Abstract: An arrangement for obtaining pattern feed elongation in an electronically controlled sewing machine by utilizing a potentiometer for feed length variation, which potentiometer at a certain point switches in a feed multiplication and reduces its effectiveness so as to obtain a uniform change in feed from 0 to the maximum multiplication desired. Two embodiments are disclosed, one of which utilizes a comparator to eliminate a switch.

Abstract: A proximity switch arrangement for an appliance having a multiplicity of operating capabilities, functions and conditions which are selected or adjusted through actuation of proximity switches by the presence of an operator's finger. Indicia representative of the operating capabilities, functions and conditions of the appliance are provided on a display panel. A plurality of proximity pads, which are interconnected in several groups, are arranged with respect to the indicia in the display so as to have a pair of pads from separate groups unique for each indicium and closely adjacent each side of the indicium. When an operator touches an indicium on the display, the proximity pads on each side of the indicium are actuated and by means of a decoder the unique indicium designated by the unique pair of groups of proximity switches is determined. Furthermore, the arrangement of the proximity pads are such that nearly every pad has an indicium on either side of it.

Abstract: A picking arm for an underbed thread trimmer which engages the bobbin thread and one limb of the needle thread and holds them so that a thread catching arm may engage the bobbin and needle threads and draw them into severing relation with a cutting edge of a thread cutting blade. After the threads have been cut, the picking arm returns to a rest position with the end of the bobbin thread retained in a channel contained in its thread engaging extremity. The bobbin thread is held in a position where it will be available for concatenation with a needle thread for the production of lockstitches.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed having means for automatically sewing a buttonhole. A Hall Effect sensor switch interacts with a lever, which engages adjustable spots on a buttonhole gaging presser foot, to provide signals for electronic circuit logic indicating the end of a buttonhole being sewn.

Abstract: A throat plate for a sewing machine having an above the bed feeding system, which throat plate provides for minimum drag on the work material. The throat plate is fashioned with a relief in which is situated a feed plate supported upon ball bearings for minimum friction, which feed plate is resiliently loaded to a central position. The throat plate is designed so that a presser foot of the above the bed feeding system will not impinge upon the movable feed plate and the feeding foot will impinge only upon the movable feed plate. Thus, work material captured between the feeding foot and the movable feed plate is not subjected to the usual drag from a stationary throat plate and, upon being released by the feeding foot, the movable feed plate returns to a starting position.

Abstract: A modular upper thread tension device utilizing an end of a tension beam to press together at least a pair of opposed thread engaging discs, and a raised helix form track on an end cam to provide a variable pivot point for the beam, all the components of the tension device being arranged to provide a compact form of construction. The entire tension assembly is supported on a sheet metal bracket which is attachable to the sewing machine frame with the thread engaging discs thereof lying beneath a slot in a top cover. A bell crank is fulcrummed on a pin attached to the support bracket, and has one leg thereof pivotably attached to a first end of the tension beam, which is arranged to lie as an extension to that leg. A mandrel is supported, by lugs of the support bracket, parallel to the tension beam, and has one end thereof extending through the second leg of the bell crank.

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: An automatic bobbin winding system for lockstitch sewing machine having the capability to wind needle thread around said bobbin while said bobbin is supported within the looptaker of the sewing machine wherein a depleted condition of the bobbin is sensed causing the work feed system to be disconnected, the bobbin winding system to be enabled and endwise reciprocation of the needle bar to be suspensed after needle thread is introduced into the bobbin winding system in order to fully wind the bobbin supported within the looptaker. When the bobbin is completely wound, a full bobbin sensing device is activated which terminates the bobbin winding, reinitiates the work feeding system and the endwise reciprocation of the sewing needle in order to continue stitching at that point where bobbin thread depletion was first sensed.

Abstract: An optical buttonhole switching arrangement in which the movement of reflective means carried on a moveable buttonhole foot are sensed as the foot is moved by the fabric feeding movement of a feed dog against the garment being sewn. The foot includes adjustable optical targets whose movement may be sensed by a photosensor carried on the sewing head. The spacing of the optical targets may be manually adjusted to accommodate buttons of different sizes. The photosensor is connected to an electronic circuit whose output may be used to control the retrieval of buttonhole stitching information from an electronic memory.

Abstract: A method of stitching a buttonhole in an electronically controlled sewing machine having the capability to generate a mirror image of a pattern. A first half of a buttonhole pattern is implemented which includes steps therein to return the work material to its starting position. Thereafter, a mirror image of the first half of the buttonhole pattern is implemented to provide a second half of the buttonhole which is perfectly symmetrical to the first half thereof. Additional reinforcing stitches about the cutting space of the buttonhole may be provided by the steps to return the work material to its starting position.

Abstract: A bobbin alarm for a sewing machine which utilizes a light source and a pair of light sensors to provide a warning of low bobbin thread remaining or of a full bobbin condition. The light sensors are arranged with respect to the light source so that one sensor lies substantially on a line from the light source tangent to the hub of the bobbin and the other sensor lies substantially on a line from the light source tangent to the periphery of an imaginary cylinder having the bobbin flanges as the ends thereof. A circuit is provided which is responsive to light stimulation of both sensors (empty bobbin condition) or no stimulation of both sensors (full bobbin condition) to provide a signal to an operator in the form of an illuminated LED.

Abstract: A light detector is supported in a mask box which extends into the cavity accommodating the looptaker with an edge of the surface adjacent the looptaker and upstream to the air currents generated by the looptaker closer to the looptaker than an edge downstream in order to discourage lint build up on the adjacent surface. A light source is fashioned with a lens projecting into the cavity accommodating the looptaker similarly to discourage lint build up.

Abstract: A method of forming a buttonhole including two spaced apart rows of zig zag stitches so that each row is formed in a like manner with the final overlaying stitches accomplished in the forward direction and which may be initiated by a barring stitch adjacent the edge of the garment followed by a straight stitch down the cutting space to the opposite end of the garment.

Abstract: A needle threader assist which uses a needle threader having a conical opening for guiding thread through a bore thereof into the eye of a sewing needle supported by a sewing machine. Support means are provided with the needle threader which when moved to an operative position, unlatches the needle bar from its drive means and elevates it to an uppermost position and simultaneously moves the needle bar to a predetermined lateral position, permitting the bore of the needle threader to be readily located axially with the eye of the sewing needle.

Abstract: A method for insuring that a traveling buttonhole presser foot, which is normally spring biased to an initial start position prior to movement of the traveling part thereof during the formation of a buttonhole, is located in the initial start position. As an initial step prior to the formation of the buttonhole, the sewing machine is operated for at least one stitch with the reversible feed regulating system thereof arranged to feed the work material in a direction to relax the biasing spring.

Abstract: A low bobbin thread supply alarm in which a bobbin case is fitted with lever pivoted thereon and carrying a permanent magnet for travel to the hub of the bobbin. An arm overhanging the bobbin case and bobbin carries a Hall generator in a portion thereof overlying the hub of the bobbin. The lever and permanent magnet carried thereby is urged by an electromagnet supported externally of the looptaker toward and away from the hub of the bobbin at suitable intervals. When the lever pivots greater than a given amount due to depletion of thread on the hub of the bobbin the permanent magnet on the lever will trigger a voltage change on the Hall generator which may cause an appropriate alarm to provide a warning of a low thread condition.

Abstract: A lock stitch sewing machine having a bobbin thread run-out indicator which is adjustable to permit initiation of the indication with a selected length of bobbin thread remaining on the bobbin. A bobbin case is supported in a rotating loop taker against rotation therewith and partially extending therefrom. The bobbin is fashioned with two flanges joined by a hub and is carried in a cavity in the bobbin case, the cavity being arranged so that one flange of the bobbin also extends partially from the rotating loop taker. A fibre optic is arranged in the sewing machine frame to extend a light ray through an opening in the bobbin case above the rotating loop taker but in between the flanges of the bobbin, adjacent the hub thereof, and through an opening in the opposite side of the bobbin case to a light sensor. The light sensor is carried so as to be shiftable normal to the direction of the light ray.

Abstract: A device permitting the rotation of a feed cam to a selected one of two positions in order to multiply the pattern capability of the sewing machine. A feed cam is supported in a sewing machine in a fashion to permit limited circumferential rotation with respect to a cam shaft. An actuator knob is keyed to the feed cam in a fashion to allow limited axial motion thereof while retaining a connection to the feed cam. The actuator is separably keyed to a positioning bushing affixed to the sewing machine cam shaft. Axial shift of the actuator towards the feed cam will disengage the actuator from the positioning bushing and permit rotation of the actuator and feed cams. The actuator may then be reengaged with the positioning bushing in a new position. The feed cam is thus driven through the actuators connection to the positioning bushing affixed to the cam shaft.

Abstract: An electronically controlled sewing machine having buttonhole capability and a reverse stitch actuating switch wherein actuation of the reverse switch during a buttonholing operation will initiate the second step of the buttonhole. Signals characteristic of selection of a buttonhole mode of operation are used in a logic combination to enable reverse selecting means to be used to initiate the second step of the buttonhole while inhibiting its use to implement reverse stitching. Absence of these characteristic signals will permit the reverse selecting means to be used to implement reverse stitching.