Abstract: A garment, and a method of constructing garments, is disclosed which substantially alleviates or eliminates sources of abrasion which hitherto caused holes in the garment substrate adjacent to pockets. The method includes one or more steps of reducing the number of fabric plies in the upper corner of pockets to increase flexibility and eliminate point abrasion, increasing the distance between the peripheral stitching line and the peripheral edge of the pocket to increase the flexibility of the peripheral edge of the pocket and eliminate line abrasion, decreasing the stitch density in bar tacks whereby the stitch hole made by each stitch in a bar tack is distinct and separate from the stitch holes made by other stitches in the bar tack, and eliminating over edge stitches which tie the pocket to the garment substrate.

Abstract: A trouble-shooting system for computer-controlled machinery includes a portable programmable testing unit. The unit includes: a CPU; A/D and D/A converters connecting the CPU to a voltage probe, for either measuring voltages on the machine or generating test voltages to be applied to the machine; a voice synthesizer with headphones, and a text line display, for instructing the user; a keypad for the user to respond; a card slot for accepting a memory card which holds the test program; and a data bus connector. The data bus from the machine's control computer is disconnected for the test and coupled to the testing unit, which tests the computer as well as electro-mechanical devices of the machine. The card may be dedicated to the machine and contain a maintenance history.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a pneumatic picker for picking the top sheet from a stack of sheets, and a flipper for inverting upside-down sheets. The picker has a row of suction cups, supplied with vacuum through hoses, for picking up the top sheet. The lip of each suction cup is inclined to the top surface of the stack at a fixed angle. If the angle is properly chosen, exactly one sheet will be picked up as the picker is moved onto and away from the stack. The inclined suction cups are for permeable materials such as cloth. The picked sheet may be inverted by a twisted-belt flipper if needed. The flipper has four rollers with axes in a rectangular configuration, and two twisted belts. Each belt is wrapped around a pair of rollers on opposite corners of the rectangle, and the belts run closely in between the far pairs. A sheet will be flipped as it travels through, held between the two belts. To select which sheets are to be flipped, a photocell and gate work to direct sheets into or around the flipper.

Abstract: An automatic garment inspection and measurement system can create a two-dimensional or three-dimensional electronic representation of an object. This electronic representation can then be combined with other electronic representations to create a database of measurements from which standard patterns can be generated for use in manufacturing garments. The electronic representation can also be used to compare the manufactured object it represents to an ideal representation in order to determine if the object's measurements are within a predetermined tolerance of the ideal representation. A machine vision system is used to capture an image of the object and convert that image into a digital representation which can then be added to a database to be used to compile an ideal pattern or can be compared to an already existing ideal image to determine if the object is the correct size.

Abstract: A vision apparatus for indicating the locations of edges of work pieces in an illuminated work area including several arrays where each array includes several light conducting fibers. One end of the array is positioned in the work area to be illuminated by light except when blocked by the object. The other end of the optical fibers are positioned in a matrix plate contained within a camera enclosure. The camera enclosure further includes a lens to optically couple light from the matrix plate optical fiber ends to a light sensing device that produces electrical signals indicating the presence or absence of light at each of the fiber ends.

Abstract: Apparatus to align a plurality of objects while being concomitantly transported via a drive mechanism. Included is a detectional device at fixed locations in the path of transport to determine the relative actual positions of the objects and comparing the determined positions with a relative position to be maintained. On the basis of the comparison, the positional detection means emits a correction signal for operating a repositioning mechanism which imposes a restraining force on the leading of the objects that restrains the object in opposition to the transport force imposed thereon by the drive mechanism. For generating the emitted correction signal there is included circuit means including an encoder for generating pulses and means to determine the quantity of pulses corresponding to the variance between the compared portions of the objects.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electro-pneumatic control of a stitching machine, operable either in the automatic or semiautomatic mode. Following initiation of a stitching operation through actuation of the present control system, the system internally of itself develops a plurality of interlocks that require the existence of selected conditions for continuation of normal machine operations and which respond to abnormal conditions by precluding machine operation past preselected termination points. Thread conservation is a principal benefit.