Abstract: A device and method for continuously regulating the amount of thread stripped from a supply spool and fed to a sewing needle during embroidery is provided. In commercial embroidering, the lengths of consecutive stitches can vary widely. The invention allows the machine to apply optimal tension to all embroidery stitches, regardless of their differing lengths. Pulling all stitches under optimal tension improves the appearance of the finished stitches and reduces the breakage and fraying of the thread. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a digital computer controls a programmable servomotor, which in turn regulates the action of the embroidery machine's take-up and driver lever. The take-up in turn regulates the length of thread stripped from the supply bobbin and fed to the current stitch. In an alternative embodiment, the take-up and driver lever are replaced by a wheel, which is connected to the servomotor.

Abstract: A device for clamping a multiplicity of emblems to be monogrammed or embroidered receives and positions the emblems in an assembly comprising a base plate, an emblem insert plate, and a clearance plate. A clip plate and a cover plate are hingedly attached to the base plate and the emblem insert plate. Aligned apertures are provided in all of the plates permitting access by the sewing needle to the emblem held within the device. A plurality of projections is provided around the periphery of each aperture in the clip plate to grippingly engage the edge of each emblem to be monogrammed or embroidered. The cover plate is formed so as to apply a substantially constant pressure across the clip plate and to the projections provided therein.

Abstract: An embroidery machine for embroidering a predetermined pattern on fabric includes a sewing head, a cloth frame for supporting fabric to be embroidered with the predetermined pattern for movement relative to the sewing head, first and second drives for moving the cloth frame segmentally in first and second coordinate directions, respectively, and a sewing pattern memory for storing a plurality of signals each of which is representative of an incremental coordinatal displacement of the cloth frame corresponding to individual segments of the predetermined pattern to be embroidered. The embroidery machine further includes a control responsive to the plurality of signals from the sewing pattern memory for actuating the first and second drives and a scaler for modifying the size of the predetermined pattern by modifying the number of segments occasioned in the predetermined pattern by each of the plurality of signals.