engagement therewith by said cams.

a rotating 7. A thread controller for the looper thread of a sewing machine comprising a rotating shaft, inner and outer cylindrical flanges mounted on and overhanging the end of said shaft, said flanges being spaced from each other so to form annular recess therebetween, each flange having similar shaped and disposed projecting thread en aging cams, means for directing the looper thread into the path of said cams, a retainer finger extending into tie annular recess between the cylindrical flanges and cooperating with said cams for temporarily retaining the looper thread shifted into engagement therewith by said cams, and a cast off finger projecting into said annular recess and operating to insure that the thread is lifted over the thread projecting cams.

8. A thread controller for the looper thread of a sewing machine comprising rotating shaft, cylincrical flanges located one within the other and spaced from each other to form an annular recess, the outer flange being mounted on the end of the rotating shaft and overhanging the s me, the inner flange being located within the outer flange and rotating with said shaft, a stationary thread guiding member located within the inner flange and mg a thr.. i guide for guiding and holda he thread in engagement with the edges of thread controlling flanges, said thread controlling flanges having projecting cams for engaging taking up the looper thread.

9. A thread controller for the looper thread of a sewing machine comprising a rotating shaft, cylindrical flanges located one within the other and spaced from each other to form an annular recess, the outer flange being mounted on the end of the rotating shaft and overhanging the same, the inner flange being located within the outer flange and rotating with said shaft, a stationary thread guiding member located within the inner flange and having a thread guide for guiding and holding the thread in engagement with the edges of said thread controlling flanges, said thread controlling flanges having projecting cams for engaging and taking up the looper thread, said projecting cams being shaped and disposed so as to take up the looper thread as the looper moves forward into the needle thread loop, give up looper thread after the looper point is well into said needle thread loop, take up thread on the rearward movement of the looper. give up thread after the needle has entered the looper thread triangle, and take up thread as the looper reaches the rear end of its stroke.

10. A thread controller for the looper thread of a sewing machine comprising a rotating shaft, a cylindrical flange mounted on and overhanging the end of the shaft, and guides cocperatim with said flange whereby said flange as it rotates will force the thread in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the thread controller member.

11. A thread. controller tor the looper thread of a sewing machine comprising; a rotating shaft, a cylindrical flange mounted on and overhanging the end oil said shaft, the edge of said flange having a projecting thread engaging cam, and means for directing the looper thread into the path of said thread cam, and means carried by the rotating shaft for clamping the thread so as to prevent the thread controller from taking thread from the supply.

12. The combination with needle and a thread carrying looper movable into and out of the needle thread loop; of a thread controller including a rotating shalt, a cylindrical member carried thereby, a peripheral flange on said member concentric with the axis of the sl'ialt and overhanging the same, said flange having,- projecting cam ')ortions or en aging the thread, thread guides for holding the thread in contact with said peripheral flange, a plate carried 5 the end ot the shaft and baring a raised portion adapted to nip the thread between the thread guides for preventing the controlling cams from pulling thread from the supply from the time t] looper begins its retracting; movement until the point of the looper engages the needle loop on the succeeding stitch.

A thread controller for the looper I thread of a sewing machine comprising a retatinc; shaft, a cylindrical flange mountedon the shaft, and guides cooperati v with said flange, said guides being so dispo: d that the thread makes contact with said flange at one side only of the axis of th shaft, whereby said flange, as it rotates, will force the thread in a direction substantially parallel with the axisoi rotation ol the thread controller.

1 1-. A thread controller for the looper thread of a sewing machine con'iprising a rotating shatt, a cylindrical flange niounted on the shaft, and guides cooperating with said flange, said guides being so disposed that the thread makes contact with said flange at one side only of the axis of the. shaft, whereby said :tiange, as it retates, will force the thread in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the thread controller, one of said guides being located wi hin the periphery of said cylindrical flange.

1?. A thread controller for sewing 1nachines con'iprising a rotati' g cylindrical 'lange, the edge of said flange being cam shaped so to periodically tat-to up and release the thread, and guides located. within and without the periphery of said flange adapted to hold the thread in contact with said edge. e

16. A thread controller for sewing 1nachines comprising a rotating circular member having a laterally projecting cam edge, adapted to engage the thread, and stationary means for holding: the thread in engagement with said cam edge at one portion of the path of travel thereof.

17. A thread controller for sewing machines, comprising a rotating cylindrical thread engaging member and cooperating guides located within and without the periphery of said member, adapted to guide the thread to be controlled for engagement with the edge of said member.

18. A thread controller for sewing machines, comprising a rotating thread engaging member adapted to periodically move the thread in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation, a gripping member rotating: *ith said thread engaging member, and a device cooperating therewith for periodically gripping the thread as it passes from the supply to said thread engagi n g m ember.

19. A thread take-up tor-sewingmachines c-on'iprising a rotating circular member havin a pro it, sing cylindrical cam shape-d edge, means for holding; the thread in engagement with said edge and devices for resisting the tendency of the rotating cams to carry the thread around with the rotating member.

20. A. thread take-up for sewing machines, comprising a rotating cylindrical flange, the cdc'e cit said flange being shaped to peri0dicahy take up and release the thread, a member located centrally of said cylindrical flange and rotating therewith, said member being segmental in shape, and a stationary member cooperating with said last-named member for gripping the thread at a point between the thread supply and the point of engagement of said rotatin flange.

21. A thread controller for sewing ma- Cl'llIlGS, comprising a rotating thread engaginc; member having a ca m-shaped edge adapted to periodically move the thread in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation and devices located between the thread supply and the point of engagement with the rotating member for periodically gripping the thread, and means cooperating with said cam shaped edge for causing the thread to be graduallygiven up.

22. A thread controller for sewing machines comprising a rotating cylindrical thread engaging member, the edge of said member being; shaped to periodically take up and release the thread, guides adapted to hold the thread in contact-with said edge, a member located centrally of said rotating member and segmental in shape, a stationary member disposed relative to said segmental member so as to grip a thread passing between the same intermittently, thereby gripping the thread. between the supply and the edge oi the thread engagingmember, and means for ad usting said stationary member to vary the extent of grip upon the thread, or to adapt said means for threads of different sizes. 7

23. A thread take-up for sewing machines, comprising a rotating cylindrical flange, the edge of said flange being shaped to periodically take up and release the thread, a member located within said cylindrical flange and concentric with the axis of rotation thereof, said member being segmental in shape and having the forward end thereof inclined, a stationary plate havin its end disposed adj acent the face of said rotating segmental member, means for adjusting the position of the end of said plate, and plate having thread guides for guiding the thread between the end of the plate and said rotating member whereby said thr ad is gripped, said gripping means operating upon the thread between the supply and the flange.

24. A take-up for sewing machines comprising a rotating cylindrical flange having the edge thereof shaped to periodically take up and release the thread, guides located within and without the periphery of said for holding said thread in contact with said edge, and means for intermittently gripping and releasing said thread, one of said .guides being interposed between said gripping and releasing means and the edge of the rotating flange.

A rotatable thread controlling element for sewing machines con'iprising a cylindrical flange, the edge of said flange having dissimilar laterally projecting cams throughout its periphery, which cams are shaped to periodically take up and give up thread held in contact with the edge of the flange.

26. A take-up for sewing machines comprising a rotating member for taking up and releasing he thread, a member located concentric with said rotating member and rotating therewith, said member being segmental in form, stationary means cooperating with said segmental. member for gripping the thread thcrebetwecn, and guides for directing the thread from the supply between said gripping members to said rotating take-up member.

27. A take-up for sewing machines comprising a rotating member ror taking up and releasing the thread, a member located concentric with said rotating member and rotat ing therewith, said member being segmental in form, stationary means cooperating with said segmental member for gripping the thread therebetween, guides for directing the thread from the supply between said gripping members to said rotating take-up memher, said segmental member having the forward end thereof tapered, and means for adjusting said stationary member for varying the gripping action on the thread or positioning said thread gripping members for operation upon threads of different sizes.

28. The combination of a sha L, a thread controlling member mounted on said shaft and having a laterally projecting surface overhanging said shaft, and thread guides located one within and one without the periphery of said thread engaging surface for guiding the thread for engagement therewith, said thread engaging surface being in partcam-shaped and in part straight relative to its path of travel.

29. The combination of a shaft, a thread cont-rolling member fixed to said shaft and having a laterally projecting cylindrical flange,,thread guides located, one within and one without said flange, said flange being cut away in part to form a take-up, and a castoff member adapted to cooperate with said flange, said flange and cast-oif being shaped so that the thread is moved away from said guides in substantially a circumferential direction of said controlling member.

30. A thread controller for sewing machines including in cor bination a rotating shaft, a thread controller mounted on said shaft and having laterally projecting thread engaging surface overhanging the axis of the shaft, thread guides located one within and the other without said overhanging portion for directing the thread into the path of said thread c gaging surface, a cast oil finger adapted to engage said threads and cast the same off from said thread engaging surface, and means for supporting said cast off wl ereby the same may be adjusted in a direction substantially parallel with the aXis of rotation of said shaft for varying the time interval when said thread is cast from the thread engaging surface in the cycle of rotation of said thread controlling member.

31. A thread controller for sewing machines including in combination a rotating shaft, a thread controller mounted on said shaft and having a laterally projecting thrca d engaging surface overhanging the axis of the shaft, thread guides located one within and he other without said overhanging portion for directing the thread into the path of said thread engaging surface, a cast off finger adapted to engage said threads and cast the came off from said thread engaging surface, means for supporting said cast ofi whereby the same may be adjusted in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of said shaft for varying the time interval when said thread is cast from the thread engaging surface in the cycle of rotation of said thread controlling member, and a retainer finger mounted independently of said cast oif finger and cooperating with said thread engaging surface for temporarily retaining the thread cast from said thread engaging surface.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

JAMES R. MOFFATT.

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