Tensioning Patents (Class 112/254)
  • Patent number: 11001951
    Abstract: A pressure adjustment mechanism of the sewing machine presser foot comprises a motor, a screw actuated by the motor, a spiral spring and a pressing plate for pressing against an upper end of the presser foot. A nut is screwed and connected on the screw, and the nut is lifted or lowered by the screw. The pressing plate is underneath the nut. The circumferential direction of the nut is unfixed. The spiral spring is located between the nut and the pressing plate, an upper end of the spiral spring is pressed against the nut, and a lower end of the spiral spring is pressed against the pressing plate. The spiral spring is being compressed under the effects of the nut and the pressing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Sigma Mattress Machinery (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xi Zheng
  • Patent number: 10876235
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a support surface for two plies of material to be sewn together and a sewing mechanism that is attached to the support surface and is in operative connection with a machine controller, wherein a plate element positioned between the two material plies is arranged in the material feed area thereof. A vertical adjustment device for the plate element that is actuatable by the machine controller adjusts a vertical distance between the support surface and the plate element, and thus also influences the feed of material to the sewing mechanism. The vertical adjustment device is equipped with an electromagnet for adjusting the position of the plate element. The plate element is equipped with a magnet, which cooperates with the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: Vetron Typical Europe GmbH, Faurecia Sièges D'Automobile
    Inventor: Michael Dinges
  • Patent number: 10767293
    Abstract: A sewing-thread pre-stress device for a sewing machine includes: a sewing-thread support, a pre-stress supply member, an abutting member and a top cover. The sewing-thread support includes an accommodating groove with a groove bottom. The pre-stress supply member is made of elastic material, provided in the accommodating groove, and has a folding portion which has two extension portions with one end connected to two sides of the folding portion. The abutting member is disposed on the pre-stress supply member, and the two abutting portions abut against the abutting member. The top cover is disposed on the abutting member and fixed to the sewing-thread support to define a thread space between the top cover and the abutting member for allowing a sewing thread to be inserted therethrough. The member is elastic and V-shaped, therefore the elastic force change is relatively small, which can provide the sewing thread an appropriate tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Hsien-Chang Tseng
  • Patent number: 10094056
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for selectively controlling a thread tension in a quilting machine. The thread tensioner is moveable to a reduced tension configuration in response to an actuator, wherein the actuator is sized to be located within an existing form factor. A controller can be connected to the actuator to regulate the thread tension in response to a sewing translation and a non-sewing translation of the sewing head relative to a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ABM International, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal A. Schwarzberger
  • Patent number: 9731921
    Abstract: A web roll handling and loading system and methods employ hubs positioned on opposing sides of a roll of web material wound on a hollow tubular core. Hub faces have an annular shape configured to be seated in respective ends of the hollow tubular core. The hubs are pivotably supported for pivoting between an operational position and a deflected position. The roll of web material is loaded on the hubs by lifting it from beneath the hubs to deflect the hub faces arcuately upward, then lowering the roll to allow the hub faces to pivot downward and become seated in the ends of the hollow tubular core. Alternatively, the roll is loaded into a pick-up tool by lowering the pick-up tool downward to the roll so the hubs deflect arcuately upward, then raising the tool so the hubs pivot downward and become seated in the hollow tubular core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jesse P. Howard, Michael S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9435062
    Abstract: Provided is a sewing machine system including: a container case having a plurality of containers partitioned in a grid pattern; a detecting unit configured to detect a type of a thread spool contained in any of the containers and a contained position of the thread spool in the container case in association with each other; a detection result transmitting unit configured to transmit a result of the detection by the detecting unit to the sewing machine; a sewing machine provided separately from the container case; a detection result receiving unit provided for the sewing machine, and configured to receive the detection result from the detection result transmitting unit; and a display unit configured to display a type of a thread spool to be required during sewing and a contained position of the thread spool in the container case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kongo
  • Patent number: 9394639
    Abstract: Motorized thread tensioner for a sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a motorized thread tensioner for a sewing machine may include a first disk, a second disk, a spring, a shaft having threads on a distal end, a nut threaded onto the threads of the shaft, and an electric motor. The shaft may be through the first disk, the second disk, and the spring. The electric motor may be coupled to the nut and configured to rotate the nut in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction. The rotation of the nut in the first rotational direction may cause the shaft to travel toward the electric motor. The rotation of the nut in the second rotational direction may cause the shaft to travel away from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Handi Quilter, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan K. Ruggles, Wynn Royce Jones, Richard Kimball Eich
  • Patent number: 9347160
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a cloth thickness detection device, a storage device, and a control device. The cloth thickness detection device detects a cloth thickness of a work cloth. The storage device stores cut data that include a plurality of needle drop points for a cutting needle. The control device modifies a distance between adjacent ones of the needle drop points in the cut data in accordance with the cloth thickness that has been detected by the cloth thickness detection device. Then control device performs cut work on the work cloth using the cutting needle, in accordance with the cut data in which the distance between the adjacent needle drop points has been modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryutaro Maki
  • Patent number: 9016218
    Abstract: To provide a sewing machine that can control tension on a needle thread and tension on a bobbin thread on a per-stitch basis; that enables even heads of a multi-head embroidery sewing machine to form an identical embroidery; and that enables even a plurality of sewing machines to form identical embroidery. A memory device stores for each stitch of embroidery data a needle thread control torque value and a bobbin thread control torque value. In a needle thread torque control zone, an upstream grip section main body is closed, and a downstream grip section main body is opened. A needle thread motor is subjected to torque control in accordance with the needle thread control torque value. In the meantime, in a position control zone, the upstream grip section body is opened, and the downstream grip section body is closed, thereby subjecting the needle thread motor to position control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: NSD Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Fujiura, Hirotsugu Uenishi, Yoshichika Takizawa, Tatsuhiro Kurashima, Masayoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 9016219
    Abstract: A tension release device for compensating mechanical error of a tension device for a sewing machine includes a rotary arm, a tension release shaft, a guiding member, an actuating member, and a micro-adjustment member, the rotary arm is located at one end of the tension release shaft which is inserted through the base, the tension release shaft is coupled to the guiding member, the guiding member is provided with an arc-shaped guiding flange which includes a first end and a second end higher than the first end. On the actuating member is provided a push portion which protrudes toward and is pushed by the guiding flange of the guiding member, a micro-adjustment hole is formed at one end of the actuating member or at the one end of the control shaft, and the micro-adjustment member is screwed in the micro-adjustment hole and extends toward the tension release shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Hsien-Chang Tseng
  • Patent number: 8997669
    Abstract: Thread tensioner for a sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a thread tensioner for a sewing machine includes a first disk, a second disk, a spring, a knob, and a sensor. The second disk is positioned next to the first disk. The spring is configured to apply tension to a thread positioned between the first disk and the second disk by exerting a force against the second disk. The spring defines a length between a first end and a second end. The knob is configured, when rotated in one direction, to travel along a threaded shaft toward the spring and thereby cause the length of the spring to shorten. The knob is configured, when rotated in another direction, to travel along the threaded shaft away from the spring and thereby allow the length of the spring to lengthen. The sensor is configured to track a current length of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Handi Quilter, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary James Konzak, Bryan K. Ruggles
  • Publication number: 20150075414
    Abstract: A tension release device for compensating mechanical error of a tension device for a sewing machine includes a rotary arm, a tension release shaft, a guiding member, an actuating member, and a micro-adjustment member, the rotary arm is located at one end of the tension release shaft which is inserted through the base, the tension release shaft is coupled to the guiding member, the guiding member is provided with an arc-shaped guiding flange which includes a first end and a second end higher than the first end. On the actuating member is provided a push portion which protrudes toward and is pushed by the guiding flange of the guiding member, a micro-adjustment hole is formed at one end of the actuating member or at the one end of the control shaft, and the micro-adjustment member is screwed in the micro-adjustment hole and extends toward the tension release shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Hsien-Chang TSENG
  • Publication number: 20150000576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cushion and an airbag system including the same, and particularly to an airbag cushion, including: at least one fabric; and seam parts connecting the fabric, wherein deviation of upper seam thread length per a unit length of the fabric between the first seam part sewed in forward direction and the second seam part sewed in reverse direction in the seam parts is 15% or less, a method of preparing the same, and an airbag system including the same. The airbag cushion of the present invention is superior in working stability and unfolding performance because of the optimized properties of the seam parts, provides superior shape stability and air-tight effect at the same time, and can protect a passenger by minimizing the shock given to the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Dong-Jin KWAK, Ki-Jeong Kim, Jae-Hyung Kim, Hee-Jun Kim, Jung-Hoon Youn, Sang-Mok Lee
  • Patent number: 8875642
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes: a needle rod being reciprocated vertically; tension discs sandwiching an upper thread; a feed mechanism transporting a sewing object in a vertical direction; a reciprocating mechanism reciprocating the needle rod laterally; an upper thread tension adjusting mechanism adjusting the tension discs; a feed amount adjusting mechanism adjusting a feed amount of the feed mechanism; a stitch width adjusting mechanism adjusting a stitch width of the reciprocating mechanism; and a control apparatus controlling the upper thread tension adjusting mechanism, the feed amount adjusting mechanism, and/or the stitch width adjusting mechanism. A common adjusting mechanism, being one of the feed amount adjusting mechanism and the stitch width adjusting mechanism, includes: a motor; an adjusting mechanism body being a tooth-missing gear and/or a cam; and a variation amount adjusting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunori Kawai
  • Publication number: 20140238286
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes: a needle rod being reciprocated vertically; tension discs sandwiching an upper thread; a feed mechanism transporting a sewing object in a vertical direction; a reciprocating mechanism reciprocating the needle rod laterally; an upper thread tension adjusting mechanism adjusting the tension discs; a feed amount adjusting mechanism adjusting a feed amount of the feed mechanism; a stitch width adjusting mechanism adjusting a stitch width of the reciprocating mechanism; and a control apparatus controlling the upper thread tension adjusting mechanism, the feed amount adjusting mechanism, and/or the stitch width adjusting mechanism. A common adjusting mechanism, being one of the feed amount adjusting mechanism and the stitch width adjusting mechanism, includes: a motor; an adjusting mechanism body being a tooth-missing gear and/or a cam; and a variation amount adjusting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunori KAWAI
  • Patent number: 8794167
    Abstract: There is provided a needle thread tension controller that can control a magnitude of tension on a needle thread for each stitch, that can draw the needle thread with a slim chance of occurrence of a thread break, that easily, accurately detects occurrence of the thread break when the thread break has occurred, and that does not cause any excess or deficiency of a quantity of accumulated thread, which would otherwise be caused by drawing a needle thread. There are provided an upstream grip section 40 and a downstream grip section 60 for gripping a needle thread and a turning section 80 for turning the needle thread. In a torque control zone, rotating force is imparted to a turning arm in accordance with a torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: NSD Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshichika Takizawa, Tatsuhiro Kurashima, Masayoshi Ono
  • Publication number: 20130263768
    Abstract: An apparatus for thread-stitching a book block includes a thread tensioning device configured to store and tension a binding thread. A single actuator, including a servo drive, drives the thread tensioning device. The method includes storing a length of binding thread; in a separate step, tensioning the binding thread; and thread-stitching the book block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Marcel Weiss
  • Patent number: 8479672
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle thread tension control device including a fixed portion, a shaft having an external thread portion, a thread tension dial, first and second thread tension discs, and a spiral movement member. The spiral movement member includes an internal thread portion meshed with the external thread portion while being movable relative to the external thread portion in a spiral direction relative to the axis, and a scale including marks arranged serially and side by side in the spiral direction. The spiral movement member adjusts the needle thread tension by moving towards or away from the second thread tension disc while rotating in a circumferential direction by meshing between the external thread portion and the internal thread portion. The needle thread tension control device also includes a thread tension spring applying respective biasing forces to the spiral movement member and the second thread tension disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunori Kawai
  • Publication number: 20130160685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lower thread supply device for a sewing machine, comprising: a housing (100) which is fixed to a main body of a sewing machine, has a cylindrical shape in which a front side and a back side are opened along a central axis, and has a (a housing cut out portion) (110) formed by cutting the outer circumferential surface of one side; a rotation plate (200) which is connected to a power shaft of a sewing machine, has a disk shape, has a power transmission protrusion (210) formed on the front surface of the disk, and is provided at the back inner lateral side of the housing (100) to rotate; a hook body (300) which is rotatably provided inside the housing (100), has a cylindrical shape with an opened front side, a protrusion receiving part (320) formed at the back outer portion to receive the torque of the rotation plate (200) by being engaged with the power transmission protrusion (210), a bobbin mounting post (330) formed at the back inner portion, and a hook (310) that passes th
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: So-Dae Kang
  • Patent number: 8448588
    Abstract: A force sensing device is adapted for sensing thread tension in a long-arm or mid-arm sewing machine. The force sensing device comprises the sewing machine mechanically coupled to a force sensor disk. A user can rotate a tension adjuster knob to increase or decrease thread tension as necessary. The force sensor disk comprises a variable resister that is electrically coupled to a force sensor disk cable; the force sensor disk cable is electrically coupled to a measurement resistor RM, a load resistor RL, a battery and a power switch. As the tension on the force sensor disk increases, the resistance on force sensor disk decreases and voltage across measurement sensor RM increases. A digital readout meter measures the voltage proportional to the tension on the force sensor disk. A voltage relative to tension is displayed on a display screen and can be viewed by the user who can increase or decrease the tension as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Leonard Samuel Lindley
  • Patent number: 8443744
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a control portion that controls a thread tension adjustment portion and a feed portion such that a first stitch and a second stitch are formed alternately on a sewing object. The first stitch includes only a stitch in which an interlacing point of the upper thread and a bobbin thread is lower than a top surface of the sewing object. The second stitch includes at least one set of a first section and a second section. The first section is a section in which the interlacing point and the bobbin thread are pulled out, by the thread tension, in the first direction on the top surface of the sewing object. The second section is a section in which the bobbin thread is pulled out in the second direction, and at least part of the second section overlapping with the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nakamura, Yoshio Nishimura, Yutaka Nomura, Yuki Ihira, Satoru Ichiyanagi, Satoru Makino
  • Publication number: 20120291682
    Abstract: A sewing machine thread feed for a supplying sewing thread to a sewing machine, the feed including: a guide mechanism for guiding sewing thread to a needle of the sewing machine; first and second spools carrying first and second filaments respectively, one of the spools carrying a low-melt filament and the other carrying a textile filament; first and second retention mechanisms for retaining the first and second spools respectively in position against force applied to them when filament is drawn off; the first and second filaments run from the first and second spools respectively to the guide mechanism; wherein the first filament runs from the first spool, through the centre of the second spool, so that the action of the second filament, when being drawn off the second spool, causes inter-winding of the first and second filaments to create composite sewing thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: COATS PLC
    Inventor: David Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20120280480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cushion and an airbag system including the same, and particularly to an airbag cushion, including: at least one fabric; and seam parts connecting the fabric, wherein deviation of upper seam thread length per a unit length of the fabric between the first seam part sewed in forward direction and the second seam part sewed in reverse direction in the seam parts is 15% or less, a method of preparing the same, and an airbag system including the same. The airbag cushion of the present invention is superior in working stability and unfolding performance because of the optimized properties of the seam parts, provides superior shape stability and air-tight effect at the same time, and can protect a passenger by minimizing the shock given to the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Kolon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong-Jin Kwak, Ki-Jeong Kim, Jae-Hyung Kim, Hee-Jun Kim, Jung-Hoon Youn, Sang-Mok Lee
  • Publication number: 20120222599
    Abstract: A thread feeding mechanism for actively feeding embroidery thread out of a cartridge through a hollow needle, such that a thread break at or near the needle tip is automatically overcome through normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Andrew Payne
  • Publication number: 20120210924
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle thread tension control device including a fixed portion, a shaft having an external thread portion, a thread tension dial, first and second thread tension discs, and a spiral movement member. The spiral movement member includes an internal thread portion meshed with the external thread portion while being movable relative to the external thread portion in a spiral direction relative to the axis, and a scale including marks arranged serially and side by side in the spiral direction. The spiral movement member adjusts the needle thread tension by moving towards or away from the second thread tension disc while rotating in a circumferential direction by meshing between the external thread portion and the internal thread portion. The needle thread tension control device also includes a thread tension spring applying respective biasing forces to the spiral movement member and the second thread tension disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunori KAWAI
  • Publication number: 20120109357
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars to a lower end of each of which a needle can be attached, a display portion that is configured to display various information, a first display control portion that causes the display portion to display replacement information, the replacement information being information pertaining to a replacement needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool for which replacement is necessary and that is at least one of the plurality of the needle bars, a specifying portion that specifies a replacement-completed needle bar during a period in which the replacement information is being displayed on the display portion, the replacement-completed needle bar being a needle bar that corresponds to a thread spool that has been placed after replacement, and a second display control portion that causes the display portion to display a result that has been specified by the specifying portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsuneo OKUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20120097084
    Abstract: There is provided a sewing-machine bobbin thread tension controller capable of elaborately, accurately controlling bobbin thread tension without depending on frictional force. A bobbin thread tension controller includes an outer shuttle 110, a middle shuttle presser 130, a middle shuttle 150, a bobbin thread tension control mechanism 200, a shuttle actuation unit 250, and a bobbin 300. The middle shuttle 150 has a magnet 190. A magnet 270 is disposed, in close proximity to the magnet 190, on an arm 260 attached to a rotary shaft of a shuttle actuation motor 252 provided in the shuttle actuation unit 250. The middle shuttle 150 is rotated by rotating the magnet 270 by means of the motor 252. Further, a rotary disc 210 is provided, in close proximity to the middle shuttle 150, on a rotary shaft of a bobbin thread tension control motor 202 of the bobbin thread tension control mechanism 200 and is provided with a magnet 214. A magnet is disposed on a part of the bobbin 300 facing the rotary disc 210.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: NSD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshichika Takizawa, Masayoshi Ono, Tatsuhiro Kurashima
  • Patent number: 8151721
    Abstract: A thread tensioning device for a sewing machine comprises a limit member fixed on the sewing machine, and an elastic pulling member mounted on the limit member. The pulling member includes an elastic extension portion which is movably disposed on the limit member. The pulling member further includes a free end formed with a hook-shaped thread pulling portion. The limit member is provided with two limit portions defining a space for passage of the thread. During a thread loosening operation, the thread will be moved within the space defined by the two limit portions while being pulled by the thread pulling portion of the pulling member, so that the thread pulling portion can provide a proper amount of tension to the thread timely, thus avoiding the occurrence of skip stitch and ensuring the sewing quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Hsien-Chang Tseng
  • Publication number: 20120073484
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a control portion that controls a thread tension adjustment portion and a feed portion such that a first stitch and a second stitch are formed alternately on a sewing object. The first stitch includes only a stitch in which an interlacing point of the upper thread and a bobbin thread is lower than a top surface of the sewing object. The second stitch includes at least one set of a first section and a second section. The first section is a section in which the interlacing point and the bobbin thread are pulled out, by the thread tension, in the first direction on the top surface of the sewing object. The second section is a section in which the bobbin thread is pulled out in the second direction, and at least part of the second section overlapping with the first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori NAKAMURA, Yoshio NISHIMURA, Yutaka NOMURA, Yuki IHIRA, Satoru ICHIYANAGI, Satoru MAKINO
  • Patent number: 8096250
    Abstract: A thread tensioning device of a sewing machine for forming multiple types of stitches using a plurality of threads is provided. The thread tensioning device includes thread tensioners disposed to correspond to the threads, an adjusting mechanism coupled to the thread tensioners to select a stitch type and to simultaneously adjust the tensional force applied from each of the thread tensioners to the corresponding thread such that the tensional force is selected from reference tensional forces corresponding to the selected stitch type, fine adjustment mechanisms disposed to correspond to the thread tensioners and to be manually operable to finely adjust the tensional force applied from the corresponding thread tensioner to the corresponding thread, and a reset mechanism coupled to the fine adjustment mechanisms to resets at different timings and interlockingly with the adjusting mechanism an amount of the tensional force finely adjusted by each of the fine adjustment mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Juki Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Takeshita
  • Patent number: 7905190
    Abstract: In a sewing machine, a control device is configured to execute a needle thread cutting operation including driving a movable cutting blade to a predetermined pivot location, driving a wiper driving mechanism for protruding a wiper by a predetermined stroke, driving the thread take-up driving mechanism to lower the thread take-up by a predetermined distance, driving a wiper driving mechanism to draw back the wiper by a predetermined amount corresponding to the lowering of the thread take-up, driving the movable cutting blade to a standby position, driving the thread tension adjusting mechanism to release a thread tension adjusting mechanism, and driving the thread take-up driving mechanism to move the thread take-up to an original uppermost position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20100307399
    Abstract: A thread tensioning device for a sewing machine comprises a limit member fixed on the sewing machine, and an elastic pulling member mounted on the limit member. The pulling member includes an elastic extension portion which is movably disposed on the limit member. The pulling member further includes a free end formed with a hook-shaped thread pulling portion. The limit member is provided with two limit portions defining a space for passage of the thread. During a thread loosening operation, the thread will be moved within the space defined by the two limit portions while being pulled by the thread pulling portion of the pulling member, so that the thread pulling portion can provide a proper amount of tension to the thread timely, thus avoiding the occurrence of skip stitch and ensuring the sewing quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Hsien-Chang TSENG
  • Patent number: 7841283
    Abstract: In the disclosed sewing machine, when a needle threading switch is operated when sewing operation is stopped, a needle bar drive mechanism is activated, a needle threading hook is moved forward to a threading position, and a thread take-up is lowered by predetermined distance by driving a sewing machine motor in reverse rotation after threading a hook portion with a needle thread. Thus, a thread engaging portion of a check spring absorbs loss of required thread amount at the thread take-up and moves from a spring force operable position to a spring force inoperable position. Thus, the needle threading hook retracts to a loop cancel position and the needle thread reliably threads the sewing needle with secure engagement with the needle threading hook when a needle thread end is pulled off from a first thread retaining portion since needle thread is stabilized by absence of needle thread tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi, Yasukazu Noguchi, Noriko Kawabe
  • Publication number: 20100199902
    Abstract: A sewing machine including an image capturing unit disposed at a position capable of capturing images of the stitches formed on the workpiece cloth and capturing images of the stitches at least from either upper and undersides of the workpiece cloth; an extracting section that extracts, from the image data of the stitches captured by the image capturing unit, a region occupied by an opposite side thread appearing at an interlace of the needle thread and the bobbin thread; a calculating section calculating an area of the extracted region; an evaluating section that evaluates a tension balance between the needle thread and the bobbin thread based on the area calculated by the calculating section; and a controller controlling the thread tension adjustment mechanism to modify the tension balance of the stitches based on a result of evaluation by the evaluating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiko Mori, Yasuo Miyake
  • Publication number: 20090165687
    Abstract: A thread tensioning device of a sewing machine for forming multiple types of stitches using a plurality of threads is provided. The thread tensioning device includes thread tensioners disposed to correspond to the threads, an adjusting mechanism coupled to the thread tensioners to select a stitch type and to simultaneously adjust the tensional force applied from each of the thread tensioners to the corresponding thread such that the tensional force is selected from reference tensional forces corresponding to the selected stitch type, fine adjustment mechanisms disposed to correspond to the thread tensioners and to be manually operable to finely adjust the tensional force applied from the corresponding thread tensioner to the corresponding thread, and a reset mechanism coupled to the fine adjustment mechanisms to resets at different timings and interlockingly with the adjusting mechanism an amount of the tensional force finely adjusted by each of the fine adjustment mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: JUKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji TAKESHITA
  • Patent number: 7536963
    Abstract: A monitoring device (15) for monitoring the needle thread (9) on a sewing machine (1) is provided which includes a regulator spring (25) with at least one cam switch (39) being connected thereto in a rotational manner. In case of changing thread tension and/or thread consumption the cam switch (39) and/or the detection zones (41) embodied thereat passes through a sensor (45) with two sensor areas (a, b). Here, not only the presence and absence of the cam switch (39) can be detected but also a direction of motion and the speed of motion. From these measurements conclusions can be drawn on various parameters of the needle thread (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Bernina International AG
    Inventors: Gerard Durville, Niklaus Wacker
  • Patent number: 7493866
    Abstract: A thread tension device includes paired thread tension discs holding a needle thread, a thread tension spring biasing one of the discs toward the other, a thread tension dial adjusting a tension exerted on the needle thread, a spring force adjusting cam formed in the thread tension dial, a transfer plate following the cam so as to be capable of adjusting the spring force, and a first adjusting member threadingly engaged with the transfer plate to receive one end of the thread tension spring, a thread guide assembly having a through hole formed so that the adjusting tool is insertable into the through hole, and a second adjusting member rotatably mounted on the transfer plate and engageable with the distal end of the adjusting tool inserted into the through hole so as to be rotatable with the tool, thereby rotating the first adjusting member by rotation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Fukao
  • Patent number: 7475647
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sewing mechanism which is useful for joining fabrics with a brittle thread. The invention provides a sewing mechanism having a needle for stitching a brittle fiber thread through at least one layer of a fibrous fabric, the mechanisms for supplying the sewing thread to the needle on each edge thereof while the needle penetrates the layer or layers of fibrous fabric, thread supply being controlled to equalize the supply on both sides of the needle to prevent axial movement of the thread relative to the needle while the needle moves downwards. The mechanism further supports a revolving spool of a second thread and arranged to insert the second thread through a loop formed by the sewing thread at the remote side of the layer of fibrous fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Shenkar College of Engineering and Design
    Inventors: Amotz Weinberg, Yair Eilam
  • Patent number: 7461605
    Abstract: A sewing machine having a reciprocatory needle and a reciprocatory thread-take-up device to deliver thread to the needle employs a thread control device located between the thread take-up device and the needle to engage and apply light tension to the thread. The thread control device can have an opposed plate and spring wire between which the thread runs and which cooperate to apply spring pressure to the thread. Downstream thereof a thread brush can be employed through which the thread runs. The thread can be further lightly tensioned and laterally positioned by the thread brush. The guide plate or other device can include catcher structure to catch thread escaping the take-up device. The thread control device can help control premature descent of the thread and improperly tensioned stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: KSIN Luxembourg III, S.ar.l.
    Inventor: Paulo Eduardo Rodrigues Couto
  • Publication number: 20080257241
    Abstract: A threading device of a sewing machine includes a thread inserting base formed with a thread path hole having a thread inserting port opened toward an outer side of a sewing machine frame, and further formed with an air path hole which joins the thread path hole in the vicinity of the thread inserting port, an air supply device coupled to the air path hole to supply compressed air, and illuminating means provided on the sewing machine frame to irradiate a joining portion of the thread path hole and the air path hole. The thread inserting base includes a transparent member through which at least the joining portion of the thread path hole and the air path hole can be visually recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Kazuya Sadasue
  • Publication number: 20080257243
    Abstract: A thread tension device includes paired thread tension discs holding a needle thread, a thread tension spring biasing one of the discs toward the other, a thread tension dial adjusting a tension exerted on the needle thread, a spring force adjusting cam formed in the thread tension dial, a transfer plate following the cam so as to be capable of adjusting the spring force, and a first adjusting member threadingly engaged with the transfer plate to receive one end of the thread tension spring, a thread guide assembly having a through hole formed so that the adjusting tool is insertable into the through hole, and a second adjusting member rotatably mounted on the transfer plate and engageable with the distal end of the adjusting tool inserted into the through hole so as to be rotatable with the tool, thereby rotating the first adjusting member by rotation of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Fukao
  • Patent number: 7430973
    Abstract: A thread tension mechanism and a sewing machine includes a thread tension dial, a pair of thread tension discs and a dial shaft secured unrotatably to an element constituting a body of the thread tension mechanism and rotatably supporting the thread tension dial; and first and second coil springs mounted in intimate contact with an outer periphery of the dial shaft. The second coil spring is spaced from the first coil spring and wound in a same direction as the first coil spring; and a pair of non-confronting outer end portions positioned at both ends of the first coil spring and the second coil spring or a pair of inner end portions positioned at confronting ends of the first coil spring and the second coil spring are engaged with the thread tension dial so as to be unrotatable relative to the thread tension dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Munehiro Wakazono
  • Patent number: 7370592
    Abstract: Sewing machine includes a tension detection section (26) for detecting tension acting on a sewn material (A) paid out from a rotary holder member, and a drive section for driving the rotary holder member, and the driving operation of the drive section (14) is controlled on the basis of the detection by the tension detection section. Once the tension acting on the sewn material has increased, the rotary holder member is driven to rotate by the drive section, so that the sewn material can be paid out smoothly from the rotary holder member. The sewing machine is particularly useful in a case where the rotary holder member is constructed into an increased size so that an increased amount of the sewn material can be wound thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Tajima, Tetsurou Kondou
  • Patent number: 7308333
    Abstract: A stitching apparatus with thread tension control is provided. Tension in a thread is monitored during stitching apparatus operations, and remedial action is taken in response to the detection of an anomaly in the thread tension profile. The remedial action can include altering a feed rate of the thread in order to adjust the thread tension, and/or repeating a previous operation. Anomaly detection can be performed with respect to stitching or sewing operations, and also with respect to trim operations performed in connection with moving between elements and/or thread color changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Melco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Kern, Joseph A. Keating, Victor Justin Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20070277716
    Abstract: A thread tension mechanism and a sewing machine including a thread tension dial that adjusts thread tension applied to a needle thread; a pair of thread tension discs allowing adjustment of thread tension applied to the needle thread by operation of the thread tension dial; a dial shaft secured unrotatably to an element constituting a body of the thread tension mechanism and rotatably supporting the thread tension dial; a first coil spring mounted in intimate contact with an outer periphery of the dial shaft; a second coil spring mounted in intimate contact with the outer periphery of the dial shaft in a position spaced from the first coil spring and being wound in a same direction as the first coil spring; and a pair of non-confronting outer end portions positioned at both ends of the first coil spring and the second coil spring or a pair of inner end portions positioned at confronting ends of the first coil spring and the second coil spring are engaged with the thread tension dial so as to be unrotatable re
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Munehiro Wakazono
  • Patent number: 7225747
    Abstract: A sewing machine including an upper thread supply to a needle, a loop taker accommodating a bobbin for a bottom thread, a drive unit which through coupling elements affects a number of mechanical elements, of which the needle is one of the mechanical elements, to perform synchronous cyclic movements between themselves, wherein the needle during its movement in cooperation with the loop taker performs stitches on a sewing material which is transported between upper thread and bottom thread, by means of a take-up lever which in each stitch pulls tight a knot, which is formed in the sewing material by the upper thread and the bottom thread in cooperation, wherein the sewing machine includes a sensor function that detects a deviation between a set value for a point of time at which a predetermined value for a tensile force in the upper thread is reached at pull tight of a knot and an actual value at the time of point where the predetermined value of the tensile force in the upper thread is reached at pull tight o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: VSM Group AB
    Inventors: Bertil Friman, Henrik Eklund
  • Patent number: 7111568
    Abstract: In a cover stitch sewing machine which forms double chain stitch seams, needle threads are pulled out from the needle thread tensioning devices, passing over a thread hanging point on a needle thread pulling-up spring and the needle thread take-up completes drawing-up of the needle threads after needle thread loops of the respective needles are seized by the looper. The sewing material is then fed one feed pitch as the needles are moved down and the needle thread take-up draws out the needle threads, while the needle threads are pulled up at the thread hanging point by the elasticity of the needle thread pulling-up spring, thus preventing slack in the needle threads below the needle thread eyes. The threads which are connected with the needle thread loops, are drawn up by the thread hanging point of the needle thread take-up against the resiliency of the needle thread pulling-up spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Suzuki Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Sakuma, Shigenori Kudoh
  • Patent number: 7069869
    Abstract: A thread tension regulating apparatus for an over-lock sewing machine is disclosed, wherein there are provided between an adjusting knob and a home position returning lever a first interlock device for displacing a home position returning lever in response to motion of the adjusting knob displacing from a home position in a pressurizing direction, and a second interlock device for displacing the home position returning lever in response to motion of the adjusting knob of the thread tension unit displacing from the home position in a depressurizing direction. These two interlock devices are provided respectively with an interlock obviating device for causing the second interlock device to take a non-operating condition when the first interlock device operates, and an interlock obviating device causing the first interlock device to take a non-operating condition when the second interlock device operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hosei Mishin Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Kashina
  • Patent number: 7007777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thread brake with a holding means (17), a bearing pin (25), which has an assembly section (24) disposed in the holding means (17) and a bearing section (26) projecting out of the holding means (17), two brake elements (33, 34) displaceably disposed on the bearing section (26) and a pretensioning mechanism intended for adjustment of the braking force. The pretensioning mechanism includes a spring (29) pretensioning the assembly section (24), a tension element (39) attached to the bearing section (26) and an adjusting and protecting member (20), which is disposed to be axially displaceable in the holding means (17) and houses the assembly section (24) and the spring (29). The invention additionally relates to textile machines and thread feed devices equipped with such a thread brake (FIG. 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: SIPRA Patententwicklungs-und Beteiligungsgesell schaft mbH
    Inventors: Roland Gonser, Johannes Klaszka
  • Patent number: 7000868
    Abstract: A multiple thread dispenser which serves as both a portable container for many spools of thread and a dispenser of multiple strands of thread. The container dispenses thread for use with a sewing machine. The spools of thread are stored in an array of pockets which are relieved for easy access to the spools. Multiple strands of thread dispense from a top row of pockets. A base plate stabilizes the container while dispensing thread to a sewing machine. The base plate can be stored within the container during transport. The base plate has a pocket on the bottom of the base plate for printed material that can be viewed through a semi-transparent lid when the base plate is in its stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: Eddy C. Moore, Michael T. Schmidt