Material feed mechanism for sewing machines

Abstract

A low inertia drive mechanism is disclosed for imparting translational movement to a sewing machine fabric clamp. The drive mechanism comprises a first and second rigid tables mounted on guide rods for independent translational movements in mutually perpendicular straight paths. The second table carries a pair of transverse rods on which a third rigid table is slidably mounted which may move in any direction in a plane parallel to the planes of said first and second tables. The drive mechanism also comprises stationary motors not carried by any of the tables for imparting reciprocatory motion to the first and second rigid tables. The mechanism further includes means for connecting the fabric clamp to the third rigid table. Also disclosed is a fabric clamp for supporting and guiding fabric for use with a variable translation fabric feeding mechanism. The clamp comprises upper and lower supporting structures, a flat plate extending from the lower supporting structure and having a cutout in its interior portion of a size and shape slightly larger than the pattern to be sewn. The clamp further comprises an upper clamp plate which includes a rigid open frame pivotably mounted at two diagonally opposed corners; the opening in said open frame being about the same size and shape as the cutout in the lower flat plate.