Convertible sewing machine beds

Claim 2

In combination with a sewing machine having a base with a work supporting bed including an elongated longitudinal arm having a primary work supporting surface for disposition of materials to be sewn, support means having a first end portion and a secondary work supporting surface, said support means being mounted to said base for movement in a first direction for disposition of said support means in a first limit position wherein said secondary work supporting surface is substantially continuous with the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means being movable in a first reverse direction opposite said first direction to a second limit position wherein the secondary work supporting surface is discontinuous from the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means and said base further including means for effecting simultaneous movement of said support means in a second direction substantially normal to said first direction as said support means is moved in said first direction such that a clearance space is maintained between the first end portion of said support means and said base during movement of said support means in said first direction, said combination further including pivot means joining said support means to said base for pivotal movement of said support means in said first direction, and wherein said support means is slidably mounted on said pivot means for longitudinal movement of said support means in said second direction as said support means is pivoted in said first direction.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 further including detent means on said support means and said base for maintaining said support means in said first limit position. Pg,11

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1 wherein said pivot means comprise at least one pivot rod member supported on said base, such that said support means is slidable and rotatable on said pivot rod, said combination further including biasing means on said base for urging said support means to longitudinally slide on said pivot rod member in said second reverse direction.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 3 wherein said pivot rod member comprises a screw having an unthreaded shoulder portion upon which said support means pivots, said screw having a head disposed at one end such that slidable movement of said support means on said shoulder is limited by said head.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 4 wherein said biasing means comprise a spring member coiled around said screw.

Claim 7

In combination with a sewing machine having a base with a work supporting bed including an elongated longitudinal arm having a primary work supporting surface for disposition of materials to be sewn, support means having a first end portion and a secondary work supporting surface, said support means being mounted to said base for movement in a first direction for dispostion of said support means in a first limit position wherein said secondary work supporting surface is substantially continuous with the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means being movable in a first reverse direction opposite said first direction to a second limit position wherein the secondary work supporting surface is discontinuous from the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means and said base further including means for effecting simultaneous movement of said support means in a second direction substantially normal to said first direction as said support means is moved in said first direction such that a clearance space is maintained between the first end portion of said support means and said base during movement of said support means in said first direction, and wherein said means for effecting simultaneous movement of said support means in said second direction comprise coacting cam means on said base and said support means, said coacting cam means interengaging during movement of said support means in said first direction to cause simultaneous movement of said support means in said second direction.

Claim 8

In combination with a sewing machine having a base with a work supporting bed including an elongated longitudinal arm having a primary work supporting surface for disposition of materials to be sewn, support means having a first end portion and a secondary work supporting surface, said support means being mounted to said base for movement in a first direction for dispostion of said support means in a first limit position wherein said secondary work supporting surface is substantially continuous with the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means being movable in a first reverse direction opposite said first direction to a second limit position wherein the secondary work supporting surface is discontinuous from the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means and said base further including means for effecting simultaneous movement of said support means in a second direction substantially normal to said first direction as said support means is moved in said first direction such that a clearance space is maintained between the first end portion of said support means and said base during movement of said support means in said first direction, and wherein said means for effecting simultaneous movement of said support means in said second direction comprise coacting cam means on said base and said support means, said coacting cam means interengaging during movement of said support means in said first direction to cause simultaneous movement of said support means in said second direction.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 further including biasing means on said base for urging said support means to move laterally in a second reverse direction opposite said second direction, said biasing means yielding to lateral movement of said support means in said second direction when said support means is moved from said first limit position to said second limit position, said biasing means moving said support to said second limit position, said biasing means moving said support means in said second reverse direction when said support means is moved from said second limit position to said first limit position.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 6 wherein said coacting means includes a cam surface on said base and a cam member on said support means, said cam member engaging said cam surface when said support means is moved in said first direction.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 6 further including detent means on said support means and said base for maintaining said support means in said first limit position.

Claim 12

In combination with a sewing machine having a base with a work supporting bed including an elongated longitudinal arm having a primary work supporting surface for disposition of materials to be sewn, support means having a first end portion and a secondary work supporting surface, said support means being mounted to said base for movement in a first direction for disposition of said support means in a first limit position wherein said secondary supporting surface is substantially continuous with the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means being movable in a first reverse direction opposite said first dIrection to a second limit position wherein the secondary work supporting surface is discontinuous from the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means and said base further including means for effecting simultaneous movement of said support means in a second direction substantially normal to said first direction as said support means is moved in said first direction such that a clearance space is maintained between the first end portion of said support means and said base during movement of said support means in said first direction, said combination further including biasing means on said base for urging said support means to move laterally in a second reverse direction opposite said second direction when said support means is moved from said second limit position to said first limit position, said biasing means yielding to lateral movement of said support means in said second direction when said support means is moved from said first limit position to said second limit position.

Claim 13

In combination with a sewing machine having a base with a work supporting bed including an elongated longitudinal arm having a primary work supporting surface for disposition of materials to be sewn, support means having a first end portion and a secondary work supporting surface, said support means being mounted to said base for movement in a first direction for disposition of said support means in a first limit position wherein said secondary supporting surface is substantially continuous with the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means being movable in a first reverse direction opposite said first dIrection to a second limit position wherein the secondary work supporting surface is discontinuous from the primary work supporting surface of said elongated arm, said support means and said base further including means for effecting simultaneous movement of said support means in a second direction substantially normal to said first direction as said support means is moved in said first direction such that a clearance space is maintained between the first end portion of said support means and said base during movement of said support means in said first direction, said combination further including biasing means on said base for urging said support means to move laterally in a second reverse direction opposite said second direction when said support means is moved from said second limit position to said first limit position, said biasing means yielding to lateral movement of said support means in said second direction when said support means is moved from said first limit position to said second limit position.