Sewing machine and speed adjustment mechanism thereof

• US 4,221,136 A
• Filed: 03/18/1977
• Issued: 09/09/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Matthew J. Visconti
• Original Assignee: Matthew J. Visconti
• Inventors: Visconti, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, Samuel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ratliff, Jr., Wesley S.
• Application Number:
  US05/778,874
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 74/117, 74/571, 192/12 B, 192/12 BA
• US Class Current: 74/117
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 69/16 mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/151 Adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18312 Grooved

Abstract

A mechanical system for speed adjustment, comprising mechanical driving means and a driven shaft member, with linking means between the driving source and the drive shaft member for driving the latter, the system further comprises a crank element comprising an eccentric disc disposed on the driven shaft member and a connecting rod driven by the eccentric disc, the connecting rod comprising an arm portion that rides the eccentric disc. Also included are means for adjusting the eccentricity of the eccentric disc with respect to the driven shaft, which adjusting means comprises a spacing element movable into and from a position between the crank element and the driven shaft, the system also contains an output shaft element driven by the connecting rod.

Claims

1. A mechanical system for speed adjustment, comprising:

(a) mechanical driving means,

(b) a driven shaft member,

(c) linking means between said driving means and said driven shaft member for driving the latter,

(d) a crank element comprising

(i) an eccentric disc disposed at said driven shaft member,

(ii) a connecting rod driven by said eccentric disc, comprising an arm portion that rides said eccentric disc,

(iii) a bracket member disposed at said driven shaft member and connected to said eccentric disc, said bracket member comprising plural portions angularly oriented to each other,

(e) means for adjusting the eccentricity of said eccentric disc with respect to said driven shaft, said adjusting means comprising a spacing element movable into and from a position between said crank element and said driven shaft, and

(f) an output shaft element driven by said connecting rod.

2. A mechanical system as in claim 1, wherein said connecting rod further comprises a crank end portion and said system further comprises a first clutch member disposed on said output shaft element, said connecting rod being mechanically linked to and driving said first clutch member, whereby said clutch member drives said output shaft element in a predetermined rotational direction.

3. A mechanical system as in claim 2, wherein said system further comprises a second clutch member, disposed on said output shaft element, said second clutch member regulating the rotational movement of said output shaft element in a direction opposite said predetermined direction.

4. A mechanical system as in claim 1, wherein said bracket member comprises cross-pieces and a central opening for receiving said driven shaft.

5. A mechanical system as in claim 1, wherein said crank element further comprises a plate member comprising a central opening for receiving said driven shaft, said plate member being connected to said bracket member.

6. A mechanical system as in claim 5, wherein said plate member comprises plural apertures for receiving means for connecting said bracket member thereto.

7. A mechanical system as in claim 5, wherein said plate element comprises a sleeve portion that comprises a central opening for receiving said driven shaft.

8. A mechanical system as in claim 7, wherein said sleeve portion comprises means for removably connecting said crank element to said driven shaft so that they rotate together.

9. A mechanical system as in claim 8, wherein said connecting means comprises a set screw or pin and an aperture for receiving said set screw or pin, said driven shaft comprising a slot or recess for receiving said set screw.

10. A mechanical system as in claim 1, wherein said bracket member and said eccentric disc comprise an integral structure.

11. A mechanical system as in claim 1, wherein said bracket member comprises plural portions, a first said bracket portion being generally elongated and comprising an interior chamber extending generally in the direction of elongation, said system containing a pin element disposed at said interior chamber and exceeding the length of said chamber so that it engages said driven shaft member.

12. A mechanical system as in claim 11, comprising an elongated second said bracket portion that contains a second interior chamber extending generally in the direction of elongation, said system comprising biasing means disposed at said second interior chamber and serving to urge said second bracket portion away from said driven shaft.

13. A mechanical system as in claim 11, wherein said interior chamber of said first bracket portion is a blind hole, said bracket member comprising a central opening for receiving said driven shaft and said interior chamber opening into said central opening.

14. A mechanical system as in claim 12, wherein said second bracket portion is disposed generally opposite said first bracket portion.

15. A mechanical system as in claim 12, wherein said bracket portion comprises an end wall closing said second chamber and located at the end of said second bracket portion more remote from said driven shaft, said bracket member comprising a central opening for receiving said driven shaft and said second chamber opening into said central opening, said biasing means engaging said driven shaft.

16. A mechanical system as in claim 12, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring element.

17. A mechanical system as in claim 12, wherein said bracket member comprises third and fourth bracket portions that contain apertures extending therethrough, said crank element comprising a plate member that contains a central opening for receiving said driven shaft and plural apertures therein, said bracket member and said plate member being removably connected together via connecting means disposed at their respective said apertures.

18. A mechanical system as in claim 1, wherein said driven shaft comprises an interior chamber extending along at least a portion of its length and said adjusting means slidably disposed therein.

19. A mechanical system as in claim 18, wherein said driven shaft is annular in cross-sectional shape.

20. A mechanical system as in claim 18, wherein said adjusting means comprises a wedge-shaped element.

21. A mechanical system as in claim 18, wherein system comprises a movable spindle element insertable into and retractable from said interior chamber of said driven shaft and said adjusting means is disposed at said spindle element.

22. A mechanical system as in claim 21, wherein said adjusting means and said spindle element are connected by a ball-and-socket joint.

23. A mechanical system as in claim 21, wherein said spindle element is threaded along at least a portion of its length and said driven shaft comprises an end wall closing the interior chamber thereof, said end wall containing a tapped aperture into which said spindle element thread is screwed.

24. A mechanical system as in claim 21, wherein said spindle element is rotatably connected at a first end thereof to said adjusting means.

25. A mechanical system as in claim 1, further comprising a workpiece driving element associated with said output shaft element and an universal coupling member that is connected to said output shaft element and located between said output shaft element and said workpiece driving element.

26. A mechanical system as in claim 1, further comprising a housing containing at least portions of said driven shaft member, linking means, crank element, eccentricity adjusting means, and output shaft element.

27. A mechanical system as in claim 1, wherein said linking means comprises a flexible belt.

28. A mechanical system as in claim 1, wherein said linking means comprises a gear train.

29. A mechanical system as in claim 1, wherein said linking means comprises a chain belt.

30. A mechanical system as in claim 1, further comprising bearings disposed between said eccentric disc and connecting rod.

31. A sewing machine comprising the mechanical system defined in claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises the electric motor rotor and the power transmitting shaft of said sewing machine.

36. A mechanical system as in claim 30, wherein said drive means comprises a gear train.

32. A mechanical system for speed adjustment, comprising:

(a) mechanical driving means,

(b) a driven shaft member,

(c) linking means between said driving means and said driven shaft member for driving the latter,

(d) a crank element comprising

(i) an eccentric disc disposed on said driven shaft member,

(ii) a connecting rod driven by said eccentric disc, comprising an arm portion that rides said eccentric disc,

(iii) at least a bracket element, said eccentric disc and said bracket element comprising a structure having a central opening for receiving said driven shaft, said central opening having dimensions exceeding the cross-sectional dimensions of said driven shaft, such that said crank element is radially movable with respect to said driven shaft,

(e) means for adjusting the eccentricity of said eccentric disc with respect to said driven shaft, said adjusting means comprising a spacing element movable to and from a position between said crank element and said driven shaft, and

(f) an output shaft element driven by said connecting rod.

33. A mechanical system as in claim 32, wherein said crank element further comprises a plate member having a central opening greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of said driven shaft.

34. A mechanical system as in claim 33, wherein said crank element further comprises means for removably securing said crank element to said driven shaft so that they are rotatable together, said securing means permitting said crank element to be moved radially with respect to said driven shaft element.

35. A mechanical system for speed adjustment, comprising:

(a) mechanical driving means,

(b) a driven shaft member,

(c) linking means between said driving means and said driven shaft member for driving the latter,

(d) a crank element comprising

(i) an eccentric disc disposed at said driven shaft member,

(ii) a connecting rod driven by said eccentric disc, comprising an arm portion that rides said eccentric disc,

(iii) a bracket member disposed at said driven shaft member and connected to said eccentric disc, said bracket member comprising plural portions angularly oriented to each other,

(e) means for adjusting the eccentricity of said eccentric disc with respect to said driven shaft, said adjusting means comprising a spacing element movable into and from a position between said crank element and said driven shaft,

(f) an output shaft element driven by said connecting rod,

(g) a further shaft element, and

(h) means for connecting said output shaft element and said further shaft element.

37. A mechanical system as in claim 35, wherein said system further comprises means for driving a workpiece, said means being connected to said output and further shaft elements.

38. A mechanical system as in claim 37, wherein said workpiece driving means comprises wheels.

39. A mechanical system as in claim 37, wherein said workpiece driving means comprises gears.

40. A mechanical system as in claim 37, wherein said workpiece driving means comprises roller elements.