Abstract: A method and pattern for making seamed articles which eliminate at least in part the need to initially precision-cut panels for piecewise assembly. The method and pattern are designed for use on sheets of fabric or the like, to generate a set of indicia. The indicia mark the seams to be formed of each panel, and lines about which the material can be folded to form the seams without cutting. Reference lines may also be used to permit precise panel-to-panel alignment prior to seam joining. In use, the pattern is applied to the material and the patterned material is folded along a fold line. The seams are then aligned so that they can be joined (e.g., by sewing or by fusing). The folding and joining steps may next be repeated to add further panels to the assembly. Finally, excess material may be removed if desired, by cutting beyond the seams.

Abstract: A system for folding limp material segments. A system includes a support surface for the segment, a belt assembly including a matrix of elongated parallel endless belts overlying that surface. A controller for permitting rotation of the surface with respect to the belt matrix, a fold-locus-defining assembly including a sheet member having a leading edge which may be adjustably positioned with respect to a material segment between the belts and the support surface, a sensor for generating a position signal representative of the segment on the support surface. A controller is responsive to the position signal and applied signals representative of a desired fold locus on the segment to control the belt assembly, the support surface, the fold-locus-defining assembly so that the segment is folded about a desired linear folding locus.

Abstract: A method for converting a pattern for a first garment to a pattern for a second garment, where the first garment includes front and back, body and shoulder portions with sleeves extending from shoulder holes between those front and back portions. The regions of the body and shoulder portion adjacent to the sleeve-to-shoulder seam are non-parallel with respect to regions of the sleeve portions adjacent to that seam when the body and shoulder portions are positioned in a plane. The second garment has the same outer contour as the first garment, including front and back body portions with a shoulder hole between those front and back body portions. Separate, generally tubular sleeve and shoulder portions having a sleeve and shoulder seams extending along their lengths, have one end joined to the perimeters of the shoulder holes along shoulder-to-body seams.

Abstract: A system for the manufacture of seamed articles from a strip of limp fabric includes an apparatus for feeding strips of fabric and for automatically folding the strips along desired fold lines. A fabric joining apparatus forms seams in the folded strips of fabric at desired locations while providing near-field control of the fabric using selectively operative feed dogs and far-field control using a matrix of selective retractable endless belts.

Abstract: A garment having body portions including front and back portions with a shoulder hole between those front and back portions. A generally tubular sleeve and shoulder portion has a sleeve and shoulder seam extending along its length with one end of the sleeve and shoulder portion joined to the perimeter of the shoulder hole along a sleeve-to-shoulder seam. The regions of the body portions adjacent to the sleeve-to-shoulder seam, when the regions of the body portions adjacent to the sleeve-to-shoulder seam are positioned in a plane without the sleeve and shoulder seam being joined. The regions of the body portions adjacent to the sleeve-to-shoulder seam are non-parallel with respect to the regions of the shoulder and sleeve portion adjacent to the sleeve-to-shoulder seam when the regions of the body portions adjacent to the sleeve-to-shoulder seam are positioned in a plane with the sleeve and shoulder seam being joined.

Abstract: A method for assembling pants from two substantially identical fabric panels using flat plane seams for joining the two panels. The pants are assembled according to the sequential steps of first positioning one of the panels in a plane, then overlaying the other of the panels on the first panel. Then the crotch seam regions of the first panel are joined to the corresponding overlying crotch seam regions of the second panel to form two flat plane segments of the crotch seam. Then, the leg portion of one of the panels is folded 180 degrees about a first fold axis which passes through the junction points of the contiguous inseam and crotch regions of the panel. Thereafter, the panels are folded 180 degrees about a second fold axis passing between the first and second sides, so that the inseam regions of each panel are mutually adjacent. Finally, the adjacent inseam regions are joined thereby forming the flat plane inseam, and also joining the two segments of the crotch seam to form the flat plane crotch seam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for automated joining of limp fabric or material. The system comprises a movable seam joining device, retractable belt assemblies to capture the fabric, and a controller to achieve proper positioning of the seam joining device and the retractable rollers.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing articles from a strip of flexible material, when the article is characterized by one or more seams joining an associated set of non-colinear curvilinear segments. Initially, the strip of material is positioned so that the curvilinear segments for one seam are mutually adjacent and then those segments are joined. Thereafter, excess material is removed.

Abstract: A gimballed platform stabilization system includes at least one outer member, an inner member, and an intermediate inertia bearing member. The intermediate member has limited coaxial angular freedom about an isolation axis with respect to the inner and outer members. A limited freedom (about the isolation axis) torsional flexure element is coupled between the intermediate and inner members. A first servo loop establishes a "negative spring rate" in parallel with the positive spring rate associated with the flexure element, maintaining a low net effective spring force on the inner member. A second servo loop prevents the angular excursion between the intermediate member and the inner member to extend beyond the limits of the flexure element. This inertia reaction stabilization configuration reduces disturbing torques from a stabilization axis to non-linear spring residuals which are relatively small.

Abstract: A passive near neutral buoyancy platform includes a structure housing a series of gas-filled cells, restrained in their maximum volume regardless of the internal charge pressure, and collapsible in character when external pressure exceeds the charge pressure. With this structure, once a cell having a predetermined initial internal charge pressure reaches a depth where the external pressure exceeds this initial value, that cell contracts, resulting in a net buoyancy change for the structure. Where this series of cells is attached integrally to a single structure, the cells form a pre-loaded compressibility compensation device which is matched to the external environment.

Abstract: A system for measuring ocean characteristics. The system includes a sensor assembly and an associated means to control the system buoyancy to achieve cyclic ascent and descent at controlled speeds, either along a mooring line or free-drifting. Buoyancy control is provided by a pump assembly including two rolling diaphragm-sealed, low friction displacement pistons driven by a high torque d.c. motor operated at low speed. There are four functional groups of data gathering instrumentation. The first group measures horizontal water transport, and includes sensors for current (flow velocity), system azimuth, system tilt, and vertical velocity. The second group provides a determination of salinity, and includes sensors for conductivity, temperature and pressure. The third group monitors conditions within the system, and includes sensors for internal temperature and humidity.

Abstract: A system for measuring ocean characteristics. The system includes a sensor assembly and an associated means to control the system buoyancy to achieve cyclic ascent and descent at controlled speeds, either along a mooring line or free-drifting. Buoyancy control is provided by a pump assembly including two rolling diaphragm-sealed, low friction displacement pistons driven by a high torque d.c. motor operated at low speed. There are four functional groups of data gathering instrumentation. The first group measures horizontal water transport, and includes sensors for current (flow velocity), system azimuth, system tilt, and vertical velocity. The second group provides a determination of salinity, and includes sensors for conductivity, temperature and pressure. The third group monitors conditions within the system, and includes sensors for internal temperature and humidity.

Abstract: A system for measurement of ocean current near the surface wave field. The system includes a controlled buoyancy platform having a current sensor. Upper and lower plural roller assemblies are affixed to the platform for limiting platform motion along a guide line. In one form, each guide assembly includes a plurality of rollers adapted to freely track the guide line so that the platform is both substantially free to move along the guide line in response to pressure gradients from the surface wave field and also substantially decoupled from twisting and axial motions of the guide line.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the vertical displacement between a remote point and a reference point. The apparatus comprises a pair of reservoirs, each having a liquid working fluid disposed therein, a differential pressure transducer and a hydraulic coupling means for each of the reservoirs. Each hydraulic coupling means couples a point in the reservoir below the top surface of the working fluid to an associated input port of the pressure transducer. A vapor pressure equalization means is provided for the reservoirs whereby the points above the top surface of the working fluid in each reservoir are maintained at substantially equal pressures. The apparatus further includes a volumetric temperature compensation means for offsetting temperature dependent changes in the volume of the working fluids which occur in the hydraulic coupling means.