Thread feeding apparatus for an automatic embroidering machine

Abstract

A thread feeding apparatus for an automatic embroidering machine comprises a thread supplying unit to supply one upper thread selected among a plurality of upper threads different in color; a pair of thread guides formed with a thread guiding channel to guide the upper thread supplied from the thread supplying unit, and continuously formed along a thread transferring path of the thread guiding channel, leaving a space portion; a thread take-up unit provided with a thread retainer to retain the upper thread, oscillating between a top dead point and a bottom dead point, and strengthening and releasing the tension of the upper thread; and a thread take-out unit comprising a thread take-out lever to hold and take out the upper thread passing through the space portion, and a thread take-out driver to reciprocate the thread take-out lever to put the upper thread held by the thread take-out lever into the thread retainer. Thus, the present invention provides a thread feeding apparatus for an automatic embroidering machine, which prevents an upper thread from being cut when the upper thread is replaced, and reduces time taken to replace the upper thread, thereby enhancing work efficiency.

1 . A thread feeding apparatus for an automatic embroidering machine, comprising:
 a thread supplying unit to supply one upper thread selected among a plurality of upper threads different in color;   a pair of thread guides formed with a thread guiding channel to guide the upper thread supplied from the thread supplying unit, and continuously formed along a thread transferring path of the thread guiding channel, leaving a space portion;   a thread take-up unit provided with a thread retainer to retain the upper thread, oscillating between a top dead point and a bottom dead point, and strengthening and releasing the tension of the upper thread; and   a thread take-out unit comprising a thread take-out lever to hold and take out the upper thread passing through the space portion, and a thread take-out driver to reciprocate the thread take-out lever to put the upper thread held by the thread take-out lever into the thread retainer.   
   
   
       2 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the thread take-out lever moves on a plane at a predetermined angle to the thread transferring path of the upper thread passing through the space portion, and puts the upper thread into the thread retainer by holding the upper thread passing through the space portion. 
   
   
       3 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the thread take-up unit comprises:
 an arm oscillating between the top dead point and the bottom dead point;   the thread retainer having an annular shape and formed with an opening, placed in a predetermined region of the arm, and retaining the upper thread; and   an arm driver to drive the arm to oscillate.   
   
   
       4 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the thread take-up unit further comprises a flap that is rotatably coupled to the thread retainer, opens and closes the opening, and prevents the upper thread retained in the opening from a breakaway. 
   
   
       5 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the thread take-out unit comprises:
 a bracket rotatably coupled to the thread take-out lever, and forming a flap accommodating portion to accommodate the flap therein, along with the thread take-out lever; and   an elastic member rotating the bracket with predetermined elasticity to make the flap get out of the flap accommodating portion.   
   
   
       6 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the thread take-up unit further comprises a clamp that is elastically supported by the thread retainer, opens and closes the opening, and is made of an elastic material to prevent the upper thread retained in the opening from a breakaway. 
   
   
       7 . The thread feeding apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the clamp comprises:
 a supporting portion supported by the thread retainer;   a pressing portion longitudinally extended from the supporting portion, pressing a side of the thread retainer to prevent the upper thread retained in the thread retainer from a breakaway, and closing the opening; and   an insertion portion bent and extended from one end of the pressing portion to be spaced from the side of the thread trainer and through which the thread take-out lever inserted.