Embroidery fabric clamping unit for use with embroidery machine and embroidery machine comprising same

Abstract

Disclosed are an embroidery fabric clamping unit for use with an embroidery machine, and an embroidery machine comprising the same, which allow the embroidering of even embroidery fabrics of arbitrary shape. The embroidery fabric clamping unit comprises: a unit body having a joining part provided for attachment to and detachment from a work table of the embroidery machine; an embroidery fabric support table which is linked to the unit body and supports the embroidery fabric to be embroidered by the embroidery machine; a lever which is supported on the unit body, with the embroidery fabric placed in between, and is able to apply pressure to and release pressure from the embroidery fabric support table; and a lever driving part for driving the lever.

1 . An embroidery fabric clamping unit for an embroidery machine, comprising:
 a unit body comprising a joining part detachably disposed on a work table of the embroidery machine;   one or more embroidery fabric support tables each coupled to the unit body and supporting an embroidery fabric to be embroidered by the embroidery machine;   one or more levers each supported by the unit body and applying a pressure to a corresponding embroidery fabric support table or releasing the pressure from the corresponding embroider fabric support table across the embroidery fabric; and   a lever driving part driving the one or more levers.   
     
     
         2 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more embroidery fabric support tables and the one or more levers are provided in plurality. 
     
     
         3 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more embroidery fabric support tables and the one or more levers are provided so that the gaps therebetween are adjustable. 
     
     
         4 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claims 1 , wherein the unit body includes a lever support part supporting the one or more levers and detachably coupled to the unit body. 
     
     
         5 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more levers are detachably coupled to the lever support part. 
     
     
         6 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claims 1 , wherein the one or more levers comprise an elastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claims 1 , wherein each of the one or more levers pivotaly move between a clamping position where the embroidery fabric is clamped by pressing the corresponding embroidery fabric on the corresponding embroidery fabric support tables and a release position where the embroidery fabric is unclamped by being spaced from the clamping position. 
     
     
         8 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 7 , wherein the lever driving part includes: a pneumatic cylinder; a piston supported by the pneumatic cylinder and selectively applying a pressure to the one or more levers; and a foot switch selectively supplying air to the pneumatic cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 7 , wherein the lever driving part may further comprise an elastic member allowing the one or more levers to be elastically biased to the release position. 
     
     
         10 . An embroidery machine, comprising:
 a work table on which a raw fabric to be embroidered or an embroidery fabric is disposed;   an embroidery fabric clamping unit according to  claim 1  detachably mounted on the work table;   a raw fabric setting frame for setting the raw fabric; and   a needle embroidering the embroidery fabric clamped by the embroidery fabric clamping unit.   
     
     
         11 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 2 , wherein the unit body includes a lever support part supporting the one or more levers and detachably coupled to the unit body. 
     
     
         12 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more levers are detachably coupled to the lever support part. 
     
     
         13 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 3 , wherein the unit body includes a lever support part supporting the one or more levers and detachably coupled to the unit body. 
     
     
         14 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more levers are detachably coupled to the lever support part. 
     
     
         15 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more levers comprise an elastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more levers comprise an elastic material. 
     
     
         17 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 2 , wherein each of the one or more levers pivotaly move between a clamping position where the embroidery fabric is clamped by pressing the corresponding embroidery fabric on the corresponding embroidery fabric support tables and a release position where the embroidery fabric is unclamped by being spaced from the clamping position. 
     
     
         18 . The embroidery fabric clamping unit of  claim 3 , wherein each of the one or more levers pivotaly move between a clamping position where the embroidery fabric is clamped by pressing the corresponding embroidery fabric on the corresponding embroidery fabric support tables and a release position where the embroidery fabric is unclamped by being spaced from the clamping position. 
     
     
         19 . An embroidery machine, comprising:
 a work table on which a raw fabric to be embroidered or an embroidery fabric is disposed;   an embroidery fabric clamping unit according to  claim 2  detachably mounted on the work table;   a raw fabric setting frame for setting the raw fabric; and   a needle embroidering the embroidery fabric clamped by the embroidery fabric clamping unit.   
     
     
         20 . An embroidery machine, comprising:
 a work table on which a raw fabric to be embroidered or an embroidery fabric is disposed;   an embroidery fabric clamping unit according to  claim 3  detachably mounted on the work table;   a raw fabric setting frame for setting the raw fabric; and   a needle embroidering the embroidery fabric clamped by the embroidery fabric clamping unit.