JP4331867B2 - Button supply device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a button supply device for supplying a button to a button knob foot of a button-attached sewing machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the one shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-86189 is known. That is, it has a cylindrical button supply device that stocks a large number of buttons, and the buttons from this button supply device are supplied to the button knob foot of the button-attached sewing machine by the turning arm via the rotating plate. .
[0003]
However, since this button supply device stocks many buttons of the same type, it is convenient for mass production of the same type of button. Since the type of button has to be changed each time, the problem arises that it is inconvenient for a high-mix low-volume product using various buttons.
[0004]
Therefore, a supply device that can supply a variety of buttons, such as Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-974, is known. In other words, a rectangular parallelepiped support having a space for holding a plurality of buttons in a row is provided with an inclination, and the buttons are supplied from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the support. It discharges to a predetermined position by its own weight.
[0005]
However, even in such a supply device, when the height of the cross section of the space is more than twice the height of the button to be used, the buttons are overlapped and clogged, and the width of the button to be used is When the width is more than twice, there is a problem that the buttons are lined up and discharged in a different order from the supply order, and the buttons cannot be sewn in the desired order.
[0006]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reliably supply various buttons and to supply them in a desired order.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 provides
A button holder for holding a plurality of buttons and supplying the held buttons one by one to a predetermined position, and a transfer means for transferring the button placed at the predetermined position to a button knob foot of a button-attached sewing machine A button supply device,
The button holder is
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped space that holds a plurality of buttons, a supply portion that supplies a button to the space portion on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the space portion, and a button in the space portion on the other end side by its own weight. In a button supply device comprising a discharge unit for discharging to
The button holder is disposed to be inclined with respect to the upper surface of the button supply base so that the button supplied from the supply part to the space part moves toward the discharge part by its own weight,
Auxiliary guide provided in the button holder in a longitudinal direction along the discharge direction of the button so as to cover the upper surface of the button held in the space part,
The auxiliary guide is arranged so that the distal end of the discharge portion side in the longitudinal direction prevents the next button from overlapping the button on the discharge portion to be transferred next to the button held by the transfer means. The position can be adjusted along the discharge direction of the button in the space .
[0010]
By adjusting the position of the auxiliary guide along the discharge direction of the button, it is possible to prevent the button from overlapping in the vicinity of the discharge portion according to the size of the button to be used. be able to.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First, the overall configuration including a button sewing machine will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the button holder of the present invention is attached to an apparatus including a button feeder that supplies the same type of button is shown.
[0012]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a button-attached sewing machine that sews buttons to a sewing material (not shown). Reference numeral 2 denotes a button knob foot, which holds the button and moves the held button along the XY plane by a driving means (not shown) to sequentially drop the sewing needle 1a into the hole of the button. Can be sewn on the sewing material.
[0013]
Reference numeral 3 denotes a button feeder, and the same type of button B is stocked while having a substantially cylindrical shape. On the inner side of the button feeder 3, a slope 3 c is formed that spirally slopes from the bottom portion 3 a to the upper discharge portion 3 b. In the middle of the slope 3c, a determination unit 3d for determining the front and back of the button is provided. The determination unit 3d passes the button B whose surface is facing upward, and drops the others to the bottom 3a.
[0014]
As a result, the button feeder 3 is vibrated by a device (not shown), so that the button B stocked on the bottom portion 3a rises on the slope and is guided upward, and is selected by the midway determination portion 3d so that the surface faces upward. Only the existing button is guided to the discharge part 3b.
[0015]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a first rotary feed plate which is formed in a disk shape and is provided on the supply base 8 so as to be able to rotate. The four cutout portions 4a for transferring the button B are formed around the phase by 90 degrees. ing. Then, the button B discharged from the discharge portion 3b is transferred to the cutout portion 4a at the first transfer position P1, and the first rotary feed plate 4 holds the button B at the cutout portion 4a in a counterclockwise manner. By rotating in the direction (arrow (1) direction), the button B can be transferred to the second delivery position P2.
[0016]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a second rotary feed plate that has a disk shape and is provided on the supply base 8 so as to be able to be rotationally driven. Ten insertion holes 5a for transferring the button B are formed around the second rotary feed plate. The second rotary feed plate 5 is disposed so that a part thereof is located below the first rotary feed plate 4 and the notch portion 4a and the insertion hole 5a coincide with each other at the second delivery position P2. At the second delivery position P2, the button B in the notch 4a falls into the insertion hole 5a and is delivered.
[0017]
By the way, a holding plate (not shown) is provided below the notch portion 4a, and the first rotary feed plate 4 and the second rotary feed plate 5 in front of the first delivery position P1 to the second delivery position P2. Until the buttons overlap, the button slides on the holding plate so that the button does not fall from the notch 4a.
[0018]
The button B delivered to the insertion hole 5a at the second delivery position P2 is moved to the third delivery position P3 by the clockwise rotation of the second rotary feed plate 5 (arrow 2). Be transported.
[0019]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a button carrier, and the distal end portion 6b moves between the third delivery position P3 and the button knob position P4 by the button knob foot 2 by swinging the base end about the shaft 6a. The tip portion 6b is located immediately below the insertion hole 5a at the third delivery position P3, and holds the button B that falls from the insertion hole 5a. Then, the button B held in the tip portion 6b is rotated counterclockwise (arrow 3 direction) around the shaft 6a and transferred to the knob position P4. Can be supplied.
[0020]
A holding plate (not shown) is provided below the insertion hole 5a, and the holding plate is provided so that the button does not fall from the insertion hole 5a between the second delivery position P2 and the front of the third delivery position P3. Move the slide up.
[0021]
Reference numeral 7 denotes a button holder according to the present invention, which holds and supplies various buttons. The discharge portion 7a for discharging the held button is arranged so as to come to a discharge position P5 (predetermined position) where the insertion hole 5a two positions before the third delivery position P3 is located. Details will be described later.
[0022]
Here, the case where the button feeder 3 is used and the case where the button holder 7 is used will be described. When the button feeder 3 is used, the button B discharged from the discharge unit 3b is the first one by vibrating the button feeder 3 and discharging the button B from the discharge unit 3b with the button holder 7 empty. Are supplied to the button knob foot 2 via the rotary plate 4, the second rotary plate 5 and the button carrier 6. Since the same type of buttons are stored in the button feeder 3, the time when the button feeder 3 is used is when a large number of buttons of the same type are supplied.
[0023]
When the button holder 7 is used, the second holder 5 and the button carrier 6 are driven by holding the button holder 7 in the order in which various buttons are to be supplied and stopping the vibration of the button feeder 3. The button B discharged from the button holder 7 to the discharge position P5 is supplied to the button knob foot 2 via the second rotary plate 5 and the button carrier 6. Since various buttons are stored in the button holder 7 in order, when the button holder 7 is used, the various buttons are supplied in a predetermined order.
[0024]
The transfer means when the button holder 7 is used is the second rotating plate 5 and the button carrier 6.
[0025]
Next, the details of the button holder 7 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a), (b), and (c).
[0026]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a holder body, which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIGS. The lower surface of the holder main body 10 is fixed to a short side of the mounting base 15 having a substantially J shape, and the long side of the mounting base 15 is fixed to the supply base 8 so that the holder main body 10 passes through the mounting base 15. It is fixed to the supply stand 8.
[0027]
At this time, it arrange | positions so that the lower surface 10a formed in the lower end of the holder main body 10 may become horizontal.
[0028]
Returning to the description of the holder main body 10, a button passage groove 10 b having a predetermined width w extending in the longitudinal direction is formed substantially at the center of the upper surface. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), an inclined groove 10c is formed in the lower right of the button passage groove 10b so that the width gradually increases. This makes it easy to supply the button to the button passage groove 10b. . The upper end of the button passage groove 10b constitutes a button supply section 7b.
[0029]
Reference numeral 11 denotes an upper surface cover, which is fixed to the upper surface of the holder body 10 with screws so as to cover the button passage groove 10b. The top cover 11 has the same width as the holder main body 10, the left end is substantially coincident with the left end of the holder main body 10, and the right end is arranged so as to be positioned on the near side of the inclined groove 10 c of the button passage groove 10 b. .
[0030]
Reference numeral 12 denotes an auxiliary guide, which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, is fixed to the lower surface of the button upper surface cover 11 with a screw 13 through a long hole 11a, and is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the button passage groove 10b. The auxiliary guide 12 can be adjusted in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the button passage groove 10b by loosening the screw 13 and moving the auxiliary guide 12 along the long hole 11a.
[0031]
Here, as shown in FIG. 3C, the space portion S is configured by the button passage groove 10 b and the auxiliary guide 12. The width of the space portion S is defined by the width w of the button passage groove 10b. This width w is smaller than twice the width of the minimum width button to be used, and the height of the space portion S is the height of the button passage groove 10b. It is defined by a height h from the bottom surface to the lower surface of the auxiliary guide 12, and this height h is smaller than twice the height of the minimum button to be used.
[0032]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a front end cover, which is bent into a square shape when viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 3B. The right side 14a is fixed to the lower surface of the holder body 10 by screws and the left side 14b is arranged along the inclined surface 10a. ing. The left side 14b is formed with a discharge portion 7a which is a circular through hole for discharging the button from the button passage groove 10b. The diameter of the discharge part 7a is the same as the predetermined width w of the button passage groove 10b.
[0033]
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the button holder 7 holds various buttons. From the side closer to the discharge unit 7a, three first buttons B1, three second buttons B2, Three buttons B3 are held. That is, in order to achieve such a state, first, the first button B1 is supplied from the three supply units 7b, then the second button B2 is supplied from the three supply units 7b, and finally, Three third buttons B3 are supplied from the supply unit 7b. These buttons are designated as B1a, B1b, B1c, B2a, B2b, B2c, B3a, B3b, and B3c from the side closer to the discharge unit 7a.
[0035]
Here, since the height h of the space portion S is smaller than twice the height of the minimum height button to be used, the buttons do not overlap each other. Further, since the width w of the space portion S is smaller than twice the width of the minimum width button to be used, the button supplied later does not overtake the button supplied later.
[0036]
FIG. 4 shows a state before the buttons are discharged from the discharge unit 7a in order to make it easy to understand how various buttons are supplied.
[0037]
Normally, when a button is supplied from the supply unit 7b, the supplied button moves toward the discharge unit 7a by its own weight as shown in FIG. 5, and the first button B1a is the discharge position P5 of the second rotating body 5. The second button B1b is overlaid on the first button B1a, and the third button B1c is locked by engaging the side surface with the upper right end of the second button B1b. .
[0038]
When the second rotating body 5 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the first button B1a is sent, and the second button B1b falls into the next insertion hole 5a coming to the discharge position P5 and at the same time the second button B1b. The third button B1c is overlapped on the upper side, and the fourth button B2a is locked by engaging the side surface with the upper right end of the third button B1c. By sequentially repeating this operation, the button of the button holder 7 is discharged to the second rotating body 5.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 1, the button discharged to the second rotating body 5 is transferred to the third delivery position P3, where it is delivered to the tip 6b of the button carrier 6, and further, the button carrier 6 Is transferred to the knob position P4 and supplied to the button knob foot 4.
[0040]
By the way, in the button holder 7, when the button is discharged from the discharge portion 7a, as shown in FIG.
[0041]
That is, the side surface of the third button B1c is not locked to the upper right end of the second button B1b, and overlaps the upper surface of the second button B1b. In such a case, when the second rotating body 5 is rotated in the arrow direction as it is, when the upper edge portion 5b of the insertion hole 5a pushes up the second button B1b as shown in FIG. 6B, The third button B1c loses escape and is repelled in the direction of the supply unit 7b, whereby the fourth and subsequent buttons are also repelled and the button near the supply unit 7b, in the case of the embodiment, B3c is supplied. It will be ejected from the part 7b.
[0042]
Even when the third button B1c is not repelled, the second rotating body 5 is caught by the second button B1b.
[0043]
In such a case, the screw 13 is loosened, the auxiliary guide 12 is moved in the longitudinal direction, and the next button is overlapped with the button in the insertion hole 5a using the smallest button to be used. Adjust the side of the button to engage and lock.
[0044]
As a result, no matter which button is used, the three buttons do not overlap and can be reliably supplied.
[0045]
Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention , since the button holder is arranged in an inclined manner and the position of the auxiliary guide that forms the upper surface of the space portion can be adjusted along the discharge direction of the button, the size of the button to be used Since the buttons can be prevented from overlapping in the vicinity of the discharge portion, it can be reliably supplied to the sewing machine with buttons.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top view of an overall configuration including a button sewing machine of a button supply apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the entire configuration including a button sewing machine of a button supply device to which the present invention is applied.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are views as viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG.
(B) Side view of the button holder of the present invention.
(C) AA sectional drawing of (a).
FIG. 4A is a schematic top view showing a state where various buttons are held in a button holder.
(B) The schematic front view which shows the state which hold | maintained various buttons in the button holder.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a button discharging operation by a button holder.
FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a state in which three buttons overlap each other in the vicinity of the discharge unit.
(B) The figure which shows the state which the 2nd rotary body act | operated in the state of (a).
[Explanation of symbols]
B ... Button 1 ... Sewing machine with button 2 ... Button knob foot 3 ... Button feeder 4 ... First rotating body 5 ... Second rotating body (transfer means)
6 ... Button carrier (transportation means)
7 ... Button holder 7a ... Discharge part 7b ... Supply part 10 ... Holder body 12 ... Auxiliary guide S ... Space part

Claims (1)

A button holder for holding a plurality of buttons and supplying the held buttons one by one to a predetermined position, and a transfer means for transferring the button placed at the predetermined position to a button knob foot of a button-attached sewing machine A button supply device,
The button holder is
A substantially rectangular parallelepiped space that holds a plurality of buttons, a supply portion that supplies a button to the space portion on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the space portion, and a button in the space portion on the other end side by its own weight. In a button supply device comprising a discharge unit for discharging to
The button holder is disposed to be inclined with respect to the upper surface of the button supply base so that the button supplied from the supply part to the space part moves toward the discharge part by its own weight,
Auxiliary guide provided in the button holder in a longitudinal direction along the discharge direction of the button so as to cover the upper surface of the button held in the space part,
The auxiliary guide is arranged so that the distal end of the discharge portion side in the longitudinal direction prevents the next button from overlapping the button on the discharge portion to be transferred next to the button held by the transfer means. A button supply device characterized in that the position of the space can be adjusted along the direction in which the button is discharged .

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