Sewing machine clutch

Claim 2

A push-pull clutch for use in a sewing machine for selectively effecting rotation of a rotary drive shaft in the sewing machine, said clutch comprising a base member in driving relationship with one end of said drive shaft and rotatable therewith; a drive member coaxially mounted on said drive shaft and freely rotatable relative thereto, said drive member haivng a boss portion carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially extending pockets therein; a spline type washer disposed between said base member and said boss and having at least one inwardly extending key engageable in a cooperating notch provided in the end of said drive shaft, whereby said washer is rotatable with said drive shaft, said washer having a plurality of outwardly extending circumferentially spaced splines; an operating member carried by said base member and movable between first and Second operating positions in an axial direction relative to said boss and said base member; a transmission pin extending through aligned apertures provided in said base member and said operating member and between a pair of splines on said washer, whereby rotation of said operating member effects rotation of said base member and said washer and said drive shaft; and a drive pin carried by said operating member and axially movable therewith relative to said base member and said boss, said drive pin being spaced from said boss when said operating member is pulled to said first operating position, whereby said drive member is rotatable relative to said drive shaft, said drive pin being engaged within one of said pockets in said boss when said operating member is pushed into said second operating position whereby rotation of said drive member effects rotation of said drive shaft.

Claim 3

The clutch set forth in claim 1, and further including means for positively holding said operating member in said first or second operating positions so as to preclude accidental engagement or disengagement of said drive member with said drive shaft.

Claim 4

The clutch set forth in claim 2, wherein said operating member includes an axially extending shaft portion disposed within an annular recess provided in said base member, said shaft portion including first and second circumferential grooves therein for fixing the extent of axial movement of said operating member and said holding means comprises a hairpin type spring affixed to said base member, the legs of said spring being adapted to engage and reside in said first or second of said grooves thereby to hold said operating in said first or second operating positions.

Claim 5

The clutch set forth in claim 1, wherein said drive pin extends through a pair of aligned apertures provided in said base member and said operating member.

Claim 6

The clutch set forth in claim 4, and further including a bias member which holds said drive pin in position on said operating member, said bias member insuring engagement of said drive pin within one of said pockets on said boss when said operating member is pushed to its second operating position.

Claim 7

The clutch set forth in claim 1, and further including a manipulating handle secured to said operating means, said handle including a shielding surface overlying said operating member and said base member while said operating member is in either said first or second operating positions.

Claim 8

A push-pull clutch for use in a sewing machine for selectively effecting rotation of a rotary drive shaft in the sewing machine, said clutch comprising a base member in driving relationship with one end of said drive shaft and rotatable therewith; a drive member coaxially mounted on said drive shaft and freely rotatable relative thereto, said drive member having an annular boss portion carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially extending pockets therein; a spline type washer disposed between said base member and said boss and having at least one inwardly extending key engageable in a cooperating notch provided in the end of said drive shaft, whereby said washer is rotatable with said drive shaft, said washer having a plurality of outwardly extending circumferentially spaced splines; an operating member carried by said base member and movable between first and second operating positions in an axial direction relative to said boss and said base member, said operating member having an axially extending shaft portion disposed within an annular recess provided in said base member, said shaft portion including first and second circumferential grooves therein for fixing the extent of axial movement of said operating member, holding means for engaging said grooves and comprising a haripin type spring affixed to said base member, the legs of said spring being adapted to engage and reside in said first or second of said grooves thereby to hold said operating member in said first or second operating positions; a transmissiOn pin extending through aligned apertures provided in said base member and said operating member and between a pair of splines on said washer, whereby rotation of said operating member effects rotation of said base member and said washer and said drive shaft; a drive pin carried by said operating member and axially movable therewith relative to said base member and said boss, said drive pin extending through a pair of aligned apertures provided in said base member and said operating member, said drive pin being spaced from said boss when said operating member is pulled to said first operating position, whereby said drive member is rotatable relative to said drive shaft, said drive pin being engaged within one of said pockets in said boss when said operating member is pushed into said second operating position whereby rotation of said drive member effects rotation of said drive shaft; and a bias member which holds said drive pin in position on said operating member, said bias member insuring engagement of said drive pin within one of said pockets on said boss when said operating member is pushed to its second operating position.

Claim 9

A push-pull clutch for use in a sewing machine for selectively effecting rotation of a rotary drive shaft in the sewing machine, said clutch comprising a base member in driving relationship with one end of said drive shaft and rotatable therewith; a drive member coaxially mounted on said drive shaft and freely rotatable relative thereto, said drive member having an annular boss portion carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially extending pockets therein; a spline type washer disposed between said base member and said boss and having at least one inwardly extending key engageable in a cooperating notch provided in the end of said drive shaft, whereby said washer is rotatable with said drive shaft, said washer having a plurality of outwardly extending circumferentially spaced splines; an operating member carried by said base member and movable between first and second operating positions in an axial direction relative to said boss and said base member, said operating member having an axially extending shaft portion disposed within an annular recess provided in said base member, said shaft portion including first and second circumferential grooves therein for fixing the extent of axial movement of said operating member, holding means for engaging said grooves and comprising a haripin type spring affixed to said base member, the legs of said spring being adapted to engage and reside in said first or second of said grooves thereby to hold said operating member in said first or second operating positions; a transmissiOn pin extending through aligned apertures provided in said base member and said operating member and between a pair of splines on said washer, whereby rotation of said operating member effects rotation of said base member and said washer and said drive shaft; a drive pin carried by said operating member and axially movable therewith relative to said base member and said boss, said drive pin extending through a pair of aligned apertures provided in said base member and said operating member, said drive pin being spaced from said boss when said operating member is pulled to said first operating position, whereby said drive member is rotatable relative to said drive shaft, said drive pin being engaged within one of said pockets in said boss when said operating member is pushed into said second operating position whereby rotation of said drive member effects rotation of said drive shaft; and a bias member which holds said drive pin in position on said operating member, said bias member insuring engagement of said drive pin within one of said pockets on said boss when said operating member is pushed to its second operating position.

Claim 10

The clutch set forth in claim 7, wherein said bias member comprises a spring plate fixed to said operating member.

Claim 11

The clutch set forth in claim 7, wherein said pockets on said boss and said aligned apertures for said drive pin are disposed beyond the periphery of said splines on said washer.

Claim 12

The clutch set forth in claim 7, wherein said transmission pin includes a first portion which engages said washer, a second portion which is secured in said base member, a third portion which extends through and beyond said operating member, and a head which precludes accidental removal of said operating member when said operating member is pulled to its first operating position.