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 device for monitoring the passage of workpiece ends through a sewing machine. The device includes a photosensitive receiver connected to one end of a fiber optic cable. The other end of the cable being arranged opposite a reflecting surface and carried by the sewing machine presser foot in a manner preventing the exposed end face thereof from being defiled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning fabric edges which includes a microprocessor, a photocell array, A/D converter and multiplexer. Various readings of the photocell array are made during the cycle. These readings are recorded and in conjunction with others made during the fabric edge alignment step, are employed to determine when the fabric edges are aligned.

Abstract: A needle bar bushing having a lubricant seal for reducing excess lubricant on the needle bar of a sewing machine. The lubricant seal includes a plurality of vertically aligned scraping portions including at least two similarily disposed conical scraping edges situated over a portion of the length of the needle bar bushing. The conical scraping edges being arranged in surrounding engagement with the needle bar for stripping and leading excess lubricant from the peripheral surface of the needle bar thus reducing the danger of lubricant working its way through the bushing and being thrown onto the work being sewn as a result of needle bar reciprocation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for monitoring fluid flow through a pressurized lubrication system. The device includes a reciprocally arranged indicator that is responsive to fluid pressures within the lubrication system for exteriorally indicating the lubricant flow as a function of the reciprocal position of the indicator.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a four motion feed mechanism for sewing machines that is adapted to advance a workpiece past the stitch forming point of the machine. Orbital movement is imparted to the feed dog by a drive mechanism including first and second linkage assemblies driven off a common eccentric arranged on the sewing machine bed shaft. A feed regulating assembly including a single feed regulator control knob is operatively associated with one of the linkage assemblies to selectively pre-set the stitch length of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material dispensing apparatus having a unique closed loop servo system for advancing material to a receiving machine in accordance with the use demands thereof.

Abstract: Two carriage systems, X and Y, are provided with the X carriage system being carried by the Y carriage system. Each system includes a carriage which via two sets of rollers is capable of movement along a guide rail set. Flex hinges are provided in each carriage to seat the rollers in the guide rails. The hinges are generally rigid in a first plane and flexible in a second such that the carriage is stiff yet the distance between the rollers can vary to compensate for absolute distance changes in the rails, due, for example, to high or low spots in the roller contacting surface.

Abstract: An elastic metering device including a plurality of individual tape feeding and tensioning mechanisms having a common drive shaft, with each mechanism being adapted to independently act on one of a plurality of tapes as they advance toward the machine. Each tape feeding and tensioning mechanism includes an operator controlled variable speed drive mechanism for selectively affecting the manner in which each mechanism acts on each tape.

Abstract: The output centerpoint of a Cardan gear mechanism is connected via a ball and a pin slideable therethrough to a lever which in turn carries a looper. Because the major axis of the lever and the axis swept out by the output centerpoint are skewed the lever is reciprocated back and forth along its own major axis while being rotated therearound. This results in the looper being swept back and forth along part of a generally helical-like path.

Abstract: A combination of a thread carrying upper looper and a thread carrying lower looper which along with a thread carrying needle cooperate together in an overedge industrial sewing machine in which the thread carrying upper looper has its thread carrying groove located closer to the bottom edge of the blade face than to the upper edge of the blade face and has its point located above the thread carrying groove and is closer to the upper edge than to the lower edge. The blade of the thread carrying lower looper has a generally flat bottom surface having a 2.degree. rise starting 3/8" from its point and extending to the point.

Abstract: A sewing machine presser foot having a labyrinth like passageway for freely guiding a cord to the sewing area of the machine in a manner preventing the self unthreading of the cord.

Abstract: A mining installation includes a self-advancing roof support unit with which is associated a forward base part which is independent of the floor-engaging member of the unit. The forward base part is connectible to the floor-engaging member and movable relative thereto. An elevated track is carried on the forward base part and in use supports a mining machine which can travel reciprocally therealong.

Abstract: A Cardan gear assembly having an output centerpoint means which moves along an elliptical path. A force transfer means connects the output centerpoint to a means operative to carry a work performing means. The major axis swept out by the means operative being skewed with respect to the major axis of the ellipse which is swept out by the output centerpoint. As a result, the work performing means will be swept along a curve which is of a portion of a helix as well as part elliptical. This curve takes the form of a partial helix wherein the outgoing path is different from the return path.

Abstract: A Cardan gear assembly wherein rotary input of the main shaft is converted to elliptical output at the output centerpoint. A force transfer means connects the output centerpoint to a means supporting a work performing instrumentality. Thus during operation the work performing instrumentality is driven through an elliptical like curve.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the passage of workpiece ends through a sewing machine. The device includes a photosensitive apparatus adapted to produce a signal in response to the passage of the workpiece ends past the end of a fiber optic light source.

Abstract: A sewing machine having a scissor-like cutting device for severing a continuous strip of tape or the like immediately subsequent to its exit from beneath the presser foot assembly of the machine. The operation of the cutting device is influenced by a control system which includes a fiber optic light source for detecting the passage of work through the sewing area of the machine.

Abstract: A thread trimming mechanism which includes a fixed blade arranged adjacent the stitch forming area of the sewing machine and a resiliently biased movable blade adapted to cooperate in a scissor-like action with the fixed blade. The movable blade is mounted such that varying degrees of contact pressure may occur between the blades during the thread trimming cycle of the mechanism.

Abstract: A button clamp assembly having an unalterable pivot and provided with interchangeable turret assemblies which cooperate with other universal assemblies in controlling the planar displacement of the articles being delivered to the machine's sewing station. The interchangeable assemblies are mounted in a manner permitting a consistent clamping relationship to be maintained between the turret assembly and the machine's work support regardless of the article's thickness or ligne/diameter.