Abstract: A method for automatically piecing a thread at a workstation of a textile machine, includes seeking an end of the thread on a surface of a bobbin with a suction nozzle and unwinding the thread from the bobbin counter to a regular draw-off direction of the thread and sucking the thread into the suction nozzle. The bobbin is driven in a direction of reverse rotation with a drive. A thread loop is draw-opened in the thread and moved towards a piecing unit via movement of a feeder unit. The bobbin is driven in the direction of reverse rotation during the drawing-open of the thread loop such that the thread is unwound from the bobbin. A speed of reverse rotation of the bobbin is coordinated with movement of the feeder unit.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes an upper feed mechanism, a presser foot mechanism and a control device. The upper feed mechanism feeds a workpiece on a throat plate from above by an upper feed dog. The presser foot mechanism includes a presser foot for pressing the workpiece on the throat plate from above. The control device controls a driving source of the presser foot mechanism. The upper feed mechanism supports the upper feed dog to be vertically movable between an upper retreat position and a lower feed position. The upper feed mechanism includes a detection unit that detects a downward movement of the upper feed dog from the retreat position. The control device controls the driving source to pull the presser foot upward by a detection of the detection unit.

Abstract: Individuals with special needs often struggle to put on swim caps as they may lack dexterity, strength, or coordination to pull the cap over their ears. An improved swim cap to aid such wearers includes a swim cap body to encapsulate an upper head area and ears of a wearer, a first ring near a right ear area of the cap, and a second ring near a left ear area the body. A reinforcing band is attached on an interior of the swim cap body, wherein ends of the band connect to the first ring and the second ring. The rings allow for easy gripping of the swim cap to easily pull the cap over the wearer's head and ears.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a movement amount detector which is configured to detect a movement amount of a workpiece, a motor which is a rotation driving source of an upper shaft configured to provide a vertical motion to a needle bar, and a control device which is configured to control the motor based on detection of the movement amount detector to maintain a constant stitch length. The movement amount detector is supported to be capable of being raised and lowered around a stitch position. The sewing machine includes a pressing unit configured to provide an upward elastic force such that a detection surface of the movement amount detector protrudes from an upper surface of a throat plate.

Abstract: A yarn return unit for returning a yarn into a delivery unit of a textile machine during a piecing process includes a yarn-guiding section configured to guide and position the yarn with respect to the delivery unit. A blowing unit generates an air flow for returning the yarn from the yarn-guiding section into the delivery unit, the blowing unit defining a flow direction of the air flow. The yarn-guiding section includes an open contour that defines an insertion area through which the yarn is inserted into the yarn-guiding section transversely to the flow direction of the air flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting false twist to a staple yarn comprising a yarn guide for guiding a staple yarn along a path and a false twist device comprising a convex surface for engagement with a staple yarn so as to impart a force to the staple yarn when the staple yarn engages with and traverses the convex surface of the false twist device, and wherein the relative positioning between the yarn guide and the convex surface of the false twist device is adjustable such that, when a staple yarn is engaged with the convex surface of the false twist device and extends between the yarn guide and the false twist device, the amount of contact between the staple yarn and the convex surface of the false twist device can be controlled.

Abstract: An air-jet type spinning device (4), comprising a body (8) at least partially hollow which defines a spinning chamber (12), a fibre feeding device (16) that feeds fibres into the spinning chamber (12), and a spinning spindle (20) including a spinning channel (24) for the suction of yarn obtained from the fibres. The device (4) including at least one channel (28) for sending a jet of compressed air inside the spinning chamber (12). A flow amplifier (32) comprising an expansion chamber (36) is in fluidic connection with the outside of the body (8), wherein the at least one channel (28) comes out in an emission point (40) inside the expansion chamber (36), to introduce compressed air at an inlet cross-section (44). The expansion chamber (36) comprises an outlet mouth (48), fluidically connected to the spinning chamber (12) and having an outlet cross-section (52) smaller than the inlet cross-section (44).

Abstract: A recycled fancy yarn includes at least two core strands forming a warp thread, and at least one ornamental strand that is twined, twisted or wound around the warp thread to form a weft thread. The core strand is formed by a single first monofilament or a single first filament bundle, and the ornamental strand is formed by a single second monofilament or a single second filament bundle. The first monofilament and/or second monofilament is made of an environmentally friendly material; or the recycled fancy yarn can be recycled or naturally decomposed in the environment, such that the quantity of produced wastes can be reduced, and environmental burden is hardly caused.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to an apparel thermo-regulatory system that actively heats or cools a wearer. The apparel thermo-regulatory system comprises an apparel item, a dimensionally stable frame comprising at least one aperture that is affixed to an outer-facing surface of the apparel item at a predetermined location, an absorbent material applied to an exposed face of the dimensionally stable frame, and at least one thermoelectric module that is releasably positioned within the aperture of the dimensionally stable frame.

Abstract: A helmet having a visor and a method of manufacturing such helmet are disclosed. The helmet comprises a shell dimensioned to receive the head of a user. A visor is moveably attached to the shell, and configurable between (1) a first position in which the visor extends from a forward region of the shell and (2) a second position in which the visor is substantially retracted with respect to the forward region of the shell. It is contemplated that actuation of the movement of the visor between the first position and the second position is automated on placement or removal of the helmet from the head of a user.

Abstract: A coated PC steel stranded cable includes: a stranded cable in which a plurality of elemental wires each composed of steel are twisted together; an anti-corrosive coating having an outer circumferential portion that coats an outer circumference of the stranded cable; an outer coating that coats an outer circumference of the anti-corrosive coating; and an optical fiber provided at a position inwardly of an outer circumferential surface of the outer coating and corresponding to a strand groove in the stranded cable so as to follow expansion and contraction of the stranded cable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear effective to regulate the temperature of the feet of a wearer. In an embodiment, the article of footwear includes an upper and an insole with a thermal effect membrane. The thermal effect membrane contains a plurality of system-reactive components selectively engaged heat and/or moisture. In an embodiment, the printed coating includes a cooling agent, a phase change material, and a heat dissipation material. The bottom of the sole structure of the article of footwear further includes a multiple openings in the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot regions. The multiple openings promote airflow into the interior of the upper. In operation, the article of footwear is effective to delay/diminish the rise in skin temperature (compared to footwear lacking the membrane and/or openings), increasing wearer comfort.

Abstract: A skydiving helmet including a helmet shell having a front opening, is provided. The helmet further includes a visor having a lateral mounting section, where the visor is operable between a lowered position and a raised position. The skydiving helmet also includes a visor mounting system laterally positioned on the helmet shell to pivotally connect the lateral mounting section to the helmet shell. The visor mounting system includes a base plate having a cavity formed therein with a locking slot and a guiding section communicating with one another. The visor mounting system also includes a locking element positioned within the cavity and being operable between an extended configuration for preventing rotation of the visor, and a retracted configuration for allowing a frontward translation of the visor, away from the helmet front opening, and subsequent rotation of the visor, from the lowered to the raised position.

Abstract: A helmet may include a helmet body, a fit system, a bezel, and a hardware retainer. The helmet body may have an outer shell and an energy management layer. The bezel may be separate from the outer shell and coupled to the helmet body at the vent opening of the helmet, encircle the vent opening, and have a hardware opening extending through the bezel and an anchor opening in the bezel adjacent the hardware opening. The hardware retainer may be positioned behind and coupled to the bezel. The hardware retainer may include a hardware receiving aperture aligned with the hardware opening and a hardware retainer cover coupled to a rear side of the hardware retainer. The hardware retainer may further include an anchor recess aligned with the anchor opening. The bezel may be in-molded into the energy management layer.

Abstract: A human motion assistance device has an upper torso harness for attaching to a user. The upper torso harness has a shoulder strap or backpack assembly. A belt is connected to the upper torso harness and extends around a waist and back area of the user. Leg straps are affixed to the upper torso harness proximate to a gluteal area of the user and configured to extend down a hamstring area to cross in front of a knee area and further extend down a calf area to a foot anchor. The leg straps are made of an elastic material with a pocket around the knee area of the user. The foot anchor may extend under the heel to an arch strap, or cross over the talus and under the arch of the foot. The upper torso harness and leg straps are passive without active members.

Abstract: A device for piecing a thread at a workstation of a textile machine includes a suction nozzle configured to pick up a thread end of the thread from a bobbin, the suction nozzle including an entry opening for the thread. A feeder unit is movable with respect to the suction nozzle and includes a cover element configured to close the entry opening in a first position (I) of the feeder unit and to unblock the entry opening in a second position (II) of the feeder unit. The cover element includes a thread-guiding element having an open contour.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for lacing a shoe that includes an upper on which a rotating closure is arranged for lacing the shoe by means of at least one tensioning element. The method includes lacing the shoe with a first level of lacing power, resulting in a first tension of the at least one tensioning element, when the user of the shoe generates a first closing signal (S1) by means of the closing button, or alternatively lacing the shoe with a second level of lacing power, resulting in a second tension of the at least one tensioning element, which is higher than the first tension, when the user of the shoe generates a second closing signal (S2) by means of the closing button, which is different from the first closing signal.

Abstract: A sewing machine needle includes a blade extending substantially in the needle's longitudinal direction, an eye, which passes through the needle substantially in its elevational direction, and a scarf, which extends along the needle behind the eye. Compared with the contour of the blade, the scarf contour is recessed in the needle's elevational direction. At least in part of the scarf's extension along the needle, the scarf contour in a sectional plane perpendicular to the needle's longitudinal direction is substantially an arc of a circle. The circular-arc-shaped area covers a first angular portion of the needle's circumference. In this part of the scarf's extension along the needle, the radius of the substantially circular-arc-shaped contour in this first angular portion of the needle's circumference is between 35% and 100% of the needle's maximum lateral reach. The needle's lateral direction is perpendicular to its longitudinal and elevational directions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the production of knitted sweatbands that exhibit superior elasticity and breathability. Generally, the manufacturing process for producing the knitted sweatbands involves: (1) applying a continuous wax coating onto a polyester yarn; (2) twisting the yarn with one or more additional yarns to produce a twisted yarn; (3) knitting the twisted yarn into a sweatband body; and (4) finishing the sweatband body to form the sweatband. The sweatbands of the present invention can easily facilitate the movement of sweat away from the wearer, while still providing comfort and breathability.

Abstract: In a sole structure for a flexible shoe with a flexibly elastic mid-sole which comes at least partially into contact with the ground during walking and has laterally open, channel-containing elements which are oriented transversely with respect to its longitudinal direction and extend down towards the ground, wherein the mid-sole has a border strip bridging each of the channel-containing elements, wherein the outwardly directed end faces of the channel-containing elements are provided with horizontal predetermined fold notches, and wherein the channel-containing elements are deformable vertically and/or in the longitudinal direction in the area of the border strip under the effect of forces that act vertically and/or in the longitudinal direction during walking, until their lateral openings become worn, wherein the predetermined fold notches have a vertical width corresponding to the height of the lateral openings of the channel-containing elements and are flush with the lateral openings of the channel-contai