Abstract: A mattress edge sewing machine including a frame having a material supporting surface, a sewing station defined by a needle bar mounted in the frame for generally vertical reciprocatory movements along a fixed centerline, and a feeding mechanism for pulling material through the sewing station of the machine. The feeding mechanism includes upper and lower positively driven feed rollers which are continually biased into operable engagement with each other. The feed rollers are arranged less than 0.8625 inches, measured in the direction of material advancement, separates the centerline of the feed rollers from the centerline of the needle bar. The needle bar is moved in timed relation relative to the movements of the looper, and with the needle bar traversing a distance in a single vertical direction at a ratio greater than 3:1 relative to the distance in a single lateral direction traversed by the looper.

Abstract: An automated sewing system and method for overedge sewing a cuff edge of a knit glove to inhibit the glove cuff edge from unraveling is disclosed. The present invention permits an oversew pattern to be sewn into the seam thereby locking the stitches. The oversew pattern length and run-off angle is maintained consistent between workpieces and is predetermined. A length of thread chain extending from the sewn cuff edge and the length of thread chain remaining on the finished glove is automatically controlled by the present invention. Additionally, the present invention permits a label to be automatically inserted at a predetermined location into the sewn seam on the glove. Moreover, the present invention permits a tensioned elastic strip to be conjointly inserted into the sewn cuff edge thereby elasticizing the cuff edge of the glove.

Abstract: A mechanical metering attachment for sewing ribbon such as elastic or woven lace and woven elastic to men's and ladies' undergarments. The attachment can be used on a variety of commercially available industrial sewing machines and is driven by an available and appropriately located oscillating shaft that receives its drive from the main rotary shaft of the sewing machine. The attachment is driven through a one-way clutch that receives its input from the oscillating drive shaft. The feed rate of the ribbon or elastic woven lace can be adjusted by adjusting the point of connection of a connecting rod to a slotted lever which is part of the drive. The attachment includes a driven roll and a pressure roll. The pressure roll is biased into engagement with the pressure roll, and the pressure on the pressure roll can be adjusted to accommodate for the thickness of the ribbon being metered.

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a work piece control and advancing mechanism and a microprocessor for setting sleeves in shirt bodies. A sleeve and shirt body are manually loaded on the work piece control and advancing mechanism and placed under the presser foot and the individual edge guides. An automatic sew cycle is then actuated that is under the control of the microprocessor. During the automatic sew cycle the sewing machine operator is free to prepare to load the next product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for a less costly and more reliable latchtacking technique that produces a finished work piece that is esthetically superior to the work piece that is produced by the current technique. A chain cutter has miniaturized cutting blades located at the back edge of the chaining tongue such that a relatively short unstretched chain is cut. The chain is not stretched because, stitch Also at the time the chain is cut, the vacuum in the hollow chaining tongue has been turned off. The tension on the needle thread is adjusted when chaining begins such that a short pliable balanced chain is produced which results in a more reliable technique and a latchtack that is esthetically superior to prior art latchtacks.

Abstract: A machine for automatically aligning cut sleeve blanks after they are manually placed on the conveying surface by the operator. A material presence sensor is provided that recognizes the leading edge of the cut sleeve blank as it is being fed toward the hemming machine. Recognition of the leading edge of the sleeve blank causes an edge guider and blowers to be activated. An edge sensor is provided that senses the location of the marginal edge of the sleeve blank relative to the stitch line and sends signals that are conveyed to the edge guider. The edge guider maintains the marginal edge of the sleeve blank a predetermined distance from the stitch line. Air jets are directed on the upper surface of the sleeve blank to maintain it flat during the aligning process. The leading edge of the cut shirt blank is captured by a driven top belt conveyor which functions to maintain control of the sleeve blank.

Abstract: A machine for automatically producing apparel sleeves that includes a station at which the sleeve blank is trimmed, folded and hemmed. Another station is provided at which the hemmed sleeve blank is folded and turned inside out. The sleeve blank must then be stopped at a position at which it is aligned with a seaming sewing machine and then transported to the sewing head of the seaming sewing machine. A curve generating mechanism then controls the sleeve blank as it is fed through the seaming sewing machine.

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a workpiece control and advancing mechanism for automatically forming a seam along the aligned edges of a two ply waist band and a shirt body. The mechanism includes edge guiders, that are controlled by sensors, for individually controlling each workpiece edge such that the marginal edges of all layers are aligned.

Abstract: A fabric feed mechanism that includes a forward feed roller located forward of the stitch forming area and a rear feed roller located to the rear of the stitch forming area. The drive to the forward and rear feed rollers is synchronized such that the fabric is fed to the stitch forming instruments in a relaxed and unstretched condition. There is a independently applied downward pressure to forward and rear feed rollers and the forward feed roller is raised along with the presser foot. The front feed roller has sections that are located on opposite sides of the presser foot toe to thus ensure that the top layer of fabric is fed under the presser foot rather than riding up the front roller. A material folding device is located forward of the stitch forming area for folding material to be fed to the stitch forming area.

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a work piece control and advancing mechanism and a microprocessor for setting sleeves in shirt bodies. A sleeve and shirt body are manually loaded on the work piece control and advancing mechanism and placed under the presser foot and the individual edge guides. An automatic sew cycle is then actuated that is under the control of the microprocessor. During the automatic sew cycle the sewing machine operator is free to prepare to load the next product.

Abstract: A sewing machine with an upper feed mechanism includes: a sewing machine head; a needle plate; first, second and third shafts each extending from the sewing machine head vertically downwardly toward the needle plate, each shaft having a lower end; a needle secured to the lower end of the first shaft; a feed element having one end carried by the lower end of the second shaft and the other end located forwardly of the path of the needle; an upper feed dog formed in the other end of the feed element and confronting the needle plate; and a presser foot mounted to the lower end of the third shaft, wherein the first, second and third shafts being moved in timed relation to one another so as to allow a workpiece to be sandwiched between the presser foot and the needle plate, and the upper feed dog cooperating with a lower feed dog located below the needle plate to clamp and feed the workpiece to the path of the needle whereby stitches are formed, and wherein the first, second and third shafts are juxtaposed in that

Abstract: A machine for automatically producing apparel sleeves that includes a station at which the sleeve blank is trimmed, folded and hemmed. Another station at which the hemmed sleeve blank is folded and turned inside out. The sleeve blank must then be stopped at a position at which it is aligned with a seaming sewing machine and then transported to the sewing head of the seaming sewing machine. A curve generating mechanism then controls the sleeve blank as it is fed through the seaming sewing machine.

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a workpiece control and advancing mechanism for automatically forming a coverstitch over an existing overedge stitch. The workpiece control and advancing mechanism includes an edge sensor and an edge guider and a feed roller for stretching the garment to place the garment in a condition that it can be automatically processed.

Abstract: The current invention involves a vacuum latchtack throat plate with a vacuum generating system. The throat plate includes a body having a first internal bore beginning at a front edge of the body and extending longitudinally therethrough, and a channel formed in the lower surface of the body. The throat plate further includes a stitch tongue having a front edge and back edge, where the stitch tongue is integrally formed with the body. The stitch tongue has a second internal bore beginning at the back edge and extending longitudinally through the stitch tongue to the body where the channel couples the second internal bore to the first internal bore.The vacuum generating system includes a source of positive pressure gas, a vacuum generator having an input port, an outlet port and a vacuum port, and a valve for coupling the source to the input port of the vacuum generator. The valve is controllable.

Abstract: A fabric feed mechanism that includes a forward feed roller located forward of the stitch forming area and a rear feed roller located to the rear of the stitch forming area. The drive to the forward and rear feed rollers is synchronized such that the fabric is fed to the stitch forming instruments in a relaxed and unstretched condition. There is a independently applied downward pressure to forward and rear feed rollers and the forward feed roller is raised along with the presser foot. The front feed roller has sections that are located on opposite sides of the presser foot toe to thus ensure that the top layer of fabric is fed under the presser foot rather than riding up the front roller.

Abstract: A sewing machine in combination with a workpiece control and advancing mechanism for automatically forming a seam along the aligned edges of a two ply waist band and a shirt body. The mechanism includes edge guiders, that are controlled by sensors, for individually controlling each workpiece edge such that the marginal edges of all layers are aligned.

Abstract: A method of forming a stitch and the stitch which includes three needle threads and cooperating looper threads for forming three parallel rows of stitches that are joined by a spreader thread that lies on the upper surface of the work piece. The spreader thread follows a serpentine pattern and is configured to lie both forward of and rearward of the penetrating points of the needle threads such that it connects and covers the three parallel rows of stitches.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for forming a facing seam at a relatively high rate that will insure that the cover thread is properly interwoven between each stitch of two parallel rows of stitches. The facing seam is formed by two needles and cooperating loopers for forming two parallel rows of stitches that are joined by a cover thread that lies on the upper surface of the work piece. The cover thread is controlled by a conventional spreader and a cover thread assist member. The cover thread assist member is formed from a lightweight hardened wire that is fixed to a mid portion of the conventional spreader.

Abstract: A mechanical latch tacking device carried by the toe of the sewing machine presser foot that will allow the operator to produce a relatively short stitch chain at the end of a seam and in a single smooth ergonomical motion cause the chain to be severed and the end of the chain that extends from the needle retained in a location where the next workpiece is started the retained chain will be sewn into the seam.

Abstract: A guide mechanism for the roller presser bar of a sewing machine of the type that includes an upper surface roller feeder for imparting movement to the upper work surface and a presser foot that cooperates with the feed dog. The guide mechanism for the roller presser bar is independent of the guide mechanism for the presser foot bar. The independent guide mechanism for the roller presser bar avoids binding of the roller presser bar that occurs when a common guide mechanism is utilized for both the roller presser and the presser foot bar. The roller presser bar guide mechanism includes a pair of movable vertically aligned surfaces attached to the bar and a cooperating block attached to the sewing machine housing with a pair of adjustable guide plates.