Changing threads in a sewing machine

US5603462A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Melco Industries, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Daniel J. Conrad · Neuenstadt am Kocher, DE
• Luther Stoddard · Mead, US
• Michael G. Weir · Golden, US
• Samuel G. Padgett · Raleigh, US
• Dean Gerald Pearson · Arvada, US
• Karl Kott · Como, US
• Kurt Bolldorf

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 1993
• Grant date: Feb 18, 1997
• Expiry date: Sep 9, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D05D2207/06
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A sewing machine is provided for splicing together two different threads. The machine includes a thread tree with a number of thread spools with each thread thereof being inserted through flexible plastic tubing. A movable carriage assembly locates the new thread to be spliced relative to a splicing device passageway that receives the new thread to be spliced along with the old thread. The splicing device includes a front air inlet for drawing the new thread into the passageway of the splicing device and a rear air inlet for creating air turbulence during the splicing operation. Also used in moving the new thread through the passageway is an insertion drive roller connected to a pivotal rocker. A thread clamp cover connected to the rocker cooperates with the trimmer blades to trim the old thread. A thread clamp and a thread clamp magnet cooperate to hold the old thread in a desired position during the insertion of the new thread into the splicing device. A tensioning assembly is able to adjust new thread tension based on a desired tension for the new thread.