Stitch regulator for a sewing machine

Abstract

A stitch regulator ( 50 ) for use with a sewing machine ( 34 ) transported by a moveable platform ( 26 ) includes a housing ( 52 ) configured to be coupled to one of the sewing machine ( 34 ) and the moveable platform ( 26 ). An X-axis rate sensor ( 92 ) and a Y-axis rate sensor ( 96 ) determine movement of the sewing machine ( 34 ) on the moveable platform ( 26 ). A microcontroller ( 118 ) is contained in the housing ( 52 ) and is in communication with the sensors ( 92, 96 ). The microcontroller ( 118 ) generates a motor control signal ( 126 ) in response to the movement of the sewing machine ( 34 ) for input into a motor control input port ( 88 ) of the sewing machine ( 34 ).

1 . A stitch regulator for use with a sewing machine transported by a moveable platform, said sewing machine having a motor control input port, and said stitch regulator comprising: 
 a housing configured to be coupled to one of said sewing machine and said moveable platform;    a sensor adapted for communication with said sewing machine for determining movement of said sewing machine on said moveable platform; and    a microcontroller contained in said housing and in communication with said sensor, said microcontroller generating a motor control signal in response to said movement of said sewing machine, for input into said motor control input port.    
   
   
       2 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a handle extending from a facing plate of said housing for enabling manual movement of said sewing machine on said moveable platform relative to a piece of fabric.  
   
   
       3 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said handle is a first handle, and said stitch regulator further comprises a second handle extending from said facing plate and spaced apart from said first handle.  
   
   
       4 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising a run switch mounted on said handle and in electrical communication with said microcontroller, and actuation of said run switch enables provision of said motor control signal.  
   
   
       5 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said housing comprises an angled facing plate.  
   
   
       6 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising keypad controls mounted on said angled facing plate and in electrical communication with said microcontroller.  
   
   
       7 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said housing comprises: 
 a first section having a first pair of longitudinal edges; and    a second section having a second pair of longitudinal edges that form a snap-fit connection with said first pair of longitudinal edges.    
   
   
       8 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said housing is in the form of a triangular prism.  
   
   
       9 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sensor comprises: 
 a first sensor for determining velocity of said sewing machine in a first direction; and    a second sensor for determining said velocity of said sewing machine in a second direction, said second direction being orthogonal to said first direction.    
   
   
       10 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sewing machine includes a motor exhibiting a motor characteristic, and said microcontroller generates said motor control signal in response to said motor characteristic in combination with said movement of said sewing machine.  
   
   
       11 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said stitch regulator is usable with a second sewing machine, said second sewing machine includes a second motor exhibiting a second motor characteristic, and said microcontroller generates a second motor control signal in response to said movement of said second sewing machine in combination with said second motor characteristic when said stitch regulator is in use with said second sewing machine.  
   
   
       12 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an input element in communication with said microcontroller, said microcontroller generating said motor control signal in response to a command entered at said input element in combination with said movement of said sewing machine.  
   
   
       13 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said command comprises a desired stitch density, and said motor control signal is configured to regulate a speed of a motor of said sewing machine to achieve said desired stitch density.  
   
   
       14 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an outlet configured for communication with said motor control input port; and    at least two potentiometers interposed between said microcontroller and said outlet, said at least two digital potentiometers being selectively controlled by said microcontroller to generate said motor control signal.    
   
   
       15 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an outlet configured for communication with said motor control input port; and    a matrix switch interposed between said microcontroller and said outlet for receiving said motor control signal and directing said motor control signal to an output bus of said matrix switch selected by said microcontroller.    
   
   
       16 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sewing machine includes a thread cut control port, and said stitch regulator further comprises a thread cut control element contained in said housing and controlled by said microcontroller for generating a thread cut signal for input into said thread cut control port.  
   
   
       17 . A stitch regulator for use with a sewing machine transported by a moveable platform, said sewing machine having a motor control input port, and said stitch regulator comprising: 
 a housing configured to be coupled to one of said sewing machine and said moveable platform, said housing having an angled facing plate;    a handle extending from said facing plate for enabling manual movement of said sewing machine on said moveable platform relative to a piece of fabric;    a sensor adapted for communication with said sewing machine for determining movement of said sewing machine on said moveable platform;    a microcontroller contained in said housing and in communication with said sensor; and    keypad controls mounted on said angled facing plate and in electrical communication with said microcontroller, said microcontroller generating a motor control signal in response to a command entered at said keypad controls in combination with said movement of said sewing machine for input into said motor control input port.    
   
   
       18 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said handle is a first handle, and said stitch regulator further comprises a second handle extending from said facing plate and spaced apart from said first handle.  
   
   
       19 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said housing further comprises a body section having a first pair of longitudinal edges that form a snap-fit connection with a second pair of longitudinal edges on said facing plate.  
   
   
       20 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said housing is in the form of a triangular prism.  
   
   
       21 . A stitch regulator for use with a sewing machine transported by a moveable platform, said sewing machine including a motor exhibiting a motor characteristic, and a motor control input port in communication with said motor, and said stitch regulator comprising: 
 a housing configured to be coupled to one of said sewing machine and said moveable platform;    a sensor adapted for communication with said sewing machine for determining movement of said sewing machine on said moveable platform;    a microcontroller contained in said housing and in communication with said sensor;    an outlet configured for communication with said motor control input port; and    at least two potentiometers interposed between said microcontroller and said outlet, said at least two digital potentiometers being selectively controlled by said microcontroller to generate a motor control signal in response to said motor characteristic in combination with movement of said sewing machine for input into said motor control input port.    
   
   
       22 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said stitch regulator is usable with a second sewing machine, said second sewing machine includes a second motor exhibiting a second motor characteristic, and said microcontroller selectively controls said at least two digital potentiometers to generate a second motor control signal in response to said second motor characteristic in combination with movement of said second sewing machine when said stitch regulator is in use with said second sewing machine.  
   
   
       23 . A stitch regulator as claimed in  claim 21  further comprising a matrix switch interposed between said at least two potentiometers and said outlet for receiving said motor control signal and directing said motor control signal to an output bus of said matrix switch selected by said microcontroller.