Flatbed sewing machine conversion for sewing the rim of a molded sole to an upper
OwnerMichael H. Ganoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A basic flatbed sewing machine is converted to provide an elevated sewing surface at a sewing station which is configured to receive the rim of a molded sole for sewing attachment with an upper. The top feed of the machine performs in conjunction with the elevated sewing surface and a material advancing component of a modified feed dog advances the sole at the surface opposite the rim. Thread breakage is avoided through utilization of a thread sequestration channel extending from the feed dog to a needle receiving opening adjacent the elevated sewing surface.
Claims20
The method of converting a sewing machine having a flat bed sewing surface, a sewing station with given stroke, a needle, a lower disposed bobbin and sewing hook, a compound feed having a given extent of reciprocal travel including a reciprocal feed dog, cover plate, upper feed and presser foot for sewing the rim of a molded sole of given rim to bottom thickness to an upper, comprising the steps of:
- providing a conversion cover plate assembly having a lower plate portion with a dog receiving slot, an edge guide having a guide surface extending upwardly and generally normally to said lower plate portion to an elevated sewing platform surface, generally parallel to said lower plate portion, and having a needle receiving slot;
- providing a conversion feed dog assembly having a workpiece advancing component configured for reciprocal movement within said dog receiving slot and a thread sequestering channel component adjacent to and extending upwardly from said advancing component to a needle receiving opening located for reciprocal movement adjacent said needle receiving slot;
- removing said cover plate;
- removing said feed dog;
- installing said conversion feed dog assembly in place of said feed dog;
- and
- installing said conversion cover plate assembly in place of said cover plate, said edge guide surface being located in spaced adjacency with said thread sequestering channel component and said needle receiving opening being located adjacent said needle receiving slot.
A sewing machine for stitching together first and second workpieces, said first workpiece having a thickness portion of at least about one-fourth inch between top and bottom surfaces and having a rim extending outwardly from one of said top and bottom surfaces, said second workpiece having a peripherally disposed portion for sewing attachment with said rim, comprising:
- a flat bed defining a first work surface;
- an arm extending outwardly over said flat bed to a compound sewing mechanism including a compound reciprocating needle and top feed mechanism, and a height adjustable presser foot;
- a bobbin and sewing hook mounted for actuation below said first work surface for operational association of bobbin fed thread with needle carrying thread to define a sewing station with said compound sewing mechanism;
- a cover plate assembly having a lower plate portion at said first work surface with a feed dog workpiece advancing component receiving slot, an edge guide having a guide surface generally extending upwardly normally to said lower plate portion a distance corresponding with said first workpiece thickness portion to an elevated second work surface operable with said top feed mechanism, generally parallel with said first work surface and including a needle receiving slot;
- a feed dog assembly including said workpiece advancing component extensible through said receiving slot and a thread sequestering channel component adjacent to said workpiece advancing component and extending upwardly to a needle receiving opening located for reciprocatory movement adjacent said needle receiving slot at said second working surface;
- and
- a sewing drive mechanism for carrying out the actuation of said needle, top feed mechanism, bobbin, sewing hook, and feed dog assembly.
A kit for converting a sewing machine having a flat bed sewing surface, a sewing station with a given stroke, a presser foot, a top feed mechanism, a needle, a lower disposed bobbin and sewing hook, a feed dog drive mechanism with a removably connected feed dog, and a removable cover plate, such conversion providing for carrying out the sewing together of first and second workpieces said first workpiece having a thickness portion of at least about one-fourth inch between top and bottom surfaces and having a rim extending outwardly from one of said top and bottom surfaces, said second workpiece having a peripherally disposed portion for sewing attachment with said rim, said kit comprising:
- a conversion plate assembly adapted to be mounted in place of said removable cover plate, having a lower plate portion locatable in alignment with said flat bed sewing surface having a feed dog workpiece advancing component receiving slot, an edge guide having a guide surface generally extending upwardly normally to said lower plate portion a distance corresponding with said first workpiece thickness portion to an elevated sewing surface configured for operation with said top feed mechanism and said presser foot, being generally parallel with said lower plate portion and including a needle receiving slot;
- and
- a conversion feed dog assembly adopted to be mounted upon said feed dog drive mechanism in place of said removably connected feed dog, including said workpiece advancing component and a thread sequestering channel component adjacent to said workpiece advancing component and extending upwardly a distance generally corresponding with said guide surface distance to a needle receiving opening and located for operably associating said needle, said bobbin and said sewing hook.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.