US 4,788,921 A · Sewing machine having rotatable and axially movable frame · patentgrep

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Abstract

A quilting machine includes a base having three bridges; a sewing head secured to the upper bridge; a cylindrically shaped frame slidably and rotatably mounted on the lower two bridges, the frame including first and second end assemblies spaced from each other on the lower bridges, each having a support casting slidably mounted on the base and a ring rotatably mounted on a support casting, each ring including circumferential gear teeth, gears meshing with the gear teeth and extending from the support castings for supporting the rings, a plurality of first and second telescoping rods secured to the first and second end assemblies, at least one first telescoping rod screw-threadedly receiving a second telescoping rod, and at least one first and second telescoping rod rotatably fixed and axially movable with respect to each other, a gear secured to each of the latter in meshing engagement with the gear teeth of the respective rings; a mechanism for rotating the axially movable and rotatably fixed first and second telescoping rods to rotate the rings; an elongation mechanism for rotating one of the first and second screw-threaded telescoping rods to change the length of the frame; a lead screw, belt or chain assembly for axially moving the frame along the lower bridges of the base; clamps secured to the outer circumference of each ring for clamping fabric to the frame; friction rollers having a height substantially even with the rings and driven by the gears on the support castings for guiding the fabric with respect to the sewing head; a clamping assembly extending axially of the frame for clamping the free end of a fabric tensioned on the frame; a painting assembly positioned above the fabric and adjacent the sewing head for painting a pattern on the fabric; and an external control device such as a mouse for manually controlling movement of the frame.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A quilting machine comprising:

(a) base;
(b) a substantially cylindrically shaped frame slidably and rotatably mounted on said base, said frame including:
(i) a first end assembly;
(ii) a second end assembly;
(iii) each end assembly having a support member slidably mounted on said base and a ring rotatably mounted on the respective support member, each ring having a plurality of gear teeth spaced therearound;
(iv) said first and second end assemblies spaced from each other on said base;
(v) a plurality of first telescoping rods secured to said first end assembly and extending toward said second end assembly;
(vi) a plurality of second telescoping rods secured to said second end assembly and extending toward said first end assembly;
(vii) each first telescoping rod telescopically receiving a respective second telescoping rod;
(viii) at least one first telescoping rod screw-threadedly receiving at least one respective second telescoping rod;
(ix) at least one first and second telescoping rod rotatably fixed and axially movable with respect to each other;
and
(x) a gear on each of said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods in mating engagement with said gear teeth of said rings;
(c) rotation means for rotating said rings with respect to said support members and including first rod rotation means for rotating said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods;
(d) elongation means for changing the length of said frame, including second rod rotation means for rotating at least one screw-threaded rod;
and
(e) frame moving means for axially moving the frame along said base, said frame moving means including a lead screw having a helical thread secured to said base, drive means mounted on said frame in rotatable engagement with said lead screw for movement therealong, and control means for controlling rotation of one of said drive means and said lead screw to move said frame along said base.

14 more elements

A quilting machine comprising:

(a) a base;
(b) a substantially cylindrically shaped frame slidably and rotatably mounted on said base, said frame including:
(i) a first end assembly;
(ii) a second end assembly;
(iii) each end assembly having a support member slidably mounted on said base and a ring rotatably mounted on the respective support member, each ring having a plurality of gear teeth spaced therearound;
(iv) said first and second end assemblies spaced from each other on said base;
(v) a plurality of first telescoping rods secured to said first end assembly and extending toward said second end assembly;
(vi) a plurality of second telescoping rods secured to said second end assembly and extending toward said first end assembly;
(vii) each first telescoping rod telescopically receiving a respective second telescoping rod;
(viii) at least one first telescoping rod screw-threadedly receiving at least one respective second telescoping rod;
(ix) at least one first and second telescoping rod rotatably fixed and axially movable with respect to each other;
and
(x) a gear on each of said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods in mating engagement with said gear teeth of said rings;
(c) rotation means for rotating said rings with respect to said support members and including first rod rotation means for rotating said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods;
(d) elongation means for changing the length of said frame, including second rod rotation means for rotating at least one screw-threaded rod;
and
(e) frame moving means for axially moving the frame along said base, said frame moving means including first roller means secured to one end of said base, second roller means secured to a second, opposite end of said base, belt means wrapped about said first and second roller means and secured to said frame for moving said frame longitudinally with respect to said base, and drive means for rotatably driving one of said rollers.

14 more elements

A quilting machine comprising:

(a) a base;
(b) a substantially cylindrically shaped frame slidably and rotatably mounted on said base, said frame including:
(i) a first end assembly;
(ii) a second end assembly;
(iii) each end assembly having a support member slidably mounted on said base and a ring rotatably mounted on the respective support member, each ring having a plurality of gear teeth spaced therearound;
(iv) said first and second end assemblies spaced from each other on said base;
(v) a plurality of first telescoping rods secured to said first end assembly and extending toward said second end assembly;
(vi) a plurality of second telescoping rods secured to said second end assembly and extending toward said first end assembly;
(vii) each first telescoping rod telescopically receiving a respective second telescoping rod;
(viii) at least one first telescoping rod screw-threadedly receiving at least one respective second telescoping rod;
(ix) at least one first and second telescoping rod rotatably fixed and axially movable with respect to each other;
and
(x) a gear on each of said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods in mating engagement with said gear teeth of said rings;
(c) rotation means for rotating said rings with respect to said support members and including first rod rotation means for rotating said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods;
(d) elongation means for changing the length of said frame, including second rod rotation means for rotating at least one screw-threaded rod;
and
(e) frame moving means for axially moving the frame along said base, said frame moving means including chain means secured to opposite ends of said base for guiding said frame therealong, gear means mounted on said frame and in engagement with said chain means for moving along said chain means during rotation of said gear means, and drive means connected to said gear means and to said frame for driving said gear means to cause said frame to move axially along said base.

14 more elements

A quilting machine comprising:

(a) a base;
(b) a substantially cylindrically shaped frame slidably and rotatably mounted on said base, said frame including:
(i) a first end assembly;
(ii) a second end assembly;
(iii) each end assembly having a support member slidably mounted on said base and a ring rotatably mounted on the respective support member, each ring having a plurality of gear teeth spaced therearound;
(iv) said first and second end assemblies spaced from each other on said base;
(v) a plurality of first telescoping rods secured to said first end assembly and extending toward said second end assembly;
(vi) a plurality of second telescoping rods secured to said second end assembly and extending toward said first end assembly;
(vii) each first telescoping rod telescopically receiving a respective second telescoping rod;
(viii) at least one first telescoping rod screw-threadedly receiving at least one respective second telescoping rod;
(ix) at least one first and second telescoping rod rotatably fixed and axially movable with respect to each other;
and
(x) a gear on each of said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods in mating engagement with said gear teeth of said rings;
(c) rotation means for rotating said rings with respect to said support members and including first rod rotation means for rotating said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods;
(d) elongation means for changing the length of said frame, including second rod rotation means for rotating at least one screw-threaded rod;
and
(e) frame moving means for axially moving the frame along said base, said frame moving means including chain means for guiding said frame axially along said base, said chain means having a first end connected to said first end assembly and a second end connected to said second end assembly, gear means secured to said base in engagement with said chain means for moving along said chain means during rotation of said gear means, and drive means secured to said base for rotatably driving said gear means.

14 more elements

A quilting machine comprising:

(a) a base;
(b) a substantially cylindrically shaped frame slidably and rotatably mounted on said base, said frame including:
(i) a first end assembly;
(ii) a second end assembly;
(iii) each end assembly having a support member slidably mounted on said base and a ring rotatably mounted on the respective support member, each ring having a plurality of gear teeth spaced therearound;
(iv) said first and second end assemblies spaced from each other on said base;
(v) a plurality of first telescoping rods secured to said first end assembly and extending toward said second end assembly;
(vi) a plurality of second telescoping rods secured to said second end assembly and extending toward said first end assembly;
(vii) each first telescoping rod telescopically receiving a respective second telescoping rod;
(viii) at least one first telescoping rod screw-threadedly receiving at least one respective second telescoping rod;
(ix) at least one first and second telescoping rod rotatably fixed and axially movable with respect to each other;
and
(x) a gear on each of said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods in mating engagement with said gear teeth of said rings;
(c) rotation means for rotating said rings with respect to said support members and including first rod rotation means for rotating said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods;
(d) elongation means for changing the length of said frame, including second rod rotation means for rotating at least one screw-threaded rod;
(e) sewing means positioned on said base for stitching a fabric stretched on said frame;
and
(f) friction roller means for guiding said fabric with respect to said sewing means, said friction roller means including a plurality of friction rollers rotatably mounted to said frame and rotatable by said rotation means, each friction roller having a height substantially even with said rings.

15 more elements

A quilting machine comprising:

(a) a base;
(b) a substantially cylindrically shaped frame slidably and rotatably mounted on said base, said frame including:
(i) a first end assembly;
(ii) a second end assembly;
(iii) each end assembly having a support member slidably mounted on said base and a ring rotatably mounted on the respective support member, each ring having a plurality of gear teeth spaced therearound;
(iv) said first and second end assemblies spaced from each other on said base;
(v) a plurality of first telescoping rods secured to said first end assembly and extending toward said second end assembly;
(vi) a plurality of second telescoping rods secured to said second end assembly and extending toward said first end assembly;
(vii) each first telescoping rod telescopically receiving a respective second telescoping rod;
(viii) at least one first telescoping rod screw-threadedly receiving at least one respective second telescoping rod;
(ix) at least one first and second telescoping rod rotatably fixed and axially movable with respect to each other;
and
(x) a gear on each of said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods in mating engagement with said gear teeth of said rings;
(c) rotation means for rotating said rings with respect to said support members and including first rod rotation means for rotating said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods;
(d) elongation means for changing the length of said frame, including second rod rotation means for rotating at least one screw-threaded rod;
and
(e) clamp means extending axially of said frame for clamping a free end of a fabric tensioned on said frame.

14 more elements

A quilting machine comprising:

(a) a base;
(b) a substantially cylindrically shaped frame slidably and rotatably mounted on said base, said frame including:
(i) a first end assembly;
(ii) a second end assembly;
(iii) each end assembly having a support member slidably mounted on said base and a ring rotatably mounted on the respective support member, each ring having a plurality of gear teeth spaced therearound;
(iv) said first and second end assemblies spaced from each other on said base;
(v) a plurality of first telescoping rods secured to said first end assembly and extending toward said second end assembly;
(vi) a plurality of second telescoping rods secured to said second end assembly and extending toward said first end assembly;
(vii) each first telescoping rod telescopically receiving a respective second telescoping rod;
(viii) at least one first telescoping rod screw-threadedly receiving at least one respective second telescoping rod;
(ix) at least one first and second telescoping rod rotatably fixed and axially movable with respect to each other;
and
(x) a gear on each of said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods in mating engagement with said gear teeth of said rings;
(c) rotation means for rotating said rings with respect to said support members and including first rod rotation means for rotating said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods;
(d) elongation means for changing the length of said frame, including second rod rotation means for rotating at least one screw-threaded rod;
(e) sewing head means having a needle positioned above a fabric stretched on said frame for sewing a pattern on said fabric;
and
(f) paint head means positioned above said fabric and adjacent said sewing head means for painting a pattern on said fabric.

15 more elements

A quilting machine comprising:

(a) a base;
(b) a substantially cylindrically shaped frame slidably and rotatably mounted on said base, said frame including:
(i) a first end assembly;
(ii) a second end assembly;
(iii) each end assembly having a support member slidably mounted on said base and a ring rotatably mounted on the respective support member, each ring having a plurality of gear teeth spaced therearound;
(iv) said first and second end assemblies spaced from each other on said base;
(v) a plurality of first telescoping rods secured to said first end assembly and extending toward said second end assembly;
(vi) a plurality of second telescoping rods secured to said second end assembly and extending toward said first end assembly;
(vii) each first telescoping rod telescopically receiving a respective second telescoping rod;
(viii) at least one first telescoping rod screw-threadedly receiving at least one respective second telescoping rod;
(ix) at least one first and second telescoping rod rotatably fixed and axially movable with respect to each other;
and
(x) a gear on each of said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods in mating engagement with said gear teeth of said rings;
(c) rotation means for rotating said rings with respect to said support members and including first rod rotation means for rotating said first and second rotatably fixed and axially movable telescoping rods;
(d) elongation means for changing the length of said frame, including second rod rotation means for rotating at least one screw-threaded rod;
(e) frame moving means for axially moving the frame along said base;
(f) sewing means having a needle positioned above a fabric stretched on said frame for sewing a pattern on said fabric;
(g) paint head means positioned above said fabric and adjacent said sewing means for painting a pattern on said fabric.
(h) friction roller means for guiding said fabric with respect to said sewing means, said friction roller means including a plurality of friction rollers rotatably mounted to said frame and rotatable by said rotation means, each friction roller having a height substantially even with said rings;
(i) clamp means extending axially of said frame for clamping a free end of a fabric tensioned on said frame;
and
(j) external control means for controlling movement of said frame in response to a manual input.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.