Patents by Inventor Gerard Durville
Gerard Durville 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).
-
Patent number: 7536963Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Bernina International AGInventors: Gerard Durville, Niklaus Wacker
-
Publication number: 20080114484Abstract: A method and the device for scaling or changing embroidery patterns (1) for sewing machines that allows a quick calculation of optimized stitching data. For one or more different change factors qj, data sets dj with optimized stitching data (xji,yji) are stored. A target data set z with stitching data changed according to a given change value v is determined by selecting one of the stored data sets dj and performing an extrapolation or an interpolation with the associated stitching data (xji,yji). For a pattern with several sub-patterns, these sub-patterns can be changed individually and combined to form a changed pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: BERNINA INTERNATIONAL AGInventors: Boris Zickenberg, Gerard Durville
-
Patent number: 7325502Abstract: A method and device for controlling movement of the needle in a sewing machine (1) based on a detection device (27), which detects the movements of the visible surface of the manually displaceable article to be sewn (3) is provided. The stitch formation of the sewing machine (1) is controlled by detected changes in positions of the article to be sewn (3) in connection with a predetermined stitch length. The detection device (27) can be integrated into a sewing foot (23) entirely or partially.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellschaft Bernina-NahmaschinenfabrikInventors: Michael König, Gérard Durville, Wolfgang Zesch
-
Publication number: 20080022908Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: January 31, 2008Applicant: BERNINA INTERNATIONAL AGInventors: Gerard Durville, Niklaus Wacker
-
Patent number: 7162966Abstract: To determine the thread supply on a lower-thread bobbin (17), holes (19) are arranged in the shape of a spiral in a flange (21) of the bobbin. Light from a light source (35), which is directed towards the flange (21), is reflected only by those holes (19), behind which there is no longer any thread, so that the light beams (36) reach the rear flange (22) and can be reflected therefrom and received by the light receiver (39).Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: itz Gegauf Aktiengesellschaft RNINA-NahmaschinenfabrikInventors: Gerard Durville, Roland Beer, Beda Steinacher, Michael Berger
-
Publication number: 20060283366Abstract: A method and the device for minimizing stitching faults in embroidery devices (1) is provided, which includes a drive for moving the material holder (13), with an article to be sewn (11) being stretched therein, based on the knowledge that such stitching faults frequently can be explained by oscillations of the article to be sewn (11) and the material holder (13) due to rapid accelerations. Various effects, such as different types of articles to be sewn, changing weights, and friction ratios can cause a change of the oscillation behavior. One or more sensors (29, 43, 44) are provided and arranged such that they can detect the oscillation of the article to be sewn (11) and/or the material holder (13). The control of the drive and/or the sewing needle (23) occurs depending on the detected oscillations such that deviations of the stitching site from the predetermined target value is minimized.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Applicant: FRITZ GEGAUF AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT BERNINA-NAHMASCHINENFABRIKInventors: Gerard Durville, Otmar Stillhard
-
Publication number: 20060213415Abstract: A method and device for controlling movement of the needle in a sewing machine (1) based on a detection device (27), which detects the movements of the visible surface of the manually displaceable article to be sewn (3) is provided. The stitch formation of the sewing machine (1) is controlled by detected changes in positions of the article to be sewn (3) in connection with a predetermined stitch length. The detection device (27) can be integrated into a sewing foot (23) entirely or partially.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2006Publication date: September 28, 2006Applicant: Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellschaft Bernina-NahmaschinenfabrikInventors: Michael Konig, Gerard Durville, Wolfgang Zesch
-
Publication number: 20060213412Abstract: To determine the thread supply on a lower-thread bobbin (17), holes (19) are arranged in the shape of a spiral in a flange (21) of the bobbin. Light from a light source (35), which is directed towards the flange (21), is reflected only by those holes (19), behind which there is no longer any thread, so that the light beams (36) reach the rear flange (22) and can be reflected therefrom and received by the light receiver (39).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2006Publication date: September 28, 2006Applicant: Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellschaft BERNINA-NahmaschinenfabrikInventors: Gerard Durville, Roland Beer, Beda Steinacher, Michael Berger
-
Patent number: 6810824Abstract: Monitoring of the rotation speed and stationary state of the lower thread bobbin in a sewing machine is performed using a light emitter and two reflected light receivers. The light rays reflected at the surface of the front flange of the bobbin are incident in a sequence which differs in time on the reflected light receivers. These data are evaluated by a computer, which can be the computer of the sewing machine, and are used to stop the machine or the sewing process before the thread end leaves the stitch plate of the sewing machine. It can also be determined from the observed direction of rotation of the bobbin whether the bobbin is correctly placed in the bobbin housing. From the relationship of kind of stitch, stitch speed, and bobbin rotation speed, the bobbin thread supply can also be calculated.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellschaft BERNINA-NahmaschinenfabrikInventor: Gérard Durville
-
Publication number: 20030221601Abstract: Monitoring of the rotation speed and stationary state of the lower thread bobbin in a sewing machine is performed using a light emitter and two reflected light receivers. The light rays reflected at the surface of the front flange of the bobbin are incident in a sequence which differs in time on the reflected light receivers. These data are evaluated by a computer, which can be the computer of the sewing machine, and are used to stop the machine or the sewing process before the thread end leaves the stitch plate of the sewing machine. It can also be determined from the observed direction of rotation of the bobbin whether the bobbin is correctly placed in the bobbin housing. From the relationship of kind of stitch, stitch speed, and bobbin rotation speed, the bobbin thread supply can also be calculated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellschaft BERNINA- NahmaschinenfabrikInventor: Gerard Durville
-
Patent number: 6568337Abstract: Identification elements for identifying the size, shape, and kind of embroidery frame (37) are installed on the embroidery frame (37) for a sewing or embroidery machine with an embroidery module (33). Furthermore, at least one reference cam (44) is provided on the embroidery frame (37), and by means thereof the precise position of the embroidery frame (37) relative to the embroidery module (33), and thus also relative to the needle (27), can be derived. By a comparison of the actual position of the embroidery frame (37) with the desired position, a fault can be detected and a new positioning of the embroidery frame (37) can be performed in the case, for example, that switching steps of the drive element in the embroidery module (33) have been lost.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellschaft Bernina-NahmaschinenfabrikInventor: Gerard Durville
-
Publication number: 20030084831Abstract: Identification elements for identifying the size, shape, and kind of embroidery frame (37) are installed on the embroidery frame (37) for a sewing or embroidery machine with an embroidery module (33). Furthermore, at least one reference cam (44) is provided on the embroidery frame (37), and by means thereof the precise position of the embroidery frame (37) relative to the embroidery module (33), and thus also relative to the needle (27), can be derived. By a comparison of the actual position of the embroidery frame (37) with the desired position, a fault can be detected and a new positioning of the embroidery frame (37) can be performed in the case, for example, that switching steps of the drive element in the embroidery module (33) have been lost.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: Fritz Gegauf Aktiengesellchaft BERNINA-NahmaschinenfabrikInventor: Gerard Durville
-
Patent number: 6079455Abstract: In a textile machine, a device for controlling the transverse movement of a thread, such as a warp thread in a weaving machine, comprises a dragging element (2) for dragging a thread (4) moving in a transverse direction, whereby said dragging element (2) is attached on both sides to a frame (10) by means of springs (6,8). The device forms a system that oscillates freely at its natural frequency. Arresting devices (12,14) can adjustably and temporarily hold the dragging element in the extreme positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Textilma AGInventors: Francisco Speich, Giuseppe Mele, Gerard Durville
-
Patent number: 4615189Abstract: Longitudinal weft guides, as well as other weft guides and/or thread guides are placed relative to the hook needles and to the corresponding thread guides in a knitting machine. In order to simply to drive thereof, the drive devices for the bars (22,24) of the longitudinal weft guides as well as the drive device for the bar (32) of the thread guides are arranged together on one side of the machine frame and are combined. To this end, a common drive shaft is provided for oscillating levers of the drive to the longitudinal weft guides and another oscillating lever for the thread guides.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1985Date of Patent: October 7, 1986Assignee: Textilma AGInventor: Gerard Durville
-
Patent number: 4515186Abstract: Two rods are provided which are reciprocal between two end positions cooperating with two flexible retaining members, an electromagnet is located between the retaining members, the electromagnet includes a core having two flanged sections of different widths, an armature body each is mounted to the retaining members, the armature bodies are arranged such that they on the one hand abut flatly the border of the two flanged sections and such that on the other hand an air gap is provided between each armature body and the narrower of the flange sections, if the knife moves a rod toward its upper position the retaining member is deflected such to adjust the air gap prevailing between the narrower flange section of the electromagnet and the armature body to a predetermined value, and in operation this control means has two exactly defined control instances during which the deflection of the retained members proceed definitely toward the correct side regarding the function and the power consumption of the electromagType: GrantFiled: June 22, 1983Date of Patent: May 7, 1985Assignee: Textilma AgInventors: Gerard A. Durville, Robert R. Bucher
-
Patent number: 4417455Abstract: A weft knitting machine includes a row of crochet needles and two rows of thread guides for guiding a respective basic warp thread or additional warp thread. Basic warp thread guides and additional warp thread guides are each attached to a carrier, of which one is fastened to a hollow rod and another to an inner rod arranged in this. Both the rods pivotable together about the same axis and displaceable along this axis independently of each other. The additional warp thread guides are moved in such a manner that each additional warp thread is laid alternately around one of two neighboring needles in the same direction of rotation. In this manner, a knitted article is formed which does not ravel on the tearing of a thread and which is produced on a machine equipped with crochet needles wherein the additional warp threads can also still form wale loops.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1980Date of Patent: November 29, 1983Assignee: Textilma AGInventor: Gerard Durville
-
Patent number: 4271568Abstract: A pile fabric, especially velvet, can have a selection of yarn strands appearing on one of its faces severed by means of a focused laser beam. According to the process of the invention the zone of focus of the laser beam is brought successively into contact with predetermined portions of each of the strands for a period of time sufficient to cause combustion of at least some of the fibers forming each strand.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1978Date of Patent: June 9, 1981Assignee: Cotonificio Cantoni S.p.A.Inventors: Gerard Durville, Michel Moulin, Serge Ramseier, Erwin Zurcher
-
Patent number: 4159558Abstract: A pile fabric, especially velvet, can have a selection of yarn strands appearing on one of its faces severed by means of a focused laser beam. According to the invention, the zone of focus of the laser beam is brought successively into contact with predetermined portions of each of the strands for a period of time sufficient to cause combustion of at least some of the fibers forming each strand. The invention provides means for shifting the focus of the laser beam accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1977Date of Patent: July 3, 1979Assignee: Cotonificio Cantoni S.p.A.Inventors: Gerard Durville, Michel Moulin, Serge Ramseier, Erwin Zurcher
-
Patent number: 4137728Abstract: A closed cam track, characterized by curves corresponding essentially to the formula Y = f(X.sup.n) where Y is the axial displacement of needles in grooves of the track, X is the peripheral rotational displacement of the track at constant angular velocity and n is greater than or equal to 3, is provided for a circular knitting machine.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1977Date of Patent: February 6, 1979Assignee: Vanguard Supreme Machine CorporationInventor: Gerard Durville
-
Patent number: 4054042Abstract: A circular knitting machine comprises a needle cylinder, centered on a vertical axis, formed with a multiplicity of vertical guide grooves for respective knitting needles which have heels riding on an upper ramp surface formed by one or more lifting cams on a stationary support about which the cylinder rotates. A lower ramp surface acts upon the needles through respective hairpin springs, the two ramp surfaces diverging in the first part and converging in the second part of a descending cam section whereby a force stored in the springs at the beginning of a downstroke motion accelerates the descent of the needles toward the end of that stroke.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1976Date of Patent: October 18, 1977Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Gerard Durville