Changing threads in a sewing machine

An apparatus for splicing a first thread with a second thread, comprising:

• a thread tree having a number of thread spools each having a thread and including a first spool having a first thread and a second spool having a second thread;
• a thread clamp assembly for releasably holding the first thread;
• a carriage assembly for locating the second thread selected from the number of threads in a desired position;
• a splicing device for splicing the first and second threads together;
• means for moving at least one of the first and second threads relative to said splicing device;
• and
• a thread trimming device for cutting the first thread;
• wherein
• wherein
• said means for moving moves the second thread in both a first direction and a second opposite direction during splicing of the first and second threads and said means for moving includes an insertion drive roller and an advance drive roller with each of said drive rollers being movable using a single motor.

A method for splicing a first thread with a second thread, comprising:

• providing a first thread;
• locating a second thread in desired positions relative to a splicing device;
• trimming said first thread to provide a end;
• causing said second thread to be positioned in a passageway of said splicing device;
• and
• splicing said first and second threads together using said splicing device after said trimming step and by supplying air to said splicing device to create a turbulent air flow over said first and second threads, with both of said first and second threads moving in a first direction along lengths of said first and second threads and then moving in a second direction along length of said first and second threads during the time-said first thread and said second-thread are being spliced together.

An apparatus for splicing a first thread with a second thread, comprising:

• a thread tree for holding a plurality of spools of thread;
• a splicing device for joining the first thread to the second thread, wherein the first thread and the second thread are each taken from a spool on said thread tree;
• and
• means for feeding the second thread to said splicing device so that the second thread can be joined to the first thread, said means for feeding includes an insertion roller disposed adjacent a first end of said splicing device and an advance roller positioned adjacent to a second end of said splicing device.

An apparatus for splicing a first thread with a second thread, comprising:

• a thread tree having a number of spools with each having a thread and including at least a first spool having a first thread and a second spool having a second thread;
• a thread clamp assembly for holding at least one of the first thread and the second thread;
• a splicing device for splicing the first and second threads together;
• a carriage assembly for locating the second thread selected from the number of threads in a desired position relative to said splicing device;
• means for moving at least one of the first and second threads relative to said splicing device;
• a needle thread trimming device for cutting the first thread, said thread trimming device including a thread clamp cover and a blade with said thread clamp cover being movable to position the first thread for cutting by said blade;
• wherein said thread clamp assembly, said means for moving and said thread trimming device are operatively interconnected to facilitate thread clamping, moving and trimming, said means for moving including a rocker and said thread clamp cover being connected to said rocker and being movable therewith, said thread clamp-assembly including a thread clamp and said thread trimming device including a shaft that connects said thread clamp cover to said rocker with said thread clamp cover being movable with said rocker while said thread clamp remains substantially stationary.

A method for splicing a first thread with a second thread, comprising:

• providing a first thread;
• locating a second thread in desired positions relative to a splicing device;
• trimming said first thread to provide an end, said trimming step including rotating a thread insertion roller to cause said first thread to be retracted away from a trimmer blade;
• causing said second thread to be positioned in a passageway of said splicing device;
• and
• splicing said first and second threads together using said splicing device after said trimming step.

A method for splicing a first thread with a second thread, comprising:

• providing a first thread;
• locating a second thread in desired positions relative to a splicing device;
• trimming said first thread to provide an end;
• causing said second thread to be positioned in a passageway of said splicing device, said causing step including contacting said second thread with a thread insertion roller;
• and
• splicing said first and second threads together using said splicing device after said trimming step.

A method for splicing a first thread with a second thread, comprising:

• providing a first thread;
• locating a second thread in desired positions relative to a splicing device;
• trimming said first thread to provide an end;
• causing said second thread to be positioned in a passageway of said splicing device, said causing step including moving an insertion drive roller and using air in drawing said second thread relative to said splicing device;
• and
• splicing said first and second threads together using said splicing device after said trimming step.

A method for splicing a first thread with a second thread, comprising:

• providing a first thread;
• locating a second thread in desired positions relative to a splicing device;
• trimming said first thread to provide an end;
• causing said second thread to be positioned in a passageway of said splicing device;
• and
• splicing said first and second threads together using said splicing device after said trimming step, said splicing step including moving a rocker to one rocker position for clamping said first and second threads using a thread advance drive roller.