US2836371A - Bobbin winding mechanism - Google Patents

Description

May 27, 1958 w. A. AYRES BOBBIN WINDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 25, 1955 INVENTOR. WALOEMHJ? 14-14 yRES 1 ATTORNEYS Pics 6 United States Paten't'O nonnm WiNDlNG MECHANISM Waldemar A. Ayres, Lakewood, ()hio, assignor to White Sewing Machine Corporation, Lakewood, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application January 25, 1955, Serial No. 433,998

19 Claims. (Cl. 242-22) The present invention relates to a sewing machine and more particularly to a novel and improved bobbin winder mechanism for such a machine.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved bobbin winding device for a sewing machine which device will perform its bobbin winding operation while the rest of the machine is in use and which device will automatically stop rotation of the bobbin when a predetermined amount of thread has been wound upon the bobbin.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved bobbin winding device of the above described type which device includes readily adjustable means for preselecting the amount of thread that is to be wound upon a particular bobbin, and after which amount of material has been wound upon the bobbin, the device automatically stops further rotation of the bobbin.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved bobbin winding device of the above described type which is simple and rugged in design, efficient in its operation, and which is inexpensive to manufacture.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved bobbin Winding device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to receive a bobbin, which bobbin is driven by the shaft when in one position on the shaft and which is not driven by the shaft when moved axially to another position on the shaft, a thread feeler arm adapted to extend between the flanges of the bobbin and move it axially between its two positions, said feeler arm being journaled about an axis generally parallel to said shaft for both rotational movement about and axially movable along said axis, spring means biasing said feeler arm toward said shaft and toward said other position of said bobbin wherein it is not rotated by said shaft, and means preventing movement of said feeler arm toward said other position of said bobbin wherein it is not rotated by said shaft until the feeler arm is rotated a predetermined distance away from said shaft by thread wound upon the bobbin, at which time said spring means moves said feeler arm and the bobbin engaged thereby into its other position wherein it is not rotated.

A still more specific object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved bobbin winding device of the above described type which utilizes a frictional driving connection between the shaft and the bobbin to drive the bobbin and which moves the bobbin axially of the shaft into engagement with a braking device to stop rotation of the bobbin after a predetermined amount of material is wound upon the bobbin, and which holds it in this position to prevent further rotation of the bobbin.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates from the following description of two preferred embodiments of the invention described with reference to the accompanying draw- 'ice 2 ings forming a part of this specification in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts and in which,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the head of a sewing machine showing one form of bobbin winding device embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken approximately on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken approximately on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approxi mately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the head of a sewing machine showing a second form of bobbin winding device embodying the principles of the present invention.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 7 of thedrawing generally comprises .bobbin supporting and driving means, indicated generally at A, adapted to support and drive a bobbin B when it is in one position on a rotating shaft, and to support but not drive the bobbin when the bobbin is slid axially to a second position on the shaft; thread sensing means generally indicated at C adapted to move the bobbin into its second position when a predetermined amount of thread is wound upon the bobbin; and adjustable abutment means, generally indicated at D for preselecting the amount of material which when wound upon the bobbin will cause the the thread sensing means C to move the bobbin into its second position.

The bobbin supporting and driving means A shown in the drawing comprises a vertically extending shaft 10 journaled in the horizontal arm or bracket 11 (only a portion of the top member of which is shown) of the head of a sewing machine and a portion of which shaft iii projects upwardly from the top surface of the bracket 11. The shaft 10 is rotated or driven by an electric motor, not shown, as well understood in the art, and a belt pulley i2 is attached to the projecting end of the shaft 10 immediately above the head bracket 11 as by a pin 13 for driving other portions of the sewing machine mounted in the head and forming no part of the present invention. The bobbin supporting and driving means A shown in the drawing utilizes a frictional type of bobbin drive, as will later be described, and employs a friction braking device 14 for stopping rotation of the bobbin B when it is moved to its second position wherein the bobbin is not rotated by the shaft. The frictional braking device shown at 14, comprises an annular disk-shaped portion 15, positioned immediately above the pulley 12 and attached to the horizontal arm 11 of the sewing machine as by a depending bracket 16 and machine screw 17. The upper surface of the disk shaped portion 15 of the braking device 14 is provided with an annular ring 18 made of rubber or other suitable friction material adapted to engage the lower flange of a bobbin B mounted on the shaft 19 and stop its rotation when it is moved to its lower or second position in engagement therewith.

Alternatively, other forms of braking devices may be used, as, for example, a positive type of braking device wherein the braking device 14 would be provided with an upwardly extending pin adapted to engage a hole or other form of abutment surface on the lower flange of the bobbin B.

The end portion of the shaft 10 which projects upwardly from the braking device 15 is of reduced diameter to receive the cylindrical shaft receiving opening of a bobbin, and the shaft is provided with a frictional type of driving element as mentioned above. The portion of the shaftsltl-above the pulleylZ isprovided withalon gitudinally extending grooveIZtt in whichis posi tioned a longitudinally extending lever-like friction or pressure counter-torque created by the pull of the thread being wound upon the bobbin and the spring 23-is held in place by: means ofta hookedend. whichifits around. the pinned end of the pressure elementl21.

The-thread sensing means Cshown in the drawingtis adapted to hold a bobbin B' positioned on the shaftlt) in its upper operative or winding position until apredetermined amount of thread is wound uponithebobbin and to thereafter move and hold the bobbin in its non-operative or non-winding position. The thread'sensingmeans C shown comprises a generally cylindrically shaped structure or element 39 having a generally fiatrectangularly shaped feeler arm 31 projecting ostwardlyfromits external surface with the width of the bladeextending longitudinally of the cylindrically shaped structure; The cylindricallyshapedstructure 3% has an axially extending hole or bore 32, the upper end of which is counterbored as at 33, and the structure is attachedtto the horizontal bracket 11 of-the sewing machine about a vertical axis generally parallel to that of the shaft 10 by means of a headed pin 34 whose head 35 is positioned in the counterbore 33 and whose lower end is threaded into the top of the horizontal-bracket 11 of the machine. a,

The thread sensing element or structure 30 is held in its'upper or bobbin winding position by means of an abutment arm 35 projecting outwardly from its cylindrical surface and whichbears against the abutment surface of the adjustable abutment means D as will later be ex- 7 plained. The thread sensing element 39 is biased down-.

wardly in the axial direction of the braking device 15 and the abutment arm 36 is held in engagement with the abutment surface of the adjustable abutment means D by means ofa coil spring 37 the lower end of which bears against the bottom wall 38 of the counterbore 33 and the upper endof which bears against the head-35 of the pinv34. The feeler arm 31 of the thread sensing element 30 is also biased toward the shaft 1% by means of a coil "the pin 34 just above the arm 11 as, by a setscrew '44.

The feeler. arm 31 is adapted to extend between the fianges'of a bobbin B mounted on the shaft 10 to move the bobbin from its winding position, shown in Fig; 2, into-engagement with the braking device 15 wt en a pre- 7 determined amount of thread has been wound upon the bobbin, as will later be explained. To insure that the bobbin will be moved into engagement with the braking device 15 even though the bobbin has been'wound full of thread and the feeler: arm 31 is moved out of engagement with the bobbins. flanges, an L-shaped arm or clip 45 is formed on the top edge of the feeler arm 31 with its horizontal portion being adapted to extend inwardly over the top ofthe bobbin. l

The adjustable abutment means D shown, comprises a horizontaldisk-shaped abutment or stop member positioned beneath the abutment arm 36 of the thread sensing element 30 and having an a'nnularly shaped segmental: bossx5'liextending around 180 degrees of its upper amongst; a t i y surface and against which the abutment arm to bear. is rotatably mounted on the horizontal arm of the sewing 36 is adapted machine by a vertically extending shaft or pin 52 which extends through an axially extending hole 53 in the member Si and which is journaled in the horizontal arm 11. The abutment member is rigidly fixed to the shaft 52 by a pin '54 and the upper.- end-of the shaft is provided with a knurled knob 55 such that the location of the annular boss" 51 might be changed relative to the abutment arm 36. A fiat sheet metal pointer 56 is adjustably attached to a slightly enlarged portion 57 of the shaft 52 by means of an annular portion which is split radially onits side opposite its pointer arm and is pressed over the enlarged portion 57. The lower end of the shaft 52- which projects beneath the member 11 is threaded and is of slightly reduced diameter to provide a shoulder 58 against which a stoppiate 59 is locked byanut 6(band a concave annular diskrshaped spring 61 is. positioned on the shaft l52.be-

tween the stop-plate '59' and the bottom of the top mem ber of the horizontal arm 11 to hold the-abutment membe'rrin its set position. The abutment member is prevented from being movedbeyond predetermined limits by means of a stop pin 62' positioned in an arcuate groove or notch in the stop plate 59, andthreaded intothe bottom of the member 11. The sewing machine shown is provided with a sheet metal cover 63 which extends above and covers the pulleyand drive belt mechanismsvof the head-of the machine and-which is provided with n scale against which the pointer 56 may be read.

To operate the bobbin winding device just described,

the knob of. the adjustablejabutm'ent means Dis turned to a setting corresponding to the amount of thread desired to be wound upon the bobbin; the feeler arm 31 of the thread sensing element 30 is rotated clockwise, as viewed inFig. 1', away from the shaft 10; a bobbinB to which one end of the thread to be wound uponthe bobbin is tied is slipped upon the shaft 10; the thread sensing element 'Sdis lifted upwardly until its abutment arm36 operation. As the machine is used, rotation of the shaft 10 winds: the thread upon the bobbin B and when an amounthas been woundupon the bobbin corresponding tothe setting of the abutment means D, the thread sensing element 39 will have been'rotated by its. fwler arm 31 until its abutment arm 36 just clears the edge of the boss' 51 whereupon force from the spring 7 moves the thread sensing element 353 downwardly moving its feeler arm and the bobbin engaged thereby downwardly'into engagement with the braking device 14, stopping rotation of the upwardly off of the shaft. When the thread sensing ele-;

ment is now releasedthe feeler arm is moved back to the position where the winding operation stopped and is held in this position away from the shaft it? by engagement of the abutment arm 36against the edge of the bossS-l. Asecond embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig.

8 of the drawing and inlwhich the shaft 10,iits-.bobbin,

driyingelement, and the bobbin braking, device '14 are identical with those of the previous embodiment and are so numbered in thedrawing; The threadisensing element The disk-shaped abutment or stop member 50 70 of the present embodiment is a cylindrical structure very similar to that of the previous embodiment and has a feeler arm 71 shaped identi :ally to that of the previous embodiment. The thread sensing element 70 is drilled longitudinally and fixed to the upper end of a vertically extending shaft 72 inserted therethrough by a setscrew 73 and the shaft 72 is journ ed in the horizontal arm 11 of the machine in a generally parallel relationship to shaft 10. The bottom surface '74 of the thread sensing element 70 is provided with an axially extending projection or abutment 75 adapted to engage the top end surface of a cylindrical abutment or stop member 76 journaled about the shaft 72 beneath the thread sensing element 70 and the top surface of the horizontal arm 11 of the sewing machine. The lower end of the abutment member 76 is provided with an enlarged portion or flange 77 and the abutment member 76 is held against the arm 11 by a forked pressure spring or clip 78 the forked portion of which is slipped around the cylindrical abutment member 76 over the flange 77 in a manner permitting rotation of the abutment member '76 and the other end of the clip being fastened to the arm 11 as by a machine screw 80. The upper surface of the abutment member 76 is provided with a segmental boss 83 extending around approximately 180 of its upper surface and against which the projection 75 of the thread sensing element 79 is adapted to bear. The thread sensing element 9 is biased toward the abutment member 75 by a combination torsion and compression coil spring 82 positioned about the shaft 72 beneath the top of the arm 11. One end of the spring 82 is positioned in a hole 83 in the arm 11 and the other end of which is positioned in a hole 84 in the bottom of a cup shaped spring abutment member 85 which surrounds the spring and which is fastened to the lower end of the shaft 72 by a setscrew 85. An upwardly extending arm or member 87 having a pointer 88 on its upper end is provided on the abutment member 76 to permit adjustment of the position of the segmental boss 81 and thus the amount of thread to be wound upon a bobbin and a scale 90 is provided on the sheet metal cover 63 beneath the pointer 88 to provide a visual indication of the setting of the abutment member. The operation of the present embodiment and manner in which a bobbin is installed thereon is similar to that of the previous embodiment and will not further be described.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described as using a frictional type of driving engagement between the bobbin driving shaft and the bobbin, it is not limited thereto and other types of driving connections may be employed. Where, for example, a positive type of drive is to be used, the bobbin may be provided with a keyway, the upper end of which is adapted to engage a short section of key positioned on the upper end of the shaft when the bobbin is in its upper driving position and which keyway of the bobbin will be moved out of engagement With the key when the bobbin is moved to its lower or non-driven positionf Alternatively any other suitable type of frictional driving connection or positive driving connection can be utilized.

It is further to be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described as having the first or bobbin driving position adjacent the end of the shaft, and the second or non-driving position spaced farther in on the shaft, that it is not so limited and that where suitable modifications are made, the positions may be reversed. Were this to be done a further type of driving connection could be utilized in which a flange would be provided adjacent the lower end of the bobbin receiving portion and an upwardly extending drive pin provided on its upper surface for engaging a hole or abutment on the lower flange of the bobbin. With this arrangement the thread sensing element and abutment member would be rearranged to move the bobbin upwardly when the predetermined amount of thread is wound upon the bobbin and the flange of the bobbin thereby removed from engagement with the drive pin. A movable type of braking element adapted to be swung in and out of position to permit installation and removal of a bobbinupon the shaft may be provided to engage the top flange of the bobbin and stop its rotation when the bobbin is moved to its upper position. In those instances where the bobbin is freely journaled upon the shaft when the bobbin is moved to its non-driven position, the braking element may not be required to stop rotation of the bobbin.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail I do not wish to be limited to the particular constructions shown which may be varied within the scope of the invention, and it is the intention to cover hereby all adaptations, modifications and arrangements thereof which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising, a stationary support member, a first shaft rotatably mounted in said stationary support member, said shaft being adapted to receive a bobbin in a first position wherein the bobbin is rotated by said shaft and in a second position spaced axially from said first position and wherein the bobbin is not rotated by said shaft, a second shaft supported by said stationary support member in a position generally parallel to said first shaft, a thread sensing element rotatably mounted on said second shaft and adapted for movement axially of said second shaft, said element having a feeler arm adapted to extend between the flanges of a bobbin mounted on said first shaft and having an abutment surface which projects in the axial direction that said second bobbin position is spaced from said first bobbin position, spring means biasing said feeler arm of said thread sensing element towards said first shaft and axially of said shafts in the direction that said second bobbin position is spaced from said first bobbin position, an adjustable stop member supported by said stationary support member and having an abutment surface against which the abutment surface of said thread sensing element is adapted to bear, said abutment surfaces being shaped to permit said spring means to move said thread sensing element axiaily to a position wherein a bobbin engaged by its feeler arm will be moved to its second position when the feeler arm is rotated away from said first shaft a predetermined distance.

2. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising, a stationary support member, a first shaft rotatably mounted in said stationary support member, said shaft being adapted to receive a bobbin in a first position wherein the bobbin is rotated by said shaft and in a second position spaced axially from said first position and wherein the bobbin is not rotated by said shaft, 2. second shaft supported by said stationary support member in a position generally parallel to said first shaft, a thread sensing element rotatably mounted on said second shaft and adapted for movement axially of said second shaft, said element having a feeler arm adapted to extend between the flanges of a bobbin mounted on said first shaft and having an abutment surface which projects in the axial direction that said second bobbin position is spaced from said first bobbin position, spring means biasing said feeler arm of said thread sensing element towards said first shaft and axially of said shafts in the direction that said second bobbin position is spaced from said first bobbin position, an adjustable stop member supported by said stationary support member and having a stepped abutment surface against which the abutment surface of said thread sensing element is adapted to bear, said stepped abutment surface being shaped to permit said spring means to move said thread sensing element axially to a position wherein a bobbin engagedby its feeler arm will be moved abruptly to its second position when the feeler arm is rotated away from said first shaft a predetermined distance.

"35A bobbin winder for a sewing machinecomp singfi astationaty support member, a first shaftrrotatablyjotn'a naIed in said stationary support member, tsaidishaft be-H irigadapted'to receive a bobbin in a first position'wherein the bobbin is rotated by said shaft and in-arsecond. position spaced axially from said, first position and wherein the bobbin is not rotated by said shaft, a second shaft supported by said stationary support member in a position generally parallel to said first shaft, a thread sensing element rotatably mounted on said second shaft and adapted for movement axially of said second shaft, saidelement having a feeler arm adapted toextendbetween the flanges of a bobbin mounted on said first shaft, a stop member positioned adjacent said second shaft and rotatably mounted on said stationary support positioned adjacent one end of said bobbin receiving member about an axis generally parallel to said first and abutment surface of said stop member being adapted to position a bobbin engaged by said feeler arm of said thread'sensing element in its first position when the feeler arm is adjacent said first shaft and to permit said feeler arm to move the bobbin into its second position when said feeler arm is rotated away from said first shaft,

4. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising, astationary support member, a first shaft rotatably jour naled in said stationary support member, said shaft being adapted to receive a bobbin in a first position wherein the bobbin is rotated by said shaft and in a second position spaced axially from said first position and wherein the bobbin is not rotated by said shaft, a second shaft journaled' in said stationary support member, a thread sensing element fixed to said second shaft, an annular stop member rotatably mounted on saidtsecond shaft and spaced axially from said thread sensing element in the direction that said second bobbin position is spaced from said first bobbin position, spring means operativeiy connected between said stationary support member andsaidsecond shaft for, rotating the feeler arm of said thread sensing element fixed thereto toward first shaft and for moving said second shaft in the axiaidirection of said second bobbin position, said stop'member and said ttnead sensing element having cooperatingstepped abutment surfaces on their adjoining faces adapted to hold said members inrtbeir most spaced apart positions with the feeler arm of the thread sensing is rotatediaway from said first shaft.

. 5. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising, astationary support member, a shaft rotatably journaled in said stationary support member, said shaft having a bobbin receiving portion on which the bobbin may he slid axially, means providing frictional driving, engagement between said shaft and a bobbin positioned on the bobbin receiving portion thereof, a' brake mem-v berpositioned adjacent one end of said bobbin receiving portion of said shaft and attached to said supportj memberfor stopping rotation of thetbobbin when itis moved axially thereagainst, a thread feeler armadapted to extend between the flanges of a bobbin positionedlon the bobbin .receivingportion of saidshaft andattached to -said supportmemberabout an axis generallyparallel to saidrotatable shaft in a manner permitting both rotation about and movementaxially'of said axis,.?spring towardsaid brake member, and means preventingmovementof said feeler arm toward said brake member when saidlfeeler arm is within a predetermined distance .of

engagement with said shaft.

6. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising,

a stationary support member, a'shaft rotatably journaled in said stationary support member, said shaft having a bobbin receiving portion on which a bobbin may be slid axially, means providing frictional drivingengagemerit between said shaft and a bobbinpositioned on the bobbin receiving portion thereofl'a brake member portion of said shaft and attached to said support mem-- berifor stopping rotation of the bobbin when it is moved axiaiiy thereagainst, a second shaft supported by said stationary support member in a position generally parallel to said first shaft, a thread sensing element rotatably mounted on said second shaft and adapted for movement axially of said second shaft, said eiernent having a feeler arm adapted to extend between the flanges of a bobbin mounted on said first shaft, a stopmember positioned adjacent said second shaft and rotatably mounted on said stationary support member about an it axis generally parallel to said first and second shafts,

said stop member having a stepped abutment surface on its side facing in the axial direction in which the bobbin receivingportion of said first shaft is positioned relative to said brake member, an abutment arm on said thread sensing element adapted to engage the stepped abutment surface of said stop ember, and spring means biasing said feeler arm of said thread sensing element toward said first shaft and biasing saidthread'sensing element axially in a direction toward said stop member,

saidabutment surface of said stop member being adapted to position a bobbin engaged by saidffeelerarm of said thread sensing eiement away-from said brake member when said feeler arm is adjacent said firstshaft and to permit said feeler arm to m ve the bobbin against said brake member when the feeler arm is moved away from said first shaft a predetermined distance.

7. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising, a stationary support member, a 'shaft rotatably journaled in said stationary support member, saidrshaft having a bobbin receiving portion on which a bobbin may he slid axially, means providing frictional driving engagement between said shaft and a bobbin positioned on the bobbin receiving portion thereof, a brake member positioned adjacent one end of said bobbin receivirig portion of said shaft and attached to said frame for stopping rotation of the bobbin when it is-moved' axially thereagainst, a second shaft journaled in said 7 stationary support member, a thread sensing element fixed to said second shaft, an annular stop member,

rotatably mounted on said second shaft axially in the directiontin which the brake member ispositioned relative to the bobbin receiving portion of said first shaft, spring means operatively connected between said .stationary supportrmember and said second shaft for rotating the feeler arm of said thread sensing element fixed thereto toward said firstshaft and for forcing said thread sensing element against said stop member, said stop member and said thread sensing element having cooperating step abutment surfaces on their abutting ing a bobbin receiving portion on which the bobbin may be slid axially, said shaft having an axially extending groove in its bobbin receiving portion, a friction member in said groove, a spring in said groove beneath said friction member and adapted to force said friction member radially outwardly of said groove against a bobbin positioned on said shaft, a brake member positioned adjacent one end of said bobbin receiving portion of said shaft and attached to said support member for stopping rotation of the bobbin when it is moved axially thereagainst, a thread feeler arm adapted to extend between the fianges of a bobbin positioned on said shaft and attached to said support member about an aids generally parallel to said rotatable shaft in a manner permitting both rotation about and movement axially of said axis, spring means biasing said feeler arm toward said shaft and toward said brake member, and means preventing movement of said feeler arm toward said brake member when said feeler arm is within a predetermined distance of engagement with said shaft.

9. A bobbin winder fora sewing machine comprising, a stationary support member, a shaft rotatably journaled in said stationary support member, said shaft having a bobbin receiving portion on which the bobbin may be slid axially, said shaft having an axially extending groove in its bobbin receiving portion, a friction member in said groove, a spring in said groove beneath said friction member and adapted to force said friction member radially outwardly of said groove, a brake member positioned adjacent one end of said bobbin receiving portion of said shaft and attached to said support member for stopping rotation of the bobbin when it is moved axially thereagainst, a second shaft supported by said stationary support member in a position generally parallel to said first shaft, a thread sensing element rotatably mounted on said second shaft and adapted for movement axially of said second shaft, said element having a feeler arm adapted to extend between the flanges of a bobbin mounted on said first shaft, a stop member positioned adjacent said second shaft and rotatably mounted to said stationary support member about an axis generally parallel to said first and second shafts, said stop member having a stepped abutment surface on its side facing in the axial direction in which the bobbin receiving portion of said first shaft is positioned relative to said brake member, an abutment arm on said thread sensing element adapted to engage the stepped abutment surface of said stop member, and spring mean biasing said feeler arm of said thread sensingelement toward said first shaft and biasing said thread sensing element axially in a direction towards said stop member, said abutment surface of said stop member being adapted to position a bobbin engaged by said feeler arm on said bobbin receiving portion of said first shaft away from said brake member when said feeler arm is adjacent said first shaft and to permit said feeler arm to move the bobbin against said brake member when the feeler arm is moved away from said first shaft a predetermined distance.

10. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising, a stationary support member, a shaft rotatably journaled in said stationary support member, said shaft having a bobbin receiving portion on which the bobbin may be slid axially, said shaft having an axially extending groove in its bobbin receiving portion, a friction member in said groove, a spring in said groove beneath said friction member and adapted to force said friction member radially outwardly of said groove, a brake member positioned adjacent one end of said bobbin receiving portion of said shaft and attached to said support member for stopping rotation of the bobbin when it is moved axially thereagainst, a second shaft journaled in said stationary support member, a thread sensing element fixed to said second shaft, an annular stop member rotatably mounted on said second shaft spaced from said thread sensing element in the axial direction in which the brake member is positioned relative to the bobbin ber and said second shaft for rotating the feeler arm of said thread sensing element fixed, thereto toward said first shaft and for'moving said thread sensing element against said stop member, said stop member and said thread sensing element having cooperating stepped abutment surfaces on their abutting faces adapted to hold said members in their most spaced apart positions with the feeler arm of the thread sensing element holding a bobbin engaged thereby away from said brake member when said feeler arm is adjacent said first shaft and to permit said feeler arm to move the bobbin against said brake member when said feeler arm is rotated away from said first shaft a predetermined distance.

11. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising, a stationary support member, a shaft rotatably journaled in said stationary support member and having a cantilevered bobbin receiving portion projecting outwardly from said support member and on which the bobbin may he slid axially, said projecting portion of said shaft having an axially extending groove therein, a friction member in said groove, a spring in said groove beneath said friction member and adapted to force said friction member radially outwardly of said groove against a bobbin positioned on said cantilevered portion of said shaft, a friction brake member positioned about said shaft adjacent said support member and affixed thereto, a thread feeler arm adapted to extend between the flanges of a bobbin positioned on said cantilevered portion of said shaft above said friction brake member, said feeler arm being attached to said support member about an axis generally parallel to said shaft in a manner permitting both rotation about and movement axially of said axis, spring means biasing said feeler arm toward said shaft and toward said friction brake member, and means preventing movement of said feeler arm toward said brake member when said feeler arm is within a predetermined distance of engagement with said shaft.

12. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising, a stationary support member, a shaft rotatably journaled in said stationary support member and having a cantilevered bobbin receiving portion projecting outwardly from said support member and on which the bobbin may be slid axially, said projecting portion of said shaft having an axially extending groove therein, a friction member in said groove, a spring in said groove beneath said friction member and adapted to force said friction member radially outwardly of said groove against a bobbin positioned on said cantilevered portion of said shaft, a friction brake member positioned about said shaft adjacent said support member and affixed thereto, a pin stationarily supported by said stationary support member in a position generally parallel to said shaft, an abutment member adjustably clamped to said pin adjacent said support member, a thread sensing element rotatably mounted on said pin above said abutment member and adapted for movement axially of said pin, said element having a feeler arm adapted to extend between the flanges of a bobbin mounted on said bobbin receiving portion of said shaft, spring means operatively connected between said thread sensing element and said abutment member biasing said feeler arm of said thread sensing element toward said shaft, spring means biasing said thread sensing element in a direction axially of said pin toward said abutment member, a disk-shaped stop member positioned adjacent said pin and rotatably mounted to said stationary support member about an axis generally parallel to said pin, said stop member having a stepped abutment surface on its upper end, and an abutment arm on said thread sensing element adapted to engage the stepped abutment surface of said stop member, said abutment surface of said stop member being stepped downwardly in adirection to which said abutment arm is rotated when said .feeler arm of said thread sensing element is rotated away from said shaft.

, 13. A bobbin winder for a sewing machine comprising, a stationary support member, a shaft rotatably journaled in said stationary supportmember and having a cantilevered bobbin receiving portion projecting outwardly from said support member and on which the bobbin may be slid axially, said projecting portion of'said shaft having an axially extending. groove therein, a friction member. in said groove, a spring in said groove beneath said friction member and adapted to force said friction member radially outwardly of said groove against a bobbin positioned on said cantilevered portion of. said shaft, afriction brake member positioned about said shaft adjacent said support member and aflfixed thereto, a second shaft journaled in said stationary support member and projecting outwardlyand inwardly of said support member, an

annular stop member rotatably mounted on said second shaft outwardly of said support member, a thread sensing element fixed to said second shaft outwardly of said annular stop member, a spring abutment-member adjustably clamped to said second shaft inwardly of said support member, spring means positioned between said stationary support member and said abutment member for rotating the feeler arm of said thread sensing element affixed to said second shaft toward said first shaft andifor moving said thread sensing element against said stop member, said stop member and said thread sensing'element having cooperating stepped abutment surfaces on their abutting faces adapted to hold said members in their most spaced apart positions with the feeler arm of the thread sensing element holding a bobbin engaged thereby outwardly of said friction brake member when said feeler arm is adjacent said first shaft and to'permit said feelerarm to move the bobbin against said brake member when said feeler arm is rotated awayfrom'said first shaft a predetermined distance.

14. A bobbin winder mechanism comprising a rotatable driving shaft, a support for said shaft, means carried .by said shaft for rotatably interconnecting a bobbin therewith when the bobbin is positioned thereon in a predeterminedaxial location, means carried bysaid support for engaging said bobbin when the latter is moved axially of said shaft in one direction from said predeter-' mined location to terminate its rotative interconnection with said shaft, a feeler device carried by said support for linearmovement in a direction parallel to the axis-of said shaft and for rocking-movement toward and away from said shaft and about an axis parallel to theaxis of o iell axially relative to said shaft in said one direction, and cooperating contacting means carried by said support and by said device and acting to prevent linear movement of saiddevice and said arm by said spring means in said one direction relative to said shaft until said devicean'd said am have been rocked a predetermined distance away from said shaft by the thread wound upon the bobbin.

15. A bobbin winder mechanism as defined in claim 14 and wherein said cooperating contacting means include a part adjustably carried by said support and. having a stepped surface and a part projecting from said device and engaging said stepped surface.

16. A bobbin winder mechanism as defined in claim 14 andwherein said cooperating contacting means carried by said support and by said device include a part carried'by' said support and spaced laterally from said'device.

17. A bobbin winder mechanismas defined'in claim 14 and whereinsaid cooperating contacting means carried by said support and by said device include a part rotatably adjustable on said support and having a stepped surface and a part carried by said device and 'engagin said stepped surface. 7 i

18. A bobbin winder mechanism and wherein said cooperating contacting means carriedby said support and by said device include a part rockably adjustable on said support coaxially to said device and having a stepped surface and .a pa carried by said device and engaging said stepped surface. I

19. A bobbin winder mechanism as defined in claim 14 andwherein the means carried by said shaft for rotatably interconnecting a bobbin therewith is a friction drive means while the means carried by said support for en gaging said bobbin when the latter is moved axially of said shaft in one direction is a friction brake member functioningto overcome the friction drive means between said shaft and said bobbin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 336,296 Connolly Feb. 16, 1886 509,062 Wells et a1 Nov. 21, 1893 1,302,936 Lefkowitz May 6, 1919 1,560,523 Ashworth Nov. 10, 1925 2,632,604 Ayers Mar. 24, 1953 as defined in claim 14'

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