Patents Examined by Nathan E Durham
  • Patent number: 11655585
    Abstract: An iron-steamer appliance includes: a housing including an internal water reservoir; a sole plate attached under the housing, the sole plate including first vents; first and second steam chambers in fluid communication with the water reservoir, wherein the first steam chamber is in fluid communication with the first vents; and a steamer nozzle in fluid communication with the second steam chamber, the steamer nozzle including second vents. The steamer nozzle is movable between retracted and extended positions, wherein in the retracted position, the nozzle is located directly above a peripheral footprint defined by the sole plate, and in the extended position, the nozzle is located at least partially forwardly of the sole plate peripheral footprint, and wherein in moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the steamer nozzle moves substantially parallel to the sole plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Sung-Hwan Song, Drew Carlson
  • Patent number: 11647801
    Abstract: Methods for stabilizing insulation and constructing garments from the insulation are disclosed. Methods include arranging the fibers into a plurality of bundle structures. The fibers may be synthetic fibers. The method may include receiving the bundle structures into bundle channels. The bundle channels are formed by tacks. The bundle channels enable the uniform distribution of the bundle structures prior to stitching quilting stitch lines. Multiple quilting stitch lines are stitched after the bundle structures are uniformly distributed. The quilting stitch lines are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the bundle structures. The quilting stitch lines provide lateral as well as longitudinal stabilization of the uniform density of the bundle structures. The distance between the quilting stitch lines may be based on the loft of the fibers and/or a required durability of the garment. The quilting stitch lines are generally horizontal, while the longitudinal axis of the bundle structures are vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Patagonia, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dee, Tetsuya O'Hara, Randall Harward
  • Patent number: 11643766
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle plate, a bed portion, a first urging member, a first engagement member, a second engagement member, and a lock release mechanism. The bed portion is configured to support the needle plate. The first urging member is provided inside the bed portion and configured to urge the needle plate upward. The first engagement member is provided on the needle plate. The second engagement member is provided inside the bed portion, and is configured to fix the needle plate in a fixed position by being engaged with the first engagement member of the needle plate pressed downward against an urging force of the first urging member. The lock release mechanism is configured to release the engagement of the first engagement member and the second engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Ueda, Nobuhiko Funato, Fumihiro Nonobe, Yuki Taguchi, Junya Kito, Koji Funaki
  • Patent number: 11642588
    Abstract: A grip assist apparatus for weightlifting that includes a gripping portion with spine insert that is sufficiently pliable to be bent to allow a user to reach the end with their fingers and wrap the gripping portion around an axle bar but sufficiently resilient to substantially return to its starting position after the gripping portion is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Michael S. Parker
  • Patent number: 11641909
    Abstract: An article of footwear has a tubular structure. The tubular structure may include tab portions that extend away from a tunnel portion of the tubular structure. The tab portions may engage parts of the article of footwear. The tab portions may engage an upper or sole structure along a bite line. The tab portions may be attached to a heel counter, eyestay, or other structure on the article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan E. Guest, Matthew J. Holmes, Yoav Sterman
  • Patent number: 11639569
    Abstract: Provided is a sewing machine capable of positioning feed dogs with a sufficient distance below the upper surface of a throat plate when the feed dogs are retracted. Feed dogs 3 protrude and retract from a throat plate 1. A horizontal feed drive unit 8 converts the rotation of a drive shaft 7 into a reciprocating motion in the horizontal direction and transmits the horizontal reciprocating motion to the feed dogs 3. A vertical drive unit 9 converts the rotation of the drive shaft 7 into a reciprocating motion in the vertical direction and transmits the vertical reciprocating motion to the feed dogs 3. A vertical position changing part moves turn-back points P at both ends of a forward path and a return path when the feed dogs 3 reciprocate in the horizontal direction below the throat plate 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SUZUKI MANUFACTURING, LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Sato
  • Patent number: 11639570
    Abstract: [Purpose] To obtain a sewing machine comprising a device with which it is possible to easily perform a threading operation in which a needle thread is inserted into the needle hole of the sewing machine needle, wherein the sewing machine comprises a threading device configured so that the needle thread does not drop onto or coil around an operation part (operation part) of the operation lever of the threading device when a thread-hooking operation is completed before insertion of the needle thread. [Configuration] The present invention comprises: a needle bar 52; a threading shaft 53; a thread-holding tool 71; a threading tool 72 provided at the bottom end of the threading shaft 53; an operation lever 4 that has an operation part 41 and moves the threading shaft 53 up and down and rotates the threading shaft in the circumferential direction; and a cutting tool 93 for the needle thread n.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: JANOME CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toyohiro Azuma, Takuya Sawada, Koji Maeda
  • Patent number: 11629442
    Abstract: A device for fastening a gripper on a gripper shaft of a textile machine, in particular a sewing machine, preferably a multi-needle sewing machine, with a support element for the gripper is described. The support element for the gripper is connected to a holder or the gripper shaft via a connecting element in such a way that the support element for the gripper is detachable from the holder or the gripper shaft. The connecting element is designed as a toggle screw or locking mechanism such that the toggle screw rotatably engages through a bore in the support element into a corresponding opening in the holder or the gripper shaft, engaging behind an abutment, or the locking mechanism is designed as a positive connection between the support element and the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Nähmaschinenfabrik Emil Stutznäcker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Klapp, Hans-Rochus Groß
  • Patent number: 11624136
    Abstract: A small, flat and elongated tool is provided, with a hook at its distal end, for inserting between stitches and sliding under the threads of a serged sewing seam. The tool, held between the thumb and finger of a user, is effective to grab the tail threads from the serger seam and to pull them back into the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Feather W. King
  • Patent number: 11624135
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a feed unit, a sewing unit, a projector, and a controller. The projector is configured to project a projection image to the bed. The controller is configured to, where the feed unit and the sewing unit do not perform sewing, execute a first control in which the controller causes the projector to project a first image to the bed, the first image including a first object and a second object, the first object indicating a planned sewing position, the second object indicating a reference position to position the workpiece. The controller is configured to, where the feed unit and the sewing unit perform sewing, execute a second control in which the controller causes the projector to project a second image to the bed, the second image including the first object and not including the second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazutaka Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 11596202
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile element. The outer barrier may have a first portion, an opposite second portion, and an interior surface defining an interior void. The tensile element may be secured to the first portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of first bond areas and may be secured to the second portion of the outer barrier in a plurality of second bond areas. Each of the bond areas may be connected to portions of the tensile element spaced from the interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventors: James C Meschter, Danielle L Taylor
  • Patent number: 11596192
    Abstract: Mannequin for the surface treatment of pants. Mannequin for the surface treatment of pants, comprising an upper support structure from which two legs extend, wherein each of said legs has an inflatable balloon arranged at its rear part. Each of said inflatable balloons has its outer lateral section folded upon itself at least once around a folding line extending from the upper edge to the lower edge of the balloon. The upper edge is fixed to the rear upper end of the corresponding leg and the lower edge is fixed to a rear intermediate point of the corresponding leg, such that the parts of the edges corresponding to the outer lateral section are also fixed to the leg of the mannequin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: JEANOLOGIA, S. L.
    Inventors: Albert Sans Perarnau, Ivan VilaróVila
  • Patent number: 11598037
    Abstract: The needle-threading device is configured for use with a plurality of weave configured for use in sewing a hair weave. The needle-threading device: a) stores the plurality of weave needles; b) automatically threads each individual weave needle with a yarn; and, c) individually dispenses each threaded individual weave needle. The needle-threading device comprises a yarn feed, a threading mechanism, a needle mechanism, a housing, and a control circuit. The housing contains the yarn feed, the threading mechanism, the needle mechanism, and the control circuit. The control circuit controls the operation of the yarn feed, the threading mechanism, and the needle mechanism. The yarn feed provisions the yarn required to thread each individual weave needle. The threading mechanism threads the yarn through the individual weave needle. The needle mechanism transports each individual weave needle as required through the hair weaving process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Tiffany Sterling
  • Patent number: 11598038
    Abstract: A tufting machine and method for operating a tufting machine operating a needle selection mechanism based on pattern data by selecting a needle with yarn required for the pattern such that the selected needle is driven by a needle bar through the backing medium, to form a tuft while a needle that is not required for the pattern is not selected by the needle selection mechanism. Yarn is fed via a yarn feed mechanism comprising a plurality of actively driven yarn drives each driving a respective yarn to a respective needle, the yarn drives being at a location between a yarn creel and the needle. The method being characterised by operating the yarn feed mechanism to deliver at least 70% of the yarn required for a tuft as the needle moves from top dead center to bottom dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: VANDEWIELE NV
    Inventors: Vincent Lampaert, Koen Callewaert, Frank Marijsse, Liesbeth Luyckx, Frank Shanley
  • Patent number: 11601417
    Abstract: A software activation system includes a sewing machine and at least one server connected via a network. The sewing machine acquires an authentication code corresponding to an activation target software that is at least one of a program and data not activated on the sewing machine, and transmits, to an authentication server included in the at least one server, an authentication request including the acquired authentication code. The server acquires an authentication key on the basis of the authentication request, when the authentication request is received by the first receiver; and transmits the acquired authentication key to the sewing machine. The sewing machine also receives the authentication key from the authentication server, determines whether the received authentication key satisfies a predetermined authentication condition, and activates the activation target software on the sewing machine when it is determined that the authentication key satisfies the predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satomi Yamamoto, Masahiro Hanabusa
  • Patent number: 11591734
    Abstract: A tufting machine with a needle bar and looper system provides individual loopers which cooperate with needles of the needle bar selectively between an engage and a disengage configuration whereby when in the engage configuration at least some of the loopers hold yarn directed by the needle through the backing as the needle cycles into and out of the backing to form a first loop having a height of a distance of the looper from the backing, but when in the disengage configuration, the looper is spaced from the yarn so that any loop formed is shorter than the first loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Tuftco Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Detty, Randy Stanfield, Michael Kilgore
  • Patent number: 11589637
    Abstract: A shoe includes an upper and a sole. The upper includes an outer layer having a first knitwear and an inner layer having a second knitwear. The first knitwear differs from the second knitwear with regard to at least one of a yarn used, a stitch structure, an alignment, and a form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Stefan Tamm, Carl Arnese
  • Patent number: 11592974
    Abstract: A tool allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. Based on a laser input file with a pattern, a laser will burn the pattern onto apparel. With the tool, the user will be able to create, make changes, and view images of a design, in real time, before burning by a laser. Input to the tool includes fabric template images, laser input files, and damage input. The tool allows adding of tinting and adjusting of intensity and bright point. The user can also move, rotate, scale, and warp the image input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: Jennifer Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty, Ozgur Taylan Kuzucu, James Barton Sights, Benjamin Bell, Christopher Schultz
  • Patent number: 11591731
    Abstract: An attachment for a sewing machine to provide simultaneous sewing and sealing of a seam comprises a reel for dispensing a strip of adhesive thermoplastic polymer between fabric members to be sewn. A plurality of heated driven rollers opposed to heated idler rollers having a continuous belt thereover collectively exert heat and pressure on the seam, melting the polymer strip so as to seal the seam. Thread having been treated with adhesive thermoplastic polymer may be employed to seal the punctures in the fabric made by the sewing machine's needle. The driven rollers are driven in synchronization with the operation of the sewing machine, and are engaged with and withdrawn from the seam responsive to operator command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SECO Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John Tallmadge, William Vahle, Lukas Scheurer, Roxanne Ferreiro, Manuel Avila
  • Patent number: 11585026
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed, a feed unit, a sewing unit, a projector, and a controller. The projector is configured to project a projection image to the bed. The controller is configured to, where the feed unit and the sewing unit do not perform sewing, execute a first control in which the controller causes the projector to project a first image to the bed, the first image including a first object and a second object, the first object indicating a planned sewing position, the second object indicating a reference position to position the workpiece. The controller is configured to, where the feed unit and the sewing unit perform sewing, execute a second control in which the controller causes the projector to project a second image to the bed, the second image including the first object and not including the second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazutaka Imaizumi