US3332380A - Device for free selection of zig-zag pattern discs in sewing machines - Google Patents

Description

July 25, i967 KEazo YANAGlBAYAsHl 3,332,380

DEVICE FOR FREE SELECTION OF ZG-ZAG PATTERN DISCS 1N SEWING MACHNES 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June l5, 1964 July 25, 1967 Kenzo YANAGIBAYASHI 3,332,380

DEVICE FOR FREE SELECTION OF' ZIG-ZAG PATTERN DISCS IN SEWING MACHINES Filed June l5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet i FIG.

July 25, W67 KElzo YANAGIBAYASHI 3,332,380

DEVICE FOR FREE SELECTIN OF ZIG-ZAG PATTERN DISCS 1N SEWING MACHINES Filed June l5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 25, 1967 Kenzo YANAGIBAYASHI 3,332,380

DEVICE FOR FREE SELECTION OF' ZIG-ZAG PATTERN MACHINES DISCS 1N SEWING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June l5, 1964 3,332,380 DEVCE FOR FREE SELECTION F ZIG-ZAG PATTERN DlSCS IN SEWlNG MACHINES Kcizo Yanagibayashi, Hamamatsu-shi, Japan, assigner to Rythni Friend Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hamamatsu-shi, Sapeur, a joint-stock company of Japan Fiied .lune 15, 1964, Ser. No. 375,010 Claims priority, application Japan, June 20, 1963, 38/ 32,335 S Claims. (Cl. 112-158) This invention relates to sewing machines, particularly those of the type adapted to accomplish so-called zig-zag sewing. Still more specifically, the invention concerns a new device for free selection yof zig-zag pattern discs of sewing machines having highly desirable features.

It is a general object of the invention to increase substantially the effective performance and versatility of zigzag sewing machines.

It is a specific object to provide a device for the free selection of zig-zag pattern discs of sewing machines, whereby, by the mere manipulation of key buttons on a keyboard, one or more patterns of automatic zig-zag sewing from a large number of such patterns can be instantly selected.

It is another object to provide a device of the above stated character which has relatively simple construction and operation accompanied by little wear and mechanical trouble,

It is a further object to providen a device of the above stated character in which switching between automatic sewing and manual sewing can be accomplished in a simple manner without the need for special accessory devices.

With the foregoing objects and other objects in View, the invention resides in the arrangement and construction of parts wherein a large number of cam followers are disposed to confront a group of corresponding zigzag cams in a laminar arrangement installed in a built-in manner in a sewing machine, and each cam follower is independently linked to a key button on a keyboard so as to be selectively actuated thereby and placed in the operative state for its function as a cam follower whereby, by selectively pressing one or a plurality of the key buttons, a large variety for patterns of automatic sewing can be achieved.

More specifically, the pivotal points of the large number of cam followers which confront and can be caused to contact respective zig-zag cams and, moreover, can be caused to contact the transmitting bar of an amplitude generating mechanism are suspended in an independent and laminar state on respective follower actuating arms in a laminar arrangement. On one hand there are provided a large number of key buttons on a keyboard and their respective actuating bars and the same number of parallel arranged, actuated bars adapted to be pressed and engaged by said actuating bars through actuating cam faces and actuated lugs, said actuated bars being aligned in parallel perpendicularly to said actuating bars and being adapted to undergo interrelated motion and spring-actuated return motion. Each actuating bar is pressed forwardly (toward the operator) and upwardly by a compression spring. Each actuated bar is slidably coupled to its corresponding follower actuating arm, and the engaging and disengaging of each actuating bar provided with an engagement part is accomplished selectively.

The specific nature, principle, and details of the invention will be more clearly apparent by reference to the following description with respect to a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the ited States Patent O 3,332,380 Patented July 25, 19767 ICC accompanying drawings in which like parts are designated by like reference characters, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section showing the arm of a sewing machine in which the free selection device according to the invention is installed;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken along the line II-II in FIGURE 1, and includes `the essential parts of the device shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken along the line III-III in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a View taken along the line IV-IV in FIGURE l; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view, with parts cut away, showing the general construction of the essential parts of the -mechanism according to the invention.

Throughout this disclosure, the terms such as front, rear, left, right, up, down, and related terms indi-cate directions as viewed from the position of the operator of the sewing machine, with the front of the machine being that side thereof facing the operator.

Referring to the drawings, the rotation of a main drive shaft 2 supported horizontally on bearings in larm 1 of a sewing machine is transmitted through a gear 3 and a gear t meshed perpendicularly therewith to cause rotation of a triangular cam 5, which in turn causes an oscillating yoke 6 to oscillate and cause, through an amplitude regulator 7,- a needle bar to oscillate, whereby zig-zag sewing is accomplished.

A frame-shaped, phase arm frame 8 is pivotally su-pported relative to the arm 1 by a pivot shaft 9. This frame 8 has a rear arm 10 on the end of which the amplitude regulator 7 is pivoted, and a front arm 11, on which an amplitude actuated arm 12 is rotatably pivoted by a pivot means 13. An upper arm 14 of the regulator 7 and the end of the amplitude actuated arm 12 are coupled at 16 and 17, respectively, by an amplitude transmitting bar 15, and a side arm 18 of the regulator 7 and the end of a zig-zag coupling arm 19 pivotally supported on the pivot shaft 9 4are indirectly coupled by a zig-gaz regulating link 20, whereby a parallel four-bar linkage is formed by the four members consisting of the link 20, the phase arm frame 8, the zig-zag coupling arm 19, and the side arm 18 of the regulator 7.

The phase arm frame 8 has a downwardly directed arm 21 to which there is fixed a phase arm bar 22. The extreme end of this bar 22 is pressed against a needle baseline cam 23. The zig-zag regulating link 20 and the zig-Zag coupling arm 19 are connected by a connecting pin 24 which is engaged by the tines of a zig-zag arm yoke 25. The base part of the yoke 25 is supported pivotally on a pivot shaft 26 supporting the triangular cam 5. The right-hand tine 27 of the yoke 25 is extended and is engaged with a pin on a zig-zag manual control arm 28 fixed to the pivot shaft 9.

A worm 29 fixed to the main shaft 2 meshes with a worm wheel 30, and the speed reduction gear ratio is suitably selected. A group of the required number of zigzag cams 311,y 312, 31n are fitted in laminar arrangement on both sides of the worm wheel 30 on a cam shaft 32, being fixed thereto by a key 33, and thereby being rotated at reduced speed by power transmitted through the worm wheel 30. The cam shaft 32 is supported rotatably on the structural part of the machine arm 1.

The `group of zig-zag cams 31 are confronted by a corresponding number of cam followers 341, 342 34n having transmitting arms 351, 352 35n which extend downwardly in parallel alignment, and contact the aforementioned amplitude transmitting bar 15. The transmitting arms 35 are acted -upon by the forces of respective 3 springs 361, 362, 3611, whereby stops 371, 372, 37n formed on the arms 35 are placed in contact under spring force with the respective follower actuating arms 381, 382, 3811 to be described hereinafter.

The cam followers 34 have respective pivots 391, 392, 39n which are pivoted in suspended states on the respective follower actuating arms 38. The arms 38 respectively have upwardly directed crank arms 41 to the ends of which pins 421, 422, 4211 are fixed. These pins 42 are engaged with the forked parts of respective key actuated bars 43 to be described hereinafter. The group of actuating arms 38 are fitted in parallel side-by-side arrangement on a pivot shaft 44 fixed to a structural part of the machine arm 1 and are adapted to be independently rotatable about said shaft 44.

n one hand, at the upper part of the machine arm l, there is fixed thereto a keyboard support frame 45 provided on its left and right walls with slide slots 46 and 47 in which the left and right ends of the key actuated Abars 431, 432, 43,1 are supported in. parallel side-byside arrangement in a manner such that they are free to shift left and right. The actuated bars 43 are provided respectively on their lupper parts with driven lugs 481, 482' 48n which are disposed in mutually staggered positions lying substantially on a diagonal line of the keyboard support frame 45 as viewed in plan. The actuated bars 43 are further provided respectively on their lower parts with T-shaped forks 491, 492, 49,1, the tines of which are engaged with respective pins 42 of the aforementioned crank arms 41, and on their left-hand ends with tension springs 501, 502, 50 which constantly impart leftward forces to their respective actuated bars 43.

The keyboard support frame 45 is provide on its front face with a horizontal row of key buttons 511, 512, 51n having front-to-rear operational directions and provided respectively with actuating ` bars 521, 522, 52n fixed thereto. These actuating bars 52 are provided respectively on their upper forward surfaces with latch projections 531, 532, 53n and on their lower forward surfaces with spring anchoring projections 541, 542, 5411. As viewed in plan, these actuating bars 52 are further provided respectively at their right-hand edges with cut-out, actuating cam faces 551, 552, 55'n which are at mutually staggered positions lying on a diagonal line of the keyboard support frame 45, and which are in pressure contact with the aforementioned driven lugs 481, 482, 48n of the actuated bars 43.

Key springs 571, 572, 57n in compressed state are provided respectively between the spring anchoring projections 54 of the actuating bars 52 and front wall projections 56 of the keyboard support frame 45. These key springs 57 are so inclined that they exert an upward and forward force on their respective actuating =bars 52. The front part of each actuating bar '2 passes through a slide hole 58 in the front wall of the frame 45, and the slide hole 58 has a height which is amply greater than the thickness of the actuating bar 52. The rear part of each actuating bar 52 passes through a slide slot 59 in the rear wall of the frame 45, with the slide slot 59 having dimensions substantially equal to those of the cross section of the bar 52. Each key lbutton projects outwardly toward the front through an amply loose-tit opening 61 provided in the front wall of a top cover 60 constituting the upper cover of the machine arm 1.

A spring 62 is provided to impart always a clockwise torque (as viewed in FIGURE l) to the aforementioned zig-Zag arm yoke 25, thereby elastically urging, by way of the zig-zag regulating link 20, the amplitude regulator toward the zero amplitude direction. Another spring 63 is secured at one end thereof to the aforementioned arm 21 to cause the phase arm bar to press against the needle baseline cam 23, thereby to cause the amplitude regulator 7 to operate at the required needle baseline position.

The device for selection of the built-in zig-Zag cams according to the present invention of the above described 4 construction will be more fully understood from the following description of its operation with respect to the interrelated operation of the essential elements of one train of mechanism for zig-zag cam selection.

When a selected key button 51 is pressed in rearwardly against the force of its key spring 57, the latch projection 53 of its actuating bar 52 reaches the slide hole 58, and, undergoing a dipping motion, enters and passes through the hole 58, whereupon the latch projection 53 is forced upward-ly 'by the key spring 547 and is caught at the front wall of the keyboard support frame 45.

In accordance with the above described advance movement of the actuating bar 52, its actuating cam face 55, against which the driven lug 48 of the corresponding key actuated bar 43 is pressed, forces this lug 48 to shift to the right through the designed distance and then stop. Accordingly, the key actuated bar 43 is caused to shift to the right.

The resulting rightward movement of the forked part 49 of the actuated bar 43 is transmitted, by way of the pin 42 in sliding engagement therewith, to the upwardly directed arm 41 of the follower actuating crank arm 38, whereby these arms 41 and 38 are caused to rotate clockwise about the pivot shaft 44 through the designed rotational angle. Consequently, the cam follower pivot 39 supported on the end of the actuating arm 3S also rotates clockwise and descends to the designed position, whereupon the cam follower 34 pivotally suspended from this pivot 39 is set in its position for contact with its corresponding cam 31, and, at the same time, the transmitting arm 35 of the follower also descends as it slidingly contacts the aforementioned amplitude transmitting bar 15.

Then, as the zig-zag cam 31 rotates, the cam follower 34 follows the lift curve of the cam 31 and accordingly undergoes an oscillatory motion about the pivot 39. Consequently, the transmitting arm 35 oscillates with the force of the spring 36 acting thereon, and the amplitude transmitting bar 15 oscillates about the pivot 13 of the amplitude actuated arm 12. This operation, in conjunction with the cooperative operation of the link mechanism comprising the zig-zag arm yoke 25, the return spring 62, the zig-zag regulating link 20, the zig-zag coupling arm 19, the phase arm frame 8, and other parts, results in the oscillation of the amplitude regulator 7 and an automatic ornamental stitching in accordance with the pattern of the selected zig-zag cam 31.

Then, in order to disengage the automatic ornamental stitching operation, the key button 51 is tapped downwardly, whereupon the latch projection 53 of the actuating bar 52 is disengaged from the frame 45 and, passing through the slide hole 58 is thrust outwardly by the elastic force of the key spring 57. Then the actuating cam face 55 of the actuating bar 52 is thereby shifted forwardly, and the driven lug 48 follows this cam face and returns to the bottom end of .this cam face as the actuated bar 43 is shifted to the left to its original position by the tension force of the spring 50.

This movement is transmitted by way of the fork 49, sliding pin 42, and arm 41 to cause the follower actuating arm 38 to rotate counter-clockwise about the pivotal shaft 44 and return. Consequently, the follower pivot 39 is lifted, and the follower 34 separates from the zig-Zag cam 31 to a position outside of the path of the maximum cam lift. At the same time the follower transmitting arm 35 returns upwardly, still in contact with the amplitude transmitting bar 15. The follower 34 is thereby prevented from contacting the zig-zag cam 31, and, moreover, the follower transmitting arm 35 returns and is so held that, with its stop 37 pressed against the actuating arm 38, it is in a state corresponding to the position of zero amplitude of the transmitting bar 15. The device is thus switched to its state for manual zig-zag sewing operation.

By the use of the device of the present invention, it is possible not only to manipulate a single key button 51 but also to manipulate simultaneously a plurality of key buttons to cause a plurality of corresponding cam lfollowers to press against their respective zig-zag cams. That is, as is apparent from the description presented hereinbefore, since each mechanism train of interrelated elements from the key button 51 to the cam follower 34 is independently arranged and constructed, there is no mutual interference at the time of operation. Accordingly, by selectively pressing a plurality of key butons at the same time, their respective mechanism trains can be caused to assume their operative states, whereby the amplitude transmitting bar oscillates in accordance with a new cam curve which is a composite curve of the curves of the plurality of zig-zag cams. As a result, automatic sewing of a composite ornamental pattern is made possible.

As described above, the present invention provides a zig-zag cam selection device with several advantages. One advantage is that by the mere manipulation of one or more key buttons, an automatic ornamental stitching of an infinite variety becomes instantly possible. Another advantage is that since only the selected cam followers are caused to follow their cam surfaces, the operation is smooth with a low rate of wear and possibility of mechanical trouble or failure. A further advantage is that in the switching from the automatic ornamental stitching operation to the manual ornamental stitching operation, a special accessory device as heretofore used is not necessary, with the disengaged state `of the automatic operation instantly being the manual operation state. Accordingly, the efficiency of the zig-zag operational procedure is greatly increased. Thus, the present invention contributes substantially to increasing the effectiveness and value of zig-zag sewing machines.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A free selection device for zig-zag pattern cams of a Zig-zag sewing machine, which comprises a group of zig-zag pattern cams in which respective seam patterns are memorized; cam followers which follow the movements of said zig-zag cams; a cam follower rocking mechanism for rocking said cam followers so as to effectuate the yfollowing movements of said cam followers; an amplitude generating mechanism yadapted .to automatically generate amplitudes corresponding to said seam patterns; a changeover device adapted to change over the cam followers from their idle state to their actuating states or vice versa; a key mechanism comprising a key board supporting frame, a plurality of keys which are adapted to select said cam followers, key actuated bars, and key actuating bars the number of which is equal to those of the cams and cam followers, key buttons provided on said actuating bars adapted to rock said cam followers to either one of actuating or nonactuating positions and a key latching and releasing device including independent means for each key adapted to set the keys at their actuating positions and at restored positions without providing any restoration actuating bars and buttons.

2. The free selection device for zig-zag pattern cams of a zig-zag sewing machine, according to claim i1, in which the cams of said group of Zig-Zag pattern cams are supported by a shaft pivotally supported by an arm body of the machine so as to be rotated at a reduced speed, the followers of said `group of cam followers are disposed in layer arrangement so as to confront said zig-Zag cams, said amplitude generating mechanism is provided with an amplitude transmitting bar, each of said cam followers being, at its one end, extended downward from its pivotal point and forming a transmitting arm disposed in parallel to and in confrontation with said amplitude transmitting bar, and the other end of each of said cam followers being in confrontation with a corresponding zig-zag cam so that said other end follows, by an elastic force, said cam in response to llift variation of said cam, whereby said amplitude transmitting bar is rocked by said transmitting arms of the cam followers, thus generating automatically the seam patterns memorized in said zig-za-g cams.

3. A free selection device for zig-zag pattern cams of a zig-Zag sewing machine, in which a group of Zig-zag pattern cams are supported by a shaft pivotally supported by an arm body of the machine so as to be rotated at a reduced speed, a group of cam followers disposed in layer arrangement so as to confront said zig-zag cams, a keyboard supporting frame, a plurality of keys adapted to select said cam followers, key actuated bars, key actuating bars the number of which is equal to those of said cams and cam followers, key buttons provided on said actuating bars said cam followers being provided with actuating arms pivoted to the arm body of the machine in a layer arrangement, one end of each of said actuating arms supporting suspendedly the pivotal point of a respective cam follower, and the other end of said actuating arm being formed as a crank arm having a pin projected therefrom, said pin being engaged with the key actuated bar, and each of said actuating arms being adapted to rotate independently so that it is stopped at either an actuating position or a nonactuating position in response to the operation of its corresponding key actuated bar, wherelby said cam followers also are respectively transferred to and stopped at either an actuating or a nonactuating position, and an elastic force means for causing each of said cam follower to follow the corresponding zig-zag cam in the actuating position of said cam follower and to detach entirely from the maximum lift path of the zig-Zag pattern cam in the case of the nonactuating position of said cam follower.

4. A free selection device for zig-Zag pattern cams of a zig-zag sewing machine in which a group of zig-zag pattern cams are supported by a shaft pivotally supported by an arm body of the machine so as to be rotated at a reduced speed and a'group of cam followers disposed in layer arrangement so as to confront said zig-Zag cams, a keyboard supporting frame, a plurality of keys adapted to select said cam followers, key actuated bars, key actuating bars the number of which is equal to those of said cams and cam followers, key buttons provided on said actuating bars, the key actuated `bars being supported by and in parallel to said keyboard supporting frame attached to the arm of the machine so that said key actuated bars are shiftable leftward and rightward, said key actuating bars being respectively provided with lugs, the num-ber of said key actuated bars being equal to that of the actuating arms of the said cam followers, said lugs being arranged on the diagonal line of said keyboard supporting frame so that they are transferred in response to displacement of the keys when said keys are operated, and each of said key actuated bars having a forked portion engaging with a corresponding pin provided on said cam follower actuating arm, whereby said key actuated bars move in response to the key operation and said actuating arms are moved to and stopped at one of two positions, namely, an actuating position and a nonactuating position.

S. A free selection device for zig-Zag pattern cams of a zig-zag sewing machine comprising a group of zig-zag pattern cams in which respective seam patterns are memorized; cam followers following the movements of said cams; a cam follower rocking mechanism for rocking said cam followers so as to effectuate the following movements of said cam followers; an amplitude generating mechanism to automatically generate amplitudes corresponding to said seam patterns; a change-over device adapted to change over the cam lfollowers from their idle state to their actuating state and vice versa; a key mechanism comprising a keyboard supporting frame, a plurality of assises@ keys adapted to select said cam followers, key actuated bars, and key actuating bars, said members -being adapted to rock said cam followers to either an actuating or a nonactuating position and a key latching and releasing device adapted to set the keys at their actuating positions and at restored positions, said zig-zag pattern cams being supported by a shaft pivotally supported by an arm body of the machine so as to be rotated at a reduced speed a group of cam followers disposed in a layer arrangement so as to confront said zig-zag cams to follow the movements of said cams, said keyboard supporting frame being attached to the arm body of the machine, the key actuating `bars being supported by said keyboard supporting frame so as to be respectively actuated by said keys, each of said key actuating bars being provided at its upper surface with an engaging lug and at its lower surface with a spring engaging lug, a compression spring 4being provided in an inclined orientation between said spring engaging lug and a front lug of said keyboard supporting frame so that said key actuating bars are always elastically energized toward the front and upper directions, said keyboard supporting frame being provided at its front wall with slide holes through which the key actuating bars are respectively passed so as to be movable in a vertical direction and frontward and backward directions and at its rear wall with slide slots through which the key actuating bars are respectively passed so as to Ibe movable in only frontward and backward directions, said engaging lugs of the key actuated bars being respectively made to penetrate through said slide holes by pushing the keys and being latched with said slide holes by the upward and rearward elastic force of said compression spring upon the completion of said penetration, and said engaging lugs being, respectively made to detach and protrude from said slide holes by depression of the keys, whereby recesses provided on the rear parts of the inclined cams of the actuating bars are respectively engaged with said lugs of the key actuated bars, thus stopping said key actuating bars.

6. In a sewing machine of the type adapted to accomplish zig-zag sewing, a device for the free selection of zigzag pattern discs comprising: a plurality of zig-zag pattern disc cams arranged in a laminar disposition on a shaft and driven at reduced speed by power from the main drive shaft of the sewing machine; a plurality of cam followers each corresponding to and confronting one of the cams and operating independently of the other cam followers, means mounting each cam follower fore-movement between an operative position of full engagement with its corresponding cam and an inoperative position of complete disengagement therefrom; movement regulating and generating means to generate zig-zag amplitude for the needle bar of the sewing machine in response to control motions transmitted by one or more cam followers in said operative position in accordance with the pattern of the corresponding cam or cams; control means consisting of a plurality of actuating mechanism trains, means for operating each train independently of the other to shift one of said cam followers between said operative position and inoperative position, and means for operating a plurality of said actuating mechanism trains at the same time.

7. A free selection device for zig-zag pattern cams of a zig-zag sewing machine, which comprises: a group of zig-zag pattern cams supported by a shaft which is pivotally supported by the arm body of the machine so as to be rotated at a reduce/d speed; a group of cam followers which are disposed in layer arrangement so as to confront said zig-zag cams; an amplitude generating mechanism provided with an amplitude transmitting bar, each of said followers being at its one end extended downward from its pivotal point and forming a transmitting arm, all said transmitting arms lying in parallel planes and confronting the said amplitude transmitting bar, and the other end of each of said cam followers being made to confront a respective zig-zag cam so that said other end is caused by an elastic force to follow the said cam in response to lift variation of the said cam, whereby the said amplitude transmitting bar is oscillated by said transmitting arms of said cam followers, thus generating automatically the seam patterns memorized in said zig-zag cams; key actuated bars which are the main actuating members of the main body of the selection apparatus and are supported in parallel arrangement by a keyboard supporting frame so as to be shiftable leftward and rightward, said frame being attached to the arm body of the machine, and said key actuated bars being respectively provided with lugs which are arranged on the diagonal line of the said keyboard supporting frame so that they are moved in response to displacement of the keys, each of said key actuated 'bars having a forked portion; cam follower actuating arms which are pivotally supported in layer arrangement by the arm body of the machine, each `of said actuating arms supporting suspendedly, at its one end, the pivotal point of a respective cam follower and being provided at its other end with an upwardly directed arm having a pin which is engaged with said forked portion of the respective key actuated bar, the number of said cam follower actuating arms being equal to that of said key actuated bars, and each of said cam follower actuating arms being adapted to be able to rotate independently so that it is rotated to and stopped at either an actuating or a nonactuating position in response to operation of the respective key actuated bar, whereby said cam followers also are respectively moved to and stopped at either an actuating or a nonactuating position, and each of said cam followers eing caused by an elastic force to follow its respective zigzag cam in the case of said actuating .position to detach entirely from the maximum lift path of the zig-zag cam group in the case of said nonactuating position of said cam follower; keys the number of which are equal to that of said key actuated bars, said keys being arranged horizontally and perpendicularly with respect to the said key actuated bars; key actuating bars which are affixed respectively to said keys so that they are moved frontward and backward together with respective keys, each of said key actuating bars being provided with an inclined cam part which is pressed against a lug of said key actuated bar, said lug `being arranged on the diagonal line of said key supporting frame, and each of said key actuated bars being displaced toward the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of said actuating bar by a distance corresponding to the cam lift of the respective said inclined cam part in response to the movement of said key actuating bar, whereby said key actuated bars are stopped at either an actuating or a nonactuating position; and a key latching and releasing mechanism comprising an engaging lug and a spring engaging lug which are respectively provided on upper surface and lower surface of each of said key actuating bars, a compression spring which is provided with inclined `orientation between said spring engaging lug and a lug of the front wall of said keyboard supporting frame so that said key actuating bars are always elastically energized toward the front and upper directions, slide holes provided on the front wall of said keyboard supporting frame and through which the key actuating bars are respectively passed so as to be movable in the vertical, frontward, and backward directions, and slide slots provided on the rear wall of said keyboard supporting frame and through which the key actuating bars are respectively passed so as to be movable in only the frontward and backward directions, each of said engaging lugs of said key actuating bars being made to pass through one of said slide holes by pushing the corresponding key and being latched with said slide hole by the upward and forward elastic force of said compression spring upon the completion of the key pushing stroke, and said engaging lugs being respectively made to detach and protrude from said slide holes by depression of the keys, whereby the recess provided on the rear part of the inclined cam part of trah. Of Said key actuating bars is latched with the lug of said key actuated bar, thus stopping said key actuating bar.

8, A free selection device for zig-zag pattern cams of a zig-zag sewing machine, comprising a group of zig-zag pattern cams memorized with respective seam patterns supported by a shaft pivotally supported by an arm body of the machine so as to be rotated at a reduced speed; a group of cam followers disposed in a layer arrangement so as to confront said zig-zag cams to follow the movements of said zig-zag cams, said cam followers being provided with respective actuating arms; an amplitude generating mechanism to automatically generate amplitudes corresponding to said seam patterns; a changeover device to change over the cam followers from their idle state to their actuating state or vice versa; a keyboard supporting frame attached to the arm of the machine; key actuated bars supported by and in parallel to the keyboard supporting frame arranged horizontally in the front and back directions of the key supporting frame so that said key actuated bars are shiftable leftward and rightward, said key actuated bars being respectively provided with lugs and the number of said key actuated bars being equal to that of the actuating arms of the said cam followers; keys, the number of which is equal t that of said key actuated bars; key actuating bars aixed respectively to said keys so as to be moved frontward and backward in the state of crossing perpendcularly said key actuated bars; said actuating bars being respectively provided with inclined cam parts respectively pressed against the lugs of said key actuated bars, said lugs being arranged in the diagonal direction of said keyboard supporting frame, each of said key actuated'bars being displaced `by a distance corresponding to the cam displacement of the respective inclined cam part in response to movement of said key actuating bar so as to move toward a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of said actuating bar, and said movement being caused by pushing said key whereby said key actuated bars are stopped at either an actuating or a non-actuating position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,331,099 2/*1920- Francis 112--158 3,085,526 4/1963 Kawaguchi 112-158 3,111,099 11/196-3 Nishigami 112-158 3,217,677 11/1965 Eguchi 112-158 FOREIGN PATENTS 329,688 5/ 1958 Switzerland.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A FREE SELECTION DEVICE FOR ZIG-ZAG PATTERN CAMS OF A ZIG-ZAG SEWING MACHINE, WHICH COMPRISES A GROUP OF ZIG-ZAG PATTERN CAMS IN WHICH RESPECTIVE SEAM PATTERNS ARE MEMORIZED; CAM FOLLOWERS WHICH FOLLOW THE MOVEMENTS OF SAID ZIG-ZAG CAMS; A CAM FOLLOWER ROCKING MECHANISM FOR ROCKING SAID CAM FOLLOWERS SO AS TO EFFECTUATE THE FOLLOWING MOVEMENTS OF SAID CAM FOLLOWERS; AN AMPLITUDE GENERATING MECHANISM ADAPTED TO AUTOMATICALLY GENERATE AMPLITUDES CORRESPONDING TO SAID SEAM PATTERNS; A CHANGEOVER DEVICE ADAPTED TO CHANGE OVER THE CAM FOLLOWERS FROM THEIR IDLE STATE TO ACTUATING STATES OR VICE VERSA; A KEY MECHANISM COMPRISING A KEY BOARD SUPPORTING FRAME, A PLURALITY OF KEYS WHICH ARE ADAPTED TO SELECT SAID CAM FOLLOWERS, KEY ACTUATED BARS, AND KEY ACTUATING BARS THE NUMBER OF WHICH IS EQUAL TO THOSE OF THE CAMS AND CAM FOLLOWERS, KEY BUTTONS PROVIDED ON SAID ACTUATING BARS ADAPTED TO ROCK SAID CAM FOLLOWERS TO EITHER ONE OF ACTUATING OR NONACTUATING POSITIONS AND A KEY LATCHING AND RELEASING DEVICE INCLUDING INDEPENDENT MEANS FOR EACH KEY ADAPTED TO SET THE KEYS AT THEIR ACTUATING POSITIONS AND AT RESTORED POSITIONS WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY RESTORATION ACTUATING BARS AND BUTTONS.

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