Patents Represented by Attorney Robert E. Smith

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  • Method of buttonhole formation
    Patent number: 4188900
    Abstract: A method of forming a buttonhole including two spaced apart rows of zig zag stitches so that each row is formed in a like manner with the final overlaying stitches accomplished in the forward direction and which may be initiated by a barring stitch adjacent the edge of the garment followed by a straight stitch down the cutting space to the opposite end of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Garron, Charles R. Odermann
  • Sewing machine work feeding mechanism
    Patent number: 4187794
    Abstract: A work feeding mechanism for sewing machines including a feed dog with two pair of mutually orthogonal serrated teeth to drive a fabric past a stitch forming area in directions defined by mutually orthogonal axes. The feed dog is pivotally fastened to one extremity of a feed bar whose opposite extremity is suspended by gimbals from a slidable member carried in the bed. Means are disclosed to selectively impart oscillations of a varying amplitude and direction to the slidable member in timed synchronization to the motion imparted to the feed dog, to drive the feed dog in lateral and longitudinal directions of fabric feeding motion which extend along the length of the sewing machine bed and normal to the length of the bed. Fabric feeding information for the work feeding mechanism may be stored in an electronic memory to permit the production of ornamental stitch patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Roger J. Ross, Edward J. Tullman
  • Material feed mechanism for sewing machines
    Patent number: 4186673
    Abstract: A low inertia drive mechanism is disclosed for imparting translational movement to a sewing machine fabric clamp. The drive mechanism comprises a first and second rigid tables mounted on guide rods for independent translational movements in mutually perpendicular straight paths. The second table carries a pair of transverse rods on which a third rigid table is slidably mounted which may move in any direction in a plane parallel to the planes of said first and second tables. The drive mechanism also comprises stationary motors not carried by any of the tables for imparting reciprocatory motion to the first and second rigid tables. The mechanism further includes means for connecting the fabric clamp to the third rigid table.Also disclosed is a fabric clamp for supporting and guiding fabric for use with a variable translation fabric feeding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Singer Company, The
    Inventor: Artin G. Vartoukian
  • Analog adjustment arrangement in a digitally controlled positioning system
    Patent number: 4185571
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for positioning an instrumentality over a predetermined range in response to a digitally coded position signal. To effect desired adjustments between digitally achieved positions, algebraically adjustable signals are subtracted from an analog position signal obtained from the digitally coded position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Philip F. Minalga
  • Track guided needle threader system
    Patent number: 4185574
    Abstract: A needle threader assist which uses a needle threader having a conical opening for guiding thread through a bore thereof into the eye of a sewing needle supported by a sewing machine. Support means are provided with the needle threader which when moved to an operative position, unlatches the needle bar from its drive means and elevates it to an uppermost position and simultaneously moves the needle bar to a predetermined lateral position, permitting the bore of the needle threader to be readily located axially with the eye of the sewing needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Totino, Robert Sedlatschek
  • Electro-mechanical actuator for use in a sewing machine
    Patent number: 4185572
    Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed wherein positioning of the needle is controlled by an actuator mechanism responsive to digital stitch pattern signals applied thereto. The actuator mechanism includes four solenoids selectively energized by the digital stitch pattern signals. The four solenoids are chosen to have particular binary-related axial displacements and are mounted in such a manner that a doubly pivoted lever driven by the solenoids provides a displacement at one end thereof which is additive of the selected solenoid energization. This one end of the lever shifts a bar that has an opening into which the periphery of a first cam extends. This first cam is axially free on the arm shaft of the sewing machine but is keyed to rotate with it. A yoke spans the cam and is restrained from rotating, but is moved axially by the cam. The yoke is operatively connected to laterally position the needle bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Stanley J. Ketterer
  • Diaphragm pump for needle threading
    Patent number: 4184443
    Abstract: A pump for needle threading is disclosed having a housing with a recess therein, an elastomeric diaphragm stretched across said recess forming a pump cavity in which the medium being pumped is circulated, and inlet and outlet valves. An electronically controlled linear actuator is attached to the diaphragm within the pump cavity thereby allowing compactness in the construction of the pump and improved heat dissipation from the linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Jack Brown, John A. Herr, Wolfgang Jaffe, Wesley R. Peterson
  • Device for selecting laminate cam for sewing machines
    Patent number: 4184440
    Abstract: A cam selector mechanism for sewing machines in which the followers for a stack of zig zag and work feed controlling pattern cams are positioned selectively by separate spiral linkage controlling grooves formed in a single control dial which can be manipulated from the exterior of the sewing machine in order that composite patterns of ornamental stitches can be obtained. The selector dial also influences a pattern indicating device simultaneously with cam selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Setsuo Matsumoto
  • Electronically controlled household sewing machine having patch sewing capability
    Patent number: 4184441
    Abstract: An electronically controlled sewing machine having the capability for lateral feeding in addition to longitudinal feeding is provided with an arrangement for effecting closed path pattern stitching. Selector switches having indicia thereon representative of the direction of sewing effected by operation of the respective switches are positioned so that the indicia visually simulates the closed path pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Jack Brown, Donald J. Coughenour, Russell J. Pepe
  • Snap-on presser foot plate
    Patent number: 4183311
    Abstract: A sewing machine presser device is provided with a sole plate and with a latching spring which can be snapped into a retaining notch at the front edge of a shank on the device to hold a hinge pin on the foot up in a recess at the bottom of the shank and which can be readily dislodged from said notch to enable easy removal of the sole plate from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Warren D. Knowles
  • Sewing machine cassette threading system
    Patent number: 4183313
    Abstract: A sewing machine cassette threading system in which the thread handling instrumentalities of a sewing machine are arranged to accept thread from either a cassette or a conventional thread spool with a minimum of operator intervention. The sewing machine has a chamber formed therein to accept the cassette. The sewing machine thread handling instrumentalities are threaded by inserting a cassette into a cover enclosing the chamber and closing the cover. Thread from a conventional spool carried on the sewing machine arm may be placed in the cover for insertion into the thread handling instrumentalities when the cover is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Odermann, William L. Herron
  • Sewing machine cabinet vibration dampening using rubber magnets
    Patent number: 4183593
    Abstract: A vibration dampening member for a sewing machine cabinet having metallic hinges for supporting a work surface in a raised position. The hinges are fastened so that they contact a resilient compound exhibiting magnetic properties which attracts the hinges to prevent the transmission of vibration between adjoining surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Wesley R. Peterson
  • Two level sewing system
    Patent number: 4183594
    Abstract: A mechanism, suitable for mounting in a sewing machine cabinet, is provided for supporting a sewing machine in a first position in which the work supporting surface of the sewing machine is coplanar with the cabinet top and a second position in which the bed of the sewing machine is elevated above the cabinet top allowing for free arm sewing. The mechanism includes a mounting cradle spaced in parallel relation above a base, which is pivotally mounted to the cabinet, and crossing brackets interconnecting the cradle and the base. A lever actuated linkage raises and lowers the cradle between the two sewing machine positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Mey, Roy M. Cowdrey, John A. Lenhart
  • Feed and loop taker module for a sewing machine
    Patent number: 4183310
    Abstract: Work feeding mechanism and a rotatable loop taker are provided for a sewing machine in a module wherein a rock shaft connects with a feed bar through a flat spring enabling a feed dog on the feed bar to be moved by camming means in a direction perpendicular to the work feeding direction as the feed dog is moved in the work feeding direction by the action of the rock shaft. The camming means which is disposed under the feed bar is located in line with the feed dog to minimize inertia effects and guiding means associated with the feed bar maintain the feed dog level as the feed dog is moved in the work feeding direction and perpendicular to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Ralph E. Johnson
  • Feed control device for use in a sewing machine
    Patent number: 4183314
    Abstract: A feed regulator means having both manual stitch length control and pattern cam control of the work feeding mechanism of a sewing machine. A feed regulator crank secured to a feed regulator shaft is the driven link of a four bar linkage system. A manually operable camming device is operably engaged with the four bar linkage for stitch length selection and for simultaneously establishing the proportionate amount of motion transmitted from a pattern cam, which is also operably engaged with the four bar linkage, to said feed regulator shaft. A proportional link is in operable engagement with said four bar linkage such that the stitch length selection of the camming device may be altered without effecting angular movement of said feed regulator crank when a portion of the pattern cam is being tracked which dictates a zero stitch length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Shuichi Sato
  • Bobbin thread control means for a lock stitch sewing machine
    Patent number: 4182250
    Abstract: A lock stitch sewing machine is provided with mechanism operable by a feed dog for pulling thread for stitches from a bobbin spool in amounts predetermined by the setting of a stitch length regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Ralph E. Johnson
  • Method for initially positioning a traveling buttonhole presser foot
    Patent number: 4181087
    Abstract: A method for insuring that a traveling buttonhole presser foot, which is normally spring biased to an initial start position prior to movement of the traveling part thereof during the formation of a buttonhole, is located in the initial start position. As an initial step prior to the formation of the buttonhole, the sewing machine is operated for at least one stitch with the reversible feed regulating system thereof arranged to feed the work material in a direction to relax the biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Robert B. Brauch, Russell Pepe
  • Sewing cabinet
    Patent number: D253979
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Peets, John J. Grzybowski, Sidney A. Lenger
  • Multi-use sewing cabinet
    Patent number: D254043
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Donald M. Genaro, Robert S. Peets
  • Sewing machine
    Patent number: D254135
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Cristian J. Felix, Donald M. Genaro