Patent US1823762A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4548143A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4548143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for varying the length or stitches sewn by a sewing machine in dependence upon sewing speed
Assignee: Microdynamics Inc
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Filing: 1983-12-29
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Granted: 1985-10-22
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Expires: 2003-12-29
Abstract
Abstract An adaptive semi-automatic sewing system (10) comprises a sewing machine (12), a drive unit (42) including a variable speed motor and encoder for counting stitches sewn and for sensing the rotation of the motor, at least one material edge sensor (40) mounted ahead of the needle (22) of the sewing machine, and a microprocessor controller (51) coupled to the sewing machine controls. Accurate control of seam lengths and end points is achieved by initiating countdown of a variable number of final stitches responsive to detection of the material edge of the sensors (40). The speed of the sewing machine at the time the material edge is detected is monitored and compared to a reference speed. The number of final stitches is then dynamically adjusted to compensate for the speed variance from the reference speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Martell
- 👤 Donald D. Isett
- 👤 Stephen S. Treadwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:03
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B69/00; D05B69/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
In a sewing machine having a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material, seam length control apparatus comprising: means for detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; means for controlling the reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after said detecting means detects said material discontinuity; and means for adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time of detection of said material discontinuity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a sewing machine having a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material, seam length control apparatus comprising: means for detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; means for controlling the reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after said detecting means detects said material discontinuity; and means for adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time of detection of said material discontinuity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The seam control apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adjusting means comprises: means for determining the sewing speed at the time of detection of said material discontinuity; and means for comparing said sewing speed to a predetermined reference speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The seam control apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adjusting means varies the number of stitches to be sewn after said material discontinuity is detected if the sewing speed does not equal said predetermined reference speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The seam control apparatus of claim 2 wherein the number of stitches to be sewn after said material discontinuity is detected are adjusted by a factor equal to the ratio of said predetermined reference speed to said sewing speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The seam control apparatus of claim 2 wherein the number of stitches to be sewn after said material discontinuity is detected are adjusted in accordance with a predetermined constant factor depending upon the sewing speed when the material discontinuity is detected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The seam control apparatus of claim 2 wherein the number of stitches to be sewn after said material discontinuity is detected are adjusted by a predetermined factor depending upon the material feed characteristics of the sewing machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a sewing machine having a material feed and a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material, a drive motor and a stitch length variance mechanism, seam length control apparatus comprising: at least one sensor mounted ahead of said needle in a direction opposite the material feed direction for detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; a microprocessor controller coupled to said sewing machine controls and is responsive to said sensor to operate said reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after said sensor detects said material discontinuity; said microprocessor controller including means for adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a sewing machine having a material feed and a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material, a drive motor and a stitch length variance mechanism, seam length control apparatus comprising: at least one sensor mounted ahead of said needle in a direction opposite the material feed direction for detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; a microprocessor controller coupled to said sewing machine controls and is responsive to said sensor to operate said reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after said sensor detects said material discontinuity; said microprocessor controller including means for adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The seam length control apparatus of claim 7 wherein said stitch length variance mechanism comprises: means for operating the reverse mechanism of the sewing machine to control the length of the last stitch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The seam length control apparatus of claim 7 wherein said stitch length variance mechanism comprises: means for controlling the operation of the material feed of the sewing machine to control the length of the last stitch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The seam length control apparatus of claim 7 wherein said adjusting means comprises memory means for storing a predetermined adjustment factor, said adjusting means being operative to address said memory means and to adjust said variable number of stitches to be sewn by said adjustment factor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The seam length control apparatus of claim 7 wherein said adjusting means comprises memory means for storing a plurality of predetermined adjustment factors corresponding to various sewing speeds, said adjusting means being further operative to address said memory means to select one of said adjustment factors in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected and to adjust said variable number of stitches to be sewn by the adjustment factor selected.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
The seam length control apparatus of claim 7 wherein said adjusting means comprises memory means for storing a plurality of predetermined adjustment factors corresponding to various sewing machine material feed characteristics, said adjusting means being further operative to address said memory means to select one of said adjustment factors in dependence upon the material feed characteristics of the sewing machine and to adjust said variable number of stitches to be sewn by the adjustment factor selected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The seam length control apparatus of claim 7 wherein said adjusting means compares said sewing speed to a predetermined reference speed and adjusts said stitches to be sewn by a factor equal to the ratio of said predetermined reference speed to said sewing speed.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for controlling seam lengths in a sewing machine having a material feed, a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material and a microprocessor controller having a memory comprising the steps of: detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; controlling the reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after detecting said material discontinuity; and adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for controlling seam lengths in a sewing machine having a material feed, a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material and a microprocessor controller having a memory comprising the steps of: detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; controlling the reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after detecting said material discontinuity; and adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of: storing a plurality of adjustment factors corresponding to various sewing machine feed characteristics in said memory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said adjusting step comprises: determining the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected; addressing said memory to select one of said plurality of stored adjustment factors in dependence upon the material feed characteristics of the sewing machine; and adjusting said stitches to be sewn by the adjustment factor selected.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a sewing machine having a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material, seam length control apparatus comprising: means for detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; means for controlling the reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after said detecting means detects said material discontinuity; and means for adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time of detection of said material discontinuity, said adjusting means comprising, means for determining the sewing speed at the time of detection of said material discontinuity; and means for comparing said sewing speed to a predetermined reference speed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a sewing machine having a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material, seam length control apparatus comprising: means for detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; means for controlling the reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after said detecting means detects said material discontinuity; and means for adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time of detection of said material discontinuity, said adjusting means comprising, means for determining the sewing speed at the time of detection of said material discontinuity; and means for comparing said sewing speed to a predetermined reference speed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a sewing machine having a material feed and a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material, a drive motor and a stitch length variance mechanism, seam length control apparatus comprising: at least one sensor mounted ahead of said needle in a direction opposite the material feed direction for detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; a microprocessor controller coupled to said sewing machine controls and responsive to said sensor to operate said reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after said sensor detects said material discontinuity; said microprocessor controller including means for adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected, said adjusting means comprising memory means for storing a predetermined adjustment factor, said adjusting means being operative to address said memory means and to adjust said variable number of stitches to be sewn by said adjustment factor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a sewing machine having a material feed and a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material, a drive motor and a stitch length variance mechanism, seam length control apparatus comprising: at least one sensor mounted ahead of said needle in a direction opposite the material feed direction for detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; a microprocessor controller coupled to said sewing machine controls and responsive to said sensor to operate said reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after said sensor detects said material discontinuity; said microprocessor controller including means for adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected, said adjusting means comprising memory means for storing a predetermined adjustment factor, said adjusting means being operative to address said memory means and to adjust said variable number of stitches to be sewn by said adjustment factor.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for controlling seam lengths in a sewing machine having a material feed, a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material and a microprocessor controller having a memory comprising the steps of: detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; controlling the reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after detecting said material discontinuity; and adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected, said adjusting step comprising: determining the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected; comparing said sewing speed to a predetermined reference speed; and adjusting said stitches to be sewn by a factor equal to the ratio of said predetermined reference speed to said sewing speed.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for controlling seam lengths in a sewing machine having a material feed, a reciprocable needle for stitching seams in material and a microprocessor controller having a memory comprising the steps of: detecting a material discontinuity in advance of a seam; controlling the reciprocable needle to sew a variable number of stitches after detecting said material discontinuity; and adjusting said variable number of stitches to be sewn in dependence upon the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected, said adjusting step comprising: determining the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected; comparing said sewing speed to a predetermined reference speed; and adjusting said stitches to be sewn by a factor equal to the ratio of said predetermined reference speed to said sewing speed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said adjusting step comprises: determining the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected; comparing said sewing speed to a predetermined reference speed; and adjusting said stitches to be sewn by a factor equal to the ratio of said predetermined reference speed to said sewing speed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of: storing a plurality of adjustment factors corresponding to various sewing speeds in said memory.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said adjusting step comprises: determing the sewing speed at the time said material discontinuity is detected; addressing said memory to select one of said plurality of stored adjustment factors in dependence upon said sewing speed; and adjusting said stitches to be sewn by the adjustment factor selected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4359953A
Cited
US4404919A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-21 | 1989-04-22 | 1989-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-21 | 1993-04-22 | 1993-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-21 | 1997-04-22 | 1997-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |