US4550672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thread-holding apparatus for buttonhole machine
Assignee: DURKOPPWERKE A CORP OF WEST GERMANY GmbH
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Filing: 1984-05-04
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Granted: 1985-11-05
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Expires: 2004-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A thread-holding device is used with a standard buttonhole machine having a support head, a stitching needle for a needle thread displaceably mounted on the support head, and a blade for cutting the needle thread after a stitching operation and forming thereon a free end extending laterally from the needle. The thread-holding device comprises a support plate pivoted on the head, and a thread clip having a pair of jaws displaceable between a closed position engaging each other for holding the thread and an open position for releasing it. An actuator on the support plate and carrying the thread clip can move same vertically between an upper position spaced laterally relatively far from the needle and a lower position laterally relatively close to the needle. A control unit is connected to the clip and to the actuator for moving the clip from the open to the closed position while moving it from the upper to the lower position after a stitching operation to grasp the free end of the cut thread adjacent the needle. On moving back up into the upper position, the thread is pulled out of the clip, which is however aligned with the second, normally right-hand, side of the buttonhole so that this free end will be stitched right into the buttonhole.
Inventors
- 👤 Eberhard Kastrup
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:43
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B65/00; D05B65/06; D05B3/00; D05B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
In combination with a buttonhole machine having: a support head; a stitching needle for a needle thread displaceably mounted on the support head; and means for cutting the needle thread after a stitching operation and forming thereon a free end extending laterally from the needle; a thread-holding device comprising: a support plate pivoted on the head; a thread clip having a pair of jaws displaceable between a closed position engaging each other for holding the thread and an open position for releasing it; means including an actuator on the support plate and carrying the thread clip for moving same vertically between an upper position spaced laterally relatively far from the needle and a lower position laterally relatively close to the needle; and control means connected to the clip and to the actuator for moving the clip from the open to the closed position while moving it from the upper to the lower position after a stitching operation to grasp the free end of the cut thread adjacent the needle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
In combination with a buttonhole machine having: a support head; a stitching needle for a needle thread displaceably mounted on the support head; and means for cutting the needle thread after a stitching operation and forming thereon a free end extending laterally from the needle; a thread-holding device comprising: a support plate pivoted on the head; a thread clip having a pair of jaws displaceable between a closed position engaging each other for holding the thread and an open position for releasing it; means including an actuator on the support plate and carrying the thread clip for moving same vertically between an upper position spaced laterally relatively far from the needle and a lower position laterally relatively close to the needle; and control means connected to the clip and to the actuator for moving the clip from the open to the closed position while moving it from the upper to the lower position after a stitching operation to grasp the free end of the cut thread adjacent the needle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the actuator means includes guide means defining for the clip a path of travel having a relatively long and straight upper portion extending from the upper position and a relatively short and less upright lower portion extending laterally therefrom to the lower position, whereby on displacement from the upper to the lower position the clip moves mainly vertically and only moves laterally at the end of its vertical travel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination defined in claim 2 wherein the actuator pivots the clip in the lower portion of its travel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein the actuator means includes a spring operatively engaged between the clip and the support plate and urging the clip into the upper position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein the actuator means includes stops operatively engageable between the clip and the buttonhole machine for limiting lateral pivoting of the clip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein the actuator is a linear actuator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination defined in claim 6 wherein the linear actuator is a solenoid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein one of the clip jaws is relatively stationary on the actuator and the other clip jaw is pivotal thereon and the clip includes a spring urging the jaws together into the closed position of the clip, the actuator means including: a nonstraight guide on the plate, a follower riding on the guide, and link means connected between the clip and the follower for pivoting the clip on the actuator at the end of its vertical travel in the lower portion of its travel path, the control means including: an actuating element on the support plate, and lever means connected between the actuating element and the pivotal jaw for separating the jaws and displacing the clip into the open position on downward displacement of the clip along the lower portion of its path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
The combination defined in claim 8 wherein the lever means includes a lever pivoted on the actuator and having one end engageable with the actuating element and an opposite end engageable with the pivotal jaw, a spring engaged between the plate and the lever for urging same out of engagement with the pivotal jaw, and means for pivoting the plate on the head between a position with the lever engageable with the actuating element on descent of the clip and a position unengageable therewith on ascent of the clip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination defined in claim 9, further comprising a spring braced between the plate and the head.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-04 | 1989-05-06 | 1989-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-04 | 1993-05-06 | 1993-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-04 | 1997-05-06 | 1997-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |