Abstract: The invention relates to sewing machines, wherein the needle is mounted on the needle bar with both a transverse offset and an angular offset with respect to the axis of the needle bar. It may be applied to sewing machines for both domestic and industrial use.

Abstract: A process for measuring the temperature of a bath of molten metal comprises bringing a heat sensitive element into contact with the molten metal whereby the element, which comprises an electrically insulating material is, progressively destroyed by combustion when in contact with the bath. The duration of combustion of a predetermined length of this insulating material is measured, from which duration the temperature of the bath can be ascertained. The duration is timed by means of electrodes immersed within the insulating material, which electrodes terminate at different levels therein and are used to activate or deactivate a counter for counting the pulses of a clock arrangement.

Abstract: A method for reducing the response time in the measurement of the oxygen content in molten metals by means of a probe of the type comprising a solid electrolyte which produces an electromotive force depending on the ratio of the partial pressure of oxygen in the molten metal to the partial pressure of oxygen in a reference medium contained in the probe, said method comprising producing a temperature rise of the probe thereby to accelerate the establishment of thermal equilibrium with the molten metal.