Frames Patents (Class 112/103)
  • Patent number: 7963238
    Abstract: A placement holder for an embroiderable comprising a magnetic hoop assembly for use in an embroidery machine. The magnetic hoop assembly includes a first hoop comprising a magnetic material and a second hoop comprising a quantity of metal sufficient for the first hoop to be attracted to the second hoop. The magnetic attraction between the first hoop and the second hoop enables the embroiderable to be held in place between the first hoop and the second hoop for embroidery. An adapter is attached to either the first hoop or second hoop. One end of the adapter is attached to the first hoop or second hoop, and the other end of the adapter attaches to an attachment mechanism on a pantograph on the embroidery machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Great Notions News, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Gardner, Eileen Katherine Roche
  • Publication number: 20110113999
    Abstract: A texture hoop for use in a sewing machine which aids the application of ribbons, yarns and other embellishments within a design. The texture hoop has a fixture with a central opening. A base fabric to receive embellishments is stretched across the central opening and affixed to the fixture edges. Embellishments are positioned upon the base fabric to achieve a pleasing design. The embellishments are then readily secured in the texture hoop fixture at the desired locations and laying upon the base fabric. A stitch pattern is then applied to sew the embellishments to the base fabric by manipulating the fixture with base fabric and secured embellishments beneath the sewing machine presser foot. The texture hoop may also be used in conjunction with automated stitch patterns and embroidery elements available in processor controlled machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Kerstin Widell, Ann-Sofi Elonsson, Maria Strahl, Philip Oglesby
  • Patent number: 7930982
    Abstract: A support for a support material that is to be embroidered, comprising a strip-shaped support that in a conveying direction thereof and/or transversely to the conveying direction is provided with a plurality of window-like openings for passage of an embroidery needle, wherein the window-like openings are adapted to be covered by the support material. A conveying device is provided and has a drive mechanism for displacing the strip-shaped support. An embroidery machine or sawing machine incorporating the conveying device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Sekip Surget
  • Patent number: 7918169
    Abstract: A device for use with an embroidery machine to hold an item or material to be embroidered between upper and lower hooping members, with the hooping members being secured to one another by use of a magnetic force, preferably with rare earth magnets, is disclosed. The magnets provide a solid, secure mating arrangement between the upper and lower hooping members as well as providing proper alignment of the hooping members. A ridge may be formed in at least one hooping member to securely retain the item or material to be embroidered. One hooping member has interchangeable arms for attaching the mating hooping members to different brands of embroidery machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Midwest Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Mack, Jesse C. Mack
  • Publication number: 20110056419
    Abstract: An embroidery frame includes an attachment portion that can be removably attached to an embroidery frame moving device of a sewing machine that is capable of performing embroidery sewing, a frame-side connector that is adapted to be connected to a sewing machine-side connector of the sewing machine by an attaching of the attachment portion to the embroidery frame moving device, to enable wired communication between the embroidery frame and the sewing machine, and a storage device that can be accessed from the sewing machine in a case where the frame-side connector is connected to the sewing machine-side connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shoichi TAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110056420
    Abstract: A workpiece holder for use with an embroiderable sewing machine including a transfer device that transfers a workpiece in two predetermined directions, and a needle bar having a punch needle attached thereto, the workpiece holder being attached to the transfer device and holding a workpiece on which punch work is executed by the punch needle, the workpiece holder including a connecting element that is detachably attached to the transfer device; a placement element on which the workpiece is placed; a support element that is provided with the connecting element and that supports the placement element; a frame element that clamps the portions of the workpiece placed on the placement element exclusive of a workface on which the punch work is executed; and a retainer element that retains the frame element clamping the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko KAWAGUCHI, Tomoyasu NIIZEKI
  • Publication number: 20110048301
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a transfer device that includes a carriage to which an embroidery frame can be attached under a plurality of attaching conditions and that is adapted to transfer the carriage, a sewing device that moves a needle bar up and down, a specification device that specifies an embroidery pattern to be sewn, an allocation device that allocates pattern data to one of the plurality of attaching conditions, a data acquisition device that acquires pattern data allocated to a current condition, an image capture device that is adapted to capture an image of at least one marker, a computation device that computes a difference as a correcting condition based on image data, a correction device that corrects the pattern data, and a sewing control device that performs sewing of the partial pattern by controlling the transfer device and the sewing device in accordance with the pattern data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi TOKURA
  • Publication number: 20100313804
    Abstract: An embroidery hoop (1) for a sewing machine or embroidery machine having two hoop parts, namely the lower hoop part (3) and the upper hoop part (5). The two hoop parts (3, 5) are connected to each other by a hinge that can be released without the use of tools. The embroidery material is clamped between the inner hinge element (9) on the lower hoop part (3) and the outer hinge element (15) on the upper hoop part (5). Through this measure, an embroidery material can be embroidered at any position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: BERNINA INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Michael König, Frank Prüfer, Markus Müller
  • Patent number: 7840304
    Abstract: An embroidery data processing apparatus and an embroidery data processing program that creates embroidery data usable by an embroidery sewing machine to sew an embroidery pattern that includes a plurality of partial patterns. The embroidery data processing apparatus and program store a maximum sewing region; set a plurality of unit embroidery regions; and modify a size of each of the plurality of unit regions based on the size of the maximum sewing region and a position and a size of each of the plurality of partial patterns contained within the plurality of unit embroidery regions. The embroidery data processing apparatus and program create the embroidery data of a part or a whole of the embroidery pattern being contained within the modified plurality of unit embroidery regions and output the embroidery data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20100242817
    Abstract: A sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern includes a transfer device that transfers the embroidery frame, a storage device that stores embroidery data, a first selection device that selects first embroidery data, a first control device that performs sewing of the first pattern, an image capture device that captures an image, a first detection device that detects at least one of a marker position and a marker angle based on information for a first image, a second detection device that detects at least one of the marker position and the marker angle based on information for a second image, a difference computation device that computes at least one of a position difference and an angle difference, a second selection device that selects second embroidery data, a conversion device that converts coordinate data, and a second control device that performs sewing of the second pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20100236462
    Abstract: A workpiece holder is usable with an embroidery sewing machine including a needle bar movable upward and downward and a transfer mechanism transferring the workpiece in two directions. The workpiece holder holds the workpiece when the workpiece is engraved by striking the workpiece by a striking needle attached to the needle bar while the workpiece is transferred by the transfer mechanism. The workpiece holder includes a pair of connecting portions detachably attached to the transfer mechanism, a placement member on which the workpiece is placed and a holding mechanism which is located on the placement member to hold a part of the workpiece other than a worked surface of the workpiece which is engraved, so that the part is fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko KAWAGUCHI, Hiroshi YAMASAKI
  • Publication number: 20100218709
    Abstract: A cap-frame setting frame to which a cap frame holding a cap with a part on which embroidery is sewn by an embroidery sewing machine is detachably attached. The cap-frame setting frame includes a base frame having a distal end and a proximal end and including a fixing mechanism which is located at the proximal end side and is to be fixed to a predetermined work table, a rotating frame located at the distal end side of the base frame and having a cylindrical mount portion to which the cap frame is mounted so as to be positioned, a disc-shaped support located on the base frame to rotatably support the rotating frame, and a fitting portion located on the base frame to be fitted with an outer periphery of the disc-shaped support, thereby being rotatably supported on the base frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi, Takahira Osamura
  • Publication number: 20100206204
    Abstract: An embroidery stitcher including an embroidery frame that holds a workpiece cloth and that is provided with a sewable area for sewing the held workpiece cloth; a transparent display device that has a display area that provides visibility behind thereof and that is capable of displaying embroidery pattern information of at least an embroidery pattern to be sewn; and an attachment mechanism that allows detachable attachment of the display device at a position that renders the display area and the sewable area to at least partially overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Aki Shimizu, Atsuya Hayakawa, Masayuki Hori, Satoru Makino
  • Publication number: 20100147202
    Abstract: An embroidery frame transfer device including an embroidery frame holding a workpiece cloth; a carriage supporting the embroidery frame by detachable attachment; a Y-direction transfer mechanism having a first and second ends that moves the carriage in a first direction represented as a Y-direction; an X-direction transfer mechanism that supports the first end from below and that transfers the Y-direction transfer mechanism in a second direction represented as an X-direction orthogonal to the Y-direction; a cover element containing the X-direction transfer mechanism and having an upper surface situated below the Y-direction transfer mechanism; a support structure provided at the second end and that is placed in contact with the upper surface of the cover element to support the Y-direction transfer mechanism; and an elastic element pressing the support structure against the cover element such that the support structure maintains contact with the upper surface of the cover element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuaki Matsumoto, Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7715939
    Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine with a printing function includes a sewing machine body having a bed, a foot, an arm, and capable of sewing a workpiece cloth by a sewing unit; a cloth holding frame holding the workpiece cloth; a frame drive unit moving the cloth holding frame independently in two mutually perpendicular directions in a horizontal plane; an ink-jet printer having a print head printing the workpiece cloth. The print head of the printer includes nozzle arrays with each nozzle array having a plurality of ink-jet nozzles aligned parallel in the first direction, and the printer prints the workpiece cloth while moving the cloth holding frame in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Kuki, Hiroshi Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 7681510
    Abstract: An embroidery frame holding workpiece cloth for embroidery sewing includes a lower frame receiving a lower side of the workpiece cloth and having a cloth clamping side, an upper frame holding the workpiece cloth in cooperation with the lower frame between the frames and having a cloth holding side, a clamp mechanism pressing the upper frame against the lower frame and retaining the upper frame in a pressing state, and a hold assisting member enhancing hold of the workpiece cloth and detachably attached to the cloth holding side of at least one of the upper and lower frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7640878
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed toward an apparatus and method for coupling an embroidery accessory to an embroidery machine. The apparatus includes a support bar. The support bar is coupled to the embroidery machine. The apparatus also includes a set of acceptors. The set of acceptors are attached to the support bar. The apparatus also includes an embroidery accessory. The embroidery accessory includes a set of attachment adapters. The set of attachment adapters are adapted to be coupled to the set of acceptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Great Notions News, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Allen Gardner
  • Patent number: 7624693
    Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine hooping device has an attachment bracket attached to a base formed to suit each size and shape of machine embroidery hoop. The base provides a stable platform while hooping material and is equipped with a non-skid or non-slip material limiting side-to-side slippage when hooping materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: David F. Fabec
  • Patent number: 7610868
    Abstract: A placement holder for an embroiderable. The placement holder comprises a metallic hoop for use in an embroidery machine. The metallic hoop contains a quantity of metal sufficient for a magnet to be attracted to the metallic hoop. An embroiderable is placed on top of the metallic hoop for embroidery. An adapter is attached to the metallic hoop. One end of the adapter is attached to the metallic hoop, and the other end of the adapter attaches to an attachment mechanism on a pantograph on the embroidery machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Gary Allen Gardner
  • Patent number: 7607399
    Abstract: A device for use with an embroidery machine to hold an item or material to be embroidered between upper and lower hooping members, with the hooping members being secured to one another by use of a magnetic force, preferably with rare earth magnets, is disclosed. The magnets provide a solid, secure mating arrangement between the upper and lower hooping members as well as providing proper alignment of the hoping members. A ridge may be formed in at least one hooping member to securely retain the item or material to be embroidered. One hooping member has interchangeable arms for attaching the mating hooping members to different brands of embroidery machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Midwest Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Mack, Jesse C. Mack
  • Patent number: 7584708
    Abstract: A low profile clamp for an embroidery machine uses resilient arms that function as a leaf spring to transmit compressive closing forces to secure articles to be embroidered between clamping windows. A roller is moved in an arcuate path to apply bending stresses to clamp arms. The low profile of the clamp allows it to pass between the presser feet and throat plate protecting the presser feet and needles from serious damage if the panagraph moves the body of the clamp in the space between presser feet and throat plate during machine initialization or at any other time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventors: Vytenis J Viltrakis, Mark Mason
  • Patent number: 7584709
    Abstract: A sewing frame for extending and holding a sewing cloth is provided with a supported portion, such as a shaft and an engagement portion, which is movably or rotatably supported at front and rear frame side portions of the rectangular support frame at the front and rear ends. A sewing frame drive mechanism includes a support mechanism for supporting the front and rear ends of the sewing frame movably at the front and rear frame side portions of the support frame which is movable in the longitudinal direction but not movable in the lateral direction. The sewing frame drive unit includes left and right protruding portions to the left and right of recess portions of a table, and a front hanging preventive mechanism formed of left and right frame side portions of the support frame movably disposed on the left and right protruding portions in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Barudan
    Inventors: Akira Nakatsu, Keisuke Kasugai
  • Publication number: 20090188413
    Abstract: A sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth includes a storage device that stores embroidery data to identify a shape of the embroidery pattern and reference line data to identify a pattern position and a pattern angle. The sewing machine also includes an imaging device that captures an image of the work cloth onto which a marker is affixed, and a detection device that detects a marker position and a marker angle based on information of the image captured by the imaging device. The sewing machine further includes a conversion device that converts the embroidery data based on the pattern position, the pattern angle, the marker position, and the marker angle. The sewing machine further includes a sewing control device that controls sewing of the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data obtained after conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Hirata, Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 7565874
    Abstract: A cylindrical frame unit of an embroidery sewing machine including a cylinder bed, an X-directional drive mechanism and a Y-directional drive mechanism, the cylindrical frame unit including a body frame connected to the Y-directional drive mechanism and driven parallel to the cylinder bed; a cylindrical rotary frame pivoted on the body frame and having an inner cylindrical surface; a cylinder frame holding a workpiece and being attachably/detachably attached to the rotary frame; a rotary mechanism connected to the X-directional drive mechanism and driven perpendicularly relative to the body frame to rotate the rotary frame and the cylinder frame attached thereto; a position regulating element that slidably contacts an upper surface of the cylinder bed and an upper inner cylindrical surface of the rotary frame; and a mount element securing the position regulating element to the body frame to allow adjustment in vertical positioning relative to the body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi, Tomoyasu Niizeki, Yasukazu Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7562475
    Abstract: A tensioning device (11) is arranged on an embroidery hoop (1), which allows the tensioning of the outer frame (3) with a turning knob (33). For protection from damage, a ratchet (37) is inserted in the turning knob (33) and for simple opening after the end of the embroidery process, a free wheel (45) is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: BERNINA International AG
    Inventors: Michael Konig, Thomas Guggisberg
  • Patent number: 7527004
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a design template on a fabric article to be embroidered is disclosed. The method and apparatus allows for alignment of the template on the fabric article while hooping only the embroidery backer. The alignment apparatus comprises a base having a slide bar and knobs. The slide bar and knobs may be positioned to hold an embroidery hoop in a secured position on the base. The base is configured so that an inner edge of a hoop placed on the base is only partially obstructed by the base. A user may hoop a backer only, and not an article to be embroidered, by the method of hooping the backer, placing the hoop on the alignment apparatus, placing the article to be embroidered over the backer, and placing pins around the inner edges of the unobstructed portions of the hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventors: Miller Eugene White, Karen Selena Burns White
  • Patent number: 7506596
    Abstract: The present invention provides an embroidery holder assembly for use in embroidery machines. The invention includes an embroidery hoop with two attachment points on opposite sides for attaching removable mounting tabs that secure the hoop to a locking mechanism in an embroidery machine. The tabs are specifically shaped for the model of machine used and can be replaced with different tabs for use with other models. A metal frame fits within the hoop and has tongue tabs that fold over and rest on the upper surface of the hoop ensuring the hoop supports the weight of the frame. A holder plate fits over the metal frame within the hoop and holds fabric between itself and the frame. The plate has a cutout section that defines an embroidering area in which the machine stitches a pattern. Magnets are placed in side slots in the plate that overlie the metal frame to secure the holder plate in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Monier Bowlus
  • Publication number: 20090071384
    Abstract: In an embroidery sewing machine, an embroidery frame support device for supporting a front end portion of an embroidery frame installed in a cantilevered manner includes: a base member that is a base for attaching the embroidery frame support device to the embroidery sewing machine, and a Y slide rail (support member) having a movable end that can move relatively with the base member. The embroidery frame support device supports a front end portion of the embroidery frame from a lower surface thereof through an X slide rail attached to a tip portion of the Y slide rail. The embroidery frame support device can be attached to the embroidery sewing machine by screwing a base member to a cylinder bed. The screwing of the base member to the cylinder bed can be carried out from the upper side of a sewing machine table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: TOKAI KOGYO MISHIN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ikuo Tajima, Tomoaki Yoshimura, Takeo Fujimori
  • Publication number: 20090064912
    Abstract: Trace process (i.e. process for moving an embroidery frame from a desired start position on the basis of outline data of an embroidery pattern) is performed. It is detected, during the movement, whether the moving embroidery frame has reached a predetermined movement limit position. When detected, a protrusion amount, from the embroidery frame, of a remaining outline portion is calculated on the basis of a current position of the outline data and the remaining portion. On the basis of the calculated protrusion amount, the start position is reset by being positionally displaced so as to avoid occurrence of the protrusion. In this way, setting a start position such that the embroidery pattern does not protrude beyond a movable range of the embroidery frame can be performed in a short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: TOKAI KOGYO MISHIN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hitoshi Koyake
  • Publication number: 20090064913
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed toward an apparatus and method for coupling an embroidery accessory to an embroidery machine. The apparatus includes a support bar. The support bar is coupled to the embroidery machine. The apparatus also includes a set of acceptors. The set of acceptors are attached to the support bar. The apparatus also includes an embroidery accessory. The embroidery accessory includes a set of attachment adapters. The set of attachment adapters are adapted to be coupled to the set of acceptors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Gary Allen Gardner
  • Patent number: 7484466
    Abstract: A cloth holding device including a support frame (11) made of magnetic material and a presser frame (12), clamping a workpiece cloth therebetween, including an attachment unit (13, 14) that attaches the presser frame (12) to the support frame (11) by magnetic attraction; and a positioning unit (12c) that positions the attachment unit (13, 14) to the presser frame (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Kuki, Hiroshi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20090025621
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle, a holding frame having a stitchable area within which the needle is operable to perform stitching, storing means for storing sewing data on various embroidery patterns, indicating means for indicating, within the stitchable area, positions on the workpiece that is held by the holding frame, stitching region setting means for setting a stitching region in accordance with the positions indicated by the indicating means, embroidery pattern creating means for creating, in accordance with a position and a size of the stitching region, and based on the sewing data, embroidery pattern data on an embroidery pattern having a size that is fittable within the stitching region, and control means for controlling the needle and the holding frame to form the embroidery pattern on the workpiece within the stitching region in accordance with the embroidery pattern data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: JUKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kiyoshi MATSUZAWA
  • Publication number: 20090020054
    Abstract: An embroidery data processor that processes embroidery data for sewing an embroidery pattern comprising a plurality of subset patterns on a workpiece cloth with different needle thread colors by using a plurality of multi-needle embroidery sewing machines each provided with an embroidery frame drive mechanism that moves an embroidery frame holding the workpiece cloth in two predetermined directions, the embroidery data processor including a sew-time calculator that calculates required sew time for sewing each subset pattern based on subset pattern data being classified by thread color; and an allocator that produces an allocation schedule for allocation of the subset patterns to the multi-needle embroidery sewing machines based on the sew time calculated by the sew-time calculator, the allocation schedule being arranged to distribute equal or minimally-different sew time for each multi-needle embroidery sewing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoichi Taguchi, Motoshi Kishi, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Masayuki Iwata, Yoshio Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20080302287
    Abstract: First calculation section calculates, on the basis of sewing data, a sewing-progressing direction angle for rotating a rotary cylinder to orient an embroidering material, guided by a guide lever of a zigzag sewing head, in a sewing-progressing direction. Second calculation section adds or subtracts a zigzag-swinging angle to or from the sewing-progressing direction angle to thereby calculate a target rotational angle of the rotary cylinder. Swinging mechanism may be provided for swinging the guide lever relative to the rotary cylinder, and a swinging amount corresponding to the swinging angle of the rotary cylinder may be added to a width of zigzag-swinging by the swinging mechanism. Alternatively, every swinging movement necessary for zigzagging the embroidering material may be set by the swinging angle without the guide lever being caused to swing relative to the rotary cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: TOKAI KOGYO MISHIN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo TAJIMA, Shoji KATO
  • Publication number: 20080295752
    Abstract: A placement holder for an embroiderable comprising a magnetic hoop assembly for use in an embroidery machine. The magnetic hoop assembly includes a first hoop comprising a magnetic material and a second hoop comprising a quantity of metal sufficient for the first hoop to be attracted to the second hoop. The magnetic attraction between the first hoop and the second hoop enables the embroiderable to be held in place between the first hoop and the second hoop for embroidery. An adapter is attached to either the first hoop or second hoop. One end of the adapter is attached to the first hoop or second hoop, and the other end of the adapter attaches to an attachment mechanism on a pantograph on the embroidery machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: GREAT NOTIONS NEWS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Gardner, Eileen Katherine Roche
  • Patent number: 7460925
    Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine includes an embroidery frame, a carriage transferring the embroidery frame, a drive unit moving the carriage, a sewing machine motor, a control unit controlling the drive unit and the motor so that an embroidery sewing mode is executed in which an embroidery pattern is sewn or a manual-feed sewing mode is executed in which a sewing operation is carried out with manual cloth feed while the carriage is moved to and held at a predetermined evacuative position, a foot controller, a connecting part connecting the foot controller to the control unit, and a mode switching unit which selectively switches between the embroidery sewing mode and the manual feed sewing mode. The mode switching unit switches to the embroidery sewing mode when the foot controller is non-connected to the connecting part, and to the manual-feed sewing mode when the foot controller is connected to the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasukazu Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20080289549
    Abstract: A placement holder for an embroiderable. The placement holder comprises a metallic hoop for use in an embroidery machine. The metallic hoop contains a quantity of metal sufficient for a magnet to be attracted to the metallic hoop. An embroiderable is placed on top of the metallic hoop for embroidery. An adapter is attached to the metallic hoop. One end of the adapter is attached to the metallic hoop, and the other end of the adapter attaches to an attachment mechanism on a pantograph on the embroidery machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Allen Gardner
  • Publication number: 20080276849
    Abstract: A device for use with an embroidery machine to hold an item or material to be embroidered between upper and lower hooping members, with the hooping members being secured to one another by use of a magnetic force, preferably with rare earth magnets, is disclosed. The magnets provide a solid, secure mating arrangement between the upper and lower hooping members without the need to adjust for different thicknesses of material. Compressible and/or frictional material may be attached to at least one hooping member to securely retain the item or material to be embroidered. One hooping member has interchangeable arms for attaching the mating hooping members to different brands of embroidery machines. One hooping member may also include a locating device for attaching the hooping members to a hooping device such as a hooping board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Charles H. Mack, Jesse C. Mack
  • Publication number: 20080216721
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a sewing needle attached to the needle bar, a needle bar vertical movement mechanism, a sewing machine motor for driving the needle bar vertical movement mechanism as a drive source, an embroidery frame that holds a work cloth, and an embroidery frame movement mechanism that moves the embroidery frame. The sewing machine further includes a user-operated operation device with an operation member for outputting an output signal corresponding to an operation state of the operation member and a movement determination device that determines a movement direction and a movement distance of the embroidery frame based on the output signal outputted by the operation device. The sewing machine also includes an embroidery frame movement mechanism control device that drives the embroidery frame movement mechanism to move the embroidery frame according to the movement direction and the movement distance of the embroidery frame determined by the movement determination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiko Nagai, Tsuneo Okuyama, Masashi Tokura
  • Patent number: 7418771
    Abstract: A clip for clamping a cloth according to the invention is mounted on an embroidery frame including an outer frame, and an inner frame which is internally engaged with the outer frame thereby to hold a cloth to be worked between the outer frame and the inner frame. The clip includes a leaf spring member which can be detachably mounted on the outer frame, and an urging member which is fitted to this leaf spring member and adapted to press the cloth to be worked onto the inner frame. The leaf spring member has a first engaging portion adapted to be engaged with a lower part of the outer frame from outside, a first plate portion extending upwardly from the first engaging portion, a second plate portion formed in an upper part of this first plate portion by way of a bent portion and downwardly inclined along an inner face of the outer frame, and a second engaging portion formed in this second plate portion and adapted to be engaged with an upper part of the outer frame from inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayuki Hori
  • Publication number: 20080202399
    Abstract: A device for use with an embroidery machine to hold an item or material to be embroidered between upper and lower hooping members, with the hooping members being secured to one another by use of a magnetic force, preferably with rare earth magnets, is disclosed. The magnets provide a solid, secure mating arrangement between the upper and lower hooping members as well as providing proper alignment of the hoping members. A ridge may be formed in at least one hooping member to securely retain the item or material to be embroidered. One hooping member has interchangeable arms for attaching the mating hooping members to different brands of embroidery machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Charles H. Mack, Jesse C. Mack
  • Publication number: 20080168935
    Abstract: Disclosed is a driving apparatus of an embroidery frame of a sewing machine in which a driving unit of a sewing frame reciprocates on an X- and/or Y-axis fixed frames, installed to a beam-body of the sewing machine so that a uniform driving force can be transmitted to the embroidery frame, inferior embroidery caused by vibration can be prevented, a size of the sewing machine is reduced, and a high-speed operation is enabled. The apparatus includes an embroidery frame driving unit having the embroidery frame to fix an object and placed on a table of the sewing machine, and a Y-directional movement mechanism to move the frame driving unit in the Y-direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: SUNSTAR PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hoo Sik PARK
  • Patent number: 7392755
    Abstract: A sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing is configured to specify a type of embroidery frame by shooting an embroidery frame placed on an upper surface of the bed by a CCD or a CMOS image sensor disposed in an underside of an arm from an obliquely upward direction and obtaining an X-directional size and a Y-directional size of the embroidery frame, an embroiderable area size, and further a height-directional size of the embroidery frame by calculation based on image data shot by the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruna Kato, Naoki Igushi, Masayuki Iwata, Shinichi Nishida, Eiichi Ito
  • Publication number: 20080141915
    Abstract: The present invention provides an embroidery holder assembly for use in embroidery machines. The invention includes an embroidery hoop with two attachment points on opposite sides for attaching removable mounting tabs that secure the hoop to a locking mechanism in an embroidery machine. The tabs are specifically shaped for the model of machine used and can be replaced with different tabs for use with other models. A metal frame fits within the hoop and has tongue tabs that fold over and rest on the upper surface of the hoop ensuring the hoop supports the weight of the frame. A holder plate fits over the metal frame within the hoop and holds fabric between itself and the frame. The plate has a cutout section that defines an embroidering area in which the machine stitches a pattern. Magnets are placed in side slots in the plate that overlie the metal frame to secure the holder plate in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Monier Bowlus
  • Patent number: 7377222
    Abstract: A clamping device and method for a conventional sewing or embroidery machine has a pair of movable arms. Each of the arms includes a fixed section and a movable section for receiving material or item to be embroidered therebetween. A manual lever allows the movable arm to be raised for insertion of the material and a scale on the arm allows the depth of insertion to be easily determined for accurate insertion. Each arm is movable along a slotted mounting plate affixed to the sewing machine proximate the sewing head. The clamping device provides uniform, taut material for accurate, smooth embroidering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: E. Frank Moore, III
  • Patent number: 7373891
    Abstract: A frame is provided for mounting a fabric layer stack and retaining it in a substantially taut condition. The frame is supported for manually guided movement beneath a fixedly located stitch head and a detector is provided to produce signals representing the magnitude of frame translation, and thus the magnitude of stack translation. The detector signals are applied to control circuitry to actuate the stitch head at a rate related to stack translation speed. The frame is supported by bearings; wheels, slides, etc, which permit the frame to be freely manually guided across a frame supporting surface beneath the stitch head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Ralph J. Koerner
  • Publication number: 20080110384
    Abstract: A sewing frame for extending and holding a sewing cloth is provided with a supported portion, such as a shaft and an engagement portion, which is movably or rotatably supported at front and rear frame side portions of the rectangular support frame at the front and rear ends. A sewing frame drive mechanism includes a support mechanism for supporting the front and rear ends of the sewing frame movably at the front and rear frame side portions of the support frame which is movable in the longitudinal direction but not movable in the lateral direction. The sewing frame drive unit includes left and right protruding portions to the left and right of recess portions of a table, and a front hanging preventive mechanism formed of left and right frame side portions of the support frame movably disposed on the left and right protruding portions in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKIKAISHA BARUDAN
    Inventors: Akira Nakatsu, Keisuke Kasugai
  • Publication number: 20080105179
    Abstract: The microswitch 6 is turned on when the foldable Y arm 1 is in the operative position for embroidery stitching and is turned off when the Y arm 1 is not in the operative position, and the X-Y motor drive prohibition device 87 is responsive to the on-signal of the microswitch 6 to withdraw the prohibition of driving and to drive the X-and Y-drive motors 15, 46.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Hidechika Kuramoto, Yasuhiro Osanai
  • Publication number: 20080105178
    Abstract: Disclosed are a rack and pinion type power transmission and a driving apparatus of an embroidery frame of an embroidery machine having the same. The gear teeth, which are engaged with the engaging member connected to the power source, are formed in the lower side of the a single movable frame, to which the embroidery frame is fixed, so as to directly move the movable frame, so that uniform driving force is transmitted to the embroidery frame during the movements of the embroidery frame. Thus, the high reliable and steady movement is performed. The driving apparatus includes any one of the X- and Y-directional movement mechanisms. The mechanism includes a fixed frame installed to a beam-body of the sewing machine, a movable frame movably installed on the fixed frame and having gear teeth, and a movable frame movement mechanism engaged with the gear teeth to reciprocate the movable frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: SUNSTAR PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chan Soo PARK
  • Patent number: RE40483
    Abstract: A headgear holder for use with a sewing machine, the holder holding a headgear including a covering member with an opening and a sweatband fixed to an annular portion of the covering member located on the side of the opening, the sweatband being foldable into an inner space of the covering member and unfoldable outside from the inner space through the opening, the sewing machine forming an embroidery on each of a frontal portion, and at least one of a right and a left temporal portion, of the annular portion, the holder including a main frame member on which the headgear is set such that the sweatband unfolded outside and the annular portion of the covering member externally fit on the main frame member, a pressing member which externally presses the headgear set on the main frame member, and two fastening devices one of which is provided between the main frame member and a corresponding one of opposite ends of the pressing member and the other of which is provided between the main frame member and the other
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Morita, Satoshi Kato