Patents by Inventor John M. Franke, Sr.

John M. Franke, Sr. 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).

  • Robotic work fabric manipulator
    Patent number: 4577792
    Abstract: A robotic end effector adapted to grip a fabric ply at a point remote from a free edge portion of the ply and a fabric edge influencing element resiliently supported from the end effector is provided to minimize distortion of the free edge portion of the fabric ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignees: The Singer Company, AVG Productions, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Franke, Sr.
  • Fabric clamping means for driven work folder
    Patent number: 4553745
    Abstract: A clamp device is provided for gripping a fabric ply in place in a fabric folding mandrel to prevent slippage of the fabric ply relatively to the mandrel during the folding operation, and means are provided for bodily shifting the mandrel into a position facilitating proper introduction of a fabric ply thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: John M. Franke, Sr.
  • Driven work folder
    Patent number: 4517907
    Abstract: A device useful with robotic fabric manipulating systems for forming hemfolds in fabric panels and comprising a slotted mandrel simultaneously accommodating the entire fabric edges to be hemmed and a drive rotating said mandrel within a sheath which frictionally constrains the folded fabric being drawn from the mandrel during stitching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: John M. Franke, Sr.