Abstract: A balanced mechanical seal between two zones having different fluids, at least one of which may be corrosive, abrasive, of different lubricity, of elevated temperature and with other undesirable properties or characteristics. A buffer fluid is introduced into one zone at a constant rate so as to flow to a location radially inwardly of contacting seal faces and then radially outwardly of said seal faces. The flow serves to cool and lubricate the seal faces and substantially prevent the flow of fluid from the other of the zones radially inwardly across the seal faces. The ratio of areas which determines the seal balance is such that in the direction of buffer fluid flow it is of relatively low value. However, in the opposite direction of fluid flow, the balance is a much higher value. Thus in the event of buffer fluid failure, flow of the undesirable fluid across the seal faces is substantially prevented, thus preserving the faces from substantial damage from that undesirable fluid.

Abstract: A pressure balanced mechanical seal, especially adaptable for use in a swivel in an oil well drilling arrangement comprising a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings constructed of silicon carbide or tungsten carbide each received in a cavity defined by a cylindrical and a radial wall in the respective housing for the ring with the inner cylindrical surface of each exposed to high pressure, high temperature drilling mud and with means to communicate drilling mud to the outer cylindrical surfaces thereof, and means for balancing the axial forces on the rings and to insure sufficient axial forces for perfecting the seal. Tensional and compressive forces on the rings are minimized insuring reasonable life to the seal, far in excess of that in the conventional packings now used in the oil drilling system.

Abstract: An automatic transfer apparatus for delivering textile articles from a first conveyor to a second conveyor; each conveyor moving the articles in separate directions. The apparatus includes an article gripping head mounted for pivotal movement between two positions and a drive mechanism. The apparatus operates such that the article is removed from the first conveyor, subsequently folded in half about its midpoint and deposited on the second conveyor with substantially no horizontal velocity component being imparted to the workpiece in the direction of the first conveyor system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a guidance system operable in combination with an automatic transfer apparatus. The guidance system is effective to position each half of a folded and hemmed workpiece together in a proper orientation relative to each other and relative to a predetermined path during the time that the workpiece is removed from a first conveyor. The guidance system includes: a pair of workpiece hem aligners and hem guides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a guidance system operable in combination with an automatic transfer apparatus. The guidance system is effective to position each half of a folded and hemmed workpiece together in a proper orientation relative to each other and relative to a predetermined path during the time that the workpiece is removed from a first conveyor. The guidance system includes: a pair of workpiece hem aligners and hem guides.

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: A method and apparatus are provided for acting upon a cloth in a manner for automatically forming a shirt sleeve from a sleeve blank. The blank is conveyed by a conveyor is a first direction and a hem is automatically formed and secured along a longitudinal edge thereof. The blank is automatically picked up off the conveyor and folded about an axis substantially transverse to the first direction. The transference of the hemmed and folded sleeve is controlled such that the overlapping edges of the folded blank are in substantial alignment relative to one another when deposited on a second conveyor which conveys the blank in a second direction. As the blank is conveyed by the second conveyor, the overlapping and generally aligned edges of the folded workpiece are secured together to form a shirt sleeve.

Abstract: A force transfer assembly connects the output centerpoint of a Cardan gear mechanism to a work performing assembly. The motion of the output centerpoint moving in a first and second plane is translated by the force transfer assembly such that the work performing assembly moves in first, second and third planes. The force transfer assembly preferably includes a rotatable spherical element carried by the output lever of the Cardan gear mechanism, with a slider pin journalled in the spherical element and connected to the work performing assembly.

Abstract: The atmospheric pressure of lubricant containing cavities, from which leakage occurs, is lowered to a point below atmospheric pressure such that air from the environment is drawn thereinto. Since the air being drawn in occupies the passages through which lubricant leakage occurs, such leakage is effectively retarded.

Abstract: A mechanism for transfering workpieces received from an automatic sewing machine and stacking same at a location remote from the machine. The mechanism includes a pivotally arranged stacker device that is movable toward and away from the sewing machine. The stacker device includes a rotational work supporting surface against which the workpiece exiting from the machine is releasably held. The stacker device also includes a mechanism for orientating the workpiece in a predetermined disposition on the work supporting surface of the stacker device during transferance to insure proper workpiece stacking.

Abstract: A sewing machine wherein the various stitch performing instrumentalities are driven by Cardan gear means. Particular sewing part mechanisms are associated with each of said Cardan gear means to produce the desired stitch. Both said sewing part mechanisms and said Cardan gear means being removable, and interchangeable within the frame of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A Cardan gear assembly wherein rotary input motion of the main shaft is converted to elliptical output at the Cardan gear output centerpoint. The Cardan gear output centerpoint is connected via a ball and a pin slideable therethrough to a support having a work performing instrumentality arranged at its distal end. During operation, the elliptical output motion of the Cardan gear output centerpoint is transmuted into three dimensional, elliptical like motion at the tip of the work performing instrumentality.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and tensioning a tubular workpiece edge such that the edge may be linearly advanced beneath the stitch forming instrumentalities of a sewing machine. The tensioning apparatus includes at least two rotative assemblies which are insertable within the closed loop formation of the workpiece edge. One of the rotative assemblies being connected to a balanced tensioning arm and is adapted for movement between two operative positions in a manner whereby applying a constant circumferential workpiece edge tension on all article sizes.

Abstract: A hand held protective device including an elongated hollow handle, a closed looped member interlooped with one end of the handle and which is distendable therefrom by the user, and a releaseable closure arranged at the other end of the handle for withdrawing the loop into the housing upon completion of use.

Abstract: A lubrication system for eccentric drives in a sewing machine wherein lubricant is fed through a hollow drive shaft and communicative radial ports. At its outlet end, the radial port is in fluid communication with a lubricant reservoir arranged on the eccentric's periphery. The lubricant reservoir being disposed on that portion of the eccentric's periphery measuring the greatest distance from the eccentric's rotating center.

Abstract: A pneumatic apparatus used in combination with a sewing machine thread take-up mechanism. The apparatus includes a device for directing a stream of air away from the machine's operating components and against the thread passing over the take up mechanism for preventing broken ends or loose thread from becoming entangled with the machine's operating components.

Abstract: An automatic sewing apparatus capable of blind stitching an S-shaped hem in the marginal edge of a tubular workpiece. The sewing apparatus is provided with a tensioning device including a pair of roller supports which arrange an open end of the workpiece in a closed loop formation. The roller support, arranged on the downstream side of the sewing machine, is provided with a guiding portion adapted to receive and controllably guide the sewn and hemmed edge of the tubular workpiece.

Abstract: A needle cooling apparatus including a nozzle assembly maneuverable between operative and inoperative positions. In its operative position, the nozzle assembly is adapted to direct a cooling medium against the sewing machine needles. The nozzle assembly is operatively associated with a drive adapted to arrange and biasably maintain the nozzle assembly in its operative position in response to machine actuation.

Abstract: A mechanism for seizing and holding a thread, particularly the looper thread, of a chainstitch sewing machine to insure needle penetration of the thread triangle thereby assuring enchaining of the needle thread with the looper thread. Such mechanism includes an oscillatable thread spreader which transversely moves across the looper's endwise path of travel. The spreader motion being in timed relation with the stitch forming instrumentalities such that its effectively travel extends between the looper eye and the reciprocal path of the needle arranged closest to the looper eye when the looper is at its extreme loop seizing position.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes an automatic sewing machine adapted to sew along a tubular workpiece edge. Upon insertion, the workpiece is tensioned and the marginal edge thereof is arranged in a different shape before sewing than after sewing. An array of sensors are positioned to monitor and effectively control the lateral disposition of the workpiece edge during the entirety of the sewing cycle and to effect an uninterrupted working sequence without the need of operator intervention.