Patent US4305339A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4305339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vortex tube assembly for cooling sewing machine needle
Assignee: The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
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Filing: 1979-09-28
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Granted: 1981-12-15
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Expires: 1999-09-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for cooling the needle of a sewing machine to reduce problems of thread breakage because of frictional heat build-up. The apparatus includes a vortex tube secured to the worktable for a sewing machine at a point remote from the sewing head of that machine, a nozzle assembly affixed to the pressure foot bushing of the machine and directed towards the sewing needle, and an elongated insulated noise-muffling hose extending from the cold air outlet of the remotely-positioned vortex tube to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a generally vertically oriented nozzle tube having a plurality of side openings for directing jets of cooling air towards the sewing needle, and an adjustable sleeve for controlling the discharge of such air.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie R. Inglis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:33
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B71/00; D05B71/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for cooling the needle of a sewing machine mounted upon a worktable and equipped with a pressure foot bushing adjacent such needle, comprising a vortex tube having an air inlet for receiving pressurized air, a hot air outlet, and a cold air outlet; a base secured to said vortex tube and equipped with mounting means for attaching the same to a worktable at a point remote from the needle of a sewing machine; a nozzle assembly with means for securing said assembly to the pressure foot bushing of a sewing machine for directing air towards the needle thereof; and an elongated sound-muffling temperature-insulating hose extending from the cold air outlet of said vortex tube to said nozzle assembly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for cooling the needle of a sewing machine mounted upon a worktable and equipped with a pressure foot bushing adjacent such needle, comprising a vortex tube having an air inlet for receiving pressurized air, a hot air outlet, and a cold air outlet; a base secured to said vortex tube and equipped with mounting means for attaching the same to a worktable at a point remote from the needle of a sewing machine; a nozzle assembly with means for securing said assembly to the pressure foot bushing of a sewing machine for directing air towards the needle thereof; and an elongated sound-muffling temperature-insulating hose extending from the cold air outlet of said vortex tube to said nozzle assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said vortex tube includes an elongated housing providing a tubular wall extending about said vortex tube; said housing being vertically oriented and being secured at its lower end to said base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said housing has at least one hot air discharge port in the tubular wall thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said vortex tube includes a generator body, an elongated downwardly-extending hot air outlet tube, and an upstanding cold air outlet tube; said housing wall extending about said hot air outlet tube and being spaced therefrom to define an annular chamber therebetween; and a porous sound-insulating material within said chamber interposed between said hot air outlet of said vortex tube and said discharge port of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said securing means of said nozzle assembly includes a mounting block having a pair of clamping arms adapted to receive therebetween and securely engage the pressure foot bushing of a sewing machine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said nozzle assembly includes a depending nozzle tube in flow communication with said hose; said nozzle tube being closed at its lower end and having at least one laterally-facing orifice for directing cool air towards a sewing machine needle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said nozzle tube is provided with a plurality of said orifices spaced apart in a vertically-extending series.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which a sleeve is slidably mounted upon said nozzle tube; said sleeve having a length less than that of said nozzle tube and being shiftable between raised and lowered positions therealong.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said sleeve is formed of flexible material and is slightly out-of-round; said sleeve when in an untensioned state having an inside diameter measured along its smaller transverse axis that is slightly less than the outside diameter of the nozzle tube, whereby, said sleeve frictionally grips said tube to retain the same in selected positions of adjustment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said elongated sound-muffling hose comprises an outer flexible tubular wall of fluid-impervious material and an inner tubular core of porous material having low thermal conductivity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said core is formed of polymeric foam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which a helical spring having the coils thereof in axially-spaced relation extends through said tubular core.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The structure of claim 1 in which said apparatus is provided in combination with a worktable and a sewing machine mounted upon said worktable, said sewing machine having a reciprocable sewing needle and having a pressure foot assembly including a pressure foot bushing adjacent said needle; said base being secured to said worktable at a point spaced a substantial distance from said needle; and said nozzle assembly being secured to said pressure foot bushing for directing cooling air towards said needle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-14 | 1985-06-15 | 1985-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-14 | 1989-06-15 | 1989-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-14 | 1993-06-15 | 1993-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |