Abstract: A lighted display device having an array of discrete reflective surfaces each of which is associated with a visual display. The reflectivity of each of the surfaces is established so that the light reflected to, and illuminating, each associated visual display is of equal intensity independent of the distance of the reflective surface from the light source.

Abstract: A display system utilizing an array of display cells each of which includes a pair of oppositely polarized display elements connected in parallel. One or the other of the display elements in a selected display cell is energized by controlling the direction of current flow through the display cell.

Abstract: A thread handling device is disclosed in a type 301 lockstitch rotary hook loop taker sewing machine having a three-to-one hook to arm shaft ratio for controlling and metering slack needle thread prior to needle penetration to prevent the thread from wrapping around the point of the needle, which could prevent loop seizure, break the thread, or interfere with correct stitch formation. The thread is guided between two stationary members, with the controller between the members, the controller comprising an edge attached to the needle bar drive connecting link, moving with it, and only engaging the thread as the take-up and needle bar descend, providing a lengthened thread path prior to needle penetration.

Abstract: An arrangement in an electronically controlled stitch pattern sewing machine which detects when the sewing machine is operating at speeds above a predetermined speed and when this is the case, instead of utilizing the bight synchronization signal generated by the armshaft timing pulse generator, the arrangement calculates a speed dependent time interval after the feed synchronization pulse so as to begin processing the bight data at some time prior to the bight synchronization pulse.

Abstract: An override clutch device is disclosed for use in a vacuum cleaner having a powered rotary brush. The override clutch device is arranged such that should the torque require to rotate the brush exceeds a predetermined level, the drive mechanism is disengaged from the brush thereby allowing the drive belt to continue to operate without damage. An audible signal is emitted to alert the operator of the malfunction.

Abstract: A throat plate having means attached thereto for preventing the work limb in a loop of thread from being drawn up through the material being sewn by the take-up limb due to friction therebetween causing a loose stitch known as a halo.

Abstract: A button attaching tool is provided with a base, a pair of needles which have collapsible and expandable thread receiving eyes and which project from the base for use in penetrating a layer of material and the holes of a button to be attached to the material, and a member for stripping the material and button from the needles.

Abstract: An arrangement for utilizing a single lead for communication and control between a controller and a switch-indicator pair. The switch and indicator are connected and the single lead is connected at a junction point of the switch and the control input of the indicator so that when the switch is closed the lead carries thereon a signal indicative of switch closure and the controller may utilize this same lead to provide a signal for controlling the energization of the indicator.

Abstract: A skip stitch sewing machine is provided with adjustable means engageable with a camming surface on a needle bar for deflecting the needle bar when it is caused to descend while in an extreme lateral skip stitch position, and for thereby preventing a needle affixed to the lower end of the needle bar from striking a presser foot or throat plate.

Abstract: A hem securing method utilizing a narrow bight bar tack in which the bobbin thread appears on the outer face of the hemmed article. The hem is folded and needle penetrations take place from the inner side to draw a bobbin thread selected for a color match and without regard to stitch ability. A sequence of stitches is selected for the bar tack to enhance lock up of the threads so as to permit close trimming of the bar tack with lessened likelihood of unraveling.

Abstract: A bearing and bearing mount comprising an adjustable combined sleeve and thrust bearing which may be adjusted during assembly for endwise positioning which is of generally top-hat configuration having a generally cylindrical sleeve bearing portion and a generally laterally outwardly extending annular rim-like portion providing a thrust bearing face generally perpendicular the axis of the sleeve bearing portion, the rear face of the rim-like portion being provided with a cam or ramp surface which rises progressively relative the front or thrust bearing face in a direction generally parallel the longitudinal axis of the sleeve bearing portion together with a saddle strap having a semi-cylindrical central portion adapted to engage the sleeve bearing portion and so fit against the sleeve portion of the bearing as to prevent it from rotating therewithin and provided with a cam or ramp surface that mates with and is adapted to engage the cam or ramp surface of the combined sleeve and thrust bearing so that relative

Abstract: A trammel beam carrying a pair of dove-tail shaped slider blocks rotatably carried on a pair of adjustable trammel points is attached to a workpiece support base which includes a pair of crossed right angle mutually perpendicular dove-tail tracks along which the slider blocks move as the trammel beam or workpiece support base are rotated relative one another. The trammel beam is provided with means permitting it to be mounted to a router or other cutting machine so that if the workpiece support base is attached to the surface of a workpiece, relative movement between the cutting machine and the workpiece will be restricted to an elliptical path as the movement is guided by the trammel.

Abstract: A touch sensitive control panel utilizing pyroelectric material to provide output signals representative of an area touched by an operator includes a plurality of conductors and pads of pyroelectric material selectively in contact with the conductors to provide a binary coded combination of voltage pulses on the conductors representative of a touched area of the control panel.

Abstract: A velocity servo for a motor wherein a high speed tachometer is replaced by an arrangement which mathematically converts the input voltage and current to the motor into a speed signal, utilizing known formulas and constants. To maintain accuracy of the servo when the constants change value with the temperature, an inexpensive low speed tachometer is utilized to derive a signal indicative of the actual speed of the motor and this speed signal is compared with the mathematically computed speed signal. In the event that there is a difference, the constants are modified in accordance with such difference. This can be implemented either by electrically alterable circuit values or through computer or microprocessor techniques.