Thread spool stand device and sewing machine provided with thread spool stand device

Abstract

A thread spool stand device is disclosed. The thread spool stand device includes a thread spool base and a thread spool pin that has a base end thereof secured to the thread spool base and that allows attachment of a thread spool. The thread spool stand device further includes a positioning mechanism that determines position of attachment of the thread spool relative to the thread spool pin. The positioning mechanism includes a contact section that contacts an inner peripheral surface of a core of the thread spool. The contact section is radially movable responsive to variation in an inner diameter of the core such that the contact section expands radially outward or contracts radially inward to be equally spaced from an axial center of the thread spool pin.

1 . A thread spool stand device including a thread spool base and a thread spool pin that has a base end thereof secured to the thread spool base and that allows attachment of a thread spool, the thread spool stand device comprising:
 a positioning mechanism that determines position of attachment of the thread spool relative to the thread spool pin;   wherein the positioning mechanism includes a contact section that contacts an inner peripheral surface of a core of the thread spool, the contact section being radially movable responsive to variation in an inner diameter of the core such that the contact section expands radially outward or contracts radially inward to be equally spaced from an axial center of the thread spool pin.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein more than one contact section is provided so as to contact different circumferential portions of the inner peripheral surface of the core of the thread spool, and wherein the positioning mechanism is configured such that the contact sections are moved in conjunction with one another such that the amount of the expansion and the contraction are equal. 
     
     
         3 . The device according  claim 2 , wherein the contact sections are spaced at equal circumferential interval. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the positioning mechanism further includes:
 a first support member that is securably disposed at an extreme-end side of the thread spool pin,   an elastic member that is provided on a base-end side of the thread spool pin,   a second support member that is provided on the base-end side of the thread spool pin so as to be movable in an axial direction of the thread spool pin and that is placed in consistent contact with the elastic member to be elastically biased by the elastic member; and   a plurality of connection links associated with each of the contact sections,
 wherein each of the connection links includes: 
 a first link element that has a base-end side thereof rotatably supported by the first support member and that has the contact section formed on an extreme-end side thereof, 
 a second link element that has a base-end side thereof rotatably supported by the second support member; and 
 a connection element that rotatably connects the extreme-end sides of the first and the second link elements, 
 wherein each pair of the first and the second link elements define a bend such that the contact section protrudes radially outward, the elastic bias exerted on the second support member by the elastic member being imparted on the contact section byway of the second link element to bias the contact section to protrude radially outward. 
   
     
     
         5 . The device according  claim 3 , wherein the positioning mechanism further includes:
 a first support member that is movably fastened to an extreme-end side of the thread spool pin,   an elastic member that is provided on a base-end side of the thread spool pin,   a second support member that is provided on the base-end side of the thread spool pin so as to be movable in an axial direction of the thread spool pin and that is placed in consistent contact with the elastic member to be elastically biased by the elastic member; and   a plurality of connection links associated with each of the contact sections,
 wherein each of the connection links includes: 
 a first link element that has a base-end side thereof rotatably supported by the first support member and that has the contact section formed on an extreme-end side thereof, 
 a second link element that has a base-end side thereof rotatably supported by the second support member; and 
 a connection element that rotatably connects the extreme-end sides of the first and the second link elements, 
 wherein each pair of the first and the second link elements define a bend such that the contact section protrudes radially outward, the elastic bias exerted on the second support member by the elastic member being imparted on the contact section by way of the second link element to bias the contact section to protrude radially outward. 
   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the elastic member comprises a compression spring. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the elastic member comprises a compression spring. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a position adjustment mechanism that allows a position adjustment of the first support member being secured to the thread spool pin. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a position adjustment mechanism that allows a position adjustment of the first support member being secured to the thread spool pin. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 6 , further comprising a position adjustment mechanism that allows a position adjustment of the first support member being secured to the thread spool pin. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 7 , further comprising a position adjustment mechanism that allows a position adjustment of the first support member being secured to the thread spool pin. 
     
     
         12 . The device according claim S, wherein the position adjustment mechanism includes:
 a male thread that is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the thread spool pin, and   a female thread that is formed on the first support member and that is screw engaged with the male thread,   wherein the position adjustment of the first support member being secured to the thread spool pin is rendered by rotating the first support member around the thread spool pin.   
     
     
         13 . The device according  claim 9 , wherein the position adjustment mechanism includes:
 a male thread that is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the thread spool pin, and   a female thread that is formed on the first support member and that is screw engaged with the male thread,   wherein the position adjustment of the first support member being secured to the thread spool pin is rendered by rotating the first support member around the thread spool pin.   
     
     
         14 . The device according  claim 10 , wherein the position adjustment mechanism includes:
 a male thread that is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the thread spool pin, and   a female thread that is formed on the first support member and that is screw engaged with the male thread,   wherein the position adjustment of the first support member being secured to the thread spool pin is rendered by rotating the first support member around the thread spool pin.   
     
     
         15 . The device according  claim 11 , wherein the position adjustment mechanism includes:
 a male thread that is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the thread spool pin, and   a female thread that is formed on the first support member and that is screw engaged with the male thread,   wherein the position adjustment of the first support member being secured to the thread spool pin is rendered by rotating the first support member around the thread spool pin.   
     
     
         16 . A sewing machine provided with a thread spool stand device including a thread spool base and a thread spool pin that has a base end thereof secured to the thread spool base and that allows attachment of a thread spool, sewing machine comprising:
 a positioning mechanism that determines position of attachment of the thread spool relative to the thread spool pin;   wherein the positioning mechanism includes a contact section that contacts an inner peripheral surface of a core of the thread spool, the contact section being radially movable responsive to variation in an inner diameter of the core such that the contact section expands radially outward or contracts radially inward to be equally spaced from an axial center of the thread spool pin.