Patents by Inventor Mikio Koike

Mikio Koike 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: 4793273
    Abstract: An automatic thread tensioning device for positioning the crossing points of upper and lower threads in the center of thickness of a fabric undergoing stitching. The positioning is effected by making calculations based on measured results of thread tension, without needing to detect the various kinds of characteristics of fabrics, threads, or lower thread tension responding to an existing type of stitching condition. The proper upper thread tension may be determined for the stitching conditions of fabrics which have different characteristics and for stitching conditions of fabrics which have conventionally been difficult to deal with, simply by pressing buttons and making test stitchings. If an upper thread tensioning device has a motor, a stitching operation may be made more easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hara, Akiyoshi Sasano, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4724784
    Abstract: A device for changing a lower thread running path in a zigzag sewing machine includes a guiding member positioned between a lower thread holder and a needle plate and having an obliquely positioned guiding face the obliquity of which to the direction of the needle amplitude is controlled to selectively produce straight stitches or zigzag stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hara, Mikio Koike, Mituru Nishijima
  • Patent number: 4704975
    Abstract: A lower thread tension device is provided in association with adjustment of an upper thread tension device in such a manner that when the tension of the upper thread tension device is strong within an adjusting range, the lower thread tension is adjusted strongly, and when the tension of the upper thread tension device is weak within the adjusting range, the lower thread tension is adjusted weakly. The upper and lower thread tension device includes a dial for adjusting an upper thread tension, a potentiometer connected to the dial, and an electromagnet with an actuator acting on the lower thread to adjust its tension in response to a signal received from the potentiometer due to rotation of the dial. The upper and lower thread tension device includes a dial for adjusting an upper thread tension, a potentiometer connected to the dial, and an electromagnet with an actuator acting on the lower thread to adjust its tension in response to a signal received from the potentiometer due to rotation of the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hara, Akiyoshi Sasano, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4702185
    Abstract: This invention makes a proper calculation to an amount of supplying a lower thread to be required to forming of a stitch with stitching information in relation with changing of a needle dropping position from a preceding stitch to a present stitching, so that the lower thread is forcibly drawn out in accordance with said calculation, and makes a proper calculation to tension of an upper thread optimum to forming of a stitch with stitching information so as to determine the optimum upper thread tension in accordance with said calculation, or makes a calculation to the amount of supplying the upper thread optimum to forming of a stitch with stitching information so as to draw out the upper thread in accordance with said calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hanyu, Noburu Kasuga, Kazumasa Hara, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4700644
    Abstract: When a lower thread is effected with tension by an upper thread, a lower thread tension device is actuated in a certain working distance with very small resistance to an extent that a lower thread is drawn as if without resistance. If the lower thread is effected with said tension outside of said distance, it is not drawn out with large resistance. An actuation means successively receives information about thread consumed in each of the stitches and information about rotation phase of the sewing machine from a phase sensor. In the distance of a strong resistance, the lower thread is prohibited from drawing, and the thread is tightened in this distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasukata Eguchi, Susumu Hanyu, Kazumasa Hara, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4693193
    Abstract: A lower thread drawing-out device for a computerized sewing machine, the device having a cup-shaped loop taker with a surrounding wall. The loop taker is rotatable in a timed relation with a vertical reciprocation of the needle to catch the upper thread to concatenate with the lower thread and thereby form lock stitches. A bobbin is arranged in the loop taker so as to form a space between the bobbin and the loop taker surrounding wall. A lower thread drawing out element having a free end in the space is arranged so that when a lower thread is wrapped around the bobbin and extends to a needle, the free end contacts the lower thread at a location. The lower thread drawing out element is rotatable relative to the loop taker. The lower thread is movable transversely at the contact location relative to the lower thread when extended and in response to a rotation of the element relative to the loop taker, thereby compensating for biasing of the lower thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hanyu, Kazumasa Hara, Akiyoshi Sasano, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4690083
    Abstract: An automatic thread tension adjusting device for a sewing machine designed to automatically adjust the tension of upper thread to produce desired stitches each formed with the upper and lower threads interlocked with each other within the thickness of a fabric to be sewn, the interlocking position of the threads depending upon the types of stitches such as the straight stitches and zigzag stitches. The thread is held and drawn-out at predetermined angular positions of an upper drive shaft, which are detected by sensors to thereby draw out a required amount of upper thread depending upon the thickness of the fabric and the type of stitches. The required amount of the upper thread is supplied to a thread take-up lever to determine the upper thread tension during the formation process of each stitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hara, Mikio Koike, Akiyoshi Sasano
  • Patent number: 4674423
    Abstract: A thread loop taker device for a zigzag sewing machine having a needle whose position is controlled by electronically stored data which cooperates with the thread loop taker device to thereby produce zigzag stitches. The thread loop taker device comprises a bobbin carrier, a rotational cylindrical member for supporting the bobbin carrier therein; a loop taker coaxial with and about the cylindrical member for rotation therewith, the loop taker having a beak extending from one end and in the direction of the rotation around a portion of the cylindrical member for catching a thread loop formed by the needle; cams rotating with the cylindrical member and engaging the opposite end of the loop taker for rotating the beak relative to the cylindrical member; and a pulse motor drivable in response to a change in the position of the needle so that, when this driving is transmitted to move the cams, the loop taker is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Koike, Kenzo Goto
  • Patent number: 4662292
    Abstract: A thread loop taker device for a zigzag sewing machine having a needle whose position is controlled by electronically stored data which cooperates with the thread loop taker device to thereby produce zigzag stitches. The thread loop taker device comprises a bobbin carrier, a rotational cylindrical member for supporting the bobbin carrier therein; a loop taker coaxial with and about the cylindrical member for rotation therewith, the loop taker having a beak extending from one end and in the direction of the rotation around a portion of the cylindrical member for catching a thread loop formed by the needle; cams rotating with the cylindrical member and engaging the opposite end of the loop taker for rotating the beak relative to the cylindrical member; and a pulse motor movable in two opposite directions in response to a change in the position of the needle so that, when this movement is transmitted to the cams, the loop taker is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Koike, Kenzo Goto, Kazumasa Hara
  • Patent number: 4638751
    Abstract: A tension setting device of the sewing machine comprises an upper thread tension device on the machine frame. A selecting device for selecting a thread tension in response to a thickness of a fabric being sewn is mounted to the machine frame. An auxiliary upper thread tension device cooperating with the selecting device and actuated thereby to adjust upper thread tension in response to the thickness of the fabric is provided in the tension setting device. A lower thread adjusting device cooperates with the thread tension selecting device to adjust the lower thread in response to the thickness of the fabric being sewn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hanyu, Kazumasa Hara, Akiyoshi Sasano, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4606289
    Abstract: A thread-cutting device for a sewing machine comprises a cutter having a cutting edge and a thread guiding member which holds the cutter. The thread guiding member is formed with thread guiding edges which obliquely cross the cutting edge of the cutter, and leads the threads between its two parallel thread guiding edges and the cutting edge of the cutter. A crossing point between the thread guiding member and the cutting edge of the cutter is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hara, Masashi Sato, Mikio Koike, Kenji Kaneko
  • Patent number: 4579072
    Abstract: A sewing machine needle is capable of vertically reciprocating between upper and lower dead points and swinging laterally within a predetermined amplitude between two extreme lateral positions to form zigzag stitches on a fabric material in cooperation with a hook of a rotary loop taker. The needle comprises a relatively thick upper base portion by which the needle is attached to a needle bar of the sewing machine and a shank formed integrally with the upper base portion and adapted to reciprocatingly pass through the fabric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Koike, Akiyoshi Sasano
  • Patent number: 4542706
    Abstract: A lower thread tension adjusting device is disclosed, which is used in combination with a sewing machine having a horizontal rotary loop taker and a stationary bobbin carrier accomodating a bobbin. A lower thread drawn from the bobbin is passed between a base plate secured to the outer face of the bobbin carrier and the free end of a resilient plate having one end secured to the base plate, so that by manipulation of an adjusting screw a variable degree of tension can be applied to the lower thread. The device is so designed that when an index provided on the adjusting screw is in alignment with a reference mark of the base plate, the lower thread will be given a predetermined standard value of tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hanyu, Kazumasa Hara, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4473019
    Abstract: For a hem stitching operation with a sewing machine having a needle vertically reciprocating and also laterally swingable, a hem stitching presser foot is detachably mounted to a lower end of a presser bar of the sewing machine. The presser foot includes a brush like element which confronts a needle dropping hole formed in a sole of the presser foot, a frictional contact between the needle and the brush like element is produced when the needle passes the outside of the fabric edge, without penetrating the fabric, to stitch a portion of hem stitches on the outside of the fabric edge. The brush like element may be secured to the sole of the presser foot, or alternatively to a fabric guide member for engaging and guiding the fabric edge. The brush may be projected in the fabric feeding direction or across the fabric feeding direction. A pin may be located just beneath the brush like element for constant placement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hanyu, Kazumasa Hara, Akio Koide, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4466368
    Abstract: A thread tightening device for a sewing machine of the type having a main shaft, a vertically reciprocable needle bar with a needle carrying an upper thread, a loop taker and a drive shaft for driving the loop taker and a feed dog; the thread tightening device includes a group of pattern cams operatively connected to the main shaft, pattern selecting device and an arrangement for controlling the vertical movement of the feed dog. This arrangement comprises a control cam and a rotatable shaft, the control cam being slidably axially mounted on the rotatable shaft but not turnable with respect to the shaft. The thread tightening device also includes an element arranged for vertical reciprocating movement in a timed relation with the feed dog, which element engages a lower thread during the stitching operation of the sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hanyu, Kazumasa Hara, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4423693
    Abstract: A sewing machine with a vertically reciprocable and laterally swingable needle for sewing provided with an upper thread includes a rotatable loop taker for catching a thread loop during synchronous rotation thereof with the needle, and is rotatable in a horizontal plane with respect to the needle. A bobbin member is mounted within the loop taker and carries a lower thread forforming a lock stitch with the lower thread when the loop taker catches a thread loop. A feed dog member includes a plurality of feed dog elements for synchronously moving vertically and horizontally with the needle so as to allow the fabric to be moved relative to the needle. A thread guide is disposed adjacent a certain one of the plurality of feed dog elements for guiding the lower thread to a predetermined side of the swinging needle each time the feed dog member is vertically moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hanyu, Mikio Koike, Kazumasa Hara
  • Patent number: 4357887
    Abstract: A loop catching device for a sewing machine includes a rotatable loop taker carrying a lower thread, a pulse motor operated in a timed relationship with a reciprocating movement of a needle, and a looper arranged adjacently to the loop taker and driven by the motor. The loop taker and the looper are synchronized with the movement of the needle to catch the loop produced by the needle and hold the loop for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hara, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4348969
    Abstract: A thread loop regulating arrangement is provided in a sewing machine having a reciprocated swingable needle carrying an upper thread and a loop taking arrangement including a rotatable loop taker, a bobbin carrier having a predetermined surface to receive thread loops and a bobbin positioned within the bobbin carrier. The thread loop regulating arrangement includes a relatively flat plate placed against the predetermined surface of the bobbin carrier and spaced therefrom and a downwardly extended lip for guiding the thread loop pulled off the bobbin carrier and thereby preventing the formation of undesirable stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Kasuga, Kazumasa Hara, Mikio Koike
  • Patent number: 4340003
    Abstract: A thread tightening device for a sewing machine of the type having a main shaft, a vertically reciprocable needle bar with a needle carrying an upper thread, a loop taker and a drive shaft for driving the loop taker and a feed dog, the thread tightening device includes a group of pattern cams operatively connected to the main shaft, pattern selecting device and an arrangement for controlling the vertical movement of the feed dog. This arrangement comprises a control cam and a rotatable shaft, the control cam being slidably axially mounted on the rotatable shaft but not turnable with respect to the shaft. The thread tightening device also includes an element arranged for vertical reciprocating movement in a timed relation with the feed dog, which element engages a lower thread during the stitching operation of the sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hanyu, Kazumasa Hara, Mikio Koike