Thread-take-up controller and method

A system for controlling the length of thread fed to a reciprocating needle during stitch formation on a sewing machine, the sewing machine having a movable frame for supporting a work piece, while the position of the

• reciprocating needle is output by a coder, said system comprising:
• (a) an electric motor, said electric motor comprising an output shaft;
• (b) a driver board connected to said electric motor, said driver board for controlling said electric motor, said driver board in electrical communication with the coder and the frame, said driver board responsive to electrical signals transmitted by the frame and the coder;
• (c) an elongated driver lever, said driver lever defining an aperture, said driver lever aperture for receiving the output shaft of said electric motor;
• (d) a take up lever joined to said elongated driver lever, said take up lever defining an aperture for reception of the thread and passage of the thread to the needle;
• whereby the length of thread fed to the needle is controlled by the movement of the frame and by the position of the reciprocating needle.

A method of controlling the length of thread fed to a needle during stitch formation on a sewing machine, the sewing machine having a movable frame for supporting a work piece and a coder for outputting the position of the needle, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an electrical control signal transmitted by the coder representing the position of the needle;
• (b) providing an electrical control signal transmitted by the frame representing movement of the frame;
• (c) inputting the electrical control signals representing the needle position and the frame movement to a driver board;
• (d) controlling the operation of an electric motor with the driver board in response to the needle position and the frame movement;
• and
• (e) pivoting a take up lever connected to the electric motor to feed thread passing through the take up lever to the needle.