Lever mechanism in combination with a sewing machine driving device

• US 4,691,588 A
• Filed: 03/07/1986
• Issued: 09/08/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Kumatani, Hiroshi, Yamaura, Yutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Gary L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Luong, Vinh
• Application Number:
  US06/838,196
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 74/561, 74/513, 74/526, 74/565, 267/168, 267/175, 267/174, 267/177
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: D05B 69/18 electric , e.g. foot pedals
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 7/04 altering the ratio of motion or force between controlling member and controlled member as a function of the position of the controlling member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2063 Stops

Abstract

An improved lever mechanism interlocked with a pedal in a sewing machine driving device, which lever mechanism includes a rod positioned on one side portion of a lever so as to act on the lever when the latter is pivoted in one direction from a neutral position, and first and second springs of different diameters disposed concentrically with the above rod so as to urge the rod in the direction opposite to the pivoting direction of the lever.

Claims

1. A lever mechanism in combination with a sewing machine device, comprising:

(a) a pivotable lever connected to a sewing machine pedal;

(b) first spring means for biasing said lever in a first direction;

(c) a rod disposed on one side of said lever and movable by said lever when said lever is moved in said first direction from a neutral position;

(d) a first spring and a second spring having different diameters, said first and second springs being disposed concentrically about said rod, said first and second springs being arranged to exert a biasing force on said lever in a second direction opposite to said first direction;

(e) said rod having spaced first and second shoulders thereon;

(f) one end of said first spring engaging said first shoulder;

(g) one end of said second spring being positively spaced from said second shoulder when said lever is in its neutral position but being disposed to apply biasing force to said lever after a predetermined movement of said lever in said first direction; and

(h) means engaging the other ends of said first and second springs for simultaneously adjusting the biasing force exerted by said first and second springs without affecting the neutral position of said lever.

2. A lever mechanism in combination with a sewing machine device, comprising:

(a) a pivotable lever connected to a sewing machine pedal;

(b) first spring means for biasing said lever in a first direction;

(c) a first fixed member and a second fixed member spaced from said first fixed member;

(d) a rod extending between said fixed members and supported thereby, said rod being disposed on one side of said lever and movable by said lever when said lever is moved in said first direction from a neutral position;

(e) said rod having spaced first and second shoulders thereon;

(f) a first spring and a second spring having different diameters, said first and second springs being disposed concentrically about said rod, said first and second springs being arranged to exert a biasing force in a second direction opposite to said first direction;

(g) one end of said first spring and one end of said second spring being disposed in engagement with said first fixed member, the other end of said first spring engaging said first shoulder, the other end of said second spring being positively spaced from said second shoulder when said lever is in its neutral position and being disposed for exerting a biasing force on said second shoulder when said lever has moved a predetermined distance in said first direction from the neutral position of said lever; and

(h) said first fixed member including means engaging said one end of said first and second springs for simultaneously adjusting the biasing force exerted by said first and second springs without affecting the neutral position of said lever.

3. The lever mechanism of claim 2 wherein said second fixed member includes a hole and said rod extends through said hole for engagement with said lever.

4. The lever mechanism of claim 2 wherein:

(a) said second fixed member has a recess therein on the side facing said first and second springs, and said second shoulder is received in said recess.

5. The lever mechanism of claim 2 wherein:

(a) said first fixed member has a threaded hole therein; and

(b) said means for adjusting the biasing force of said springs comprises a threaded member rotatably engaging said threaded hole.

6. The lever mechanism of claim 2 wherein said first means for biasing said lever is a tension spring and said first and second springs are compression springs.

7. A lever mechanism in a sewing machine device, comprising:

(a) a pivotable lever connected to a sewing machine pedal;

(b) first means for biasing said lever in a first direction;

(c) a first fixed member and a second fixed member spaced from said first fixed member;

(d) a rod extending between said fixed members and supported thereby, said rod being disposed on one side of said lever and movable by said lever when said lever is moved in said first direction from a neutral position;

(e) said rod having spaced first and second shoulders thereon;

(f) a first spring and a second spring having different diameters, said first and second springs being disposed concentrically about said rod, said first and second springs being arranged to exert a biasing force in a second direction opposite to said first direction;

(g) one end of said first spring and one end of said second spring being disposed in engagement with said first fixed member, the other end of said first spring engaging said first shoulder, the other end of said second spring being spaced from said second shoulder when said lever is in its neutral position and being disposed for exerting a biasing force on said second shoulder when said lever has moved a predetermined distance in said first direction from the neutral position of said lever; and

(h) said first member including means engaging said one end of said first and second springs for simultaneously adjusting the biasing force exerted by said first and second springs without affecting the neutral position of said lever;

(i) said second fixed member having a recess therein on the side facing said first and second springs, and said second shoulder being received in said recess;

(j) a shoe slidably positioned on said rod above said recess;

(k) said other end of said second spring engaging said shoe; and

(l) said second shoulder engaging said shoe after said lever has moved a predetermined distance in said first direction from the neutral position of said lever, whereby further movement of said lever in said first direction is against the biasing force of both said first and second springs.