US4798152A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic test system for sewing threads
Assignee: CNA Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1987-07-27
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Granted: 1989-01-17
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Expires: 2007-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A fiberoptic bundle has one end disposed in the bed of a sewing machine in opposition to the stitch formation region below the throatplate. A strobe light for periodically illuminating the region and a camera for recording visual images of the region are coupled to the opposite end of the fiberoptic bundle. The end of the fiberoptic bundle within the sewing machine bed may be provided in guidepaths for viewing the stitch formation region from different viewing directions, preferably 90° apart. A load cell is disposed on the side of the sewing machine for recording tension transients in the thread en route to the needle.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank H. Simons
- 👤 Benjamin A. Ferguson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/36; G01P3/40; D; D05; D05B; D05B81/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
In a sewing machine having a bed, a throatplate carried by the bed for receiving a reciprocable needle and thread carried thereby, and a mechanism disposed below the throatplate for cooperating with the needle and thread to form a stitch, apparatus for viewing the region of stitch formation in the bed below the throatplate comprising: fiberoptic means carried by the bed for transmitting light into the region to be viewed and conveying light from said region; a strobe light coupled to said fiberoptic means for periodically illuminating the region through said fiberoptic means; and means coupled to the fiberoptic means for producing a dynamic image of the region illustrating the movement of threads when forming the stitch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
In a sewing machine having a bed, a throatplate carried by the bed for receiving a reciprocable needle and thread carried thereby, and a mechanism disposed below the throatplate for cooperating with the needle and thread to form a stitch, apparatus for viewing the region of stitch formation in the bed below the throatplate comprising: fiberoptic means carried by the bed for transmitting light into the region to be viewed and conveying light from said region; a strobe light coupled to said fiberoptic means for periodically illuminating the region through said fiberoptic means; and means coupled to the fiberoptic means for producing a dynamic image of the region illustrating the movement of threads when forming the stitch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means carried by and within said bed defining at least one pathway for receiving said fiber optic means for viewing said region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said pathway defining means includes at least two pathways, for receiving said fiberoptic means and enabling viewing the region from directions at least ninety degrees apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said pathway defining means enables viewing the region from opposite sides of the needle and thread and from at least one additional direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means carried by said bed defining at least one pathway into said bed from external of said machine for receiving said fiberoptic means for viewing said region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said producing means includes a video recording camera for recording the movement of the threads when forming the stitch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said strobe light and said video recorder are connected to said fiberoptic means externally of said sewing machine bed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 including means carried by and within said bed defining at least three pathways for receiving said fiberoptic means for viewing the region, at least two of said pathways enabling viewing the region from directions at least ninety degrees apart.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means carried by said sewing machine for measuring tension transients on said thread during reciprocating motion of the needle carrying said thread.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said tension measuring means comprises a load cell having a cantilevered beam in contact with the thread and serving as an electromechanical transducer.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for viewing the region of stitch formation within the bed of a sewing machine, comprising the steps of: disposing a first fiberoptic bundle within the bed of the sewing machine with one end thereof disposed opposite said stitch formation region; transmitting light from a strobe light along said first fiberoptic bundle and through said one end thereof to periodically illuminate said stitch formation region; and providing visual images of the stitch formation region from information transmitted from said region along said first fiberoptic bundle.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for viewing the region of stitch formation within the bed of a sewing machine, comprising the steps of: disposing a first fiberoptic bundle within the bed of the sewing machine with one end thereof disposed opposite said stitch formation region; transmitting light from a strobe light along said first fiberoptic bundle and through said one end thereof to periodically illuminate said stitch formation region; and providing visual images of the stitch formation region from information transmitted from said region along said first fiberoptic bundle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the sewing machine has a reciprocable needle for carrying a thread into the stitch formation region, including the step of measuring the tension transients on said thread caused by the action of forming the stitch using said thread.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 11 including disposing the first fiberoptic bundle such that portions thereof lie external of said sewing machine, coupling the strobe light and a visual recorder with said first fiberoptic bundle portion external to said sewing machine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 11 including disposing a second fiber optic bundle within the bed of the sewing machine with one end disposed opposite the stitch formation region for viewing the latter from a direction, different than the direction of viewing thereof by said end of said first fiberoptic bundle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 14 including disposing a third fiberoptic bundle within the bed of the sewing machine with one end disposed opposite the stitch formation region for viewing the latter from a direction different from both previously recited directions.
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) | 1992-01-17 | 1992-07-18 | 1993-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-17 | 1996-07-18 | 1997-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-17 | 2000-07-18 | 2001-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |