JPS6060890A - multi-pattern sewing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a multi-pattern sewing machine that automatically forms a desired pattern selected from a large number of predetermined patterns.
In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for displaying the actual dimensions of the selected pattern in the work cloth feeding direction.

Prior Art In multi-pattern sewing machines that automatically form a desired pattern selected from pre-stored patterns, the number of types of patterns that can be sewn has recently been expanded to, for example, more than 100 types. An image of the pattern is displayed on the front of the sewing machine. However, because the display area on the front of the sewing machine for displaying the image of the pattern is limited, as the number of types of patterns that can be sewn increases, the size of the image of the pattern displayed on the front of the sewing machine is decreasing. They tend to be smaller and smaller than their actual dimensions. For this reason, in such conventional multi-pattern sewing machines, it is difficult to predict the dimensions of the pattern actually formed on the workpiece cloth from the shape displayed on the front of the sewing machine and set the sewing position. When forming a desired pattern, the pattern may protrude from the sewing area or
Alternatively, there is a problem in that the pattern is unevenly distributed within the sewing area. This inconvenience becomes particularly noticeable when a plurality of individually sewn cycle patterns are combined and formed within a predetermined area.

On the other hand, it is conceivable to test the combination of cycle patterns to be formed before sewing to check the actual dimensions in the direction of fabric feeding.
Performing such trial sewing every time a pattern is formed is extremely troublesome for the operator.

Purpose of the Invention The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances,
The object is to provide a multi-pattern sewing machine that can display the actual dimensions in the work cloth feeding direction of a combination of a plurality of desired cycle patterns selected from among a large number of patterns.

Structure of the Invention In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the present invention is to create a desired pattern from a large number of predetermined patterns formed by the combination of a sewing needle capable of oscillating in the lateral direction and a feed dog. a pattern selection device for selecting a pattern; and a combination designating operation body operable to sequentially combine the patterns selected by the pattern selection device, and forming the plurality of combined patterns. In the sewing machine, (1) a storage device that outputs pattern length data regarding the length in the feed direction of each pattern among the plurality of patterns;
(1) reading means for reading out a plurality of pattern length data corresponding to the plurality of patterns that have been eclipsed from the storage device; and (1) a display device disposed on the frame of the sewing machine for informing the operator of the total length of the plurality of patterns combined according to the calculated combined length data.

Effects of the Invention With this arrangement, when a desired pattern is selected by the pattern selection device and a combination of those patterns is specified by the combination designation operation tool, the pattern length data is combined from the storage device storing the pattern length data. Pattern length data corresponding to each of the plurality of patterns is read out by the successive output means. Then, the plurality of read pattern length data are summed in the calculation means, and the total length of the desired pattern combination selected according to the summed combination length data (the total actual length in the work cloth feeding direction) is added. ) is displayed by the display device. Therefore, the operator can read the total length of the selected desired patterns in the work cloth feeding direction from the display device prior to 8M of the selected desired patterns. The actual overall length of the pattern combination can be known, and the sewing position on the workpiece cloth, in other words, the sewing start position, can be easily set. Therefore, when forming a silk combination of a selected desired pattern on a work cloth, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the pattern protrudes from the second sewing area of the work cloth or that the pattern is unevenly formed within the sewing area. It will be done.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of a multi-pattern sewing machine to which the present invention is applied, in which a pillar part 12 is erected on a bed part 10, and an arm part 14 is connected to the pillar part at one end. 1
It is supported horizontally by 2. A head 16 is formed at the other end of the arm portion 14, and the other end of the head 16 includes a sewing needle 18 that is reciprocated in the vertical direction in synchronization with the rotation of a sewing machine main shaft (not shown). A bar 20 and a presser foot 22 are provided which can be manually moved to a raised position and a lowered position, respectively. On the other hand, near the needle drop point of the sewing needle 18 on the bed section 10, there is a feed dog 2 that feeds the work cloth by being reciprocally driven in synchronization with the rotation of the main shaft of the sewing machine.
4 is provided.

A pattern display section 26 provided on the front side of the arm section 14 displays a large number of patterns (approximately 100 types) consisting of groups A, B, and C, together with pattern numbers for two fingers (not shown), in figures smaller than their actual dimensions. ing. Patterns belonging to group B include straight stitches, practical stitches such as zigzag, and decorative patterns = W continuous sewing patterns, patterns belonging to group A are letters, numbers, etc., and patterns belonging to group C are a series of patterns or letters. It is. The patterns belonging to Group A or C are so-called cycle patterns in which each pattern is sewn individually. Ten pattern selection switches 28 each having a number engraved thereon are provided for selecting a desired pattern. Further, on the right side of the pattern display section 26, there is a two-finger number display 30, which is a display device for displaying the pattern number or the actual size of the pattern in the work cloth feed direction, and a number display 30 that is selected by the number display 30. A display changeover switch 32, which is a manual operation element, is provided for displaying the actual dimensions of the pattern. A combination designation switch 34 and a one-cycle designation switch 36 are provided between the pattern selection switch 28 and the display changeover switch 32 as combination designation operation bodies. Note that 38 is a start/stop switch for starting and stopping the sewing machine, and 40 is a speed setting device for setting the speed of the sewing machine morph 42 to a desired value.

The multi-pattern stitch sewing machine constructed as described above is equipped with a control circuit shown in FIG. That is, when a two-finger pattern number corresponding to a desired pattern is input to the encoder 44 according to the operation of the pattern selection switch 28, the encoder 44 is equipped with a storage section in which a large number of pattern codes are stored, and the input The pattern data SM corresponding to the selected pattern number is stored in the start address memory 46. Pattern discriminator 48° Stitch number data memory 50. Length data memory 52 is applied to input port L of multiplexer 54.

Further, when the numerical value of two fingers is input by operating the pattern selection switch 28, a pattern input signal SI indicating that a pattern has been input is sent from the encoder 44 to an adder 45.47 to be described later.
Output to. That is, the pattern selection switch 28 and the encoder 44 form a pattern selection device that generates pattern data SM, and the encoder 44 also serves as a continuous means for reading pattern length data stored in a length data memory 52, which will be described later. is formed.

A large number of start addresses are stored in the start address memory 46, and the start address corresponding to the input pattern data SM is supplied to the channel selector 55. The channel selector 55 allows the start address from the start address memory 46 to be supplied to the pattern code memory 57 via the channel selector 55 when a start signal SST is not generated from the morph control circuit 72 described later. However, when the activation signals S and ST are generated, the start address output from the pattern code memory 57 is allowed to be supplied to the stitch data generator f56 via the channel selector 55.

A timing signal TS synchronized with the rotation of the main shaft of the sewing machine (not shown) is supplied to the stitch data generator 56 from a timing signal generator 58, and the stitch data generator 56 generates pattern data SM in synchronization with the timing signal TS. A series of stitch data for forming a corresponding pattern is sequentially supplied to the actuator drive circuit 60. That is, the stitch data generation device 56 includes, for example, an address counter that loads the start address simultaneously with the pattern selection operation and counts the timing signal TS in addition to the loaded content, and stores many types of stitch data in advance. The sewing machine is equipped with a stitch data memory, etc., which sequentially outputs stitch data that has been assigned an address according to the count contents of the address counter.The stitch data is stored in a pair of needle position signals SH and It consists of a sending signal SF,
The needle position signal SH represents the swinging position of the sewing needle 18, and the feed signal SF represents the feed amount and feed direction of the work cloth. Note that when the end of a series of stitch data generated by the stitch data generator 56 is generated, an end signal SE representing the end is supplied to an address counter 70 (described later) via an OR circuit 68, and is divided there. It is now counted.

The actuator drive circuit 60 converts the needle position signal SH and the feed signal SF into analog signals, amplifies the power, and supplies the signal to the needle swing actuator 62 and the feed actuator 64, respectively. The needle swing actuator 62 moves the needle bar 20 by driving the needle swing mechanism.
The feed actuator 64 changes the work cloth feed amount and feed direction of the feed dog 24 by positioning the rotational position of a feed adjuster (not shown).

In the pattern discriminator 48, the pattern corresponding to the pattern data SM is a cycle pattern (
It is determined whether the pattern is a single sewing pattern), and if it is a cycle pattern, an H level signal is output to the AND circuit 66. On the other hand, the AND circuit 66 is supplied with an H level signal indicating that the combination designation switch 34 has been pressed, and the pattern corresponding to the pattern data SM is a cycle pattern and the combination designation switch 34 is pressed. 3
4 is suppressed, the combined signal SP is supplied from the AND circuit 66 to the address counter 70 through the OR circuit 68 and also to the adders 45 and 47.

In the address counter 70, the signals supplied via the OR circuit 68 are counted, and the counted contents are supplied to the pattern code memory 57, thereby specifying a temporary storage location in the pattern code memory 57 or specifying a location where the pattern code memory 57 is temporarily stored. The stored start address is read out. That is, the start signal S is sent from the motor control circuit 72, which will be described later.
When ST is being supplied to the pattern code memory 57, the output signal of the address counter 70 specifies the location from which to read out the pattern code memory 57.
If the activation signal SST is not supplied, the location in the pattern code memory 57 is designated.

The address counter 70 is supplied with a clear signal KU having a constant pulse width from a one-shot multi-circuit 74 in response to the generation of the start signal SST.
When the clear signal KU is supplied, the address counter 70
The count value in is cleared to zero.

The pattern code memory 57 is in a reading state when the activation signal SST is not supplied, and the channel selector 5
The first address supplied from the first address memory 46 through step 5 is temporarily recorded 1,a in the location specified by the count contents of the address counter 70, while if the start signal SST is being generated, a continuous state occurs; The start address of the location specified by the count contents of the address counter 70 is sent to the stitch data generator 5 via the channel selector 55.
Output to 6.

In the stitch number data memory 50, the total number of stitches of each of the cycle patterns is stored, and a stitch number signal SN representing the total number of stitches of the pattern corresponding to the pattern data SM is stored.
is supplied to the adder 45.

In the adder 45, the stitch number signal SN is read according to the pattern input signal SI, the numerical value represented by the stitch number signal SN read according to the combination signal SP is added, and the signal representing the added total value is controlled by the motor. 72.

The motor control circuit 72 includes, for example, a T-type flip-flop circuit that alternately generates and extinguishes a starting signal SST in accordance with the pressing operation of the starting/stopping switch 38, and an adder 45.
The signal representing the total number of stitches outputted from is loaded, and is subtracted from the loaded total number of stitches in response to the timing signal TS, and when the content of the number of bars becomes zero, the flip-flop circuit is activated. A subtraction counter to be reset is provided, and normally, a start signal SST is alternately outputted to the motor drive circuit 76 in accordance with the pressing operation of the start/stop switch 38. However, in a state where the 1 cycle signal CC representing 1 cycle sewing (single sewing) is supplied from the T-type flip-flop circuit 78 which is alternately set and reset in response to the pressing operation of the 1 cycle designation switch 36, When the content of the subtraction counter decreases to a predetermined constant value and a raised position signal SU representing the raised position of the sewing needle 18 is supplied from the needle position detector 79, a low speed command signal LS is sent to the motor drive circuit 76. and then
When the content of the subtraction counter reaches zero, the starting signal S S 'r' supplied to the motor drive circuit 76 is stopped.

In the motor drive circuit 76, when the start signal SST is supplied, the motor rotation speed set by the speed setting device 40 and the actual rotation speed of the sewing machine motor 42 detected by the speed detector 80 match. Electric power is supplied to the sewing machine motor 42, and the sewing machine motor 42 is driven to rotate at a speed set by the speed setting device 40.

Further, when the low speed command signal LS is supplied, a predetermined constant small drive power is supplied to the sewing machine motor 42, and the sewing machine motor 42 is rotated at a low speed.

When the supply of the start signal SST is stopped, the power supply to the sewing machine motor 42 is stopped.

In the length data memory 52 serving as a storage device, the actual dimensions of the cycle pattern in the work cloth feeding direction are stored, and the pattern length data SL representing the actual dimensions of the pattern corresponding to the pattern data SM is stored. The signal is supplied to an adder 47 as a calculation means. In the adder 47, like the adder 45, pattern length data SI7 is loaded in accordance with the pattern input signal SI, and the combination signal SP
Accordingly, the 1-coded contents are added, and combination length data SG representing the sum value which is the addition result is supplied to the input port H of the multiplexer 54. Multiplexer 54
, the input port I is always selected and the pattern data SM is supplied to the display drive circuit 82 through the multiplexer 54, but the AND circuit 84
When the boat select signal SC is supplied from input capo-1
-H is selected so that the combined length data SG is supplied to the display drive circuit 82 through the multiplexer 54. Display drive circuit 82 supplies a display signal to numeric display 30 to display the numerical value represented by the signal input thereto. The AND circuit 84 is supplied with the I level switching display signal SD generated in accordance with the pressing operation of the display changeover switch 32 and the 1 cycle signal CC (1-T level) output from the T-type flip-flop circuit 78. The boat select signal SC is 1.
The signal is supplied to the multiplexer 54 when one cycle sewing (single 8! sewing) is specified by the cycle designation switch 36 and the display changeover operation is performed by the display changeover switch 32.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained below. Pattern selection switch 2
When a continuous sewing pattern belonging to group B is selected according to the operation in step 8, no signal is output from the pattern discriminator 48, so the contents of the address counter 70 are maintained at zero regardless of the operation of the combination designation switch 34. . For this reason, the location where the pattern code memory 57 should be temporarily stored or the location where the start address should be read from the pattern code memory 57 is always a constant address, such as address zero. Before the start/stop switch 38 is operated, the start signal SST
is not generated, the first address memory 46
The starting address for sewing the pattern corresponding to the pattern data SM is supplied to the pattern code memory 57 via the channel selector 55, and is temporarily stored at the zero address.

When the start/stop switch 38 is pressed in the above state, the motor control circuit 72 sends start signals q, s S
T is generated and the pattern code memory 57 is placed in the reading state, and the switching state of the channel selector 55 is changed, so that the start address temporarily stored in the pattern code memory 57 is read out via the channel selector 55. The data is supplied to the data generator 56, and at the same time the sewing machine motor 4
2 is rotationally driven. As a result, the stitch data generator 5
From 6 onwards, a series of stitch data for sewing the pattern corresponding to the pattern data SM is sequentially supplied to the actuator drive circuit 60 in synchronization with the timing signal TS to control the stitch position of each stitch, and select the pattern. A desired continuous sewing pattern selected according to the operation of the sewing stitch 28 is continuously formed on the work cloth until the start/stop switch 38 is operated again.

Next, when one of the cycle (single sewing) patterns belonging to the group A or C is selected, when the start/stop switch 38 is suppressed after operating the pattern selection switch 28, the above-described embodiment is performed. A cycle pattern is continuously formed according to a similar operation. That is, since the combination designation switch 34 is not pressed, the pattern code memory 5
A scheduled temporary storage location or a readout location within 7 is defined as a fixed location, and the 1-cycle designation switch 36 responds to a pressing operation from the T-type flip-flop circuit 78 to 1.
This is because the cycle signal CC is not supplied to the motor control circuit 72. In this state, the 1-cycle signal CC cannot be generated even if the display changeover switch 32 is pressed, so the input port L of the multiplexer 54 is always selected and only the pattern number is displayed on the numeric display 30. .

However, when the 1 cycle designation switch 36 is pressed and the display changeover switch 32 is operated prior to the suppression operation of the start/stop switch 38, the selected cycle pattern is displayed on the numerical display 30. The actual dimensions in the fabric feed direction are displayed. That is, when the cycle designation switch 36 is pressed, the T-type flip-flop circuit 78 is set and the 1 cycle signal cc is supplied to the AND circuit 84, while the display changeover switch 32
When the switch display signal SD is supplied to the AND circuit 84 in accordance with the depression of the switch, the port select signal SC is supplied to the multiplexer 54. Therefore, in the multiplexer 54, its input port H is 1 length. At this time, the pattern length data SL representing the actual dimension in the work cloth feeding direction of the cycle pattern selected from the length data memory 52 is supplied to the wafer 47, and the pattern input signal SI is supplied to the adder 47. Since the content of the adder 47, that is, the length data SG representing the actual dimension of one selected cycle pattern, is loaded according to the multiplex! J
-54 to the display drive circuit 82, and the actual size of the selected cycle pattern is displayed on the numeric display 30.

In this state, when the start/stop switch 38 is pressed and the sewing machine motor 42 is rotationally driven, a cycle pattern is formed on the workpiece cloth in the same way as in the above operation, but when the cycle pattern is completed, the sewing needle 18 reaches the raised position, the sewing machine motor 42 is automatically stopped. That is, the stitch number signal SN representing the number of stitches of the cycle pattern selected from the stitch number data memory 50 is sent to the adder 45.
In addition, the adder 45 is loaded with the stitch number signal SN according to the pattern input signal S, and the contents of the adders 4 and 5, that is, the number of stitches for one selected cycle pattern. A signal representing the value is supplied to the motor control circuit 72. Therefore, the motor control circuit 72
, the number of stitches supplied from the adder 45 is subtracted in response to the timing signal TS, and when the subtraction result decreases to a predetermined constant number, a low speed command signal LS is supplied to the motor drive circuit 76. In addition to driving the sewing machine motor at low speed, when the subtraction result reaches zero and the needle position detector 7
When the raised position signal SU indicating the raised position of the sewing needle 18 is supplied from 9, the supply of the start signal SST is stopped. It will be stopped.

When sewing a combination of a plurality of cycle patterns belonging to group A or group C, the following operation is performed. First, when the first cycle pattern is selected according to the operation of the pattern selection switch 28, the start address corresponding to the first cycle pattern is stored in the start address memory 46.
from the pattern code memory 5 via the channel selector 55.
It is temporarily stored at address zero of 7. Then, prior to the selection operation of the second cycle pattern, the combination designation switch 34 is set to 1.
When the cycle pattern is created, the cycle pattern has already been determined by the pattern discriminator 48, so a signal is supplied from the AND circuit 66 to the address counter 70 via the OR circuit 68, and the signal is supplied to the address counter 7o to read its contents. is taken to be 1.

Therefore, the temporary storage location designated in the pattern code memory 57 is changed from address 0 to address 1. Next, when the second cycle pattern is selected by operating the pattern selection switch 28, the leading address corresponding to the second cycle pattern is stored at address 1 of the pattern code memory 57. As described above, a desired number of cycle patterns can be combined.

On the other hand, in the input operation process, a stitch number signal SN representing the number of stitches of the first cycle pattern and the second cycle pattern is supplied from the stitch number data memory 50 to the adder 45. 45, the pattern input signal SI
They are sequentially loaded according to the combination signal SP, and the loaded stitch numbers are added according to the combination signal SP. Similarly, in the length data memory 52, pattern length data SL representing the lengths of the first cycle pattern and the second cycle pattern in the work cloth feeding direction is supplied to the adder 47. In the adder 47, the pattern input signal S■
They are loaded according to the combined signal S
They are added together according to P. Therefore, a signal representing the total number of stitches of the plurality of selected cycle patterns is supplied from the adder 45 to the motor control circuit 72, while a signal representing the total number of stitches of the plurality of selected cycle patterns in the work cloth feeding direction is supplied from the adder 45 to the motor control circuit 72. Length data SG is supplied to input port H of multiplexer 54.

In the above state, when the 1-cycle designation switch 36 is suppressed, the T-type frisopfl tip circuit 78 is set, and when the font selection switch 32 is pressed, the boat select signal SC is transferred to the multiplexer 5.
4, so that human-powered boat H is selected. Therefore, the combined length data SG is supplied to the display drive circuit 82, and the total length (actual length) of the combined cycle patterns in the work cloth feeding direction is displayed on the numerical display 30. Therefore, the operator can recognize the actual dimensions in the work cloth feeding direction formed by the combination of a plurality of selected cycle patterns before sewing, and can determine the seam position on the work cloth based on this. This allows for easier setup.

Subsequently, when the start/stop switch 38 is pressed and the sewing machine motor 42 is driven to rotate, the start signal SS is activated.
Since the address counter 70 is cleared in accordance with the clear signal KU of a predetermined pulse width generated in response to T, the first address read position in the pattern code memory 57 is set to address zero. Therefore, the first
Since the start address corresponding to the cycle pattern is supplied from the pattern card memory 57 to the stitch data generator 56 via the channel selector 55, the stitch data generator 5
From 6 onwards, a series of stitch data for forming the first cycle pattern is sequentially generated.

Therefore, a first cycle pattern is first formed on the work cloth. When the first cycle pattern is formed on the work cloth and reaches the end of the series of stitch data, the end signal SE is supplied to the address counter 70 via the OR circuit 68. Therefore, the count in the address counter 70 is incremented by one, and the designated successive output position in the pattern code memory 57 is changed from address zero to address one. As a result, the head address temporarily stored at address 1 corresponding to the second cycle pattern is supplied to the stitch data generator 56 via the channel selector 55. Therefore, the second
Since a series of stitch data for forming the cycle pattern is sequentially supplied to the actuator drive circuit 60, the second cycle pattern is formed on the work cloth following the first cycle pattern. Then, at the same time as the formation of the last preselected cycle pattern is completed,
The sewing machine motor 42 is automatically stopped. That is, the motor control circuit 72 is supplied with a signal representing the total number of stitches of a plurality of cycle patterns selected in advance from the adder 45, and the total number of stitches is sequentially subtracted in response to the timing signal TS. When a predetermined constant value is reached as a result, a low speed command signal 'LS is supplied to the motor drive circuit 76, and the sewing machine motor 42 is driven at a low speed for a period of time before stopping.

Then, when the subtraction content reaches zero, that is, when the formation of the last cycle pattern is completed, the sewing needle 18
When the raised position signal SU indicating the raised position of the sewing needle 18 is generated, the start signal SST supplied from the motor control circuit 72 to the motor drive circuit 76 is stopped, so that the sewing machine motor 42 accurately moves the sewing needle 18 to the raised position. It will be automatically stopped.

In this way, according to the present embodiment, when a cycle pattern is selected by the pattern selection switch 28, and especially when a plurality of cycle patterns are combined, the desired combinations can be made by operating the display changeover switch 32. Since the actual dimensions of the plurality of cycle patterns in the workpiece fabric feeding direction are displayed on the numerical display 30, the operator can set the sewing positions on the workpiece fabric of the plurality of cycle patterns to be sewn before sewing. It becomes extremely easy. That is, in a multi-pattern sewing machine that is capable of sewing many types of patterns, the various patterns are displayed on a pattern display section 26 on the front of the sewing machine, but the area of the pattern display section 26 is generally limited. Because of this, it is inevitable that the image of each pattern will be displayed smaller than its actual size.

For this reason, the operator cannot accurately know the actual length of each pattern from the size of the pattern displayed on the pattern display section 26, and in some cases, the operator may not be able to accurately determine the length of the pattern to be formed. The pattern may protrude from the sewing area on the fabric, or the pattern formed within the area may become uneven. However, according to this embodiment, the actual dimensions of a plurality of cycle patterns in the work cloth feeding direction are displayed on the display 30 prior to sewing, so that the
Setting the stitch position of the Jru pattern is now much easier, and the front two [
It is possible to form a cycle pattern in a well-balanced manner within the sewing area where the pattern is to be formed on the cloth without the need for trial sewing.

Further, according to this embodiment, ■cycle designation switch 36
Since LJ is provided, even if a cycle pattern is selected, the cycle pattern can be sewn continuously unless the one cycle designation switch 3G is operated.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above based on the drawings, the present invention can also be applied to other embodiments.

For example, in the block diagram of FIG. 2, part or all of the circuit surrounded by a dashed line may be configured by a so-called microcomputer.

Further, in the above embodiment, the same effect can be obtained even if the output signal of the pattern discriminator 48 is configured to be supplied to the motor control circuit 72 and the AND circuit 84 as a one-cycle signal CC.

The above-mentioned embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a sewing machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1. 18: Sewing needle 24: Feed dog 30: Numerical display (display device) 32: Display changeover switch (manual operation body) 34: Combination designation switch (combination designation operation body) 47: Addition device (calculation means) 52: Length Data memory (storage device) Applicant Brother Industries, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] +11 A pattern selection device for selecting a desired pattern from among a large number of predetermined patterns formed by cooperation of a sewing needle capable of horizontal swinging movement and a feed dog, and the pattern. A sewing machine comprising a combination specifying operation body operable to sequentially combine patterns selected by a selection device and forming a plurality of combined patterns, the sewing machine comprising: a sewing machine that forms a plurality of combined patterns; a storage device for storing pattern length data related to the combined pattern; a successive reading means for reading a plurality of pattern length data corresponding to the combined pattern from the storage device; and a display device disposed on the sewing machine frame for informing an operator of the total length of the plurality of patterns combined according to the calculated combination length data. Multi-pattern sewing machine. (2) The calculation means calculates the combination length data by sequentially adding the read pattern length data in response to each operation of the combination designation operating body. The multi-pattern sewing machine described. (3) The multi-pattern stitch sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the display device operates in response to an operation of a manual operating body on the sewing machine frame.