Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cloth stitching assistive device that provides assistance in the stitching of the cloth by maintaining accurate alignment of the needle with the fabric without manual efforts, thereby minimizing fabric damage. Additionally, the proposed device also prevents over tension of the stitching thread over the cloth during stitching, preventing uneven or faulty stitches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cloth stitching is essential for joining fabric pieces together to create functional and wearable garments or other textile items. Stitching ensures that materials are securely attached, offering durability, flexibility, and comfort. Additionally, stitching allows for intricate designs, enhancing the garment's aesthetics. However, challenges arise such as choosing the right thread and needle for different fabric types, ensuring uniform stitch tension, and avoiding puckering or uneven seams. For industrial stitching, speed and consistency are vital, requiring precision in machine settings and skilled operators. Furthermore, fabric behavior under different stitching conditions, like stretch ability or fraying, complicates the process.

[0003] Traditional devices used for cloth stitching include hand needles, thimbles, and manual sewing machines. Hand needles, used for basic stitching and embroidery, allow precise control but are time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring skill and patience. Thimbles protect fingers during hand stitching but offer limited comfort and precision, often hindering fast work. Manual sewing machines, which revolutionized stitching in the 19th century, allow faster production compared to hand stitching but still rely on manual operation, limiting speed and efficiency. These machines require constant maintenance and are prone to mechanical issues such as thread tangling and needle breakage. Additionally, manual machines have limited versatility, making them unsuitable for certain fabric types or complex designs.

[0004] CN104975441A discloses about a thick cloth blind stitching device comprises a compound needle plate. A cloth feeding tooth is arranged below the compound needle plate. A cloth turning fixture is arranged on the compound needle plate. A composite presser foot with the cloth turning and cloth feeding functions is arranged above the compound needle plate. In the cloth turning process, the composite presser foot exerts force on cloth to make the edge of the cloth upward, and the cloth which upwards is separated and turned through the cloth turning fixture. Compared with the prior art, the cloth turning fixture is arranged on the compound needle plate, the compound presser foot with the cloth turning and cloth feeding functions is arranged on the compound needle plate, and therefore the structure is simple, operation is convenient, and the work efficiency can be greatly improved when edge turning is conducted through the fixture. The thick cloth blind stitching device can be installed on an existing sewing machine by only detaching some parts, and therefore the purchase cost can be greatly reduced for enterprises.

[0005] CN110592918A discloses about invention that is a cloth sewing device and a sewing method, comprises a first clamping mechanism, a second clamping mechanism, a sewing mechanism and a workbench. In the production process, when cloth is continuously processed, the cloth tail of the previous cloth and the cloth head of the next cloth are overlapped to form overlapped cloth, two ends of the overlapped cloth are respectively clamped through the first clamping mechanism and the second clamping mechanism, the relative positions of the first clamping mechanism and the second clamping mechanism are adjusted to straighten the overlapped cloth, then the overlapped cloth is sewn through the sewing mechanism, and the cloth tail of the previous cloth and the cloth head of the next cloth are sewn together to realize continuous processing. The method for sewing the cloth by adopting the cloth sewing device is simple to operate, does not need an operator to sew the cloth, can effectively improve the straightness of the sewing interface, reduces the workload of the operator and improves the production efficiency.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are available in market to aid in cloth stitching includes several challenges often rely on manual processes, lacking coordinated actions to ensure accurate alignment of the needle with the fabric. These devices do not regulate the pressure applied to the cloth based on its thickness, leading to potential damage or distortion. Additionally, they fail to accommodate fabrics of varying thicknesses, resulting in inconsistent stitching quality and improper cloth handling.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is providing coordinated actions that ensure precise alignment of the needle with the fabric and stitching slots. This capability eliminates the risk of fabric damage caused by misalignment. Additionally, regulates the pressure applied to the cloth based on its thickness, ensuring optimal pressure for secure cloth positioning. This functionality accommodates various fabric thicknesses, preventing distortion or damage during stitching.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that provide the assistance in the stitching of the cloth by maintaining the accurate alignment of the needle with the fabric, thereby minimizing fabric damage.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that regulates pressure applied to a cloth based on the cloth’s thickness, ensuring optimal pressure for securing the cloth with the device, thus accommodates cloth of various thicknesses to prevent damage or distortion of the cloth.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that analyzes color of the stitching thread relative to the cloth, and generating an audible notification to alert a user in case of a mismatch to prevent errors in the stitching process.

[0012] Yet, another object of the present invention is to develop a device that monitors tension of the stitching thread over the cloth during stitching and adjusting the tension to maintain a uniform tension, preventing uneven or faulty stitches.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a cloth stitching assistive device that provide coordinated actions that ensure accurate alignment of the needle with the fabric and stitching slots, reducing the risk of fabric damage. Furthermore, the proposed device adjusts the pressure applied to the cloth according to its thickness, ensuring secure positioning of cloth within the device for preventing any damage or distortion during the stitching process.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cloth stitching assistive device, comprising a pair of plates developed to be handheld by a user for positioning a cloth that is to stitched in between the plates, a proximity sensor integrated with one of the plate is activated by an inbuilt microcontroller to detect presence of the cloth within the plates, an ultrasonic sensor installed over the plate to detect distance of the plates with respect to the cloth, based on which a telescopic rod is actuates that is installed in between the plates to extend/retract as required for securing the cloth with the plates, a plurality of motorized pop-out balls integrated within the plates, upon securing of the cloth, the pop-out balls translate the cloth at optimal alignment with respect to plurality of holes crafted on both plates required for stitching of the cloth, a first motorized clamping unit installed over one of the plates, the user is required to position a needle inserted with a stitching thread in contact with the first motorized clamping unit, and an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit paired with a processor mounted on one of the plates for detecting positioning of the needle in contact with the first clamp, in accordance to which the microcontroller directs the first clamping unit for gripping the needle.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device also comprises of a second clamping unit is configured with the other plate that is actuated by the microcontroller to work in collaboration with the first clamping unit for passing the needle through the aligned holes in a successive manner and through the cloth for stitching the cloth, a laser displacement sensor installed over the plate that work in synchronization with the imaging unit to detect thickness of the cloth, in accordance to which the microcontroller regulates the plates via the rod to apply an optimal pressure over the cloth while securing of the cloth, a color sensor integrated with the plates that works in sync with the imaging unit to analyse color of the stitching thread relative to the cloth, on the mismatch, a speaker installed over the plate generate a notification regarding the mismatch of thread relative to the cloth, a tension sensor embedded in the plate monitor tension of the stitching thread, microcontroller the adjusts grip of the clamping units to maintain uniform tension and prevent uneven stitches, and a battery is associated with the device supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0017] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a cloth stitching assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0022] The present invention relates to a cloth stitching assistive device that provides accurate alignment of the needle with the fabric for stitching the cloths, minimizing the risk of fabric damage. Additionally, the proposed device also regulates the pressure applied to the cloth based on its thickness for securely holding the cloth in place, thereby preventing damage or distortion during the stitching process.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a cloth stitching assistive device is illustrated, comprising of a pair of plates 101 having telescopic rod 102 installed in between the plates 101, a plurality of motorized pop-out balls 103 integrated within the plates 101, plurality of holes 104 crafted on both plates 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 mounted on one of the plates 101, a first motorized clamping unit 106 installed over one of the plates 101, a second clamping unit 107 is configured with the other plate 101, and a speaker 108 installed over the plate 101.

[0024] The device disclosed herein comprises of a pair of plates 101 that is to be handheld by a user for positioning a cloth that is to stitched in between the plates 101. The plates 101 are connected in the parallel arrangement by means of a telescopic rod 102. The plates 101 are made of a light weight durable material to maintain the stability during the stitching of clothes. The device is incorporated with a push button to activate/deactivate the microcontroller by the user manually.

[0025] The push button has an outer casing and an inner mechanism, including a spring and metal contacts. When the button is pressed, then button pushes down on the spring-loaded mechanism inside. In the default state, the internal contacts are apart, so the circuit is open and no electricity flows. Pressing the button makes the contacts touch each other, closing the circuit and allowing electricity to flow and activate the device. The device in turn activates an inbuilt microcontroller that is pre-fed with a defined set of instructions to perform various cloth stitching functions.

[0026] The microcontroller activates a proximity sensor integrated with one of the plate to detect presence of the cloth within the plates 101. The proximity sensor used herein is preferably an ultrasonic proximity sensor that uses ultrasonic waves to detect the presence of the cloth in between plates 101. The ultrasonic proximity sensor typically emits ultrasonic waves towards the cloth, the ultrasonic waves hit the cloth and bounce back to the sensor’s receiver. The receiver of the ultrasonic proximity sensor is sensitive to the emitted ultrasonic waves and listens for the reflected waves. When the emitted ultrasonic waves are received by the receiver the proximity sensor sends the data to the microcontroller which processes and analyzes the acquired data for detecting the presence of the cloth within the plates 101.

[0027] After the detection of the cloth within the plates 101, an ultrasonic sensor assembled on the plate detect distance of the plates 101 with respect to the cloth. The ultrasonic sensor includes two main parts viz. transmitter, propagator, reflector and a receiver for detecting distance of the plates 101 with respect to the cloth. The transmitter sends a short ultrasonic pulse towards the plates 101 with respect to the cloth which propagates through the air at the speed of sound and reflects back as an echo to the transmitter as the pulse hits the key. The transmitter then detects the reflected eco from the surface of the plates 101 and calculations is performed by the ultrasonic sensor based on the time interval between the sending signal and receiving echo to determine the distance of the plates 101 with respect to the cloth.

[0028] Based on calculated distance of the plates with respect to cloth, the microcontroller actuates the telescopic rod 102 attached between pair of plates 101, extend/retract as required for securing the cloth with the plates 101. The telescopic rod 102 is powered by a pneumatic unit employed herein is consist of an air compressor, air valves, and a piston. The air compressor used herein extract the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air. The air compressor is consisting of two main parts including a motor and a pump. The motor powers the compressor pump which uses the energy from the motor drive to draw in atmospheric air and compress to elevated pressure. The compressed air is then sent through a discharge tube into the cylinder across the valve. The compressed air in the cylinder tends to pushes out the piston to extend which extends the plates 101. Similarly, on evacuating of the compressed air from the cylinder results in retraction of the piston which results in retraction of the plates 101, thereby resulting in altering of the height of the plates 101 as per the cloth.

[0029] Upon securing the cloth, the microcontroller actuates a plurality of motorized pop-out balls 103 integrated within the plates 101 to translate the cloth at optimal alignment with respect to plurality of holes 104 crafted on both plates 101 required for stitching of the cloth. The motorized pop-out ball mechanism operates by using a motor to control the extension and retraction of a ball through a mechanical mechanism. When activated, the motor drives a series of gears or a spring-loaded mechanism connected to a rod 102 holding the ball. This action is triggered by pre-programmed command. The popping out or retraction of the balls helps in aligning cloth with respects to holes 104 for stitching of the cloth.

[0030] A first motorized clamping unit 106 installed over one of the plates 101, the user is required to position a needle that is inserted with a stitching thread in contact with the first motorized clamping unit 106. After positioning the needle in contact with the first motorized clamping unit 106, the microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 paired with a processor mounted on one of the plates 101 for detecting positioning of the needle in contact with the first motorized clamp.

[0031] The imaging unit 105 starts with imaging hardware such as a camera that captures images of the needle to gather comprehensive visual information about positioning of the needle in contact with the first motorized clamp. The imaging unit 105 is linked with a processor that pre-processes the captured images which involves noise reduction to clean the distortions followed by adjusting brightness, contrast, and color balance to make the images more uniform. Then, feature extraction is done using artificial intelligence protocol to identify and extract key features or patterns from the images to highlight significant elements within the image. Artificial intelligence in the imaging unit 105 involves deep learning models that are trained to recognize and classify objects, detect anomalies, or segment images into different regions. At last, the imaging unit 105 identifies position of needle in contact with the first motorized clamp and the processor then sends the detected position of the needle which is in contact with first motorized clamping unit 106 to the microcontroller.

[0032] The microcontroller actuates the first motorized clamping unit 106 for gripping the needle. The motorized clamping unit works by using a telescopic gripper that extend and retract its reach to grasp needle, typically consists of multiple telescoping sections that slide within each other, allowing the gripper to adjust its length, and powered by electric motors to controlled to open and close its jaws around needle. When activated, the actuators extend or retract the gripper, adjusting the length of the clamping unit to reach needle at varying distances.

[0033] As the first motorized clamping unit 106 grip the needle, microcontroller actuates a second clamping unit 107 is configured with the other plate that work in collaboration with the first clamping unit for passing the needle through the aligned holes 104 in a successive manner and through the cloth for stitching the cloth. The second clamping unit 107 disclosed herein is working is same that of the first clamping unit.

[0034] The microcontroller actuates a laser displacement sensor installed over the plate that work in synchronization with the imaging unit 105 to detect thickness of the cloth, in accordance to which the microcontroller regulates the plates 101 via the rod 102 to apply an optimal pressure over the cloth while securing of the cloth. The laser displacement sensor works by emitting a laser beam onto the cloth. by measuring the distance between the sensor and both surfaces of an object. The laser displacement sensor emits a laser beam onto the top surface, records the distance, then measures the distance to the bottom surface. The difference between these two measurements provides the thickness of the cloth.

[0035] After detecting the thickness, the microcontroller activates the color sensor integrated with the plates 101 that works in sync with the imaging unit 105 to analyse color of the stitching thread relative to the cloth. The color sensor operates by illuminating a stitching thread with a light source and detecting the reflected light to determine its color. The color sensor uses photodiodes sensitive to specific wavelengths, typically red, green, and blue (RGB), to measure the intensity of light in these color ranges. The color sensor then converts these intensities into electrical signals, which are processed to calculate the thread's color. Based on the detected color, the microcontroller compares the captured color data against predefined data to check the color of the stitching thread relative to the cloth.

[0036] In case of mismatch of the thread color with the cloth’s color, the microcontroller actuates a speaker 108 installed over the plate to generate a notification regarding the mismatch of thread relative to the cloth. The speaker 108 works by converting the electrical signal into the audio signal. The speaker 108 consists of a cone known as a diaphragm attached to a coil-shaped wire placed between two magnets. When the electric signal is passed through the voice coil, coil generates a varying magnetic field that interacts with the magnet causing the diaphragm to move back and forth. This movement pushes and pulls air creating sound waves just like the electrical signal received and used to notify the user.

[0037] The microcontroller trigger a tension sensor embedded in the plate to monitor tension of the stitching thread, based on which microcontroller adjusts grip of the clamping units to maintain uniform tension and prevent uneven stitches. The tension sensor uses a strain gauge arrangement that is strategically placed on the plates 101 from where the tension sensor is capable of sensing the force or tension applied on the stitching thread. When a tension is applied to the stitching thread, thread also applies a force to the tension sensor. This force causes the strain gauge to deform, leading to a change in the electrical resistance. The extend of this change in resistance is directly proportional to the magnitude of applied force on the stitching thread.

[0038] Moreover, a battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrodes known as a cathode and an anode. A voltage is generated between the anode and cathode via oxidation/reduction and thus produces the electrical energy to provide to the device.

[0039] The proposed device works best in following manner, comprises of the pair of plates 101 handheld by a user for positioning a cloth that is to stitched in between the plates 101. The user activates the device through the push button to activate the microcontroller to perform various function for stitching of the cloth. Firstly, the microcontroller actuates the proximity sensor that is detecting the presence of the cloth within the plates 101. After detecting the presence of cloth, the ultrasonic sensor gets activated to detect distance of the plates 101 with respect to the cloth. Based on detect distance between plates 101 and cloth, the telescopic rod 102 gets actuated, extend/retract the plates 101 for securing the cloth within the plates 101. Upon securing of the cloth, motorized pop-out balls 103 get actuated to translate the cloth at optimal alignment with respect to plurality of holes 104 crafted for stitching of the cloth. The user position a needle inserted with a stitching thread close to the first motorized clamping unit 106. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 detect positioning of the needle, based on which first clamping unit grip the needle. After gripping the needle, a second clamping unit 107 work in collaboration with the first clamping unit passing the needle through the aligned holes 104 in a successive manner and through the cloth for stitching the cloth. The laser displacement sensor detects thickness of the cloth to regulates the plates 101 via the rod 102 to apply an optimal pressure over the cloth. The color sensor analyse color of the stitching thread relative to the cloth, and in case of mismatch, the speaker 108 generates a notification regarding the mismatch of thread relative to the cloth. The tension sensor monitor tension of the stitching thread, maintaining uniform tension and prevent uneven stitches.

[0040] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A cloth stitching assistive device, comprising:

i) a pair of plates 101 developed to be handheld for positioning a cloth that is to stitched in between said plates 101, wherein a proximity sensor integrated with one of said plate is activated by an inbuilt microcontoller to detect presence of said cloth within said plates 101;
ii) an ultrasonic sensor installed over said plate to detect distance of said plates with respect to said cloth, based on which said microcontoller actuates a telescopic rod 102 installed in between said plates 101 to extend/retract as required for securing said cloth with said plates 101;
iii) a plurality of motorized pop-out balls 103 integrated within said plates 101, wherein upon securing of said cloth, said microcontroller actuates said pop-out balls 103 to translate said cloth at optimal alignment with respect to plurality of holes 104 crafted on both plates 101 required for stitching of said cloth;
iv) a first motorized clamping unit 106 installed over one of said plates 101, wherein said user is required to position a needle inserted with a stitching thread in contact with said first motorized clamping unit 106; and
v) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 paired with a processor mounted on one of said plates 101 for detecting positioning of said needle in contact with said first clamp, in accordance to which said microcontroller directs said first clamping unit for gripping said needle, wherein a second clamping unit 107 is configured with said other plate that is actuated by said microcontroller to work in collaboration with said first clamping unit for passing said needle through said aligned holes 104 in a successive manner and through said cloth for stitching said cloth.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a laser displacement sensor installed over said plate that work in synchronization with said imaging unit 105 to detect thickness of said cloth, in accordance to which said microcontroller regulates said plates 101 via said rod 102 to apply an optimal pressure over said cloth while securing of said cloth.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a color sensor integrated with said plates 101 that works in sync with said imaging unit 105 to analyse color of said stitching thread relative to said cloth, wherein in case of mismatch, said microcontroller actuates a speaker 108 installed over said plate to generate a notification regarding said mismatch of thread relative to said cloth.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tension sensor embedded in said plate to monitor tension of said stitching thread, wherein microcontroller said adjusts grip of said clamping units to maintain uniform tension and prevent uneven stitches.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.