US2753821A - Attachment for embroidery machine - Google Patents

Description

July 10, 1956 v. J. SIGODA 2,753,821

ATTACHMENT FOR EMBROIDERY MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l -nv fi\l/// z (m INVENTOR.

I/ICTOR 1115/6004 127 100 125 y Juily 10, 1956 v. J. SIGODA 2,753,821

ATTACHMENT FOR EMBROIDERY MACHINE IN V EN TOR. VICTOR J 3/60 ATTORNEY United States Patent ATTACHMENT FOR EMBROIDERY MACHINE Victor J. Sigoda, Great Neck, N. Y., assignor to Man-Sew Corp., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 31, 1949, Serial No. 136,263

23 Claims. (Cl. 11298) This invention relates to sewing machines which produce ornamental designs of embroidery stitching 'by means of a pattern cam and associated parts which shift the field of action of the vertically reciprocating needle, either by controlling the lateral vibratory motion of the needle bar frame, or by moving the feeding and clamping mechanism which positions the work with respect to the needle action.

A machine of one such type, is disclosed in Patent 2,365,222, which shows a standard zigzag machine which has been converted for this purpose by the installation of an attachment incorporating a pattern cam and associated drive mechanism which replaces the conventional mechanism for imparting lateral vibratory motion to the needle. In such a converted machine the attachment not only furnishes the lateral vibratory motion, but in addition includes means for automatically controlling the field of vertically reciprocatory motion of the needle whereby the stitching is applied to the fabric in a predetermined ornamental design such as scalloping or the like.

In embroidery machines which depend upon a design cam for their action, it is apparent that a wide selection of patterns may be obtained by designing suitable cams, which are changed as desired. It is one of the objects of this invention to increase the usefulness of such machines by providing a greater range of ornamental designs for any particular cam that is installed. More particularly, means are provided to allow switching from the design stitching provided by any particular cam to straight stitching, or the reverse, selectively, at will. By a proper combination of design and straight stitching, effects may be obtained which. formerly required complicated cams, and for each of which, a different cam would be required. Hence, withthe one cam installed, a much larger variety of designs is now possible.

In addition, the usefulness of such machines was limited because of the difliculty in mitering or in applying design stitching to points, that is, where the direction of stitching changes sharply, as at the base of the neckline of a womans undergarment, such as a slip, which very commonly is in the form of a V, or as in the skirt of such a garment which has a slit. In such cases, trouble arose because, if, for example, a series of scallops was being applied at or about the turning point, the needle might be anywhere along the course of an individual scallop Where it would be difficult to change direction and still continue the scallop smoothly. Only the exercise of extreme care might producea smooth transition at the point. From a production point of view, this would not be feasible.

However, it can readily be seen that if the needle were applying straight stitching under the same circumstances, that the turn at or about the point could be negotiated smoothly and without difiiculty.

It is accordingly an object to provide means whereby the selection of either design stitching or straight stitch- 2,753,821 Patented July 10, 1956 ing may be effected simply, readily, and Without the exercise of skill on the part of the operator.

It is a further object to permit this selection to be made at any time during the course of the stitching, with the assurance that the needle will be transferred from one type of stitching to the other, automatically, once the selection has been made, at such time as will result in a smooth and uniform transition from one to the other, without possibility of damage to the work or of breakage of the needle.

In the ornamental designs which can be obtained with such machines, additional variation would be available if the crest or crown, i. e. that portion which is furthest from the median line of stitching, could be flattened to any desired degree. Until now this could only be accomplished by replacing the camwith one having the desired pattern contour. While this is not diiiicult, it is not convenient from the point of view of the embroidery designer, as it limits the variety of stitching which can be incorporated in a single design. It is accordingly one of the objects of the invention to provide means for selectively flattening the crown or crest of the design stitching to any desired degree, without requiring change of the pattern cam and without any further modification of the machine.

Another object is to provide an accessory attachment of the nature described, of relatively few and simple parts, which can be readily applied to any standard sewing machine whether it applies a zigzag or a plain stitch, which produces ornamental design stitching by means of a pattern cam.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the attachment for embroidery machines, and in the form, construction and relative arrangement of the several parts as will hereinafter be more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

Referring to the drawings, certain of the reference numerals are the same as in the mentioned patent for like parts, Figs. 1 and 2 hereof being generally the same as Figs. 1 and 3 of the patent, with the new parts constituting the instant invention added in proper working relationship.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation with-certain parts broken away, showing how the instant invention is applied to a standard type of zigzag sewing machine which has previously been converted for producing ornamental stitching by the addition of the attachment described in the mentioned patent.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective showing the operating relationship of the various parts, the hand lever being shown in the position in which the stitching produced will be a continuous series of scallops with the cam illustrated.

Fig. 4 is a plan view with certain parts broken away, showing the hand lever in the position in which the attachment will automatically set the machine to produce a continuous line of straight stitching after the latching mechanism comes into register with the notch to lock the cam follower shaft so that it cannot follow the pattern .contour of the cam.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a section of fabric to which has been applied several of the possible varieties of ornamental stitching which are selectively available with the single cam illustrated.

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a pedal operated means for varying the scallop formation.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of an electric circuit for indicating when the pattern selecting means may be properly transferred.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing how the eccentric cam used for operating the indicating means of Fig. 7 is carried on the same shaft as the pattern cam.

As the operation of one typical zigzag sewing machine which has been converted to produce ornamental design stitching in accordance with the invention shown in the mentioned patent is fully described therein, reference should be had thereto to supplement the following description of the instant invention.

The cam follower shaft 32 in the patent is replaced by a longer, similar shaft 132 when this attachment is applied. Shaft 32 was shown as being fixed in boss 31, with the bellcrank 33, 34, 35 being pivotally mounted thereon. In this case, shaft 132 is pivotally mounted and the bellcrank 33, 34, 35 is pinned thereto, so that both oscillate as a unit in accordance with the variations of the contour of the pattern cam.

It can be appreciated that if shaft 132 could be controlled so that it did not oscillate in accordance with the pattern cam contour, as for example, by holding it stationary so that cam follower 43 is out of engagement with the pattern contour side wall A of cam 42, the needle would produce a straight line of stitching instead of the design. To accomplish this, cam 42 is now provided with a straight side wall 13 with which cam follower 43 may be brought into engagement when it is drawn away from pattern wall A. While it is possible to do without a straight side wall B, it is found preferable to incorporate it in the cam 42.

Normally, as shown in the patent in which cam 42 has only a single pattern wall, the cam follower 43 is held in engagement with the pattern contour by means of the spring 44. Such a spring is not necessary if the cam 42 is provided with a pattern groove having side walls. However in this application, the groove has been provided with one pattern wall A and one straight sided wall B, in which case it becomes necessary to employ a spring 44 to hold the cam follower 43 in engagement with the pattern wall A. This is attached to arm 108 mounted at the back end of shaft 132 to apply tension in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 3. A chain or cord 140 could also be attached to arm 108 to be operated by a foot pedal 141, against the tension of spring 44 so that when the pedal was depressed, the cam follower 43 would be drawn away from the pattern wall A against the tension of the spring 44 and into engagement with wall B. While the pedal was depressed, a straight line of stitching would be applied. When released, the cam follower would be urged into engagement with some portion of the pattern wall A of cam 42.

With the scalloping cam shown, when the cam follower 43 is in engagement with cam 42 at lobe Al, the median line of the stitching will be on a line Y as shown in Fig. 5. This will also be the case when the pedal is depressed, as it can be seen that in such position, the walls A and B come together to form a relatively narrow groove just wide enough to permit the cam follower 43 to pass. When follower 43 is in engagement with point A2, the median line of the stiching will be along line Z in Fig. 5, which is at the crest or crown of the design, in this case, a scallop. When cam follower 43 is in engagement with any other portion of the pattern contour of wall A, as between A1 and A2, then the median line of the stitching will correspondingly be between the lines Y and Z.

Referring to Fig. 5, and particularly the scallop designated X1, Z, X2, it will be noted that there is a transition from the straight line of stitching to the beginning of the scallop at X1, and a similar transition from the end of the scallop to the straight line of stitching at X2. Such transitions are harmonious and pleasing in effect. If the straight stitching were to intersect the arc of the scallop at any other point, it can be seen that the result would hardly be as pleasing, particularly if at random portions of the arc in the course of a series of scallops.

It is possible, if only the foot pedal type of control of shifting the position of the cam follower is utilized, to produce such inharmonious effects, unless great skill and care is exercised in determining just when to make the transition from one type of stitching to the other. While this could be lessened by employing some indicator to show when points X1 and X2 are reached, it would still require considerable skill in running the machine to determine just when the pedal should be operated to make the changeover. Such an indicator could be provided by adding an eccentric cam on shaft 21, timed to operate switch 145 which would close a circuit to energize a signal light 146 when the cam follower 43 was opposite point A1.

In the absence of such an indicator, or with improper operation of the foot pedal, damage to the work or to the needle might result. For example, if the pedal were depressed, and the machine were applying a straight line of stitching to the work, a time would come when cam follower 43 would be in engagement with wall B opposite point A2. If the pedal were released at this time, the spring 44 would abruptly draw the needle laterally across the work until the cam follower 43 came into contact with wall A. If the needle were then in the work, the fabric might be torn or the needle broken.

It is therefore desirable to provide a means of ensuring that the changeover from one type of sitching to the other will take place only when the cam follower 43 is opposite point A1, as there could then be no sudden lat eral movement of the needle across the work. For this purpose, the mechanism about to be described has been provided. With this mechanism, it makes no difference whether the machine is applying straight or design stitching at the'moment the manual selection is made. Nor does it make any difference at what part of the design the needle is at the moment of selection. Automatically, once the selection has been made, the mechanism will switch to the other type of stitching only when the cam follower 43 is at lobe A1, and hence there will be a harmonious transition from one type of stitching to the other. No particular care or skill is therefore required to alternate types of stitching.

No foot pedal is employed, and arm 108 connects only with the spring 44 to keep cam follower 43 normally in engagement with pattern wall A of cam 42.

To support the attachment on the machine in suitable position, horizontally extending arm 101 of bracket is attached by screws to boss 31. Bracket 100 has a vertically disposed arm 102 on which the attachment is mounted. At one side, there is an opening through which the end of shaft 132 projects, and at the other, at the bottom, a notch 104. The front face 103 may have a suitable scale 105 engraved thereon. The back face is designated as 106.

On the projecting end of shaft 132, an arm 109 is mounted in suitable position by means of a clamp 100, so that arm 109 sweeps over face 103 in accordance with hte movement of cam follower 43. The collar 133 spaces arm 109 from the bellcrank 33, 34, 35.

Arm 109 has a yoke midway along its length formed by the ears 112 in which an unlatching lever 120 is pivotally mounted on pin 113. At its free end, arm 109 has a pointer 119 which in cooperation with the scale 105 will indicate at what portion of the design stitching the needle is at any particular moment. This is helpful in determining when any change in direction in the design should be made, as in mitering, if it is desired to do this with the design stitching instead of straight stitching.

Arm 109, near the pointer 119, has a boss 114, which carries the latching plunger 115. Plunger 115 is designed to engage notch 104 when it is desired to apply straight stitching. To bring about this engagement, plunger 115 is resiliently urged toward face 103 by the spring 126 which is mounted about the shank of plunger 115 and in bearing contact with the flanged portion 116. The latching flange portion 117 can engage the back surface 106 about the notch 104 to prevent accidental disengagement. Plunger 115 also has a head portion 118 which may be engaged by the yoked portion 121 of unlatching lever 120.

Lever 120 has a second yoked portion 122 in which a stitch type selecting hand lever 127 is pivotally mounted, and near its midsection, a socket 124 for spring 135. One end of this socket is closed except for a threaded hole in which a slotted end spring compressor 136 may be adjustably threaded to fix the tension which will be exerted by spring 135 against face 111 of arm 109. Nut 137 locks compressor 136 after adjustment.

Hand lever 127 has an enlarged head portion 128, which is provided with a flat 129, and a V notch 130. The fiat serves to hold hand lever 127 in the position shown in Fig. 4. The notch 130 engages with a spring urged ball 131 retained in a socket 125 of lever 120 to maintain hand lever 127 in the position of Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 4, lever 120 is prevented from moving outwardly under the influence of spring 135 by head 128 of lever 127. Head 128 being oval in shape, the radius from its pivotal mounting to flat 129 is greater than any other radius. This difference is enough to lock lever 127 in position and accordingly to prevent lever 120 from moving from the position shown in Fig. 4.

However, when lever 127 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, there is enough clearance between head 128 and face 111 to allow lever 120 to move about its pivot 113 under the influence of spring 135 when the latching head 117 clears notch 104 sufficiently, as will be more fully described herein.

The tensions of the springs 126 and 135 are adjusted so that of spring 135 is strong enough to counteract and overcome that of spring 126. The use of the springs shown and described is purely illustrative, as other means to provide counteracting thrusts might be provided and would be equally effective.

In operation, to apply design stitching such as the scalloping illustrated, hand lever 127 would be thrown to the position of Fig. 3, where it is held from accidental dislodgement by the spring urged ball 131 in engagement with the V notch 130. Spring 135 can then counteract and overcome the tension applied to plunger 115 by spring 126, and the latching flange 117 will be prevented from engaging with notch 104 as it is held within the boss 114. Arm 109 can then sweep across face 103 without hindrance.

Should straight stitching now be desired, hand lever 127 is thrown to the position of Fig. 4, where it is. held from accidental dislodgement by the engagement of the flat 129 with face 111 of arm 109, the two being urged into contact by the compression of spring 135. Spring 135 is then locked from exerting any counterthrust on the head 118, and the pressure exerted on plunger 115 by spring 126 will be effective, and the latching flange 117 will be urged against face 103. As arm 109 sweeps downwardly over face 103, a time will come when flange 117 will be in register with the notch 104, and can slip past the front edge thereof. Plunger 115 is of sufficient length so that in this event, the flange 117 can engage the back face 106 about the notch 104. This engagement takes place as arm 109 just begins to sweep upwardly after high point Al on the pattern contour wall A rotates past cam follower roller 43. As arm 109 is then looked against further upward movement, shaft 132 will be held so that cam follower 43 is out of engagement with the pattern contour of wall A. A straight line of stitching will then be applied to the work as the machine is operated.

During this cycle of straight stitching, if cam 42 has been provided with a wall B, follower 43 would be maintained in contact therewith during the rotation of the cam. However, in such case, unlatching of flange 117 from the back edge of notch 104 could not take place when required, unless some provision were made, such as a slight dip B1 in wall B opposite point A1 so that follower 43 could be shifted slightly beyond the median line required for straight stitching.

Even when thus locked against upward movement, arm 109 nevertheless moves down slightly below the latching position during each rotation of cam 42 as high point A1 reaches cam follower 43. This slight movement, which is just sufiicient to permit unlatching of arm 109, when required, may result in a barely perceptible, but not objectionable, deviation in the line of straight stitching for a stitch or so, which may be noted at intervals corresponding to a complete revolution of cam 42. This same deviation would also occur, even if cam 42 were not provided with a wall B, or if sufiicient clearance were provided in lieu of dip B1 between walls A and B, so that cam follower 43 could be shifted by high point A1 past the unlatching point for arm 109, when required.

This will continue until lever 127 is thrown to the position of Fig. 3. Arm 109 will be held in the locked position however, until cam 42 rotates to the point where cam follower 43 is opposite point A1. As this point is approached, arm 109 is drawn down slightly so that the flange 117 can clear the back edge of notch 104, and as spring 135 has been made effective, it will counteract the thrust of spring 126, and plunger will snap out of the notch. Arm 109 will then be released and will continue to sweep across face 103 until hand lever 127 is again thrown.

The parts are arranged so that it is possible to manipulate lever 127 without determining whether cam follower 43 is opposite lobe A1 which is the only position in which the needle can be transferred safely from one type of stitching to the other. Once lever 127 is thrown, nothing happens until the cam rotates to bring point A1 opposite the cam follower, and then, automatically, the transfer will be made, the type of stitching being determined by which spring is effective. Accordingly, the transition from one type of stitching to the other is uniform and smooth, and the design effect is harmonious. As no particular skill or care is required to manipulate lever 127, this alternation of stitching becomes extremely reliable, and production is facilitated.

The line of stitching illustrated in Fig. 5 was produced by a proper sequence of manipulation of hand lever 127. The designs shown are purely illustrative, and do not indicate the limits of the varieties of embroidery designs which are now available with but a single cam, and which will readily suggest themselves to the fertile imagination of the garment designer.

Beginning at the bottom in Fig. 5, up to the point X1, lever 127 was in the position of Fig. 4. Sometime during the course of this straight line of stitching, lever 127 was thrown to the position of Fig. 3, and as the cam rotated so that lobe A1 reached cam follower 43, the mechanism automatically set itself to switch over to follow the pattern design of the cam shown, and the scallop X1-X2 was produced. Sometime while this scallop was being applied, lever 127 was thrown to its other position, and at the end of the scallop X2,the machine proceeded to apply a straight line of stitching X2 X3. When lever 127 was again thrown, scallop X3-X4, was made, and after lever 127 was once again thrown, the straight section X4X5 was sewn.

Lever 127 was then held in the position of Fig. 3 until the series of scallops X5X10 was produced. Then it was successively manipulated in appropriate directions until the line of stitching ending at X14 was completed.

However, beginning at point X5, a further change was made. The crowns or crests of the successive scallops are flatter and flatter, until at X13X14, the undulation from the straight line is just perceptible. This was done by adjusting thumbscrew 138 which is threaded into, horizontally projecting car 107 of the vertical wall 102.

The free end of 138 bears against the upper ear of yoke 112 of arm 109. In the course of its upward sweep, arm 109 can be prevented from reaching its highest point by the amount that thumbscrew 138 is adjusted downwardly, and if screwed downwardly enough, arm 109 can be held from moving just as effectively as when plunger 115 is engaged with notch 104, in which event, the machine would sew a straight line of stitching.

During that part of the pattern design that arm 109 is prevented from sweeping upwardly by thumbscrew 138, the machine will produce a straight line of stitching, and this when combined with the portion of the are which is produced in accordance with the pattern contour of the cam, results in the stitching shown from X to X14. The locknut 139 holds thumbscrew at any desired adjusted position.

Stated differently, any intermediate degree of flattening of the crest or crown of the design can be obtained by appropriate adjustment of screw 138.

While the present preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details shown and described. It is not confined to any particular type of machine or to one producing only zigzag stitching; to the particular type of ornamental pattern designs illustrated; to the variety of cam shown; to the particular counteracting resilient means employed which operate the latching and unlatching means; nor to the instant form of latching and unlatching means. It is to be construed broadly within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sewing machine having a vertically reciprocating needle carrier and means to produce predetermined ornamental stitching designs comprising a pattern cam and a member actuated thereby to shift the field of action of the vertically reciprocating needle carrier with respect to the work: means to transfer from design stitching to straight stitching or the reverse, selectively, said means being effective automatically once the selection has been made only when the pattern cam rotates so that a selected portion thereof is operatively connected with said member so that no lateral shifting of the field of action can occur.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1, in which the means to transfer types of stitching has a latching means which can hold the field shifting means associated with the pattern cam out of continuous engagement with the pattern contour of the cam.

3. A machine in accordance with claim 2, having means operable to disengage said latching means when actuated by a cam lobe.

4. A machine in accordance with claim 2, having a means to disengage said latching means, said latching means and said disengaging means each being operable only when no lateral shifting of the field of action can take place.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 2, in which the latching means is made effective by manipulation of a lever in one direction, and ineffective by manipulation in the other.

6. A machine in accordance with claim 5, in which the manipulable lever has means adapted to hold it from accidental dislodgement when thrown in either direction.

7. A machine in accordance with claim 1, having an arm operating in unison with the member actuated by the cam and latching means carried by said arm adapted to hunt for and engage a stationary cooperating portion of the machine to hold said member from being actuated by the pattern contour of the cam.

8. A machine in accordance with claim 7, in which the latching means includes a plunger having a flange, and the stationary portion of the machine has a cooperating opening, said flange being adapted to engage a surface about said opening to be securely held thereby.

9. In a machine having a vertically reciprocating needle carrier and means for producing predetermined ornamental stitching designs comprising a pattern cam and a member actuated thereby to shift the field of action of the vertically reciprocating needle carrier with respect to the work: means to transfer from design stitching to straight stitching or the reverse, selectively, said means being etfective automatically once the selection has been made only when the pattern cam rotates so that a selected portion thereof is operatively connected with said member so that no lateral shifting of the field of action can occur, a latching mechanism for holding the field shifting means associated with the pattern cam out of continuous engagement with the pattern contour of the cam, mechanism for disengaging said latching mechanism, said latching mechanism having means for developing a thrust in one direction for making the latching effective and said unlatching mechanism having means to develop a counterthrust in the opposite direction to overcome the latching thrust to make it ineffective when a selecting lever is manipulated.

19. In a machine having a vertically reciprocating needle carrier and means for producing predetermined ornamental stitching designs comprising a pattern cam and a member actuated thereby to shift the field of action of the vertically reciprocating needle carrier with respect to the work: means to transfer from design stitching to straight stitching or the reverse, selectively, said means being effective automatically once the selection has been made only when the pattern cam rotates so that a selected portion thereof is operatively connected with said member so that no lateral shifting of the field of action can occur, an arm operating in unison with the member actuated by the cam, latching mechanism including a plunger having a flange carried by said arm adapted to hunt for and engage a cooperating opening on a poltion of the machine, said flange being adapted to engage the surface about said opening to hold said member from being actuated by the pattern contour of the cam, said arm also carrying means for disengaging the latching mechanism comprising a lever pivotally mounted on said arm, said lever being normally resiliently urged to withdraw said plunger from engagement with the latching opening on the machine and means to lock said lever so that it is ineffective to withdraw said plunger.

11. A machine in accordance with claim 9 in which the means for developing the thrust in one direction and the means for developing a counterthrust in the opposite direction are resilient in nature, and in which means are included for adjusting the magnitude of one with respect to the other so that the counterthrust means is effective to overcome the thrust means.

12. In a machine having a vertically reciprocating needle carrier and means for producing predetermined ornamental stitching designs including a pattern cam, a cam follower and a member actuated thereby to shift the field of action of the vertically reciprocating needle carrier with respect to the work; means to transfer from design stitching to straight stitching or the reverse, selectively, said means being effective automatically once the selection has been made only when the pattern cam rotates so that a selected portion thereof is operatively connected with said member so that no lateral shifting of the field of actron can occur, a latching mechanism for holding the field shifting means associated with the pattern cam out of continuous engagement with the pattern contour of the cam, mechanism for disengaging said latching mechanism, said latch disengaging means being arranged so that it is not effective to disengage the latching means until one lobe of the pattern cam comes into engagement with said cam follower at which time the latching means can be snapped out of engagement to release said member for movement in response to the cam contour.

13. A machine in accordance with claim 12 in which said latching mechanism includes an arm mounted on the cam follower shaft, a plunger carried by said arm, a stationary member mounted on the machine, resilient means carried by said arm arranged to urge said plunger into engagement with said stationary member, said stationary member having a surface over which said arm may be swept by oscillation of the cam follower shaft, said surface having a portion arranged to cooperate with said plunger when it is brought into register therewith during the course of the sweeping of said arm over said surface.

14. In a sewing machine for producing ornamental stitching designs having a vertically reciprocating needle and a carrier therefor, a pattern cam and associated mechanism for shifting the field of action of the needle carrier laterally with respect to the work, a member actuated in accordance with the pattern contour of the cam, means for normally holding said member in operative engagement with the pattern contour of the cam, and selective means for disengaging said member therefrom comprising an operating pedal and means connecting said pedal and said member.

15. In a sewing machine for producing ornamental stitching designs having a vertically reciprocating needle and a carrier therefor, a grooved pattern cam and associated mechanism for shifting the field of action of the needle carrier laterally with respect to the work, a member actuated in accordance with the pattern contour of the cam, and means for normally holding said member in operative engagement with the pattern contour, in which one wall of the pattern groove of the cam has a contour for actuating said member to produce lateral shifting of the field of action of the needle carrier and the other wall has a contour which imparts no lateral shifting when said member is in engagement therewith, and selective means for transferring said member from engagement with one Wall to the other.

16. A machine in accordance with claim 15, in which the pattern wall of the cam groove has a portion which approaches the other wall so that there is no lateral shifting of the member produced when said member is at said portion, and in which the selecting means can only effect transfer of types of design stitching when the cam has rotated so that the member is in engagement with said portion of the pattern wall.

17. A machine in accordance with claim 15, in which the pattern wall of the cam groove has a portion which approaches the other wall so that there is no lateral shifting of the member produced when said member is at said portion, and means to indicate when the cam and member are so disposed.

18. A machine in accordance with claim 17, in which the indicating means comprises a cam timed to actuate a circuit closing means to operate an electric signal.

19. In a sewing machine for producing ornamental stitching designs having a vertically reciprocating needle and a carrier therefor, a grooved pattern cam and associated mechanism for shifting the field of action of the needle carrier laterally with respect to the work, a member actuated in accordance with the pattern contour of the cam, and means for normally holding said member in operative engagement with the pattern contour, in which one wall of the pattern groove has a contour for actuating said member to produce lateral shifting of the field of action of the needle carrier and the other Wall has a contour which imparts no lateral shifting when said member is in engagement therewith, visual means to indicate at what portion of the design cycle the lateral shifting means is at any time, comprising a scale and cooperating indicator, one of which moves relative to the other in accordance with the cam variations, and selective means for transferring said member from engagement with one wall to the other.

20. In a sewing machine for producing ornamental stitching designs having a vertically reciprocating needle and a carrier therefor, a pattern cam and associated mechanism for shifting the field of action of the needle carrier laterally with respect to the work, a member actuated in accordance with the pattern contour of the cam, means for normally holding said member in operative engagement with the pattern contour of the cam, and means for selectively flattening the crest of the design stitching comprising a second member whose position can be selectively adjusted to prevent the first member from being continuously actuated by the pattern contour of the cam.

21. In a sewing machine for producing ornamental stitching designs having a vertically reciprocating needle and a carrier therefor, a pattern cam and associated mechanism for shifting the field of action of the needle carrier laterally with respect to the work, a member actuated in accordance with the pattern contour of the cam, means for normally holding said member in operative engagement with the pattern contour of the cam, and means for selectively flattening the crest of the .design stitching comprising an adjustably positioned member adapted to bear on one member of the mechanism actuated by the pattern cam to hold it from being actuated by the pattern contour during at least a portion of the pattern design cycle.

22. In a sewing machine for producing ornamental stitching designs having a vertically reciprocating needle and a carrier therefor, a pattern cam and associated mechanism for shifting the field of action of the needle carrier laterally with respect to the Work, a member actuated in accordance with the pattern contour of the cam, means for normally holding said member in operative engagement with the pattern contour, an arm operated in unison with and connected to the cam actuated member, a member adjustably supported on a stationary part of the machine, said member being adapted, when selectively adjusted, to bear upon said arm to restrict the movement of the pattern actuated member and thereby to prevent it from continuously following the pattern contour of the cam.

23. In a sewing machine for producing ornamental stitching designs having a vertically reciprocating needle and a carrier therefor, a pattern cam and associated mechanism for shifting the field of action of the needle carrier laterally with respect to the work, a member actuated in accordance with the pattern contour of the cam, means for normally holding said member in operative engagement with the pattern contour of the cam, and selective means to disengage said member therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Tiesler July 14, 1936

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