Abstract: This invention relates to a dual clamping system for a sewing machine. The dual clamp system comprises a first clamp and a second clamp which may be used to clamp a first workpiece and a second workpiece, respectively, at a sewing station of the sewing machine. The first and second clamps are preferably of different shapes and dimensions so that different shaped workpieces can be clamped at the sewing station. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second clamps are adjustable inner clamps for clamping an inner portion of the first and second workpieces, respectively. The dual clamping system also comprises a peripheral clamp for clamping at least a portion of the periphery of either or both of the first and second workpieces at the sewing station. The dual clamping system permits an operator to either separately or simultaneously clamp and sew a plurality of workpieces having the same or different shapes.

Abstract: A shuttle bobbin and presser plate arrangement including a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element respectively mounted on a shuttle bobbin in a rotating shuttle and a presser plate, which prohibits the shuttle bobbin from escaping out of the rotating shuttle, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element producing a magnetic repulsion force against each other to keep the shuttle bobbin spaced from the presser plate at a constant distance for the passing of an upper thread.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sewing machine having a horizontal sewing table, an X-direction frame drive portion and a Y-direction frame drive portion, which are disposed downward of said sewing table, and a long frame drive member disposed upward of said sewing table, which is freely movable on the X and Y coordinates surface by both the frame drive portions. A guide member long in the Y direction is provided so as to be horizontally located upward of the intermediate position in the X direction at the frame drive member. A moving member disposed at this guide member so as to be movable in the Y direction is movable integrally therewith in the Y direction relative to the frame drive member and is connected thereto so as to be relatively movable in the X direction. A sub drive mechanism is able to move the moving member in synchronization with the drive of the Y-direction frame drive portion.

Abstract: An individual yarn feeding apparatus (10) for compensating for variations in the feed rate of individual yarn threads due to the lateral shifting of needle bars in various selected pile heights between tufts. The individual yarn feeding apparatus (10) is positioned between the yarn beam and the needle bar of a conventional tufting machine. The apparatus (10) includes a support arm (12) carried by the tufting machine, at least one thread guide (14) disposed proximate a first end (16) of the support arm (12), and at least one feed rate control device (20) received on the support arm (12). The thread guide (14) separates the individual yarn threads as they pass from the yarn beam, through the apparatus (10) and to the needle bar. The feed rate control device (20) enables the definition of an accent yarn feed path (22) and a base yarn feed path (24).

Abstract: A ballistic resistant garment carrying assembly having a foldable ballistic panel movable from a nondeployed position from a pouch to a deployed position in which the panel extends from the pouch. The pouch being mountable to the body of a wearer. The foldable ballistic resistant panel is suspendable from a wearer's neck when in a deployed position. A ballistic resistant gun holster adjustably mounted onto the ballistic resistant panel. A holder for adjustably securing a gun handle to a ballistic resistant panel. An authority identification sign carried on the ballistic resistant panel. An ammunition pouch mounted onto the ballistic panel. A ballistic resistant crotch pad moveable from a mounted overlying position with another ballistic resistant panel that is secured to a mid-section of a person's body to an extended position below the ballistic resistant panel.

Abstract: A counter-weighted eccentric or crank is clamped to an end of the upper drive shaft. A link is pivoted between the eccentric and an end of a short leg on a V-shaped rocker. The base of the V-shaped rocker is pivoted on a fixed pin. The long arm of the V-shaped rocker is connected to a needle bar to drive the needle bar up and down. The movement of the needle bar carries a main needle and thread through a workpiece to make stitches in the cloth.

Abstract: A tangential drive needle bar shifter for tufting machines. The tangential drive needle bar shifter includes a computer system for creating and storing selected carpet patterns and for controlling the operation of at least one motor which drives the needle bar. The motor includes an output shaft which rotates through a selected degree of rotation in a selected direction. At least one belt is driven by the rotation of the shaft to create lateral displacement of an engagement device is secured thereto. Displacement of the engagement device ultimately creates a shift of the needle bar. As the motor is actuated, the needle bar is shifted a distance proportional to the degree of rotation of the output shaft. A position locking mechanism, or indexer, is provided for preventing the needle bar from shifting farther then required and thus preventing the needles from colliding with the corresponding hooks.

Abstract: An apparatus for protection from a broken needle of a sewing machine has a needle cover within which a needle of the sewing machine moves vertically. A capturing portion is formed at the lower portion of the needle cover for capturing broken pieces of a needle. The needle cover is removably attached to a presser bar of the sewing machine using a support member. Preferably, a non-drying adhesive layer is formed on the inner wall surface of the needle cover. Alternatively, a magnet is used to enhance the performance of the protecting apparatus.

Abstract: With planned sequential movements a mechanical pliers (1) is coaxially aligned with seat (5) of capsule (13) wherein the empty bobbin (14) of the lower thread of a sewing machine engages, caused to move forward until it engages with said capsule and to move backward, taking the same out from its seat, aligned with a collection basket (19) wherein capsule (13) and the empty bobbin (14) are unloaded, shifted and aligned coaxially with a loading cartridge (21) of capsules (13) containing bobbins (14) loaded with wound thread, caused to move forward until it engages and hooks on to the first of said capsules with loaded bobbins, then to move backward with said capsule with the bobbin, realigned coaxially with seat (15) of the sewing machine, caused to move forward up to the engagement of the capsule with the loaded bobbin in seat (15), and lastly is caused to move backward and placed in resting position, on prior release of the capsule with the loaded bobbin in the aforementioned seat.

Abstract: The disclosed stitching machine and method orients cooperating needle and hook components of a sewing machine in spaced horizontal alignment, and suspends flexible sheet(s) to be stitched in a generally vertical orientation between these sewing machine components, and tensions the sheet(s) to a flat stitchable condition whereby the sewing machine components might stitch interior seams through the flexible sheet(s). Horizontal and vertical slides support the cooperating sewing machine components to move along horizontal and vertical axes parallel to the suspended flexible sheet(s), and controlled drives shift them in unison along these axes as needed to trace out an intended seam pattern relative to the flexible sheet(s). A conveyor is provided with a substantially vertical run of a height in excess of the sheet(s) to be stitched when vertically oriented, to pass the sheets between the sewing machine components and hold them in the vertical orientation for stitching, and to remove them after being stitched.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the assembly of pillow-top mattress covers. In the method of this invention, the gussets for a pillow-top mattress cover are prepared in a single step in which the gusset material is folded longitudinally, and the flange material is attached thereto and the gusset material is sewn together in one stitch. Thereafter, a gusset is attached to each of the top and bottom panels of the cover along its outer edge. Each gusset is secured to the underside of its associated top or bottom panel at the folded edge using a blind stitch which is not visible externally of the panel. No gluing is required. During the step of attaching the gusset to its associated mattress cover panel, precisely positioned mitered corners are formed on the gusset where the gusset is to be attached to the corner of its associated panel.

Abstract: An automated sewing system including a loading unit, a seam folding unit and a sewing unit which are mounted on a support table. The automated sewing system further includes a control system for monitoring and controlling the loading unit, seam folding unit and sewing unit. The loading unit includes a loading assembly for receiving the two articles and a conveying assembly for advancing the two articles to the seam folding unit. The seam folding unit includes a seam folder for receiving the edges of the articles therethrough to interlock the edges of the articles and a conveying assembly for advancing the two articles to the sewing unit. The sewing unit includes a sewing machine which sews the two articles together at the seam to produce a sewn product.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cutting off thread formations in sewing machines having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The apparatus includes: a needle plate having a surface defining a support plane; a transport plate disposed adjacent the needle plate, the transport plate being displaceable in a plane parallel to the support plane in both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction; a cutting device disposed adjacent the needle plate for cutting off a thread formation from the sewn item, the cutting device including a stationary lower blade connected to the needle plate and an upper blade connected to the transport plate, the upper blade defining a first recess therein; and a hold-down device disposed adjacent the needle plate and defining a second recess therein and being configured for holding down a sewn item on the needle plate.

Abstract: An assembly for performing both material removal and sewing operations on a large piece of stitchable material from which a smaller piece is removed to form an opening around which the sewing machine provides stitches. The assembly includes an attachment having a kit detachable from but connectable to the sewing machine. The kit includes a base provided with a surface for supporting the stitchable material. A punch die is formed in the supporting surface with a circular punch die edge to define the size of the opening to be formed in the large piece of material. A punch tool having a proximal end cooperates with the punch die for removing the smaller piece of material from the larger piece of material. The punch tool also has a cylindrically-shaped distal end connected to the proximal end.

Abstract: A double cam drive operates on a main drive shaft of a buttonhole sewing machine is disclosed. Three double cams are arranged sequentially on the main drive shaft. A first double cam operates a looper mechanism, a second double cam drives a feeder, and a third double cam drives a needle bar mount for operating a bite mechanism to deflect a needle housing to make side stitches and tacks. Each double cam has a cam collar and two generally-circular concentric cams. Each cam of a double cam is positioned off-center on the cam collar with one cam positioned opposite the other. The three double cams have mounted collars at axial ends for securing the double cams to the shaft. Spacers are positioned between any two adjacent double cams for creating the proper spacing between the cams. A follower plate is pivoted on a stub shaft and has two rollers. The first roller contacts an outer surface of the first double cam and the second roller contacts an outside surface of the second double cam.

Abstract: An impact-resistant garment comprises closed rings (2) joined together to form a layer (1) protecting against impacts inside the garment. Elongate filling elements (3) of limited flexibility are threaded through the rings (2) to prevent the penetration of spike-shaped objects through the rings (2).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for orienting flaccid material such as hose blanks having toe ends and bulkier welt ends while they are being conveyed from a supply point to a receiving point to ensure that blanks arriving at the receiving point are received, for example, toe end first. The apparatus includes first and second suction conduits in communication with an outlet. The first conduit has an inlet to which hose blanks are successively presented. An orientation determining mechanism senses which end of a blank enters the inlet. If a toe end is sensed, the hose is permitted to travel unhindered to the outlet. If, however, a welt end is sensed at the inlet, suction is created in the second conduit, and the welt end is temporarily drawn into the second conduit. While the welt end is thus located, suction in the first conduit causes the toe end to be drawn therealong, past the second conduit and toward the outlet.

Abstract: The sewing apparatus of the invention is applied, for example, in sewing of a tape-form circular rib to the end portion of a tubular cloth such as the waist portion of briefs. A cutter 19 disposed in front of the needle drop point 5 of the sewing machine cuts the tubular cloth C along the direction matching with the cloth feed direction. A cloth end correcting device guides the end portion of the set tubular cloth C in a direction crossing the cutting line of the cutter 19. A cloth end detector 26 detects the end portion of the tubular cloth C at a first position on the cutting line parallel to the cloth feed direction passing through the cutter 19 and a second position remote from the cutting line in a direction crossing the cloth feed direction.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the stopping point of a tufting machine in relation to a preset stitch pattern. The system includes a controller and an encoder to detect the current location of a tufting machine needle bar in the stitch pattern. Upon receipt of a stop signal, the controller insures that the needle bar is stopped at a preset stop step in the stitch pattern. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller first slows the main drive shaft of the tufting machine to a jogging speed prior to stopping the tufting machine, and stops the machine at the home position of the carpet pattern. Introducing a delay between receipt of the stop signal and deceleration of the main drive shaft minimizes the jogging time of the machine. The method is directed to stopping the tufting machine at a predetermined stop step and at a position relative to degrees of mainshaft rotation.

Abstract: A sewing machine including a needle bar for mounting two needles separated by a distance in a principal shaft direction; a principal drive shaft for driving the needle bar and extending in the principal shaft direction; a bed portion; a first loop taker disposed in the bed portion; a transmission system for connecting movement between the first loop taker and the principal drive shaft; a loop taker module detachably provided to the bed portion; a second loop taker provided to the loop taker module; and servomotor provided in the loop taker module and for driving the second loop taker.