Drive mechanism with holder for material to be sewn and sewing machine with such a drive mechanism

Abstract

A drive mechanism for a sewing machine, for example an embroidery unit ( 10 ), has a holder for material to be sewn, which is attached to an arm carriage ( 20 ) which is displaceable on an arm ( 19 ), wherein the arm for its part is displaceable on a support carriage ( 16 ) perpendicularly in respect to the arm carriage ( 20 ). The bulky size is disadvantageous in connection with known support-arm constructions. To avoid this it is proposed to design the arm to be pivotable around a joint ( 18 ) into a position of rest, in which the arm ( 19 ) and the support ( 14 ) extend essentially parallel with each other.

1 . A drive mechanism with a holder ( 22 ) for material to be sewn for sewing machines, for example an embroidery unit ( 10 ) with an embroidery frame, which is attached to an arm carriage ( 20 ) which is moveable along a first track of an arm ( 19 ), wherein the arm ( 19 ) is attached to a support carriage ( 16 ), which for its part is moveable on a support ( 14 ) along a second track extending perpendicularly to the first track in an operating position, characterized in that the arm ( 19 ) is pivotable around a joint ( 18 ) from the operating position into a position of rest, in which the two tracks are essentially located parallel to each other.  
     
     
         2 . The drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that respectively one stop limits the pivot range of the arm ( 19 ) in the position of rest and in the operating position.  
     
     
         3 . The drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized in that the arm ( 19 ) is arranged to be positively locked at least in its operating position.  
     
     
         4 . The drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized in that interlocked latching elements ( 36 ,  38 ) which are preferably provided directly or indirectly on the arm ( 19 ) and/or the support carriage ( 16 ), are arranged to be disengaged against the force of a spring element ( 44 ).  
     
     
         5 . The drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 4 , characterized in that the arm ( 19 ) is axially displaceable on its pivot shaft against the force of a spring element ( 44 ) into a position, preferably limited by a stop ( 40 ,  42 ), in which the positive locking is interrupted.  
     
     
         6 . The drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that a first axial front face is provided on the arm ( 19 ), and a second axial front face on the support ( 14 ), wherein the front faces have corresponding, preferably conically designed groove elements ( 38 ) and protrusion elements ( 36 ) as the latching elements, which are disengaged in a position of the arm ( 19 ) raised against the spring element ( 44 ).  
     
     
         7 . The drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 5  or  6 , characterized in that the joint ( 18 ) has a divided bearing bushing ( 40 ,  42 ) wherein, for forming the stop, the bearing bushing preferably consists of two halves ( 40 ,  42 ), each with an annular face, which rest against each other in the maximally raised arm position.  
     
     
         8 . The drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that respectively one electric drive motor ( 34 ) is provided for the carriages ( 16 ,  20 ).  
     
     
         9 . The drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 8 , characterized in that at least one of the motors acts via a toothed belt drive on the corresponding carriage.  
     
     
         10 . The drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 8 , characterized in that the motor of the arm carriage ( 20 ) and the motor of the support carriage ( 16 ) are arranged in the support.  
     
     
         11 . A sewing machine, characterized by a drive mechanism in accordance with one of the preceding claims.  
     
     
         12 . The sewing machine in accordance with  claim 10 , characterized in that the drive mechanism is removable from the sewing machine housing or sewing machine body, respectively.