Ergonomic pantograph handles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a quilting machine and more specifically a long-arm stitching machine, or stitcher. The stitcher includes handles that are used to trace a laser dot on a pantograph pattern located in front of the fabric being quilted. Tracing the laser dot ensures that the needle and thread associated with the sewing machine head duplicates the pattern being traced. In the present invention, the handles are placed to one side of the sewing machine head to allow an operator to remain upright when watching the laser trace the pattern or the needle and thread quilting the fabric.

Claims

1. A stitcher head for operating quilting machines, said stitcher head comprising: one or more handles for controlling movement of said stitcher head; an attachment member extending horn a side portion of said stitcher head and further attached to said one or more handles such that said one or more handles are offset relative to the stitcher head; and a projection member extending from the attachment member for mounting a laser thereto.

2. The stitcher head of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is an arm member that extends from the left side of the stitcher head.

3. The stitcher head of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is an arm member that extends from the right side of the stitcher head.

4. The stitcher head of claim 1, wherein the stitcher head includes a mechanical pointer attached thereto.

5. The stitcher head of claim 1, wherein the stitcher head includes two handles.

6. A stitcher head for operating quilting machines, said stitcher head comprising: a handle assembly for operating said stitcher head, wherein said handle assembly is offset from said stitcher head; and wherein said handle assembly is selectively engageable with a left side of said stitcher head and said handle assembly is selectively engageable with a right side of said stitcher head.

7. The stitcher head of claim 6, wherein the handle assembly is selectively engageable with the left side of the stitcher head via an attachment member.

8. The stitcher head of claim 6, wherein the handle assembly is selectively engageable with the right side of the stitcher head via an attachment member.

9. The stitcher head of claim 6, wherein the stitcher head includes a projection member extending from the handle assembly for mounting a laser thereto.

10. The stitcher head of claim 6, wherein the stitcher head includes a mechanical pointer attached thereto.

11. The stitcher head of claim 6, wherein the handle assembly includes two handles.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a sewing machine head of a long-armed sewing machine with handles mounted on opposing sides of the head.

(3) FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the sewing machine head and associated handles illustrated in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sewing machine head of a long-armed sewing machine with left-sided ergonomic handles attached to the head.

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the sewing machine head and associated left-sided ergonomic handles illustrated in FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sewing machine head of a long-armed sewing machine with right-sided ergonomic handles attached to the head.

(7) FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the sewing machine head and associated right-sided ergonomic handles illustrated in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) The present invention is directed generally toward a sewing machine and handles associated therewith for operating the sewing machine. FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a head 110 that improves upon prior art head 10. FIGS. 3 and 5 are perspective views of the rear portion of head 110, and FIGS. 4 and 6 are rear elevation views of the same. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, head 110 may include an attachment member, preferably L-shaped arm member 115, that extends from the left side portion of head 110 (when viewed from the rear of head 110) and extends rearwardly toward an operator therefrom. Arm member 115 (or 116 in FIGS. 5 and 6) may also include a projection member 117 extending therefrom for mounting a laser to projection 117 in a direction away from head 110. The laser mounted to projection member 117 would be operated in a substantially similar way to that described above for the prior art head 10. Principally it may be used to trace a pantograph, pattern, thus ensuring that the thread and needle associated with head 110 produces a substantially similar pattern. In alternative embodiments, projection member 117 may be positioned and located elsewhere on arm member 115 or 116 or head 110, so long as the laser associated therewith may project a dot or other projection onto a pantograph pattern below the quilt.

(9) In other alternative embodiments the laser associated with head 110 is not mounted to projection member 117. It may be mounted directly to arm member 115 or 116 or elsewhere on head 110. The laser may be positioned and located in a plurality of foreseeable locations, so long as it does not interfere with the operation of head 110 in the quilting process, and the projection generated by the laser used to trace the pantograph pattern is not obstructed.

(10) Arm member 115 or 116 further may include handles 120 substantially similar to handles 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. As a result of handles 120 being attached to the arm member 115 or arm member 116, the handles 120 are offset from the head 110. As an alternative to arm member 115 or 116, other known or foreseeable attachment members may be used to selectively engage head 110 and handles 120.

(11) In the illustrated embodiment, handles 120 are positioned adjacent the left side of the head 110 (when viewed from the rear). In FIGS. 5 and 6, a configuration opposite of that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided. In that embodiment, arm member 116 extends from the right side portion of the head 110, and handles 120 are also positioned adjacent the right side of the head 110 (when viewed from the rear). Such a configuration allows head 110 to be used in a location ergonomically preferable to an operator, which may depend on factors such as pre-existing conditions or right- or left-handedness. Head 110 may include many of the same components as head 10. For example, cone holders 130 and 135 may be semi-permanently or permanently attached on either side of head 110. As illustrated in FIG. 4, one cone holder 130 may be attached to arm member 115 adjacent one side portion of head 110, while another cone holder 135 may be attached to the opposite side portion of head 110 in substantial alignment with cone holder 130. Other familiar components including back hand wheel 140 and belt guard 150 may be associated with head 100. Hand wheel 140 and belt guard 150 may perform substantially the same functions as those described above associated with head 10.

(12) Head 110 further may include thread guide 160. In the illustrated embodiments, thread guide 160 may be positioned and located above cone holder 130 on the left side of rear portion of head 110. In the alternative embodiment described above, where the handles 120 are positioned adjacent the right side of the head 110, thread guide 160 may also extend from the right side of head 110, in a manner substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and described herein above.

(13) Head 110 may operate in substantially the same manner as head 10. By using handles 120 to guide head 110, an operator may trace a laser dot associated with head 110 in one of the manners described herein above to ensure that needle and thread performing the quilting process at the front portion of head 110 is reproducing a pantograph pattern or other reproducible pattern. In the embodiment utilizing head 110, however, the operator may operate head 110 via handles 120 and confirm that the laser dot is tracing the pantograph pattern, and the needle and thread is functioning accurately without having to lean to one side or the other.

(14) It should be noted that as an alternative to using a laser to trace a pantograph pattern, a physical pointer may be used instead. For example, a metal or plastic rod may be attached to and project from the handle such that it is positioned and located to physically trace a pantograph pattern to ensure that the needle and thread at the front portion of head 110 are reproducing the pattern. Other known or foreseeable physical means for tracing a pantograph pattern are further envisioned as being able to be used with the present invention. Moreover, digital means of reproducing a pantograph pattern are further envisioned, such as projecting the pattern or reproducing the pattern on a computer or tablet device.

(15) From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

(16) The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.