Multiple Machines Patents (Class 112/155)
  • Patent number: 11891739
    Abstract: A sewing data editing device includes a processor and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include acquisition processing of acquiring coordinate data representing a position of each of a plurality of points along a predetermined pattern, corner portion detection processing of detecting, based on the coordinate data, a corner portion having an angle smaller than a predetermined angle, and editing processing of editing sewing data, based on the coordinate data of each of the plurality of points and on a detection result of the corner portion detection processing, using editing conditions that are mutually different for a plurality of first needle drop points corresponding to the corner portion and for a plurality of second needle drop points corresponding to a non-corner portion not detected as the corner portion, in the predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuta Kamihira, Chiyo Koga
  • Patent number: 11698626
    Abstract: A system and method for producing products based upon demand are disclosed. In some cases, the products include containers and the contents therein. The containers are disposed on vehicles and are independently routable along a track system and are deliverable to at least one unit operation station. A control system: receives demand for finished products; determines a route for vehicles based upon the status of one or more unit operation stations; and causes a vehicle to progress along a determined route to create one or more of the demanded finished products. The system may be used to produce the same fluent products, different fluent products, and other types of products including assembled products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ryan Andrew Burkhard, Nathan E Moore, Elizabeth Marie Fikes, Daniel Richard Royce, Kyle Christopher Ballman, Julie Elizabeth Tysen
  • Patent number: 11548181
    Abstract: A separating system for detaching containers from a thermoformed plastic web including a first row of containers. The system includes a stamp plate and a cutting plate. The stamp plate includes a first row of stamps associated with a first set of containers from the first row of containers and a second row of stamps associated with a second set of containers from the first row of containers. The cutting plate includes a first row of cutting openings associated with the first set of containers and a second row of cutting openings associated with the second set of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: Abouzar Altafi, Mokhtar Abbasi
  • Patent number: 10995438
    Abstract: An integrated system for treating a thread and using the treated thread, comprising: a thread treatment machine for treating a thread or portions thereof; a thread applicator configured for using the treated thread such as a stitching machine of 3D printer; at least one mechanism for collecting and trimming thread portions; and a control unit, configured for controlling at least the thread treatment machine, the thread applicator and the collecting and trimming mechanism and for coordinating the treatment of the thread with the operation of the thread applicator, wherein the control unit is further configured for controlling the collecting and trimming mechanism for collecting untreated thread edge portions for allowing using only treated thread portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Twine Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Alon, Erez Moshe, Alon Navon, Yoram Zilberberg
  • Patent number: 10889928
    Abstract: A production management system includes a sewing machine and a production management device. The sewing machine records chronological operation data. The production management device communicates with the sewing machine, and acquires and stores the operation data. The sewing machine includes a time acquisition unit that acquires a time at the time of the communication from a clock of the production management device at the time of the communication with the production management device and grants time information based on the time at the time of the communication to the operation data recorded at the time of the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: JUKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mio Fujimoto, Satomi Hara
  • Patent number: 10349685
    Abstract: Clothing articles, e.g., aquatic “board” shorts, are generally comprised of at least one unitary woven fabric panel having multiple seamlessly adjacent different fabric weave sections. These seamlessly adjacent different fabric weave sections may be selected from plain fabric weaves, twill fabric weaves and/or Dobby fabric weaves. Aquatic activity shorts are provided which include a one piece rear fabric panel providing a seamless back rise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: BOARDRIDERS IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron M. Romero, Brad Lancaster, Dustin Pettit
  • Patent number: 10350708
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct writing of single crystal super alloys and metals. The method including heating a substrate to a predetermined temperature below its melting point; using a laser to form a melt pool on a surface of the substrate, wherein the substrate is positioned on a base plate, and wherein the laser and the base plate are movable relative to each other, the laser being used for direct metal deposition; introducing a superalloy powder to the melt pool; and controlling the temperature of the melt pool to maintain a predetermined thermal gradient on a solid and liquid interface of the melt pool so as to form a single crystal deposit on the substrate. The apparatus configured to generally achieve the aforementioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Jyotirmoy Mazumder, Jeongyong Choi
  • Patent number: 8185878
    Abstract: The present invention includes program storing unit 11 for storing a program, parsing/dependence-information generating unit 12 for generating dependence information and a syntax tree for a program, dependence-information storing unit 13 for storing dependence information, syntax-tree storing unit 14 for storing a syntax tree, dependence-information tracking unit 17 for extracting interface information on a program fragment according to specifying-information specifying the program fragment and extracting a part of a program fragment associated with interface information according to selection information for selecting the interface information, and information input/output unit 15 for passing specifying-information and selection information to dependence-information tracking unit 17 and outputting interface information and a part of a program fragment passed from dependence-information tracking unit 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Shinomi
  • Patent number: 8180475
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Taguchi, Motoshi Kishi, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Masayuki Iwata, Yoshio Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8096251
    Abstract: A balancer is fixedly attached to a rotary input shaft of a crank mechanism that converts rotary drive of a needle bar drive source to up-and-down motion of a needle bar. The balancer is caused to rotate at substantially an opposite phase with respect to up-and-down motion of the needle bar with the rotary drive of the needle bar drive source. When the balancer is driven at substantially the opposite phase with respect to the up-and-down motion of the needle bar, inertia force in an up-and-down direction of the needle bar, generated due to the up-and-down motion of the needle bar is negated, whereby it is possible to reduce vibration generated in the up-and-down direction. Sewing heads paired with each other by being arbitrarily combined are controlled so as to be rotationally driven to cause rotational directions of the needle bar drive sources to become opposite directions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7918170
    Abstract: A quilting machine has at least one needle and looper set for forming chain-stitched patterns on a thick multilayered material such as a mattress ticking, preferably a panel of the continuous web clamped stationary on a frame. The stitch forming elements are mounted on separate heads that move independently transversely relative to the panel on a bridge that moves longitudinally relative to the panel. The bridge is longitudinally moved by a servo and the heads are transversely moved on the bridge by separate linear servos. The needle and looper are each driven by a linear servo having an armature to which the element is directly fixed to reciprocate without intervening mechanical linkage assemblies. A controller drives the servos to chain-stitch patterns, differentially move the heads transversely to account for transverse needle deflection and to phase the needle and looper to compensate for longitudinal needle deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Terrance L. Myers, James Bondanza, Roland Bulnes, Jeff Kaetterhenry, James T. Frazer, Glenn E. Leavis
  • Publication number: 20110048299
    Abstract: A sewing machine that is included in a sewing system includes a transfer device, a sewing device, an image capture device, a condition acquisition device, a data acquisition device, a computation device, a correction device, and a sewing control device. The data acquisition device acquires pattern data based on a pattern condition acquired by the condition acquisition device. The computation device computes, as a positioning condition, at least one of a reference position and a reference angle of at least one marker in relation to the carriage based on image data generated by the image capture device. The correction device sets a position and an angle of the partial pattern in relation to the carriage and corrects the pattern data. The sewing control device performs sewing of the partial pattern by controlling the transfer device and the sewing device in accordance with the corrected pattern data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi TOKURA
  • Publication number: 20090126610
    Abstract: A balancer is fixedly attached to a rotary input shaft of a crank mechanism that converts rotary drive of a needle bar drive source to up-and-down motion of a needle bar. The balancer is caused to rotate at substantially an opposite phase with respect to up-and-down motion of the needle bar with the rotary drive of the needle bar drive source. When the balancer is driven at substantially the opposite phase with respect to the up-and-down motion of the needle bar, inertia force in an up-and-down direction of the needle bar, generated due to the up-and-down motion of the needle bar is negated, whereby it is possible to reduce vibration generated in the up-and-down direction. Sewing heads paired with each other by being arbitrarily combined are controlled so as to be rotationally driven to cause rotational directions of the needle bar drive sources to become opposite directions to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: TOKAI KOGYO MISHIN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 7191718
    Abstract: A quilting machine has at least one needle and looper set for forming chain-stitched patterns on a thick multilayered material such as a mattress ticking, preferably a panel of the continuous web clamped stationary on a frame. The stitch forming elements are mounted on separate heads that move independently transversely relative to the panel on a bridge that moves longitudinally relative to the panel. The bridge is longitudinally moved by a servo and the heads are transversely moved on the bridge by separate linear servos. The needle and looper are each driven by a linear servo having an armature to which the element is directly fixed to reciprocate without intervening mechanical linkage assemblies. A controller drives the servos to chain-stitch patterns, differentially move the heads transversely to account for transverse needle deflection and to phase the needle and looper to compensate for longitudinal needle deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Terrance L. Myers, James Bondanza, Roland Bulnes, Jeff Kaetterhenry, James T. Frazer, Glenn E. Leavis
  • Patent number: 6983192
    Abstract: A plurality of stitching machines and a control system used in stitching patterns into a plurality of items is capable of flexible control. The plurality of stitching machines may include one or more clusters of stitching machines, with each cluster able to stitch patterns into items independently of other clusters. Stitching machines within the plurality of stitching machines, or within the clusters of stitching machines, may be set to stitch patterns into items using one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode. When in the synchronized mode, the stitching machines perform stitching substantially synchronously with other stitching machines, and when in the unsynchronized mode the stitching machines perform stitching independently of the status of other stitching machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: MELCO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Block, Robert Bruce Ton, Peter Kern, Donald Grayson
  • Patent number: 6935258
    Abstract: An embroidering system includes a central control device and a plurality of embroidering machines. The plural embroidering machines are synchronously operated by a command from the central control device. The central control device individually adjusts embroidering speeds of the plural embroidering machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiichiro Hagino
  • Patent number: 6880471
    Abstract: A multi-head sewing machine includes a machine table (10) and a plurality of sewing heads (12). The sewing heads are disposed to oppose to the machine table and arranged in a row in a first direction substantially parallel to a surface of the machine table. A workpiece setting frame (20) serves to releasably hold a long workpiece (40) and is movable within a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the machine table. A feeding mechanism (W1, 30, W2) serves to feed the workpiece relative to the workpiece setting frame in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kakushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Taijima, Terutada Kojima
  • Publication number: 20040210336
    Abstract: A plurality of stitching machines and a control system used in stitching patterns into a plurality of items is capable of flexible control. The plurality of stitching machines may include one or more clusters of stitching machines, with each cluster able to stitch patterns into items independently of other clusters. Stitching machines within the plurality of stitching machines, or within the clusters of stitching machines, may be set to stitch patterns into items using one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode. When in the synchronized mode, the stitching machines perform stitching substantially synchronously with other stitching machines, and when in the unsynchronized mode the stitching machines perform stitching independently of the status of other stitching machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Block, Robert Bruce Ton, Peter Kern, Donald Grayson
  • Patent number: 6796253
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for driving an embroidery frame of a multi-headed embroidery machine having a plurality of heads. Linear motors, for driving the embroidery frame in a direction of X-axis or Y-axis, are subdivided by their capacities so that they can be wired externally to prevent the deflection of the embroidery frame. The plurality of linear motors can be controlled simultaneously by means of a driver and a linear scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sunstar Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Gun Kwon
  • Patent number: 6729255
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide a plurality of stitching machines which may be synchronized without mechanical coupling of the stitching machines. Each of the plurality of stitching machines are connected to a control, which coordinates operations of the stitching machines, including the download of patterns to be stitched by the stitching machines. A master stitching machine is selected by either the control, or the stitching machines. Each of the stitching machines, during stitching operations transmits a heartbeat signal to the master stitching machine. The heartbeat signal can include information related to stitching operations, which the master can use to determine that each stitching machine is operating properly. Several clusters of stitching machines may also be present, with each cluster having a master stitching machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Melco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Ton, Peter Kern, Jurg Henz, Jeffrey T. Block, Dean Gerald Pearson
  • Publication number: 20040055520
    Abstract: A multi-head sewing machine includes a machine table (10) and a plurality of sewing heads (12). The sewing heads are disposed to oppose to the machine table and arranged in a row in a first direction substantially parallel to a surface of the machine table. A workpiece setting frame (20) serves to releasably hold a long workpiece (40) and is movable within a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the machine table. A feeding mechanism (W1, 30, W2) serves to feed the workpiece relative to the workpiece setting frame in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Taijima, Terutada Kojima
  • Patent number: 6698369
    Abstract: An embroidery machine includes a plurality of heads installed above a working table and spaced apart from each other. A needle holder inside each head is slidingly movable up and down and includes a plurality of hooks at a lower part vertically opposite to the needle holder. A plurality of embroidery frames are installed between the needle holder and the hook. A guide rail is disposed in the X direction with respect to each embroidery frame, and an X-axis driver linear motor moves the embroidery frame in the X direction. A guide rail is disposed in the Y direction with respect to each embroidery frame, and a Y-axis driver linear motor moves the embroidery frame in the Y direction. A controller controls a plurality of X-axis and Y-axis driver linear motors and actuates or stops only one of the plurality of embroidery frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sunstar Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Su Moon Kwak
  • Patent number: 6694211
    Abstract: A control system for a group of fiber processing machines includes a superordinate control console; and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine. The superordinate control console and the machine-specific control consoles are connected to one another by control and regulating devices via a network. The superordinate control console is utilized for all and only for those inputs and displays which require no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines and the machine-specific control consoles are utilized for all and only for those inputs and displays which, for the operation of the machines require a personal control and display acknowledgement at the machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Fritz Hösel
  • Patent number: 6571833
    Abstract: A conduit sleeve structure for use with fiber optic cables, coaxial cables and the like includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers of flexible material that are joined along their longitudinal edges to define a channel through which the cable can extend longitudinally through the innerduct structure between the layers. The adjacent layers have differing widths between their longitudinal edges, whereby the wider layer bulges away from the narrower layer to impart an open configuration to the channel. It has been found that the conduit sleeve structure may be manufactured more efficiently and inexpensively if multiple sheets and pull cords are stacked and arranged in such a way that multiple conduit sleeve structures may be manufactured simultaneously in a parallel arrangement. The method of manufacturing the conduit sleeve structures includes feeding several stacked sheets through a folding machine or mechanism, a stitching machine, and then a slitting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: George C. McLarty, III, Derek S. Kozlowski, Robert M. Smith, J. Robert Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6556885
    Abstract: A control system for a group of fiber processing machines includes a superordinated control console; and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine. The superordinated control console and the machine-specific control consoles are connected to one another by control and regulating devices via a network. The superordinated control console includes a stationary unit having arrangements for supplying current, for communicating with said network, for storing and administering data, and a computer. The superordinated control console further includes a mobile unit having an operating and displaying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Fritz Hösel
  • Patent number: 6330864
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a frame for supporting a fabric to be sewn and a drive device for moving the frame. The drive device includes an X-drive mechanism for moving the frame in X-direction and a Y-drive mechanism for moving the frame in Y-direction that is perpendicular to the X-direction. Each of the X-drive mechanism and the Y-drive mechanism preferably includes a linear motor as a drive source. A machine table is positioned below the frame. The linear motor of each of the X-drive mechanism and the Y-drive mechanism is disposed below the machine table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ikuo Tajima
  • Patent number: 6293213
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically cutting notches at specific locations on a web which are separated by predetermined lengths which are the outer dimensions of a pillowtop mattress. The web is pulled through a sewing station with a traction drive. Slack is induced in the web downstream of the traction drive. Predetermined lengths are drawn out of the slack bin in a single motion through a linear measuring device. A knife disposed in close proximity to the measuring device cuts the notches at the specific locations and subsequently severs the notched portion from the remainder of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Galkin Automated Products Corp.
    Inventors: Paul Block, Michael Lydick
  • Publication number: 20010010199
    Abstract: A machine for cutting cloths and for applying borders thereto, particularly for manufacturing mattresses starting from at least one component sheet which is wound in a roll, which comprises a framework, means for moving the cloth in an advancement direction and along a horizontal plane of arrangement, two sewing machines which are arranged upstream of the movement means and are adapted to form longitudinal stitch lines along the lateral edges of the cloth, a cloth finishing assembly which is arranged downstream of the movement means and comprises a sewing machine which is adapted to produce at least two parallel stitch lines which lie transversely to the advancement direction of the cloth, and a cutting element which is adapted to produce an intermediate separation cut between the two stitch lines, so as to separate the portion of cloth that lies downstream of the assembly from the one that lies upstream thereof, the sewing machines of the pair being each provided with a support for a roll of a strip of fabri
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: RESTA S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Resta
  • Patent number: 6216618
    Abstract: An embroidery system having an embroidery machine for automatically stitching embroidery stitch patterns on a garment and a machine controller for selectably controlling the operation of the embroidery machine in response to user provided selections, the improvement involves the use of a Windows CE based graphical user interface, such as a PDA, which is located between the user and the machine controller to provide user selections through the graphical user interface for directing the machine controller. The embroidery system has an associated embroidery functionality and the graphical user interface has a defined system architecture which may selectably enhance the embroidery system functionality by selectably adding software modules to the graphical user interface, such as to control the creation of embroidery lettering, to provide maintenance monitoring either locally or over the Internet, or to enable communication with the embroidery machine over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Pulse Microsystems Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Goldberg, Anastasios Tsonis, Ben Chia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6202001
    Abstract: Disclosed is an embroidery data creating device for creating embroidery stitch data representative of cyclically repeated embroidery patterns to be formed on an embroidery area. The embroidery data creating device includes a first memory in which data related to the embroidery area is stored. The embroidery area has at least one embroidery block. Further, the embroidery data creating device is provided with a second memory in which reference pattern data indicative of a unit pattern of the cyclically repeated embroidery patterns is stored. A data generating device which is also included in the embroidery data creating device, creates the embroidery stitch data for the embroidery area stored in the first memory in accordance with the reference pattern stored in the second memory. In particular, the data generating device generates the embroidery stitch data by arranging the reference pattern data repeatedly within the embroidery area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukiyoshi Muto
  • Patent number: 6148749
    Abstract: A work-sheet feed apparatus in which an X carriage is coupled integrally with a coupling member. A rear end portion of a holder support is coupled to the coupling merber via a coupling mechanism that supports the holder support pivotally about an axis parallel to the X direction, while a work-sheet holding frame that holds a work sheet is attached only at one side thereof to a frame holder secured to the holder support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6142089
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing machine motor, a main shaft driven by the sewing machine motor, a sewing needle driven by the main shaft, a shuttle for capturing a thread loop in cooperation with the sewing needle, the shuttle having a hook shaft, a shuttle driving motor for driving the hook shaft of the shuttle independent of the sewing machine motor, a drive control device for controlling the sewing machine motor and shuttle driving motor so that the shuttle is rotated in synchronism with the main shaft, a thread jamming detecting device for detecting a thread jamming in the shuttle, and a releasing device for controlling the shuttle driving motor so that the shuttle is released from the thread jamming, when the thread jamming is detected by the thread jamming detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Harada, Koichi Akahane, Motonari Nakano, Yoshihisa Nozaki
  • Patent number: 6123037
    Abstract: A multi-head embroidery machine includes a plurality of embroidery machines each of which includes thread cutting means, sewing means, thread breakage detecting means, needle bar jumping means and a cloth holder frame, a sewing motor for driving the sewing means of the embroidery machines in common, a frame holder for holding the cloth holder frames of the embroidery machines in common, cloth feeding means for moving the frame holder, stop control means for stopping the sewing motor to interrupt a sewing operation of the sewing means, step-back control means for stepping back via the cloth feeding means the frame holder to an actual or estimated position of occurrence of a thread breakage, re-sewing control means for executing a re-sewing operation approximately to a sewing interruption position in the embroidery machine in which thread breakage has occurred, while the cloth feeding means is being operated, thread-cutting command means for commanding to cut at least one of a needle thread and a bobbin thread
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6105520
    Abstract: A quilt manufacturing facility having a plurality of quilting machines is provided with an automated scheduling system which automatically generates and distributes schedules for the making of quilted products listed in input customer orders. The generated schedules are distributed in the form of computer files downloaded to the controllers of the machines. The generation of schedules is carried out by a programmed central scheduling computer which considers stored data identifying each of the machines and their capabilities, the materials available for production of the products and the product specifications, and determines the machine setting and material requirements for each product on the customer order list as well as the required completion times for each of the ordered products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: James T. Frazer, Von Hall, Jr., M. Burl White
  • Patent number: 6019053
    Abstract: A curved workpiece fabric holder device which holds a cup-shaped or cylindrical workpiece at a position around a cylinder bed. The cylinder bed contain therein a loop taker which co-operates with a sewing needle. The holder device includes a base frame movable in an extending direction of the cylinder bed, a rotary frame rotatably supported by the base frame and positioned around the cylinder bed, a retainer retaining therein the workpiece and detachably installed over the rotary frame. The holder device also include a translation mechanism for translating the movement of a fabric feed frame in an X-direction into a rotational movement of the rotary frame. The translation mechanism includes a wire looping around the rotary frame, and having one end fixed to a first wire attaching portion and having another end fixed to a second wire attaching portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6012402
    Abstract: Provided is an embroidery sewing machine for forming an embroidery pattern in accordance with embroidery data. The embroidery data includes position data indicative of a portion of a working fabric on which the embroidery pattern is to be formed, and color change data indicative of change of needle bars of the sewing machine. The sewing machine is provided with a thread color assigning system which assigns a thread collor to each of the needle bars, an order assigning system which assigns order of the needle bars to be used, a display device which displays the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data and the order of the needle bars to be used change by the order changing system, and a sewing system which forms the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data and the order of the needle bars to be used changed by the order changing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Sekine
  • Patent number: 5974992
    Abstract: A lot sewing time required for sewing a lot of embroidery patterns is calculated based on data of the embroidery pattern to be sewn and on data indicating the number of times the embroidery pattern is to be sewn in the lot. After data for the calculated lot sewing time is received, the lot is allotted to one of a plurality of sewing machines. The lot time for each of a plurality of lots allotted to the plurality of sewing machines is displayed on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumiaki Asano
  • Patent number: 5964168
    Abstract: There is provided an embroidery data selecting system for selecting an embroidery pattern from a plurality of embroidery patterns. The system includes: a recording medium which stores the plurality of embroidery patterns; a display having at least a first display area and a second display area; a first display controller which displays the plurality of groups in the first area, the plurality of embroidery patterns being categorized into a plurality of groups, the plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure, the hierarchical structure of the plurality of groups being visually recognizable in the first area; a manually operable member to be operated to select one of the plurality of groups displayed in the first area; and a second display controller which displays embroidery patterns included in a group in the second area in response to selection by the manually operable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kyoji Komuro
  • Patent number: 5957069
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-head multi-needle sewing machine system adapted to change threads by horizontally moving sewing heads, which system provides for space savings and further increase in the number of sewing heads and colors of threads to be employed. For this purpose, needle-bar support frames 6 are each guided in the horizontal movement thereof by one guide rail 31 horizontally extending over the whole length of a sewing machine system 1. A thread take-up positioning piece 63 for maintaining undriven needle thread take-ups 5 at a raised position is secured to place as extending substantially between the centers of adjacent arms 3. In this multi-head multi-needle sewing machine system 1, the movement ranges of the needle-bar support frames 6 of the respective sewing heads partially overlap with each other but there is no fear of interference therebetween because the needle-bar support frames 6 horizontally travel for the same amount in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Barudan
    Inventor: Masanori Shibata
  • Patent number: 5954005
    Abstract: A pattern sewing system having at least one pattern sewing machine which has a plurality of sewing heads, an operation status setting device which is electrically connected to the at least one pattern sewing machine, the operation status setting device setting operation status of each of the plurality of sewing heads such that each of the plurality of sewing heads is operative or inoperative, and a controlling device which makes the operation status set by the operation status setting device effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Brother kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Sekine, Fumiaki Asano
  • Patent number: 5937774
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a work-sheet holder which holds a work sheet, to a feed member which is fed by a feeding device of a sewing machine, so that a stitch-forming device of the sewing machine forms stitches on the work sheet held by the work-sheet holder, the apparatus including a position adjusting device which adjusts at least one of a position of the work-sheet holder relative to the feed member in a first direction, a position of the work-sheet holder relative to the feed member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and an angular position of the work-sheet holder relative to the feed member about an axis line parallel to a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and a holder fixing device which fixes the work-sheet holder at the adjusted one position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5921194
    Abstract: A sewing machine control device that is capable of controlling a plurality of sewing machines, and that includes a display unit having a screen; an operability determination unit that determines operable ones of the plurality of sewing machines; and a window displaying unit that displays, on the screen of the display unit, a window for each operable sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyoji Komuro, Xiao Ming Zheng
  • Patent number: 5915316
    Abstract: An embroidering and laser processing machine including at least one sewing head, one laser head and one laser generator, a work holder mounted on a machine table capable of movement in an X-axis and Y-axis direction according to predetermined movement data, the laser generator being on-off controlled according to laser cut codes which are included in the predetermined movement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Tajima, Takashi Ito, Takashi Shibata
  • Patent number: 5915317
    Abstract: A stitching system includes a gantry that is movable along a material support table. Mounted to the gantry are a plurality of stitching heads and bobbins. The stitching heads are individually controllable in a z-direction, and the bobbins are individually controllable in the z-direction. Each stitching head is paired with a bobbin. Each pair of stitching heads and the bobbins is controlled synchronously in the z-direction. The stitching system is well-suited for stitching preforms of aircraft wing covers and other preforms having variable thickness and compound, contoured three-dimensional surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventors: Patrick J. Thrash, Jeffrey L. Miller, Kenneth G. Pallas, Robert C. Trank, Rhoda Fox, Mike Korte, Richard Codos, Aleksandr Korolev, William Collan
  • Patent number: 5913276
    Abstract: A multihead sewing machine includes a sewing machine motor, a main shaft rotated by the sewing machine motor, a plurality of sewing needles driven by the main shaft, a plurality of shuttles for capturing thread loops in cooperation with the sewing needles respectively, each shuttle having a hook shaft, and a plurality of shuttle driving motors for rotating the hook shafts of the shuttles independent of the sewing machine motor respectively. The sewing machine motor and the shuttle driving motors are controlled so that the sewing machine motor and each shuttle driving motor are rotated in synchronism with each other. Loss of synchronism of each shuttle relative to the corresponding sewing needle is detected. Rotation of the main shaft is stopped in an abnormal condition in which the loss of synchronism has been detected with respect to at least one of the shuttles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kurono, Masaki Shimizu, Hirokazu Hirose
  • Patent number: 5904109
    Abstract: A color switch setting data processing apparatus for a multi-needle embroidery machine is provided by a personal computer or other data processing device. The apparatus causes a display unit to display a stitching sequence and needle bar numbers for color switch setting data. If an insert instruction is produced by indicating the place of insertion by using a cursor and a needle bar number to be inserted is inputted to the place, then the color switch setting data is rewritten by shifting the needle bar number data from the place of insertion and the subsequent places in the stitching sequence, by one place to a later side in the stitching sequence. If a deletion instruction is produced by indicating the place of deletion by using the cursor, the color switch setting data is rewritten by shifting the needle bar number data in the places subsequent, on the later side, to the place of deletion, by one place to an earlier side in the stitching sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumiaki Asano
  • Patent number: 5884572
    Abstract: A curved workpiece fabric holder device which holds a cup-shaped or cylindrical workpiece at a position around a cylinder bed. The cylinder bed contains therein a loop taker which co-operates with a sewing needle. The holder device includes a base frame movable in an extending direction of the cylinder bed, a rotary frame rotatably supported by the base frame and positioned around the cylinder bed, a retainer retaining therein the workpiece and detachably installed over the rotary frame. Normally, the rotary frame is rotated in accordance with a movement of a fabric feed frame. A fixed segment is fixed to the fabric feed frame, and a movable segment is movably and position-fixably supported to the fixed segment. A wire is looped around the rotary frame and each end of the wire is fixed to each end of the movable segment. By unfastening the movable segment from the fixed segment, the movable segment is disconnected from the fabric feed frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 5873317
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sewing system including a plurality of sewing machines and a controlling device which is electrically connected with the plurality of sewing machines for transmitting control commands to the plurality of sewing machines. The controlling device includes a memory device which stores identification data for identifying each of the plurality of sewing machines, a data registering device, which is used for registering arbitrarily registered data in relation to the identification data stored in the memory device for identifying each of the plurality of sewing machines, and a displaying device having a display screen. The controlling device displays the arbitrarily registered data on the display screen for identifying each of the plurality of sewing machines, and the control commands are transmitted to sewing machines identified by the arbitrarily registered data displayed by the displaying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyoji Komuro, Xiao Ming Zheng
  • Patent number: 5862766
    Abstract: A convertible sewing machine utilizes plain-seaming and closed-seaming head assemblies to provide both plain-seaming and closed-seaming functions in a single integral package. The convertible sewing machine includes a housing having opposing ends, a plain-seaming head-assembly disposed at one end of the housing, a closed-seaming head-assembly disposed at the other end of the housing, a drive motor and a drive-coupling assembly for mechanically coupling the drive motor and at least one of the plain-seaming and closed-seaming head-assemblies. The drive-coupling assembly is capable of selectively engaging either, or both of, the head-assemblies. A turntable mechanism can also be included for rotating the convertible sewing machine into several positions of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Man Kit Fung
  • Patent number: 5839382
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for electronically gearing the sewing parts of a sewing machine, and more particularly it relates to electronically gearing the bobbin to the needle to eliminate the necessity of their physical coupling through mechanical linkages and drive shafts. Servo motors provide torque to the needle, bobbin, and various other sewing parts of the sewing machine which require concerted movement. A computer uses servo motor positional information to calculate motion commands that are sent to the needle and bobbin servo motors, thereby enabling electronic gearing of the bobbin to the needle so that each moves substantially in unison. Motion commands sent to servo motors attached to various other sewing parts of the sewing machine are based on servo motor positional information to enable the sewing parts to move in concert with the needle and bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Tice Engineering and Sales, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Tice, Moshe Shloush, Mark E. Stapel, Gregory A. Davis