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EP-4735682-A1 - SEWING WORKPIECE HOLDERS FOR SEWING MACHINES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

EP4735682A1EP 4735682 A1EP4735682 A1EP 4735682A1EP-4735682-A1

Abstract

Sewing workpiece holders for sewing machines and associated methods are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a sewing workpiece holder includes a first frame that defines an opening. A second frame defines an opening. The second frame is configured to attach to the first frame and to hold a sewing workpiece therebetween. The openings of the first frame and the second frame substantially align when the second frame is attached to the first frame such that a portion of the sewing workpiece is exposed within the aligned openings when the sewing workpiece is held. A first bracket is attached to a first side of the first frame or the second frame. The first bracket is attachable to the sewing embroidery machine. A second bracket is attached to a second side of the first frame or the second frame. The second bracket is attachable to the sewing embroidery machine.

Inventors

  • THOREN, Sara, Nandani Josephine
  • PETERSSON, Stina, Sara Magdalena

Assignees

  • Singer Sourcing Limited LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240706

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A sewing workpiece holder for a sewing embroidery machine, the sewing workpiece holder comprising: a first frame that defines an opening; a second frame that defines an opening, wherein the second frame is configured to attach to the first frame and to hold a sewing workpiece therebetween, wherein the openings of the first frame and the second frame substantially align when the second frame is attached to the first frame such that a portion of the sewing workpiece is exposed within the aligned openings when the sewing workpiece is held; a first bracket attached to a first side of the first frame or the second frame, the first bracket being attachable to the sewing embroidery machine; and a second bracket attached to a second side of the first frame or the second frame, the second bracket being attachable to the sewing embroidery machine.
  2. 2. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 1, wherein the sewing workpiece comprises fabric, felt, or wool.
  3. 3. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 1, wherein the first frame and the second frame are substantially rectangular in shape.
  4. 4. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 1, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are releasably attachable to the sewing embroidery machine.
  5. 5. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 1, wherein the first bracket is attachable to the sewing embroidery machine when positioned in a first orientation, and wherein the second bracket is attachable to the sewing embroidery machine when positioned in a second orientation that is different than the first orientation.
  6. 6. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 5, wherein in the first orientation, a first side of the sewing workpiece is directed in a direction towards a working part of a sewing machine attached to the sewing embroidery machine, and wherein in the second orientation, a second side of the sewing workpiece is directed in the direction towards the working part of the sewing machine.
  7. 7. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 6, wherein the direction is substantially upward.
  8. 8. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 6, wherein the working part of the sewing machine is a sewing needle.
  9. 9. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 1, wherein the first side of the first frame or the second frame substantially opposes the second side of the first frame or the second frame.
  10. 10. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket is attached to the first frame, and wherein the second bracket is attached to the second frame.
  11. 11 . The sewing workpiece holder of claim 1, further comprising a clamp for attaching the first frame to the second frame.
  12. 12. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket is attached to the first side of the first frame, and wherein the second frame defines an indentation that is located adjacent to the first bracket when the first and second frames are attached such that a portion of the sewing workpiece fits in the indentation when the sewing workpiece is being held between the first frame and the second frame.
  13. 13. The sewing workpiece holder of claim 12, wherein the indentation extends along the second frame a distance greater than a width of the first bracket.
  14. 14. A sewing system comprising: a sewing machine including a working part for sewing a workpiece; a sewing embroidery machine attached to the sewing machine for cooperatively operating with the sewing machine to embroider the workpiece; and a workpiece holder comprising: a first frame that defines an opening; a second frame that defines an opening, wherein the second frame is configured to attach to the first frame and to hold the workpiece therebetween, wherein the openings of the first frame and the second frame substantially align when the second frame is attached to the first frame such that a portion of the sewing workpiece is exposed for embroidery within the aligned openings when the workpiece is held; a first bracket attached to a first side of the first frame or the second frame, the first bracket being attachable to the sewing embroidery machine; and a second bracket attached to a second side of the first frame or the second frame, the second bracket being attachable to the sewing embroidery machine.
  15. 15. A method for embroidery comprising: placing a sewing workpiece between a first frame and a second frame of a sewing workpiece holder, wherein the first and second frames define an opening when attached together for exposing a portion of the sewing workpiece, wherein the sewing workpiece holder comprises a first bracket and a second bracket, the first bracket being attached to a first side of the first frame or the second frame, and the second bracket attached to a second side of the first frame or the second frame; attaching the first bracket to a sewing embroidery machine for orienting a first side of the sewing workpiece in a direction towards a working part of a sewing machine attached to the sewing embroidery machine; detaching the first bracket from the sewing embroidery machine; and attaching the second bracket to the sewing embroidery machine for orienting a second side of the sewing workpiece in a direction towards the working part of a sewing machine.
  16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are releasably attachable to the sewing embroidery machine.
  17. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first bracket is attachable to the sewing embroidery machine when positioned in a first orientation, and wherein the second bracket is attachable to the sewing embroidery machine when positioned in a second orientation that is different than the first orientation.
  18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein in the first orientation, a first side of the sewing workpiece is directed in a direction towards a working part of a sewing machine attached to the sewing embroidery machine, and wherein in the second orientation, a second side of the sewing workpiece is directed in the direction towards the working part of the sewing machine.
  19. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the working part of the sewing machine is a sewing needle.
  20. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the first side of the first frame or the second frame substantially opposes the second side of the first frame or the second frame.

Description

SEWING WORKPIECE HOLDERS EOR SEWING MACHINES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 18/235,374, filed August 18, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to sewing machines. Particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to sewing workpiece holders for sewing machines and associated methods. BACKGROUND [0003] Sewing machines are well-known devices for sewing fabric and other materials together with thread. One common technique or craft with sewing is embroidery. This involves decorating fabric or other material using a needle to apply thread or yam. Sewing machines can utilize an embroidery machine for assisting with embroidery. Embroidery machines or units can be programmed with a set of instructions for controlling the sewing machine to stitch a particular pattern or design on fabric. [0004] Embroidery machines typically include embroidery hoops, also called embroidery frames, for holding and guiding fabric to be embroidered. The hoop is usually clamped to the fabric so that the fabric is held in tension. It is important that the fabric be held securely in place with respect to the sewing machine needle during embroidery so that fine design patterns are accurately sewn. [0005] In some instances, fabric is embroidered on both sides. For example, felting embroidery is a technique for wool and involves embroidery on both sides of the material. In another example, bobbin work is an embroidery technique which is useful for being able to embroider on both sides of the fabric. These and other techniques involve releasing and re-attaching the fabric to the hoop when changing from one side to the other. These steps can be time consuming and include a risk of misalignment. Accordingly, there is a need for improved embroidery techniques and equipment for addressing this issue. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: [0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sewing system including a sewing machine, an embroidery machine, and workpiece holder for embroidering in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; [0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of the inner frame of the workpiece holder shown in FIG. 1; [0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of the outer frame of the workpiece holder shown in FIG. 1; [0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of the outer frame and the inner frame attached together in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; [0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of the outer frame and the inner frame along with an arrow depicting the motion needed to move the frame assembly one bracket is detached and subsequently the bracket is attached to the mechanism of the embroidery machine; [0012] FIG. 6 is an opposing view of the view of the outer frame and the inner frame shown in FIG. 4; [0013] FIG. 7 is a close, perspective view of the outer frame and the inner frame; [0014] FIG. 8 is a side view of the outer frame and the inner frame; and [0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sewing system shown in FIG. 1 during operation for embroidering fabric in accordance with embodiment of the present disclosure. SUMMARY [0016] The presently disclosed subject matter relates to sewing workpiece holders for sewing machines and associated methods. According to an aspect, a sewing workpiece holder includes a first frame that defines an opening. The sewing workpiece holder also includes a second frame that defines an opening. The second frame is configured to attach to the first frame and to hold a sewing workpiece therebetween. The openings of the first frame and the second frame substantially align when the second frame is attached to the first frame such that a portion of the sewing workpiece is exposed within the aligned openings when the sewing workpiece is held. The working workpiece holder also includes a first bracket attached to a first side of the first frame or the second frame. The first bracket is attachable to the sewing embroidery machine. Further, the working workpiece holder includes a second bracket attached to a second side of the first frame or the second frame. The second bracket is attachable to the sewing embroidery machine. [0017] According to another aspect, the sewing workpiece comprises fabric, felt, or wool. [0018] In another aspect, the first frame and the second frame are substantially rectangular in shape. [0019] In another aspect, the first bracket and the second bracket are releasably attachable to the sewing embroidery machine. [0020] In another aspect, the first bracket is attachable to the sewing embroidery machine when positioned in a first orientation. The second bracke