Pattern Controlled Or Programmed Patents (Class 112/470.01)
  • Patent number: 7836838
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar that is equipped with a sewing needle at a lower end of the needle bar, a presser bar that is equipped with a presser foot at a lower end of the presser bar, which holds down a work cloth, a sewing machine motor which is a driving source that drives the needle bar in an up and down direction, and a switching device that switches between a normal mode in which the needle bar is driven in the up and down direction to form stitches and a practice mode in which the sewing machine is operated in a condition where at least the needle bar is not driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Makino, Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshio Nishimura, Masaki Shimizu, Akie Ukai, Yoshinori Nakamura, Kazumi Sai
  • Patent number: 7814851
    Abstract: A sewing data creation apparatus for creating sewing data required for sewing by a sewing machine may include a unit pattern storage device to store pattern data of a unit pattern of a predetermined design. The apparatus may further include a pattern disposition device that determines a position of the unit pattern stored in the unit pattern storage device on a stitch path, the stitch path including a curve-like portion. Also, the apparatus may include a sewing data creation device that creates the sewing data for forming stitches on the stitch path and stitches of the unit pattern at the position determined by the pattern disposition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriharu Tashiro
  • Patent number: 7789029
    Abstract: A sewing data creation apparatus for creating sewing data used for sewing by a sewing machine, the apparatus may include a profile line network creation device that creates a profile line network. The apparatus may further include a starting point-and-ending point determination device that determines a starting point and an ending point of the stitch path. Further, a path creation device that creates the stitch path, a movement determination device that determines whether a partial path may be moved, a movement device that moves the partial path, an adjustment device that adjusts the stitch path by causing the movement device to move the partial path until there is no more partial path determined to be moved by the movement determination device and a sewing data creation device that creates the sewing data used to form stitches on the stitch path adjusted by the adjustment device may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriharu Tashiro
  • Publication number: 20100192822
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a machine for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. In one example, the present invention may be applied (e.g., as a machine and/or method) to a multi-needle machine or method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Alberto Landoni
  • Publication number: 20100154694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for detecting the ending-point of a bobbin thread for a sewing machine using a bar code, which is capable of alerting a sewing operator of his/her desiring bobbin thread remains when they are left enough to finish sewing under operation. The present invention of the apparatus for detecting the ending-point of a bobbin thread for a sewing machine using a bar code so as to sense the ending-point of a bobbin thread during a sewing operation, comprises a bobbin to wind a bobbin thread therearound and at least one bar code to indicate a position in the surface of a bobbin, of which the bar code is printed on one or both side(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Hoon Sik Cho
  • Patent number: 7715940
    Abstract: The disclosure presents an embroidery data processing device and a computer program product capable of creating a single unit of tree structure vector data by coupling plural pieces of independent tree structure vector data. A coupling node is added between nodes and of a tree structure vector data, and a vector data to for coupling nodes and, and a vector data to for coupling nodes and are created, and thereby a tree structure vector data is created. In a tree structure vector data, the node mutual direction is converted so that the node existing at the connecting position may be a root node, and a tree structure vector data is created, and this root node is coupled with the coupling node of the tree structure vector data, and a single tree structure vector data is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukiyoshi Muto, Mikitoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Mizuno, Shoichi Taguchi, Akihiro Wakayama
  • Patent number: 7693598
    Abstract: To provide an embroidery data creation apparatus, an embroidery data creation program, and a recording medium that records the embroidery data creation program, which create embroidery data for embroidery that is clear and sharp even when the tint or output size of an image is changed. The number of pixels necessary to create embroidery data is determined from thread density, size of the embroidery, and copied color data. Initial angle information is created from angle data and the angle information having necessary pixel configuration is re-computed from the initial angle information. Then, line segment data is created from the re-computed angle information, color data is created from the size adjusted color data and the line segment data, and the embroidery data is created from the line segment data and the color data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 7685072
    Abstract: A software distribution system for sewing machine includes a server and a sewing machine. The server generates authentication key data dedicated for a sewing machine only upon initial transmission of medium identification data and sewing machine identification data from a terminal and stores the authentication key data in mapping with the medium identification data. If a valid medium identification data and an invalid sewing machine identification data are thereafter transmitted to the server, the stored data is not updated and the authentication key data is transmitted to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Hirata
  • Patent number: 7680558
    Abstract: The process searches a block that contains a current line segment for any other line segments and, if they are found, calculates a distance between an endpoint of the current line segment and endpoint nodes of all the line segments found in the block. The process sequentially searches for the line segments in the block in accordance with search order determined on the basis of a search ranking table if a search range is not crossed over and calculates the distances between the endpoint of the current line segment and the endpoint nodes of the found line segments. Then, the process compares the distance from the endpoint node of the already line segment found and the distance from the newly found endpoint node and outputs the smaller one as the next line segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20100050914
    Abstract: The convex portions 25 are formed as arranged in contact or substantially in contact with the points A1˜A7 of first group respectively that are provided on the upper side limit line 76 and the concave portions 26 are formed as arranged with a predetermined space provided away from the points a1˜a7 of first group respectively that are provided on the lower side limit line 77. On the other hand, the concave portions 26 are formed as arranged with a predetermined space provided away from the points of second group respectively that are provided on the upper side limit line 76 and the convex portions 25 are formed as arranged in contact or substantially in contact with the points b1˜b4 of second group respectively that are provided on the lower side limit line 77.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Takeshi Kongo, Hiromi Motoyama, Shinichi Kato
  • Patent number: 7634326
    Abstract: A tufting machine and a method of controlling the tufting machine to form a tufted article having varying pattern effects, such as forming cut and loop pile tufts of yarn in a graphics type pattern, defining a yarn feed effect pattern and a shifting needle bar effect pattern, and combining the two patterns. The yarn feed of the tufting machine is controlled to compensate for pattern shifts while a hook assembly having a series of hooks/loopers and a series of clips independently moveable between extended and retraced positions is selectively controlled to cause a transition from cut pile tufts to loop pile tufts and loop pile tufts to cut pile tufts according to the programmed pattern information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Card-Monroe Corp.
    Inventors: William M. Christman, Jr., Wilton Hall
  • Patent number: 7617787
    Abstract: A tucking attachment for a sewing machine having a tucking blade with one end positioned adjacent material and a tucking blade drive with an output shaft mechanically coupled to the tucking blade. A control, connected to the tucking blade drive, is operable to command displacement to form a tuck in the material adjacent a presser foot of the sewing machine. Thereafter, the sewing machine is operated to sew a number of stitches in the tuck, and the tucking blade is then retracted. Repeating the above cycle of operation permits successive tucks of different lengths to be formed in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Steven Marcangelo
  • Publication number: 20090266282
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing device, an imaging device, a determination device, a sewing condition storage device, a reading device, and a control device. The sewing device includes a needle bar and a sewing machine motor. The imaging device captures an image of a work cloth on which a marker is disposed to identify information corresponding to actual sewing conditions. The determination device determines an appearance feature of the work cloth based on the image obtained by the imaging device. The sewing condition storage device stores the appearance feature and sewing condition information corresponding to the sewing conditions that are correlated with each other. The reading device reads the sewing condition information corresponding to the appearance feature from the sewing condition storage device. The control device identifies the actual sewing conditions based on the sewing condition information read out by the reading device, and controls the sewing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Shoichi Taguchi, Masayuki Iwata, Kei Kawase, Yoshio Sugiura, Motoshi Kishi
  • Publication number: 20090194008
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a bed portion, a pillar portion that is erected upward from the bed portion, an arm portion that extends horizontally from the pillar portion above the bed portion, a head that is provided at an end of the arm portion, a needle bar that is attached to the head and can reciprocate up and down, an image pickup device that can pick up an image of an upper surface of the bed portion, an image conversion device that generates a virtual image from a real image by viewpoint conversion, the virtual image being an image as viewed from an arbitrary viewpoint position, and the real image being an image picked up by the image pickup device, an image display device that displays an image, and an image display control device that displays the virtual image generated by the image conversion device on the image display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuya Hayakawa, Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20090188415
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes an image pickup device that picks up over a sewing machine bed; a feature point coordinates calculation device that extracts feature points from the picked up image and calculates two-dimensional coordinates of the feature points; a reference coordinates storage device that stores three-dimensional reference coordinates of the feature points; a correlation device that correlates the reference coordinates with the feature point coordinates; a parameter calculation device that calculates a parameter about the image pickup device; a parameter storage device that stores the calculated parameter; a comparison image acquisition device that acquires the picked up image as a comparison image; a first determination device that determines whether comparison information matches with parameter information; and a first notification device that notifies that it is necessary to re-calculate the parameter depending on the result by the first determination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20090188413
    Abstract: A sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth includes a storage device that stores embroidery data to identify a shape of the embroidery pattern and reference line data to identify a pattern position and a pattern angle. The sewing machine also includes an imaging device that captures an image of the work cloth onto which a marker is affixed, and a detection device that detects a marker position and a marker angle based on information of the image captured by the imaging device. The sewing machine further includes a conversion device that converts the embroidery data based on the pattern position, the pattern angle, the marker position, and the marker angle. The sewing machine further includes a sewing control device that controls sewing of the embroidery pattern based on the embroidery data obtained after conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Hirata, Masashi Tokura
  • Publication number: 20090183662
    Abstract: Panel quilting machines having an in-line splicing tool capable of splicing a new supply of fabric into a web of material being provided to a panel quilting machine while allowing for continuous operation of the panel quilting machine. The systems and methods described herein include, in certain embodiments, an in-line accumulator for creating a temporary in-line supply of material for use by the panel quilting machine while an exhausted supply of material is replaced with a new supply of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael S. DeFranks, Michael A. DiMarco, James R. Peavyhouse
  • Patent number: 7503271
    Abstract: A sewing machine control device includes a control unit for controlling the execution of a sewing operation based on sewing data including at least needle drop point data and thread color data of a sewing thread by selectively using a plurality of sewing needles respectively set with different color thread; a sewing needle-thread color storage medium storing sewing needle-thread color mapping data specifying the relation between sewing needles and thread color of thread respectively set thereto; a similarity evaluation unit for evaluating the similarity between the thread color specified by the thread color data and the thread color set to each sewing needle based on the thread color data and the sewing needle-thread color mapping data; and a sewing needle selection unit for selecting the sewing needle used for sewing in accordance with the sewing data based on evaluation result rendered by the similarity evaluation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsuya Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7493867
    Abstract: A continuous line is set on a display region of an operation panel provided in a sewing machine M and a plurality of sewing patterns is automatically arranged along the continuous line based on sewing data selected from a ROM. Integrated sewing data related to a continuous sewing pattern including the sewing patterns is created, an operation of the sewing machine is controlled based on the integrated sewing data so that the continuous sewing pattern can be sewn onto a cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Juki Corporation
    Inventor: Yukinobu Asano
  • Publication number: 20090007829
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing machine motor that vertically drives a sewing needle via a main shaft; a sewing speed commander that produces a command sewing speed determined by rotational speed of the sewing machine motor; a stitch-pitch specifier that specifies a stitch pitch to be applied to manually fed sewing operation; a consumed thread amount detector that detects a consumed needle-thread amount in each ongoing sewing cycle; a sewing speed controller that controls sewing speed at the command sewing speed when the command sewing speed is equal to or less than a predetermined reference sewing speed, and that controls sewing speed at a target sewing speed calculated based on the consumed needle-thread amount and the stitch pitch when the command sewing speed is greater than the reference sewing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Shimizu, Hiroshi Yamasaki, Hirokazu Hirose
  • Patent number: 7457683
    Abstract: A system and method for an interactive embroidery design specified by vector data and 3-dimensional data modifying shape and parameter data. A processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to create an adjustable design as indicated by artist input. The adjusted design is modified by embroidery machine operator input and is converted into stitch instructions for use by an embroidery machine to manufacture a custom embroidered product including the adjusted design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventor: Brian D. Bailie
  • Publication number: 20080196646
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar that is equipped with a sewing needle at a lower end of the needle bar, a presser bar that is equipped with a presser foot at a lower end of the presser bar, which holds down a work cloth, a sewing machine motor which is a driving source that drives the needle bar in an up and down direction, and a switching device that switches between a normal mode in which the needle bar is driven in the up and down direction to form stitches and a practice mode in which the sewing machine is operated in a condition where at least the needle bar is not driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Makino, Hirokazu Hirose, Yoshio Nishimura, Masaki Shimizu, Akie Ukai, Yoshinori Nakamura, Kazumi Sai
  • Publication number: 20080196645
    Abstract: A multimedia information selection apparatus includes a memory that stores a plurality of multimedia information including at least one of sound information, moving image information, and still image information to be played in a sewing machine that performs sewing based on sewing data for forming stitches on a work cloth and stores the sewing data and unique information added for each of the sewing data and a controller that selects one of the sewing data stored in the sewing data storage device and selects the multimedia information corresponding to the sewing data selected from among the plurality of multimedia information stored based on the unique information added to the selected sewing data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masae Ikeba, Kenji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20080127870
    Abstract: A sewing data creation apparatus for creating sewing data used for sewing by a sewing machine, the apparatus may include a profile line network creation device that creates a profile line network. The apparatus may further include a starting point-and-ending point determination device that determines a starting point and an ending point of the stitch path. Further, a path creation device that creates the stitch path, a movement determination device that determines whether a partial path may be moved, a movement device that moves the partial path, an adjustment device that adjusts the stitch path by causing the movement device to move the partial path until there is no more partial path determined to be moved by the movement determination device and a sewing data creation device that creates the sewing data used to form stitches on the stitch path adjusted by the adjustment device may also be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriharu Tashiro
  • Publication number: 20080127871
    Abstract: A sewing data creation apparatus for creating sewing data required for sewing by a sewing machine may include a unit pattern storage device to store pattern data of a unit pattern of a predetermined design. The apparatus may further include a pattern disposition device that determines a position of the unit pattern stored in the unit pattern storage device on a stitch path, the stitch path including a curve-like portion. Also, the apparatus may include a sewing data creation device that creates the sewing data for forming stitches on the stitch path and stitches of the unit pattern at the position determined by the pattern disposition device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriharu Tashiro
  • Publication number: 20080115709
    Abstract: A communication device and method to operate a sewing machine (1) based on a bidirectional transmission of data between the sewing machine (1), on the one hand, and a radio-controlled object, in particular a foot control (5) or an allocated radio-controlled module (9) are provided. By way of mutual transmission of identification codes, an unambiguous allocation of sewing machine (1) and the respective radio-controlled objects occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: BERNINA International AG
    Inventors: Michael Wentkowski, Gotz Heinbach
  • Publication number: 20080078313
    Abstract: A sewing machine capable of sewing while a workpiece cloth is moved by a manual operation includes a needlebar having a lower end to which a sewing needle is attached, a needlebar driving mechanism vertically driving the needlebar via a main shaft, a presser foot pressing the workpiece cloth, an imaging device imaging at least an area of the workpiece cloth near to the sewing needle, a movement amount operating device obtaining by operation a movement amount of the workpiece cloth based on image data supplied from the imaging device, a setting device setting a stitch pitch on the workpiece cloth, a comparing device comparing the obtained movement amount of the workpiece cloth and the set stitch pitch, a cloth movement limiter limiting movement of the workpiece cloth by the manual operation, and a control device controlling the cloth movement limiter according to a result of comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Eiichi Hamajima
  • Patent number: 7073453
    Abstract: A multi-needle quilting machine (10) and method are provided, in most embodiments of which needles (132) reciprocate horizontally through material (12) supported in a vertical quilting plane (16). Two or more bridges (21,22) are provided having separate motion control. Each bridge (21,22) has a row of selectively operable stitching element pairs (90), which may be fixed to or transversely moveable on the bridges (21,22). Either the material or the bridges may be moved relative to the frame. The bridges (21,22) each move transversely and vertically with the stitching elements (90) on each bridge can operate at different speeds. Each of the needle drives (25) and, in some embodiments the looper drives (26), can be selectively activated and deactivated. Control schemes are provided to quilt continuous patterns, discrete patterns, linked multiple patterns, 360 degree patterns, closely spaced patterns. A plurality of small presser feet (158) are provided, each for one or more needles (132).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: James T. Frazer, Jeff Kaetterhenry, Michael A. James, Terrance L. Myers, Richard Villacis, Roland Keller, David Brian Scott
  • Patent number: 7069870
    Abstract: Disclosed is the invention in connection with an electric sewing machine comprising a machine body 1 and a controller 2, wherein the controller 2 is responsive to a first press to produce a signal for starting the machine body 1 and is responsive to further press to produce a signal for driving the machine body 1 at a stitching speed (drive speed) in accordance with the pressing amount. The machine body 1 is provided with a control device 11 which is connected to a changing device 30 which is operated to change the control content of the control device 11. The changing device 30 may be operated to switch the control device 11 between being operative and being inoperative. In case the control device 11 is switched to being inoperative, the control device 11 neglects the instruction signal from the controller 2, for example, produces a stop signal to a motor drive device 12 in response to a machine drive signal from the controller 2, thereby to maintain the machine motor as stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Orii, Satoru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7028626
    Abstract: A sewing apparatus such as a sewing machine includes a sewing mechanism in which a needle thread is used, a cassette mount to which a thread cassette, while in a closed state, holding the needle thread used in the sewing mechanism is detachably attached, a determining unit determining a type of the thread cassette attached to the cassette mount, and a control device controlling the sewing mechanism according to the type of the thread cassette determined by the determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaoru Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 7021227
    Abstract: A tucking attachment for a sewing machine having a tucking blade with one end positioned adjacent material and a tucking blade drive with an output shaft mechanically coupled to the tucking blade. A control, connected to the tucking blade drive, is operable to command the tucking blade drive to move the tucking blade through a programmable displacement to form a tuck in the material adjacent a presser foot of the sewing machine. Thereafter, the sewing machine is operated to sew a number of stitches in the tuck, and the tucking blade is then retracted. Repeating the above cycle of operation permits successive tucks of different lengths to be formed in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Steven Marcangelo
  • Patent number: 7007619
    Abstract: A foot controller connection error detection device of the present invention includes a foot controller to output a start/stop instruction and a rotation speed instruction of a sewing machine motor to a control unit to control the sewing machine motor, a plug to disconnectably connect the foot controller to the control unit and a contact failure detection unit to detect a contact failure of the connector between the plug and the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiichi Hamajima
  • Patent number: 6996451
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control device to control a sewing machine which executes a sewing operation using a bobbin thread wound on a bobbin and a needle thread by the drive of the sewing machine motor. The control device includes a sewing restarting unit that restarts the sewing operation after stopping the sewing machine motor in response to a detection of bobbin thread scarcity by a bobbin thread remaining amount detection unit. A permitted sewing amount is preset for the sewing operation restarted after stopping the sewing machine motor and when an actual amount of sewing performed after the stop of the sewing machine motor reaches the permitted sewing amount, information is given by the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Asai, Yuji Ilda, Ayako Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6983192
    Abstract: A plurality of stitching machines and a control system used in stitching patterns into a plurality of items is capable of flexible control. The plurality of stitching machines may include one or more clusters of stitching machines, with each cluster able to stitch patterns into items independently of other clusters. Stitching machines within the plurality of stitching machines, or within the clusters of stitching machines, may be set to stitch patterns into items using one of a synchronized mode and an unsynchronized mode. When in the synchronized mode, the stitching machines perform stitching substantially synchronously with other stitching machines, and when in the unsynchronized mode the stitching machines perform stitching independently of the status of other stitching machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: MELCO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Block, Robert Bruce Ton, Peter Kern, Donald Grayson
  • Patent number: 6973886
    Abstract: A bedding foundation is manufactured with a cover having a welt cord extending upwardly to create a seal when a mattress is placed on the foundation. The cover is made using a two stage process. During the first stage a sewing machine is used to join a welt cord to a web of border material. In the second stage a second sewing machine sews a piece of non-skid decking to the border assembly. Fullness may be incorporated into the border material to enable the cover to fit around the corners of the bedding foundation with the welt cord being spaced inwardly from the perimeter of the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Steven Marcangelo
  • Patent number: 6973889
    Abstract: An overlock sewing machine includes: a main body; a needle bar mounted to reciprocate in an axial direction; plural needles positioned at the needle bar; a main feeding mechanism adjusted to control a cloth feeding amount of a main feed dog; a differential feeding mechanism adjusted to control a cloth feeding amount of a differential feed dog; a memorizing device configured to memorize at least one sewing pattern, the memorizing device being provided at the main body; a pattern selecting device provided at the main body and configured to select the at least one sewing pattern memorized in the memorizing device; and a control device provided at the main body and configured to control the selected at least one sewing pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Moriya Ochi, Kazuhiro Murase
  • Patent number: 6920837
    Abstract: A sewing machine including a sewing machine upper portion with a frame, a needle rod and a sewing foot rod, which rods are guided in the frame for back and forth movement parallel to one another, a rack connected with each of the rods and which racks are driven by separate pinions driven by separate electric motors. These motors and possibly other motors for positioning other parts of the sewing machine are separately controlled independently of one another by a program controlled control unit so that the movement of needle road and of the sewing foot rod can be independently program controlled during a sewing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: KSL Keilmann Sondermaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Keilmann
  • Patent number: 6883448
    Abstract: A sewing apparatus such as a sewing machine includes a cassette mount to which a thread cassette having a thread accommodating section for accommodating a thread supply is detachably attached, at least one detector detecting an operating state of at least one mechanism related with the thread cassette, a determining unit determining whether the thread cassette can be attached to the cassette mount, based on a result of detection by the detector, and an informing unit informing a result of determination by the determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sakakibara, Akira Kaiya
  • Patent number: 6871605
    Abstract: A stitching apparatus is disclosed which has at least one active thread feeder and is operable to adjust stitching operation based on the condition of a thread being stitched. The active thread feeder is operable to feed thread from a spool to a needle assembly, where the thread is stitched into fabric. The stitching apparatus includes at least one thread sensor. The thread sensor outputs information related to thread tension, which is received at a control which includes a first controller, and the first controller is used for controlling the thread. The control can calculate a thread feed length, and activate the active thread feeder to feed the appropriate amount of thread to the needle assembly. The control can use information from the thread sensor to adjust thread tension by adjusting the active thread feeder. The control can also detect a break in the thread, or a break in an underthread which is located in a lower arm assembly and is used to lock stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Melco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Zesch, Peter Kern, Michael E. Dickeson, Jurg Henz, Jeffrey T. Block, Dale Alan Zoetewey, Victor Justin Rhodes, Dean Gerald Pearson
  • Patent number: 6823807
    Abstract: A stitching apparatus is disclosed which has at least one active thread feeder and is operable to adjust stitching operation based on the condition of a thread being stitched. The active thread feeder is operable to feed thread from a spool to a needle assembly, where the thread is stitched into fabric. The stitching apparatus includes at least one thread sensor. The thread sensor outputs information related to thread tension, which is received at a control which includes a first controller, and the first controller is used for controlling the thread. The control can calculate a thread feed length, and activate the active thread feeder to feed the appropriate amount of thread to the needle assembly. The control can use information from the thread sensor to adjust thread tension by adjusting the active thread feeder. The control can also detect a break in the thread, or a break in an underthread which is located in a lower arm assembly and is used to lock stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Melco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Zesch, Peter Kern, Michael E. Dickeson, Jurg Henz, Jeffrey T. Block, Dale Alan Zoetewey, Victor Justin Rhodes, Dean Gerald Pearson
  • Publication number: 20040206284
    Abstract: An overlock sewing machine includes: a main body; a needle bar mounted to reciprocate in an axial direction; plural needles positioned at the needle bar; a main feeding mechanism adjusted to control a cloth feeding amount of a main feed dog; a differential feeding mechanism adjusted to control a cloth feeding amount of a differential feed dog; a memorizing device configured to memorize at least one sewing pattern, the memorizing device being provided at the main body; a pattern selecting device provided at the main body and configured to select the at least one sewing pattern memorized in the memorizing device; and a control device provided at the main body and configured to control the selected at least one sewing pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Moriya Ochi, Kazuhiro Murase
  • Patent number: 6805063
    Abstract: In a method of pulling the free end of a needle thread from the top to the bottom of at least one work piece upon a first stitch of a seam that is to be sewn, use is made of a sewing machine with at least one presser which can be placed on, and lifted off, the work piece. The needle thread is held tight while a needle-thread loop is extended by the tip of the hook so that the free end is pulled through the work piece. While the needle thread is held tight, the presser is at least partially relieved. The relief time increases as the thickness of the work piece grows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Dürkopp Adler Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Enns, Sevki Hosagasi
  • Publication number: 20040200395
    Abstract: A sewing apparatus such as a sewing machine includes a cassette mount to which a thread cassette having a thread accommodating section for accommodating a thread supply is detachably attached, at least one detector detecting an operating state of at least one mechanism related with the thread cassette, a determining unit determining whether the thread cassette can be attached to the cassette mount, based on a result of detection by the detector, and an informing unit informing a result of determination by the determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sakakibara, Akira Kaiya
  • Publication number: 20040173132
    Abstract: In a method of pulling the free end of a needle thread from the top to the bottom of at least one work piece upon a first stitch of a seam that is to be sewn, use is made of a sewing machine with at least one presser which can be placed on, and lifted off, the work piece. The needle thread is held tight while a needle-thread loop is extended by the tip of the hook so that the free end is pulled through the work piece. While the needle thread is held tight, the presser is at least partially relieved. The relief time increases as the thickness of the work piece grows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Johann Enns, Sevki Hosagasi
  • Patent number: 6779470
    Abstract: A sewing apparatus such as sewing machine includes a needle bar, a needle bar rocking mechanism for rocking the needle bar, a thread cassette having a thread accommodating section for accommodating a thread, a cassette mount to which the thread cassette is detachably attached, a threading mechanism for passing the thread drawn from the thread cassette through a hole of a sewing needle mounted on the needle bard, a detector for detecting the thread cassette ejected from the cassette mount, and a needle bar position control unit controlling the needle bar rocking mechanism so that the needle bar is rocked so as to occupy a predetermined zigzag position, when the detector has detected the thread cassette ejected from the cassette mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sakakibara, Akira Kaiya
  • Patent number: 6776112
    Abstract: A sewing machine has a device for steering towards a predetermined end (E) of a seam (B1). An alternating movement of the feed elements of the sewing machine, which occurs when the stitch adjusting device is set, is taken into consideration in the calculation of the target stitch length (Sb) of the final optionally shortened end stitch (Nre) of the seam, in such a way that the setting value that deviates from the target stitch length is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: G.M. PFAFF Aktiengesellschaft in Insolvenz
    Inventors: Lothar Bruehl, Edgar Butzen, Karl-Ludwig Manuel
  • Patent number: 6776113
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a thread cassette having a thread accommodating cavity in which a supply of thread is accommodated, a cassette mount to which the thread cassette is detachably attached, a thread tensioner adjusting a tension of the thread drawn from the thread cassette, a detachment operating member operated so that the thread cassette is detached from the cassette mount, and a thread tension control controlling the thread tensioner so that the thread is set at a predetermined tension when the detachment operating member has been operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sakakibara, Akira Kaiya
  • Patent number: 6769371
    Abstract: A sewing apparatus such as a household sewing machine includes a needle bar, a needle bar vertically moving mechanism, a needle bar position changing operation unit operated via the needle bar vertically moving mechanism to change a vertical position of the needle bar, a thread cassette having a thread accommodating section accommodating a supply of thread, a cassette mount to which the thread cassette is detachably attached, a cassette detector detecting the thread cassette attached to the cassette mount, and a needle bar position changing control unit controlling the needle bar vertically moving mechanism so that in a case where the needle bar position changing unit has been operated, the needle bar is changed from an upper stop position to a lower stop position or vice versa according to a position of the needle bar at the time of operation of the needle bar position changing unit when the thread cassette is attached to the cassette mount according to a result of detection by the cassette detector, the nee
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sakakibara, Akira Kaiya
  • Patent number: 6755140
    Abstract: A sewing apparatus such as a household sewing machine includes a needle bar on which a sewing needle is mounted, a needle bar vertically moving mechanism vertically moving the needle bar, a thread cassette having a thread accommodating section accommodating a supply of thread, a cassette mount to which the thread cassette is detachably attached, a threading mechanism operated in synchronization with attachment of the thread cassette to the cassette mount when the needle bar is stopped at a predetermined position, the threading mechanism passing the thread drawn from the thread cassette through an eye of the needle mounted on the needle bar, and a threading limiting unit limiting the threading mechanism so that the threading mechanism is inoperative in a case where the thread cassette is attached to the cassette mount when the apparatus is disconnected from a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Sakakibara, Akira Kaiya
  • Patent number: RE38718
    Abstract: Disclosed is an embroidery data creating device for creating an embroidery data to be used by a sewing machine. In the embroidery data creating device, an image data, which consists of a plurality of pixel data, corresponding to a line-drawn image is converted into a thin line image, and then closed paths are determined with use of 8-connection method. After embroidery attribution is applied to a path and/or a region defined by each closed path, the paths and/or the regions are converted into the embroidery data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Futamura