Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed in which the stitch forming instrumentalities in the head end including the needle carrying bar, the needle thread take up and tension devices, the presser mechanism and presser lifter are all carried on a module frame which can be manufactured by a single molding operation without requiring subsequent machining operations.

Abstract: A needle design and retention system in which the sewing needle is formed with a locator portion at the end of the shank that is substantially normal thereto. The locator portion may be parallel to the axis of the thread carrying eyelet and the sewing needle or may form a known angle with the plane including the needle axis and the axis of the thread carrying eyelet. The locator portion of the sewing needle extends through a transverse aperture in an enlarged end in a slabbed rod affixed to the sewing machine needle bar. The enlarged end is also grooved to accommodate a portion of the shank. A clamping sleeve is provided having an axially aligned aperture which surrounds the enlarged end of the slabbed rod and the sewing needle shank to retain the sewing needle affixed thereto. The clamping sleeve is provided with a counterbore which receives a coil spring which encircles the rod and is captured between the bottom of the needle bar and the ends of the counterbore.

Abstract: A belt guard lock for a belt guard pivotable on a pivot shaft affixed thereto and supported in a pivot frame attached to the sewing machine table, which guard lock effectively prevents pivoting of the belt guard by a sewing machine operator but may be readily defeated by a suitably authorized maintenance man. The guard lock fits about the pivot shaft affixed to the belt guard and remains therewith, so as to be available for use in any machine to which it is attached. The guard lock is implemented by a collar slidable on the pivot shaft and having a flange thereof which extends between the lower edge of the belt guard and the sewing machine table to prevent rotation of the belt guard. The belt guard lock may be rendered ineffective by loosening a special set screw inpinging on the pivot shaft and sliding along the pivot shaft to a position where the flange thereof is aligned with a slot in the belt guard to accommodate the flange during pivoting motion of the guard.

Abstract: A handwheel and handwheel clutch assembly for a sewing machine having a bistable tiltable element for engaging or disengaging the clutch thereby coupling or decoupling the handwheel from the arm shaft.

Abstract: In a display system which uses a laser beam for writing data and a projection lamp for projecting the written data onto a viewing surface, there is provided an arrangement which utilizes the projection lamp for providing excitation energy for the laser.

Abstract: A mechanism to facilitate selection of a standard size or shirt type buttonhole by interposing a link between the needle bar gate and driving arm and substantially parallel to the driving arm, with the connection between the driving arm and the link being movable to the selected positions based from the pivot point for the needle bar gate in order to obtain transfer of a proportion of the motion of the driving arm to the needle bar gate.

Abstract: The timing (program) cam is driven at timing speed through a gear train which includes a clutch. When a delayed start is desired the timing cam must be positioned at the start of a cycle so a lever sensing the cam position will move a tiltable jackshaft to an active position in which the worm gear on the shaft can be engaged by a manually set ratchet segment while a cam moving with the segment de-clutches the timing speed drive. The worm gear rotation drives the ratchet back to zero at which time the clutch is engaged and normal timing begins. The number of ratchet teeth engaged with the worm gear determines the length of the time delay.

Abstract: An optical switching arrangement for a sewing machine when used as a low bobbin thread detection and indicating system utilizes an infra-red light emitting diode and a phototransistor arranged on opposite sides of the bobbin so that an amount of bobbin thread greater than a predetermined threshold interrupts the light path from the light emitting diode to the phototransistor. A single integrated circuit chip is utilized to modulate the emission from the light emitting diode and to demodulate the output of the phototransistor to differentiate the detected emission from ambient radiation. The same basic configuration is also applied to an optical buttonhole switching arrangement.

Abstract: A thread handling device including an elongate rigid member and a strip with fibers extending outwardly to contact thread in a sewing machine passing between the rigid member and strip is provided with bracketing thread controlling cams which improve the performance of said device.

Abstract: An electronically controlled sewing machine includes an arrangement for utilizing the feed override control to effect a feed balancing function for a pattern having both directions of feed. To effect the balancing function, those patterns which have both forward and reverse feed are "flagged" for recognition by the sewing machine control system. When such a pattern is being sewn, the function of the feed override control is changed to perform the balancing function. Accordingly, when the feed override control is enabled, a fixed increment is added to all forward feeds in the pattern and the feed override control is utilized to attenuate only the forward feeds, to effect a balanced condition.

Abstract: A bobbin case positioning and retaining structure of one piece unitary construction for maintaining the bobbin case in proper operating position. The bobbin case is held captive without the need for operator manipulatable locking devices.

Abstract: A speed controlling arrangement for an electric motor is provided with a pneumatic foot controller which includes a bulb that is opened to the atmosphere between operative periods to equalize pressure in both the bulb and a transducer, but is closed when foot pressure is applied to the bulb to actuate the transducer.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a slidable bulb carrying bracket like member and a bulb cover with which the member may be moved between: (1) an elevated position wherein the bulb is protected both by the bulb cover and surrounding structure of the head end portion of the machine; and (2) a lowered position wherein the bulb is accessible for removal and replacement.

Abstract: The rotating program drum of the timer operates the timer switches in a predetermined sequence. One or more timer switches can be disabled to omit the function of the switch. Means are rotatably mounted in the frame to move a passive switch blade away from the active blade so the active blade cannot contact the passive blade. In two embodiments the disabling means operates on a switch at the end of the program drum while a third embodiment can operate on any of the switches operated by the drum.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a double pointed looper wherein the vertical reciprocating motion of a drive pin is converted into a controlled back and forth pivoting motion of the looper in a single thread chain stitch sewing machine.

Abstract: When the axially movable shaft mounted in the hub of a program cam drum is moved inwardly a pin loosely mounted in a cross hole on the shaft will move into engagement with teeth on a drive sleeve mounted between the shaft and the drum hub while a washer fixed on the end of the shaft moves to actuate a slider which then actuates and opens a line switch to take power off the appliance controlled by the timer. Engagement of the pin with the sleeve completes the drive to the sleeve and the sleeve is keyed to the drum by lugs projecting to slots in the hub. Now the shaft can rotate the timer drum without power applied to the appliance. When the shaft is pulled out, the line switch closes and the drive pin is disengaged from the teeth and rotation of the shaft is not effective to rotate the timer.

Abstract: A pattern cam selector mechanism for sewing machines including a pattern cam follower retracting arrangement employing a slidable control block formed with a pair of substantially identical cam tracks disposed laterally opposite each other in mirror image relation, one tracked by a retracting linkage and the other tracked by a stationary abutment pin thereby to minimize functional forces incident to operation of this cam selector mechanism.

Abstract: A presser lifting arrangement for an industrial sewing machine having a knee shift device which manually elevates a presser foot to a height above the work fabric to permit free movement of the work fabric therebeneath. Further motion of the knee shift device actuates a snap action switch which operates to connect a solenoid to a source of power to elevate the presser foot to its maximum height. In a second embodiment, the knee shift device includes internal switch contacts which energize a first solenoid to raise the presser foot a distance sufficient to permit free movement therebeneath, and continued actuation of the knee shift pad actuates a snap action switch which energizes a second solenoid to raise the presser foot to its maximum height.

Abstract: A buttonhole presser device includes electrical switch contact members which cooperate with adjustable contact closing members to close an electrical circuit path. The switch contact members are carried by the shank of the presser device and are arranged so that when the presser device is installed on the presser bar one of the switch contact members is in electrical contact with the presser bar and the other switch contact member is in electrical contact with a conductor. The presser bar and the conductor are electrically connected to an electrical control circuit within the sewing machine.

Abstract: A low torque direct dialing pattern selection mechanism for a sewing machine having an operator actuatable control dial. Initial rotation of the dial effects an isolation of the cam follower mechanism from the cam influenced stitch forming instrumentalities. Continued rotation of the control dial causes selective positioning of a pattern cam follower for operational engagement with a desired pattern cam.