Sewing machine

Abstract

A sewing machine for sewing a stitch into an article is provided. The sewing machine includes a support structure, a first head and a second head. The first head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within a second actuator assembly and 360° rotatable relative to the support structure and a first stitching element rotatable with the coupler and translatable via a first actuator assembly relative to the coupler. The second head is coupled to the support structure and includes a coupler contained within the second actuator assembly and 360° degree rotatable relative to the support structure and a second stitching element rotatable with the coupler via the first actuator assembly.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A sewing machine, comprising:
 a structure comprising a spine and first and second elongate members extending from the spine;   an upper head assembly in the first elongate member and comprising first and second motors to drive sewing actions of the upper head assembly; and   a lower head assembly in the second elongate member and comprising first and second motors to drive sewing actions of the lower head assembly,   the first motors of the upper and lower head assemblies and the second motors of the upper and lower head assemblies are synchronized without a mechanical drive connection between the upper and lower head assemblies.   
     
     
         20 . The sewing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the upper head assembly comprises:
 a needle bar, which is upwardly and downwardly drivable by the first motor of the upper head assembly; and   an indexer unit, which is drivable by the second motor of the upper head assembly to control a rotational speed and position of the upper head assembly.   
     
     
         21 . The sewing machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the upper head assembly further comprises a cam to accelerate the needle bar upwardly and downwardly. 
     
     
         22 . The sewing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the lower head assembly comprises:
 a looper arm, which is drivable in an elliptical path by the first motor of the lower head assembly; and   an indexer unit, which is drivable by the second motor of the lower head assembly to control a rotational speed and position of the lower head assembly.   
     
     
         23 . The sewing machine according to  claim 22 , wherein the lower head assembly further comprises a first cam to control rotary movement of the looper arm and a second cam to control lateral movement of the looper arm. 
     
     
         24 . The sewing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the first motor of the lower head assembly comprises a rotary electric actuator to drive rotary looper motion and lateral looper motion. 
     
     
         25 . The sewing machine according to  claim 19 , further comprising a vision system or scanner for real-time sewing path correction. 
     
     
         26 . The sewing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the upper head assembly further comprises an electro-pneumatic slip ring by which electrical and pneumatic energy is transmitted through the upper head assembly. 
     
     
         27 . The sewing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the upper head assembly comprises a clock spring coupled with a pneumatic-only slip ring by which electrical and pneumatic energy is transmitted through the upper head assembly. 
     
     
         28 . The sewing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the lower head assembly further comprises an electric slip ring by which electrical energy is transmitted through the lower head assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The sewing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the upper and lower head assemblies are modular and interchangeable with other functional units.