Abstract: A mechanism for transfering workpieces received from an automatic sewing machine and stacking same at a location remote from the machine. The mechanism includes a pivotally arranged stacker device that is movable toward and away from the sewing machine. The stacker device includes a rotational work supporting surface against which the workpiece exiting from the machine is releasably held. The stacker device also includes a mechanism for orientating the workpiece in a predetermined disposition on the work supporting surface of the stacker device during transferance to insure proper workpiece stacking.

Abstract: A sewing machine wherein the various stitch performing instrumentalities are driven by Cardan gear means. Particular sewing part mechanisms are associated with each of said Cardan gear means to produce the desired stitch. Both said sewing part mechanisms and said Cardan gear means being removable, and interchangeable within the frame of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A Cardan gear assembly wherein rotary input motion of the main shaft is converted to elliptical output at the Cardan gear output centerpoint. The Cardan gear output centerpoint is connected via a ball and a pin slideable therethrough to a support having a work performing instrumentality arranged at its distal end. During operation, the elliptical output motion of the Cardan gear output centerpoint is transmuted into three dimensional, elliptical like motion at the tip of the work performing instrumentality.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and tensioning a tubular workpiece edge such that the edge may be linearly advanced beneath the stitch forming instrumentalities of a sewing machine. The tensioning apparatus includes at least two rotative assemblies which are insertable within the closed loop formation of the workpiece edge. One of the rotative assemblies being connected to a balanced tensioning arm and is adapted for movement between two operative positions in a manner whereby applying a constant circumferential workpiece edge tension on all article sizes.

Abstract: A lubrication system for eccentric drives in a sewing machine wherein lubricant is fed through a hollow drive shaft and communicative radial ports. At its outlet end, the radial port is in fluid communication with a lubricant reservoir arranged on the eccentric's periphery. The lubricant reservoir being disposed on that portion of the eccentric's periphery measuring the greatest distance from the eccentric's rotating center.

Abstract: A pneumatic apparatus used in combination with a sewing machine thread take-up mechanism. The apparatus includes a device for directing a stream of air away from the machine's operating components and against the thread passing over the take up mechanism for preventing broken ends or loose thread from becoming entangled with the machine's operating components.

Abstract: An automatic sewing apparatus capable of blind stitching an S-shaped hem in the marginal edge of a tubular workpiece. The sewing apparatus is provided with a tensioning device including a pair of roller supports which arrange an open end of the workpiece in a closed loop formation. The roller support, arranged on the downstream side of the sewing machine, is provided with a guiding portion adapted to receive and controllably guide the sewn and hemmed edge of the tubular workpiece.

Abstract: A needle cooling apparatus including a nozzle assembly maneuverable between operative and inoperative positions. In its operative position, the nozzle assembly is adapted to direct a cooling medium against the sewing machine needles. The nozzle assembly is operatively associated with a drive adapted to arrange and biasably maintain the nozzle assembly in its operative position in response to machine actuation.

Abstract: A mechanism for seizing and holding a thread, particularly the looper thread, of a chainstitch sewing machine to insure needle penetration of the thread triangle thereby assuring enchaining of the needle thread with the looper thread. Such mechanism includes an oscillatable thread spreader which transversely moves across the looper's endwise path of travel. The spreader motion being in timed relation with the stitch forming instrumentalities such that its effectively travel extends between the looper eye and the reciprocal path of the needle arranged closest to the looper eye when the looper is at its extreme loop seizing position.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes an automatic sewing machine adapted to sew along a tubular workpiece edge. Upon insertion, the workpiece is tensioned and the marginal edge thereof is arranged in a different shape before sewing than after sewing. An array of sensors are positioned to monitor and effectively control the lateral disposition of the workpiece edge during the entirety of the sewing cycle and to effect an uninterrupted working sequence without the need of operator intervention.

Abstract: A device for automatically supplying a strip of elastic tape material to a sewing machine under tension. The device uniquely combines a tape supply mechanism, for tractively propelling the tape, and a tape tensioning assembly which guides the tape along a predetermined path of travel while measuring the amount or degree of tape tension. The tape supplied is under the control of the tape tensioning apparatus which may include a mechanism for selectively modulating the degree of tape tension.

Abstract: A sewing machine apparatus including a work support assembly and a positioning assembly that cooperate in moving a workpiece edge through the sewing station of the machine. The workpiece support assembly is arranged to carry and advance the open end of the workpiece in an endless loop configuration. The positioning assembly operatively rotates wih the work support and is effective to influence the lateral placement of the workpiece edge before and during the sewing cycle.

Abstract: A looper throw-out mechanism is provided for bodily moving the looper out of its normal operative position for servicing. The throw-out mechanism includes a looper drive shaft having the looper releasably connected thereto, an operator actuated mechanism for selectively disconnecting the looper from its drive shaft to enable free bodily movement of the looper to an inoperative position, and a locking mechanism to prevent undesirable disconnection of the looper from its drive shaft. When looper servicing is desired, the locking mechanism is released by the operator permitting the looper to be disconnected from its actuating shaft and turned to a service position removed from its operative position. Upon its return, the looper is automatically coupled to its drive shaft in an operative position.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasably securing a workholder to the automatically controlled carriage of a sewing machine during the sewing machine cycle. The mechanism includes a pair of coacting connector means operative to fixedly couple the workholder and the automatically controlled carriage together along with mechanism for automatically uncoupling the coacting connectors and propelling the workholder from the carriage at the completion of the sewing operation.

Abstract: A needle thread control mechanism for sewing machines which permits a machine operator to adjust the stitch tightness includes a thread take-up mechanism arranged wholly outside of the machine frame and a thread controlling mechanism arranged directly between the needle thread take-up mechanism and a thread supply source. A thread controller, adapted to cooperate with the thread take-up mechanism, is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus operable in cooperation with the logic circuitry of an automatic sewing machine for positioning a movable workholder in a predetermined position relative the sewing machine needle. The apparatus includes a workholder position sensor assembly and workholder direction sensor assembly operable in timed relation relative to one another and in positional synchronization with the movement of the workholder. Electrical circuitry is adapted to read the signals of both sensor assemblies and position the workholder at a predetermined location.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improvement to spring type flexible chutes provided for delivering disk-like objects from a supply source to an attaching machine. The improvement includes a resilient, elongated spacer which may be inserted into the guideway of the chute for changing the space constraints thereof to maintain a uniform planar orientation of the disk-like objects between the supply source and the machine whereby allowing one chute to be used for multiple purposes.

Abstract: A differential feed mechanism is provided for a high speed industrial sewing machine. The differential mechanism includes separate driving mechanisms for each of the two feed dogs mounted on separate feed bars, both mechanisms being driven from a common input shaft. Separate adjusting devices are provided for each of the feed dog driving mechanisms to adjust individually, rapidly and at will, the length of the horizontal feed stroke of each feed dog.

Abstract: Mechanism on a sewing machine for engaging and withdrawing a severed sewing machine needle thread end from a workpiece at the completion of a sewing operation. The thread wiper mechanism includes a thread engaging element which is reciprocally movable along and about an axis extending generally parallel with the needle's path of travel with the element sweeping beneath the needle, across the needle's path and returning to its initial position at the completion of the sewing operation.