Fabric clamp

Abstract

A low inertia drive mechanism for imparting movement to a fabric clamp with respect to the needle of a sewing machine. The drive mechanism comprises a first table mounted for translation in a first straight path, a second table mounted for translation independent of said first table in a second straight path perpendicular to said first straight path, and a third table to which the fabric clamp is attached is slidably mounted on transverse rods carried in the second table. Drive means comprising separate motors for the first and second tables is provided for imparting movements, whereby the third table may partake of translation movement in any direction. Also disclosed is a fabric clamp for supporting and guiding fabric to be sewn in cooperative disposition with respect to the needle of a sewing machine, for use with a variable translation fabric feeding mechanism. The clamp includes upper and lower supporting structures. The lower, supporting structure includes a flat plate having a cutout in its interior portion of a size and shape slightly larger than the pattern to be sewn. The upper supporting structure includes an upper clamp plate having a fork-shaped section to the ends of which the diagonally opposite corners of a rigid open frame are pivotally mounted, the opening in said open frame being about the same size and shape as the cutout in the lower, flat plate.