Abstract: A multiple speed gear transmission includes a pair of planetary gear arrangements connected in series, the output of the first connected to the input of the second. Each such planetary gear arrangement includes on the shafts of its planets, at least two different gear surfaces of different diameters, and in one embodiment three such gear surfaces are provided. A drive annular gear connects the input of each such arrangement to one of the gear surfaces; and at least two annular gears, i.e. sun gears or ring gears, are further connected with each planet gear for providing different forward drives and/or reverse drive. The planet carrier is connected to the output member of each arrangement. A direct drive clutch is provided for connecting the drive annular gear directly to the planet carrier for direct drive. In one embodiment the drive annular gear of the first arrangement is a ring gear and the drive annular gear of the second arrangement is a sun gear.

Abstract: Each of several types of speed changers comprise a pair of generally dish-shaped housing sections releasably secured in confronting relation around their peripheries with a high speed shaft journaled in an axial bore of one section, and a low speed shaft or hub journaled in the other section coaxially of the high speed shaft. At least one two-step cluster gear is secured to the inner end of the high speed shaft and has a pinion section drivingly engaged with a set (three) of two-step planetary cluster gears that are rotatably mounted on three shafts that are fixed at opposite ends in a pair of circular carrier plates which also are journaled coaxially in the housing sections to be rotatable therein in unison. The pinion sections of the planetary cluster gears are drivingly engaged with the teeth of an internal sun gear secured in the housing coaxially thereof.

Abstract: An accessory is provided for a vehicle having a transmission vacuum modulator and an engine equipped with a supercharging device such as a turbocharger that temporarily boosts intake manifold pressure above atmospheric pressure. The accessory normally provides a communication path for use in coupling a manifold port to a vacuum modulator port so that variations in intake manifold pressure serve as an input signal to the vacuum modulator. The accessory provides for comparing intake manifold pressure with a reference pressure, and, when the manifold pressure exceeds the reference pressure, the communication path is interrupted.

Abstract: A tire patching apparatus which is easy to use and can be employed by an untrained person, which includes a gun-shaped device including a container for adhesive in its handle; one wall of the container being a vertically pivoted piston actuated by the trigger to squeeze adhesive out from the barrel and a tubular rubber patch insertable in a hole in a tire and adapted to be temporarily secured by a clip and a chain to the gun while adhesive is spread around it while in the hole. The patch is pulled by the clip until the seat of the patch has reached the inside surface of the tire and then its projecting part is severed even with the tire tread.

Abstract: An internal tube cutter for cutting the inside of tubes of a nuclear steam generator comprises an extendable cutter capable of being disposed within a tube of a steam generator along with a flexible transverse positioning mechanism disposed on the cutter for positioning the cutter within the tube. The cutter is attached to a drive mechanism that is capable of rotating the cutter when the cutter is in an extended position to thereby cut the inside of the tube. The cutter and flexible transverse positioning mechanism are capable of being inserted into and traversing through tubes whose inside diameter is severely reduced due to denting while being capable of being extended and severing the tube at a section of the tube having a normal diameter.

Abstract: An envelope opener comprising first, second and third shear stations for shearing three edges of an envelope in sequence one edge at a time. Each shear station sequentially aligns the envelope by contacting the edge to be sheared, shears the contacted edge, and then releases the envelope. A microcomputer monitors the advance of the envelope through and between the shear stations and causes the shear stations to cyclically align, shear and release the envelope. A peel back station downstream of the shear station peels back a panel of the envelope to expose the contents thereof. If an envelope is jammed at or between any of the stations, the microcomputer actuates a display to indicate a jam condition. The microcomputer also shuts off power to the opener to prevent damage to the envelope.

Abstract: A dispenser for flexible sheet material having a reserve roll that automatically moves into the dispensing position when the dispensing roll is almost exhausted. The sides of the reserve roll guide tracks are angled inwardly to engage the reserve roll spool at an off center point, so the spool is motivated to move downwardly toward the dispensing position whenever it is rotated. The leading edge of the reserve roll towel engages the remaining portion of the almost exhausted dispensing roll and is moved therewith to be threaded through the dispensing mechanism. The perforating mechanism is assisted through the perforating stroke by a spring mechanism and is halted by a roll stop mechanism including a pivoted stop link and an anti-reverse pawl.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic musical instrument which comprises a waveshape computation cycle, a waveshape transmission cycle and an envelope load output. In the waveshape computation cycle, a musical waveshape is obtained in the form of the accumulation of the products of the nth powers of the fundamental frequency of a cosine wave and coefficients A.sub.n indicating harmonic components of a musical note in certain relationship.

Abstract: In order to simplify the intricate wiring in known automatic bass chord systems and to reduce the number of separate decoders used therein for all chords of each key, an apparatus is provided which allows the use of only one decoder per chord type. When a chord is held one bit is applied to the inputs of a first 12-bit shaft register which correspond to the tones of the chord, after which all bits are shifted further by an HF clock pulse until this chord pattern has arrived at those outputs of the 12-bit shift register which, with the inputs of the decoder which corresponds to the chord being held, are assigned to a single pre-selected tonality.

Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument with two tone generators of which the frequency of the tones produced by them is substantially constant for the first generator a priori and for the second generator not until after a final value is reached which corresponds to the frequency of the corresponding tone of the first generator, the frequency of the first generator is applied to a first input and that of the second generator to a second input of a frequency comparator circuit, whose output is connected to a control input of the second generator via control device. This ensures that the repeated readjustments of the control quantities necessary in known instruments are no longer necessary.

Abstract: An array of magnetic pickup coils are mounted by a support assembly secured to the bridge of a stringed musical instrument. The assembly is preferably for use with a base violin or cello and is easily adjustable relative to the strings. The support assembly for the coils permits adjustment of the coils along each string, adjustment between each coil and its associated string, adjustment of the coil so as to center on the string and proper planar orientation between coil and string.

Abstract: A method of playing a stringed musical instrument of the guitar family by tapping the strings. The musical instrument has, for example, a fretted fingerboard, a plurality of tensioned strings and string tensioning means, sound amplifying means; there is a first group of melody tuned strings and a second group of bass and chord strings. The strings of the first group are tapped by the fingers of the right hand and the strings of the second group are tapped by the fingers of the left hand. The fingers of both hands are used to tap bass, chords and melody simultaneously.

Abstract: An envelope circuit for a keyboard type electronic musical instrument having a damping and sustain characteristic. The circuit has a keyswitch operated in association with the actuation of a key on the keyboard of the electronic musical instrument to connect a power supply to a voltage responsive circuit for producing a decreasing volume output tone. A sustain circuit is coupled to the voltage responsive circuit for sustaining the operation of the voltage responsive circuit and is connected through a blocking diode to a sustain switch common to all the envelope circuits in the musical instrument. The sustain switch is connected in the sustain circuit for bypassing the voltage supplied thereto from a time constant circuit when the sustain switch is closed for making the sustain circuit inoperative to deenergize the voltage responsive circuit, whereby the voltage responsive circuit continues to produce an output tone independently of how the keyswitch is restored to its initial position.

Abstract: A reed for a harmonica or the like has a free end portion that is adapted to vibrate and give a predetermined tone and a T-shaped mounting end portion substantially the same width as the free end portion and having a pair of laterally projecting tabs. A reed support plate is formed with a pair of transversely spaced and longitudinally extending edge portions that form with a pair of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending web portions a window having a width generally equal to the reed width. A groove is formed at one of the edge portions and opens at the substantially planar face of the mounting plate. This groove extends transversely from the window and has a groove width substantially equal to the reed width, while a substantially planar base surface of the groove is inclined away from the window to the face.

Abstract: A blind fastener assembly includes a pin, an expander and a sleeve. The pin and expander may include, in one configuration, mating threads for drawing the sleeve axially over the expander toward the blind side of a workpiece, or the pin may be a pull-type wherein the portion of the pin opposite from the blind side end has pull grooves which are adapted to be gripped by a conventional pull gun. The expander extends through aligned holes in the workpiece and has a tapered nose surface at the blind side end adjacent a reduced thickness cylindrical portion which extends axially to a stop shoulder. The shoulder provides a transition to a normal thickness cylindrical portion which extends through the workpiece holes. The sleeve is a tubular member with a portion of its length having a normal radial thickness and a portion having a reduced radial thickness.

Abstract: An expansion plug has a pair of expansion shanks separated by a slit which extends along most of the length of the plug. A receiving channel for a fastener extends within the plug and along its length. The outer surface of each shank has a plurality of teeth which do not extend beyond the cylindrical profile of the plug. A pair of locking tongues extends outwardly from the plug at an acute angle to the plug axis. The expansion shanks are connected to each other by a series of longitudinally extending and longitudinally offset frangible wall portions.

Abstract: A centerfire cartridge priming tool intended for hand held use and including a one piece molded tool body and a shell casing holder integrally embedded in an end of the tool body. A lever is pivotally attached to the body adjacent the shell casing holder and is functioned to force a new primer into the priming chamber of the shell.

Abstract: The time-to-go of the fuze of an artillery shell is digitally set after the round has been fired but before it leaves the muzzle of the gun. The communications link for setting the fuze includes a transmitting coil mounted on the gun muzzle and a receiving coil mounted on each shell round. The transmitting coil is energized with a plurality of signals on discrete frequencies. The output from the receiving coil is detected to derive one binary digit representing each discrete frequency. All the binary digits, "0" or "1", are simultaneously set into a binary counter in the fuze, so that the binary number represents the time-to-go.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a visual checking device for machine guns and similar weapons, characterized by the fact that it is made up of a lever or toggle lever, permanently stressed by a return spring in the direction of the location of the successive rounds of the supply belt, in such a manner that aforesaid lever or toggle lever can take up two positions, respectively an upper position when it makes contact with a cartridge, and a lower position when no cartridge is present.

Abstract: An automatic trimming device for laminated boards includes automatically adjustable cutting means for trimming excess material from laminated boards during manufacture thereof, regardless of the thickness of the laminated boards.

Abstract: A fluid system has at least first and second circuits, each connected to a pressurized fluid source. Each circuit has at least one preselected work element connected to the fluid source through a respective preselected controlling valve. A blocker valve is connected to one of the circuits and has an actuating assembly and is of a construction sufficient for controllably passing fluid from a preselected location on one of the circuits to a preselected location on the other circuit.

Abstract: A piston cylinder assembly includes a piston rod reciprocatively mounted within a piston chamber, and a piston fixed to the rod within the chamber. A pair of pots are mounted on opposite ends of the cylinder chamber in fluid communication therewith, each one of the ports having a laterally extending portion adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of fluid under pressure and having an axially extending portion opening into the interior of the chamber. A tapered seal is mounted on one of the end portions of the piston for sealing the axial portion of one of the ports to provide a cushioned movement of the piston at the terminal end of its stroke. A sleeve member extends axially within the last-mentioned axial portion of the port and terminates at one of its ends at a position disposed opposite the lateral portion of the port. A bleeding device permits fluid to leave the chamber as the seal engages sealingly the sleeve member so that the terminal portion of the piston stroke is cushioned.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated reciprocating piston and a differential force operated valve are both in continuous fluid contact with a pressurized cushion chamber as well as the piston chamber pressure. The valve position is a function of the cushion chamber pressure. The cushion chamber pressure is a function of the axial position of the piston. The values of these functions are such that the piston is reciprocated when the machine is operated. The valve may, for example, be a sleeve coaxial with the piston or a valve transversely spaced from the piston.

Abstract: A rack and pinion power steering gear assembly includes a housing with a longitudinal bore and a sleeve slidably mounted in the longitudinal bore. The rack is slidably mounted within the sleeve and cooperates with the sleeve to communicate an inlet port to either a first working chamber or a second working chamber when the rack moves from a first position to a second position. The rack and sleeve also cooperate with each other to define a pair of feedback chambers and the rack moves from a first position to communicate the inlet port with the first feedback chamber to a second position to communicate the inlet port with the second feedback chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic mine prop comprises a cylindrical top ram portion and a bottom ram portion which is telescopically engageable in said top ram portion and has an upper piston portion in sliding sealing engagement with the interior of said top ram portion. A ram head closes the top of said ram portion and a valve seat body is disposed between the ram head at a spaced location therefrom adjacent the top of the top ram portion and defines a vent space therebetween. The valve seat body also encloses a pressure space between itself and the piston and a passage is defined through the valve body within a valve seat portion thereof which communicates the pressure space to the vent space. The passage is closed by a spring-biased valve which may open against the biasing force of the spring.

Abstract: A rotary hydraulic pump or motor of the axial piston type, including a rotary cylinder block (17) formed with cylinders containing pistons (15). The block is formed with ports (25) which co-operate with ports (26, 27) in a distributor plate or valve plate (19). The cylinder block is free to move in an axial direction, but is prevented from tilting. The valve plate (19) is fixed in an axial direction, but is allowed to tilt by means of a spherical abutment (36). Adjustable sleeves (28) accommodate the movement of the valve plate and convey the fluid to and from the cylinders (16) in the block.

Abstract: A housing is provided defining a central cavity and a rotor is journaled within the cavity and includes at least one piston bore formed therein extending generally radially of the axis of rotation of the rotor. The bore opens outwardly of the periphery of the rotor and a piston is reciprocal in the bore. The cavity defines at least one pair of approach and departure ramp surfaces extending thereabout in registry with which the outer end of the bore swings upon rotation of the rotor and the piston includes anti-friction thrust means on the end thereof remote from the axis of rotation of the rotor engageable with the ramp surfaces. Inlet and outlet means are provided and operative to admit fluid under pressure into the inner end of the bore and to exhaust fluid from the inner end of the bore in timed relation with rotation of the rotor as the thrust means swings into position engaged with the beginning of the departure and approach ramp surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: An axial-piston machine of the type in which a prismatic housing, usually of rectangular or square cross section, receives a rotatable cylinder drum, the pistons of which bear against an inclinable control surface. The control surface is formed on a rocker or tilting box which can be tilted about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum. The rocker-setting elements are disposed between the housing bottom and the reaction surface of the rocker (against which the pistons bear), at the corners of a rectangle which closely circumscribes the orbit of the pistons. Consequently, the presence of the rocker-displacing means does not increase the dimensions of the machine over those necessary for a fixed control surface machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a flexible bag into a box having an open upper end. The apparatus includes a frame which supports the box with the upwardly directed open end. A vertically movable member is mounted on the frame above the box for receiving a flexible container thereon. The receiving member has a leading end and a trailing end. The flexible container, when it is received on the receiving member, includes a closed end which is coextensive with the leading end and an open end which is coextensive with the trailing end. The trailing end of the receiving member includes an operative mechanism for folding the open end of the flexible container down around the outer periphery of the open end of the outer container to preferably provide a substantially U-shaped or cuff-like fold.

Abstract: A machine for counting flat articles includes a sequence of conveyor belts driven at successively increasing speeds from input to output. At the input end the articles are stacked and withdrawn from the stack from the bottom. A separator above the conveyor isolates the bodies from each other and spaces them, the spacing being increased by the increasing speed of the conveyors as the articles move toward the output end. The articles are counted by a photocell device or feeler. A receiver arranges the articles in a layered arrangement. In one embodiment the input conveyor belt is inclined and has spaced groups of holes with a suction box below the belt to grip and move the articles in spaced relationship.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for slitting a web of material such as paperboard utilizing at least two rotatable turrets disposed one above the other. Each turret has a pair of shafts adapted to have blades selectively positionable thereon by way of a master shifter which adjusts the blades for the next production run on one of the shafts which is in an inoperative position while the other shaft on each turret is in an operative position.BACKGROUNDSlitting apparatus particularly of the type known as an automatic slitter-scorer which includes either a computer or a mini-processor have been proposed heretofore. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,651,723; 3,961,547; 3,646,418; 3,831,502, 3,587,374; 4,010,677; 4,033,217. In the apparatus disclosed in said patents, blades are moved along a shaft to a predetermined position and then secured to the shaft for rotation therewith.

Abstract: An air diffuser for a ceiling or wall conditioned air outlet. The diffuser separates the flow of air from the outlet to the ambient into a plurality of diverging air jet streams by means of a plurality of regularly disposed wedge-shaped fins, with the result that air flowing from the outlet is diffused and substantially uniformly distributed throughout an enclosure, without causing uncomfortable drafts. Additionally, the ceiling type diffuser of the invention is preferably provided with a conically shaped baffle disposed across the direct flow of air from the outlet, and causing the air to be evenly distributed through the apertures between consecutive wedge-shaped fins and directed evenly along the ceiling and at a small angle downwardly.

Abstract: A lost mold for the casting of the ferrule, nozzle or mouthpiece of a chimney or smokestack consists of a light-weight relatively thin material which can burn off, wear or degrade in use and which is stabilized in a casting chest or box with sand for the casting of the concrete body adapted to form the ferrule or mouthpiece. The lost mold permits the casting of a draw-promoting device for a chimney by masons at the site of erection thereof and hence eliminates the need to transport massive bodies long distances. It also eliminates difficulties encountered with the shaping of the mouth of a smokestack or chimney by masons or chimney specialists.

Abstract: An enclosed fume hood having an access window with a vertically sliding sash is provided with an additional horizontally movable sash which closes off only a fraction of the open window space and thus reduces the volume of air required to be drawn through the window in order to maintain the requisite air velocity while still permitting complete access to the interior of the hood. Provision is also made to permit the horizontally movable sash to be easily removed, when necessary, to permit insertion into the hood of apparatus wider than the residual open window space.

Abstract: A toaster characterized by a compact construction and low energy consumption achieved by a shallow toasting portion foldable against a wall mounting portion and by toasting of the slices of bread in zones step-by-step across the breadth of the slices of bread by edgewise displacement of the slices of bread each in a toasting slot extending through the shallow toasting portion and between two elongated heating elements and transversely to the latter with a heat sensitive device controlling even toasting of the zones and stepwise displacement of the slice of bread. The toaster includes a step-by-step actuation mechanism mounted in the wall mounting portion and displacing a toast support toward and away relative to the toasting slot.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is described for preparing a crunchy food topping of random sized pieces or granules of cooked dough in which the dough is mixed, subdivided to random sized pieces or granules, baked, allowed to cool, sized and packed. The granules can then be applied to a food product, e.g., a dessert such as pie, cake, pudding, etc., by hand. The random sized pieces or granules are prepared within a dough-containing trough or hopper having a rotating cutting or comminuting device, e.g., wires near its bottom end. These wires are supported upon spokes which are mounted rigidly upon a rotating drive axle near the bottom of the hopper. The hopper has an outlet at the bottom through which the granules exit to a conveyor used for transporting them to a baking oven.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for dewatering sludge, sewage and other materials containing water and solid particles. The device comprises at least two rotatable and two superimposed power driven filter bands which are successively guided to and about the perforated cylindrical walls of the drums in pressure engagement therewith so as to drive the drums in opposite direction and causing release of water from sludge fed between the two filter bands. After leaving the last drum the bands are guided by rolls along a meandering path along which the sludge is repeatedly stretched and pressed to cause further release of water from the sludge and to discharge the now dewaterized sludge at the end of the path.

Abstract: Distortion, smearing, and/or slurring are reduced in printing halftone images using printing apparatus with cylindrical printing surfaces by forming the image to be printed as a plurality of toned lines substantially perpendicular to the ink transfer nips in the printing apparatus. The invention is particularly suited to printing halftone images on rough or irregular substrates and on substrates, such as the outer side surfaces of truncated conical containers, which are not of uniform conformity with the cylindrical printing surface.

Abstract: A print character selection mechanism for use with printers of the type wein print characters are circumferentially disposed about the character ring and are selectively positioned in a print position by deenergizing an electromagnetic coil is provided. Each of the character rings includes a ratchet gear having a plurality of circumferentially disposed teeth, which teeth correspond to print characters circumferentially disposed about the print character ring. The instant invention is particularly characterized by a comb-shaped yoke member having a plurality of selection yokes, associated with each of the character rings, and a common yoke supporting each of the selection yokes. An electromagnetic coil is disposed about each selection yoke and is normally energized to induce a flux field in the selection yoke. A plurality of selection members are normally disposed in a rest position in abutting engagement with a selection yoke when the electromagnetic coil is energized.

Abstract: Screen printing and stencil articles, apparatus and methods provide a stencil including a screen and photosensitive emulsion for selectively stopping areas of the screen upon photographic exposure and development. One or more sheets are adapted to receive an image pattern through which the photosensitive emulsion is to be exposed. The photosensitive emulsion is shielded against spurious exposure. The screen with shielded photosensitive emulsion and the one or more pattern receiving sheets are combined into a unitary stencil making assembly.A stencil comprises a rectangular screen having meshes. A first area on the screen is stopped and a second area adjacent the first area comprises open meshes of the screen. A first elongate screen mounting member is attached to and extends along a first side of the screen. A second elongate screen mounting member is attached to and extends along an opposite second side of the screen. The screen itself is self-supporting between the first and second mounting members.

Abstract: A printing machine comprises a rotary print drum adapted to receive type and a rotary transfer roller located adjacent to the drum for transferring ink from an ink supply to type mounted on the drum. A transfer drive couples the drum to the transfer roller so that rotation of the drum effects rotation of the roller, the transfer drive comprising roller means arranged to contact both an end surface of the drum and an end surface of the transfer roller.

Abstract: A projectile with at least one longitudinally extending recess emanating from the rear end of the projectile and a rearwardly open sleeve having at least one pyrotechnical charge arranged therein. The sleeve is disposed within the recess and is arranged to be retained in the recess during and after the firing of the projectile. To enable retention of the sleeve, there is provided a pressure relief of propellant gases in the recess and/or abutments of the projectile and/or holding arrangements provided on the sleeve.

Abstract: A sabot projectile including a sabot, a subcaliber projectile and a hood arranged in front of the sabot and surrounding at least a part of the projectile. The hood is coupled to the sabot and/or the projectile and is separable therefrom. The sabot is provided with at least one bore extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged for exposure to propellant gases upon firing of the sabot projectile from the barrel of a weapon and for directing the propellant gases onto the hood for accelerating the hood relative to the projectile while the sabot projectile is within the barrel of the weapon.

Abstract: An elevated dual-rail transit guideway in which the structural spanning members are shaped so as to serve also as baffles for suppressing the propagation of noise into the surroundings. The interior surface of the baffles may be treated with sound absorbing material to further improve their effectiveness.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle system comprises a track having a downwardly facing surface of magnetic material, and a vehicle movable along the track, the vehicle comprising a magnetic suspension system including a permanent magnet, the suspension system being arranged to be magnetically attracted upwardly towards the surface of the track by the flux of the magnet whereby the weight of the vehicle is at least partially balanced by the magnetic force between the magnet and the track, and a magnetic circuit for controlling the magnetic flux, without permanently reducing the magnetic strength of the magnet, whereby to control the lifting force.

Abstract: A vent and pressure relief system for locomotive fuel tanks includes a short standpipe supporting a baffled overflow vessel connected with a drain conduit. The standpipe is made high enough to prevent the overflow of the fuel therefrom during all operating and braking conditions of the locomotive, except for the moment of high deceleration which occurs only at the instant of a full stop. The overflow vessel is made large enough to contain any overflow of fuel from the standpipe occurring during a full stop, and includes baffling to prevent the loss of fuel out the drain conduit and fuel return means to return spilled fuel to the tank. The standpipe, overflow vessel and drain conduit are made large enough to provide an overflow path that prevents tank overpressure when filling, should the automatic equipment of the filling station fail to cut off when the fuel tank is full.

Abstract: A pallet comprising a generally flat top sheet and a generally flat bottom sheet spaced from the top sheet. A plurality of sills constructed from elongate generally flat rehydrated gypsum strips are sandwiched between the top and bottom sheets. A water-impervious cover is closely positioned over the sheets and over the edges of the sills.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an electrically driven sewing machine with stitch pattern producing means comprises an electric signal generator for generating an electric signal related to at least one predetermined angular position of a main shaft of the sewing machine, set board means capable of setting therein a desired stitch pattern by means of a probe, and pattern detecting means for reading out cloth feed operation information and needle position information of the stitch pattern set at the set board means. The needle bar is set at a predetermined position in dependence upon the needle position information as read out, while cloth feed is effected in dependence upon the cloth feed operation information, whereby sewing operation is performed in the same stitch pattern as the one stored in the set board means.

Abstract: A computerized controller for a sewing machine is described. A plurality of patterns is stored in the memory. These patterns may be sewn into the fabric as single patterns, as a group of patterns or as a continuing series of identical groups of patterns. The patterns themselves are also variable in position, size, length and height. The basis of this system is a micro-computer or micro-processor, for accessing stored pattern data for controlling the fabric and needle motion, for manipulating said pattern data and for output of said data to the sewing machine servo circuits in the predetermined order desired.

Abstract: Sewing machines of the type having electronic pattern control means are provided with circuitry which upon the selection of any pattern by the pattern selector means causes the needle to initially go to a central position and the first stitch formed to be a straight stitch in every case.