Patents Represented by Attorney Robert E. Smith

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  • Underbed thread trimmer for sewing machines
    Patent number: 4181088
    Abstract: An underbed thread trimmer mechanism for severing the needle and bobbin threads upon completion of a sewing operation. Operation of the thread trimmer may be selectively initiated by operator command. A plurality of cams and members cooperate to transfer power from a loop taker shaft to a thread handling disc-like member situated in close proximity to the sewing machine loop taker. A thread cutting knife is disposed in covering relation to the thread handling member and cooperates with the thread handling member to trap the needle and bobbin threads and direct them to a knife surface of the thread cutting knife where they are severed. The mechanism that drives the thread trimmer resets itself at the completion of the thread cutting cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Rolf E. Kessler, Reinhold Papajewski, Dietmar Polixa
  • Tension selecting mechanism for sewing machines
    Patent number: 4180006
    Abstract: A mechanism for selecting the tension setting of a needle thread tension device for sewing machines. A slot is formed in the face of the sewing machine arm top cover through which extends an operator influenced tension selecting knob. The tension device for influencing the needle thread tension is connected to the tension selecting knob by a leaf spring and lever fulcrummed to the arm top cover. Movement of the tension selecting knob along the slot in the arm top cover varies the force exerted on the needle thread by the tension discs contained within the tension device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Roger J. Ross
  • Electromagnetic bobbin thread supply alarm
    Patent number: 4180007
    Abstract: A low bobbin thread supply alarm in which a bobbin case is fitted with lever pivoted thereon and carrying a permanent magnet for travel to the hub of the bobbin. An arm overhanging the bobbin case and bobbin carries a Hall generator in a portion thereof overlying the hub of the bobbin. The lever and permanent magnet carried thereby is urged by an electromagnet supported externally of the looptaker toward and away from the hub of the bobbin at suitable intervals. When the lever pivots greater than a given amount due to depletion of thread on the hub of the bobbin the permanent magnet on the lever will trigger a voltage change on the Hall generator which may cause an appropriate alarm to provide a warning of a low thread condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Wesley R. Peterson, Wolfgang Jaffe
  • Feed cam rephasing device
    Patent number: 4178863
    Abstract: A device permitting the rotation of a feed cam to a selected one of two positions in order to multiply the pattern capability of the sewing machine. A feed cam is supported in a sewing machine in a fashion to permit limited circumferential rotation with respect to a cam shaft. An actuator knob is keyed to the feed cam in a fashion to allow limited axial motion thereof while retaining a connection to the feed cam. The actuator is separably keyed to a positioning bushing affixed to the sewing machine cam shaft. Axial shift of the actuator towards the feed cam will disengage the actuator from the positioning bushing and permit rotation of the actuator and feed cams. The actuator may then be reengaged with the positioning bushing in a new position. The feed cam is thus driven through the actuators connection to the positioning bushing affixed to the cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Donald Lawrie
  • Finger guard for sewing machines
    Patent number: 4178865
    Abstract: A finger guard for a sewing machine is disclosed which fastens to the presser bar and protectively encloses a portion of the needle. The finger guard permits an operator to easily remove an arcuately rotatable snap on presser foot without the necessity of disturbing the finger guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Odermann, Ralph E. Johnson
  • Spindle locking mechanism for a rotary power device
    Patent number: 4179632
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a manually operable locking mechanism for a rotary power tool. The locking mechanism comprises a housing for the rotary power tool, the housing having an opening therein, a spindle rotatably mounted within the housing, the spindle having a radially extending aperture in axial alignment with the housing opening, a loop spring disposed adjacent the housing, the loop spring having a hole in alignment with the opening in the housing, and a lock pin. The lock pin includes an outer section slidingly engaging the opening in the housing, a manually engageable button at its outer end extending radially outwardly from the housing, and a shaft at its inner end extending radially inwardly of the housing and through the hole of the loop spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Don L. Harvell
  • Adjustable bobbin thread run-out indicator
    Patent number: 4178866
    Abstract: A lock stitch sewing machine having a bobbin thread run-out indicator which is adjustable to permit initiation of the indication with a selected length of bobbin thread remaining on the bobbin. A bobbin case is supported in a rotating loop taker against rotation therewith and partially extending therefrom. The bobbin is fashioned with two flanges joined by a hub and is carried in a cavity in the bobbin case, the cavity being arranged so that one flange of the bobbin also extends partially from the rotating loop taker. A fibre optic is arranged in the sewing machine frame to extend a light ray through an opening in the bobbin case above the rotating loop taker but in between the flanges of the bobbin, adjacent the hub thereof, and through an opening in the opposite side of the bobbin case to a light sensor. The light sensor is carried so as to be shiftable normal to the direction of the light ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Adams
  • Needle bar guide for a sewing machine
    Patent number: 4177745
    Abstract: A molded plastic guide provided in the head end mounting plate of a sewing machine receives the plastic toe of a latch carrier that is secured to a needle bar, and guides vertical reciprocatory movements of the needle bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Adams, Robert B. Brauch
  • Digital override control of bight and feed in a sewing machine
    Patent number: 4177744
    Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed wherein the positional coordinates for successive stitch penetrations are stored in a memory having addressable locations corresponding to a plurality of operator selectable patterns. Means are provided for operator initiation of an override command to selectively alter the operation of the feed and bight actuators to an amount of motion different from that dictated by the stored pattern information. An operator influenced control provides a digital signal corresponding to a desired alteration value. Override memory locations are provided for storing bight and feed actuator motion alteration values. These locations are addressed in accordance with the selected pattern and the digital override signal provided by the operator. The alteration values are utilized for control of the appropriate feed and bight actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: John W. Wurst, William H. Dunn
  • Guard mechanism for radial saw
    Patent number: 4176571
    Abstract: A guard mechanism for a radial saw having a motor powered saw blade mounted in a housing slidable on a support arm of a frame shiftable between a rearwardly non-cutting position and a forwardly cutting position. The guard mechanism comprises a guard pivotally mounted to the housing for covering a front portion of the blade, and means carried by the housing to contact the frame for raising the guard whenever the housing is shifted to its rearward non-cutting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: William A. Batson
  • Low tolerance rotary to linear transmission
    Patent number: 4176561
    Abstract: A low tolerance device for converting the rotary motion of a motor shaft into linear motion for use in influencing the stitch bight and work feed mechanisms of a sewing machine. The shaft of a motor is provided with a worm rigidly attached thereto. Two half nut sections are clamped around the worm and are urged against it by a leaf spring. The half nuts are connected to a drive arm by a pin which freely passes through one half nut and the drive arm and is rigidly connected to the second half nut. The leaf spring acts as a guide for the half nuts and prevents their rotation about the worm. Rotation of the motor in either direction causes the half nuts to translate along the axis of the worm. The translation of the half nuts is transferred to the drive arm through the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Davidson
  • Skipped stitch detection system
    Patent number: 4170951
    Abstract: A skipped stitch detection system for a sewing machine is provided with a strain gage mounted on the slack thread regulator. The strain gage is connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. An amplified output from the Wheatstone bridge and timing signals from the sewing machine are provided to a microprocessor which analyzes the thread tension profile to detect the occurrence of a skipped stitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Leo Dobrjanskyj
  • Sewing machine stitch length override and feed balance for digital feed actuators
    Patent number: 4167912
    Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed wherein positioning of the work feeding regulator is controlled by a digital actuator responsive to digital signals applied thereto. The positioning of the work feeding regulator is thereby adjustable in discrete increments. A manual override and feed balance mechanism is provided for effecting continuous positioning of the work feeding regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Sedlatschek, Oswald M. Porter, Donald R. Davidson
  • Adaptive sewing machine
    Patent number: 4166423
    Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed which includes at least one regulatable operating instrumentality, such as, for example, an adjustable needle thread tensioner. Means are provided for generating signals indicative of different parameters which affect the ultimate overall stitch, such as, for example, fabric thickness at the seam, thread type, and pattern type. A central processor is provided with an algorithm for controlling the thread tension so as to maintain uniform stitch quality as a function of the different parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Brienza, Stephen A. Garron, Robert Sedlatschek
  • Light socket with lever contacts
    Patent number: 4165144
    Abstract: A light socket for bayonet-type lamps in which the contacts therein are in the form of levers having one end formed to engage the contacts of a lamp inserted into the socket. The levers pivot on the electrically conductive tubes into which the ends of lead wires may be inserted for conducting electrical power to the levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Albert N. Cook, Boleslaw Kornatowski, Raymond S. Tyburcy
  • Sewing machine motor speed limiting by pattern selection
    Patent number: 4164192
    Abstract: A circuit which limits the maximum permissible speed of a sewing machine motor when specific stitch patterns are selected. Electronic signals from a means for sensing the selected stitch pattern are analyzed by the circuit to control the operation of a relay which connects a resistance in series with the sewing machine motor to reduce the maximum speed at which the drive motor may be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: John A. Herr, Jack Brown, Wesley R. Peterson, Wolfgang Jaffe
  • Needle storage package
    Patent number: 4163493
    Abstract: A storage package for sewing machine needles which may be attached to like packages to expand the needle storage capacity. The package is molded from a resilient material to permit the convenient attachment of additional packages at the sides or the front or back of each package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Wayne A. Current
  • Control console
    Patent number: D252681
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Wayne A. Current
  • Sewing machine
    Patent number: D253347
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Cristian J. Felix
  • Sewing machine
    Patent number: D253705
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Christian J. Felix, Donald M. Genaro, Stephen J. Illes