BOBBIN AND SPOOL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A bobbin and spool management system includes a bobbin topper having a central disc with upwardly and downwardly extending stanchions projecting therefrom, each being capped with a mushroom bolster and having a medially located chamfered collar. The upwardly projecting stanchion is adapted to mate with an axial bore in the barrel of a bobbin and retain the bobbin while the downwardly projecting stanchion is adapted to penetrate the axial bore in the barrel of a supply spool and be retained on the supply spool.

Claims

1. A unitary elastic bobbin topper formed from an elastic material having a durometer between about 30 and 75 on the Shore A scale, said unitary elastic bobbin topper comprising: a central disc having a maximum width of between about 22 mm-27 mm, a bobbin stanchion extending generally perpendicularly from a central location on one surface of said central disc and having a maximum thickness of from about 4 mm to about 5.5 mm; a widened bobbin collar formed about bobbin stanchion, said bobbin collar having: an outwardly flaring initiation region formed therein, an inwardly tapering termination region and a retention region adjacent to and between said initiation region and said termination regions, said retention region having a width of between about 6.5 mm and 8 mm, and a length of a between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm, said retention region being disposed about said bobbin stanchion at a medial location spaced away from said central disc, a terminal cap formed closely adjacent the end of said bobbin stanchion spaced away from said central disc, said terminal cap having a width of between 6 mm up to about 8 mm and a length of from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, said terminal cap having: an inwardly tapering terminal surface narrowing to a width of less than about 5.5 mm at its terminus and an outwardly extending initial surface formed closely adjacent to said terminal surface and being disposed between said terminal surface and said widened bobbin collar; a spool stanchion extending generally perpendicularly from a central location on an opposed surface of said central disc, said spool stanchion having a width of between about 5 mm and 6.85 mm, a spool retention collar formed about said spool stanchion, said spool retention collar having: an outwardly flaring initiation region formed therein, an inwardly tapering termination region and a retention region adjacent to and between said initiation region and said termination regions, said retention region having a width of between about 6.5 mm and 8 mm, and a length of a between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm, said retention region being disposed about said bobbin stanchion at a medial location spaced away from said central disc by a distance of between 2 mm to about 7 mm, a terminal foot formed closely adjacent the end of said spool stanchion spaced away from said central disc, said terminal foot having a width of between 7.8 mm up to about 8.5 mm and a length of from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, said terminal foot having: an inwardly tapering terminal surface narrowing to a width of less than about 5.5 mm at its terminus and an outwardly extending initial surface formed closely adjacent to said terminal surface and being disposed between said terminal surface and said widened spool retention collar.

2. The unitary elastic bobbin topper of claim 1, wherein said bobbin topper is generally formed as a body of rotation.

3. The unitary elastic bobbin topper of claim 2, wherein said bobbin topper is formed by injection molding of a precursor for a thermoplastic polymer.

4. The unitary elastic bobbin topper of claim 3, wherein a peripheral wall is formed around the central disc, said peripheral wall having a thread retention slit formed therein.

5. The multi-cavity spool holder of claim 8, wherein the multiplicity of lower end receptacles is adapted to receive the one end of a cylindrical supply spool ranging from about 19 mm up to about 38 mm in diameter, and the retention portion is adapted to receive a supply spool having a diameter up to 38 mm.

6. The multi-cavity spool holder of claim 5 wherein the spool holder is comprised of a polymer chosen from the group consisting of transparent polystyrene polymer and translucent polypropylene polymer.

7. The method of claim 10, wherein the multiplicity of lower end receptacles and the retention portion of the plurality of multi cavity spool holders are adapted to receive a supply spool having a diameter of up to 38 mm.

8. A multi-cavity spool holder comprised of an at least translucent polymer having, on one face, a multiplicity of lower end receptacles adapted to receive the one end of a cylindrical supply spool ranging from about 19 mm up to about 42 mm in diameter, each lower end receptacle having an upright post positioned therein adapted to enter a central throughbore in a supply spool having a diameter of from about 6.9 mm up to about 7.8 mm whilst the other face has a plurality of upper end receptacles adapted to receive the other end of cylindrical supply spool having a bobbin mounted thereupon using a bobbin topper fixture interpenetrating a throughbore in both the bobbin and the supply spool, the other face of the spool organizer having a plurality of dual level receptacles formed therein, the upper most level comprising a plurality of bobbin receptacles, each being adapted to receive bobbins having an outside diameter of up to 26 mm and a height of from 8.6 up to about 12 mm with the upper wall of each bobbin receptacle comprising the uppermost portion of a lower end receptacle, a shoulder being formed in each upper end receptacle approximately 12 mm beneath the upper surface of the bobbin receiving portion forming a retention portion adapted to receive a supply spool having a diameter up to 42 mm.

9. The multi-cavity spool holder of claim 8 wherein the spool holder is comprised of a polymer chosen from the group consisting of transparent polystyrene polymer and translucent polypropylene polymer.

10. A method of storing spools and bobbins in association therewith comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of supply spools and bobbins to be associated therewith; providing a plurality of multi cavity spool holders as described in claim 8; providing a plurality of bobbin toppers as described in claim 1; associating selected bobbins in said plurality of bobbins with selected supply spools in said plurality of supply spools by mounting each selected bobbin on the bobbin stanchion of a bobbin topper and mounting said bobbin topper on the supply spool associated with said bobbin by urging the spool stanchion on said bobbin topper in the through bore of said associated supply spool, disposing ends of several of said supply spools not having a bobbin mounted thereupon in a lower end receptacle of one of said multi-cavity spool holders.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts. In the Figures:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a bobbin topper of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the bobbin topper of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the bobbin topper of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the bobbin topper of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 5 is an isometric perspective of the bobbin topper of FIG. 1 taken from an upper position;

[0020] FIG. 6 is an isometric perspective of the bobbin topper of FIG. 1 taken from a lower position;

[0021] FIG. 7 is an isometric perspective of a spool organizer of the present invention taken from an upper position

[0022] FIG. 8 is an isometric perspective of a spool organizer of FIG. 7 taken from an upper position with the spool organizer being loaded with supply spools having bobbin toppers retained thereupon by bobbin toppers as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6;

[0023] FIG. 9 is an isometric perspective of a stack of two spool organizers of FIG. 7 taken from an upper position with the spool organizer being loaded with supply spools having bobbin toppers retained thereupon by bobbin toppers as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6;

[0024] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a spool organizer of FIG. 7 with the section being taken along Line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a dimensioned copy of FIG. 1 showing preferred dimensions for one particular embodiment of a bobbin topper of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 12 is a dimensioned copy of FIG. 3 showing preferred dimensions for one particular embodiment of a spool organizer of the present invention; and

[0027] FIG. 13 is a dimensioned copy of FIG. 10 showing preferred dimensions for one particular embodiment of a spool organizer of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] The invention is described in detail below with reference to several embodiments and numerous examples. Such discussion is for purposes of illustration only. Modifications to particular examples within the spirit and scope of the present invention, set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art. Terminology used herein is given its ordinary meaning consistent with the exemplary definitions set forth immediately below.

[0029] With respect to the various ranges set forth herein, any upper limit recited may, of course, be combined with any lower limit for selected sub-ranges.

[0030] In FIGS. 1-6, bobbin topper 20 comprises central disc 22 having upwardly extending peripheral rim 24 disposed thereabout encompassing upper surface 26 of central disc 22. Bobbin shaft 30 of bobbin stanchion projects upwardly from central disc 22 and has bobbin collar 32 medially disposed thereabout and being surmounted by mushroom cap 34. Spool stanchion 38 projects downwardly from central disc 22 and has medially disposed spool collar 42 thereabout terminating in frustoconical foot 44. Bobbin topper 20 is preferably comprised of an elastomeric material such that bobbin stanchion 28 will enter into and be frictionally retained with a cylindrical bore having a diameter of between about 5.5 and 6.4 mm which encompasses many, if not almost all, bobbins presently on the consumer market in the United States. Table 1 sets forth approximate dimensions on many of the bobbins sold in the United States as measured. It appears that the exact dimensions of bobbins are considered to be confidential by manufacturers as they are not easily ascertained by internet search.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Approximate Measured Dimensions of a Variety of Retail Bobbins ID OD Height units class (mm) (in) (mm) (in) (mm) (in) Class 15 6.04 0.237795 21 0.826772 11.7 0.46063 Class 66 6.3 0.248031 19.6 0.771654 10.7 0.42126 Class 15J 6.21 0.244488 20.6 0.811024 11.13 0.438189 Class M 6.06 0.238583 25.5 1.003937 10.93 0.430315 Style L 6.3 0.248031 20.8 0.818898 8.9 0.350394 Bernina 6.06 0.238583 20.5 0.807087 11.77 0.463386 Brother SA155 6 0.23622 21 0.826772 9.2 0.362205 Brother SA156 6.4 0.251969 20.5 0.807087 11.55 0.454724 Brother SA159 6 0.23622 21 0.826772 9.03 0.355512 Juki 6 0.23622 21 0.826772 8.97 0.35315 Pfaff 5.88 0.231496 22.08 0.869291 8.6 0.338583 unbranded 5.91 0.232677 22 0.866142 7.55 0.297244 5.55 0.218504 21.68 0.853543 10.36 0.407874 6.06 0.238583 20.4 0.80315 11.54 0.454331 5.86 0.230709 21.8 0.858268 8.77 0.345276 5.98 0.235433 21.06 0.829134 9.09 0.357874 6.02 0.237008 21.5 0.846457 9.13 0.359449 range 5.55-6.4 19.6-25.5 8.6-12

[0031] In addition, Singer makes at least three varieties of Touch & Sew bobbins without bores that are, accordingly, not suited for use with the bobbin topper of the present invention. It should be noted that apparently manufacturers are reluctant to publish details concerning the exact dimensions of bobbins, so all dimensions present herein are more or less inexact having been determined using a digital micrometer, and thus, even though dimensions are presented to the hundredth of a millimeter, it is entirely questionable whether the reported measurements are truly accurate to a hundredth of a millimeter.

[0032] Desirably, the diameter of bobbin stanchion 30 on bobbin topper 20 will be from about 4 mm up to about 5.5 mm while bobbin collar 32 on the bobbin-stanchion 30 will have a diameter of from about 6.5 mm up to about 8 mm with the length of bobbin collar 32 ranging from about 1.5 mm to about 5 mm while mushroom cap 34 will have a diameter of from about 6 mm up to about 8 mm whilst the portion of mushroom cap 34 having a diameter greater than about 2 mm will have a length of from 1 mm up to about 5 mm. It is highly desirable that bobbin collar 32 have a diameter of about 6.45 mm up to about 6.65 mm whilst mushroom cap 34 has a diameter of between about 5.65 mm and about 6.35 mm. Surprisingly, it has been found that stanchions with these dimension when fabricated from an elastomer as described herein will readily accommodate and retain bobbins having a through bore of between about 5.55 mm and 6.4 mm. Preferably, lower surface 31 of mushroom cap 34 will be displaced from about 8 mm to about 12 mm above upper surface 26 of central disc 22 to allow mushroom cap 34 to penetrate securely into the bore of the bobbin. The diameter of central disc 22, excluding peripheral rim 24, is preferably between about 19 mm-27 mm, more preferably between about 19.2 mm-26 mm, and most preferably about 19.7-25.5 mm. The thickness of peripheral rim 24 is preferably between about 1-3 mm, more preferably 1.5 to 2.5 mm, most preferably about 2 mm as is the thickness of central disc 22 and the height of peripheral rim 24. Preferably, the diameter of spool stanchion 38 will be between about 5 mm and 6.85 mm, most preferably between about 5.5 and 6.8 mm and most preferably between about 5.75 and 6.7 mm, whilst the length of spool stanchion 38 will be between about 10 and 35 mm, more preferably between about 10 and 25 mm and most preferably from about 12 to about 15 mm. The diameter of frustoconical foot 44 and spool collar 42 will be between about 7.8 and 8.5 mm, most preferably between 7.9 and 8.3 mm. In some instances spool collar 42 will be about 0.5 mm greater in diameter than frustoconical foot 44. Most importantly, the particular dimensions are chosen so that bobbin stanchion 28 as well as bobbin collar 32 and mushroom cap 34 will easily enter and be frictionally retained within the throughbore of the various styles of bobbins with which it is intended to be used but can be readily removed therefrom as desired by the user while spool stanchion 38, frustoconical foot 44 and spool collar 42 will easily enter the central throughbore in the desired spools of thread. The dimensions illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 have been found to meet these criteria well for the bobbins described in Table 1 above as well as for the spools described in Table 2 below. Preferred dimensions and angles not explicitly called out on FIGS. 11 and 12 may be determined from the drawing by scaling from explicitly referenced dimensions and the angles displayed. Whilst it is easiest to manufacture the mold for bobbin topper 20 as a body of rotation, it is not strictly necessary to do so. If it is desired that various features such as bobbin collar 32, mushroom cap 34, spool collar 42, frustoconical foot 44 or any other feature described as a body of rotation vary from strict circularity, suitable performance can be obtained so long as the maximum width of the feature conforms to the guidelines given herein for diameter. It should also be noted that whilst thread retention slit 46 is depicted with considerable width in FIGS. 1 and 11 for ease in visualization, the width of thread retention slit 46 should be less than the diameter of a typical sewing thread and in most cases, the walls of thread retention slit 46 will normally bear against each other unless an object is interposed.

[0033] Approximate measured dimensions of a variety of spools of thread sold at retail in the United States are set forth in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Approximate Measured Dimensions of a Variety of Retail Spools Spool ID OD Height (mm) (in) (mm) (in) (mm) (in) American Quilting 7.7 0.30315 38.6 1.519685 44.34 1.745669 Coats & Clark 7.47 0.294094 30 1.181102 53.11 2.090945 Coats & Clark 7.3 0.287402 30.11 1.185433 36 1.417323 Coats & Clark 7.55 0.297244 30 1.181102 36.14 1.422835 Coats & Clark 7.43 0.29252 30.2 1.188976 43.8 1.724409 Coats & Clark 7.2 0.283465 30.16 1.187402 36 1.417323 Gutterman 7.2 0.283465 19.3 0.759843 55.8 2.19685 Gutterman 6.9 0.271654 41.23 1.623228 55 2.165354 metrosene 7.09 0.279134 26.5 1.043307 57.5 2.26378 Sulky 7.3 0.287402 20 0.787402 55 2.165354 Sulky 7.75 0.305118 33.65 1.324803 45 1.771654 range 6.9-7.75 19.3-41.23 36-57.5

[0034] FIGS. 7 through 10 illustrate spool organizer 60 suitable for use in the practice of the present invention having lower end receptacles 64 formed in upper surface 65 thereof while bobbin receptacles 66 and upper end receptacles 68 are formed in lower surface 67 thereof. Centrally located spool posts 62 extend into spool lower end receptacle 64 and are adapted to engage the central throughbores in spools of thread commonly sold at retail in the United States. Accordingly the maximum width thereof is preferably no more than 7.2 mm, more preferably no more than 7 mm and most preferably no more than 6.9 mm whilst the minimum width of spool lower end receptacle 64, as well as that of spool upper end receptacle 68, is at least about 19.5 mm, more preferably at least about 29 mm, still more preferably about at least about 35 mm, more preferably at least about 40 mm and most preferably at least about 42.5 mm. In FIG. 8, spool organizer 60 is illustrated with spools 90 retained therein, with bobbin toppers 20 having bobbins 80 mounted thereupon enabling the user to keep each supply spool associated with the bobbin having suitable thread 85 for it with free end 86 of thread on each bobbin 80 being retained in thread retention slit 46 in peripheral rim 24 of its associated bobbin topper 20. FIG. 9 illustrates two spool organizers 60, 61 having bobbins 80 and spools 90 stored therein, with spool organizer 61 being placed atop spool organizer 60 with upper ends of spools 90 resting in spool organizer 60 being nested within upper end receptacles 68 formed in lower surface 65 of spool organizer 61 and bobbins 80 lodged atop spools 90 in spool organizer 60 being received in bobbin receptacles 66 also formed in lower surface 65 of spool organizer 61.