IP Library Granted Patent US 12,162,413
Granted Patent B2
US 12,162,413 · App. 17/713,093 · Granted Dec 10, 2024

Method and apparatus for stitching a three dimensional formed component and components formed from the method

Inventors: Edward J. Wenzel (Troy, MI); Ramez M. Habhab (Rochester Hills, MI)
Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
B60R13/02D05B1/06D05B1/08D05B15/00D05B57/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,162,413
App. No.
17/713,093
Granted
Dec 10, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus and method for applying stitches to a decorative component having a three dimensional configuration is provided. A head for applying stitches to a decorative component having a three dimensional configuration, including: a needle bar assembly operatively coupled to the head; a looper configured to cooperate with the needle bar assembly in order to prove a plurality of stitches in the decorative component, the looper rotating in a plane parallel to the decorative component; a post assembly configured to drive the looper in a reciprocating fashion in the plane, wherein the post assembly is operatively coupled to a motor configured to drive the needle bar assembly in a reciprocating fashion, the post assembly being operatively coupled to the head via a cylinder arm assembly and a downshaft assembly; and wherein the cylinder arm assembly is rotated in a synchronized manner with a rock frame through mechanical linkage connecting a rock frame drive shaft to the cylinder arm assembly.

Claims (14)

1. A head for applying stitches to a decorative component having a three dimensional configuration, comprising:

a needle bar assembly operatively coupled to the head;

a looper configured to cooperate with the needle bar assembly in order to prove a plurality of stitches in the decorative component, the looper rotating in a plane parallel to the decorative component;

a post assembly configured to drive the looper in a reciprocating fashion in the plane, wherein the post assembly is operatively coupled to a motor configured to drive the needle bar assembly in a reciprocating fashion, the post assembly being operatively coupled to the head via a cylinder arm assembly and a downshaft assembly; and

wherein the cylinder arm assembly is rotated in a synchronized manner with a rock frame through mechanical linkage connecting a rock frame drive shaft to the cylinder arm assembly.

2. The head as in claim 1 , wherein the needle bar assembly is reciprocally driven by an upper driveshaft operatively coupled to the motor and the post assembly is also reciprocally driven by the upper driveshaft via an intermediary driveshaft.

3. The head as in claim 2 , wherein at least one of the cylinder arm assembly and/or the downshaft assembly are removably secured to the head such that another cylinder arm assembly and/or another down shaft assembly is capable of being secured to the head such that the post assembly is relocated with respect to the needle bar assembly of the head.

4. The head as in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cylinder arm assembly and/or the downshaft assembly are removably secured to the head such that another cylinder arm assembly and/or another down shaft assembly is capable of being secured to the head such that the post assembly is relocated with respect to the needle bar assembly of the head.

5. The head as in claim 1 , wherein the cylinder arm assembly and the downshaft assembly are interchangeable with another cylinder arm assembly and another downshaft assembly such that the post assembly can be relocated with respect to the needle bar assembly.

6. The head as in claim 1 , further comprising another needle and another looper configured to cooperate with the another needle in order to simultaneously provide two discrete patterns of a plurality of stitches in the decorative component, the another looper rotating in the plane parallel to the decorative component.

7. The head as in claim 6 , wherein the post assembly is configured to drive the looper and the another looper in a reciprocating fashion in the plane, wherein the post assembly is operatively coupled to a motor configured to drive the needle bar assembly containing two needles in a reciprocating fashion.

8. The head as in claim 7 , further comprising an upper thread brake configured to control a size and stabilize a position of a top thread loop prior to and during engagement of the top thread loop with the looper.

9. The head as in claim 2 , further comprising an upper thread brake configured to control a size and stabilize a position of a top thread loop prior to and during engagement of the top thread loop with the looper.

10. The head as in claim 1 , further comprising an upper thread brake configured to control a size and stabilize a position of a top thread loop prior to and during engagement of the top thread loop with the looper.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2026
From: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 075228/0425 →
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 23, 2026
From: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075201/0244 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2022
From: WENZEL, EDWARD J.; HABHAB, RAMEZ M.
To: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 060669/0929 →