BACKGROUND ART Sewing machines often require multiple sources of thread generally in the form of spools or bobbins which are either interchanged on a single spindle or may be located on multiple spindles attached to the equipment itself. One problem associated with such an arrangement is that there is often a limited number of spools which can be held by a particular sewing machine. Another problem is that where rapid and more importantly, frequent changes of thread are required, loose ends of threads have to be cut and secured on the body of the spool before the spool is replaced by another spool having the desired thread. Furthermore, where a multiple or manifold arrangement is used, there is a likelihood that the individual threads will become entangled resulting in inconvenience and unnecessary delays.

OBIECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate at least one of the problems associated with prior art thread selection and delivery apparatus in respect of portable sewing machines.

In one aspect, there is provided a multiple thread dispenser comprising a plurality of independent sources of thread dispensing individual different coloured threads, a thread distributor having a plurality of thread guides, the respective threads travelling in use from the sources through respective guides and thread selection and storage means holding threads awaiting selection.

In one preferred aspect, the invention resides in a multiple thread dispenser comprising a base plate having table securing means; said base plate associated with one or more upright members supporting at least one spool carriage member; said spool carriage member having a plurality of spindles over which may be located spools containing thread forming said sources of thread;

a thread distributor comprising at least one thread dispensing arm having a plurality of spaced thread guides correspondingly located relative to said spindles; one or more thread feed loops to receive a selected thread leaving the thread guides; and a thread selector and storage means comprising one or more thread cutting and keeping apparatus.

Preferably, said table securing means are suction, screw or spring operated clamps to affix said base plate to a table or horizontal surface. In the alternative, the base plate may be weighted or employ a platform so that the weight of a sewing machine on said base plate secures the multiple thread dispenser from movement and/or vibration. Where portability is not required, the base plate may be screwed, clamped or otherwise bonded to the table surface.

Preferably, the spool carriage member is removable with respect to the upright members so that different sources of thread may be quickly replaced as required. In this embodiment, the thread distributor may also form a handle for the spool carriage member and is associated with its own thread feed loop and thread selector and storage means.

Where only a single spool carriage member is required, such as with a less expensive version of the invention, the base plate, upright member, spool carriage member and thread dispensing arm may be moulded or cast from one piece of material such as plastic or aluminium, respectively.

In the alternative, the upright member, spool carriage member and thread dispensing arm may be separate components and attached to the base member and may be adjustably located relative to each other.

In preference, the spool carriage member and the thread dispensing arm are located or positioned with respect to a conventional sewing machine, such that the thread selection and thread feeding action are appropriately situated above the working region of the sewing machine. Suitably, the length and sizes of the spool carriage member and the thread dispensing arm are determined by the application, type and the number of spools of thread required.

The spool carriage member preferably comprises a longitudinal plate having a plurality of vertically projecting spindles, however, other configurations having spindles projecting at different angles are also contemplated.

The thread dispensing arm is preferably a horizontal bar having a plurality of thread guides in the form of holes or slots spaced along the length of the bar corresponding to the number and position of the spindles of the spool carriage member. Alternatively, the thread guides may be metal loops or eyes or other suitable fixtures which are attached to the thread dispensing arm.

In another form of the invention, the spool carriage member may comprise a circular plate having spindles radially positioned adjacent the circumferential region of the circular plate. The circular plate may be rotatable about a central shaft and incorporate a detent mechanism to hold it in position to provide access to a particular spool of thread selected. In this version, the thread dispensing arm may comprise an annular member or ring having thread guides spaced appropriately on an outer surface corresponding to the positions of the spindles on the circular plate; the ring being rotatable with the circular plate.

Suitably, the thread feed loop comprises a steel bar with eyes or slots spaced along its length. Preferably, the thread feed loop is mounted on the spool carriage member or may be attached to the thread dispensing arm or the upright member. Preferably, the thread loop is adjustable in position so that thread travelling from the loop to a sewing machine thread entry position enters the machine at an optimum thread entry angle for proper operation of the machine. In some machines, the thread entry position is different so it is preferable that the thread delivery means be adjusted so that it can be used with these different machines. Conveniently, the thread loop can swing or otherwise be repositioned in a horizontal or vertical plane to alter the thread entry angle.

Preferably, the thread cutting and keeping apparatus comprises a shielded blade in association with a coil spring in which individual threads may be wedged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To enable the invention to be fully understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multiple thread dispenser according to the invention;

Figure 2A shows a detail of the thread cutting and keeping apparatus; Figure 2B shows detail of curved slots of the thread dispensing arm; Figure 3A shows a detail of the spool carriage member;

Figure 3B shows detail of the thread loop; Figure 4A shows a removable spool carriage member; Figure 4B shows detail of storage means for extra spools; and Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a multiple thread dispenser according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in Figure 1 , a multiple thread dispenser 1 on which a sewing machine 2 (shown in phantom) is positioned on base plate 3. Attached to one end of the base plate 3 is an upright stand 4 which supports the spool carriage member 6 and the thread dispensing arm 7. Spools 8 containing thread are mounted on spindles 9 which project vertically from spool carriage member 6. Threads 8a from spools 8 pass through curved slots 10 in the thread dispensing arm 7 and are locked by wedging in coil spring 1 1 . The ends of the thread may be cut by using the shielded blade thread cutter 12. Thread 13 from spool 14 required for sewing is removed from coil spring thread keeper 1 1 and is passed down from the thread dispensing arm 7 through slotted eye 1 5a of the thread loop 15 before being fed into the sewing machine 2. When no longer required, thread 1 3 may be cut by the shielded blade thread cutter 12 and locked into place by the coil spring thread keeper 1 1 before being replaced by thread from a different spool. The thread loop 15 can be fitted so that it can swing vertically to alter the delivery angle of thread to the machine. Typically, the thread loop 15 is hinged to the post 5. This caters for adjusting the thread entry angle for different machines.

Extra spools 16 may be stored on removable horizontal rod 17. It will be evident that the weight of the sewing machine 2 will hold the base plate 3 firmly on a flat surface, thereby preventing the multiple thread dispenser 1 from excessive movement and/or vibration.

Referring now to Figure 2A, it can be seen that the threads 18, which pass through curved slots 10 in the thread dispensing arm 7, are locked by wedging between the coils of coil spring 1 1 and may be cut by using the shielded blade thread cutter 12. Thread 1 9 which is being used for sewing, has been removed from coil spring 1 1 and will be passed through a slotted eye of the thread feed loop (not shown) before being fed to a sewing machine.

Figure 2B shows detail of curved slot 10 which retains a thread (not shown) in the circular portion 10a.

Figure 3A shows a spool carriage member 6 and thread dispensing arm 7, the top of which has a thread keeping coil spring 1 1. Thread feed loop 1 5 is attached to the upright post 5 and has slotted eyes 1 5a through which thread 18a from spool 18 is fed before it reaches the sewing machine (not shown).

Figure 3B shows a side elevation of detail of the thread loop 15 with slotted eyes 15a attached to post 5 by means of screw 5a and adjustment slot 5b. Figure 4A shows a multiple thread dispenser with a removable spool carriage member 20 having an upright section 21 , horizontal base 22 and thread dispensing arm 23. The spindles 27 are removable and thread from spools pass through curved slots 10 in the thread dispensing arm 23. There is also shown a thread feed loop 15 having a slotted eye 15a which is attached to post 5 but may be alternatively attached to another part of the spool carriage member 22 depending on the application.

Figure 4B shows detail of the removable horizontal rod 1 7 (in cross- section) of Figure 1 which is slidably removable from grooved keeper 1 7a attached to post 5. The position of extra spool 16 rotatable about rod 17 is shown in phantom.

Referring now to Figure 5, it can be seen from the exploded drawing that the multiple thread dispenser 30 has a base plate 31 , an upright member 32 with a platform 33 having slots 34, 35 and tangs 36, 37 to engage complementary slots and tangs of the spool carriage member 38. The spool carriage member 38 has slots 39, 40 for securing the spool carriage member 38 to the platform 33 by engaging tangs 36, 37 of platform 33. The spool carriage member 38 has a thread dispensing arm 41 which also

functions as a handle for lifting the spool carriage member. The thread dispensing arm 41 has a number of curved slots 41 a which function as thread guides. Attached to the thread dispensing arm 41 is a thread feed loop 42 and a thread cutting and keeping device 43 mounted on a post 44. Machine screws 45 and nuts 46 are used where required. In this example, the spindles 47 have threaded ends 47a which pass through holes 48 in the spool carriage member 38 and are held in place by spring washer and nut 49 and 50 respectively.

The preferred embodiments described herein are intended to illustrate the principal of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to the preferred embodiments may be evident to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.