The present disclosure relates generally to sewing or quilting machines, and more specifically to handles for sewing or quilting machines.
Sewing machines are used for stitching one or more pieces of fabric with thread. Some sewing machines are stationary such that fabric is fed under a needle of the sewing machine, while other sewing machines, like quilting machines, are maneuverable such that the needle may be moved across the fabric.
Maneuverable sewing machines allow a user to create intricate patterns with the stitching. Such sewing or quilting machines, however, may also make it difficult to accurately follow a path on the fabric, such as a seam, a ditch line, or another desired pattern. They are also subject to vibrational feedback making it more difficult for the user to precise control movement of the machine.
The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.
A sewing machine may comprise a sewing machine body, a needle bar, and a handlebar vibration dampener. The needle bar may be attached to the sewing machine body and may be configured to linearly reciprocate relative to the sewing machine body along a needle bar axis. The handlebar vibration dampener may be configured to reduce vibrations of the handlebar caused by movement of the needle bar during use of the sewing machine.
In some embodiments, the sewing machine body may comprise a sewing machine head and a handlebar assembly. The sewing machine heat may include an outer case and a head bracket located in the outer case. The handlebar assembly may be coupled to the head bracket of the sewing machine head.
In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly may include a handlebar and a handlebar bracket. The handlebar may be configured to be used by a user to move the sewing machine relative to a work surface. The handlebar bracket may be configured extend between and interconnect the handlebar to the head bracket.
In some embodiments, the needle bar may be attached to the sewing machine head. The needle bar may be configured to linearly reciprocate relative to the sewing machine head along the needle bar axis.
In some embodiments, the handlebar vibration dampener may be located between the handlebar bracket and the head bracket. The handlebar vibration dampener may be configured to reduce vibrations of the handlebar caused by movement of the needle bar during use of the sewing machine.
In some embodiments, the handle vibration dampener may comprise an elastic material. The elastic material may be configured to adsorb the vibrations of the head bracket and prevent the vibrations from transferring to the handle bracket and the handlebars. In some embodiments, the elastic material may be rubber.
In some embodiments, the handle vibration dampener may have a thickness between about 2 millimeters and about 4 millimeters. In some embodiments, the thickness of the handle vibration dampener may be exactly 2 millimeters.
In some embodiments, the handlebar bracket may include a handlebar mount portion, a bracket mount portion, and an interconnecting portion. The handlebar mount portion may extend around and engage the handlebar. The bracket mount portion may be located in spaced apart relation to the handlebar mount portion and couple to the head bracket. The interconnecting portion may extend between and interconnect the handlebar mount portion and the bracket portion. The handle vibration dampener may be located between the bracket mount portion of the handlebar bracket and the head bracket.
In some embodiments, the handle vibration dampener may have a predetermined thickness. The predetermined thickness may space the bracket mount portion apart from the head bracket.
In some embodiments, the predetermined thickness may be between about 2 millimeters and about 4 millimeters. In some embodiments, the predetermined thickness of the handle vibration dampener is exactly 2 millimeters.
In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly may further include fasteners. The fasteners may extend through the head bracket and the handle vibration dampener into the bracket mount portion of the handlebar bracket.
According to another aspect of the present application, a sewing machine may comprise a sewing machine head, a handlebar assembly, and a handlebar vibration dampener. The handlebar assembly may be coupled to the sewing machine head. The handlebar vibration dampener may be configured to reduce vibrations transmitted by the sewing machine head to the handlebar assembly during use of the sewing machine.
In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly may include a handlebar and a handlebar bracket. The handlebar may be configured to be used by a user to move the sewing machine relative to a work surface. The handlebar bracket may be configured extend between and interconnect the handlebar to the sewing machine head.
In some embodiments, the handlebar vibration dampener may be located between the handlebar bracket and the sewing machine head. The handlebar vibration dampener may be configured to reduce vibrations transmitted by the sewing machine head to the handlebar during use of the sewing machine.
In some embodiments, the handle vibration dampener may comprise an elastic material. The elastic material may be configured to adsorb the vibrations of the head bracket and prevent the vibrations from transferring to the handle bracket and the handlebars. In some embodiments, the elastic material may be rubber.
In some embodiments, the handle vibration dampener may have a thickness between about 2 millimeters and about 4 millimeters. In some embodiments, the thickness of the handle vibration dampener may be exactly 2 millimeters.
In some embodiments, the sewing machine head may include an outer case and a head bracket. The head bracket may be located in the outer case. The head bracket may be coupled to a portion of the drive system. In some embodiments, the handle vibration dampener may be located between the handlebar bracket and the head bracket.
In some embodiments, the handlebar bracket may include a handlebar mount portion, a bracket mount portion, and an interconnecting portion. The handlebar mount portion may extend around and engage the handlebar. The bracket mount portion may be located in spaced apart relation to the handlebar mount portion and couple to the head bracket. The interconnecting portion may extend between and interconnect the handlebar mount portion and the bracket portion. In some embodiments, the handle vibration dampener may be located between the bracket mount portion of the handlebar bracket and the head bracket.
In some embodiments, the handle vibration dampener may have a predetermined thickness between about 2 millimeters and about 4 millimeters. In some embodiments, the predetermined thickness of the handle vibration dampener may be exactly 2 millimeters.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of reducing the vibrations to a handlebar of a moveable sewing machine may comprise providing a sewing machine. The sewing machine may comprise a sewing machine head and a handlebar assembly.
In some embodiments, the handlebar assembly may comprise a handlebar and a handlebar bracket. The handlebar may be configured to be used by a user to move the sewing machine relative to a work surface. The handlebar bracket may be configured to couple the handlebar to the sewing machine head.
In some embodiments, the handlebar bracket may include a handlebar mount portion, a bracket mount portion, and an interconnecting portion. The bracket mount portion may be located in spaced apart relation to the handlebar mount portion. The interconnecting portion may extend between and interconnect the handlebar mount portion and the bracket portion.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise providing a handlebar vibration dampener. The handlebar vibration dampener may be configured to reduce vibrations transmitted by the sewing machine head to the handlebar during use of the sewing machine.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise coupling the handlebar mount portion of the handle bar bracket to an outer case of the sewing machine head. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise locating the handlebar vibration dampener on the bracket mount portion of the handlebar bracket.
In some embodiments, the method may further comprise coupling the bracket mount portion of the handlebar bracket to the sewing machine head so that the handle vibration dampener is located between the bracket mount portion of the handlebar bracket and the sewing machine head. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise coupling the handlebar to the handlebar mount portion of the handlebar bracket.
These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.
An illustrative embodiment of a sewing machine 10 adapted to be freely moveable by a user is shown in
The handlebar assembly 24 is coupled to the sewing machine head 20 and configured to be used by the user to move the sewing machine 10 relative to the fabric to be sewn. During use of a sewing machine 10, the drive system 16 causes the needle bar 14 to linearly reciprocate relative to the sewing machine head 20. The oscillations of the needle bar 14 causes the sewing machine head 20 to vibrate. At certain speeds, the movement of the needle bar 14 causes the sewing machine head 20 to vibrate at its resonance frequency.
As the handlebar assembly 24 is coupled to the sewing machine head 20, the vibrations are transferred from the sewing machine head 20 to a handlebar 40 of the handlebar assembly 24, which is held by the user. The vibration of the handlebar 40 may make it difficult for the user to accurately move the sewing machine 10 along the desired pattern or stitch line. Moreover, if the sewing machine head 20 begins to vibrate at its resonance frequency, the user may have a difficult time controlling the movement of the sewing machine 10 with the handlebar 40.
To reduce the vibration experienced by the user, the sewing machine 10 of the present disclosure includes the handlebar vibration dampener 18 between the sewing machine head 20 and the handlebar assembly 24. The handlebar vibration dampener 18 is located between the sewing machine head 20 and the handlebar assembly 24. The dampener 18 reduces the vibrations caused movement of the needle bar 14 during use of the sewing machine 10 transmitted from the sewing machine head 20 to the handlebar 40. The dampener 18 may also reduce or prevent the sewing machine head 20 from vibrating at its resonance frequency, as suggested in
The handlebar vibration dampener 18 comprises an elastic material in the illustrative embodiment. The elastic material is configured to adsorb the vibrations of the sewing machine head 20. The material absorbs some of the vibrations thereby preventing the vibrations from transferring directly to the handlebar assembly 24. The elastic material of the dampener 18 also prevents the sewing machine head 20 from vibrating at its resonance frequency.
In the illustrative embodiment, the elastic material is rubber. In some embodiments, other suitable elastic material may be used.
In other embodiments, the handle vibration dampener 18 may be a spring located between the sewing machine head 20 and the handlebar assembly 24. In some embodiments, the dampener 18 may be a fluid or gel located between the sewing machine head 20 and the handlebar assembly 24.
In the illustrative embodiment, the dampener 18 is a piece of elastic material that includes a first surface 26 and a second surface 28 as shown in
In some embodiments, the handlebar vibration dampener 18 has a thickness 30 between about 2 millimeters and about 4 millimeters. In other embodiments, the thickness 30 is of the handlebar vibration dampener 18 is about 2 millimeters. In the illustrative embodiment, the thickness 30 is of the handlebar vibration dampener 18 is exactly 2 millimeters.
Turning again to the sewing machine body 12, the sewing machine body 12 includes the sewing machine head 20, the sewing machine bed 22, and the handlebar assembly 24 as shown in
The head bracket 34 is shaped to define an upper end 36, a lower end 38, and a space 39 as shown in
The handlebar assembly 24 includes including the handlebar 40, a handlebar bracket 42, a mount ring 44, and a handlebar lock 46 as shown in
The handlebar vibration dampener 18 is located between the handlebar bracket 42 and the head bracket 34 in the illustrative embodiment. The first surface 26 of the dampener 18 is engaged with the handlebar bracket 42, while the second surface 28 is engaged with a surface 37 of the head bracket 34. The dampener 18 is configured to reduce vibrations of the handlebar 40 caused movement of the needle bar 14 during use of the sewing machine 10.
The handlebar bracket 42 includes a handlebar mount portion 50, a bracket mount portion 52, and an interconnecting portion 54 as shown in
The handlebar vibration dampener 18 is located between the bracket mount portion 52 of the handlebar bracket 42 and the head bracket 34 as shown in
The handlebar bracket 42 is only engaged with the head bracket 34 at the bracket mount portion 52 as shown in
The handlebar mount portion 50 of the handlebar bracket 42 includes a first end 56, a second end 58, and a curved section 60 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the mount ring 44 is located between the curved section 60 of the handlebar mount 50 and the handlebar 40. The mount ring 44 is defined by two half-circle pieces 64 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the handlebar lock 46 includes notch 66 as shown in
The bracket mount portion 52 includes a first end 70, a second end 72, and a mount surface 74 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the sewing machine had 16 further includes fasteners 33 that extend through the head bracket 34 and the dampener 18 into the bracket mount portion 52 of the handlebar bracket 42. The fasteners 33 couple the components together.
Turning again to the sewing machine 10, the drive system 16 includes a motor (not shown), a drive shaft 76, and linkages 78, 80 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the upper end 36 of the head bracket 34 is in close proximity to the drive shaft 76 of the drive assembly 16, while the lower end 38 is engaged with a portion of the drive assembly 16 surrounding the needle bar 14.
Different tests were completed to show the dampener 18 reduces the vibration of the sewing machine head 20. The results of the each test is shown in
The sensor measured the acceleration, velocity, and displacement of either the sewing machine head 20 or the handlebar 40 (i.e. which component the sensor was coupled to). The measured velocity of the handlebar 40 over the test run time is shown in
Once the sensors were recording, the drive system 16 was turned on at the slowest speed. The speed of the motor included in the drive system 16 was increased in 5% increments every 5 seconds.
The speed was increased until a maximum speed of the drive system 16 was reached. At the point of maximum speed, the drive machine was allowed to run at the maximum speed for 5 seconds before the drive system 16 was turned off.
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A method of reducing the vibrations to the handlebar 40 of the moveable sewing machine 10 may include several steps. Once the needle bar 14 and the drive assembly 16 are assembled in the sewing machine body 12, the handlebar assembly 24 may be coupled to the sewing machine head 20.
To couple the handlebar assembly 24 to the sewing machine 10, the handlebar mount portion of the handlebar bracket is coupled to the outer case of the sewing machine head. The first end 56 of the handlebar mount portion is coupled to the outer case 32 with the pin or screw 62 such that the handlebar bracket is pivotable relative to the sewing machine head 20.
In the illustrative embodiment, the handlebar lock 46 is coupled to the outer case 32 simultaneously. The first end 56 of the handlebar mount portion 50 is arranged in the notch 66 of the lock 46 so that through holes are aligned in each. The handlebar lock 46 and the bracket 42 are coupled to the outer case 32 by inserting the pin 62 through the handlebar lock 46 and the bracket 42 and into the sewing machine head 20.
The handlebar vibration dampener 18 is located on the bracket mount portion 52 of the handlebar bracket 42 before or after then handlebar mount portion 50 of the bracket 42 is coupled to the sewing machine head 20. The dampener 18 is located on the mount surface 74 so that the first surface 26 of the dampener 18 engages the mount surface 74 in the illustrative embodiment.
The bracket mount portion 52 of the handlebar bracket 42 is then coupled to the sewing machine head 20 so that the handle vibration dampener 18 is located between the bracket mount portion 52 of the handlebar bracket 42 and the sewing machine head 20. The bracket mount portion 52 is coupled to the head bracket 34 in the illustrative embodiment.
In the illustrative embodiment, the handlebar bracket 42 is pivoted until the second surface 28 of the dampener 18 engages the head bracket 34. The second surface 28 of the dampener 18 is engaged with the head bracket 34 and the fasteners 33 arranged to extend through the dampener 18 and into the bracket mount portion 52 to couple the bracket mount portion 52 to the sewing machine head 20.
Once the handlebar bracket 42 is secure, the handlebar 40 is coupled to the handlebar mount portion 50 of the handlebar bracket 42. To couple the handlebar 40 to the handlebar mount portion 50, the mount ring 44 is first coupled to the handlebar 40. The mount ring 44 is then arranged in the curved section 60 of the handlebar mount portion 50.
To secure the handlebar 40 in place, the lock 46 is pivoted to trap the handlebar 40 with the mount ring 44 between the curved section 60 and the lock 46. A fastener 68 then couples the lock 46 to the sewing machine head 20. The sewing machine 10 is then ready for use.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 63/169,610 filed on Apr. 1, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
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19946018 | Jun 2000 | DE |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20220316119 A1 | Oct 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63169610 | Apr 2021 | US |