Abstract: A spindle brake mechanism for a milling machine which includes a plurality of brake shoes that are pivotally mounted about the machine spindle. The brake shoes are pivoted for movement into and out of frictional braking contact with the machine spindle and are circumferentially encompassed by a freely rotatable ring which carries thereon a plurality of actuating members that associate with each of the brake shoes. At the completion of the work cycle, the driving force is removed from the spindle and the ring is rotated thus causing the actuating members to forcibly cam the brake shoes into contact with the spindle thus applying a frictional braking effect thereon.

Abstract: The throat slot, arranged in the needle plate for the passage of the needle, has in the right front portion thereof a groove. It is designed to retain the previously formed thread chain and prevent the formation of the overlock stitch until displaced by the passage of a fabric.

Abstract: A button guide assembly for delivering and guiding buttons to a rotatable sewing machine button indexer. The assembly includes a guide track and mounting means for securing the assembly to the sewing machine button clamp. The mounting means are adjustable to allow movement of the guide track assembly forwardly or backwardly with respect to the rotatable indexer in a direction parallel and in alignment with the button feed path. The assembly further includes means for adjusting the width of the guide track opening. The adjustment means cooperate with the mounting means in maintaining a tangential relationship between the receiving opening in the rotatable button indexer and the guide track assembly.

Abstract: An automatic brake mechanism for a milling machine which applies a braking effect upon the machine drive pulley. The automatic brake system includes an actuating device which is responsive to the de-energization of the machine drive motor. The actuating device is effective to forcibly drive a braking element into frictional braking contact with the maching drive pulley whereby preventing the same from continued rotation.

Abstract: A hem folding attachment for forming an S-shaped fold in the edge of a flexible sheet prior to the stitching of the folded edge by a sewing machine. The attachment includes first and second movable guides cooperably associated for forming the fold on the workpiece. The first movable guide has integrally formed thereon a hem fold control finger portion which extends parallel to the direction of feed and is interposed within the fold for effecting the movement of the fold to the sewing machine. The hem fold control finger portion is positioned within a cutout located on the top side of the throat plate whereas to maintain the presser foot in its normal operating position during the sewing operation.

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine comprising, a sewing needle, a work holder for moving a work piece relative the needle, and memory means having a plurality of randomly addressable storage locations for retaining the data words. The sewing machine has address means for sequentially selecting the storage locations, and means responsive to the data words of the selected storage locations for moving the work holder and performing a sewing operation.

Abstract: Sensor including a non-contact proximity sensor, proportional change detector system and a sample gate. The machine logic program of the Automatic Sewing System generates a signal which enables the sample gate, at given times during the work cycle. The sample gate also receives a signal indicating fabric discontinuities which is generated by the sensor element. When such input signals are present, at the sample gate, an output is generated thereby to overcome the fabric discontinuities problem.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes an automatic sewing machine having a low inertia system for translating a work holder relative to a sewing needle. The work holder is moved in a coordinate system which has been modified so that the movement of the work holder relative to the sewing needle approximates, within predefined limits, a rectilinear coordinate system. The driving power is provided by a pair of stepping motors each of whose mechanical outputs is connected by a separate cable drive to a work holder support for each coordinate system. The inertia of the work holder and the support is maintained low by separating the motors from the support. A pair of homing and limit assemblies is also connected to the cable system for preventing the work holder from being moved beyond the defined range of movement and for automatically positioning the work holder in a predetermined home position at the beginning and end of every operation.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes an automatic sewing machine having a low inertia system for translating a work holder relative to a sewing needle. The work holder is moved in a coordinate system which has been modified so that the movement of the work holder relative to the sewing needle approximates, within predefined limits, a rectilinear coordinate system. The driving power is provided by a pair of stepping motors each of whose mechanical outputs is connected by a separate cable drive to a work holder support for each coordinate system. The inertia of the work holder and the support is maintained low by separating the motors from the support. A pair of homing and limit assemblies is also connected to the cable system for preventing the work holder from being moved beyond the defined range of movement and for automatically positioning the work holder in a predetermined home position at the beginning and end of every operation.

Abstract: Clamping apparatus for an automatic sewing machine comprising, first clamp means for retaining a first work piece, and second clamp means for retaining a second work piece adjacent the first work piece. Means is provided for movably mounting the first and second clamp means for relative movement therebetween with the first clamp means being located intermediate the second clamp means and a work surface. First means is provided for applying a separating force between the first and second clamp means. Second means is also provided for selectively applying a variable force against the second clamp means in a direction urging the second clamp means toward the first clamp means, with the second applying means separately applying forces at levels less than and greater than the separating force.

Abstract: A knife assembly adapted for cutting thread utilized in a sewing machine including first and second levers each having first and second end portions and a medial portion therebetween, the first end portion of the second lever defining a first cutting blade portion, first means at the second end portion of the second lever for mounting the second lever for pivotal movement, a link having first and second end portions and a medial portion therebetween, the first end portion of the links defining a second cutting blade portion cooperative with the first cutting blade portion for cutting a thread therebetween upon relative pivoting motion between the link and the second lever, second means pivotally connecting together the medial portions of the link and lever, and third means pivotally connecting together the first end portion of the first lever and the second end portion of the link whereby motion imparted to the second end portion of the first lever creates the latter-mentioned relative pivoting motion between

Abstract: A bearing transducer assembly for measuring the dynamic load applied to a bearing by an oscillating or rotating member. The apparatus includes a shaft journaled within a thin walled bearing, a support member, a plurality of transducer assemblies mounted between the support member and the bearing for supporting the bearing and shaft and for detecting the dynamic load placed thereupon by the oscillation or rotation of the shaft, and an electrical circuitry for cancelling the bearing distortion components and measuring the dynamic load component representative of the dynamic load applied to the bearing.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes an automatic sewing machine which uses a randomly addressable storage element to store a sequence of instructions. The instructions describe a pattern through which a work holder securing a work piece is moved. Electrical circuitry reads the instructions stored in the storage element in a predetermined sequence and provides electrical signals dependent upon the sequence of instructions. A pair of stepping motors respond to the electrical signals to move the work holder. The electrical signals to the stepping motors are aperiodic in order to increase the machine cycle rate and to reduce the tendency of the stepping motors to oscillate. A closed loop actuatable homing device moves the work holder to a predetermined "home" position prior to reading any of the sequence of instructions. Thereafter the work holder is moved according to the sequence of instructions in an open loop mode. Limit circuitry prevents the work holder from being moved beyond predetermined limits.

Abstract: An improved sewing machine needle provided with tapered flat surfaces on both sides of the needle, beginning at a point slightly rearward of the needle's eye and converging towards the point of the needle.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes an automatic sewing machine which uses a randomly addressable storage element to store a sequence of instructions. The instructions describe a pattern through which a work holder securing a work piece is moved. Electrical circuitry reads the instructions stored in the storage element in a predetermined sequence and provides electrical signals dependent upon the sequence of instructions. A pair of stepping motors respond to the electrical signals to move the work holder. The electrical signals to the stepping motors are aperiodic in order to increase the machine cycle rate and to reduce the tendency of the stepping motors to oscillate. A closed loop actuatable homing device moves the work holder to a predetermined "home" position prior to reading any of the sequence of instructions. Thereafter the work holder is moved according to the sequence of instructions in an open loop mode. Limit circuitry prevents the work holder from being moved beyond predetermined limits.

Abstract: Force is delivered from a looper drive crank to a nut and bolt assembly having clamped thereto the inner races of first and second bearing sets. A spacer separates the bearing sets. The outer races of the bearing sets are press fit into the bore of a housing from which force is transmitted to a looper link.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes an automatic sewing machine having a low inertia system for translating a work holder relative to a sewing needle. The work holder is moved in a coordinate system which has been modified so that the movement of the work holder relative to the sewing needle approximates, within predefined limits, a rectilinear coordinate system. The driving power is provided by a pair of stepping motors each of whose mechanical outputs is connected by a separate cable drive to a work holder support for each coordinate system. The inertia of the work holder and the support is maintained low by separating the motors from the support. A pair of homing and limit assemblies is also connected to the cable system for preventing the work holder from being moved beyond the defined range of movement and for automatically positioning the work holder in a predetermined home position at the beginning and end of every operation.

Abstract: A fabric positioning holder is automatically moved by computer directed first and second stepper motors. A force generating means urges the jaws of the fabric positioning holder against the throat plate with total pressures which exceed 10 lbs. The stepper motors are, therefore, mounted such that their mass can be employed to overcome the shock forces associated with rapid movement of the holder.

Abstract: Logic circuit device and frequency voltage converter connected to the impulse preparation device. A gate being interposed between voltage converter and the impulse preparation device. Comparator connected to the converter which compares its output to an adjustable reference voltage.

Abstract: Stop mechanism which prevents actuation of the machine if an orientating means associated therewith has not returned to its proper position. This mechanism includes a series of levers which are forced into an abutting relationship with one another if the work cycle of the orientating means is not fully completed prior to full actuation of said machine.