US2678012A - Sewing-machine bobbin - Google Patents

Description

y 11, 1954 w. A. AYRES 2,678,012

SEWING MACHINE BOBBIN Filed Aug. 29, 1951 INVENTOR. 14/010914? A 4 955 BYW'L,

A 770/? NEYJ Patented May 11, 1954 SEWING-MACHINE BOBBIN Waldemar A. Ayres, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to White Sewing Machine Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application August 29, 1951, Serial No. 244,159

Claims. (Cl. 112-251) This invention relates to sewing machine bobbins and, more particularly, to thread bobbins for use in sewing machines of the type employing rotary shuttles.

Modern sewing machines, especially those intended for domestic use, utilize a rotary shuttle for supplying thread from beneath the material and cooperating with the thread carried by the needle to form a lock-type stitch. The source of supply for the thread coming from the shuttle is conventionally provided upon a bobbin, a plu rality of such bobbins being normally provided so that threads of diiferent characteristics are readily available for use in the machine, the bobbins being interchanged when a different type thread is desired. Heretofore, adequate means have not been provided for retaining or anchoring the free end of the thread on such thread bobbins when the latter are not in use with the result that the thread frequently becomes unwound, at least in part, and becomes entangled with other bobbins or with attachments which are frequently stored with the bobbins. This not only results in wastage of thread, but also creates an undesirable situation which sorely tries the patience of the operator.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved thread bobbin for a sewing machine which incorporates novel means for anchoring the free end of the thread on the bobbin when the latter is removed from its case.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved thread bobbin, having a hollow core portion with spaced disk-like flanges adjacent either end of the core between which thread is adapted to be wound, with a means on the outer face of one of the said flanges for frictionally retaining the free end of thread wound on the bobbin when the latter is removed from the bobbin case.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved thread bobbin of the type described above and in which the thread retaining means, or anchor, is an annular disk-like member secured to the outer face of one flange of the bobbin with the outer edge of the member unattached so that a portion of the free end of the thread on the bobbin may be wedged between the said flange and the annular member to prevent the thread from unwinding.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved thread bobbin as described above and wherein the novel thread anchor or retaining means is so constructed and arranged that it does not interfere with the normal operation of the bobbin when the latter is positioned 2 within the bobbin case and utilized in sewing operations.

The invention also has as an object, the provision of a novel construction for thread bobbins such that an improved thread anchor or retaining means may be easily provided thereon without materially increasing the cost of the bobbin, the construction being such as to permit manufacture of the bobbins from metal, plastic, combinations of metals and plastic, and from other materials.

The invention further resides in other novel features of the thread bobbins and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the present preferred embodiment, and certain modifications, described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which identical parts in the several views are designated by the same reference numerals, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the present preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a first modification of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a still different embodiment of the invention; and,

Fig. 7 is a detached elevational view of an annular member or disk, utilized in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the numeral I0 denotes generally a thread bobbin of the type utilized in sewing machines of the rotary shuttle type. Such a bobbin comprises a hollow central core I I and spaced disk-like flange members [2 and I3, each of which is frequently provided with an annular recess or groove 14 and 15, respectively. When such a bobbin is con structed of metal, the outer ends of the core H may be provided with integral shoulders such as [6 and reduced diameter portions, such as ll, outwardly of the shoulders, which are adapted to fit through the opening of the flange members l2 and I3. The outer ends of the @core member are then spun over or otherwise deformed to secure the flange members l2 and H to the core member II.

In accordance with this invention, a thread anchor or retaining means is provided on the outer face of one of the flanges preferably while the latter is being assembled with the core so that the anchor or retaining means is also secured by the above mentioned spinning or other deforming of the end of the core. For example, the bobbin shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is provided with a thread anchor or retaining means in the form of a substantially annular disk-like member [8 which is formed of relatively thin resilient metal having a central opening corresponding with that through the flanges l2 and [3. The outer diameter of the member I3 is preferably less than that of the flanges l2 and i3 and is here shown as being slightly less than the outer diameter of the annular grooves M, [5 in the faces of the flanges. The member I8 is sleeved over the reduced diameter outer end portion H of the core ll after the adjacent flange member, such as l3, has been placed thereon and the outer end portion ll of the core is then deformed to secure the members l8 and [3 to the core, the outer periphery of the member !8 being unattached to the flange member 13.

In employing a bobbin of the type here described, thread is wound thereon in th usual manner and when it is desired to store the bobbin, the loose end [9 of the thread is led over the periphery of the flange member [3 and wedged between the outer face of the latter and the member It as shown in Fig. 1. This may be readily effected by holding th thread adjacent its free end [9 at the place where it passes over the flange while at the same time moving the free end of the thread over the outer face of the flange. This will cause a portion of the free end of the thread to catch under the disk' or member l8, such catching being facilitated by the space provided between the edge of the member l8 and the adjacent annular groove or recess 95 in the flange. If desired, the member I8 may be slightly concave, as viewed from the outer face of the bobbin, to facilitate the insertion of the thread between the member (8 and the adjacent flange of the bobbin. This concavity should not, however, be excessive so that there may be no frictional drag of the bobbin when the latter is utilized in the shuttle. When the bobbin is to be so used, the free end H) of the thread is readily removed from the anchor or retainin means and the bobbin may then be inserted in the bobbin case with the free end I9 of the thread passed through the conventional tensioning means of the case.

The bobbin and anchor means, shown in Figs. 1

and 2, are constructed entirely of metal. The invention includes the incorporation of a thread anchor or retaining means in such bobbins. For example, in the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the bobbin 241 is provided with a core 2| and flanges 22 and 23, all formed integrally of plastic. As mentioned before, the outer faces of the flanges may be provided with annular grooves such as 24 and 25, which may be formed in the bobbin at the time when it is molded. A bobbin of this type may be provided with a thread retaining or anchoring means by making the latter in the form of a relatively thin annular disk-like member 26 formed of plastic, preferably of the same type as used for the bobbin proper. Such a disk will have a central openin corresponding in diameter with that of the core 2! and is secured to the outer face of one of the flanges, for example 23, adjacent the opening through the core with the outer periphery of the member 25 unattached so that the free end 19 of the thread may be wedged between the member 26 and the flange 23 in the same manner as described above with respect to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The. member or disk 26 may be secured to the flange 23 by any conventional means such as by use of heat, an adhesive, a solvent for the materials employed which will provide for adherence of the materials after the solvent dries, Or b other means well known in the-plastic art.

In the forms of the invention thus far described, the thread retaining member or anchor has been disclosed as having a diameter less than that of the adjacent flange of the bobbin and as having its outer periphery adjacent a groove or recess in the face of the flange. It is not necessary, however, that the diameters be so related. Nor is it necessary that a groove be provided in the face of th adjacent flange since, as noted above, the annular member, such as l8 or 26. may be very slightly concave tosecure the necessary space, adjacent the periphery of the member. between it and the flange to facilitate entrance of the thread.

Fig. 5 illustrates a further modification in which a bobbin, designated 2-], is formed of plastic and has integral flanges such as 28. In this form of the invention, however, the flanges are not provided with an annular groove, similar to 24', 25 of Figs. 3 and 4. Instead, theouter face of at least one of the flanges tapers slightly from a region adjacent the core to the periphery, this being effected for example by having. this surface of the flange slightly convex as shown in Fig. 5. A thread retaining member 29 may be provided upon such a bobbin by cementing or otherwise bonding or securing the. latter to the flange 28 adjacent the opening therethrough, the member 29 being substantially planar so that a very slight Wedge-like opening is provided between the periphery of the latter and the adjacent face of the flange 28 to facilitate introduction of the thread therebetween, the space between the flan e 28 and member 29 bein somewhat exaggerated in Fig. 5.

Instead of forming the bobbin and thread retaining means entirely of metal or entirely 01' plastic these elements may be formed of various combinations of metal and plastic or of different materials. For example, Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate one form of the invention in which a plastic bobbin 30, similar to bobbin 20, is provided with a metal thread retaining member or means 3|. This thread retaining means 3| may be in the form of a relatively thin, annular, disk-like mem ber which is secured to the adjacent flange, such as 32, of the bobbin by any suitable means, As here illustrated, the member 3| is intended to be attached during the time when the bobbin is molded. and consequently the disk or member 3| is provided with serrations, such as 33, see Fig. 7,

" about its central periphery or opening so that a.

part of the material comprising the bobbin will flow between and about these serrations thus securing the member 3| to the flange 32 in the region of the serrations. In the illustrated form, this is achieved by the material of the bobbin flowing through and about the serrations 33 during the molding operation so as to provide a slight annular boss 34, see 6. In place of providing the member 3! with serrations, it may have small spaced holes adjacent its inner periphery or it may be secured to the bobbin after the latter is molded rather than during the molding operation, if desired.

While certain specific embodiments of the invention have been here illustrated and described, it will be apparent that modifications other than these shown or suggested may be readily effected especially with respect to the shape of the outer face of the bobbin flange, the relative dimensions of the flange and thread retainer and the means for securing the latter to the bobbin. Such changes are all considered to come within the ambit of the invention which is not limited to the details here shown and described except as required by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow core portion with spaced substantially planar disk-like flanges adjacent either end between which thread is adapted to be wound, and a substantially planar disk-like annular member permanently attached to said bobbin on the outer face of one of said flanges in a region adjacent the opening therethrough and concentric therewith, the said member contacting the outer surface of said one flange adjacent the opening therethrough and extending closely adjacent the outer surface of the said one flange throughout the entire area of said member with the outer edge of said member unattached to said flange, whereby a portion of the thread held on the bobbin may be passed over the edge of said one flange and between the latter and said member to frictionally hold said thread from unwinding from the bobbin.

2. A thread bobbin of the type defined in claim 1 and in which the outer diameter of said annular member is less than the outer diameter of the adjacent flange of the bobbin.

3. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow core portion with spaced disk-like flanges adjacent either end between which thread is adapted to be wound, at least one of said flanges having an annular recess in the 4 outer face thereof, and a substantially planar resilient disk-like annular member attached to said bobbin on the outer face of the said one of the flanges and concentric therewith with the member and flange in engagement adjacent the opening in said member, the said attachment being restricted to a region adjacent the opening through the said member so that the outer edge of the member is unattached to said bobbin and extends adjacent the said annular recess, whereby a portion of the thread wound on said bobbin may be passed over the edge of said one flange and between the latter and said member to frictionally hold said thread from unwinding, the

thread being guided into position between the and concentric therewith with the said member extending in engagement with the outer surface of said one flange adjacent the region of attachment of the member and with the periphery of said member extending closely adjacent the said flange but unattached thereto so that a portion of the thread wound on the bobbin may be passed over the edge of said one flange and wedged between the latter and said member to frictionally hold said thread from unwinding.

5. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow core portion with spaced disk-like flanges adjacent either end between which thread is adapted to be wound, the outer surface of at least one of said flanges being tapered toward the other flange from the region adjacent the core to the outer periphery, and a substantially planar disk-like annular member permanently attached to said bobbin on the outer face of the said one flange in a region thereof adjacent the core with the said member extending outwardly from said region of attachment and having its periphery spaced from the adjacent flange by the amount of taper of said one flange whereby a portion of the thread wound on said bobbin may be passed over the edge of said one flange and between the latter and said member to frictionally hold said thread from unwinding.

6. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a tubular metal portion with spaced metallic substantially planar disk-like flanges adjacent either end secured in place by deformation of the outer end of the tubular portion, and a substantially planar disk-like annular member secured between the outer face of one of said flanges and the deformed portion of said tubular portion whereby the said annular member is attached to said one flange only adjacent, its central periphery with its outer edge unattached but disposed closely adjacent said one flange so that thread wound on said bobbin may be passed over the edge of said one flange and between the latter and said member to frictionally hold said thread from unwinding.

7. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow core portion with spaced substantially planar disk-like flanges formed integrally from a plastic material, at least one of said flanges having an annular recess in the outer face thereof, and a substantially planar resilient disk-like annular plastic member bonded to the outer face of one of said flanges only in a region adjacent the said core portion and concentric therewith so that the said member extends closely adjacent the outer surface of said one flange throughout the entire area of said member with the outer edge of the latter unattached to said one flange and disposed adjacent the said annular recess thereby providing a thread anchoring means for thread wound upon said bobbin.

8. A thread bobbin for use in a sewing machine comprising a hollow core portion with spaced substantially planar disk-like flanges adjacent either end formed integrally from a plastic material, and a substantially planar disk-like resilient metallic annular member permanently attached to the outer face of one of said flanges only in a region adjacent said core and concentric therewith with the outer periphery of said member unattached to the one said flange but extending closely adjacent thereto thereby providing an anchor for the free end of thread wound upon said bobbin.

9. A thread bobbin of the type defined in claim 8 and wherein the said annular member has portions thereof adjacent its inner periphery embedded in the plastic material of the bobbin during the forming of the latter and the adjacent flange of the bobbin has an annular recess in its outer face with the outer edge of said member extending adjacent said recess.

10. In a sewing machine bobbin, spaced flanges between which thread is wound, and an annular member permanently secured on said bobbin exteriorly of said flanges and with the portion of said member adjacent its inner periphery engaging one of said flanges for anchoring the free end of the thread wound upon the bobbin between the member and flange, the said member extending closely adjacent the said one flange substantially throughout the entire area of the said member and having a smooth and continuous profile thereby preventin the thread wound 8 on said bobbin from catching on the said member when the bobbin is utilized in a sewing machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 594,989 Finn Dec. 7, 1897 1343,533 Hall et a1 Jan. 30, 1923 10 1,780,742 Clark Nov. 4, 1930 2,340,574 Ashworth Feb. 1, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 12,466 Great Britain I907

Images