Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a brush roller rotatably driven by a belt from the cleaner motor and having a safety device for protecting the belt and motor when the brush rotation falls below a predetermined speed. The device includes a magnet in the brush roller, a rotation sensing circuit for generating a pulse for each revolution of the magnet and a motor shut-off circuit controlled by the sensing circuit to shut-off power to the motor when the pulse rate falls below that desired.

Abstract: A mechanism for detecting the depletion of bobbin thread in a sewing machine. A bobbin is formed with a polygonal core having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces contained thereon. A light source transmits a beam of light toward the polygonal core of the bobbin and the light reflected therefrom is intercepted by a photodetector. The polygonal reflecting surfaces contained on the bobbin core do not begin to reflect light until a sufficient quantity of bobbin thread has been consumed in the sewing process to expose a part of the reflective surface portion of the bobbin core. The rotation of the bobbin thereafter results in flashes of light being received by the photodetector. An electronic circuit analyzes the output of the photodetector and distinguishes between the flashes and steady ambient light to signal the impending depletion of bobbin thread.

Abstract: A control panel influenced by the touch of an operator is disclosed in which the density of individually selectable inputs may be increased by the provision of protective measures for preventing inadvertent or accidental actuation of inputs which are located closely adjacent to an input that is intended to be actuated. A protective circuit for an electrical switching array is disclosed effective to prevent selection from being made unless the switching is effected by the operator in a prescribed fashion to prevent unintended selection in the event that the operator's finger should roll onto an adjacent switch during the selection process. The protective circuit also prevents further selection once a selection has been effected until the operator's finger is completely withdrawn from the switching array in order to provide protection against a series of consecutive selections in the event that the operator were to wipe across the switching array.

Abstract: A threading device facilitating threading of a pretension device located on the rear surface of the bracket arm of a sewing machine. The threading device has a segment projecting beyond a rear corner of the arm to facilitate introduction of thread by an operator seated in front of the machine. An ear and fin member guide the thread from the point of thread introduction into engagement with the pretension device, and preclude the thread from becoming unthreaded.

Abstract: An electronically controlled sewing machine having buttonhole capability and a reverse stitch actuating switch wherein actuation of the reverse switch during a buttonholing operation will initiate the second step of the buttonhole. Signals characteristic of selection of a buttonhole mode of operation are used in a logic combination to enable reverse selecting means to be used to initiate the second step of the buttonhole while inhibiting its use to implement reverse stitching. Absence of these characteristic signals will permit the reverse selecting means to be used to implement reverse stitching.

Abstract: An auxiliary memory unit for an industrial sewing system having the capability to record, in a first mode of operation, data pertinent to a sequence of stitching operations and to actuate, in a second mode of operation, the stitching sequence recorded in the first mode of operation. The auxiliary memory unit utilizes a replaceable memory medium. An interface arrangement is provided for transferring information between the sewing system memory and the replaceable memory medium.

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, one of which is a buttonhole pattern. The buttonhole pattern includes two parallel rows of zig-zag stitches forming a pair of buttonhole side bars, the inner stitches of the side bars defining a cutting space therebetween and the outer stitches of the side bars defining the width of the buttonhole pattern. Means are provided for operator initiation of an override command to selectively alter the operation of the bight actuator to selectively control the position of only the inner side bar stitches so as to selectively vary the width of the cutting space while maintaining constant the overall buttonhole pattern width.

Abstract: A method of forming a buttonhole pattern including two spaced-apart rows of zig zag stitches so that each row is formed in a like manner includes sewing a row of narrow zig zag cording stitches in a first direction and subsequently covering the cording stitches with one of the parallel rows of zig zag stitches formed in a second direction and repeating these steps for the second of the parallel rows.

Abstract: In an electronically controlled sewing machine, new stitch position coordinate information is retrieved from a solid state memory and transferred to the sewing machine servo system one bit per some proportional clock period, at either a fast stepping rate or a slow stepping rate depending upon the speed of the sewing machine. By use of suitable logic gates, a low speed condition will initiate a slow stepping rate of some fraction of a predetermined clock period, whereas a high speed condition will initiate a fast stepping rate of once every clock period. The new data from the solid state memory is fed to a comparator wherein it is compared to the immediately prior stitch position coordinate information transferred to the servo system and retained in an up/down counter. The comparator determines whether the new data requires an up or a down count of the counter.

Abstract: A portable cutting tool, and particularly a tool designed as a nibbler-shear for use in cutting sheet material. The tool includes a power head with a changeable block, one for a shear type cutter and one for a nibbler type cutter. The one with the nibbler type cutter has a fixed cutter and a movable cutter. The movable cutter is reversibly mounted and has two cutting edges, one co-acting with the fixed cutter and the other to remain in a stored position for future use.

Abstract: A sewing machine work feeding mechanism of the drop feed variety having a feed dog adjustably supported at one end of an elongated feed bar. The pivot end of the feed bar is supported between a pair of pintles by a trunnion pin. The trunnion pin is journalled in a threaded pivot pin which is supported within the feed bar by a threaded sleeve which is free to rotate within the pivoted end of the feed bar. The inclination of the feed dog with respect to the throat plate may be adjusted by turning the threaded sleeve against the threaded pivot pin, thereby changing the height of the feed bar with respect to the plane of the support pintles. The feed dog is attached to the feed bar by a feed dog carrier and a threaded stud which permits the height of the feed dog carrier to be adjusted relative to the feed bar, thereby allowing independent adjustment of the height of the feed dog above the throat plate.

Abstract: A work feeding device for sewing machines is disclosed in which an auxiliary feed dog section is constrained closely adjacent to the needle hole on a straight stitch throat plate. The auxiliary feed dog section is formed with surfaces adapted snuggly to embrace at least one limb of a conventional feed dog of the type with wide spread side limbs suitable for accommodating zig-zag stitching. All of the motions are imparted to the auxiliary feed dog section by the conventional feed dog which it embraces.

Abstract: A plate is provided in association with the bobbin case of a sewing machine for movement on a hinge between an open position in which the bobbin case can be readily removed from the bed of the machine, and a closed position wherein the plate holds down the bobbin case and prevents it from rotating while the machine is in operation.

Abstract: A driving connection between a motor driven belt and the carriage of a knitting machine is provided with disengageable parts which separate when the carriage jams and thereby disconnect the carriage from the belt.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed in which electromechanical actuators are incorporated. By selectively supplying power to position the electromechanical actuators, the stitch forming instrumentalities of the sewing machine may be operatively controlled. In order to reduce heat dissipation within the sewing machine under abnormal conditions where the actuators are locked for long periods of time, the sewing machine main drive motor motion is monitored. After a predetermined period of inactivity of the sewing machine main drive motor, the power which can be supplied to the actuators is limited.

Abstract: An automated flat bed knitting machine including a stationary programmable device with electrical lines corresponding to rows and columns of a fabric producible on the machine is provided with means for extracting information from said device on a row by row basis including switch means operable by the carriage of the machine, motor means controlled by the switch means, and movable contact means controlled by the motor means for sequentially contacting the row lines of the programming device.

Abstract: A high speed electronically controlled industrial sewing machine having an automatic back-tack capability is disclosed. To achieve balanced stitching in the first and last tacks of a seam while still operating at high speed, the stitches in the tacks are counted and additionally a fixed time delay is provided in the feed reversal command circuitry to compensate for system inertias which result in response time delays of the sewing machine to the feed reversal command signals.

Abstract: An operator manipulating means for a programable electronically controlled sewing machine. The operator manipulating means provides an array of switch points, each related in a row, to discrete needle positions attainable by the electronically controlled sewing machine; and in a column, to the least feed increment attainable thereby. The switch array is fabricated using a pair of printed circuits, one of which must be flexible and each having spaced, parallel conductors, and arranged with respect to each other so that the conductors of one are substantially perpendicular to the conductors of the other and are in facing relationship. The printed circuits are separated in a first embodiment by a pair of insulating sheets, each having an array of apertures in spaced registry with each other and aligned in rows and columns with the conductors on the printed circuits. The pair of insulating sheets are separated by a flexible conducting sheets which may be used as a common conductor.

Abstract: A snap-on darning and embroidery plate, provided for use in conjunction with a needle plate on a sewing machine to render the work feeding mechanism ineffective, is constructed of plastic and structured to provide a spreading action between locating pins thereon when inserted in holes in the needle plate.

Abstract: A controller to permit a sewing machine operator to control a sewing machine drive motor from control members located in close proximity to the needle bar. Means are provided to permit the operator to select the sewing speed and the needle stop position prior to commencing the sewing process. The operator may thereafter control the sewing process by light finger pressure applied to the control members without attention being distracted from the work feeding area. The operator may suspend the sewing process by removing pressure from the control members. The sewing machine will thereafter stop with the needle bar in the selected position. A reset circuit is provided to prevent the operator from unintentionally actuating the sewing machine drive motor.