Embroidery frame

Abstract

An embroidery frame includes an outer frame formed into a substantially annular shape and having a discontinuity formed by partially breaking its annularity so that the outer frame has two ends located opposite each other with the discontinuity being interposed, an inner frame configured to be fitted with an inner periphery of the outer frame, a clamping mechanism clamping the outer frame against the inner frame and including paired screw-supporting members mounted on the outer frame ends and an adjusting screw mounted on the screw-supporting members so as to adjust a gap between the screw mounting members, and an operating knob supported on an operating end of the screw so as to be switchable between a first position where the knob extends parallel to an axial direction of the screw and a second position where the knob extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction.

1 . An embroidery frame which holds a workpiece cloth, comprising:
 an outer frame formed into a substantially annular shape and having a discontinuity formed by partially breaking the annularity of the outer frame so that the outer frame has two ends located opposite each other with the discontinuity being interposed therebetween;   an inner frame configured to be fitted with an inner periphery of the outer frame so that the workpiece cloth is held between the outer and inner frames;   a clamping mechanism which clamps the outer frame against the inner frame and includes a pair of screw-supporting members provided on the ends of the outer frame respectively and an adjusting screw which is mounted on the screw-supporting members so as to be capable of adjusting a gap between the screw mounting members; and   an operating knob which is supported on an operating end of the adjusting screw so as to be switchable between a first position where the operating knob extends substantially in parallel to an axial direction of the adjusting screw and a second position where the operating knob extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the adjusting screw.   
     
     
         2 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating knob has a lengthwise middle portion which is rotatably mounted on a shaft member so as to be pivotable relative to the adjusting screw, and the adjusting screw and the operating knob are located so as to form a general T-shape when the operating knob assumes the second position. 
     
     
         3 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining member which retains the operating knob in each of the first and second positions. 
     
     
         4 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 2 , further comprising a retaining member which retains the operating knob in each of the first and second positions. 
     
     
         5 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the operating knob has a cutout groove which is formed in a part thereof so as to extend in the lengthwise direction;   the operating end of the adjusting screw is provided with a generally flat plate-shaped portion which is inserted into the cutout groove;   the shaft member is disposed so as to extend through the flat plate-shaped portion; and   the flat plate-shaped portion and the cutout groove are caused to pivot relative to each other with switch in the position of the operating knob.   
     
     
         6 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the operating knob has a cutout groove which is formed in a part thereof so as to extend in the lengthwise direction;   the operating end of the adjusting screw is provided with a generally flat plate-shaped portion which is inserted into the cutout groove;   the shaft member is disposed so as to extend through the flat plate-shaped portion; and   the flat plate-shaped portion and the cutout groove are caused to pivot relative to each other with change in the position of the operating knob.   
     
     
         7 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating knob has two lengthwise ends each of which is formed into a convex semispherical shape. 
     
     
         8 . An embroidery frame which holds a workpiece cloth, comprising:
 an outer frame formed into a substantially annular shape and having a discontinuity formed by partially breaking the annularity of the outer frame so that the outer frame has two ends located opposite each other with the discontinuity being interposed therebetween;   an inner frame configured to be fitted with an inner periphery of the outer frame so that the workpiece cloth is held between the outer and inner frames;   a clamping mechanism which clamps the outer frame against the inner frame and includes a pair of screw-supporting members provided on the ends of the outer frame respectively and an adjusting screw which is mounted on the screw-supporting members so as to be capable of adjusting a gap between the screw mounting members;   an operating shaft which rotates the adjusting screw and is provided so as to be swingable between a first location where central axes of the operating shaft and the adjusting screw extend in an identical direction or a different direction and a second location where the operating shaft is inclined in a direction such that a gap between the outer frame and the operating shaft is increased;   a coupling mechanism which couples the operating shaft with the adjusting screw to transmit a rotational torque of the operating shaft; and   an operating knob which is supported on an operating end of the operating shaft so as to be switchable between a first position where the operating knob extends substantially in parallel to an axial direction of the operating shaft and a second position where the operating knob extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the operating shaft.   
     
     
         9 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 8 , wherein the operating knob has a lengthwise middle portion which is rotatably mounted on a shaft member so as to be pivotable relative to the operating shaft, and the operating shaft and the operating knob are located so as to form a general T-shape when the operating knob assumes the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 8 , further comprising a retaining member which retains the operating knob in each of the first and second positions. 
     
     
         11 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 9 , further comprising a retaining member which retains the operating knob in each of the first and second positions. 
     
     
         12 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the operating knob has a cutout groove which is formed in a part thereof so as to extend in the lengthwise direction;   the operating end of the operating shaft is provided with a generally flat plate-shaped portion which is inserted into the cutout groove;   the shaft member is disposed so as to extend through the flat plate-shaped portion; and   the flat plate-shaped portion and the cutout groove are caused to pivot relative to each other with switch in the position of the operating knob.   
     
     
         13 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 the operating knob has a cutout groove which is formed in a part thereof so as to extend in the lengthwise direction;   the operating end of the operating shaft is provided with a generally flat plate-shaped portion which is inserted into the cutout groove;   the shaft member is disposed so as to extend through the flat plate-shaped portion; and   the flat plate-shaped portion and the cutout groove are caused to pivot relative to each other with switch in the position of the operating knob.   
     
     
         14 . The embroidery frame according to  claim 8 , wherein the operating knob has both lengthwise ends each formed into a generally convex semispherical shape.