Abstract: A sewing machine employs stepper motor actuated control for magnitude and direction of work feed including operator influenced feed balancing cam apparatus for shifting the stepper motor actuated control axially relative to or with a stepper motor shaft in order to attain parity between forward and reverse directions of work feed.

Abstract: A suction table assembly utilizes a member having a hollow interior with open top and bottom horizontal ends. A partition arrangement is disposed in the interior of the member to partition the member interior into a plurality of cubicles having hollow interiors, each cubicle having open top and bottom horizontal ends respectively flush with the top and bottom ends of the member. A flat perforated horizontal plate overlies the member and is connected to the top ends of all of the cubicles, the perforations in the plate communicating with the interiors of the underlying cubicles. The perforations have like areas and are regularly spaced. A suction producing device producing suction forces is disposed below the bottom ends of the member. A shutter mechanism disposed between and connected to the bottom ends of the cubicles and the suction producing device applies the suction forces to the interiors of the cubicles.

Abstract: An easing drum has an elongated horizontal shaft having an elongated horizontal axis about which the shaft is rotatable. A plurality of like circular discs are secured at their centers to said shaft and are rotatable therewith. The discs are spaced apart and lie in parallel vertical planes, each disc having an external periphery covered with a high friction coating. A mechanism is connected to the shaft to rotate it. A horizontally elongated grating is disposed above the shaft. The grating has spaced openings, each opening being aligned with a portion of the external periphery of the corresponding disc. The shaft can be raised to a first position at which the portions of the peripheries extend through the grating openings and can be lowered to a second position at which the openings are spaced above these portions.

Abstract: A sewing machine employing a stepper driven-stitch patterning mechanism including a stepper rotated cam with a spiral cam groove tracked by a follower formed with different cross sectional shape than the cam groove in order to provide only point contact with each side of the cam groove when spring biased therein. A spring arrangement biases the cam and follower together in a direction perpendicular to the axis of cam rotation, thus minimizing lost motion between cam and follower.

Abstract: A sewing machine thread break detector using a photo amplifier in which thread to be monitored is guided relatively to a light beam so that thread movement will vary transmitted light. An electronic circuit signals thread breakage when uniformity of the transmitted light beam indicates thread motion has ceased during sewing machine operation.

Abstract: An optical low bobbin thread detector is disclosed utilizing particularly cost effective matrixed light emitting diodes for bobbin thread detection and alarm, and virtually eliminating false alarms by employing a system requiring detection of a predetermined number of successive valid low bobbin thread detections to justify actuation of the alarm.

Abstract: An electronic sewing machine storing information concerning a string of different stitch patterns includes a central processor responsive to an operator entered parameter for effecting unique modification of certain stored stitch patterns thus creating a compound stitch pattern useful, for instance, as a mending stitch pattern for repairing various length fabric tears.

Abstract: A demand responsive sewing machine thread take-up construction is disclosed accommodating a shortened thread introduction path which facilitates operator interface and reduces construction costs while providing for improved reliability and uniformity of thread manipulation by the take-up.

Abstract: A solar cell powered detecting and indicating system applicable to mechanically controlled sewing machines without D.C. power supplies connected to regular A.C. house mains, and detecting and indicating circuits minimizing power consumption for compatability with solar generated power supply.

Abstract: A flexible light pipe fixed at one extremity to admit light from the lamp illuminating the stitch forming area is shiftably supported at the other extremity to illuminate representation of the selected stitch pattern, and an expandable coil in the light pipe is constrained within a mechanism free compartment within the sewing machine.

Abstract: A needle thread end holder for a sewing machine having bobbin thread replenishing mechanism in which an annular groove formed in the presser securing screw accomodates a stretched rubber "O" ring so as to apply only a limited frictional resistance to a thread introduced beneath the "O" ring insufficient to abort a bobbin thread replenishing operation.

Abstract: A speed controlling circuit for an alternating current powered blower motor is disclosed in which rectified direct current voltages are manipulated, regulated responsive to ambient temperature, and compared so as to provide reliable and cost effective blower speed control in proportion to ambient temperature and low blower speed cut off.

Abstract: A composite feed dog for a sewing machine comprises a zinc die cast body portion having a toothed surface region covered by a layer of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A method of producing a buttonhole is disclosed in which individual legs thereof are composed of stitches alternately extending parallel to the length of the buttonhole and substantially transversely of said length. The stitches extending parallel to said length are formed at twice the stitch length and in the opposite direction of work feed from the transversely extending stitches.

Abstract: A bed slide for a sewing machine having a frame fabricated of a synthetic resin material, the bed slide extending beyond the throat plate on both sides thereof, and thereby beyond the cavity accommodating the looptaker, and two embodiments of devices attachable to the synthetic resin material spaced from the cavity for slidably retaining the bed slide therein. The first embodiment, a headed stud having a transverse slot therein for receiving a turned back edge of the bed slide is retained in an aperture molded in the synthetic resin material, with a resilient member exerting a pull on the stud for imparting a drag to the bed slide and retaining the same to the bed. In the second embodiment, a Z-shaped member has its lower bar fastened to the sewing machine bed and its upper bar inserted between the bed slide and a turned back end thereof. A portion of the upper bar is bent downwardly to provide for a drag resisting free motion of the bed slide.

Abstract: A needle guard for an industrial zigzag sewing machine designed to provide support for the sewing needle in all lateral positions of the needle. The needle guard provides a lead in surface to return an already deflected needle to a supporting surface which in a first embodiment lies in a plane immediately adjacent a plane including the circular path traversed by the loop seizing beak. In a second embodiment a supporting surface is provided which compensates for the point of contact variations due to the cone pointed end of the sewing needle.

Abstract: A sewing machine frame and cover construction and fastening means for securing a warped cover in place over a frame opening without imparting frame distorting stresses. To obviate imparting stresses to the sewing machine frame as result of clamping a warped cover thereto, surfaces are provided at locations on the frame and cover chosen so that the surfaces engage simultaneously in spaced localized areas when the warped cover is positioned loosely over the frame opening. Fastening means located within the localized areas of engagement of these surfaces clamp the cover securely in place without disturbing the warp.