In a suturing device, a casing has an elongated shape extending in a longitudinal direction. A needle is positioned in the casing, is configured to hold a first thread-like member, and has a tip end reciprocally moving along a path extending between a first position and a second position positioned backward than the first position in the longitudinal direction. A depression is formed in a peripheral wall of the casing, is positioned between the first and second positions in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to expose the needle to an outside of the casing. The shuttle includes a holding portion configured to hold a second thread-like member. The shuttle is configured to move within the casing at a third position between the first position and the depression in the longitudinal direction to change relative position between the second thread-like member and a loop formed in the first thread-like member.

A suturing device includes: a needle; and a shuttle. The needle has an elongated shape extending in a predetermined direction and is configured to hold a first thread-like member. The needle is reciprocally movable forward and backward in the predetermined direction and is rotatable about an axis extending in the predetermined direction. Rotation of the needle about the axis permitting the first thread-like member to cross the needle to form a loop in the first thread-like member. The shuttle includes a holding portion. The holding portion is configured to hold a second thread-like member. The shuttle is configured to permit the holding portion to pass through the loop.

In at least one implementation, a method for forming openings for a stitched seam in a composite panel having an outer layer, and a substrate behind the outer layer includes providing a laser beam onto the substrate, with the laser beam forming an opening through the substrate but not through the outer layer, and moving at least one of the laser or the substrate relative to the other so that a new opening can be formed that is spaced from the already formed opening. Successive openings can be formed in desired locations around the panel to facilitate subsequent panel stitching. In at least some implementations, the laser may form such openings while stitches are formed in the panel, wherein a stitch is provided in a previous opening while or nearly at the same time the laser forms a different opening for a subsequent stitch.

In at least one implementation, a method for forming openings for a stitched seam in a composite panel having an outer layer, and a substrate behind the outer layer includes providing a laser beam onto the substrate, with the laser beam forming an opening through the substrate but not through the outer layer, and moving at least one of the laser or the substrate relative to the other so that a new opening can be formed that is spaced from the already formed opening. Successive openings can be formed in desired locations around the panel to facilitate subsequent panel stitching. In at least some implementations, the laser may form such openings while stitches are formed in the panel, wherein a stitch is provided in a previous opening while or nearly at the same time the laser forms a different opening for a subsequent stitch.

Disclosed is an ornamental chain stitching head, including: an upper head assembly, the upper head assembly controls movement of a needle bar and a walking foot mechanism; a walking foot eccentric configured to allow adjustment of a foot lift while a stitch length eccentric is configured to allow for adjustment of both a walking foot and a needle bar advancement via regulation of a rock frame the determines a length of a stitch created by the ornamental chain stitching head; a lower head assembly; and a needle bar cam assembly that drives rotation of the needle bar during each stitch cycle of the ornamental chain stitching head to achieve desired stitch patterns, the needle bar cam assembly is driven directly by an upper shaft through a pair of gears that reduce the needle bar cam assembly speed according to a size ratio of the pair of gears.

Disclosed is an ornamental chain stitching head, including: an upper head assembly, the upper head assembly controls movement of a needle bar and a walking foot mechanism; a walking foot eccentric configured to allow adjustment of a foot lift while a stitch length eccentric is configured to allow for adjustment of both a walking foot and a needle bar advancement via regulation of a rock frame the determines a length of a stitch created by the ornamental chain stitching head; a lower head assembly; and a needle bar cam assembly that drives rotation of the needle bar during each stitch cycle of the ornamental chain stitching head to achieve desired stitch patterns, the needle bar cam assembly is driven directly by an upper shaft through a pair of gears that reduce the needle bar cam assembly speed according to a size ratio of the pair of gears.

The present invention provides a sewing machine that not only prevents a spreader from interfering with a sewing operation so as to ensure smooth sewing, but also provides high safety, a good appearance, and ease of use. The sewing machine includes: a presser foot 1 which holds down a fabric on a throat plate 18; a presser holder 8 which supports the presser foot 1; a rotatable spreader 3 having a thread hole 14 through which sewing thread vertically passes; a spreader drive mechanism 4 which drives the rotation of the spreader 3; a reciprocating motion conversion mechanism 5 which converts the rotation of an upper shaft 7 into a linear reciprocating motion; and a link mechanism 6 which transmits the reciprocating motion produced by the reciprocating motion conversion mechanism 5 to the spreader drive mechanism 4. The spreader 3 and the spreader drive mechanism are both provided on the presser foot. The link 6 mechanism is provided on the presser holder 8.

The present invention provides a sewing machine that not only prevents a spreader from interfering with a sewing operation so as to ensure smooth sewing, but also provides high safety, a good appearance, and ease of use. The sewing machine includes: a presser foot 1 which holds down a fabric on a throat plate 18; a presser holder 8 which supports the presser foot 1; a rotatable spreader 3 having a thread hole 14 through which sewing thread vertically passes; a spreader drive mechanism 4 which drives the rotation of the spreader 3; a reciprocating motion conversion mechanism 5 which converts the rotation of an upper shaft 7 into a linear reciprocating motion; and a link mechanism 6 which transmits the reciprocating motion produced by the reciprocating motion conversion mechanism 5 to the spreader drive mechanism 4. The spreader 3 and the spreader drive mechanism are both provided on the presser foot. The link 6 mechanism is provided on the presser holder 8.

The sewing machine includes: a presser foot 1 which holds down a fabric on a throat plate 18; a presser holder 8 which supports the presser foot 1; a rotatable spreader 3 having a thread hole 14 through which sewing thread vertically passes; a spreader drive mechanism 4 which drives the rotation of the spreader 3; a reciprocating motion conversion mechanism 5 which converts the rotation of an upper shaft 7 into a linear reciprocating motion; and a link mechanism 6 which transmits the reciprocating motion produced by the reciprocating motion conversion mechanism 5 to the spreader drive mechanism 4. The spreader 3 and the spreader drive mechanism are both provided on the presser foot. The link 6 mechanism is provided on the presser holder 8.

The sewing machine includes: a presser foot 1 which holds down a fabric on a throat plate 18; a presser holder 8 which supports the presser foot 1; a rotatable spreader 3 having a thread hole 14 through which sewing thread vertically passes; a spreader drive mechanism 4 which drives the rotation of the spreader 3; a reciprocating motion conversion mechanism 5 which converts the rotation of an upper shaft 7 into a linear reciprocating motion; and a link mechanism 6 which transmits the reciprocating motion produced by the reciprocating motion conversion mechanism 5 to the spreader drive mechanism 4. The spreader 3 and the spreader drive mechanism are both provided on the presser foot. The link 6 mechanism is provided on the presser holder 8.