Abstract: An embroidery frame includes a base frame including a magnetic body, and a presser member configured to press a sewing object toward the base frame. The presser member includes a main body portion and a lever. The main body portion includes an opposing surface facing the base frame and a magnet. The lever includes a support portion, a point of application portion, and an operation portion. The support portion is rotatably supported on the main body portion to rotate around a rotational center. The point of application portion is provided on one end side of the lever with respect to the rotational center. The point of application portion is pivotable from a stand-by position to an application position in accordance with the operation portion being operated to the first side in a state where the presser member is disposed on the base frame.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to attachment of bands such as, e.g., collar or neck bands, sleeve bands, wrist bands, waist bands and ankle bands, etc. to a garment opening. In one example, among others, a band can be attached to a garment by loading the band between rollers in a joining position, positioning an opening of a garment extending between control surface mandrels over the band, and attaching the band to the garment along the edge of the opening.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to processing and handling of products. In one example, among others, a material product holding system includes a product holding assembly and a structure supporting the product holding assembly, the structure coupled to the positioning assembly. The product holding assembly can include support arms and a positioning assembly that can adjust positioning of the support arms with respect to each other to engage with at least a portion of a product supported by the support arms. In another example, a method include engaging support arms with a surface of at least a portion of a product, the support arms tensioning the product, positioning the support arms to load the product on a workstation, contracting the support arms to remove the tension, processing the product, re-engaging the support arms after completion of the processing, and unloading the product from the workstation.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing or sewing a prosthetic heart valve and associated systems can include an assistance system that includes an automated fixture that can comprise an articulation arm and a target device holder. The automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder. The assistance system can include a camera system configured to generate an enlarged image of the target device, and a display configured to display the enlarged image. The display can also display information to aid an operator in performing a procedure, for example, instructions, reference images, or a visual indicator to indicate a target position on the target device for performing a step of the procedure.

Abstract: An embroidery frame includes a pair of a first frame and a second frame configured to clamp a sewing object and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a support member configured to rotatably support the second frame such that a posture of the second frame with respect to the first frame to clamp the sewing object is switchable to a first posture and a second posture. The first posture is a posture in which a first surface of the second frame faces the first frame. The second posture is a posture in which a second surface of the second frame faces the first frame. The second surface is on the opposite side to the first surface. The lock mechanism is configured to press the second frame in at least the first posture toward a first frame side with respect to the second frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing a reinforced foam material and for receiving a textile semifinished product in a hook. To this end, the device has a first subunit having a transport device and a second subunit having a receiving device. The transport device is designed to convey the textile semifinished product into the receiving device, and the first subunit and the second subunit are designed such that the textile semifinished product can be presented in defined length by a relative movement of the first subunit relative to the second subunit. Furthermore, the receiving device of the second subunit is set up such that the textile semifinished product can be placed in the hooks by a relative movement of the receiving device relative to the hook.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic valve using sheets of material, such as pericardium material, polymer or bioengineered film, or other material. The method provides an accurate and repeatable system of making pericardial valves in which sheets or pieces of material are held securely in place relative to each other throughout the steps of assembling the valve. In addition, methods of the present invention include maintaining consistent alignment of the fixtures and pericardium material throughout the valve assembly process and utilize features that make the tooling components easy to assemble and handle. Certain aspects of the invention can be used to help establish a repeatable sewing and cutting technique for creating a pattern shape for valve leaflets, establishing stitch lengths, and determining the exact placement of stitches.

Abstract: A stitcher (1) for connecting strips of rubber material (4, 5) into a substantially continuous strip according to this invention comprises a surface (3), a stitching head (6) placed over it having a stitch unit (7) for stitching the strips of rubber material together along a stitch line, which stitch line includes an angle ? having a longitudinal direction (L) of the continuous strip, a drive mechanism for driving a relative movement of the stitching head with respect to the surface along a first (X) and a second (Y) direction, wherein the second direction is oriented transverse to the first direction, and a control device (11) for controlling the drive mechanism such that the stitch unit follows the stitch line. In one embodiment the stitching head is rotatably connected to the drive mechanism wherein the axis of rotation extends transverse to the surface.

Abstract: A sewing machine accessory includes a plate for attaching to a sewing machine workbed and to be located below a needle, the plate includes an opening and a guiding track, and a positioning device includes a sliding member slidably engaged with the guiding track of the accessory plate, and a pointed member extended from the sliding member for engaging with a cloth material to be stitched and for forming of an arced stitch on the cloth material, and the pointed member is movable close to the needle for stitching or forming a circular or arced stitch that includes a relatively decreased or smaller outer diameter.

Abstract: A sewing machine having a rotatable head portion includes a sewing machine frame shaped in a box using supporting posts and supporting bars to hold the sewing machine; a sewing machine main body mounted on the sewing machine frame; a head portion disposed at the front end of the sewing machine main body and rotatably installed through head portion rotating means; a bed portion rotatably installed under the head portion through bed portion rotating means; X-axis transporting means moving the sewing machine main body mounted on the sewing machine frame in X direction; Y-axis transporting means moving the sewing machine main body mounted on the sewing machine frame in Y direction; and a sewing object fixing frame provided at the front part of the sewing machine frame where the sewing object is held. The head portion and the bed portion are rotated to sew the sewing object.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic valve using sheets of material, such as pericardium material, polymer or bioengineered film, or other material. The method provides an accurate and repeatable system of making pericardial valves in which sheets or pieces of material are held securely in place relative to each other throughout the steps of assembling the valve. In addition, methods of the present invention include maintaining consistent alignment of the fixtures and pericardium material throughout the valve assembly process and utilize features that make the tooling components easy to assemble and handle. Certain aspects of the invention can be used to help establish a repeatable sewing and cutting technique for creating a pattern shape for valve leaflets, establishing stitch lengths, and determining the exact placement of stitches.

Abstract: A system and method for assembling a prosthetic heart valve, including a procedure for tightly wrapping fabric around a heart valve support stent. The support stent typically includes alternating cusps and commissures that create a highly contoured undulating outflow edge. The system includes a mandrel for retaining tension without manual assistance in a tubular length of fabric wrapped over the support stent. The mandrel may include an inner clamping mechanism for holding the first end of the fabric tube, a pedestal tube on which the support stent rests and through which the fabric tube passes, and an outer clamping mechanism for holding the free end of the fabric tube. The inner and outer clamping mechanisms include discrete clamps spaced apart 120° from each other that pull the fabric only in the cusps of the support stent. The inner clamping mechanism, outer clamping mechanism, and pedestal are relatively axially movable.

Abstract: A cloth-holder frame transfer apparatus for a sewing machine includes a carriage detachably attachable to a cloth-holder frame holding workpiece cloth, a carriage driving mechanism including an actuator moving the carriage in two directions intersecting each other on a horizontal plane, an external force detector which detects an external force applied by an operator to the cloth-holder frame attached to the carriage, an assisting force output device which produces force assisting the movement of the cloth-holder frame by the external force, and a control device controlling the assisting force output device based on the external force detected by the external force detector. The carriage driving mechanism includes first and second direction movement actuators provided with first and second direction displacement sensors respectively. The first and second direction movement actuators include respective stepping motors, and the first and second direction displacement sensors include respective rotary encoders.

Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine hooping device has an attachment bracket attached to a base formed to suit each size and shape of machine embroidery hoop. The base provides a stable platform while hooping material and is equipped with a non-skid or non-slip material limiting side-to-side slippage when hooping materials.

Abstract: A printing device includes a cloth-holding frame unit mounted fittingly and detachably in a receiving groove in a base, and having a lock bolt for locking an outer frame on a looped inner frame disposed on and surrounded by the outer frame such that a piece of cloth is held tensionally between the inner and outer frames. A cover is connected pivotally to the base for covering the receiving groove in the base, and is configured with an inner accommodating space in spatial communication with the receiving groove in the base. A coloring unit is mounted on the cover, is disposed movably in the inner accommodating space in the cover and above the piece of cloth, and is operable so as to spray a coloring material onto the piece of cloth, thereby printing a picture onto the piece of cloth with the coloring material sprayed from said coloring unit.

Abstract: A sewing frame for extending and holding a sewing cloth is provided with a supported portion, such as a shaft and an engagement portion, which is movably or rotatably supported at front and rear frame side portions of the rectangular support frame at the front and rear ends. A sewing frame drive mechanism includes a support mechanism for supporting the front and rear ends of the sewing frame movably at the front and rear frame side portions of the support frame which is movable in the longitudinal direction but not movable in the lateral direction. The sewing frame drive unit includes left and right protruding portions to the left and right of recess portions of a table, and a front hanging preventive mechanism formed of left and right frame side portions of the support frame movably disposed on the left and right protruding portions in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A printable embroidery machine includes a sewing machine body, a cloth holding frame holding a workpiece cloth, a frame drive unit which has a mounting part and to which the cloth holding frame is coupled so that the cloth holding frame is moved independently in two horizontal directions perpendicular to each other, and an ink-jet printer. The body or the printer is detachably attached to the mounting part of the frame drive unit separated from the body so that the workpiece cloth held on the cloth holding frame moved by the frame drive unit is printed by the printer. A predetermined sewing reference position of a sewing needle in attaching the body to the frame drive unit corresponds with a predetermined print reference position of a print head of the printer in a case where the printer is attached to the frame drive unit.

Abstract: A cylindrical frame unit of an embroidery sewing machine including a cylinder bed, an X-directional drive mechanism and a Y-directional drive mechanism, the cylindrical frame unit including a body frame connected to the Y-directional drive mechanism and driven parallel to the cylinder bed; a cylindrical rotary frame pivoted on the body frame and having an inner cylindrical surface; a cylinder frame holding a workpiece and being attachably/detachably attached to the rotary frame; a rotary mechanism connected to the X-directional drive mechanism and driven perpendicularly relative to the body frame to rotate the rotary frame and the cylinder frame attached thereto; a position regulating element that slidably contacts an upper surface of the cylinder bed and an upper inner cylindrical surface of the rotary frame; and a mount element securing the position regulating element to the body frame to allow adjustment in vertical positioning relative to the body frame.

Abstract: Sewing device for sewing first and second strips of sealing materials with respective first and second base materials. A first guide through-hole, through which the first strip of sealing material passes, is formed in a presser foot of the sewing device adjacent to a needle hole formed in the latter. A second guide though-hole, through which the second strip of sealing material passes, is formed in a feed dog member of the sewing device at a point adjacent to that needle hole. In operation, while the first and second base materials are fed by and between the presser foot and feed dog member, the first and second strips of sealing materials are simultaneously fed together with the first and second base materials, while being precisely guided by the respective first and second guide through-holes for sewing with the respective first and second base materials.

Abstract: A clamping device and method for a conventional sewing or embroidery machine has a pair of movable arms. Each of the arms includes a fixed section and a movable section for receiving material or item to be embroidered therebetween. A manual lever allows the movable arm to be raised for insertion of the material and a scale on the arm allows the depth of insertion to be easily determined for accurate insertion. Each arm is movable along a slotted mounting plate affixed to the sewing machine proximate the sewing head. The clamping device provides uniform, taut material for accurate, smooth embroidering.

Abstract: A sewing frame for extending and holding a sewing cloth is provided with a supported portion, such as a shaft and an engagement portion, which is movably or rotatably supported at front and rear frame side portions of the rectangular support frame at the front and rear ends. A sewing frame drive mechanism includes a support mechanism for supporting the front and rear ends of the sewing frame movably at the front and rear frame side portions of the support frame which is movable in the longitudinal direction but not movable in the lateral direction. The sewing frame drive unit includes left and right protruding portions to the left and right of recess portions of a table, and a front hanging preventive mechanism formed of left and right frame side portions of the support frame movably disposed on the left and right protruding portions in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A cloth holding device including a support frame (11) made of magnetic material and a presser frame (12), clamping a workpiece cloth therebetween, including an attachment unit (13, 14) that attaches the presser frame (12) to the support frame (11) by magnetic attraction; and a positioning unit (12c) that positions the attachment unit (13, 14) to the presser frame (12).

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a cylinder bed extending in a predetermined direction and accommodating a shuttle and a shuttle shaft for driving the shuttle, a cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth, a moving member for supporting the cloth holding frame, the moving member being guided by the shuttle shaft so as to be moved in the predetermined direction, and a moving member driving unit for driving the moving member in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An embroidery frame carrier for an embroidery sewing machine moves an embroidery frame holding work cloth to be embroidered in two mutually perpendicular directions. The embroidery frame carrier includes a carriage, a carrier mechanism freely moving the carriage in the two directions, an engagement mechanism including an engagement groove formed on either one of the carriage or the connector of the embroidery frame and an engagement mounted on the other so as to engage the engagement groove, the engagement mechanism engaging the connector to the carriage so that the connector is slidable on the carriage, a lock portion of the carriage to lock the connector of the embroidery frame to a predetermined location, a lock mechanism to lock the connector engaged by the engagement mechanism, and a lock member of the lock mechanism to be switched between a pressed position and a released position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding curtain hooks, which each consists of a strip and a hook part connected thereto, to a sewing machine which can sew the strip of a supplied curtain hook to a curtain, comprising: a supply holder for the curtain hooks, displacing means for displacing one curtain hook at a time in a straight line to a desired position for sewing on the strip, and adjusting means for automatically adjusting the mutual position of strip and hook part connected thereto. The invention also relates to a method for feeding curtain hooks.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a cylinder bed extending in a predetermined direction and accommodating a shuttle and a shuttle shaft for driving the shuttle, a cloth holding frame for holding a work cloth, a moving member for supporting the cloth holding frame, the moving member being guided by the shuttle shaft so as to be moved in the predetermined direction, and a moving member driving unit for driving the moving member in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric tensing device for stretching fabric on a sewing machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric tensing device for stretching fabric on a sewing machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric tensing device for stretching fabric on a sewing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for sewing stitch-group seam patterns of a longitudinal direction that runs lengthwise or crosswise of an edge of a work piece comprises a table with a slab with an operator's side allocated thereto. Disposed on the slab is a bearing plate with a sewing machine resting thereon by its base plate. The slab is pivotable by a right angle between a first and a second working position and about a pivot bearing with an axis that is perpendicular to the slab. In this way, the position of the sewing machine relative to the operator's side is modifiable by a right angle.

Abstract: A visor support supports a cap visor at an angle with respect to a cap holder of a cap holding device for use with a sewing machine. The angle of inclination of the visor support can be adjusted. This prevents, when the cap holder is moved, contact between the cap visor and an arm of the embroidery machine, which causes a partially shiny and shabby appearance of the visor or damage to the visor, and prevents deformation of the visor, which reduces the commercial value of the cap.

Abstract: A sewing material holding device 2 in a sewing machine includes a first arm device 3R and a second arm device 3L and makes it possible to hold a sewing material 1 temporarily. At least one of the first arm device 3R and the second arm device 3L has a main arm 32 protruding in a direction, a sub arm 33 protruding along the main arm 32 and capable of cooperating with the main arm 32 to hold the material, a pressure contact device 90 for establishing a pressure contact between a part of a protrusion edge 33f of the sub arm 33 with a protrusion edge 32f of the main arm 32 while defining a clearance 92 between a base end portion 32r of the main arm 32 and a base end portion 33r of the sub arm 33, the pressure contact between making it possible to hold the material temporarily, and a clearance reduction device 91 for enhancing a degree of holding the material by engaging one of the main arm 32 and the sub arm 33 to the other.

Abstract: A sewing material holding device 2 in a sewing machine includes a first arm device 3R and a second arm device 3L and makes it possible to hold a sewing material 1 temporarily. At least one of the first arm device 3R and the second arm device 3L has a main arm 32 protruding in a direction, a sub arm 33 protruding along the main arm 32 and capable of cooperating with the main arm 32 to hold the material, a pressure contact device 90 for establishing a pressure contact between a part of a protrusion edge 33f of the sub arm 33 with a protrusion edge 32f of the main arm 32 while defining a clearance 92 between a base end portion 32r of the main arm 32 and a base end portion 33r of the sub arm 33, the pressure contact between making it possible to hold the material temporarily, and a clearance reduction device 91 for enhancing a degree of holding the material by engaging one of the main arm 32 and the sub arm 33 to the other.

Abstract: A headgear frame comprises: a cylindrical receiving frame adapted to be fitted in a headgear; and a holding band adapted to be wound on the outer side of the headgear for clamping the headgear between itself and the receiving frame. At least one of one end and the other end of the holding band is hinged or hooked at a position apart from the receiving frame to the outer circumference. Push members projected toward the receiving frame are provided in at least one of the vicinities of the one end and the other end, as apart from the receiving frame, of the band edge of the holding band. Corresponding portions of the headgear when clamped are pushed and tensed by the push members so that they may not float from the receiving frame.

Abstract: An adapter plate for a computer-controlled embroidering machine which allows the use of the embroidering machine for both embroidering flat and tubular goods and caps without removing the cap driver. The adapter plate is attached to the X-axis drive system of the embroidering machine and includes a base plate which is provided with a cloth spreading frame for holding a workpiece. The cloth spreading frame is mounted to the base plate in a position which holds the workpiece over a cut out formed in one edge of the base plate, the cut out allowing access to a workpiece which is secured to the cap driver when the cloth spreading frame is not being used to hold a flat or tubular workpiece.

Abstract: A method is provided for hand stitching a multi-panel sports ball.