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US 11,008,686 B1Granted
Seam finishing systems and methods
AssigneeSoftWear Automation, Inc.
InventorsD. Keith Appel, Michael J. Baker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various examples are provided related to seamer systems and methods that can be used at the end of a sewing process to secure sewing medium in sewn material by creating a knot. Excess sewing medium can be removed after forming knot at the sewn material. A clamp can secure a portion of the sewing medium while allowing at least one element of the sewing medium to pass through the clamp. A material stabilizer can align the sewing medium to form the knot and sever the excess sewing medium after the knot is formed.
Claims20
A robotic system, comprising:
- a seamer device comprising:
- a material stabilizer;
- and
- a clamp;
- a seamer module;
- and
- processing circuitry comprising a processor, wherein execution of the seamer module by the processing circuitry causes the robotic system to:
- reposition, by at least one material mover, material sewn by a sewing device on a work surface, the material positioned to extend sewing medium attached to the sewing device and the material across the seamer device;
- extend the material stabilizer to align the sewing medium across the clamp;
- hold the sewing medium in the clamp, wherein the clamp comprises a bar having a meshing geometry that secures a portion of the sewing medium by retracting against a platform of the clamp while allowing at least one element of the sewing medium to slip through the clamp;
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the sewing device;
- form a knot in the sewing medium attached to the material by retracting the clamp holding the sewing medium;
- and
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the knot formed in the sewing medium.
11 more elements
A robotic system, comprising:
- a seamer device comprising:
- a material stabilizer;
- and
- a clamp;
- a seamer module;
- and
- processing circuitry comprising a processor, wherein execution of the seamer module by the processing circuitry causes the robotic system to:
- reposition, by at least one material mover, material sewn by a sewing device on a work surface, the material positioned to extend sewing medium attached to the sewing device and the material across the seamer device;
- extend the material stabilizer to align the sewing medium across the clamp;
- hold the sewing medium in the clamp;
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the sewing device;
- form a knot in the sewing medium attached to the material by retracting the clamp holding the sewing medium;
- and
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the knot formed in the sewing medium, wherein the material stabilizer comprises a cutting apparatus that severs the sewing medium between the clamp and the knot.
11 more elements
A robotic system, comprising:
- a seamer device comprising:
- a material stabilizer;
- and
- a clamp;
- a seamer module;
- and
- processing circuitry comprising a processor, wherein execution of the seamer module by the processing circuitry causes the robotic system to:
- reposition, by at least one material mover, material sewn by a sewing device on a work surface, the material positioned to extend sewing medium attached to the sewing device and the material across the seamer device;
- extend the material stabilizer to align the sewing medium across the clamp, wherein the material stabilizer comprises a concave shaped opening that guides the sewing medium to a central groove that aligns the sewing medium across the clamp;
- hold the sewing medium in the clamp;
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the sewing device;
- and
- form a knot in the sewing medium attached to the material by retracting the clamp holding the sewing medium.
10 more elements
A robotic system, comprising:
- a seamer device comprising:
- a material stabilizer;
- and
- a clamp;
- a seamer module;
- and
- processing circuitry comprising a processor, wherein execution of the seamer module by the processing circuitry causes the robotic system to:
- reposition, by at least one material mover, material sewn by a sewing device on a work surface, the material positioned to extend sewing medium attached to the sewing device and the material across the seamer device, wherein the at least one material mover comprises an end effector coupled to an industrial robot;
- extend the material stabilizer to align the sewing medium across the clamp;
- hold the sewing medium in the clamp;
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the sewing device;
- and
- form a knot in the sewing medium attached to the material by retracting the clamp holding the sewing medium.
10 more elements
A robotic system, comprising:
- a seamer device comprising:
- a material stabilizer;
- and
- a clamp;
- a seamer module;
- and
- processing circuitry comprising a processor, wherein execution of the seamer module by the processing circuitry causes the robotic system to:
- reposition, by at least one material mover, material sewn by a sewing device on a work surface, the material positioned to extend sewing medium attached to the sewing device and the material across the seamer device;
- extend the material stabilizer to align the sewing medium across the clamp, wherein the material stabilizer extends through the work surface adjacent to the clamp;
- hold the sewing medium in the clamp;
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the sewing device;
- form a knot in the sewing medium attached to the material by retracting the clamp holding the sewing medium;
- and
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the knot formed in the sewing medium.
11 more elements
A robotic system, comprising:
- a seamer device comprising:
- a material stabilizer;
- and
- a clamp;
- a clamp retractors;
- a seamer module;
- and
- processing circuitry comprising a processor, wherein execution of the seamer module by the processing circuitry causes the robotic system to:
- reposition, by at least one material mover, material sewn by a sewing device on a work surface, the clamp retractor configured to extend the clamp prior to repositioning the material and the material positioned to extend sewing medium attached to the sewing device and the material across the seamer device;
- extend the material stabilizer to align the sewing medium across the clamp;
- hold the sewing medium in the clamp, wherein the clamp secures a portion of the sewing medium while allowing at least one element of the sewing medium to slip through the clamp, the clamp retractor configured to retract the clamp holding the sewing medium below the work surface after securing the portion of the sewing medium;
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the sewing device;
- form a knot in the sewing medium attached to the material by retracting the clamp holding the sewing medium;
- and
- sever the sewing medium between the clamp and the knot formed in the sewing medium.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.