Abstract: A handwheel clutch 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: A microcomputer controlled electronic sewing machine wherein the microcomputer operates in two modes of execution: a background mode for performing non-critical functions and an interrupt mode for performing functions dependent on the operational state of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A sewing machine is secured to the platform of a sewing cabinet with a machine connected stud and a wing nut which is threaded on the stud and is permitted to turn only a limited amount so as to prevent excessive force from being applied to the machine.

Abstract: A control for a sewing machine is arranged to enable an operator, utilizing a single input control member, to select the amplitude of side to side motion of a needle bar for pattern sewing, or to dispose the needle bar in defined off-center positions for either straight stitch sewing or for effecting disengagement of the needle bar from driving mechanism.

Abstract: A non-spill bobbin case device having a bobbin thread tension spring and a direct bobbin thread path extending from the bobbin thread tension spring across the bobbin case device spaced from the outer face of a bobbin flange supported in the bobbin case, and having a leaf spring with a first end attached thereto, the second end of which impinges upon the outer face of the bobbin flange. An indirect thread path is established by reeving the bobbin thread through a hook provided on the end of the leaf spring in engagement with the bobbin flange so that upon thread demand, the leaf spring is removed from the bobbin flange to permit free rotation thereof; but when thread demand ceases, the end of the leaf spring comes immediately into contact with the bobbin flange to deter further rotation thereof.

Abstract: A spool pin holder for accommodating deflection of a spool pin wherein a spherical segment adjacent the ends of the spool pin is seated in a socket in a spool pin post adjacent a socket of square profile having grooves extending along the diagonals of the square beyond the square so as to accommodate therein a first pair of leaf springs in a first diagonal on either side of a spool pin end and a second pair of leaf springs in the second diagonal about the spool pin end adjacent the first pair so as to provide a restoring force to the spool pin in response to any disturbing force displacing the same.

Abstract: A motor control system utilizes a low cost switched controller for provding operator initiated control signals. The controller has therein a pair of switches which together define four possible modes of operation, depending upon operator manipulation of the controller. These four modes cause the system to either stop the motor, decrease the speed of the motor, maintain the speed of the motor constant, or increase the speed of the motor.

Abstract: A pivotally movable cam having a double pointed looper thereon for seizing thread loops on one side of a sewing needle is formed with raised surfaces to engage the thread on the opposite side of the needle and thereby position the thread loops for looper point seizure.

Abstract: A compact sewing machine feed system utilizing sheet metal parts to reduce inertia, and separate feed and lift cams to simplify replacement for the purpose of optimizing feed characteristics.

Abstract: A plastic guide for thread extending from a supply spool to the sewing instrumentalities of a sewing machine is provided with a metal wear bar to engage thread exiting from an opening in the guide and prevent the thread from cutting a groove in the plastic material of the guide at the edge of the opening.

Abstract: Skip stitch mechanism for a sewing machine is provided with a coiled needle bar cushioning spring which mounts in axial alignment with the needle bar on the upper arm of a movable gate and which can be adjustably positioned on the gate arm to define a position from which the needle bar may be latched to reciprocating drive means.

Abstract: A coil assembly has a pair of terminals mounted in blind slots in the small flange of a bobbin. Magnet wire is connected to one terminal, wound on the bobbin and connected to the other terminal. Insulated lead wires are connected to the terminals by crimping and then soldering each terminal. Then the terminals are bent over the coil and the insulated wires are pressed through a slot leading to an opening in the larger flange. A cover encloses the bobbin and snaps over the rim of the large flange to complete the assembly.

Abstract: An arrangement for adapting a flat bed sewing machine to support a convertible bed sewing machine for flat bed sewing includes a support bracket assembly and a support arm assembly which both extend into the cavity of the sewing machine. The sewing machine is fixedly mounted on the support bracket assembly for supporting the rear of the sewing machine. The support arm assembly supports the front end of the sewing machine and swings out of the way when not supporting the sewing machine to provide clearance for the sewing machine when the sewing machine is in its stored position within the cavity of the cabinet.

Abstract: A fabric repairing tool is provided with a cutter which is operable in a one-shot shearing operation to remove a portion of fabric from a folded piece of material held in the tool with a foldable clamp, and is further provided with heating means which is energizable to a controlled temperature effective in a desirable period of time to bond a thermoplastic pad and patch to a damaged fabric.

Abstract: A sewing machine with a timing belt for transmitting power from a toothed driving pulley to a toothed driven pulley that rotates a loop taker is provided at each pulley on the belt entering side only with a belt guard which guides the belt onto the pulley and prevents teeth on the belt from jumping over teeth on the pulley.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a thread handling device including an elongate rigid member and a strip from which resilient fibers extend outwardly to contact thread passing between the rigid member and strip, and with a thread engaging cam which prevents a premature descent in said device and improperly formed stitches resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A needle thread wiping device having a mounting bracket supported beneath the head behind the needle bar. The mounting bracket supports a pair of shafts which extend laterally therefrom towards both sides of the head. A thread wiper assembly may be fastened to one side or to both sides of the mounting bracket by means of a lever which may be affixed to a forwardly located shaft by a set screw. One end of the lever carries a sleeve. A link is carried on the second shaft, the link also carrying a sleeve, both sleeves slidably supporting therein a thread wiper having a hooked end. A back plate is provided having a curved slot supported on the second shaft and having a pivotal connection to the sleeve in the end of the lever. The thread wiper also has a connection to the back plate.

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 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.