Patents by Inventor Aki Yokoyama
Aki Yokoyama has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11519114Abstract: A multi-needle sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars, a needle plate, a needle bar case, a needle bar drive mechanism, a needle bar case movement mechanism, a mounting portion, a frame movement mechanism, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include identification processing of identifying a position of the needle bar case in the arrangement direction, in accordance with detection of a retraction command causing the mounting portion to be moved to a retracted position, setting processing of setting the retracted position of the mounting portion on the basis of the identified position of the needle bar case in the arrangement direction, and movement processing of controlling the frame movement mechanism to move the mounting portion to the set retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Aki Yokoyama
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Publication number: 20210269954Abstract: A multi-needle sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars, a needle plate, a needle bar case, a needle bar drive mechanism, a needle bar case movement mechanism, a mounting portion, a frame movement mechanism, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include identification processing of identifying a position of the needle bar case in the arrangement direction, in accordance with detection of a retraction command causing the mounting portion to be moved to a retracted position, setting processing of setting the retracted position of the mounting portion on the basis of the identified position of the needle bar case in the arrangement direction, and movement processing of controlling the frame movement mechanism to move the mounting portion to the set retracted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventor: Aki YOKOYAMA
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Patent number: 10662564Abstract: A sewing machine acquires a selected pattern that is selected from among a plurality of embroidery patterns. The sewing machine displays a pattern image representing the selected pattern. The sewing machine identifies a specified position indicated by the instruction. The sewing machine determines, when the selected pattern is acquired a plurality of times, whether one of a plurality of the pattern images is displayed at the identified specified position. When it is determined that the pattern image is displayed at the identified specified position, the sewing machine identifies the selected pattern for which the pattern image is displayed at the specified position as the editing target. When it is not determined that the pattern image is displayed at the identified specified position, the sewing machine identifies the selected pattern for which a mask region encompassing the selected pattern is set at the specified position as the editing target.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Aki Yokoyama, Tsuneo Okuyama
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Patent number: 10626534Abstract: A sewing machine includes at least one needle bar, a threading motor, a threading mechanism, a processor, and a memory. The threading mechanism is configured to pass an upper thread through an eye of a sewing needle. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include making one of a setting that prohibits operation of the threading mechanism and a setting that does not prohibit the operation of the threading mechanism. The processes include switching the operation of the threading mechanism by prohibiting the operation of the threading mechanism in a case where the setting that prohibits the operation of the threading mechanism is made, and permitting the operation of the threading mechanism in a case where the setting that does not prohibit the operation of the threading mechanism is made.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mika Matsushima, Tsuneo Okuyama, Aki Yokoyama
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Patent number: 10590579Abstract: A sewing machine includes needle bars, a notification portion, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include acquiring sewing data for sewing an embroidery pattern made up of a plurality of partial pattern, setting correspondences between a needle bar among the needle bars and an upper thread data set included in the sewing data, for each of the needle bars, and the sewing embroidery pattern, detecting an error that occurs during the sewing, stopping the sewing when the error is detected, specifying a change-eligible needle bar, for which the sewing is completed, when a target data set exists, the correspondence with one of the needle bars not being set for the target data set, and causing the notification portion to notify information indicating the specified change-eligible needle bar.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tsuneo Okuyama, Aki Yokoyama, Mika Matsushima
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Publication number: 20180327951Abstract: A sewing machine acquires a selected pattern that is selected from among a plurality of embroidery patterns. The sewing machine displays a pattern image representing the selected pattern. The sewing machine identifies a specified position indicated by the instruction. The sewing machine determines, when the selected pattern is acquired a plurality of times, whether one of a plurality of the pattern images is displayed at the identified specified position. When it is determined that the pattern image is displayed at the identified specified position, the sewing machine identifies the selected pattern for which the pattern image is displayed at the specified position as the editing target. When it is not determined that the pattern image is displayed at the identified specified position, the sewing machine identifies the selected pattern for which a mask region encompassing the selected pattern is set at the specified position as the editing target.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Aki YOKOYAMA, Tsuneo OKUYAMA
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Publication number: 20180194030Abstract: A cut data generating apparatus for generating cut data for allowing a cutting apparatus including a cutting mechanism to cut a pattern out of a cut target workpiece, includes a controller, the controller being configured to control the cut data generating apparatus to: specify an original pattern that is a target of cutting; generate a reinforcement pattern that is accommodated in an inside of a shape of at least a part of the original pattern based on a shape of the specified original pattern, and is overlaid on the original pattern to achieve reinforcement; and generate cut data for cutting the original pattern and a reinforcement pattern out of the cut target workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Aki YOKOYAMA, Tsuneo OKUYAMA
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Publication number: 20180016720Abstract: A sewing machine includes needle bars, a notification portion, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include acquiring sewing data for sewing an embroidery pattern made up of a plurality of partial pattern, setting correspondences between a needle bar among the needle bars and an upper thread data set included in the sewing data, for each of the needle bars, and the sewing embroidery pattern, detecting an error that occurs during the sewing, stopping the sewing when the error is detected, specifying a change-eligible needle bar, for which the sewing is completed, when a target data set exists, the correspondence with one of the needle bars not being set for the target data set, and causing the notification portion to notify information indicating the specified change-eligible needle bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Tsuneo OKUYAMA, Aki YOKOYAMA, Mika MATSUSHIMA
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Publication number: 20180016721Abstract: A sewing machine includes at least one needle bar, a threading motor, a threading mechanism, a processor, and a memory. The threading mechanism is configured to pass an upper thread through an eye of a sewing needle. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include making one of a setting that prohibits operation of the threading mechanism and a setting that does not prohibit the operation of the threading mechanism. The processes include switching the operation of the threading mechanism by prohibiting the operation of the threading mechanism in a case where the setting that prohibits the operation of the threading mechanism is made, and permitting the operation of the threading mechanism in a case where the setting that does not prohibit the operation of the threading mechanism is made.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Mika MATSUSHIMA, Tsuneo OKUYAMA, Aki YOKOYAMA
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Patent number: 7878542Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag, an adjusting unit capable of adjusting an aperture efficiency of at least one vent hole, a tether belt whose one end is connected to the adjusting unit, and a holding unit for hooking another end of the tether belt. In case where the inflating airbag needs to exert a small reactive force, the adjusting unit is made in a full-opened state at a development early stage with the other end being held by the holding unit and then made in a half-opened until a development final stage with the other end being kept held by the holding unit. In case where the inflating airbag needs to exert a large reactive force, the adjusting unit is made in a full-closed state from a development start to the development final stage with the other end being released from the holding unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masato Unno, Aki Yokoyama
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Patent number: 7766376Abstract: An air bag, includes 1) a roll part configured to be wound in a form of a roll when the air bag is in a folded state to be installed in a vehicle. The roll part includes a pushed part formed by pushing a part of an outer face of the air bag inward to the roll part in a certain pushing direction, such that the roll part has a decreased cross section by the pushing.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventor: Aki Yokoyama
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Patent number: 7673900Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag, first and second inflators, a gas-supply mechanism and a release member for connecting between a holding structure and the airbag. Gas generated by the second inflator is supplied into the airbag when the release member is pulled by the airbag while gas generated by the first inflator inflates the airbag. According to the airbag device, a gas amount supplied into an airbag can be switched according to an occupant's seating position without equipping a sensor for measuring a distance between an occupant and the airbag or a control device for computing the gas amount supplied.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventors: Aki Yokoyama, Tomoko Ninomiya
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Patent number: 7665765Abstract: An air bag 12 is spread flatly. Along four lines “R” that extend radially outward, the air bag 12 is sandwiched and held by line part forming units. By using a first press pieces 44, a portion between the neighboring lines “R” is pressed toward the gas inlet opening to form a first gathering portion, and form a ear portion 52 along each line “R”. Then, each ear portion 52 is pressed by a second press piece 45 to form a second gathering portion 54 that is like a bellows. When a gas is introduced into the gas inlet opening 26, the second gathering portion 54 is quickly expanded and increase of internal pressure of the air bag can be controlled. In the folding process, there is no need of turning the air bag 12 and thus a production device can be made simple in construction.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventors: Aki Yokoyama, Tomoko Ninomiya, Yukihiro Naitou
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Patent number: 7654560Abstract: An air bag 1 is provided. At a vehicle side impact, the air bag 1 unfolds from an upper part of a vehicle body downwardly. The air bag 1 includes an airbag body 10 having an inside foundation cloth 8a and an outside foundation cloth 8b, and a pair of inner-cloths 19a, 19b arranged in the airbag body 10. The inside inner-cloth 19a is joined to the outside inner-cloth 19b through two inner junctions 21, 21 separated from each other in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The inner-cloths 19a, 19b have front ends, rear ends and intermediate portions between the inner junctions 21, 21, all of which are joined to the foundation cloths 8a, 8b through overlapping junctions 22a, 22b. In arrangement, the overlapping junctions 22a of the inside inner-cloth 19a are shifted from the overlapping junctions 22b of the outside inner-cloth 19b forwardly. Consequently, triple-layer tubular expansion chambers 25a, 26, 25b are defined in the airbag body 10, allowing a passenger's head to be received certainly.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventors: Aki Yokoyama, Junichi Umehara, Katsuaki Iwaki, Yasunori Nagasawa
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Publication number: 20090189379Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag, an adjusting unit capable of adjusting an aperture efficiency of at least one vent hole, a tether belt whose one end is connected to the adjusting unit, and a holding unit for hooking another end of the tether belt. In case where the inflating airbag needs to exert a small reactive force, the adjusting unit is made in a full-opened state at a development early stage with the other end being held by the holding unit and then made in a half-opened until a development final stage with the other end being kept held by the holding unit. In case where the inflating airbag needs to exert a large reactive force, the adjusting unit is made in a full-closed state from a development start to the development final stage with the other end being released from the holding unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masato UNNO, Aki Yokoyama
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Patent number: 7455315Abstract: An air bag module includes an inflator for supplying gas, and an air bag supplied with the gas from the inflator, and arranged to expand between an attachment surface and legs of an occupant sitting on a seat. Thickness of the air bag in a direction from the attachment surface to the legs of the occupant is established such that a rear surface of the air bag is substantially parallel to a virtual line extending substantially along a bilateral direction of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventor: Aki Yokoyama
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Publication number: 20080238060Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag, first and second inflators, a gas-supply mechanism and a release member for connecting between a holding structure and the airbag. Gas generated by the second inflator is supplied into the airbag when the release member is pulled by the airbag while gas generated by the first inflator inflates the airbag. According to the airbag device, a gas amount supplied into an airbag can be switched according to an occupant's seating position without equipping a sensor for measuring a distance between an occupant and the airbag or a control device for computing the gas amount supplied.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.Inventors: Aki YOKOYAMA, Tomoko Ninomiya
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Patent number: 7407180Abstract: An air bag apparatus includes a folded air bag, an inflator arranged to discharge a high pressure gas into the air bag at a collision of the vehicle, and a container member receiving the air bag, covering a non-deployment side of the air bag, and retaining the inflator. The container member includes a rigid base plate supporting the inflator and the air bag, covering one part of the non-deployment side of the air bag, and supporting a reaction force of the air bag at a deployment of the air bag, and a flexible panel including a connecting portion connected with the base plate, covering the other part of the non-deployment side of the air bag, and being arranged to restrict inflation of the air bag on the non-deployment side at the deployment of the air bag.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventors: Aki Yokoyama, Norimasa Goto
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Patent number: 7384062Abstract: An airbag system includes an airbag having therein a plurality of chambers defined by a partition and a gas introduction portion arranged to face an end of the partition, an inflator having a gas supply portion and arranged opposite to the end of the partition for supplying gas to the gas introduction portion, and a passage arranged between the partition and the inflator and allowing fluid communication between the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventors: Aki Yokoyama, Jyunichi Umehara, Takashi Ueda, Katsuhiro Tokita
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Patent number: 7344154Abstract: An airbag is provided which is folded with a duct part and an expansion part, the duct part having an inlet for allowing fluid communication throughout the duct part, the expansion part communicating with the duct part, wherein the airbag comprises an aggregative part obtained by aggregating a downward portion of the airbag, and a plurality of arms obtained by folding an upward portion of the airbag and being in fluid communication along the length direction of the airbag. The arms cover the aggregative part on the back thereof with respect to the expansion direction of the airbag. Thus, even having greater length from one end to another end, the airbag can deploy smoothly with less time difference between the front and the back in the length direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.Inventors: Aki Yokoyama, Kazuyuki Inomata, Norihito Mochizuki