Abstract: This disclosure relates to hook drive mechanisms for sewing machines and in particular to a hook drive mechanism wherein the hook member is freely supported by a bearing means in a hook support plate carried by the bed portion of the frame and is driven by a likewise freely supported drive member. The support plate with the hook member is supported for relative adjustment with the needle for adjusting the hook point-to-needle relationship. The hook member is readily removable in that it is freely supported in the aforementioned bearing means and is otherwise only restrained by a movable restraining means carried by a hook member cover plate which when removed from restraining relationship permits the bobbin and the hook member to be easily lifted out from the machine. Further, means are carried on the hook support plate for adjusting and maintaining tension on a timing belt drive means for the hook mechanism.

Abstract: A sewing machine motor speed regulating system which provides two speed ranges which, in turn, have independently controllable maximum attainable speed adjust. This is accomplished by selectively exciting one of two variable trim resistors serially inserted in the silicon controlled rectifier gate/controller circuit.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to sewing machines and in particular to a means for reducing uneven and slack stitching due to frictional engagement between the work limb and the takeup limb of the needle thread which can cause pulling up of the work limb through the fabric between castoff of a loop from the loop taker and stitch setting. This undesirable effect is sometimes called "haloing". A work limb retainer is provided and is carried apart from the loop taker and thread carrying bobbin and is disposed for seizing the work limb of the needle thread substantially immediately after loop seizure by the loop taker, retaining of the work limb during the normal loop taker cycle, and discharging the work limb after the thread has completed its passage around the loop taker. The work limb is thereby prevented from frictionally engaging the take up limb during this cycle and thus eliminates the possibility of the take up limb pulling the work limb up to the fabric to cause a haloing effect.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to electronically controlled sewing machines and in particular to the combination of such a machine with a re-programmable static memory with which an operator can program in input data representative of stitch position coordinates for selected patterns, which input data will be stored and decoded into input signals for initiating operation of the sewing machine stitch position actuating means to produce patterns corresponding to the operator selected pattern. The re-programmable memory can be located remote from the machine or can be built in as an integral part of the structure of the machine itself. The machine may also contain a static read-only-memory (ROM) having fixed patterns for operation of the machine with or without a re-programmable memory and includes switching means for disconnecting the read-only-memory when the re-programmable memory is connected to the machine.

Abstract: A tension disc assembly for tension devices, used for controlling thread on sewing machines, which is formed with a relatively large supporting frame into which a hardened tension disc is secured. The supporting frame allows the use of a standard-sized tension disc while serving as a guide for threading single and multi thread tension devices.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to electric motor/actuators and in particular to an electric motor/actuator including multiple non-magnetic armatures having commutated windings rotatable in a single air gap formed between opposing permanent magnets having their opposed polarized poles facing said armatures and wherein individual ones of said armatures are capable of different output functions from others of said armatures.

Abstract: A buttonhole gauging presser device usable on sewing machines with or without automatic buttonhole mechanisms. This presser device includes button engaging projections which position both a cam for actuating an automatic buttonholing mechanism as well as visual indicating means. At the start of buttonhole sewing the visual indicating means occupies a position in advance of the sewing needle or indicia on the presser foot, and then as the buttonhole is stitched, the visual indicating means moves into alignment with the needle (or indicia) which serves a signal to the operator of a manual sewing machine that an operator-initiated action is required to have the sewing machine create a buttonhole end and reverse direction.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator for sewing machines which allows settings to be made electrically and then acts upon such settings mechanically using the power from the sewing machine drive. This electro-mechanical actuator utilizes the full cycle of a sewing operation for the setting and positioning of the controlled function.

Abstract: A device which introduces compressed air at an angle to thread placed in a split tube. When this split tube is placed adjacent to the eye of a sewing needle, the compressed air will shift the thread through the tube and thence through the needle eye. The split is provided in the tube to allow the device to be removed from the thread after the needle has been threaded. Frictioning means may be included for holding the thread in the tube until the compressed air is introduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to zig-zag sewing machines including means for controlling the bight stops in order to produce ornamental patterns. In particular, the disclosure relates to electronically controlled sewing machines having storage means for storing stitch information and wherein logic means are used to select and release stitch information in timed relation with the operation of the sewing machine. The disclosure of the invention has particular application in those sewing situations wherein it is desired to use more than one needle in a single needle holder of the needle bar which therefore necessitates a limitation on the magnitude of the jogging or swinging of the needle bar in order to accommodate the multiple needles in the aperture of the needle plate. In accordance with the disclosure of the present invention whenever more than one needle is used in the sewing machine the electronic control of the bight stops is automatically put into effect whenever such multiple needle mode is selected.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to zig-zag sewing machines including means for controlling the bight stops in order to produce ornamental patterns. In particular, the disclosure relates to electronically controlled sewing machines having storage means for storing stitch information and wherein logic means are used to select and release stitch information in timed relation with the operation of the sewing machine. The disclosure of the invention has particular application in those sewing situations wherein it is desired to use more than one needle in a single needle holder of the needle bar which therefore necessitates a limitation on the magnitude of the jogging or swinging of the needle bar in order to accommodate the multiple needles in the aperture of the needle plate. In accordance with the disclosure of the present invention, whenever more than one needle is used switch means responsive to the presence of more than one needle automatically puts the machine into a multiple needle mode of operation.

Abstract: The method of fabricating a sewing machine needle is disclosed in which the needle blade including the long groove and the eye portion with a thin eye-accommodating web is cold formed in one finless flow pressing operation. The method of forming the needle orienting flat on the needle butt and laterally displacing the needle blade relatively thereto by a flow pressing operation is disclosed. A method of flaring the side flanges particularly in the eye portion to facilitate threading and a needle so constructed is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for forming patterned cut pile tufted fabrics and, in particular, colored patterned tufted pile fabrics. The patterns are essentially produced by selectively backrobbing one leg of a cut loop thereby producing a cut loop having one relatively long leg and one relatively short leg. By selectively backrobbing one leg of a cut loop of one color yarn and by refraining from backrobbing a leg of a cut loop of at least a second color, the second color will become predominant in the pattern by virtue of having twice as many long legs of that color making up the surface of the cut pile tufted fabric. The disclosure also encompasses a method and apparatus for producing relatively long nap cut pile tufted fabrics having controlled J-cut loops.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to feed mechanisms for sewing machines, particularly industrial sewing machines. A reciprocatory advance motion is imparted to a feed dog means by an eccentric means connected to a driven shaft in the machine and to a feed advance shaft which imparts an oscillating motion to the feed dog means. A feed dog lift means for imparting a lift motion to the feed dog includes an eccentric means also connected to the driven shaft. The mechanisms for imparting advance motion and lift motion to the feed dog are connected to a common fulcrum pin to provide a sturdy and stable mechanism capable of operating at high speeds with minimum noise and vibration.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for providing a dual voltage electrical power supply for a variable load such as an electro-mechanical clutch-brake power transmitter of the type used for instance for a loom transmitter. A control arrangement is disclosed in which high voltage is continuously available under control of low voltage timing and drive circuits.

Abstract: An automatic buttonhole sizing device for sewing machines which includes a sensing wheel which by resting on the material being sewn, turns as the material is fed and has a rotatable setting ring which programs the size of the buttonhole. Incorporated in the sensing wheel are one fixed and one movable tab for holding any one of many buttons of various sizes therebetween, wherein the size of the button determines the position of the movable tab. The movable tab is so associated with the setting ring of the sensing wheel that when the two tabs are positioned touching opposite sides of a button by rotating the setting ring, the size of the buttonhole is automatically determined from the final positioning of the setting ring.

Abstract: A linear motor for use, for example, in sewing machines for controlling needle vibration as to amplitude and/or fabric feed both in magnitude and direction, said motor comprising a frame having an internal central pole piece spaced intermediate two permanent magnets of the high energy product type which are attached to the frame, the central pole piece providing supporting means for movable coil member integrally formed with connecting arms pivotally fastened to an actuator arm carried on a pivoted potentiometer shaft. The permanent magnets are secured through their own magnetism to the frame and are each locked in proper orientation by a non-metallic retainer which is locked to the magnet and additionally formed with a closure panel, said closure panels cooperating with the motor frame completely to enclose a compartment for the movable coil member effecting both a minimum external leakage field and a dust proof unit.

Abstract: A re-programmable memory is provided for storing information data which may be used for controlling the stitch position coordinates in the operation of a sewing machine. The memory is provided by a strata of locally magnetizable material of which the magnetization may be relatively easily induced or erased. Relatively movable with respect to the strata are coding magnets which in comparison with the strata are permanent, and by which coded data may be selectively induced on the strata in the form of local magnetized areas. The stored data may be extracted from the strata either by direct mechanical linkage responsive to the local magnetized areas on the strata or by electrical output signals generated by a Hall effect device or the like in response to the local magnetized areas on the strata.

Abstract: A convertible sewing machine bed which includes a base having a longitudinally extending cylinder bed and a spring biased work supporting panel that is movable in one direction with respect to the arm and simultaneously shiftable in another direction with respect to the cylinder bed. The shifting movement is effected by the camming action of a single latch detent being moved into and out of a latch seat. The single latch detent and the latch seat, when in engaging relation, also serve to hold the support member in a work supporting position contiguous to the cylinder bed.

Abstract: A method of manufacture is disclosed by which punched holes in mass produced parts, such as sewing machine needles and yarn guiding elements for textile machines, can be readily shaped, deburred and polished using die-shaping procedures only.