Abstract: A combination of a thread carrying upper looper and a thread carrying lower looper which along with a thread carrying needle cooperate together in an overedge industrial sewing machine in which the thread carrying upper looper has its thread carrying groove located closer to the bottom edge of the blade face than to the upper edge of the blade face and has its point located above the thread carrying groove and is closer to the upper edge than to the lower edge. The blade of the thread carrying lower looper has a generally flat bottom surface having a 2.degree. rise starting 3/8" from its point and extending to the point.

Abstract: A bobbin thread tension for a closed end cylindrical body bobbin thread case of a horizontal axis type rotary hook for a lockstitch sewing machine consisting of a diagonally slotted thread aperture in the wall of the bobbin case partially covered by a bobbin thread control that is adjustably mounted on the wall of the bobbin case by a pivot screw at one of its ends and inward a clamp screw passing through an enlarged hole in the bobbin thread control allowing the control to be pivoted to cover an effective amount of the thread aperture thereby increasing or decreasing the bobbin thread tension.

Abstract: A thread separating finger used in combination with a knife assembly adapted for cutting thread utilized in a sewing machine with said assembly having first and second levers, each lever having first and second end portions and a medial portion therebetween, said first end portion of said second lever defining a first cutting blade portion, first means at said second end portion of said second lever for mounting said second lever for pivotal movement, a link having first and second end portions and a medial portion therebetween, said first end portion of said link defining a second cutting blade portion cooperative with said first cutting blade portion for cutting a thread therebetween upon relative pivoting motion between said link and said second lever, second means pivotally connecting together said medial portions of said link and second lever, and third means pivotally connecting together the first end portion of said first lever and the second end portion of said link whereby motion imparted to the seco

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and continually feeding workpieces, one after another, to a sewing machine. The continuous feeding is imparted to the workpiece by a plurality of connecting links which connect the trailing edge of one workpiece with the leading edge of the following workpiece at a point in front of the sewing instrumentalities. The workpiece that is being fed into and through the machine automatically draws the succeeding workpiece towards and through the machine due to the connecting link fastening these two together. Motion is imparted to the connecting links by the feed device associated with the sewing machine. The connecting links are guided through a predetermined path by a rail system which automatically returns the connecting link to a staging area after same has been released from the workpiece. A sewing machine fastens together the continguous ends of the workpieces and a cutter cuts the chain formed therebetween.