Patent Application
20070193489
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of quilts. More specifically, the present invention relates to a moveable platform mounted on a quilting frame to support the quilt during pouncing.
2. Discussion of Background Information
A quilt is typically made of three layers. The top layer is a piecework or applique, typically of an artistic design. The middle layer is layer of stuffing known as “batting”, and is used for warmth. Batting is most commonly cotton, but can be polyester, wool or silk. The bottom layer is one large layer of fabric. Quilting adds depth and a secondary design to the quilt top.
Over the years, a market developed for hand-made quilts, but stitching together the three layers by hand requires inordinate amounts of time. The increase in popularity of the quilting industry created a demand for quicker options for finishing quilts. The longarm quilting machine, long a staple of the industrial workshop, began to appear in homes.
A longarm quilting machine, such as manufactured by Al, is a large throated rolling sewing machine that sits on a large quilting frame that accommodates a full quilt. The frame has a roller system for loading the three layers of a quilt. Manufacturers of longarm quilting machines and quilting frames include GAMMILL, APQS (American Professional Quilting Systems), NOLTING and PRODIGY.
Roller 106 is moveable between a lower position (
Before the pattern can be stitched into quilt 120 with long arm sewing machine 300, the pattern must be laid out with quilting lines. A common method for marking quilting lines is called “pouncing.” Three items are used for this technique; a stencil, pounce pad, and chalk. Stencils are MYLAR sheets with small dashed lines cut out to form intricate designs. A pounce pad is a container that allows the chalk to flow out through the weave of fabric. While the quilt 120 is suspended between rollers 104 and 106, the stencil is placed on the quilt top, and the chalk loaded pounce pad is rubbed over the stencil to form quilting lines. The lines define a quilting motif to follow with the sewing machine.
It is difficult to make distinct lines with chalk using the pouncing method. The resulting chalk lines need to stay in place long enough to stitch the desired design. Yet the chalk will bounce when long arm sewing machine 300 is used on the quilt 120, causing the quilting lines to become progressively unclear. If the chalk lines fade before the quilting motif is finished, the quilter will have to “eyeball” the pattern. Any imprecision in the eyeballing will skew the overall design of the final product, reducing its quality and value.
The present invention is directed to a system for stabilizing quilts during the application of quilting lines.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for supporting a quilt to lay quilting lines is provided. A frame is configured to support a sewing machine. First and second are rollers mounted on said frame, and configured to hold quilting layers on a substantially horizontal path between said first and second rollers. A platform is mounted on said frame, the platform having tracks, a top of the platform being below said substantially horizontal path. A moveable support table is mounted on the tracks. A top of the moveable support table is less than approximately one inch below said substantially horizontal path. The moveable support table supports a quilt during the application of quilting lines thereto.
The above embodiment may have various optional features. A forward end of the moveable table support may extend to within one inch of the first roller. The moveable support table may comprise a top surface, a frame beneath the top surface, and a plurality of wheels connected to the frame and mounted in the tracks. The tracks may have a substantially inverted “V” shaped projection, and the plurality of wheels may have a substantially inverted “U” shaped recess. The plurality of wheels define an area, and the area may be offset from a center of the top. a hand grip may extend from the moveable platform. The plurality of wheels may be enclosed by the frame or outside of the frame. The top of the moveable support table may be approximately 1 inch below the substantially horizontal path. The top of the moveable support table may be at least approximately ½ inch below the substantially horizontal path. The plurality of wheels may only allow said table to move at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the top.
According to another embodiment of the invention, A moveable support table configured to for use with a longarm quilting machine, the quilting machine including a frame, members configured to define a horizontal path, a platform having spaced apart tracks below the substantially horizontal path, is provided. The moveable support table includes a top surface, a frame connected to and beneath the top surface, and a plurality of wheels connected to the frame. The wheels being distributed into a plurality of rows spaced apart a distance that corresponds to a distance of the spaced apart tracks. The wheels define an area, the area being offset from a center of the top. When the plurality of wheels are mounted in the tracks, a top of the moveable support table is less than approximately one inch below the substantially horizontal path.
The above embodiment may have various optional features. The plurality of wheels may have a substantially inverted “U” shaped recess. A hand grip may extend from the moveable support table. The plurality of wheels may be enclosed by the frame or outside of the frame. The plurality of wheels may only allow said table to move at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the top.
The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of the present invention, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.
An embodiment of a stencil table 400 for use with the present invention is shown in
The lateral distance between the wheels 402 and the shape of wheels 402 are determined by the nature of the grooves 108 in the corresponding quilting frame 100. That is, wheels 402 will have a shape designed to engage with the specific grooves 108, and will be spaced apart substantially the same distance as the grooves 108.
The height of stencil table 400 is such that its top 404 lies just below the horizontal plane defined by the quilt path from roller 104 to roller 106 (when in the lower position). The top of stencil table 402 will provide a firm surface beneath quilt 120 to mark quilting lines with the pounce method.
There is preferably a small gap between the top of stencil table 402 and a quilt extending from roller 104 and 106. The gap allows (1) for stencil table 400 to move without contacting quilt 120, and (2) a modest amount of quilt deflection so that the three quilt layers are pressed together when chalk is applied. The gap is preferably less than 1.5″ inches to avoid undue stress on the material, particularly less than or equal to 1.0″, and most particularly approximately 0.5″.
A front end of stencil table 400 extends just short of abutting contact with roller 104, providing the maximum lateral surface area to support quilt 120. This front end preferably comes within two inches of the closest point of roller 104, and particularly within one inch.
Since quilt 120 does not extend rearward beyond roller 106, the back end of stencil table 400 need not extend rearward beyond roller 106. Optionally stencil table 400 can extend beyond roller 106, either in whole in part (e.g., a projection or handle 502) to provide a gripping surface to manipulate the position of stencil table 400.
Stencil table 400 is preferably 12″ wide, which is the most common large sized stencil block used in quilts. If a larger stencil is used, stencil table 400 can be rolled under the extended area with little effort. The stencil can be realigned before the extended area is pounced. Of course, the invention is not so limited, and any width may be used.
Once the quilt is pounced, stencil table 400 can be moved out of the way or removed from the table entirely. Longarm quilting machine 300 is then mounted on grooves 108 in support platform 102, and the quilter sews quilt 120 according the quilting lines laid out by the chalk. Chalk applied during pouncing with stencil table 400 will hold better to the material during high-speed machine sewing, and thus provide a more distinct line for the quilt maker to follow. The finished quilting motif has a greater chance for symmetry and accuracy, thus enhancing its overall quality and value.
The following preferable measurements are for a stencil table 400 for the embodiment of
Another embodiment of a stencil table 600 for use with the present invention is shown in
The following measurements are for a stencil table 600 that fits a GAMMILL quilting system. It is constructed from wood ¾ inch thick. The top 604 of stencil table 600 is 42.5 inches by 13 inches. The height from top 604 to grooves 108 is 4.75 inches. Frame 606 measures 10½ by 25 inches, and supports four wheels 602. Wheels 602 are set 25 inches apart to roll on the long arm table track as set by grooves 108. The wheels are attached 1¼ inch up from the bottom edge of the wheel to the center axle (½ inch up from the bottom of the box). The wheels are set in 1½ inches in from the side of the box, and run parallel to the back of the box. The wheels extend ½ inch below the bottom of the box.
It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to 60/753,426, filed on Dec. 27, 2005, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60753426 | Dec 2005 | US |
