US4475474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metering device for sewing machines
Assignee: Union Special GmbH
•
Filing: 1982-10-15
•
Granted: 1984-10-09
•
Expires: 2002-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A device for automatically supplying a strip of elastic tape material to a sewing machine under tension. The device uniquely combines a tape supply mechanism, for tractively propelling the tape, and a tape tensioning assembly which guides the tape along a predetermined path of travel while measuring the amount or degree of tape tension. The tape supplied is under the control of the tape tensioning apparatus which may include a mechanism for selectively modulating the degree of tape tension.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolf R. von Hagen
- 👤 Johannes K. Strauss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:04
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B35/00; D05B35/06; D05D; D05D2207/00; D05D2207/02; D05D2209/00; D05D2209/04; D05D2209/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A tape feeding system for a sewing machine, comprising: a plurality of rotative members for guiding a tape including drive roller means, tensioning roller means and idler roller means so arranged to form said tape into a tape loop in which the tensioning roller means ride; said tensioning roller means being mounted on a pivot arm and adapted for vertical movement such that it bears down on a portion of the tape loop to place the tape under tension; means for driving said drive roller means; and motor control means responsvie to the disposition of said pivot arm for controlling the driving means whereby controlling the degree of tension applied to said tape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A tape feeding system for a sewing machine, comprising: a plurality of rotative members for guiding a tape including drive roller means, tensioning roller means and idler roller means so arranged to form said tape into a tape loop in which the tensioning roller means ride; said tensioning roller means being mounted on a pivot arm and adapted for vertical movement such that it bears down on a portion of the tape loop to place the tape under tension; means for driving said drive roller means; and motor control means responsvie to the disposition of said pivot arm for controlling the driving means whereby controlling the degree of tension applied to said tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said pivot arm is biased under the influence of an adjustable resilient member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said resilient member is a spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tape feeding system for a sewing machine comprising: a loop forming area for receiving a tape; stretching means for applying tension to the tape arranged in said tape loop; means for measuring the degree of tension applied to said tape by said stretching means; and a tape feeding means receiving input from said measuring means to control the amount of tape introduced into said loop forming area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tape feeding system for a sewing machine comprising: a loop forming area for receiving a tape; stretching means for applying tension to the tape arranged in said tape loop; means for measuring the degree of tension applied to said tape by said stretching means; and a tape feeding means receiving input from said measuring means to control the amount of tape introduced into said loop forming area.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for supplying tape to a sewing machine under tension compising: tape feeding means; tape tensioning means; means for measuring the amount of tension on said tape; means controlled by said measuring means for controlling the rate of operation of said tape feeding means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for supplying tape to a sewing machine under tension compising: tape feeding means; tape tensioning means; means for measuring the amount of tension on said tape; means controlled by said measuring means for controlling the rate of operation of said tape feeding means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
In combination with a sewing machine having a supporting arm for a stitching mechanism, a mechanism for feeding elastic tape to the stitching mechanism, said mechanism comprising: elastic metering means mounted on said sewing machine for advancing a longitudinally elastic strip; means arranged following the elastic metering means in the direction of tape advancement for creating a distended elastic tape loop including means for longitudinally stretching the tape arranged in said loop; and means for controlling the amount of stretch applied to the tape arranged in the tape loop.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
In combination with a sewing machine having a supporting arm for a stitching mechanism, a mechanism for feeding elastic tape to the stitching mechanism, said mechanism comprising: elastic metering means mounted on said sewing machine for advancing a longitudinally elastic strip; means arranged following the elastic metering means in the direction of tape advancement for creating a distended elastic tape loop including means for longitudinally stretching the tape arranged in said loop; and means for controlling the amount of stretch applied to the tape arranged in the tape loop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mechanism according to claim 6 further including means for selectively varying the tension of said stretching means during operation of the mechanism.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus suited for use in supplying tape to a sewing machine under tension, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of rotatable members including a drive roller, said rotatable members being relatively mounted for threading thereabout a portion of unwound tape in a manner defining a depending tape loop; one of said rotatable members being mounted on a pretensioned pivot arm and is adapted for vertical movement such that it bears down on the bottom of the thread loop to hold the tape under tension; a motor operatively coupled to the drive roller; and motor control means responsive to the disposition of the pivot arm for controlling the operation of the motor and ultimately controlling the amount of slack in the thread loop.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus suited for use in supplying tape to a sewing machine under tension, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of rotatable members including a drive roller, said rotatable members being relatively mounted for threading thereabout a portion of unwound tape in a manner defining a depending tape loop; one of said rotatable members being mounted on a pretensioned pivot arm and is adapted for vertical movement such that it bears down on the bottom of the thread loop to hold the tape under tension; a motor operatively coupled to the drive roller; and motor control means responsive to the disposition of the pivot arm for controlling the operation of the motor and ultimately controlling the amount of slack in the thread loop.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said drive roller is supported on a sleeve extending from a support carried by said sewing machine, said sleeve containing the motor operatively coupled to the drive roller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said rotatable members, said motor and said motor control means are carried by a common support.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for feeding an elastic tape to a machine, comprising: tape feeding means; means arranged to receive and guide the tape fed by said tape feeding means along a predetermined path of travel; stretching means arranged in the predetermined path of the tape for applying tension thereto; and tape tension responsive switch means for controlling the tape feeding means as a function of the desirable tension to be applied to said tape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for feeding an elastic tape to a machine, comprising: tape feeding means; means arranged to receive and guide the tape fed by said tape feeding means along a predetermined path of travel; stretching means arranged in the predetermined path of the tape for applying tension thereto; and tape tension responsive switch means for controlling the tape feeding means as a function of the desirable tension to be applied to said tape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 further including operative means connected with said stretching means for modulating the amount of tension applied to said elastic tape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 12 wherein said operative means includes pneumatically operated actuating element means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for tensionally advancing a strip to a sewing machine comprising: a strip feed advance mechanism; a series of receiving rollers adapted to arrange a strip received from said strip feed advance mechanism in the form of a loop; operative means for applying tension to the strip in said loop; and control means operative to effect the amount of tension applied to said loop.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for tensionally advancing a strip to a sewing machine comprising: a strip feed advance mechanism; a series of receiving rollers adapted to arrange a strip received from said strip feed advance mechanism in the form of a loop; operative means for applying tension to the strip in said loop; and control means operative to effect the amount of tension applied to said loop.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 further including means for varying the amount of tension applied to said strip by said operative means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention according to claim 14 wherein limit stops are provided for controlling the extent of strip tension variation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-04-09 | 1988-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-09 | 1992-04-09 | 1992-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-09 | 1996-04-09 | 1996-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |