i Locking pliers with handle locking mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Pliers include upper structure including an upper jaw and handle extending therefrom, and lower structure including a lower jaw and handle. The lower jaw may pivot relative to the upper jaw, and the lower handle may pivot relative to the lower jaw. An overcenter linkage operatively connects between the upper and lower structure, biasing the lower handle and jaw away from the upper handle and jaw, respectively, when in a jaw-opening position, and enabling the lower jaw and handle to be retained in a closed configuration when the linkage is in a jaw-closing position. A lock member is movable between a locking configuration preventing pivoting of the lower handle from the closed configuration and retaining the jaws in a closed position, and a release configuration enabling the lower handle to be moved away from the closed configuration, allowing the jaws to move to an open position. Full Article
i Wireless small motor driver having rotation reduction gear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wireless small motor driver, in which power consumption is decreased by adjusting a gear ratio, the efficiency of an operation is increased due to a high torque, and the safety of a worker at night is ensured using an illumination lamp. The wireless small motor driver includes a driver case inside of which a motor is provided. A driver bit has a predetermined length in a bilateral direction, the driver bit being replaceable, with one or both ends thereof conforming to the shape of a bolt, and has a fixing projection. A socket is coupled to an end portion of the driver case, the driver bit being fastened to the socket. A rotation reduction gear is coupled to the motor, the rotation reduction gear transmitting rotary force to the socket and increasing a torque. A USB and a battery for supplying uniform power to the motor are added. Full Article
i Machine tool, in particular handheld machine tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power tool, in particular a hand-held power tool, preferably embodied as a cordless screwdriver, is equipped with a torque limiting unit in which the release torque is settable by way of a locking brace that is equipped with a spring brace for locking elements that abut axially against parts of a planetary drive, in particular the ring gear thereof or the planet carrier thereof as a last gear stage, the spring elements of the spring brace and the locking elements being located with a radial offset from one another. Full Article
i Method and apparatus for driving a member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and tool for driving a bit. The tool includes a handle extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The handle can be in a first configuration to provide a first drive ration. In a second configuration, such as a T-shaped configuration, a gear assembly can be disengaged to provide a second drive ratio for the bit driving system. Full Article
i Methods and systems for in-process quality control during drill-fill assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for assembling a structure is described. The method includes locating a position in an assembly stack-up where a one-sided fastener is to be installed, drilling a hole through the assembly stack-up at the position, countersinking the hole to a specified depth, operating a calibrated probe to determine at least parameter associated with one or more of the hole and the stack-up proximate the hole, inserting the one-sided fastener into the hole, applying a rotational torque to the one-sided fastener to complete installation of the one-sided fastener, and comparing a measurement of angular displacement required to complete installation of the one-sided fastener to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct installation of the fastener. Full Article
i Wire stripper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for stripping coating from electric wires is provided with a function to detect any contact between a wire core and stripping blades even for electric wires which have been cut short. This device has a signal analyzer circuit for measurement of impedance via stripping blades capable of detecting any contact between the stripping blades and the wire core by detecting a change in impedance as a result of addition of impedance of the wire core to that of the stripping blades at the moment of any contact of the stripping blades with the core of the electric wire in the course of stripping coating from the electric wire. Full Article
i Method and system for holding nails By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method, system, and apparatus for holding a connecting instrument comprises a first member including a first finger cup and a first needle nose tip formed on the forward end of the finger cup and a second member comprising a second finger cup and a second needle nose tip formed on the forward end of the second finger cup wherein the first needle nose tip and the second needle nose tip are configured to grip a connecting device as it is being driven into a target. Full Article
i Milling tool holder wrench By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A milling tool holder wrench is provided. A wrench includes two knobs that protrude outward and perpendicular from a surface of the wrench at a top end of a u-shaped portion of the wrench. The knobs adapted to snuggly engage recessed fittings of a milling tool holder to lock the milling tool holder steady within a milling machine while a tool is changed from the milling tool holder. Full Article
i Multi-bit power driver By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tool having a main barrel with an inner cavity, a tool bit holder adapted to be removably secured within the inner cavity, the tool bit holder having a first inner cavity adapted for receiving a first reversible tool bit and a second inner cavity adapted to receive a non-reversible tool bit, wherein the inner cavity of the main barrel serves as a first sized nut driver, the first inner cavity of the tool bit holder serves as a second sized nut driver, and the second inner cavity of the tool bit holder serves as third sized nut driver, where first, second, and third sized nut drivers each have a different size. Full Article
i Torque wrench and method of operating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A torque wrench includes a hollow body, a clutch mechanism, a force-applying member, and driving arms. The clutch mechanism is mounted in the hollow body. The force-applying member is pivotally mounted in the hollow body. Each of driving arms has a coupling end is detachably mounted at the second end of the force-applying member and a driving end for driving a workpiece, wherein each of the driving arms is coaxial to the force-applying member when the coupling end thereof is mounted at the second end of the force-applying member, and wherein the interchangeable driving arms are different in length from each other. Full Article
i Cap handling tools and methods of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Tools (100) are provided for use in uncapping one or more of a plurality of linearly-oriented, spaced-apart tubes; each cap having a cap upper surface with a depression. The tools comprise a body (30) having first portion (40) for engagement by a user and a second portion (50) for engaging a plurality of caps. The second portion comprises a plurality of spaced-apart projections (60). Each projection is configured for releasably engaging a cap. The projection may comprise two or more spaced-apart projection elements (62,64). Optionally, the first portion is configured in a non-coplanar relationship with respect to the second portion. Methods of use are also provided. Full Article
i Auto-shift reversing mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device that automatically actuates the reversing lever of a ratchet mechanism when the radial direction of the motor is changed. The auto-shift mechanism includes a worm gear that rotates with the motor, and a disc coupled to the worm gear that moves laterally as the worm gear rotates. Axial movement of the disc actuates a reversing lever of a ratchet mechanism by either pulling or pushing the reversing lever. A lost-motion mechanism can absorb an initial amount of torque so that the auto-shift mechanism can run its course prior to applying the torque to a fastener. Full Article
i Socket wrench with positioning device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A socket wrench with a positioning device contains: a body including an accommodating cavity, a first face, and a second face. A toothed holder is accommodated in the accommodating cavity and has a polygonal groove, a first circular portion, a second circular portion, and a ratchet protrusion between the first circular portion and the second circular portion. The first circular portion is inserted to the first face, the second circular portion is inserted to the second face, and the ratchet protrusion engages with a ratchet device. A positioning device includes at least one retaining element disposed on the first circular portion and horizontally moving in the polygonal groove. The first circular portion has a resilient element and a pressing loop which are fitted on the first circular, and the pressing loop has a recess defined on an inner face thereof to correspond to the at least one retaining element. Full Article
i Dual pawl ratchet mechanism and reversing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A dual-pawl ratchet wrench mechanism is disclosed having a stop mechanism for limiting over-travel of a reversing lever for selecting drive directions. The stop mechanism is formed on a disc is selectively engageable with first and second pawls to move the pawls into and out of engagement with a ratchet gear to determine a torque drive direction, the ratchet gear capable of providing torque to a working piece in the selected drive direction. The design simplifies manufacturing. Additionally, the reversing lever is assembled with the mechanism in a manner to improve sealing. Full Article
i Pivoting open-ended ratcheting device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ratcheting device includes a handle member including a first end and an opposed second end, a ratchet head pivotably connected to the first end of the handle member, and a ring grip pivotably connected to the second end of the handle member. Full Article
i Extendable handle for a tire spoon and method of operation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An extendable handled tool may include: a shaft; a hollow shaft extension encompassing the shaft and configured to move axially on the shaft so that the shaft moves in and out of the hollow space in the shaft extension; a locking collar attached to the shaft extension, the locking collar configured to rotate on the shaft; a tooth connected to the locking collar such that the tooth rotates with the locking collar; and a locking ring mounted on the shaft, the locking ring configured to fit with the tooth to rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents the shaft extension from moving axially with respect to the shaft and the unlocked position permits the shaft extension to move axially with respect to the shaft. A method of exting a handle on a tool may also be provided. Full Article
i Apparatus for stitching vehicle interior components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for stitching an interior component is disclosed herein. The component having an outer skin layer and the apparatus is a single needle chain stitch machine with a rotary looper and wherein a needle of the apparatus descends through the interior component and a hook of the rotary looper engages a thread loop formed during retraction of the needle after it has descended through the interior component; and wherein the apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving the interior component relative to the needle and looper to establish a stitch length. Full Article
i Guide means having tolerance compensation for sewing decorative elements By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a guiding device for guiding an oblong intermediate element while joining at least two decorative elements by means of this intermediate element. Full Article
i Gas carrying threading device of sewing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Pressurized gas for carrying looper thread by gas is generated by gas supply pump operated by changing over a sewing-machine motor, which drives stitch forming device, looper threading is performed through loopers by one-touch operation. Gas carrying threading device of sewing machine, comprising: looper thread introduction mechanism inserts looper thread guided to loopers; hollow looper thread guide extends from looper thread introduction mechanism to looper thread inlets and has looper thread guide outlets; gas supply pump for performing looper threading by carrying looper thread by gas from looper thread introduction area through hollow looper thread guide to looper thread loop-taker point outlets; clutch for transmitting power from sewing machine motor M to drive shaft which drives stitch forming device including loopers at time of stitch formation or to gas supply pump at time of looper threading. Full Article
i Thread cut with variable thread consumption in a sewing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method and a device for cutting at least an upper thread of a sewing machine provided with a fabric clamping member (20), wherein a length of the thread consumed for a cut can be set within a predetermined interval. The method for cutting at least the upper thread (4) of a sewing machine (1) includes the steps: feeding a predetermined length x of said upper thread (4) utilizing a thread feeder (15), pulling out the upper thread (4) said predetermined length utilizing a displacement of said fabric clamping member (20) from a current position to a second position executing by means of a sewing machine processor (C) program sequences stored in a memory (M) for controlling a thread cutter (10) to perform a cut of at least said upper thread (4). Full Article
i Machine and method for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST 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. In another example, the present invention may provide for automatic lower (or bottom) thread cutting. In another example, the present invention may provide for automatic lower (or bottom) thread cutting by utilizing the phase (that is, movement phase) of a return of a looper (or hook) to cut the lower (or bottom) thread. Full Article
i Stitch bonded cleaning material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A wipe structure of stitch bonded construction incorporating one or more substrate layers of an absorbent material with a barrier layer across a face side of the absorbent material and a preformed lightweight loop fabric disposed across the underside of the absorbent layers with loops projecting away from the absorbent layers. Full Article
i Apparatus, sewing machine, and non-transitory computer-readable medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes including acquiring pattern data, specifying an outline of the embroidery pattern based on the pattern data, creating hole data for causing the sewing machine to form a plurality of holes including one or more first holes and one or more second holes, creating first stitch data for causing the sewing machine to sew one or more stitches for the one or more first holes, and creating embroidery data for causing the sewing machine to form one or more first holes, and sew the one or more stitches for the one or more first holes, and causing the sewing machine to form the one or more second holes, before causing the sewing machine to sew an outline pattern. Full Article
i Threading device for sewing machine lower looper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A threading device for a sewing machine lower looper is disclosed that can thread a lower looper safely and reliably by reliably preventing a main shaft from rotating when an operation of threading the lower looper is carried out. Full Article
i Sewing machine accessory for circular sewing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A sewing machine accessory includes a plate for attaching to a sewing machine workbed and to be located below a needle, the plate includes an opening and a guiding track, and a positioning device includes a sliding member slidably engaged with the guiding track of the accessory plate, and a pointed member extended from the sliding member for engaging with a cloth material to be stitched and for forming of an arced stitch on the cloth material, and the pointed member is movable close to the needle for stitching or forming a circular or arced stitch that includes a relatively decreased or smaller outer diameter. Full Article
i Methods and systems for stitching composite materials By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A composite material includes a composite body having a composite surface, and a reinforcing element extending through the composite body in a first plurality of stitches and a second plurality of stitches. The first plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially similarly to each other. The second plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially dissimilarly to each other. Full Article
i Process for the production of a textile product By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A process for the production of a textile product includes placing a flat motif template on a textile substrate, sewing the motif template onto the textile substrate in such a way that a perforation defining a desired motif in the motif template is produced, removing the part of the motif template, that is outside the motif defined by the perforation, and permanently fixing the remaining part, having the motif, of the motif template to the textile substrate. Full Article
i Girder band for underwear connection and processing method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A girdle band for underwear connection and a processing method thereof, the girder band has a baseband with upper and lower overturning edges, a plurality of snap rings, surface cloth and a shaping layer, and the processing method has the following steps: firstly respectively connecting both surfaces of the lower overturning edge of the baseband with the shaping layer and the first strip of the surface cloth; sewing the bottom surface of the second strip of the surface cloth with the shaping layer; forming the upper and the lower overturning edges; and using an ultrasonic wave cutting machine for cutting the long strip-shaped baseband into girdle band units. The girdle band has the advantages of no sewing joints on the back surface and good appearance effect, and can avoid skin injuries. Full Article
i Seam ravel preventing method, seam ravel preventing apparatus and seam structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A thread hook and a looper thread holder are arranged on a rear side of a needle drop position of a sewing machine. When usual sewing is completed, the thread hook and the looper thread holder swing and move close to a looper. A hook part provided at a tip end of the thread hook holds a needle thread loop caught by the looper and positions it on an advance end side of the looper away from the needle drop position, and a thread receiving part provided at a tip end of the looper thread holder holds a looper thread extending from the looper to cloths and positions it on the front side away from the needle drop position. The sewing machine performs sewing for at least one stitch while maintaining positions of the needle thread loop and the looper thread. Full Article
i Plush figure including multi-chamber storage system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST One example includes a body formed of body fabric, the body defining a body pocket opening, a body pocket disposed in an interior of the body and coupled to the body pocket opening and body plush disposed in the interior of the body, between the body pocket and the body fabric. The example includes a head formed of head fabric, the head having a posterior portion of the head coupled to the body at an anterior portion of the body, the head defining a head pocket opening disposed on an anterior portion of the head, a head pocket disposed in an interior of the head and coupled to the head pocket opening and head plush disposed in the interior of the head, between the head pocket and the head fabric. The example includes at least one pair of legs formed of leg fabric and fastened to the body. Full Article
i Sewing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A sewing machine includes an imaging device, a processor, and a memory configured to store sewing data and computer-readable instructions. The sewing data includes at least first stitch data to form first stitches that indicate a contour of a pattern on a first work cloth, and second stitch data to form second stitches that attach the pattern cut out along the first stitches onto a second work cloth. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform processes comprising causing the imaging device to capture a first image, identifying a position and an angle of a marker in relation to the contour, causing the imaging device to capture a second image, identifying a position and an angle of the contour in relation to the second work cloth, and correcting the second stitch data in accordance with the identified position and angle of the contour in relation to the second work cloth. Full Article
i Method for production of bags for the transport and storage of bulk goods, and bag obtained according to the method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention comprises using a fabric cut into several pieces which are further assembled together by stitches, the stitches being made using a sewing machine comprising at least two needles (A', B') operating in-line one behind the other so that the sewing stitch of the second needle (B') is made on the threads of the sewing stitch made by the first needle (A') in order to cover the perforation made by the first needle and so that the perforation made by the second needle (B') is made through said thread (11), thereby filling said perforation with said thread (11). Full Article
i Thread cutting mechanism for sewing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A thread cutting mechanism is mounted on a sewing machine which includes a sewing platform. The thread cutting mechanism includes a driver assembly and a thread cutting assembly. The driver assembly includes a stepping motor, a swing lever pivotally connected to the stepping motor, and a pushing rod connected to the stepping motor and swing lever and driven jointly with the swing lever by the stepping motor to perform a back-and-forth process. The thread cutting mechanism is disposed on the sewing platform, and includes a thread hooking blade connected to and driven by the swing lever to move back-and-forth along a thread hooking path and to hook back a sewing thread, and a thread cutting blade disposed on the thread hooking path and for cutting the sewing thread when the thread hooking blade hooks back the sewing thread. Full Article
i Method for joining fabric By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided are improved methods for joining two pieces of fabric along a seam (e.g., curved seam) to form a fabric pattern piece (e.g., quilting block unit) using an embroidery machine. A digitized file instructs an embroidery machine to stitch a perforated guide-line in a stabilizer material secured inside an embroidery hoop for forming an opening having a desired shape in the stabilizing material. A first fabric is temporarily affixed to one side of the stabilizer material, and an opening with a seam allowance margin is cut in the fabric along the desired seam defined by the opening/shape in the stabilizing material. The seam allowance margin is folded through the opening/shape to the reverse side, and a second piece of fabric is affixed to the folded margin. The digitized file instructs the machine to stitch a hidden seam along the desired seam providing esthetic, geometrically precise fabric pattern pieces. Full Article
i Apparatus and lower thread winding-spool for detecting the ending region of lower thread of sewing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A lower thread ending region detection apparatus prevents problems associated with false stitchings occurring from inability to detect lower thread's exhaustion during sewing operation. The lower thread ending region detection apparatus comprises: light control unit, which contacts a part of lower thread wound on a thread bobbin and activates or inactivates at least one of the functions of emitting light, reflecting light, passing light and blocking light, due to the effect of the physical movement force generated depending on whether the lower thread of the ending region is unwound; light receiving unit, which receives the light transferred out by the light control unit and outputs a detection signal; and control and notification unit, which analyzes the detection signal output from the light receiving unit to determine whether the lower thread has reached the ending region and outputs the result to the user. Full Article
i Stitching system and method for stitch stop embellishments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for embellishing fabric. In accordance with embodiments, a stitching system for a sewing machine is provided comprising a processor configured to control the sewing machine and a user interface configured to receive a stitch selection corresponding to a set of commands executable by the processor to instruct the sewing machine to sew the stitch selection. The set of commands may comprise a first command to sew a first portion of the stitch selection, a second command to stop sewing after completion of the first portion, and a third command to sew a second portion of the stitch selection after completion of the second command. The systems and methods of the present invention may advantageously allow an operator to create a running sequence of perfectly replicated embellishments. Full Article
i Sewing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A sewing machine includes a frame portion, a lid member, and a control portion. The lid member is attached to the frame portion such that the lid member can open and close. The control portion is configured to control a movement speed of the lid member depending on an aperture of the lid member. Full Article
i Method and apparatus for thread-stitching of book blocks, and a book production line equipped with such an apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for thread-stitching a book block includes a thread tensioning device configured to store and tension a binding thread. A single actuator, including a servo drive, drives the thread tensioning device. The method includes storing a length of binding thread; in a separate step, tensioning the binding thread; and thread-stitching the book block. Full Article
i Systems and methods for creating quilt blocks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST Systems and methods for creating quilt blocks are provided. In one embodiment, a method for creating a quilt block with a computerized embroidery machine includes sewing placement stitching on a backing according to a placement stitching pattern provided by instructions for at least partially creating a quilt block comprised of one or more pieces, providing directions for placing one or more pieces of the quilt block on a corresponding portion of the placement stitching on the backing, and sewing the one or more pieces to the backing in accordance with the instructions. Full Article
i Method for manufacturing a strap ring for climbing activities, from a tubular fabric axially cut up By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for manufacturing a strap ring (1), made from a material woven with warp threads (3) and at least one weft thread (4) extending between the warp threads (3). The woven material is a tubular fabric (11) whose warp threads (3) extend parallel to the axis of extension of the tubular fabric (11), the strap ring (1) being made from an axial section (16) of the tubular fabric (11) which is axially cut up by cutting the warp threads (3). Full Article
i Sewing machine, computer-readable medium storing sewing program, and sewing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The memory stores computer-readable instructions causing the sewing machine to perform operations including: extracting feature points of a design based on a captured image; extracting feature points of a unit design; generating feature points of a symmetrical design; cross-checking the extracted feature points of the design and the generated feature points of the symmetrical design; determining an arrangement of an embroidery pattern with respect to the symmetrical design; and causing a sewing portion to sew the embroidery pattern. Full Article
i Two-needle sewing machine and two-needle sewing machine stitch forming method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a two-needle sewing machine that improves strength in a convex curve part by bringing a pair of stitches close together when sewing an item. A two-needle sewing machine includes a bed part; a column part; an arm part; a needle shaft that is disposed on the leading part of the arm part; two sewing needles that are attached to the needle shaft; two horizontal hooks that catch the respective needle thread loops of the two sewing needles; and a conveyor member that conveys a material to be sewn in a direction approximately orthogonal to the bed part. On the two-needle sewing machine, the sewing needle, which is positioned in a location distant from the column part, is disposed closer to the conveyance side of the material to be sewn than the sewing needle that is positioned in a location closer to the column part. Full Article
i Sewing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sewing machine may comprise a needle bar driving mechanism, a cutting needle rotation mechanism, and an embroidery frame movement mechanism configured to move an embroidery frame comprising a protruding portion. A cam member may be fixed to the needle bar and comprise a plurality of cams. A processor of the sewing machine may set a height of the needle bar to a specific position from a plurality of positions. Each of the plurality of positions may represent that each of the plurality of cams is able to contact with the protruding portion. The processor may instruct the needle bar driving mechanism to move the needle bar to the specific position and instruct the embroidery frame movement mechanism to move the embroidery frame to a position where the protruding portion is able to contact with one of the plurality of cams. Full Article
i Sewing direction control apparatus for sewing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sewing direction control apparatus for sewing machine, comprising: a base plate, a circular ring-shaped transmission element dispose on the base plate and a driving element with a driving unit. During sewing, the driving unit drives the transmission element, rotating a sewing product placed at the center of the transmission element with the driving element, thereby controlling the sewing direction of the sewing product, and thus improving the sewing accuracy. The direction control apparatus has low cost, and is suitable for various types of automatic sewing machines. Full Article
i Feeder movement compensation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A feeder movement compensation algorithm for use within a processor controlled sewing machine. The sewing machine configured with a reciprocating needle and thread, and including a stitch plate upon which fabric to be sewn is positioned beneath the needle and thread. The machine also includes a feeder mechanism driving a feed dog thru a movement. The feed dog movement pushes the fabric along the stitch plate and the reciprocating needle and thread form stitches in the fabric. During the stitch cycle, the feed dog movement completes at least one feeder stroke. The feeder stroke includes a portion of the feed dog extending above the stitch plate and moving along the direction of feed. The feeder stroke thus pushes the fabric along the stitch plate. The compensation algorithm calculates a theoretical feeder stroke length based upon a desired stitch. The compensation algorithm then calculates a modified feeder stroke length using the theoretical feeder stroke length and at least one feeder calibration data element. The modified feeder stroke length is then performed by the feed dog during the stitch cycle to form the stitch. Full Article
i Overtufting station By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An overtufting machine/method provides additional yarn per area in an area of design than in areas lacking the overtufted design. Specifically, for many embodiments, a carpet is first tufted, and then run past an overtufting station which preferably moves in a lateral direction relative to the direction of feed to direct at least one needle through the carpet in at least one selectable height option. Rails are preferably used to shuttle the needle supported by a head on at least one carriage to shuttle along the rail(s). Full Article
i Thread tensioner for a sewing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Thread tensioner for a sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a thread tensioner for a sewing machine includes a first disk, a second disk, a spring, a knob, and a sensor. The second disk is positioned next to the first disk. The spring is configured to apply tension to a thread positioned between the first disk and the second disk by exerting a force against the second disk. The spring defines a length between a first end and a second end. The knob is configured, when rotated in one direction, to travel along a threaded shaft toward the spring and thereby cause the length of the spring to shorten. The knob is configured, when rotated in another direction, to travel along the threaded shaft away from the spring and thereby allow the length of the spring to lengthen. The sensor is configured to track a current length of the spring. Full Article
i Conveyance system that transports fabric By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conveyance system that transports fabric comprises a work space having a surface that the fabric can be transports across, and at least one budger that moves and/or provide force to the fabric in a servo controlled motion. Full Article
i Free motion sewing disk set By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A set of sewing disks for controlling the movement of a piece of fabric over the free arm and under the needle of a sewing or quilting machine. Each disk is flat and has an oval or circular configuration and comprises three registered, stacked adhesively attached layers—a first contact layer made of open cell foam, a semi-rigid intermediate stiffener member, and a second contact layer made of closed cell foam. When each disk is placed over a piece of fabric with the lower contact layer is placed adjacent thereto, the individual's fingers are exposed at all times and placed over the opposite contact layer. The intermediate stiffener layer spreads and evenly dissipates the forces exerted by the fingers to the top contact layer to the lower contact layer. Because the finger tips are not in contact with the fabric, soiling of the fabric by the finger tips is prevented. Full Article
i Device and non-transitory computer-readable medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a plurality of group information pieces, the number of thread colors to be used in embroidery sewing and computer-readable instructions. Each of the group information pieces is associated with one more thread colors among a plurality of thread colors. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor, when executed, to perform processes that includes acquiring image data including pixels, replacing a color of each of the pixels with a thread color from the thread colors, calculating a frequency of using each of the thread colors, selecting, until the number of thread colors selected from the thread colors is equal the number of thread colors to be used stored in the memory, one thread color from each of the group information pieces sequentially, based on the group information pieces stored in the memory and on the calculated frequency. Full Article