US3091200A - Pattern cam arrangement for sewing machines - Google Patents

Description

y- 1953 TOSHIYUKI FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 7, 1961 IN VENTOR.

y 1963 TOSHIYUKI FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 7, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 2 wt N LHN INVENTOR.

M y 1963 TOSHlYUKl FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 7, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 2 1963 TOSHIYUKI FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 7, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

BY 2 71249.4 J. fin

y 1963 TOSHIYUKI FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 7, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

WW W 71, 4 J. ffi-nz r May 28, 1963 TOSHIYUK! FUKUNAGA 3,091,200

PATTERN CAM ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. '7, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR. 8Y [Z 2 3,091,200 PATTERN CAM ARRANGED/EDIT non SEWING MACHINES The present invention relates to a pattern cam arrangement for sewing machines, and more particularly to a pattern cam arrangement in which several sewing means are operated from a single pattern cam which can be selected for operation from a plurality of Pattern cams stored in a magazine.

Zigzag sewing machines are generally provided with a means for oscillating the needle bar support to produce a zigzag stitch, with a needle positioning means by which the needle and consequently the seam line can be positioned toward the right or toward the left with respect to a middle position, and with feeding means for feeding a cloth at a speed correlated to the oscillating movement of the needle. In known sewing machines, a single cam is provided for each of the above enumerated sewing devices, and such cams may be individually exchanged for other cams to produce different patterns. Sewing machines of this type are not only complicated but have the disadvantage that a cam must be selected for each sewing means, since any sewing pattern is produced by the combination of the patterns of the several cams which control the sewing means.

Another construction provides a multiple cam which is directly connected to a drive shaft, and cooperates with cam followers which can be selectively associated with different cam tracks. In this machine, it is necessary to provide an indicating plate showing many patterns, and on the other hand the number of possible patterns is limited.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of known pattern cam controlled sewing machines, and to provide a zigzag sewing machine of simple construction permitting the sewing of a great number of different zigzag stitches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a zigzag sewing machine which does not require an indicating table for indicating possible patterns.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a zigzag sewing machine in which several pattern cams are provided, each of which controls several sewing functions of the machine, and can be selected by simple manual operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for selecting a pattern cam from a number of pattern cams stored in a magazine, and for placing the selected pattern cam in an operative position controlling sewing means of the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism by which a selected pattern cam is first moved from a magazine to an operative position, and then automatically coupled to drive means which rotate the pattern cam.

Another object of the present invention is to automatically retract a cam follower means during the selection of a pattern cam, and to automatically engage the cam follower means with a selected pattern cam when the same is coupled to the drive means.

With these objects in view, a sewing machine according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in the magazine; selector means for moving a selected cam from the ELWLZfifi Patented May 28, 1963 magazine to an operative position; drive means for driving a selected cam in the operative position; cam follower means preferably including a plurality of cam followers cooperating with different cam tracks of a selected cam; and movable sewing means, for example, an oscillatable needle bar support, feeding means, and needle positioning means, connected to the cam follower means and actuated by the same under control of a selected cam in the operative position.

In this manner it is possible to select various pattern cams, each of which controls several sewing functions of the machine. 7

In one embodiment of the invention, selector means successively shift the cams in the magazine to a discharge position, and support means support the selected cam in the discharge position, and are movable for placing the selected cam in the operative position.

The same control means which control the movement of the support means, are used for controlling the coupling of a selected cam in operative position to the drive means, and for retracting the cam follower means during the transport of the selected cam from the discharge posi tion to an operative position.

The control means include a handle, and a control cam acting through cam follower members on the respectively controlled parts.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable supporting means for the selected cam is of partcircular shape, and engages the periphery of a circular pattern cam which has a plurality of cam tracks on the sides thereof. The magazine has a corresponding partcircular shape, and the selection is effected by shifting a row of adjacent pattern cams along the magazine so that the pattern cams successively arrive over an opening or slot in which the part-circular supporting means is located to complete the surface on which the row of cams slides. When a desired cam is located in the slot and on the movable supporting means, the latter is shifted to move the selected cam to the operative position in which it is clamped to the drive means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sewing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the upper cover of the machine omitted;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the pattern cam arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front view of the pattern cam arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the pattern cam arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a magazine for pattern cams according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front view of the magazine shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a detail of the magazine;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the control means by which selected pattern cams are rendered operative;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a control cam I of the construction of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a pattern cam;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the pattern cam shown in FIG. 12.;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a coupling part of the drive shaft for driving the pattern cam;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary front view of means for controlling the stitch amplitude and the position of the needle with respect to a middle position;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1616 in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a sectional View taken on line 1717 in FIG. 1, and illustrating the mechanism controlling the feeding means of the sewing machine.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 5, an operating member 2 controls the amplitude of the zigzag stitches, an operating member 3 controls the position of the needle relative to a middle position so that'the position of the seam line can be varied, and an operating member 4 controls the feeding means by which cloth is fed to the oscillating needle 115 of the sewing machine. Operatingmember 3 carries a bracket 6 and is urged by spring 64 to move to the right as viewed in FIG. 3, operating member 2 acts on a lever which passes through a slot in operating member 4 and is urged by spring 63 against operating member 2, and operating member 4 is biased by spring 65 and has a bracket 7 pivotally connected to a lever 134.

Operating members 2, 3 and 4 are controlled by the pattern cam arrangement according to the present invention, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 15 and 16, a rocking arm is pivotally mounted on a pivot means 101, and has on one side a wide straight groove 102, and on its other side a narrower curved groove 103. A rotary cam 104 driven by a drive shaft 165 through gears 106 and 167 is located in groove 192 so that rotation of cam 104 effects rocking of arm 100 about pivot 101.

Needle bar support 112 is swingable about a pivot 113 and carries a needle bar 114 and a needle 115. A connecting rod 111 is connected to the needle bar support 112 and has a pin 129 secured'thereto which is slidable in the groove 121 of an arm of an angular lever 109, which is pivotally mounted at 110. The other arm of lever 109 supports a pin 108 having a slide portion sliding in groove 193 and another slide portion sliding in a groove of a lever 116 which is articulated to a lever 117 having the lever arm 5 which is controlled by the operating member 2. Consequently, displacement of operating member2 shifts pin 108 along groove 103 whereby the amplitude of the oscillation of needle bar support 112 is varied effect, ing a corresponding variation of the width of the zigzag stitch. A handle 123, see FIG. 2, controls the lever 122 for moving pin 120 along groove 121 so that the position of the needle can be changed by manual operation.

A rocking arm 106 is articulated by a pivot 101 to a lever 118 which is rocked about its fulcrum 119 by bracket 6 of operating member 3. Consequently, movement of operating member 3 effects displacement of pivot 101 so that the needle bar support is positioned to the right or to the left'of a middle line, whereby the position of the zigzag stitches is varied.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a lever 124 is connected with a feeding means 126 for cloth through a linkage 125. The upper end of lever 124 is forked and engaged by rotary cam 127 which is driven by drive shaft 105. The middle portion of lever 124 carries a pivot 129 which is located in a guide groove 130 of a guide member 128 so that rotatron of cam 127 effects a reciprocating motion of lever 124 along groove 130 so that a lower end of lever 124 moves up and down for etfecting a reciprocating motion of the feeding means 126. Guide member 128 is pivoted at 131 and is biased to turn in counterclockwise direction by spring 132. An arm of guide member 128 is engaged by a spring loaded pin 133 on which a portion of lever 134 abuts. Since lever 134 is controlled by portion 7 of operating member 4, movements of operating member 4 effect annular movements of guide member 128 so that the angle of the guide groove 13! is varied,'so that the stroke of lever 124 is varied, resulting in a variation of the horizontal reciprocating motion of the feeding means 126. In accordance with the operation of operating member 4, the cloth will be fed different distances during each zigzag stitch. A manually controlled pin 136 can be used for adjusting the guide member 128 independently of operating member 4.

The above described mechanism is not an object of the present invention. It will be understood, however, that the three operating members 2, 3, and 4, respectively control the amplitude of the zigzag stitches, the lateral position of the zigzag stitches, and the feeding speed of the cloth which has an influence on the length of the stitches.

Operating members 2, 3 and 4 are superimposed and slidably connected to each other by guide pins '8 and 9 sliding in corresponding slots.

A pattern cam 43, which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, has on opposite sides thereof cam grooves 44, 47 and 45, 46. Cam follower means including three cam followers 10, 11 and 12, respectively cooperate with the cam tracks in grooves 44, 45 and 46. Cam follower 10 is turnable about a shaft 14, and cam followers 11, and 12 are turnable about a shaft 15, shafts 14 and 15 being mounted on a fired bracket 13. Cam followers 10, 11 and 12 have forked end portions 17, engaged by pins 16 which are respectively carried by operating members 2, 3 and 4. Consequently, rotation of cam 43 by drive shaft 42 will effect oscillations of cam followers 10, 11 and'12 in accordance with different cam track patterns so that operating members 2, 3, and 4 are oscillated and control the operation of the above described sewing means so as to automatically and continuously vary the amplitude of the zigzag stitches, the posit-ion of the zigzag stitches, and the length of the zigzag stitches.

In addition to the cam followers 10, 11 and 12, operating members 2, 4, and 3 carry cam follower memhers 18, 19, and 20, respectively. Cam follower member 13 is located on one side, andcam follower members 19 and 20 are located on the other side of the cam portion 26 of a control cam 21 whose shape is best seen in FIG. 11. Control cam 21.has an integral handle 22 and is turnable with a shaft 29 which is mounted in a bearing in a frame part 30. A bushing 28 is secured to shaft 29 and carries a projecting pin 31. A shaft 24 is mounted in bearings in members 33 and 30, and has a head portion 32 formed with a recess in which one end of a coil spring 23 is located. The other end of spring 23 is positioned on pin 31 and abuts bushing 23 as best seen in FIG. 10. Since spring 23 is longer than the distance between bushing 28 and head portion 32, spring 23 is curved when control cam 21 is in each of its end positions, and is compressed when control cam 21 passes through an intermediate position so that control means 21, 22 tends to snap into either end position and turns shaft 24 rapidly to corresponding positions. Since the lateral surfaces of control cam portion 26 control cam follower means 10, 11,' 12 through cam follower members 18, 19, 20 and operating members 2, 4, 3, cam follower members 10, 11 and 12 are rapidly moved between a farther spaced inoperative position, and a more closely spaced operative position in which they engage the cam tracks of cam 43 under the action of springs 63, 64, 65. As best seen in FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9, shaft 24, which is turnable in bearings 39' and 33 mounted on the casing of the machine'l, carries a projecting eye portion 25a of a part-circular supporting means 25, which 'is moved from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 8, to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 8, when control means 21, 22 is turned and effects through spring 23 turning of shaft 24. A

magazine 48 for pattern cams includes a part-circular support or holding means 49 which is stationary, and a part-circular support 54 which is tu-rnable about hinge means 51 between a normal position in which supports 49 and 50 are aligned, and an open loading position shown in broken lines in FIGS. 8 and 9. In the loading position of movable support 50, a row of pattern cams can be placed in support 50, whereupon the same is turned to its normal position. The fixed support 49 has a slot 52 having a width corresponding to the thickness of a cam 43, and since the movable supporting means 25 has a normal position located in this slot 52, it supports a cam 43 located in the region of the slot. When movable supporting means 25 is turned by control means 21, 22 to the second position thereof, it carries the respective cam 43 to an operative position aligned with drive shaft 42.

A row of pattern cams 43 is located on the fixed support 49, slidable thereon in axial direction. A selector means 54 includes a plurality of Wall portions 55 respectively located between stored earns 43, and being movable along a fixed rail 53, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, so that the entire row of pattern cams can be moved along the part-cylindrical inner surface of supports 49 and 50 to successively place earns 43 in the region of slot 52, and on the movable supporting means 25. When all cams 43 are placed on the movable support 50, the same can be pivoted to the loading position, whereupon the cams 43 supported thereon are removed by the op erator, and replaced by other pattern earns 43 which are received between the walls 55 when movable support 59 is turned back to its normal position. When the new pattern cams 43 are then shifted by selecting means 54 to the left as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7, to rest on support 49 so that successive cams are placed on the movable supporting means 25, so that any selected cam may be shifted to its operative position aligned with drive shaft 42. Support 49 is preferably made of a transparent material so that indications of the stitch pattern shown on the periphery of the pattern earns 43, may be observed by the operator during the selection of a cam.

Drive shaft 42 carries a gear 61, and is driven through gears 60, 59, and 58 from main shaft 105 which carries a pulley 62 to be driven in a conventional manner by a motor or a treadle.

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 6 and 14, drive shaft 42 ends in an abutment portion 41 having a coupling face provided with ridges 56 which engage corresponding grooves 57, see FIGS. 12 and 13, in a pattern earn 43 in operative position, so that the respective cam is coupled to drive shaft 42. A shaft 34 is slidably supported in a frame portion 35, as best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, and is biased in axial direction by a spring 36 so that a centering end portion of shaft 34 engages a corresponding center recess in a cam 43 in operative position and presses the same against the coupling face 56. Shaft 34 has a pin 37 projecting therefrom and passing through a slot 39 in a bearing part 35. The projecting end of pin 37 is engaged by one arm of .an annular cam follower lever 38 whose other arm engages the peripheral face of the control cam portion 27 of control cam means 21. Lever 38 is also shown in FIG. from which it will become apparent that turning of control cam means 21 will displace cam follower lever 38 so that pin 37 is pushed to the right as viewed in FIG. 3 for retracting shaft 34 against the action of spring 36. When shaft 34 is retracted, a cam 43 in operative position aligned with shaft 42 is no longed clamped and coupled to shaft 42, and consequently it is possible to turn the movable support means 25 to the position in which it is located in the slot 52 of magazine support 49, so that the respective cam 43 is returned to the magazine. The transport of cam 43 is possible when cam followers 10 and 11, 12

are moved apart to release the cam tracks 47, 45, 46 engaged thereby.

The pattern cam arrangement according to the present invention operates as follows:

Control cam means 21, 22 may be assumed to be in aposition in which the thicker upper portion of control cam 26 is located between the cam follower members 18, and 19, 20. Operating member 2 is pressed to the right, and operating members 3 and 4 are pressed to the left as viewed in FIG. 3, and consequently cam followers 10, and 11, 12 are spread apart a corresponding distance. In this position, control cam 27 holds cam follower lever 38 in a position in which shaft 34 is retracted and provides .a free space between its centering end and the coupling face 56 of drive shaft 42. Shaft 24 is turned through spring 23 to a position in which movable supporting means 25 is located in the slot 52 of support 49 of magazine 48, as shown in FIG. 8. When four pattern earns 43 are located on the stationary support or holding means 49 of magazine 48, as shown in FIG. 7, the pattern cam 43 at the right end of the row of pattern cams is located in the region of slot 52 and rests on the movable supporting means 52.

Selector means 54 can now be operated by its handle to move along rail 53 and to slide the row of pattern cams 43 to the right as viewed in FIG. 7 so that the pattern cams successively move onto the part-circular supporting means 25, and are supported by the same.

When a desired pattern cam 43 arrives on supporting means 25, which can be determined by the operator by viewing indications on the peripheries of the cam track-s through the transparent support 49, the operator actuates control means 21, 22 by turning handle 22 downwards. Shaft 29 of control cam means 26, 27 turns a corresponding angle, so that spring 23 first moves to intermediate position, and then rapidly expands to quickly turn shaft 24 from the position in which the movable supporting means 25 is located in the slot 52 to a second position shown in broken lines in FIG. 8 for transporting the selected cam to a position aligned with shafts 42 and 34, which are still separated, so that it is possible to place the selected cam 43 in the operative position. Control cam 21 is so designed that cam follower members 18 and 19, 20 and cam followers 10 and 11, 12 are still spaced apart when supporting means 25 places the selected cam 43 in its operative position.

During further turning of control means 21, 22, cont-rol cam 27 gradually releases cam follower lever 38 so that pin 37 is no longer held by cam follower lever 38 and permits spring 36 to move shaft 34 to the left as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 6, so that the selected pattern cam 43 is clamped between the coupling face 56 and a flange at the end of shaft 34, and coupled to drive shaft 42 for rotation. Substantially at the same time, control cam 26 has been turned to a position in which a thinner portion of control cam 26 acts on the cam follower members 18 and 19, 20 so that operating, members 3, 4, and 5 are free to move the cam followers 10, and 11, 12 under the action of springs 63, 64, 65 to a position respectively engaging the cam tracks 47, 45, 46 on the selected cam 43. When drive shaft 42 is rotated from the main shaft 185 through gears 58, 59, 60 and 61, the selected cam 43 in operative position is rotated which is possible due to the part-circular shape of the supporting means 25. Cam followers 10, 11 and 12 perform corresponding oscillations which are transmitted through operating members 2, 4 and 3, respectively to the respective sewing means controlled thereby.

Cam follower 10 operates through operating member 2, lever 5, lever 117, lever 116, lever 108 and lever 109, lever 121 and connecting rod 111, see FIGS. 15 and 16, which acts on the needle her support 112 to oscillate needle 115 in a zigzag stitch whose amplitude depends on the pattern of track 47.

Cam follower 12 controls through operating members J 3, 6, lever 118 the fulcrum 161 so that the center line of the zigzag stitches is shifted relative to a middle position in accordance with the pattern of cam 45.

Cam follower 11 controls through operating member 4, lever 134, pin 133, and guide means 128, 130, the path of the fulcrum pin 129 of lever 124 so that the stroke of the feeding means is varied in accordance with the pattern of cam track 46.

In this manner several sewing means which influence the shape of a zigzag stitch are simultaneously operated under control of the selected cam 43 in operative position which acts on the cam follower means 10, 11, 12.

When another stitch pattern is desired, control means 21, 22 is turned upwards incounterclock-wise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, so that the wider portion of control cam 26 moves cam follower members 18 and 19, 20 apart which effects also movement of the cam follower means 10, '11, 12, to a position releasing cam 43. At the same time, shaft 34 is retracted by the action of control cam 27 acting on cam follower lever 38 which pushes pin 37 to the right as viewed in FIG. 3. Control cam means 26, 27 has now reached a position in which cam 43 is free, and in this position, spring 31 becomes effective to turn shaft 24 in a rapid motion to its other end position so that a movable supporting means 25 transports cam 43 from its operative position back into the magazine 48 where the cam rests on supporting means 25 in the region of the slot 52.

The operator may now shift selector means 54, see FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, so that a row of cams in the magazine is shifted whereby successive earns 43 in the magazine are placed in the region of slot 52 and on the part-circular supporting means 25. The thus selected cam 43 can now be placed in its operative position by operation of handle 22, as described above.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also. find a useful application in other types of zigzag sewing machines differing from the. type described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a pattern cam arrangement for a zigzag sewing machine including a magazine for a number of pattern cams having aplurality of cam tracks for controlling several sewing means, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made Without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine, each of said pattern cams having a plurality of cam tracks; selector means for moving a selected cam of said pattern cams from said magazine to an operative position; drive means for driving a selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means including a plurality of cam followers, each cam follower having an engaging position for engaging a cam track of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; and a plurality of movable sewing elements respectively connected to said cam followers and actuated by the same under control of said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position.

2. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine, each of said pattern cams having three cam tracks; selector means for moving a selected cam of said pattern cams from said magazine to an operative position; drive means for driving a selected cam in said operative position; three cam followers having engaging positions for engaging said cam tracks, respectively, of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by said cam tracks; and sewing means including an oscillatable needle bar support, a needle positioning device, and a feeding device respectively connected to said cam followers, and actuated by the same under control of a selected cam in said operative position.

3. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having a plurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and an operative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means including plurality of cam followers having an engaging position for engaging said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; a plurality of movable sewing means connected to said cam followers, respectively; and control means connected to said drive means and to said support means for first moving said support means with a selected cam from said first postion to said second position, and for then moving said drive means from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates said movable sewing means through said cam follower means.

4. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having a plurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for sup porting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and an operative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means including a plurality of cam followers having an inoperative position and an engaging position for engaging said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; a plurality of movable sewing means connected to said cam followers, respectively; and control means connected to said drive means, to said cam follower means, and to said support means for first moving said support means with a selected cam from said first position to said second position, and for then moving said drive means from said inoperative position to said operative position and said cam follower means from said inoperative position to said engaging position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates said, movable sewing means through said cam follower means.

5. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having a plurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and an operative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in said operative position; a cam follower lever connected to said drive means for shifting the same between said hi operative position and said operative position; cam follower means including a plurality of cam followers having an engaging positionfor engaging said 'cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; a plurality of movable sewing means connected to said cam followers, respectively; and control means including a control cam engaging said cam follower lever and being connected to said support means for first moving said support means with a selected cam from said first position to said second position, and for then moving said drive means through said control cam and cam follower lever from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates said movable sewing means through said cam follower means.

6. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern c-am having a plurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and an operative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in said operative position; a cam follower lever connected to said drive means for shifting the same between said inoperative and operative positions; cam follower means including a plurality of cam followers having an inoperative position and an engaging position for engaging said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; a cam follower member connected to each of said cam followers for shifting the same between said inoperative position and said engaging position; a plurality of movable sewing means connected to said cam followers, respectively; and control means including a first control cam engaging said cam follower lever, and a second control cam engaging said cam follower members, said control means being connected to said support means for first moving said support means with a selected cam from said first position to said second position, and for then moving said drive means through said first control cam and said cam follower lever from said inoperative position to said operative position, and said cam followers through the second control cam and said cam follower members from said inoperative position to said engaging position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates said movable sewing means through said cam follower means.

7. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; control means for shifting said support means and being spring-loaded to move .between two end positions and an intermediate dead center position so as to rapidly move to either end position after passing said dead center position, said support means being in said first and second positions, respectively, when said control means is in said end positions, respectively; drive means for driving a selected cam in said. operative position; cam follower means having an engaging position for engaging a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said cam follower means and actuated by the same under control of a selected cam in said operative position.

8. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having a plurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and an operative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means including a plurality of cam followers having an engaging position for engaging said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; a plurality of movable sewing means connected to said cam followers, respectively; and control means connected to said drive means and to said support means for first moving said support means with a selected cam from said first position to said second position, and for then moving said drive means from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates said movable sewing means through said cam follower means, said control means being springloaded to move between two end positions and an intermediate dead center position so as to rapidly move to either end position after passing said dead center position, said support means being in said first and second positions, respectively, when said control means is in said end positions, respectively.

9. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine, each pattern cam having a plurality of cam tracks; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for Supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means having an inoperative position, and an operative position for engaging and driving a selected cam in said operative position; a cam follower lever connected to said drive means for shifting the same between said inoperative and operative positions; cam follower means including a plurality of cam followers having an inopera: tive position and an engaging position for engaging said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; a cam follower member connected to each of said cam followers for shifting the same between said inoperative position and said engaging position; a plurality of movable sewing means connected to said cam followers, respectively; and control means including a first control cam engaging said cam follower lever, and a second control cam engaging said cam follower members, said control means being connected to said support means for first moving said support means with a selected cam from said first position to said second position, and for then moving said drive means through said first control cam and said cam follower lever from said inoperative position to said operative position, and said cam followers through the second control cam and said cam follower member from said inoperative position to said engaging position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates said movable sewing means through said cam follower means, said'control means being spring-loaded to move between two end positions and an intermediate dead center position so as to rapidly move to either end position after passing said dead center position, said support means being in said first and second positions, respectively, when said control means is in said end positions, respectively.

10. An arrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein said control means includes a handle connected to said first and second control cams for simultaneously moving the same. i

11. An arrangement as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second control cams are an integral body.

12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second control cam has a plurality of cam faces respectively engaging said cam follower parts; and including a plurality of operating members connecting said cam followers with said cam follower members and being respectively operatively connected with said sewing means.

13. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine having an elongated support formed with an opening and extending in one direction; a plurality of pattern cams located on said elongated support and forming a row in said direction; a selector means having a selector handle and a plurality of engaging portions respectively engaging said cams in said magazine and being shiftable in said direction for moving said cams so that selected cams are successively aligned with said opening in a discharge position; support means movable between a first position located in said opening for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position aligned with said opening and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; control means for shifting said support means between said first and second positions; drive means for driving a selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means having an engaging position for engaging a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said cam follower means and actuated by the same under control of a selected cam in said operative position.

14. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine having an elongated support of part-circular cross section formed with an opening and extending in one direction; a plurality of circular pattern cams located on said elongated support and forming a row in said direction; selector means having a selector handle and a plurality of engaging portions respectively located between said cams in said magazine and being shiftable in said direction for moving said cams so that selected cams are successively aligned with said opening in a discharge position; support means including apart-circular support portion and being movable between a first position in which said support portion is located in said opening for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position aligned with said opening and a second position for supporting said selected camin an operative position located outside of said magazine; control means for shifting said support means between said first and second positions;

drive means for drivinga selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means having an engaging position for engaging a selected cam in said operative position so as to :be oscillated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said cam follower means and actuated by the same under control of a selected cam in said operative position.

15. An arrangement as set forth in claim 14, wherein said magazine includes a movable support of part-circular cross section having a normal position aligned with said elongated support so that said pattern cams can slide from one support to the other support and a loading position for removing pattern cams therefrom, and for loading other pattern earns.

16; In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in :said discharge position and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operativelposition located outside of said magazine; drive means for driving a selected cam in said operative position, said drive means including a drive shaft having a free end with a coupling face, and a spring-loaded clamping member aligned with said drive shaft and having a retracted position farther spaced from said coupling face and a clamping position more closely spaced from the same, a selected cam in said operative position being located between said coupling face and said clamping member and being movable between said discharge position and said operative position when said clamping member is in said retracted position, said clamping memher and said coupling face clamping in said clamping position a selected cam in said operative position so that said drive shaft is coupled-to said selected cam and rotates the same; cam follower means including a plurality of cam followers, each cam follower having an engaging position for engaging a cam track of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; control means connected to said clamping member and to said support means for first moving said support means to said second position, and for then moving said clamping means to said clamping position; and a plurality of movable sewing elements respectively connected to said cam followers and actuated by the same under control of said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position.

17. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting-said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means for driving a selected cam in said operative position, said drive means including adrive shaft having a free end with a coupling face, and a spring-loaded clamping member aligned with said drive shaft and having a retracted position farther spaced from said coupling face and a clamping position more closely spaced from the same, a selected cam in said operative positionbeing located between said coupling face and said clamping member and being movable between said discharge position and said operative position when said clamping member is in said retracted position, said clamping mem ber and said coupling face clamping in said clamping position a selected cam in said operative position so that said drive shaft is coupled to said selected cam and rotates the same; cam follower means movable between an inoperative position and an engaging position including a plurality of cam followers, each cam follower having an engaging position for engaging a cam track of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; control means connected to said clamping member, to said cam follower means, and to said support means for first moving said support means to said second position, and for then moving said. clamping means to said clamping position and said cam followers to said engaging position; and a plurality ofmovable sewing elements respectively connected to said cam followers and actuated by the same under control of said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position.

18. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine, a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine; selector means for successively shifting selected cams of said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means for driving a selected cam in said operative position, said drive means including a drive shaft having a free end with a coupling face, and a spring loaded clamping member aligned with said drive shaft and having a retracted position farther spaced from said coupling face and a clamping position more closely spaced from the same, a selected cam in said operative position being, located between said coupling face and said clamping member and being movable between said discharge posi-' tion and said operative, position when said clamping member is in said retracted position, said clamping member and said coupling face clamping in said clamping.

position a selected cam in said operative positoin so that said drive shaft is coupled to said selected cam and rotates the same; cam follower means movable between 13 an inoperative position and an engaging position including a plurality of cam followers, each cam follower having an engaging position for engaging a cam track of a selected cam in said operative position so as to be oscillated by the same; control means including a handle connected to said clamping member, a control cam operated by said handle, cam follower members respectively connected to said cam followers and to said support means for first moving said support means to said second position, and for then moving said clamping means to said clamping position and said cam followers to said engaging position; and a plurality of movable sewing elements respectively connected to said cam followers and actuated by the same under control of said cam tracks of a selected cam in said operative position.

19. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of cams located in said magazine in an inoperative position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said inoperative position and a second position for supporting said selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means located in the region of said movable support means in said second position for driving the selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means located in the region of said movable support means in said second position for engaging the selected cam in said operative position so as to be actuated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said cam follower means and actuated by the same under control of the selected cam in said operative position.

20. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine in an inoperative position; selector means for successively moving said cams in said magazine to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting the selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means located in the region of said movable support means in said second position for driving the selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means located in the region of said movable support means in said second position for engaging the selected cam in said operative position so as to be actuated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said cam follower means and actuated by the same under control of the selected cam in said operative position.

21. In a sewing machine, in combination, a plurality of cams; a support means movable in a first direction between a first position and a second position; mounting means for mounting said cams and said support means for movement relative to each other in a second direction transverse to said first direction so that said cams successively assume a discharge position aligned with said support means in said first position and supported thereby; means for moving said support means between said first position and said second position so that a cam supported by said support means is placed in an operative position spaced from the other cams; drive means located in the region of said movable support in said second position for driving the selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means located in the region of said movable support in said second position for engaging the selected cam in said operative position so as to be actuated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said cam follower means and actuated by the same under control of the selected cam in said operative position.

22. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine; a plurality of cams located in said magazine in an inoperative position; selector means for successively moving said cams to a discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting the selected cams in an operative position located spaced from said magazine; drive means located in the region of said movable support means in said second position, said drive means having an inoperative position, and an operative position for engaging and driving the selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means located in the region of said movable support in said second position for engaging the selected cam in said operative position so as to be actuated by the same; movable sewing means connected to said cam follower means and adapted to be actuated by the same; and control means connected to said drive means and to said support means for first moving said support means with the selected cam from said first position to said second position, and for then moving said drive means from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby the selected cam is driven and actuates said movable sewing means through said cam follower means.

23. In a sewing machine, in combination, a magazine having a transparent wall; a plurality of pattern cams located in said magazine in an inoperative position, said pattern cams having indicia thereon located behind said transparent wall so as to be adapted to be observed by an operator; selector means for successively moving said pattern cams in said magazine to a discharge position and adapted to be operated by an operator observing said indicia of said pattern cams through said transparent wall so that the operator selects the cam placed in said discharge position; support means movable between a first position for supporting a selected cam in said discharge position and a second position for supporting the selected cam in an operative position located outside of said magazine; drive means located in the region of said movable support means in said second position for driving the selected cam in said operative position; cam follower means located in the region of said movable support means in said second position for engaging the selected cam in said operative position so as to be actuated by the same; and movable sewing means connected to said cam follower means and actuated by the same under control of the selected cam in said operative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,755,754 Urscheler July 24, 1956 2,966,869 Fischer Jan. 3, 1961 2,969,756 Eriksson Jan. 31, 1961 3,013,512 Yamashita Dec. 19, 1961

Claims (1)

1. IN A SEWING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION, A MAGAZINE; A PLURALITY OF PATTERN CAMS LOCATED IN SAID MAGAZINE, EACH OF SAID PATTERN CAMS HAVING A PLURALITY OF CAM TRACKS; SELECTOR MEANS FOR MOVING A SELECTED CAM OF SAID PATTERN CAMS FROM SAID MAGAZINE TO AN OPERATIVE POSITION; DRIVE MEANS FOR DRIVING A SELECTED CAM IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION; CAM FOLLOWER MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CAM FOLLOWERS, EACH CAM FOLLOWER HAVING AN ENGAGING POSITION FOR ENGAGING A CAM TRACK OF A SELECTED CAM IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION SO AS TO BE OSCILLATED BY THE SAME; AND A PLURALITY OF MOVABLE SEWING ELEMENTS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CAM FOLLOWERS AND ACTUATED BY THE SAME UNDER CONTROL OF SAID CAM TRACKS OF A SELECTED CAM IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION.

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