US4696246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for detecting an overlapping edge of material on a sewing machine
Assignee: Frankl and Kirchner GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1986-05-29
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Granted: 1987-09-29
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Expires: 2006-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A device for detecting an overlapping edge of material on a sewing machine has, in combination, a signal-level discriminator and an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide has a light-receiving end on the sewing machine for receiving light through the overlapping edge of the material. The optical waveguide may be an optic fiber which, because of its small, flexible size can be accommodated easily even in the crowded sewing head or bed of an industrial sewing machine. The other end of the optical waveguide is remote from the light-receiving end for providing the received light to the signal-level discriminator which, therefore, is also remote from the crowded sewing head or bed of the sewing machine which, in addition, could interfere with its operation. For operation, the signal-level discriminator has an electro-optic sensor responsive to the light from the optical waveguide and a detector electrically responsive to light sensed by the electro-optic sensor for determining an absolute, light-intensity value of the sensed light which, therefore, detects the overlapping edge of the material accurately the corresponding change in determined light intensity.
Inventors
- 👤 Gustav Rohr
- 👤 Gerd Nohl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:01
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B69/00; D05B69/22; D05B69/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A device for detecting an overlapping edge of material on a sewing machine, comprising, in combination: a signal-level discriminator having only one single electro-optic sensor responsive to light and a detector means electrically responsive to light sensed by the one electro-optic sensor for determining an absolute, light-intensity value of the sensed light; and an optical waveguide having a light-receiving end on the sewing machine for receiving light through the overlapping edge of the material on the sewing machine and an end remote from the light-receiving end for providing the received light to the one electro-optic sensor of the signal-level discriminator.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A device for detecting an overlapping edge of material on a sewing machine, comprising, in combination: a signal-level discriminator having only one single electro-optic sensor responsive to light and a detector means electrically responsive to light sensed by the one electro-optic sensor for determining an absolute, light-intensity value of the sensed light; and an optical waveguide having a light-receiving end on the sewing machine for receiving light through the overlapping edge of the material on the sewing machine and an end remote from the light-receiving end for providing the received light to the one electro-optic sensor of the signal-level discriminator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1, and further comprising a light source on the sewing machine for the light received by the light-receiving end of the optical waveguide, the light from the light source having a particular frequency spectrum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the frequency spectrum is infrared.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 2, and further comprising a pulse generator responsive to operation of the sewing machine and means for pulsed operation of the light source in synchronism with the pulse generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 3, and further comprising a pulse generator responsive to operation of the sewing machine and means for pulsed operation of the light source in synchronism with the pulse generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 3, and further comprising means connecting the signal-level discriminator to the means for pulsed operation of the light source for operating the signal-level discriminator in synchronism with the light source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 5, and further comprising means connecting the signal-level discriminator to the means for pulsed operation of the light source for operating the signal-level discriminator in synchronism with the light source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2, and further comprising means for operating the light source at variable light intensities.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 3, and further comprising means for operating the light source at variable light intensities.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4, and further comprising means for operating the light source at variable light intensities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 5, and further comprising means for operating the light source at variable light intensities.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 6, and further comprising means for operating the light source at variable light intensities.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 7, and further comprising means for operating the light source at variable light intensities.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the light source is a laser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the light source is a laser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the light source is a laser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 8, wherein the light source is a laser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 10, wherein the light source is a laser.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 12, wherein the light source is a laser.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 13, wherein the light source is a laser.
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) | 1990-09-28 | 1991-03-30 | 1991-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-28 | 1995-03-30 | 1995-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-28 | 1999-03-30 | 1999-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |