US3830554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking device for sewing machine cabinet support platforms
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1973-05-31
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1993-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A sewing machine cabinet having a sewing machine support platform pivotable about a fixed axis from a stored position within the cabinet to a substantially horizontal operative position where it is locked in place by means of a pair of bolts mounted on opposite sides of the platform, and received within sockets formed on corresponding keepers pivotably mounted on brackets secured on the cabinet side walls. Each keeper includes three cam surfaces, two of which are effective to rotate the keeper in a first direction when acted upon by respective bolts. A spring secured to each keeper to oppose the rotation of keeper in the first direction until the keeper rotates to a position where the spring swings over-center and thereafter aids turning the keeper in this direction. The third cam surface is effective to turn the keeper in the opposite direction to that of the first two cam surfaces. As the platform is pivoted into the operative position the bolts engage the first cam surface and rotate the keeper against the bias of the springs. When the bolts are above the sockets the springs return the keepers to the normal positions and the platform may be lowered to position the bolts into the socket. To store, the platform is pivoted upwardly until the bolts engage the second surface rotating the keepers until the springs have moved over-center. The platform is then moved downwardly free of the sockets and engage the third surface to rotate the keepers into their original position.
Inventors
- 👤 G Moussaian
- 👤 G Maillart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:51
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B75/00; D05B75/06; A; A47; A47B; A47B29/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/04; Y10S292/49
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
377 words
In a sewing machine cabinet having a sewing machine support platform adapted to pivot about a first axis from a substantially vertically inclined stored position within the cabinet to a substantially horizontally inclined operative position, mechanism for supporting and locking the platform in the operative position and for releasing the same for pivoting into the stored position, said mechanism comprising: a bolt mounted on said platform spaced from said axis for movement in a path about said first axis; a keeper comprising first, second and third cam surfaces and a socket normally lying in said path and adapted to receive said bolt; journal means for mounting said keeper on said cabinet for pivotable movement about a second axis spaced from said path; said first and second cam surfaces having portions normally lying in said path, whereby movement of said platform to engage said bolt selectively with said first and second cam surfaces turns said keeper in one direction; each of said first and second surfaces being inclined so that continued upward movement of said platform from the stored position continues to move said keeper in said one direction; biasing means acting on the keeper for exerting a turning force about said second axis in opposition to said one direction and upon said keeper reaching a predetermined position in said one direction for exerting a turning force about said second axis in said one direction; said first cam surface terminating above said socket at a point which leaves said path prior to said keeper reaching said predetermined position, whereby said socket is returned to said path and said bolt may be lowered therein; said second cam surface being disposed above said socket and substantially terminating at a point crossing said path when the keeper is in said predetermined position; stop means for preventing further movement of said keeper in said one direction substantially beyond said predetermined position; said third cam surface being spaced from said first cam surface and having a portion lying in said path when said keeper is in the predetermined position, whereby said keeper may be turned in a direction opposite to said one direction when said platform is lowered to said stored position, said biasing means thereafter returning said keeper in said one direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
377 words
In a sewing machine cabinet having a sewing machine support platform adapted to pivot about a first axis from a substantially vertically inclined stored position within the cabinet to a substantially horizontally inclined operative position, mechanism for supporting and locking the platform in the operative position and for releasing the same for pivoting into the stored position, said mechanism comprising: a bolt mounted on said platform spaced from said axis for movement in a path about said first axis; a keeper comprising first, second and third cam surfaces and a socket normally lying in said path and adapted to receive said bolt; journal means for mounting said keeper on said cabinet for pivotable movement about a second axis spaced from said path; said first and second cam surfaces having portions normally lying in said path, whereby movement of said platform to engage said bolt selectively with said first and second cam surfaces turns said keeper in one direction; each of said first and second surfaces being inclined so that continued upward movement of said platform from the stored position continues to move said keeper in said one direction; biasing means acting on the keeper for exerting a turning force about said second axis in opposition to said one direction and upon said keeper reaching a predetermined position in said one direction for exerting a turning force about said second axis in said one direction; said first cam surface terminating above said socket at a point which leaves said path prior to said keeper reaching said predetermined position, whereby said socket is returned to said path and said bolt may be lowered therein; said second cam surface being disposed above said socket and substantially terminating at a point crossing said path when the keeper is in said predetermined position; stop means for preventing further movement of said keeper in said one direction substantially beyond said predetermined position; said third cam surface being spaced from said first cam surface and having a portion lying in said path when said keeper is in the predetermined position, whereby said keeper may be turned in a direction opposite to said one direction when said platform is lowered to said stored position, said biasing means thereafter returning said keeper in said one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a sewing machine cabinet as recited in claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring, means securing one end of said spring to said cabinet, means for connecting the other end of said spring to the keeper at a location normally positioned on one side of said second axis and which is on the other side of said second axis when the keeper is turned to said predetermined position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a sewing machine cabinet as recited in claim 2 wherein said journal means comprises a bracket secured to said cabinet, a pin journaled on said bracket, and means for mounting said keeper on said pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a sewing machine cabinet as recited in claim 3 wherein said stop means comprises a ledge formed on said bracket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a sewing machine cabinet as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for securing said one end of the spring to the cabinet includes said ledge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a sewinG machine cabinet as recited in claim 4 wherein said bracket includes a second ledge, said second ledge providing a stop for preventing movement of said keeper in a direction opposite to said one direction when said platform is in the operative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a sewing machine cabinet as recited in claim 1 wherein a bolt is mounted on opposite sides of said platform and a corresponding keeper is mounted on opposite sides of said cabinet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
336 words
A keeper mechanism for receiving a bolt secured to a pivotable sewing machine cabinet support platform for locking and supporting said platform in a substantially horizontally inclined operative position, and for releasing the same for storage in a substantially vertically inclined storage position within the cabinet, said keeper mechanism comprising: a pivotable keeper adapted to be mounted on the cabinet for pivotable movement about an axis spaced from a path defined by movement of said bolt; said keeper including a socket, first, and second cam surfaces having portions normally lying in said path, whereby movement of said platform to engage said bolt selectively with said first and second cam surfaces turns said keeper in one direction; each of said first and second surfaces being inclined so that continued upward movement of said platform from the stored position continues to move said keeper in said one direction; biasing means acting on the keeper for exerting a turning force about said axis in opposition to said one direction and upon said keeper reaching a predetermined position in said one direction for exerting a turning force about said axis in said one direction; said first cam surface terminating above said socket at a point which leaves said path prior to said keeper reaching said predetermined position, whereby said socket is returned to said path and said bolt may be lowered therein; said second cam surface being disposed above said socket and substantially terminating at a point crossing said path when the keeper is in said predetermined position; stop means for preventing further movement of said keeper in said one direction substantially beyond said predetermined position; said keeper further including a third cam surface spaced from said first cam surface and having a portion lying in said path when said keeper is in the predetermined position, whereby said keeper may be turned in a direction opposite to said one direction when said platform is lowered to said stored position, said biasing means thereafter returning said keeper in said one direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
336 words
A keeper mechanism for receiving a bolt secured to a pivotable sewing machine cabinet support platform for locking and supporting said platform in a substantially horizontally inclined operative position, and for releasing the same for storage in a substantially vertically inclined storage position within the cabinet, said keeper mechanism comprising: a pivotable keeper adapted to be mounted on the cabinet for pivotable movement about an axis spaced from a path defined by movement of said bolt; said keeper including a socket, first, and second cam surfaces having portions normally lying in said path, whereby movement of said platform to engage said bolt selectively with said first and second cam surfaces turns said keeper in one direction; each of said first and second surfaces being inclined so that continued upward movement of said platform from the stored position continues to move said keeper in said one direction; biasing means acting on the keeper for exerting a turning force about said axis in opposition to said one direction and upon said keeper reaching a predetermined position in said one direction for exerting a turning force about said axis in said one direction; said first cam surface terminating above said socket at a point which leaves said path prior to said keeper reaching said predetermined position, whereby said socket is returned to said path and said bolt may be lowered therein; said second cam surface being disposed above said socket and substantially terminating at a point crossing said path when the keeper is in said predetermined position; stop means for preventing further movement of said keeper in said one direction substantially beyond said predetermined position; said keeper further including a third cam surface spaced from said first cam surface and having a portion lying in said path when said keeper is in the predetermined position, whereby said keeper may be turned in a direction opposite to said one direction when said platform is lowered to said stored position, said biasing means thereafter returning said keeper in said one direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A keeper mechanism as recited in claim 8 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring, means adapted for securing one end of said spring to said cabinet, means for connecting the other end of said spring to the keeper at a location normally positioned on one side of said axis and which is on the other side of said axis when the keeper is turned to said predetermined position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |