Abstract: A sewing apparatus for use on a quilting machine having an intermittent tension mechanism and a hopping presser foot mechanism cooperating with eccentric cams located on the main drive shaft of the sewing apparatus.The intermittent tension mechanism includes an eccentric cam having an outer surface adapted to abut a cam follower which engages thread holding tension disks that are biased together by action of a spring. Pressure between the disks is increased during the final tightening of the stitch due to the reciprocating motion of the cam follower.The hopping presser foot mechanism includes a rocking bar pivotally connected at one end to a reciprocating arm and slidingly and pivotally connected at the other end to a presser foot bar. A ball and race mechanism pivotally connects the rocking bar with the reciprocating arm. The arm reciprocates due to action of the eccentric cam.

Abstract: A relatively long needle (22) is supported at the lower end of a needle bar (28). The needle bar (28) and needle (22) are moved up and down and forwardly and rearwardly. The needle bar (28) and needle (22) are moved forwardly while they are in materials (M) which are being sewed together, to in that manner advance the materials (M) stitch by stitch. The materials (M) are supported on a bed (10) which includes a slot (20) which is elongated in the direction of the stitch path. The needle (22) is received in the slot (22). A side boundary of the slot (20) provides a side guide surface (84) which is contiguous a first side of the needle (22). An upper thread (76) extends downwardly from a thread guide (110) into a side groove (86) in the first side of the needle (22), to and through a needle eye (80). A recess (82) is formed in the second side of the needle (22) above the needle eye (80). Following downward movement of the needle (22) through the materials (M), the needle (22) is moved upwardly.

Abstract: An upper feed mechanism of a sewing machine, in which a horizontal motion mechanism for moving the upper feed dog back and forth is provided with a double lever mechanism composed of a single arm lever, a bifurcate lever and a slider slidably mounted on both levers, and a crank lever mechanism for oscillating the levers. When a crank of the crank lever mechanism is at a top dead point or a bottom dead point, the radial directions of the levers are matched, and when the slider is moved in this state, the upper feed dog varies in the feed amount while the front position or rear position is constant.

Abstract: A pattern-matching joining machine for joining two sheets (e.g., sewing two cloths) having the same patterns with the patterns matching. The pattern-sensing photo-sensor generates intensity data for three different colors and the color data processed to correctly discriminate elements of a pattern having colors of similar brightnesses, and to accurately pick out pattern elements with faint colors from behind outstanding pattern elements. One way of processing the data includes calculating differences between intensity data for different colors. Another way includes selecting the color that has the largest intensity change.

Abstract: A sewing machine with an upper transport mechanism includes an arrangement with a pressing foot and a transport foot wherein the mass accelerations due to the movement of these members is reduced. A triangular lever member is provided with lever arms 34b, 34c which are linked with the presser foot and upper transport foot. The triangular lever member is linked so as to be angularly movable to an extent of the respective lever arms. Connecting rods of the presser foot and the upper transport foot are connected to the lever arms and are driven thereby. The movement of the connecting rods and the lever arms reduces the mass force of the respective transport foot and the presser foot. To further reduce the mass forces, the upper transport foot and the presser foot are spring loaded with respect to respective carrying elements of the upper transport foot and presser foot so that a damping action occurs.

Abstract: A device for performing an initial setting of a photosensor of a sewing machine including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The device adjusts the strength of light emitted by the light-emitting element so that the output of the light-receiving element responding to the emitted light falls within a preset normal range. Thus the output from the light-receiving element is normalized and the photo-sensor can correctly discriminate various levels of reflectance, i.e., between a pattern signal and a cloth-edge signal, or among pattern signals of various brightnesses.

Abstract: A machine which draws one by one a certain number of fabric layers, overlaps them and sews them in a completely automatic way, and which is composed of a stripping unit which draws the single fabric layers and disposes of them on a plane, a television camera and an electronic elaborator which determines the position of the fabric layers on the plane, a driving unit which, according to the determined position, draws and overlaps the fabric layers by means of an assembling device, and a sewing unit which receives the overlapped fabric layers from the assembling device and sews them together.

Abstract: A pattern-matching sewing machine having a feed-correcting means for accurately adjusting feed amount using a correction factor with three values which are set according to various sewing conditions such as species of cloths and a speed of a main motor. When the feed amount for pattern matching is calculated based on only a mismatch distance detected by a photo-sensor, the accurate pattern matching is not achieved due to the various sewing conditions. Therefore, the feed-correcting means selects the optimum one of the three values to accurately correct the feed amount for a good pattern matching.

Abstract: A pattern-matching sewing machine for sewing two sheets, (e.g. two cloths) having the same patterns with their patterns matching. The sewing machine has a plurality of mismatch calculation modes. The operator selects one of the calculation modes appropriate to the type or characteristics of the pattern to be sewn and the mismatch distance is calculated according to the selected mode.

Abstract: A pattern-matching sewing machine that constantly samples photo-intensity data during calculation of a mismatch distance and during adjustment of the feeding mechanism based on the calculated mismatch distance. When the adjustment is finished, a new mismatch-distance calculation is quickly started, not by waiting for sampling new photo-intensity data of a predetermined number, but by using photo-intensity data of the predetermined number including the data thus sampled during the previous calculation and adjustment, and the previously stored data which have been used in the previous calculation.

Abstract: A sewing machine for sewing two overlapped cloth pieces including sensor means for detecting the intensity of light transmitted through each respective cloth piece, intensity curve generating means for generating respective intensity curves over a predetermined distance, differentiation means for differentiating between the intensity curves of each cloth piece and for generating differential curves for each cloth piece, difference determining means for determining a displacement between the two differential curves and feed pitch control means for adjusting a feed pitch based on the displacement. The sewing machine of the invention matches and sews the two cloth pieces having the same lateral and vertical patterns by ignoring the detected vertical pattern data having unclear and vague broad peaks and using the detected lateral pattern data having clear sharp peaks to have the two cloth pieces' patterns matched in alignment.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a upper and a lower feed device with which a workpiece consisting of several plies can, when making arched and/or corner type seams, be transported in always constant position of orientation without mutual displacement of the plies. For this purpose the feed direction of both feed devices can be varied either by changing their direction of action or by geometric addition of at least two motion components.

Abstract: In a sewing machine having a needle bar jogging frame in which a needle bar which can be driven with a reciprocating motion in its longitudinal direction is mounted, the jogging frame is in the form of a member of a parallel four-bar linkage. For this purpose the frame is mounted by way of a guide lever and a lever so as to be movable parallel to itself in the heat of the sewing machine. The lever and the guide lever are designed equal in length and arranged parallel to one another. This development creates a simply constructed jogging frame so that the needle bar and thus also the needle are always moved or displaced parallel to themselves in the jogging plane of the jogging frame, irrespective of the stitch length and irrespective of whether the sewing direction is forward or backward to produce lock stitches.

Abstract: A shirring control apparatus automatically reads sewing data from a pattern or the like, automatically calculates the sewing data from the read data or the data previously read from the pattern, distributes the amount of shirring for each of the desired areas of a circle of the sleeve from the calculated sewing data, controls the distributed amount of shirring for each stitch, changes the amount of shirring differentially dependent upon the quality of the cloth and the bias, and displays the differential movement.

Abstract: Before sewing, a cloth pattern sensing means generates waveform signal corresponding to the overall width of two overlapping patterns corresponding to each other in two cloth pieces. The position difference between the patterns is calculated on the basis of the waveform signal. At least one of the feed pitches of the two cloth pieces is changed on the basis of data on the calculated amount of difference and data on the sensed cloth feed pitch. Data on the position difference amount between any patterns and the position difference amount between the next patterns are compared to calculate the direction in which the position difference amount increases or decreases, namely, the direction of the difference. Adjustment is made in the direction in which the amount of difference decreases on the basis of the result of calculation of the direction.

Abstract: A pattern sensor installed in a sewing machine for sensing patterns on two opposing sheets of cloth so that the patterns on the separate cloths are correctly aligned while sewing. The sensor is composed of a sensor head disposed between the two sheets of cloth, a light source, a light receiver, two light conduits including bundles of thin optical fibers, and a reflector which is composed of two prisms provided in the sensor head. The light emitted from the light source is transmitted via separate conduits and respectively enters the prisms. One beam is reflected upward toward the upper cloth, and the other is reflected downward toward the lower cloth for sensing the patterns. The light reflected on each cloth returns to the light receiver via the reverse route to be processed as a pattern signal.

Abstract: An improved guide device for the horizontal motion mechanism for the upper feed dog of an overlock sewing machine including an angularly adjustable bracket element that cooperates with a vertically adjustable slide to provide adjustability in the amount of shaft oscillation while attaining higher operating speeds.

Abstract: A device for synchronizing feeds of a lower and upper fabric in a sewing machine, which device comprises a control cam, a presser bar, a turning plate with a movable presser thereon, a switching plate movable on the presser bar and connected to the control cam which moves the switching plate, and a control plate interconnected between the control cam and the movable presser and rotated to move the switching plate and thus the movable presser so that it may be pressed against the fabric being sewn.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a material setter for a sewing machine having a hollowed folder through which a tape-like material passes to be folded before it is stitched. The material setter comprises a shoe member frictionally contacting with the material through a slot formed in the folder, a reciprocating device for reciprocatively moving the shoe member along the way of the material in the folder, and a one-way device for causing the shoe member to move the material forward only when the shoe member is moved forward by the reciprocating device.

Abstract: A sewing machine with a sensing device positioned ahead of a stitch-forming point, senses changes in the thickness of a material being fed by the sewing machine. In order to determine the difference in thickness, the sensing device has a pickup foot capable of vertical movement with a sensing surface that lies on the material adjacent the point the stitch is formed. A sensing lever is movably mounted on the pick-up foot with a sensing arm that lies on the material ahead of the sensing surface, a measuring member detects the relative movement between the pickup foot and the sensing lever.

Abstract: A universal sewing foot, for a sewing machine having a skipping top transport and a skipping bottom transport, comprises an advancing foot and a holding foot which alternately engage the workpiece. A locking member selectively locks the holding foot so that it operates either in a non-skipping mode, in which the foot is urged downward against the workpiece by a spring, or a skipping mode, in which the foot is locked to the skipping upper transport with the spring under compression.

Abstract: A thread chain sewing apparatus for use in overedge sewing machines has a thread chain catcher with a cutter for cutting a thread chain formed to extend from an end of a fabric and suctionally engaged against a suction opening. A presser foot having a guide groove for insertion of the thread chain is movable up and down, and a thread chain carrier is aligned with the thread chain catcher and has a suction nozzle for suctionally receiving the cut-off thread chain to carry it over the presser foot. An air blow tube running under the throat plate can be provided, an aperture thereof blowing the chain toward the suction opening. A thread chain presser mechanism has a holding plate movable up and down over the presser foot for pressing the thread chain into the guide groove of the presser foot.

Abstract: A fabric slipper upper is stitched on a stitching machine along the inner surface of a peripheral flange of an outsole by the provision of an upper feed only and a nosepiece having a blunted end and smooth sides and ends but with no lower feed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an upper feeding device of a sewing machine comprising a feeding presser foot and a holding presser foot alternatingly cooperating with it, to which is imparted by means of an oscillating means and a angle lever coupled thereto, an up and down motion extending perpendicular to a throat plate of the sewing machine. To provide an optimal drive of the presser feet, the oscillating means is formed by a cam means coacting with a jogging mechanism coupled to the angle lever. The jogging mechanism is provided with a translatorily movable slider extending vertically to the direction of movement of the presser feet. The slider is drivable at an interchangeable lever ratio by a shaft via a slide block-guide.

Abstract: A top transport device on sewing machines includes a spring-loaded presser bar mounted for vertical movement, which is firmly connected with a presser foot, and with a two-armed top transport rocker in operative connection at its upper end via a connecting linkage with a feed drive and carrying a top transport foot, the rocker being mounted on a seating disposed on the presser bar. To improve the kinematic connection between top transport foot and presser foot, the seating is mounted freely displaceable on the presser bar and connected with a bearing piece fastened on the presser bar via an articulated link mechanism, at the articulated joint of which a lifting drive engages. A transitional phase of the pressure shift between presser foot and top transport foot when the latter sets down on the work and when it lifts off results by a connection of the top transport rocker with the seating via a limitedly swingable link.

Abstract: A presser foot lift device for an upper feed sewing machine is so arranged that an upper feed tooth is initially lifted and then lifted along with a presser foot only after the lower surface of the upper feed tooth is at a position above the upper surface of the presser foot. This two-step lifting motion is made feasible by the combined operation of an elongated slot formed in a manually rotated actuating arm and a pin formed on an actuator pivotally mounted in coaxial fashion on a supporting shaft of the actuating arm and so adapted as to be introduced into the elongated slot.

Abstract: An upper feed mechanism positively driven in four directions above the work supporting surface of the machine for concommitantly advancing work along a predetermined feed path. The upper feed mechanism includes an upper feed dog carried on the presser arm of the machine. In the usual manner, the presser arm has a presser foot hinged at one end thereof. The opposite end of the presser arm is slidably pivoted relative the machine frame such that the presser arm, presser foot and upper feed dog mechanism may be conjointly moved sidewise as a modular assemblage thus permitting operating access to the sewing area of the machine.

Abstract: An alternating presser foot with a vertically movable sole portion, fixed in the feeding direction of a feed dog, and a clamping pressure foot adapted to be placed on sewing material relative to the movable sole portion by means of a drive lever which cooperates with a needle bar for movement along with the sewing material in the feeding direction of the feed dog. For transmission of motion from the drive lever to said clamping pressure foot, an angle lever is provided, one arm of which, extends approximately vertically, defining a guide cam cooperating with a follower of the drive lever, while the other arm thereof extends approximately horizontally defining a pressure element for stressing said clamping pressure foot in order to place it in engagement with the sewing material.

Abstract: A sewing machine presser foot attachment including a driven feed wheel proximately arranged relative to the reciprocal path of a needle. The feed wheel is powered by a drive shaft arranged to the rear of the feed wheel in the direction of sewing. A constant velocity universal joint arranged between the drive shaft and feed wheel permits vertical and horizontal pivotal movement of the feed wheel relative to the work supporting surface of the machine.

Abstract: An auxiliary presser foot mechanism is mounted in a sewing machine with the auxiliary presser foot member being biased onto one or more previously formed stitches so that the previously formed stitches will not be unduly tensioned by the operation of the thread takeup lever during the formation of the new stitch. A cam mechanism is provided for raising the auxiliary presser foot during the feeding of the workpiece and spring means are provided for pressing the auxiliary presser foot against the previously formed stitches when the sewing machine feed dog is lowered beneath the throat plate of the sewing machine.

Abstract: The present invention includes a sewing machine (12) with a variable top feed mechanism (25) that feeds the top layer of material for a sleeve at a variable rate to change the fullness thereof. The machine (12) is driven by a motor (42) which is controlled by a controller (51). A program is taught to the controller (51) for storage therein. The controller (51) then controls both the motor (42) and a controller (45) for the top feed mechanism to regulate the number of stitches and the relative rates of speed for the top and bottom materials fed by the machine. The program initially is taught to the machine and can be utilized for any type of material or size by inputting the correct sizes and types of material on a control panel (44). The machine (12) therefore semi-automatically sews sleeves onto armholes with the correct fullness sewn therein.

Abstract: A hand operable chain stitch sewing machine is provided with a top work feeding arrangement wherein a feed dog is moved away from a stop to engage and move a work piece under a sewing needle. The stop is adjustable and may be positioned with an operator's control to predetermine stitch length.

Abstract: An upper feed dog automatic regulator for an overlock machine has an upper feed dog divided into a front part and a rear part. The greatest lower bound in a locus of motion of the upper feed dog varies automatically in response to the thickness of fabric being sewn so as to avoid uneven material feed, puckering between the front and rear upper feed dogs, and other sewing troubles.

Abstract: A hand operable chain stitch sewing machine is provided with a top work feeding arrangement wherein a feed dog is mounted for pivotal movement about mutually perpendicular axes. The feed dog is moved about one such axis to engage a workpiece, and about the other axis to displace a work piece relative to a sewing needle.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a presser foot which is driven on a main shaft by an eccentric drive which drives through a toggle mechanism to a crank lever driver which effects the raising of the presser foot synchronously with the upward movement of a sewing machine needle so as to release a workpiece for movement relative to the needle. The presser foot is biased downwardly by a spring which may be adjusted as to its tension. During a sewing operation a driver is moved to a position only slightly disengaged from the lifting surface of the presser foot and during periods of engagement of the presser foot with the workpiece the toggle mechanism ensures that the presser foot engages the workpiece gently, irrespective of the adjusted amount of total lift of the presser foot by the drive mechanism.

Abstract: An upper cloth feed in a sewing machine comprises a presser foot and an upper cloth feed foot, each connected over a linkage with a feeding and lifting drive. The drive is connected over a connecting member with a substantially vertically moving carrier for the presser foot. A spring acts on the connecting member, and an idle stroke connection is provided inside the lifting drive. For the adjustable distribution of the pressure force on the two sewing feet, the force of the spring acting on the substantially horizontally moving connecting member is variable. In order to obtain a simple constructional design, the spring presses over a pressure rod on a pressure piece mounted for displacement on the connecting member.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a high-speed indexing system for use with any number of fabric-moving apparatus, a novel braking system for use within the indexing system, and a novel puller accessory. The high-speed adjustable indexing system is illustrated in connection with a sewing machine, as an example. In sewing machine applications, a synchronized intermittent advancement of fabric in unison with the movement of an associated feed dog is provided. Undesirable inertia-caused roller overshooting, heretofore treated with anti-reverse clutches and other approaches, is eliminated, thereby enabling high speed indexing at machine operating speeds conventionally unattainable in the art. An adjustable spring-biased braking arrangement is provided which may be preset for known machine operating speeds.

Abstract: A walking foot top feed for a sewing machine in which a walking foot is supported on a beam and a presser foot is supported on an arm, an independent beam being connected to both the presser foot arm and to the walking foot beam and a source of power being connected to the independent beam, the independent beam transferring motion from the source to the walking foot beam and to the presser foot arm to cause out-of-phase movement of the walking foot and the presser foot.

Abstract: A top feed arrangement for cooperation with a lower feed dog of a sewing machine, the lower feed dog cyclically engaging and disengaging the lower surface of material to be sewn in order to move that lower surface along a predetermined path through and past the sewing machine. The top feed arrangement comprises an upper feed dog carried by an arm that is linked to an oscillatory take-off from the primary drive system of the sewing machine. The arm is connected to the device at one end in a pivotal connection and the upper feed dog is carried at the other end of the arm. The arm is resiliently urged in a direction to cause the upper feed dog normally to approach the lower feed dog. A lifter device also responsive to the primary drive system of the sewing machine, periodically moves the upper feed dog in a direction away from the lower feed dog against the resilient force.

Abstract: A fabric feed for a sewing machine has a feed foot and a holddown foot that are vertically oppositely reciprocable between upper positions and lower fabric-engaging positions, and a continuously operating rotary drive with a rotating output whose rotary motion is transformed by an appropriate linkage into alternating reciprocation of the feed foot and the holddown foot. The feet are alternately engaged with and disengaged from fabric in the fabric-engaging position. On moving downwardly from their upper into their lower positions the feet are each first accelerated to a maximum speed reached when approximately midway between the upper and lower positions and thereafter are decelerated to an intermediate speed lying between zero and seven-tenths of the maximum speed reached when they attain the lower fabric-engaging position.

Abstract: A work manipulating mechanism for a sewing machine attachable to the presser bar thereof which utilizes a pair of spaced apart endless belts on a first drive plate to feed an endless quantity of work material through a sewing machine in the formation of an ornamental pattern or monogramming, the first drive plate being shiftable in an orthogonal direction by a second drive plate attachable to the presser bar of a sewing machine. The first drive plate may be shifted by a rack and pinion connection to a stepper motor supported on the second drive plate, and the work material may be shifted by a stepper motor connected to one of a pair of shafts carrying sprockets encircled by the endless belts in contact with the work material.

Abstract: A transport device for a sewing machine having a housing, a feeder foot and a fabric presser foot, a drive mechanism for driving the feeder foot and the presser foot, a transmission operatively interconnecting the presser foot and the feeder foot to the drive mechanism for alternately reciprocating the feeder foot and the presser foot relative to each other in up and down motions directed perpendicular to a stitch plate of the sewing machine, comprises linkages which cause the feeder foot and the presser foot, during their up and down motion, to move at a speed approaching zero during a touchdown phase of the motion. The transmission includes an eccentric connected to the drive mechanism which oscillates at a selected frequency. A triangular lever is connected to the feeder foot and the presser foot. A coupling member is connected to the eccentric and to the linkages with a link of the linkages pivotally mounted to the sewing machine housing and interconnecting the coupling member with the triangular lever.

Abstract: The upper feed dog for the cloth feed mechanism of a sewing machine can be moved sideways from a position opposing the sewing area to be separated from the sewing area to thus facilitate needle exchange and threading. The cloth feed mechanism of the sewing machine includes lower feed dogs which move towards and away from as well as longitudinally to a throat plate and a support member. The support member has an upper feed dog secured thereon which moves, interlocked with a driving member, in four directions above the upper surface of the throat plate with a phase in the vertical movement opposite that of the vertical movement of the lower feed dog and with a phase in the longitudinal movement identical to that of the longitudinal movement of the lower feed dog for feeding the cloth in synchronism with the lower feed dog. The support member is supported rotatably about a vertical shaft so as to oppose or separate the feed dog to or from the sewing area.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is to be connected to a domestic sewing machine for converting it into one capable of sewing heavier materials and sewing materials having edgewise designs so that the designs are maintained in alignment. The converted machine can also be capable of having an adjustable amount of hook throw. This apparatus includes a member which pivotally connects a needle bar and a feed foot to the sewing machine. The apparatus also includes a member which pivots the connecting member back and forth in a feed direction and a reverse feed direction. So that the workpiece being sewn by the machine will not slip during pivoting in the reverse feed direction, the apparatus also includes a clamp element for retaining the workpiece against a workpiece supporting surface during this time. Additionally the apparatus includes a mechanism which lowers and raises a feed dog when the connecting member has been pivoted to the substantial extremes of the feed direction and reverse-feed direction.

Abstract: A fabric label feeding apparatus for use in a stitching process including a roll of continuous labels in strip form, a feeding cylinder for engaging a raised stitch incorporated in each individual label and cut-off means for separating individual labels from the label strip.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is to be connected to a domestic sewing machine for converting it into one capable of sewing heavier materials and sewing materials having edgewise designs so that the designs are maintained in alignment. The converted machine can also be capable of having an adjustable amount of hook throw. This apparatus includes a member which pivotally connects a needle bar and a feed foot to the sewing machine. The apparatus also includes a member which pivots the connecting member back and forth in a feed direction and a reverse feed direction. So that the workpiece being sewn by the machine will not slip during pivoting in the reverse feed direction, the apparatus also includes a clamp element for retaining the workpiece against a workpiece supporting surface during this time. Additionally the apparatus includes a mechanism which lowers and raises a feed dog when the connecting member has been pivoted to the substantial extremes of the feed direction and reverse-feed direction.

Abstract: An upper layer feed mechanism in a sewing machine is disclosed herein. The upper layer feed mechanism comprises a first interlocking arm secured at one end to a horizontal feed shaft, an upper layer feed shaft rotatably supported on the machine frame of a sewing machine and having a second interlocking arm, a connector rod connecting between the first and second interlocking arms, an adjusting mechanism adjusting the connection between the second interlocking arm and connector rod, a support arm rotatably supported at one end on the machine frame, an upper layer feed arm rotatably supported at one end on the support arm and having an upper layer feed dog at the other end, a connection mechanism transmitting the rocking movement of the upper feed shaft to the support arm, a resilient means normally urging the upper layer feed dog downwardly and a means urging the upper layer feed dog upwardly against the resiliency of the resilient means.

Abstract: A machine for sewing together two workpiece parts having edges of equal or unequal length by using a bead seam, especially for joining together the edge of a vamp and the shorter edge of a plug of a true moccasin shoe, so that the length of the plug matches that of the longer edge of the vamp, in only one operation. The bead seam forming device essentially consists of a folding finger acting in front of the needle of the sewing machine and in synchronous driving connection with the needle; several machines are described which are provided with different bead seam forming devices.

Abstract: A sewing machine utilizing an intermittent upper feeding foot to feed work material in any direction. The upper feeding foot is carried internally of and swivels within a presser tube supporting on the end thereof a presser foot. Means are provided to alternate force on the presser foot during needle penetration and withdrawal, and on the feeding foot during feeding of a work material. During the period when force is applied to the presser foot, the upper feeding foot may be positioned by driving devices to an initial position, and may be driven to a final position after the force has alternated to the feeding foot. The driving devices may be responsive to information retained in intelligence record carriers in order to achieve the initial position and the final position. One driving device is connected by suitble linkage to a Y slide movable in a "Y" direction and connected to the end of the rod opposite the feeding foot.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with an electronically controlled top feed arrangement wherein an upper feed dog and a presser foot are adapted to alternately apply and relieve pressure upon a work fabric, the upper feed dog and the presser foot being oppositely phased with respect to each other. A linear actuator is coupled to reciprocate the upper feed dog along a feed line and a memory stores feed data including for each stitch a first data portion for controlling the feed stroke of the upper feed dog and a second data portion for controlling the return stroke of the upper feed dog.