Abstract: A friction/elastomeric pad draft gear to cushion and absorb impacting forces on a railroad car coupler system. The friction/elastomeric pad draft gear includes a housing with a closed end and an open opposite end with a major axis extending therebetween. The open opposite end is provided with inwardly tapered extended internal friction surfaces. A wedge is mounted for axial movement in the open end of said housing and friction devices are positioned within the housing between the wedge and the extended internal friction surfaces. A spring seat is positioned adjacent the friction devices and on top of the elastomeric pad stack. The friction devices engagement with the wedge: forms a first selected angle of about 35 degrees ±3 degrees; forms a second selected angle of about 2.25 degrees, ± about 0.25 degrees, with the extended tapered internal friction surface; and forms a third selected angle of about 90 degrees, ±4 degrees, with the spring seat, all in respect to the major axis.

Abstract: In a sewing machine having at least one needle and one looper underneath a throat plate, a guiding and aligning device comprising, a permanent magnet positioned underneath the throat plate in the cloth feeding direction on one side only of the needle and positioned sufficiently close to the needle to attract the needle to the side toward the magnet, such that the needle is guided and aligned with respect to the looper.

Abstract: A work advancing mechanism for a sewing machine which includes a driven circulatory belt for positively advancing the work beneath the presser foot of the machine. The belt is entrained about and driven by a wheel assembly having an adjustable operative circumference for modulating the lineal advancement rate of the belt.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cold forming process wherein a consistent stitch tongue profile is swaged into a planar throat plate blank. Thereafter, excess material resulting from the cold forming process is removed and the required needle holes and thread slots are provided in the blank.

Abstract: A apparatus is provided for creating and maintaining lubricant pressure and flow to various operative mechanisms disposed within the frame of the sewing machine independent of the sewing machine operation. To aid in the lubrication process, a lubricant heater is provided. The lubricant heater operates independent of the sewing machine operation and serves to warm or heat the lubricant to a preset temperature before it is communicated to the bearing surfaces of the operative mechanisms. The invention may further include a device disposed between the lubricant pump and heater for filtering the lubricant before it is delivered to the operative mechanisms of the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically sewing an advancing workpiece. To facilitate subsequent sewing operations, the workpiece length is calculated as the workpiece moves along its predetermined path of travel. If the advancing workpiece length lies within a preselected range of sizes, the workpiece will continue to move along its predetermined path. Should the workpiece length be calculated to be outside the preselected range of sizes, the workpiece is rejected from the predetermined path of travel.

Abstract: An upper feed mechanism positively driven in four directions above the work supporting surface of the machine for concommitantly advancing work along a predetermined feed path. The upper feed mechanism includes an upper feed dog carried on the presser arm of the machine. In the usual manner, the presser arm has a presser foot hinged at one end thereof. The opposite end of the presser arm is slidably pivoted relative the machine frame such that the presser arm, presser foot and upper feed dog mechanism may be conjointly moved sidewise as a modular assemblage thus permitting operating access to the sewing area of the machine.

Abstract: A thread trimming mechanism including a pair of knives for severing thread disposed therebetween. The knives are magnetically attracted to each other such that a cooperative cutting relationship is maintained therebetween.

Abstract: A reciprocally driven needle guide movable in timed relation with sewing machine needles above the work support of a sewing machine along a substantially horizontal path. The needle guide is provided with an extended guiding surface which is positioned adjacent the vertical path of the sewing machine needles to steady the needles while they are above the work supporting surface of the machine.

Abstract: An automatic transfer apparatus for delivering textile articles from a first conveyor to a second conveyor; each conveyor moving the articles in separate directions. The apparatus includes an article gripping head mounted for pivotal movement between two positions and a drive mechanism. The apparatus operates such that the article is removed from the first conveyor, subsequently folded in half about its midpoint and deposited on the second conveyor with substantially no horizontal velocity component being imparted to the workpiece in the direction of the first conveyor system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a guidance system operable in combination with an automatic transfer apparatus. The guidance system is effective to position each half of a folded and hemmed workpiece together in a proper orientation relative to each other and relative to a predetermined path during the time that the workpiece is removed from a first conveyor. The guidance system includes: a pair of workpiece hem aligners and hem guides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a guidance system operable in combination with an automatic transfer apparatus. The guidance system is effective to position each half of a folded and hemmed workpiece together in a proper orientation relative to each other and relative to a predetermined path during the time that the workpiece is removed from a first conveyor. The guidance system includes: a pair of workpiece hem aligners and hem guides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for acting upon a cloth in a manner for automatically forming a shirt sleeve from a sleeve blank. The blank is conveyed by a conveyor is a first direction and a hem is automatically formed and secured along a longitudinal edge thereof. The blank is automatically picked up off the conveyor and folded about an axis substantially transverse to the first direction. The transference of the hemmed and folded sleeve is controlled such that the overlapping edges of the folded blank are in substantial alignment relative to one another when deposited on a second conveyor which conveys the blank in a second direction. As the blank is conveyed by the second conveyor, the overlapping and generally aligned edges of the folded workpiece are secured together to form a shirt sleeve.

Abstract: A sewing machine presser foot attachment including a driven feed wheel proximately arranged relative to the reciprocal path of a needle. The feed wheel is powered by a drive shaft arranged to the rear of the feed wheel in the direction of sewing. A constant velocity universal joint arranged between the drive shaft and feed wheel permits vertical and horizontal pivotal movement of the feed wheel relative to the work supporting surface of the machine.

Abstract: A force transfer assembly connects the output centerpoint of a Cardan gear mechanism to a work performing assembly. The motion of the output centerpoint moving in a first and second plane is translated by the force transfer assembly such that the work performing assembly moves in first, second and third planes. The force transfer assembly preferably includes a rotatable spherical element carried by the output lever of the Cardan gear mechanism, with a slider pin journalled in the spherical element and connected to the work performing assembly.

Abstract: The atmospheric pressure of lubricant containing cavities, from which leakage occurs, is lowered to a point below atmospheric pressure such that air from the environment is drawn thereinto. Since the air being drawn in occupies the passages through which lubricant leakage occurs, such leakage is effectively retarded.