Frame side restricting device for sewing frame

Abstract

A restricting member is positioned above a machine table but beneath a sewing frame movable in X and Y directions on a sewing machine. The restricting member is connected to the sewing frame in such a manner that it moves in the Y direction together with the sewing frame but does not follow movement of the sewing frame in the X direction. The restricting member engages with two sides of the sewing frame, extending in the X direction, so as to maintain at a predetermined interval in the Y direction between the two sides. A guide member is provided on the upper surface of the table and slidably guides the restricting member in the Y direction. For example, the guide member has a groove-like recessed portion formed therein to open upward, and the restricting member is received in the groove-like recessed portion and slidable along the recessed portion.

1 . A sewing-frame-side restricting device for preventing deformation of a sewing frame in a sewing machine which includes:
 the sewing frame; a moving member connected to the sewing frame so that the sewing frame is movable in X and Y directions, and a drive mechanism configured to drive the moving member in the X and Y directions, said sewing-frame-side restricting device comprising:   a restricting member disposed beneath the sewing frame but above a machine table ( 2 ), said restricting member being connected to the sewing frame in such a manner that said restricting member moves in the Y direction together with the sewing frame but does not follow movement, in the X direction, of the sewing frame, said restricting member engaging with two sides of the sewing frame, extending in the X direction, so as to maintain a predetermined interval in the Y direction between the two sides of the sewing frame; and   a guide member provided on an upper surface of the machine table, said guide member guiding said restricting member in such a manner that said restricting member is slidable in the Y direction along said guide member.   
     
     
         2 . The sewing-frame-side restricting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said restricting member is a rigid elongated member and includes restricting elements provided on positions of the elongated member corresponding to respective ones of the two sides of the sewing frame, and
 wherein said restricting elements engage with the respective ones of the two sides of the sewing frame in such a manner that said restricting elements are movable in the X direction relative to the two sides of the sewing frame.   
     
     
         3 . The sewing-frame-side restricting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said guide member includes a portion for restricting movement, in the X direction, of said restricting member. 
     
     
         4 . The sewing-frame-side restricting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said guide member defines a groove-like recessed portion in the upper surface of the machine table, and said restricting member is received in the groove-like recessed portion and slidable along the groove-like recessed portion. 
     
     
         5 . The sewing-frame-side restricting device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said guide member includes a portion for restricting movement, in the X direction, of said restricting member. 
     
     
         6 . The sewing-frame-side restricting device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said guide member defines a groove-like recessed portion in the upper surface of the machine table, and said restricting member is received in the groove-like recessed portion and slidable along the groove-like recessed portion.