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US 2022/0081816 A1Published application
Ribbon encoder for sewing machine stitch regulation
OwnerArthur L. Bentleyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sewing machine system includes an optical encoder which senses relative movement between the sewing machine and fabric and varies the stitching speed of the sewing machine to create stitches according to a user selected stitch length.
Claims13
A sewing system for controlling the stitching speed of a sewing machine comprising:
- a first optical sensor;
- a first elongate cord disposed adjacent the optical sensor, the first elongate cord defining a substrate which is optically detected by the optical detector to thereby detect relative movement between the first optical encoder and the first elongate cord;
- a motor controller electrically connected to the first optical sensor;
- wherein the motor controller receives electrical signals from the first optical sensor which indicate relative movement between the first optical sensor and the first elongate cord;
- wherein the motor controller is configured for connection to a sewing machine to thereby control operational speed of a sewing machine motor;
- and
- wherein the motor controller is configured to operate the sewing machine motor at a speed which varies according to speed of the relative movement between the first optical sensor and the first elongate cord to thereby control a length of stitch formed by the sewing machine.
4 more elements
A sewing system for controlling the stitching speed of a sewing machine comprising:
- a sewing frame configured to hold a piece of fabric and facilitate machine stitching in the fabric comprising:
- a frame body;
- an x axis track attached to the frame body;
- a sewing machine carriage which is supported by the x axis track and which moves left and right along the x axis track;
- a y axis track attached to the sewing machine carriage;
- a sewing machine base configured to support a sewing machine on the y axis track and which moves forwards and backwards along the y axis track;
- a horizontal panel attached to the sewing frame and disposed beneath the sewing machine;
- an optical encoder attached to the sewing machine base and movable therewith, wherein the optical encoder comprises an optical sensor which is disposed adjacent the horizontal panel, and wherein the optical sensor senses movement of the sewing machine relative to the horizontal panel in the left to right direction and senses movement of the sewing machine relative to the horizontal panel in the forwards to backwards direction;
- wherein the sewing frame is configured to support a piece of fabric adjacent the sewing machine such that the sewing machine is positioned to create stitches in the fabric;
- wherein the x axis track and the y axis track permit the sewing machine to move relative to the fabric to permit freehand sewing in the fabric;
- a sewing machine motor controller which receives x axis movement data from the x axis encoder and y axis movement data from the y axis encoder and which varies the stitching speed of the sewing machine according to changes in movement speed of the sewing machine relative to the fabric to thereby create stitches in the fabric according to a user selected stitch length.
8 more elements
A sewing system for controlling the stitching speed of a sewing machine comprising:
- a sewing frame configured to hold a piece of fabric and facilitate machine stitching in the fabric comprising:
- a frame body;
- a clamp for securing a piece of fabric to the frame body;
- an optical sensor attached to the frame body and movable therewith, wherein the optical sensor is disposed adjacent a bottom of the frame body, and wherein the optical sensor senses movement of the frame body relative to a sewing machine in the left to right direction and senses movement of the frame body relative to the sewing machine in the forwards to backwards direction;
- and
- a sewing machine motor controller which receives x axis movement data from the x axis encoder and y axis movement data from the y axis encoder and which is configured for connection to a sewing machine and is configured to vary the stitching speed of the sewing machine according to changes in movement speed between the sewing machine and the fabric to thereby create stitches in the fabric according to a user selected stitch length.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.