Abstract
An overlock table assembly for use with a sewing machine having a needle plate. The overlock table assembly includes a guard positioned adjacent the needle plate and a table including a fabric feeding surface, at least a portion of the fabric feeding surface of the table being positioned on a front side of the guard.
Claims
1. An overlock table assembly for use with a sewing machine having a needle plate, the overlock table assembly comprising: a guard for being positioned adjacent the needle plate of the sewing machine when the overlock table assembly is used with the sewing machine; and a table including a fabric feeding surface, at least a portion of the fabric feeding surface of the table being positioned on a front side of the guard.
2. The overlock table assembly of claim 1, wherein the table includes at least one accessory attachment for attaching an accessory to the table.
3. The overlock table assembly of claim 1, wherein the table includes at least one threaded bore for attaching an accessory to the table.
4. The overlock table assembly of claim 1, wherein the guard includes a front surface facing the fabric feeding surface of the table, wherein the front surface includes a concave cut fabric guide positioned, at least partially, behind a blade assembly of the sewing machine when the overlock table assembly is attached to the sewing machine.
5. The overlock table assembly of claim 1, wherein the overlock table assembly defines a cut fabric channel positioned between the guard and the fabric feeding surface.
6. The overlock table assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fabric feeding surface is positioned on an inner side of the guard.
7. The overlock table assembly of claim 1, wherein the overlock table assembly further comprises: a sewing machine attachment for selectively connecting and disconnecting the overlock table assembly to the sewing machine.
8. The overlock table assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the table contacts an edge of the needle plate of the sewing machine.
9. The overlock table assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fabric feeding surface is positioned on a front side of the needle plate of the sewing machine.
10. The overlock table assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fabric feeding surface is a planar surface.
11. A sewing system comprising: a serger machine assembly comprising: a cutting assembly; a sewing assembly; an overlock table assembly comprising: a guard being positioned adjacent a needle plate of the serger machine assembly; and a table including a fabric feeding surface, at least a portion of the fabric feeding surface of the table being positioned on a front side of the guard.
12. The sewing system of claim 11, in combination with at least one spool of thread.
13. The sewing system of claim 11, wherein the table includes at least one accessory attachment for attaching an accessory to the table.
14. The sewing system of claim 11, wherein the table includes at least one threaded bore for attaching an accessory to the table.
15. The sewing system of claim 11, wherein the guard includes a front surface facing the fabric feeding surface of the table, wherein the front surface includes a concave cut fabric guide positioned, at least partially, behind a blade assembly of the serger machine assembly.
16. The sewing system of claim 11, wherein the overlock table assembly defines a cut fabric channel positioned between the guard and the fabric feeding surface.
17. The sewing system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the fabric feeding surface is positioned on an inner side of the guard.
18. The sewing system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the table contacts an edge of the needle plate of the serger machine assembly.
19. The sewing system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the fabric feeding surface is positioned on a front side of the needle plate of the serger machine assembly.
20. The sewing system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the fabric feeding surface is a planar surface.
21. An overlock table assembly for use with a sewing machine having a needle plate, the overlock table assembly comprising: a guard for being positioned adjacent the needle plate of the sewing machine when the overlock table assembly is used with the sewing machine; and at least one accessory attachment for attaching a sewing accessory.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The patent or application file contains a least one drawing/photograph executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s)/photograph(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a detailed front view of a prior art serger machine.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of one suitable embodiment of an overlock table assembly of the present disclosure attached to an exemplary serger machine.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the overlock table assembly attached to the serger machine.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of the overlock table assembly attached to the serger machine.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top perspective of the overlock table assembly shown removed from the serger machine.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the overlock table assembly.
[0018] FIG. 7 is another front perspective view of the overlock table assembly.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the overlock table assembly.
[0020] FIG. 9 is another rear perspective view of the overlock table assembly.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a top view of the overlock table assembly.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the overlock table assembly.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a front view of the overlock table assembly.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the overlock table assembly.
[0025] FIG. 14 is an inner side view of the overlock table assembly.
[0026] FIG. 15 is an outer side view of the overlock table assembly.
[0027] FIG. 16 is an assembly view of the overlock table assembly.
[0028] FIG. 17 is another assembly view of the overlock table assembly.
[0029] FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the overlock table assembly secured to a serger machine during an operation, cut fabric is shown passing through a channel.
[0030] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the overlock table assembly shown attached to a serger machine along with an adjustable fabric measurement or seam guide accessory secured to the overlock table assembly.
[0031] FIG. 20 is another enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 19 but during an operation, the cut fabric is shown passing through the channel.
[0032] FIGS. 21A-F are example stitch and seam designs created using the overlock table assembly and the adjustable fabric measurement or seam guide accessory shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.
[0033] FIG. 22A-B is another example stitch and seam design, including a front side view and a back side view, created using the overlock table assembly and the bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly.
[0034] FIG. 23 is an enlarged perspective view of the overlock table assembly with a bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly.
[0035] FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 23 but shown during an operation.
[0036] FIG. 25A-D are example stitch and seam designs created using the overlock table assembly, FIGS. 25A-C created using the bias binder accessory shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.
[0037] FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the overlock table assembly with the bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly in a first position.
[0038] FIG. 27 is a detailed perspective view of the overlock table assembly with the bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly in a second position.
[0039] FIGS. 28A-B is an example stitch and seam design, including a front side view and a back side view, created using the overlock table assembly and a 1-inch/38 mm belt loop binder accessory.
[0040] FIG. 29 is an example stitch and seam design created using the overlock table assembly and a 1-inch/25 mm single downturn feller accessory secured to the overlock table assembly, the stitch and seam design includes both an overlock stitch and a cover stitch.
[0041] FIGS. 30A-B is another example stitch and seam design, including a front side view and a back side view, created using the overlock table assembly and -inch/6 mm plain hemmer accessory secured to the overlock table assembly.
[0042] FIG. 31A-B is an example stitch and seam design, including a front side view and a back side view, created using the overlock table assembly as well as a double bias fold binder accessory connected to the overlock table assembly, piping, and printed fabric, the example stitch and seam design includes a 4-thread overlock stitch and a chain stitch.
[0043] FIG. 32A-B is another example stitch and seam design, including a front side view and a back side view, created using the overlock table and a 15 mm knit woven double fold bias accessory attached to the overlock table with a 1 inch/44 mm fabric strip, the example stitch and seam design includes a 4-thread overlock stitch.
[0044] FIG. 33A-B is another example stitch and seam design, including a front side view and a back side view, created using the overlock table and a /6 mm plain hemmer accessory secured to the overlock table assembly, the example stitch and seam design include a 4-thread overlock stitch and a fabric roll hidden under the 4-thread overlock stitch.
[0045] FIG. 34A-B is another example stitch and seam design, including a front side view and a back side view, created using the overlock table and a /6 mm plain hemmer accessory secured to the overlock table assembly, the example stitch and seam design includes a 3-thread narrow overlock stitch.
[0046] FIG. 35A-B is another example stitch and seam design, including a front side view and a back side view, created using the overlock table assembly and a double fold bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly, the example stitch and seam design includes a 4-thread overlock stitch on pleated fabric.
[0047] FIG. 36A-B is another example stitch and seam design, including a front side view and a back side view, created using the overlock table assembly and a bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly, wherein the stitch and seam design includes a 4-thread overlock stitch on a ribbon and a bias-cut strip.
[0048] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] Embodiments of the overlock table assembly described herein have known advantages over conventional serger machines and/or any suitable sewing machine capable of creating stitches and/or cutting fabric, generally referred to herein as a sewing machine. In some embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly is an attachment which may be selectively connected/disconnected from a serger or sewing machine. In embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly includes a table including a fabric feeding surface extending in front of, and/or on an inner side of, a guard and/or on an inner side, or a front side, of the needle plate, providing a surface that a user may rest fabric and/or their hands, wrists, or forearms on, during use of the serger machine, for example, to guide fabric between the needle plate and the presser foot. As such, the ability to rest a user's hands and wrists while using the overlock table assembly provides sewists with improved control and stability during an overlock sewing or cutting operation while reducing sewist fatigue.
[0050] In embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly enables the creation of an overlock stitch, with or without trimming the edges of a fabric, e.g., with or without the use of the cutting assembly. In embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly enables the creation of both overlock stitches, which may be used to finish or encase a fabric edge, and a conventional cover or chain stitch, simultaneously, without requiring the user to switch machines or switch attachments.
[0051] In embodiments described herein, the overlock table includes one or more accessory attachments, embodied as a threaded bore, which may be used to selectively connect/disconnect accessories to the overlock table. As such, embodiments of the overlock table assembly enables the creation of overlock stitches while using sewing accessories, e.g., double bias binder or seam guide, simultaneously, without requiring a sewist to change machines or change sewing machine attachments. Furthermore, embodiments of the overlock table assembly enables one or more of the creation of overlock stitches, conventional cover and chain stitches, and the use of sewing machine accessories, simultaneously. Accordingly, embodiments of the overlock table assembly described herein improve a sewists experience, enabling sewists to create unique and/or desired stitching patterns and fabrics or looks, e.g., binding tape or fabric, with a single pass through the sewing machine and without requiring a user to change sewing machines or sewing attachments. The single pass through the sewing machine, by using the overlock table assembly not only saves time of a sewist, but also reduces sewist fatigue. The overlock table assembly is useful for both experienced sewists, enabling the creation of unique designs and patterns, as well as novice sewist because of its ease of use providing a single attachment which can be used to create a variety of stitching designs and patterns.
[0052] In embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly includes a cut fabric channel positioned in proximity, or defined in part by, a cut fabric guide surface, which directs cut fabric cut by a cutting assembly, into and through the cut fabric channel. In embodiments described herein, the cut fabric channel may be an elongate channel positioned between the guard and the fabric feeding surface of the table. The elongate channel may be generally aligned with the cutting assembly such that cut fabric may be directed to pass through the channel.
[0053] Example embodiments of the overlock table assembly are described in detail herein. Aspects of the overlock table assembly are not limited to the specific embodiments described, but rather, components of the overlock table assembly may be used independently and separately from other described components. For example, in some embodiments, the overlock table assembly may include accessory attachments embodied as threaded bores, however, the accessory attachments may include any suitable attachments enabling an accessory to be connected to the overlock table assembly. In the embodiments described herein, the overlock table may include attachments to selectively connect or disconnect the overlock table assembly to serger machines and/or sewing machines. However, it may be understood that the overlock table assembly may be formed integrally with one or more components of a serger machine and/or a sewing machine.
[0054] As used herein, the terms about, substantially, essentially and approximately when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions, concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties or characteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and/or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics, including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurement methodology or other statistical variation.
[0055] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles a, an, the and said are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms comprising, including, containing and having are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g., top, bottom, side, etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any particular orientation of the item described.
[0056] FIG. 1 is an enlarged front view of a known conventional (i.e., prior art) serger machine 100. The conventional serger machine 100 includes a conventional guard 110 positioned adjacent to a needle plate 112, a needle assembly 114, and a cutting assembly 116. The conventional serger machine 100 has a large open area 120 on an inner side 122 of the needle plate 112, and/or a front side 124 or inner side of the of the guard 110. That is, there is no platform, nor any surface, positioned on the inner side 122 of the needle plate 112 and/or on a front side 124 of the guard 110. Rather, in the conventional serger machine 100, fabric cut by the cutting assembly 116 is deflected by a front surface 126 of the guard 110 and is discarded through the large open area 120. Furthermore, in the conventional serger machine 100, there are no available attachment options (e.g., sewing machine accessories such as a double binder or fabric guide), nor an available surface or structure for which a user may selectively connect sewing machine accessories.
[0057] In some embodiments, the needle assembly 114 may include one or more conventional cover or chain needle holders 130 for creating cover or chain stitches and one or more overlock needle holders 132 for creating an overlock stitches.
[0058] FIGS. 2-4 show one suitable overlock table assembly, indicated generally at 200, connected to an example serger machine, indicated generally at 210. As will be described in further detail herein, in some embodiments, the overlock table assembly 200 is embodied as an attachment which may be selectively connected or disconnected to a serger/sewing machine 210. In alternative embodiments, the overlock table assembly 200 may be formed integrally with, or fixed to, the serger machine 210, such that the overlock table assembly 200 may not be readily removed, e.g., removed by an end user. Additionally, or alternatively, the overlock table assembly 200 may be used with any other suitable sewing or serger machine or system.
[0059] In further reference to FIG. 2, the serger machine 210 includes an upper arm 220, supported by a side body 222 that extends generally vertically from a lower body 224. The upper arm 220 extends generally horizontally from the side body 222 such that at least a portion of the upper arm 220 is positioned directly vertically over, and spaced a distance from, the lower body 224. The serger machine 210 generally includes a front side F.sub.210 that a sewist may face during operation of the serger machine 210, and an opposing rear side R.sub.210. The serger machine 210 generally includes an inner direction I.sub.210 extending from an outer end 226 of lower body 224 and/or a distal end 228 of the upper arm 220 towards the side body 222 and an outer direction O.sub.210 extending away from the side body 222 towards the distal end 228 and the outer end 226.
[0060] The upper arm 220 supports a presser foot 240 (e.g., any suitable presser foot, such as a standard presser foot, a clear presser foot, a Teflon presser foot, a cover chain presser foot, an open toe presser foot, and/or any other suitable style of presser foot formed of any suitable material). The lower body 224 supports a needle plate 242 and/or a feed assembly 244. The feed assembly 244 may include feed dogs, e.g., with or without differential feed capabilities, which acts to pull fabric between the presser foot 240 and the needle plate 242 during sewing.
[0061] The serger machine 210 may also include a needle clamp assembly 246, at least partially supported by the upper arm 220. The serger machine 210 also includes a looper assembly, not shown, for forming the overlock stitches. The looper assembly may include an upper looper and a lower looper, the looper threads lock with one or more needle threads, and one or more stitch fingers, e.g., prongs, projecting from the needle plate 242 are used to support and/or form stitches.
[0062] In some embodiments, the serger machine 210 also includes a thread pole 250 extending from the upper arm 220 for supporting one or more spools of thread 252 for use with the cover or chain needle holders 130 for creating cover or chain stitches and/or one or more overlock needle holders 132 for creating overlock stitches. The serger machine 210 may further include one or more thread guides 254 for directing thread to the needle clamp assembly 246 and/or the looper (e.g., upper, or lower) assembly.
[0063] The serger machine 210 further includes a cutting assembly 260, including a moveable blade 262 and a stationary blade 264. The cutting assembly 260 trims a fabric edge of a fabric by moving the moveable blade 262 against the stationary blade 264, creating a scissor like motion to cut fabric.
[0064] In embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly 200 and/or the serger machine 210 may be used with any suitable threads, e.g., overlock thread, decorative thread (e.g., 28 wt., 30 wt., 12 wt., and/or 8 wt.), embroidery threads, silk threads, metallic threads, wool/wool blend threads, cotton and/or polyester threads.
[0065] In further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the overlock table assembly 200 is used with the serger machine 210, the overlock table assembly 200 is positioned on, or connected to, the lower body 224. In embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly 200 includes at least a portion that is positioned on an inner side 270 of the needle plate 242, the cutting assembly 260, the needle clamp assembly 246, and/or the presser foot 240. As will be described in further detail below, at least a portion of the overlock table assembly 200 directly abuts the needle plate 242.
[0066] In alternative embodiments, the overlock table assembly 200 may be used with any suitable serger machine 210 and/or a sewing machine having any suitable features or components enabling the overlock table assembly 200 to function as described herein.
[0067] FIGS. 5-15 show various views of the overlock table assembly 200 disconnected from the serger machine 210. The overlock table assembly 200 includes a guard 300 and a table 302 including a fabric feeding surface 304. The guard 300 extends generally vertically from the fabric feeding surface 304.
[0068] The table 302 includes a front side 370 and an opposing rear side 372 and an outer side 374 (generally positioned towards the outer direction O.sub.210 when the table 302 is connected to the serger machine 210) and an opposing inner side 376 (generally positioned towards the inner direction I.sub.210 when the table 302 is connected to the serger machine 210). Generally, when the overlock table assembly 200 is in use with the serger machine 210, the rear side 372 is positioned adjacent to, or in contact with, the lower body 224 of the serger machine 210. The outer side 374 includes a first outer surface 380 including at least a portion that is aligned with, or in contact with, an inner surface 382 of the needle plate 242, when the overlock table assembly 200 is in use with the serger machine 210. See FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0069] The overlock table assembly 200 further defines a cut fabric channel 390 generally positioned between the guard 300 and the table 302. The cut fabric channel 390 is defined between a front surface 392 of the guard 300 and a first rear surface 394 of the table 302. The cut fabric channel 390 is also defined by a second outer surface 396 of the table 302. When the overlock table assembly 200 is in use with the serger machine 210, at least a portion of the cut fabric channel 390 may also be defined by the inner surface 382 of the needle plate 242. See FIGS. 3 and 4, for example.
[0070] The cut fabric channel 390 may also be defined by an inner surface 400 of a side wall 402, visible in FIGS. 16 and 17. Generally, the side wall 402 is positioned below the needle plate 242, when the overlock table assembly 200 is used with the serger machine 210. The side wall 402 includes one or more outer surfaces 404, opposing the inner surface 400, which may engage with one or more surfaces or structures of the serger machine 210. The side wall 402 includes an upper surface 406 positioned vertically lower than the fabric feeding surface 304 and/or vertically below the needle plate 242, when the overlock table assembly 200 is in use with the serger machine 210.
[0071] With reference now to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the cut fabric channel 390 is an elongate channel, having a length L.sub.390 that is greater than a width W.sub.390. The length L.sub.390 of the cut fabric channel 390 extends between the first outer surface 380, or the inner surface 382 of the needle plate 242, and the second outer surface 396. The width W.sub.390 extends between the first rear surface 394 and the front surface 392 of the guard 300.
[0072] In the embodiments described herein, the channel length L.sub.390 is greater than a length L.sub.300 of the guard 300, and a second rear surface 410 of the table 302 defines at least a portion of the cut fabric channel 390. In alternative embodiments, the channel length L.sub.390 may be substantially the same as the length L.sub.300 of the guard 300, or, alternatively, the channel length L.sub.390 may be shorter than the length L.sub.300 of the guard 300.
[0073] In reference to FIG. 15, the front surface 392 may act as a cut fabric guide, directing fabric into the cut fabric channel 390. The front surface 392 of the guard 300 includes a curved portion 420 (e.g., concave) and one or more planar surfaces 422. The curved portion 420 may be slightly vertically elevated above the cut fabric channel 390, such that the curved portion 420 may be used to direct cut fabric into and/or through the cut fabric channel 390.
[0074] In further reference to FIG. 15, the guard 300 further includes an overhang portion 430, extending, at least partially, over the cut fabric channel 390. A lower surface 432 of the overhang portion 430 may also act as a cut fabric guide, directing the cut fabric into the cut fabric channel 390. The lower surface 432, of the overhang portion 430, may be positioned adjacent to the front surface 392 of the guard 300. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the curved portion 420 and the lower surface 432 are adjacently positioned. In some embodiments, the lower surface 432 is also curved (e.g., concave) or curved similarly (e.g., having similar radius of curvature) to the curved portion 420.
[0075] When the overlock table assembly 200 is connected to the serger machine 210, the curved portion 420 and/or the overhang portion 430 are positioned vertically above the needle plate 242 and/or above the presser foot 240. See FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. The overhang portion 430, and in particular, the lower surface 432 may be displaced from the fabric feeding surface 304 by an overhang height h.sub.430. See FIGS. 12 and 15. In addition, the overhang portion 430, and in particular the lower surface 432 may extend over the cut fabric channel 390 by a distance of l.sub.430. The distance l.sub.430 may be less than the width W.sub.390 of the cut fabric channel 390. In alternative embodiments, the lower surface 432 may include one or more planar portions.
[0076] The one or more planar surfaces 422 may be slanted, relative to the vertical direction, further directing cut fabric through the cut fabric channel 390 and moving the cut fabric in towards the front side F.sub.210. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more planar surfaces 422 includes an upper planar surface 440 having a first slope angle and a lower planar surface 442 having a second slope angle that is greater than the first slope angle (best viewed in FIG. 16).
[0077] With reference to FIG. 4, when the overlock table assembly 200 is connected to the serger machine 210, the cutting assembly 260 is positioned adjacent to the guard 300 and/or the cut fabric channel 390, in particular, at least a portion of the cutting assembly 260 is exposed to the cut fabric channel 390 and at least a portion of the guard 300 is positioned to cover at least a portion of the cutting assembly 260. As mentioned above, the cutting assembly 260 includes a moveable cutter and a stationary cutter that cuts the fabric using a scissor motion between the two cutters is used to cut fabric. In embodiments described herein, the cutting assembly 260 cuts fabric adjacent to the cut fabric channel 390 and slightly in front of the front surface 392 of the guard 300 and below the lower surface 432 of the overhang portion 430.
[0078] As seem in FIG. 4, the overhang portion 430 may extend adjacent to a front end 450 of the presser foot 240, but not exceeding the front end 450 of presser foot 240. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the cut fabric channel 390 is generally aligned with the needle plate 242 and the presser foot 240. The first rear surface 394 of the table 302, defining the cut fabric channel 390, is generally aligned with a front end 450 of the presser foot 240, when the overlock table assembly 200 is used with the serger machine 210.
[0079] The cut fabric may fall through the cut fabric channel 390 to be discarded out of a lower opening 460, such that cut fabric falls through the cut fabric channel 390 and out of a bottom side 462 of the overlock table assembly 200 and/or the serger machine 210 (FIG. 12). For example, in some embodiments, a sewist may position a bin below the cut fabric channel 390 and/or the lower opening 460 to collect the cut fabric after the cut fabric has fallen through the overlock table assembly 200. In some other suitable embodiments, the overlock table assembly 200 may include a bin, selectively connectable or formed integrally with, the overlock table assembly 200 to collect cut fabric.
[0080] The guard 300 may also include a hood 470, positioned above the overhang portion 430. The hood 470 may be generally curved (e.g., convex), including a front surface 472 that is angled and a top surface 474 that is generally horizontally planar. In other embodiments, the hood 470 may be any suitable shape or configuration enabling the overlock table assembly 200 to function as described herein.
[0081] In some suitable embodiments, the guard 300 further includes an awning 480, extending from an inner edge 482 of the hood 470. The awning 480 includes a lower surface 484, e.g., for deflecting cut fabric into the cut fabric channel 390. The lower surface 484 of the awning 480 may be positioned adjacent to the lower surface 432 of the overhang portion 430, for example, the lower surface 484 of the awning 480 may serve as an extension of the lower surface 432 of the overhang portion 430, such that there is complete lower surface 484, 432 extending over the entire length of the cut fabric channel 390.
[0082] With reference now to FIGS. 9-11, in some embodiments, the guard 300 includes a rear panel 490, at least partially enclosing or defining a guard cavity 492. The hood 470 may also, at least partially, define or enclose the guard cavity 492. The rear panel 490 may support a guard or thread wire 494 protruding therefrom, at least partially retained within the guard cavity 492 (best viewed in FIG. 11), which prevents thread from dragging across the hood 470.
[0083] In further reference to FIG. 10, in embodiments described herein, the fabric feeding surface 304 may include one or more planar surfaces 500 including a first planar surface 502 that is positioned on a front side 504 of the cut fabric channel 390 and/or on a front side 506 of the guard 300, a second planar surface 508 that is positioned on the front side 506 of the guard 300 and on an inner side 510 of the guard 300, and a side planar surface 512 that is positioned on the inner side 510 of the guard 300 and on a rear side 514 of the cut fabric channel 390.
[0084] In the embodiments described herein, the first planar surface 502, the second planar surface 508, and side planar surface 512 are connected, and/or formed integrally together. When the overlock table assembly 200 is in use with the serger machine 210, at least one of the planar surfaces 500 are flush with, e.g., in the same plane, as an upper surface 516 of the needle plate 242. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first planar surface 502 is flush with, and in contact with, the needle plate 242.
[0085] The first planar surface 502 includes a length L.sub.502, that is generally the same length as the channel length L.sub.390. The first planar surface 502 includes a width W.sub.502. The second planar surface 508 includes a width W.sub.508. The second planar surface 508 includes a length L.sub.508. The side planar surface 512 includes a length L.sub.512 and a width W.sub.512. The length L.sub.502 may be between 2-3 inches, 2-5 inches, and/or 3-6 inches. The length L.sub.502 and length L.sub.508 may have an overall length between 3-4 inches, 3-5 inches, or 3-6 inches. The width W.sub.502, the width W.sub.508, and width W.sub.512, may have an overall width of between 2 and 3 inches, between 3-4 inches, and/or between 3-5 inches.
[0086] In embodiments described herein, the fabric feeding surface 304 may include one or more curved or chamfered surfaces 520. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the front side 370 of the table 302 includes a curved (e.g., convex) surface 520. The table 302 also includes one or more rounded corners 522.
[0087] In reference to FIG. 13, in some embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly 200 includes one or more assembly attachments 530, also referred to herein as tabs or clips, which may be used to selective connect or disconnect the overlock table assembly 200 to the serger machine 210. The attachments 530 are shaped complimentary to corresponding serger machine 210 attachments (not shown), such that the attachment 530 may be matingly engaged with the attachments of the serger machine 210 to guide into place and connect the overlock table assembly 200 to the serger machine 210. In embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly 200 may be connected or disconnected from the serger machine 210 without the use of tools and/or additional separate fixturing mechanisms, e.g., separate screws or bolts. Rather, in some embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly 200 may be connected or disconnected from the serger machine 210 by hand.
[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, the attachments 530 include one or more keyed tabs 532 and one or more clips 534, such as a center release clip 534. The keyed tabs 532 are sized and shaped to be disposed within one or more keyed channels, not shown, formed on the serger machine 210, e.g., a front door cover of the serger machine. In the illustrated embodiment, the keyed tabs 532 are rectangular prism shaped, complementary to the keyed channel such that keyed tabs 532 may be inserted through an opening of the keyed channels and the keyed tabs 532 may be disposed inside the keyed channel.
[0089] The one or more clips 534 include a body 540, a biasing mechanism 542, and a gripping surface 544. The biasing mechanism 542 retains the body 540 within the clip channel, restricting disconnection of the overlock table assembly 200 and the serger machine 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing mechanism is embodied as a lower bracket having a suitable shape and/or material properties to enable the lower bracket to act in a spring like manner. The gripping surface 544, which is exposed from the clip channel when the body 540 is disposed within the clip channel, enables a user to selectively compress the biasing mechanism 542 to disconnect the clip 534 from the clip channel. The overlock table assembly 200 may include any other additional, or alternative, attachment mechanisms enabling the overlock table assembly 200 to be selectively connected or disconnected from the serger machine 210, by hand, without the use of tools or separate fasteners, e.g., no screws or bolts are needed to connect or disconnect the overlock table assembly 200 to the serger machine 210.
[0090] With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, in some suitable embodiments, the overlock table assembly 200 may be formed of two separate components, a front body 560 and a rear body 562. That is, the front body 560 and the rear body 562 are formed separately and are connected together during a manufacturing or assembly operation. The front body 560 and the rear body 562 may be connected together using any suitable fixturing mechanisms. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the front and rear bodies 560, 562 are connected together using keyed flanges 564, which are matingly engaged with keyed channels 566, for aligning the front and rear bodies 560, 562 and a set of threaded bolts or screws 568, may be used to secure the connection between the front body 560 and rear body 562. Additional, and/or alternative attachment and fixturing mechanisms may be utilized to connect the front body 560 and rear body 562. In other suitable embodiments, the front body and the rear body may integrally formed together as a single overlock table assembly 200. For example, the overlock table assembly 200 may be a single component, e.g., formed using a single molding process.
[0091] In some embodiments, the overlock table assembly 200 may include one or more components formed of a hardened plastic and/or are formed using any suitable manufacturing process, e.g., a molding process.
[0092] In embodiments described herein, the overlock table assembly 200 includes one or more accessory attachments 570. In the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 10 for example, the accessory attachments 570 are embodied as a threaded bore. In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory attachments 570 are formed on the fabric feeding surface 304. In some embodiments, the accessory attachments 570 are formed on the first planar surface 502. In the illustrated embodiment, the overlock table assembly 200 includes four accessory attachments 570, including a front pair 572 and a rear pair 574. The front pair 572 may be closer together than a space between the front pair 572. The accessory attachments 570 may have any suitable configuration enabling a sewist to adjust and position an accessory relative to both the fabric feeding surface 304, as well as the needle plate 242 and/or the presser foot 240. The rear pair 574 may be spaced a distance of between 0.5 to 1/12 to 25 mm inches from the first rear surface 394. The front pair 572 may be spaced a distance of between 1 to 1.5 inches/25 mm to 38 mm from the first rear surface 394. In alternative embodiments, the accessory attachments 570 may include additional or alternative arrangements, as to be customizable to connect with corresponding attachments on an accessory.
[0093] The overlock table assembly 200 may further include one or more threaded knobs 576, see at least FIGS. 26-27, for securing an accessory to the attachments 570.
[0094] The overlock table assembly 200 may be utilized with a plurality of different types of accessories. Accessories may include, for example and without limitation, a fabric guide, a double fold knit/woven binder (e.g., 8 mm, 10 mm, and/or 15 mm), a double fold bias binder (e.g., 28 mm and/or 36 mm), a plain hemmer (e.g., 0.25 inches/6 mm or 0.5 inches/12 mm), a single downturn feller (e.g., 0.25 inches/6 mm, inches/15 mm, 1.0 inches/25 mm), a single fold bias binder (e.g., 28 mm and/or 40 mm), single fold knit/woven binder (e.g., 15 mm) and/or a belt loop binder (e.g., inches/19 mm and/or 1 inches/38 mm). Additional or alternative accessories may be utilized with the overlock table assembly 200, e.g., future developed accessories.
[0095] FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the overlock table assembly 200 secured to the serger machine during an operation with a piece of fabric 600. Generally, the term operation may refer to any, or combination of, a sewing operation, a cutting operation, an overlock stitching operation, and/or a cover or chain stitch operation. FIG. 18 shows cut fabric 604 passing through the channel 390.
[0096] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the overlock table assembly 200 shown attached to the serger machine along with the accessory 602, embodied as an adjustable fabric measurement or seam guide accessory that is secured to the overlock table assembly 200.
[0097] FIG. 20 is another enlarged perspective view, similar to FIG. 19, but during an operation. FIG. 20 shows the cut fabric 604 passing through the channel 390. The fabric 600 is guided by the adjustable fabric measurement seam guide accessory.
[0098] FIGS. 21A-F are example stitch and seam designs 620 created using the overlock table assembly 200 and the adjustable fabric measurement or seam guide accessory shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The seam designs 620 described herein may include an overlock stitch 624 and/or a cover or chain stitch 622. Furthermore, the seam designs 620 may be created using a single pass through the serger/sewing machine and the overlock table assembly 200, e.g., without switching machines or table attachments. FIG. 21A-F show a plurality of different types of overlock stitches 624.
[0099] FIG. 22A-B is another example stitch and seam design 620, including a front side view and a back side view, respectively, created using the overlock table assembly 200 and the accessory 602 embodied as a bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200.
[0100] FIG. 23 is an enlarged perspective view of the overlock table assembly 200 with the bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200.
[0101] FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 23 but shown during an operation.
[0102] FIG. 25A-D are example stitch and seam designs 620 created using the overlock table assembly 200, FIGS. 25A-D created using the bias binder accessory, shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, secured to the overlock table assembly 200.
[0103] FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the overlock table assembly 200 with the bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200 in a first position, e.g., using the front pair 572 of the accessory attachments 570, positioned the accessory 602 further away to the presser foot 240.
[0104] FIG. 27 is a detailed perspective view of the overlock table assembly 200 with the bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200 in a second position, e.g., using the rear pair 574 of the accessory attachments 570, positioning the accessory 602 closer to the presser foot 240.
[0105] FIGS. 28A-B is an example stitch and seam design 620, including a front side view and a back side view, respectively, created using the overlock table assembly 200 and a 1-inch/38 mm belt loop binder accessory.
[0106] FIG. 29 is an example stitch and seam design 620 created using the overlock table assembly 200 and a 1-inch single downturn feller accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200, the stitch and seam design 620 includes both an overlock stitch 624 and a cover stitch 622. In some embodiments, a single turn-down feller turns the fabric under creating a hem and folded edge.
[0107] FIGS. 30A-B is another example stitch and seam design 620, including a front side view and a back side view, respectively, created using the overlock table assembly 200 and -inch/6 mm plain hemmer secured to the overlock table assembly 200.
[0108] FIG. 31A-B is an example stitch and seam design 620, including a front side view and a back side view, respectively, created using the overlock table assembly 200 and a double fold binder accessory connected to the overlock table assembly 200, as well as piping, and printed fabric, the example stitch and seam design 620 includes a 4-thread overlock stitch 624 and a chain stitch 622.
[0109] FIG. 32A-B is another example stitch and seam design 620, including a front side view and a back side view, respectively, created using the overlock table and a 15 mm knit woven bias double fold binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200 with 1/44 mm fabric strip, the example stitch and seam design 620 includes a 4-thread overlock stitch 624 and a chain stitch 622.
[0110] FIG. 33A-B is another example stitch and seam design 620, including a front side view and a back side view, respectively, created using the overlock table and a /6 mm plain hemmer accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200, the example stitch and seam design 620 include a 4-thread overlock stitch 624 and a fabric roll, created by the attachment, hidden under the 4-thread overlock stitch 624.
[0111] FIG. 34A-B is another example stitch and seam design 620, including a front side view and a back side view, respectively, created using the overlock table and a /6 mm plain hemmer accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200, the example stitch and seam design 620 includes a 3-thread narrow overlock stitch 624.
[0112] FIG. 35A-B is another example stitch and seam design 620, including a front side view and a back side view, respectively, created using the overlock table assembly 200 and a double fold bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200, the example stitch and seam design 620 includes a 4-thread overlock stitch 624 on pleated fabric.
[0113] FIG. 36A-B is another example stitch and seam design 620, including a front side view and a back side view, respectively, created using the overlock table assembly 200 and a bias binder accessory secured to the overlock table assembly 200, wherein the stitch and seam design 620 includes a 4-thread overlock stitch 624 on a ribbon and a bias-cut fabric strip.
[0114] The stich and seam designs 620, described in FIGS. 25-36 for example, may be created using the overlock table 200 and any suitable size or configuration of similar accessories.
[0115] As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
