Patents by Inventor Gary J. Konzak
Gary J. Konzak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20210198825Abstract: Dual-motor sewing machine with automatic timing adjustment. In some embodiments, a sewing machine may include a frame, a needle bar configured to have a needle, a first motor configured to cause the needle bar to linearly reciprocate the needle with respect to the frame and into and out of a fabric, a first sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the needle, a bobbin hook configured to function in connection with a bobbin, a second motor configured to cause the bobbin hook to rotate with respect to the frame, a second sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the bobbin hook, and one or more motor controllers. The one or more motor controllers may be configured, based on the current positions sensed by the first sensor and the second sensor, to continuously and automatically adjust and synchronize timing of the first motor and/or the second motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Gary J. Konzak, Richard K. Eich, Bryan K. Ruggles, Darren Denning
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Patent number: 11015276Abstract: Multi-sensor sewing machine with automatic needle speed adjustment. In some embodiments, a sewing machine may include a frame, a needle bar, a motor, a first sensor configured to emit first electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency in order to sense relative movement of the fabric and the frame, a second sensor configured to emit second electromagnetic radiation at a second frequency, that is different from the first frequency, in order to sense relative movement of the fabric and the frame, and a processor. The processor may be configured to control a speed of the motor, determine a translational relative movement of the fabric and the frame based on the sensed relative movement of the first sensor and/or based on the sensed relative movement of the second sensor, and, in response to the determined translational relative movement, alter the speed of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: HANDI QUILTER, INC.Inventor: Gary J. Konzak
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Patent number: 10982367Abstract: Dual-motor sewing machine with automatic timing adjustment. In some embodiments, a sewing machine may include a frame, a needle bar configured to have a needle, a first motor configured to cause the needle bar to linearly reciprocate the needle with respect to the frame and into and out of a fabric, a first sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the needle, a bobbin hook configured to function in connection with a bobbin, a second motor configured to cause the bobbin hook to rotate with respect to the frame, a second sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the bobbin hook, and one or more motor controllers. The one or more motor controllers may be configured, based on the current positions sensed by the first sensor and the second sensor, to continuously and automatically adjust and synchronize timing of the first motor and/or the second motor.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: HANDI QUILTER, INC.Inventors: Gary J. Konzak, Richard K. Eich, Bryan K. Ruggles, Darren Denning
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Patent number: 10920352Abstract: Dual-configuration fabric frame for a maneuverable sewing machine. In some embodiments, a dual-configuration fabric frame for a maneuverable sewing machine may include a left side rail, a right side rail, a front rail, a rear rail, a quilt-backing pole including a ratchet mechanism, a take-up pole including a ratchet mechanism, a hoop frame configuration, and a suspension frame configuration. The hoop frame configuration may support a relatively wide fabric clamped thereto that flows from inside boundaries of a working area to outside the boundaries of the working area. The suspension frame configuration may support a relatively narrow fabric that flows from being spooled on the quilt-backing pole, through the working area, to being spooled on the take-up pole.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: HANDI QUILTER, INC.Inventors: Darren Denning, Gordon Hudson, Gary J. Konzak, Cathie Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20200248348Abstract: Multi-sensor sewing machine with automatic needle speed adjustment. In some embodiments, a sewing machine may include a frame, a needle bar, a motor, a first sensor configured to emit first electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency in order to sense relative movement of the fabric and the frame, a second sensor configured to emit second electromagnetic radiation at a second frequency, that is different from the first frequency, in order to sense relative movement of the fabric and the frame, and a processor. The processor may be configured to control a speed of the motor, determine a translational relative movement of the fabric and the frame based on the sensed relative movement of the first sensor and/or based on the sensed relative movement of the second sensor, and, in response to the determined translational relative movement, alter the speed of the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2019Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventor: Gary J. Konzak
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Publication number: 20200149201Abstract: Dual-configuration fabric frame for a maneuverable sewing machine. In some embodiments, a dual-configuration fabric frame for a maneuverable sewing machine may include a left side rail, a right side rail, a front rail, a rear rail, a quilt-backing pole including a ratchet mechanism, a take-up pole including a ratchet mechanism, a hoop frame configuration, and a suspension frame configuration. The hoop frame configuration may support a relatively wide fabric clamped thereto that flows from inside boundaries of a working area to outside the boundaries of the working area. The suspension frame configuration may support a relatively narrow fabric that flows from being spooled on the quilt-backing pole, through the working area, to being spooled on the take-up pole.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Darren Denning, Gordon Hudson, Gary J. Konzak, Cathie Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20190292702Abstract: Dual-motor sewing machine with automatic timing adjustment. In some embodiments, a sewing machine may include a frame, a needle bar configured to have a needle, a first motor configured to cause the needle bar to linearly reciprocate the needle with respect to the frame and into and out of a fabric, a first sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the needle, a bobbin hook configured to function in connection with a bobbin, a second motor configured to cause the bobbin hook to rotate with respect to the frame, a second sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the bobbin hook, and one or more motor controllers. The one or more motor controllers may be configured, based on the current positions sensed by the first sensor and the second sensor, to continuously and automatically adjust and synchronize timing of the first motor and/or the second motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Gary J. Konzak, Richard K. Eich, Bryan K. Ruggles, Darren Denning
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Patent number: 9115451Abstract: A device controls the speed of needle movement in a sewing machine and thus the stitch length based upon the movement of a motion detection device relative to a reference surface. The formation of stitches by the sewing machine is controlled by detected changes in position of the detection device relative to the reference surface in connection with a predetermined stitch length setting and starting speed, set on either the detection device, an adapter or as part of the sewing machine control. The detection device may move together with the article being sewn while the sewing machine and reference surface remain stationary, or the detection device may move with the sewing machine while the article that is being sewn and reference surface remain stationary.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Handi Quilter, Inc.Inventors: Gary J. Konzak, Richard K. Eich, Bryan K. Ruggles
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Publication number: 20120312213Abstract: A device controls the speed of needle movement in a sewing machine and thus the stitch length based upon the movement of a motion detection device relative to a reference surface. The formation of stitches by the sewing machine is controlled by detected changes in position of the detection device relative to the reference surface in connection with a predetermined stitch length setting and starting speed, set on either the detection device, an adapter or as part of the sewing machine control. The detection device may move together with the article being sewn while the sewing machine and reference surface remain stationary, or the detection device may move with the sewing machine while the article that is being sewn and reference surface remain stationary.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: Handi Quilter, Inc.Inventors: Gary J. Konzak, Richard K. Eich, Bryan K. Ruggles