Abstract: A worktable for sewing units having sewing machines with free-arm type bases mounted on a support bench. The worktable is operatively connected to the support bench and includes a recess with a configuration conforming to the shape of the sewing machine base. By means of a selectively controlled lifting device, the worktable can be moved to and from operative association with the base as desired to accommodate either tubular seaming or seaming on flat workpieces which require a larger supporting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus attached to the movable carriage of a folding machine for depositing supply rolls of web material into the machine's roll supporting cradle. The apparatus includes a roll elevator frame and a roll guide frame pivotably attached to the carriage with a drive unit operatively connected to the elevator frame for raising and lowering both frames simultaneously between preselected positions. The drive unit pivots the elevator frame and supply roll carried thereby upwardly to a position where the roll is transferred to the roll guide frame and continued upward movement of the frame causes the supply roll to move along the guide frame and then into the machine's cradle.

Abstract: A modular bench for supporting a sewing machine in which the various elements comprising the support structure are formed from tubular material that can be joined by means of male and female connectors in a plurality of ways to support various sizes and shapes of working tables which are best suited for a particular sewing operation. Additionally, the bench is provided with noise and vibration dampening elements which are effective in elastically isolating the working table from the sewing machine and its operating motor and the latter two members from the support structure.

Abstract: A workpiece guide for separately guiding, aligning and removing the curled edges of superposed layers of fabric to be joined by seaming in a sewing machine. The guide includes a plurality of spaced and vertically aligned plate elements forming passages therebetween for the fabric layers. The leading edges of the plate elements have a curved profile and adjacent the sewing axis these profiles are formed to extend in the direction of the sewing zone and define recesses with a configuration of bulbous outline. The edges of the plate elements forming the entrance to the recesses are tapered in the direction of their respective passages and are effective in engaging the pieces of fabric to complete the unrolling and straightening of the fabric edges as they enter their respective passage.

Abstract: A workpiece guide control for a sewing unit in which the guide is mounted for limited sliding movement on the worksurface of the unit intermediate its sewing machine and traveling gripper. The guide slides to a position of close proximity with the stitching instrumentalities and by means of a displacing apparatus operatively associated with the traveling gripper and the guide, the latter as the gripper approaches, is effective in activating the displacing apparatus to effect movement of the guide from the pathway of the gripper and permit the latter to advance to the position from which the guide was displaced.

Abstract: A guide for sewing machines for effecting the attachment of a waistband to a workpiece which includes a pair of U-shaped guide elements fixed on the machine in spaced and vertical alignment for guiding separated strips of band material to a converging position in close proximity with the machines stitching instrumentalities. The guide includes a dividing member selectively movable from an operative position between the guide elements to a position displaced therefrom. The dividing member is provided with surfaces that cooperate with the guide elements to form separate passageways for the strips of band material and a central member having a guide surface for guiding the edge of the workpiece between the separated strips of band material to the converging position.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously guiding at least two layers of fabric to the stitching instrumentalities of a sewing machine in which a portion of one layer has a greater width than that of the other. The device includes superposed passages with a limiting element within each passage for separately engaging and guiding the edges of the layers of fabric. One of the limiting elements is fixedly held within its respective passage and the other is movable. The movable limiting element serves to align that portion of the layer of wider width with the edge of the adjacent layer prior to joining the layers by an assembly seam.

Abstract: A separate pair of tensioning elements for the needle thread and for the looper thread in sewing machines adapted to form seams of stitches on a succession of workpieces which are advanced in the direction of sewing by a main transport device and an auxiliary transport device disposed in spaced relation to the latter. A sensing device and control device is operatively associated with the tensioning elements and tension is caused to be applied by each pair of elements on their respective thread when a workpiece is present in the main transport device. Upon advance of the workpiece to a point where its advance is effected solely by the auxiliary transport device, the tension imposed by one of each pair of elements is automatically released.

Abstract: An auxiliary transport device for sewing machines utilized to attach bands to the edge of a workpiece having a pair of spaced roller members disposed in frictional engagement with a band attached to the workpiece and simultaneously rotated incrementally for advancing the workpiece away from the sewing zone. A compensating roller is mounted co-axial with one of the pair of spaced roller members and incrementally rotated therewith in a location to frictionally engage and advance that portion of the workpiece extending from the band. The compensating roller is capable of yielding in a vertical direction without effecting the position of the roller with which it is operatively associated and provides a means for effectively accommodating portions of the workpiece varying in thickness as a result of attachments such as loops, pockets and the like.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cutting apparatus for sewing machines disposed downstream of the machine's sewing zone. The apparatus includes a cutting blade and a protective guard for the blade both of which have independent actuating devices. The actuating devices are effective in moving the guard and blade between one position which provides clearance for the workpieces being advanced along the machine's work surface and another position where they are operatively associated with the workpieces. A timing element is operatively associated with both actuating devices and is effective in causing the protective guard to be moved toward the workpieces prior to movement of the blade.

Abstract: A regulating device for the upper wheel type workpiece transport mechanism in sewing machines. The transport wheel is rotatably driven and carried by a tubular support pivotably mounted on the machine. An eccentric roller having an indicating arm extending therefrom is in operative contact with the tubular support and with one end of the indicating arm disposed in operative association with a graduated scale defined by a plurality of stops for selectively locating the indicating arm. By moving the latter to any one of the stops, the eccentric roller is effective in changing the operating position of the transport wheel so that it can accommodate workpieces which vary in thickness and with generally the same amount of pressure being applied to each workpiece.

Abstract: A workpiece trimming device for sewing machines having a fixed blade mounted in one side of the machine's presser foot and a movable blade operatively associated with the underside of the fixed blade reciprocally driven within a passage formed on the opposite side of the presser foot in alignment with the fixed blade. A first biasing force acting on the presser bar continually urges the presser foot in the direction of the needle plate and a second biasing force acting in the opposite direction of the first maintains contact between the fixed and movable blades. The first and second biasing forces acting in opposite directions provides an improved means for controlling the intended functions of the presser foot and cooperating trimming blades.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for applying elastic rings to tubular garments having a supporting frame within which a sewing machine is mounted. Above the sewing machine the frame supports an elongated movable structure having a piece-carrier mounted on each end thereof. The apparatus includes a loading zone and a sewing zone and control devices for simultaneously moving the piece-carriers to and from the sewing and loading zones and for reversing the positions of the piece-carriers to alternately position them in each of the two zones.

Abstract: An improved device for operating a needle in a sewing machine having a needle supporting clamp that is guided for sliding movement in a vertical plane by a needle bar. The needle bar is pivotably mounted on and depends from a support member which causes it to automatically align itself and follow the effective path of travel of the needle supporting clamp. The support member is mounted on the machine frame and is eccentrically positionable which provides a means whereby it can be selectively located in a position whereat the needle bar depending therefrom will never be subjected to more than a minimum amount of resistance by the needle supporting clamp during the latter's sliding movement thereon.

Abstract: A device for supporting and guiding a folded workpiece to the stitching needle of a sewing machine by advancing the same between a pair of cylindrical members mounted on the machine for rotation in opposite directions. Each of the cylindrical members is provided with circumferential grooves on their peripheral surfaces with the grooves of each being in general alignment with those of the other. The configuration of the grooves in combination with the spacing between the cylindrical members causes the folded workpiece being advanced therebetween, to become deformed to the extent where portions thereof enter the grooves to effectively support its weight while accurately guiding it along the level of its intended path of travel.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively changing the distance of needle travel in a sewing machine in which the needle is carried by a needle clamp and reciprocated by a crank driven control lever along a pathway defined by a fixed guide bar. One end of the control lever has a lever pivotably connected thereto and the opposite end of this lever is pivotably connected to an eccentrically mounted and selectively positionable pin that protrudes from the machine's housing. Each of the available positions of the pin provide a means for effecting a change in the distance a needle travels during seaming for the purpose of accommodating workpieces of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A device for forming double chain stitches in a sewing machine having independent thread sources for its needle and looper. The device includes a driving apparatus for causing travel of the looper solely in a rectilinear pathway in front of the needle and is effective in taking a loop of thread from the needle and to form a triangle of threads into which the needle will descend to effect completion of a stitch as the looper returns to its starting position.

Abstract: A device for orienting a chain of stitches severed from a completed workpiece to a position where the end is taken by a gripping apparatus and the intermediate portion placed in a predetermined location where it cannot be displaced by the next workpiece while incorporating the chain into the initial stitches of the seam being formed thereon.

Abstract: A looper control apparatus for sewing machines which are adapted to form seams of double chain stitches both in a forwardly and reverse direction of sewing. The apparatus includes first and second driving devices for effecting travel of the looper in an elliptical pathway while sewing in a forwardly direction. A disconnecting mechanism is effective upon a selection to sew in a reverse direction in deactivating the second driving device so that the looper is actuated only by the first driving device which causes it to travel in a rectilinear pathway on one side only of the machine's needle.

Abstract: An improved feed device for sewing machines of the double feed roller type in which one of the rollers is intermittently rotated by a unidirectional clutch. A clamping unit functions in cooperation with the clutch to prevent a reverse movement of the feed roller, and a braking device operatively associated with the clutch and clamping unit is effective in a simultaneous positive locking of both of the latter each time the feed roller completes its limit of travel.