Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with stitch length control mechanism including a gear rack which is slidably mounted in the base of the machine so that it can be linearly translated to selected positions by an operator, and including a helical gear sector which is operably associated with a feed regulator shaft and meshes with the gear rack at a low helix angle effective to prevent other than operator induced movements of the gear rack.

Abstract: A tension device for sewing machines is disclosed having thread tensioning discs and a linear actuator for applying a compressive force between the discs. The invention is characterized in that for any given tension setting of the device, the applied compressive force, or tension, remains constant regardless of any variations in the spacing of the discs due to variations in the thread thickness, up to the range of travel of the linear actuator.

Abstract: An improved axial flow valve construction includes a valve body and a pair of identical and interchangeable end closure members. The valve body includes a cylindrical opening defining the interior of the valve body, a first plurality of open channels extending from a first end of the valve to the valve body interior and a second plurality of open channels extending from the valve body interior to the second end of the valve body. A flexible tubular sleeve is located within the cylindrical opening. The valve further includes means for providing external communication to the first plurality of open channels and means for providing external communication to the second plurality of open channels.

Abstract: A bobbin thread tensioning device on a bobbin case is provided with a pair of bobbin thread accepting members, one of which is biased toward the other by an adjustable spring. The thread accepting members are disposed relative to each other and with respect to a rotatable hook to assure seizure of the bobbin thread by the hook beak.

Abstract: The sides of a heat exchanger unit are joined with perimeter flanges which are folded one over the other and then crimped tightly in such fashion as to cause adjacent portions of the perimeter to extend at different angles in different planes resulting in a scissor action therebetween effective to securely clamp the heat exchanger sides together and form a leak-proof chamber.

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 takeup limb due to friction therebetween causing a loose stitch known as a halo.

Abstract: An input gear and a hook driving gear in mesh with the input gear in the gear train for the hook of a sewing machine are rendered self-adjusting by having the input gear drive the hook driving gear through a key which is movable in one direction on an input shaft and with respect to which the input gear is movable in a direction perpendicular to said one direction, and by having the hook driving gear drive the hook through shaft affixed collar permitting movement of the hook driving gear transversely relative to a bushing upon which such gear is rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A low inertia drive mechanism for imparting movement to a fabric clamp with respect to the needle of a sewing machine. The drive mechanism comprises a first table mounted for translation in a first straight path, a second table mounted for translation independent of said first table in a second straight path perpendicular to said first straight path, and a third table to which the fabric clamp is attached is slidably mounted on transverse rods carried in the second table. Drive means comprising separate motors for the first and second tables is provided for imparting movements, whereby the third table may partake of translation movement in any direction.Also disclosed is a fabric clamp for supporting and guiding fabric to be sewn in cooperative disposition with respect to the needle of a sewing machine, for use with a variable translation fabric feeding mechanism. The clamp includes upper and lower supporting structures.

Abstract: A button attaching hand tool is provided with a box-like structure which includes a fixed and adjustable needle, and which includes a button storage compartment. A slidable shroud on the box-like structure for extricating a button and material from the needles is movable between a position in which an operator is shielded from injury by the needles and another position in which the needles are exposed for button sewing use.

Abstract: A chainstitch thread guide is formed with a thread guiding trough which extends into a channel on one side of a partitioning wall in a sewing machine to receive needle thread extending upwardly from a tensioning device to a take-up lever and further receives such needle thread extending downwardly from the take-up lever on the way to a sewing needle.

Abstract: A trigger control switch with speed control having a lock-on button on the side thereof is provided with a tab or protrusion extending radially outwardly of the lock pin, a slot is provided extending longitudinally of the lock barrel and a compression spring surrounding the lock pin within the lock barrel has one end portion thereof torsionally engaged with the lock barrel and the other end portion thereof engaged with the lock pin to bias the tab or protrusion out of alignment with the slot to prevent inadvertent depression of the lock pin while enabling an operator to rotate the tab or protrusion into alignment with the slot and thereafter depress the lock pin to provide lock-on effectuation.

Abstract: A Hall effect switch device converted to a latching relay by having a reversible bias magnet attached thereto adjacent the Hall sensor so as to operate the switch circuit in one polarity of the bias magnet, and release the switch circuit in the other polarity of the bias magnet.

Abstract: A lockstitch sewing machine is provided with a rotatable loop and bobbin case assembly providing for limited contact between the loop taker and bobbin case, and including a bracket which is affixed to the bed of the machine and is connected with the bobbin case at substantially diametrically opposite locations thereon to constrain the bobbin case angularly and rotationally but permit needle thread to be moved by the loop taker between the bobbin case and bracket during the formation of lockstitches.

Abstract: A Hall effect sensor is disposed between two magnets having their fields in quadrature and in association with a movable specially formed ferromagnetic part which is used to control flux in the sensor in such a way as to cause the sensor to produce a linearly varying output voltage dependent upon the position of the part.

Abstract: A sewing machine cabinet in which a sewing machine 43 can be placed in operable position, and the cabinet has as work table 17 movable between an upper position level with the bed of the machine and a lower position giving free access to the cylinder bed 44 of the machine. Support arms 54, 56, 62, 63 on the sides of the cabinet support brackets 48, 49 that carry the work table 17 in a path that moves vertically between the upper and lower positions without moving transversely to one side. Leaves 23, 24 can be attached to the ends of the work table 17 to move up and downward so as always to be at the same level as the work table to provide extra space for the work at the most convenient level. The work table 17 can be moved up and down by a hand lever 92 or foot lever 31 with a latch 37 to engage the lever to hold the work table in its upper position.

Abstract: Work trimmer mechanism is provided for a sewing machine in a module including a frame securable on the machine, a split eccentric securable on the arm shaft, a split bearing securable about the eccentric, a link reciprocable by the bearing during rotation of the arm shaft, linkage means mounted on the frame and actuable by the linkage means, and a trimmer knife carrier operable by the linkage means.

Abstract: An assembly for converting a sewing machine speed controller of the foot operated type to hand operation thereof includes a housing for slidably accepting the speed controller therein. Hand operable speed setting means mounted on the housing are provided for an operator to manipulate so as to set a desired speed, the speed setting means maintaining its set condition. Actuator means are further provided, coupled to the speed setting means and responsive to a set condition thereof for controlling the compression of the speed controller.

Abstract: A motor operated circular miter chop saw is pivotally mounted on a generally horizontal axle pivot bolt about which it rotates in a vertical plane with the axle pivot bolt being carried by a cast support base structure. Angular orientation of the work-piece is provided by an angularly adjustable fence rotatably carried by the cast base support structure. Clamping means are also provided selectively mountable with the cast support base to provide hold-in clamping action for holding a work-piece against the fence or mountable with the fence to provide hold-down clamping action for holding a work-piece against the cast support base.