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 provide 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.

A shifter adjustment assembly can be configured to couple to a shifter of a tufting apparatus, the shifter having first, second, third, and fourth shaft segments. The shifter adjustment assembly comprises a first body that is configured to couple to respective first ends of the first and third shaft segments. A second body is configured to couple to respective first ends of the second and fourth shaft segments. The shifter assembly comprises a coupling between the first body and the second body. The coupling is configured to releasably secure an axial position of the first body with respect to the second body along the longitudinal dimension. The first body and second body define respective complementary surfaces that are configured for sliding engagement so that movement between the first body and the second body in the transverse dimension is restricted and movement between the first body and the second body in the longitudinal dimension is permitted.

A shifter adjustment assembly can be configured to couple to a shifter of a tufting apparatus, the shifter having first, second, third, and fourth shaft segments. The shifter adjustment assembly comprises a first body that is configured to couple to respective first ends of the first and third shaft segments. A second body is configured to couple to respective first ends of the second and fourth shaft segments. The shifter assembly comprises a coupling between the first body and the second body. The coupling is configured to releasably secure an axial position of the first body with respect to the second body along the longitudinal dimension. The first body and second body define respective complementary surfaces that are configured for sliding engagement so that movement between the first body and the second body in the transverse dimension is restricted and movement between the first body and the second body in the longitudinal dimension is permitted.

An article comprised of tape segments embroidered in place is disclosed. One embodiment includes tape segments embroidered to a self-supporting embroidered structure. Another embodiment includes tape segments embroidered together to form an embroidered lattice structure. In one embodiment, some of the tape segments may expand when exposed to heat and may be used to form cushioning regions for the article.

An article comprised of tape segments embroidered in place is disclosed. One embodiment includes tape segments embroidered to a self-supporting embroidered structure. Another embodiment includes tape segments embroidered together to form an embroidered lattice structure. In one embodiment, some of the tape segments may expand when exposed to heat and may be used to form cushioning regions for the article.

A shifter adjustment assembly can be configured to couple to a shifter of a tufting apparatus, the shifter having first, second, third, and fourth shaft segments. The shifter adjustment assembly comprises a first body that is configured to couple to respective first ends of the first and third shaft segments. A second body is configured to couple to respective first ends of the second and fourth shaft segments. The shifter assembly comprises a coupling between the first body and the second body. The coupling is configured to releasably secure an axial position of the first body with respect to the second body along the longitudinal dimension. The first body and second body define respective complementary surfaces that are configured for sliding engagement so that movement between the first body and the second body in the transverse dimension is restricted and movement between the first body and the second body in the longitudinal dimension is permitted.

A shifter adjustment assembly can be configured to couple to a shifter of a tufting apparatus, the shifter having first, second, third, and fourth shaft segments. The shifter adjustment assembly comprises a first body that is configured to couple to respective first ends of the first and third shaft segments. A second body is configured to couple to respective first ends of the second and fourth shaft segments. The shifter assembly comprises a coupling between the first body and the second body. The coupling is configured to releasably secure an axial position of the first body with respect to the second body along the longitudinal dimension. The first body and second body define respective complementary surfaces that are configured for sliding engagement so that movement between the first body and the second body in the transverse dimension is restricted and movement between the first body and the second body in the longitudinal dimension is permitted.

An independent presser foot drive mechanism and an embroidery machine includes a machine head, a needle bar drive mechanism mounted on the machine head, a needle bar drive block provided on a corresponding guide rod and movable up and down. The presser foot drive block further includes a presser foot drive motor that independently drives a presser foot, and a presser foot link assembly that connects the presser foot drive motor with the presser foot drive block to complete driving of the presser foot. The presser foot can be independently driven to move by providing the independent presser foot drive motor and the presser foot link assembly. According to corresponding embroidery processes, the presser foot can independently complete more complicated actions under the driving of the drive motor.

An independent presser foot drive mechanism and an embroidery machine includes a machine head, a needle bar drive mechanism mounted on the machine head, a needle bar drive block provided on a corresponding guide rod and movable up and down. The presser foot drive block further includes a presser foot drive motor that independently drives a presser foot, and a presser foot link assembly that connects the presser foot drive motor with the presser foot drive block to complete driving of the presser foot. The presser foot can be independently driven to move by providing the independent presser foot drive motor and the presser foot link assembly. According to corresponding embroidery processes, the presser foot can independently complete more complicated actions under the driving of the drive motor.

An embroidery system includes a data reading device to read three-dimensional data of a design of an embroidery. The embroidery system includes processing circuitry to process the three-dimensional data read by the data reading device, to create embroidery data using height information included in the three-dimensional data. The embroidery system includes an embroidery forming section to form the embroidery on a target object according to the embroidery data created by the processing circuitry. The embroidery system includes a recording head to discharge a liquid droplet from a nozzle. The embroidery system includes control circuitry to control an operation of the recording head. The embroidery data includes data relating to an embroidery density that is a density of a thread in the embroidery and data relating to an application amount of the liquid droplet to be applied to the thread in the embroidery.