Patents Represented by Attorney Robert E. Smith

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  • Pattern display arrangement for an electronically controlled sewing machine
    Patent number: 4341170
    Abstract: An electronically controlled sewing machine is provided with an arrangement for displaying a pictorial representation of a pattern to be sewn by the sewing machine. When the sewing machine user operates controls to alter the size and/or shape of the pattern, the display is correspondingly altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Howard L. Beckerman, Russell J. Pepe
  • Thread handling device for lockstitch sewing machines
    Patent number: 4341171
    Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a thread handling device having a thread holding and a thread metering function. The device includes a pair of parallel elongate members, and a length of easily compressible resilient material which is carried by one of the members and compressed against the other member. Needle thread extending between the resilient material and said other member is subjected to frictional resistance by the resilient material during movement in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Ralph E. Johnson
  • Position encoder with column scanning and row sensing
    Patent number: 4338518
    Abstract: An optical encoding arrangement for determining the position of a movable member is provided with an optically masked light transmitting coding element interposed between a light emitting array and a light detecting array so that the light detecting elements in the array are selectively energized in accordance with the position being measured. In particular, the encoder provides for transmission, by optical means, of a series of digital bytes of predetermined length, in a bit parallel byte serial format, with the successive bytes later being assembled into a usable data format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Brienza, Richard C. Warner
  • Career occupation basic skills training system
    Patent number: 4337048
    Abstract: The Career Occupation Basic Skills Training System is comprised of a number of open-entry-exit programs designed to meet the pre-vocational and pre-employment needs of the participant. All of the programs are aimed at helping the participant to develop an accurate image of his/her own goals, needs, and skills relative to the world of work. Each of the training programs provides job exploration, occupational awareness, and entry-level preparation through competency building tasks. This is accomplished in a brief amount of time, in a nonthreatening, simulated work environment. At the conclusion of any of the programs, the unskilled participant will have gained much needed information as well as job-getting skills for entry-level positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: James E. Hatch, Thomas W. Gannaway
  • Pattern selection arrangement for a multiple pattern sewing machine
    Patent number: 4335667
    Abstract: A multiple pattern sewing machine is provided with a first group of switches which are always visible and functional for selecting a pattern from a first group of stitch patterns which the sewing machine is capable of sewing. A second group of switches is concealed beneath a cover member. Also concealed by the cover member is a plurality of information bearing pivotally mounted plates. The machine contains circuitry for sensing which of the plates is exposed and dependent thereupon, the second group of switches may be actuated by an operator for selecting a pattern from a second group of patterns which the machine is capable of sewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Howard L. Beckerman, Charles L. Mauro
  • Pattern controlled sewing machine for producing tailor tacks
    Patent number: 4335668
    Abstract: A tailor tack producing arrangement for a sewing machine is disclosed in which stitch patterning data stored in an electronic memory produces a recurring pattern of two closely spaced thread concatenations followed by a multiplicity of work feed increments during which the sewing machine needle bar reciprocation is interrupted. A warning means is disclosed for alerting the operator prior to needle reciprocation to facilitate accurate placement a recurring series of tailor tacks in work fabrics to facilitate accurate placement of isolated tailor tacks, the present invention combines the above with the feature of reversion to the initial stitch of the recurring pattern upon each selection of the pattern and combination with a single pattern facility which further prevents inadvertent needle reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Charles R. Odermann
  • Belt sander
    Patent number: 4334390
    Abstract: An electrically driven motor operated belt sander is provided having a low profile and a center of gravity close to the sanding plane by passing the belt about three generally triangularly located belt drums with the motor disposed within the belt path and the motor and support mechanism being mounted to a one-piece frame or bracket which hangs the entire drive and support mechanism from the tool housing, the one-piece frame or bracket including a wear plate or strip which provides positive protection for the wiring between the operating trigger switch and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Russell Sumerau
  • Surface cleaning vacuum nozzle
    Patent number: 4334336
    Abstract: A surface cleaning vacuum nozzle having a cleaning materials dispenser slidingly attached thereto, the entire assembly being connectable to a hand held suction wand having a valve attached thereto which is in fluid communication with a cleaning fluid supply. The sliding action of the dispenser aids in the connecting or disconnecting of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Martin E. Harbeck, Henry C. Harbin
  • Bobbin thread level detection and display arrangement for a sewing machine
    Patent number: 4333411
    Abstract: A bobbin thread level detection and display arrangement for a sewing machine includes an array of light emitting diodes which are activated to convey to the sewing machine operator an indication of the quantity of thread left of the bobbin. To control the light emitting diodes, an arrangement utilizing a light source and a phototransistor is arranged proximate the bobbin. The circuitry for controlling the activation of the light emitting diodes also provides for a "fading in" of the individual light emitting diodes to provide a display in the nature of a bar graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: David A. Lerner
  • Universal expansion module
    Patent number: 4329933
    Abstract: The combination of an electronically controlled sewing machine and an auxiliary memory comprising pages of a book, or the like, each page having optical bar coded stitch pattern data printed thereon and in obvious association with a graphic representation of the actual stitch pattern. The coded data is sensed by a hand held optical reader which transfers the data, for a desired stitch pattern, to internal memory of the sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Howard L. Beckerman, Robert Sedlatschek
  • Basting stitch overthrow system
    Patent number: 4327654
    Abstract: A linear motor is used to jog the needle bar and gate beyond the normal jogging range in order to disable a latch and separate the needle bar from the sewing machine driving means. The linear motor is driven into this abnormal excursion beyond the usual jogging motion by supplying a known needle position signal to the servoamplifier system for the linear motor and providing a separate voltage from a regulated voltage source which is summed with the specific signal in order to provide sufficient electromotive force for jogging the sewing needle beyond the normal jogging range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Odermann, Robert B. Brauch, Philip F. Minalga
  • In-place bobbin winding mechanism for a sewing machine
    Patent number: 4326474
    Abstract: A bobbin resting on a bobbin case in the vertical axis looptaker of a sewing machine is provided with a slidable plunger which is biased into a position wherein the bobbin is disconnected from the looptaker and can rotate relative thereto. The plunger is depressable to a cam on the plate into a position wherein it is effective to cause the bobbin to be rotated with the looptaker for the winding of thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Thaddeus J. Zylbert
  • Omni-directional thread cutter
    Patent number: 4325316
    Abstract: An omni-directional thread cutter in a sewing machine including an annular groove formed in the cylindrical surface of the presser bar. The lower surface of the groove forms an acute angle with the cylindrical surface thereby forming a sharp cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Robert B. Brauch, Martin W. Heine
  • Dual encoded switching matrix
    Patent number: 4326194
    Abstract: An input switch arrangement which minimizes the number of connections needed between an array of switch members and the circuit used to detect and encode switch closure. Each switch member has four sides adapted to be connected together. The first and second sides of all switch members within a column of the array are connected to a unique pair of a plurality of column connection terminals and the third and fourth sides of all switch members within a row of the array are connected to unique pair of a plurality of row connection terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Russell J. Pepe
  • Method for sewing a monogram pattern
    Patent number: 4325315
    Abstract: A method of operating a zig zag sewing machine to produce a visible pattern of zig zag stitches in a work fabric along a predetermined path to form a monogram within a defined field on the work fabric is initiated from a common starting location within the field. Initially, the needle bar is unlatched while longitudinal feeding takes place from that starting location so that no stitches are formed. This continues until a point of intersection is reached with the predetermined path. The needle bar is then latched and straight stitches, utilizing lateral needle feeding, are sewn along the predetermined path to a starting point for the monogram. Finally, zig zag stitches are formed along the path, covering the straight stitches and forming the monogram pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Totino, Alfonse N. Voza
  • Auxiliary sewing machine motor braking
    Patent number: 4324191
    Abstract: An auxiliary fast stop braking circuit is provided for an electronically controlled sewing machine having the capability to implement a single pattern of a repetitive stitch pattern by implementing needle bar release from its drive means and zero feed motion at the completion of the last stitch of the pattern. The auxiliary fast stop braking circuit is responsive to selection of a single pattern and to activation of the needle bar release solenoid to implement dynamic braking of the sewing machine motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Jack Brown
  • Presser bar guide
    Patent number: 4323024
    Abstract: A hollow bushing (22 or 54) that guides a presser bar (21) to move in a longitudinal direction is threaded at one end (29 and 30). The outer surface of that end is round and, below the thread (59), fits closely but rotatably in a channel (32) in the head (16) of a sewing machine. The bushing is not fixedly held in place in the channel (32). Instead, a tension spring (33) screwed onto the threaded end and onto a threaded member (37) attached to the end of the presser bar (21) within the head (16) pulls the presser bar downwardly so that its foot (24) normally presses against the work (46) and simultaneously pulls the bushing (22 or 54) toward the head (16). A shoulder surface (27 or 58) at a certain location on the bushing (22 or 54) acts as a stop to limit the extent that the cylinder can be drawn into the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Gary D. Jones, Manfred R. Laidig, William Weisz
  • Instructional flip plate informational system
    Patent number: 4323023
    Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a hinging system which supports information bearing plates and a cover therefor. The plates are confined and concealed in a recess in the machine when the cover is closed and can pivot between positions in the recess and positions opposite the rear side of the cover when the cover is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Howard L. Beckerman, Allan M. Dob
  • Supply tank for use with a carpet cleaning machine
    Patent number: D263842
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Fred E. Pearman, Jr.
  • Surface cleaning nozzle
    Patent number: D264139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Fred E. Pearman, Jr.