Abstract: A method and apparatus for indexing the waistband of trousers into belt loop attachment positions at the stitching station of a sewing machine is disclosed. A stepper motor is drivingly engaged to an indexer clamp, which engages the end portion of the waistband. The stepper motor drives the indexer clamp and pulls the waistband through the stitching station. A detector comprising dual rollers is pivotally connected to respective lever arms. Signal generators detect the presence of a waistband seam and signals a controller which correlates the position of the side seam as a reference point with the desired attachment positions of belt loops. The controller signals the stepper motor to stop when each of successive belt loop attachment positions move into the stitching station. The controller operates a belt loop delivery system which feeds a belt loop to the stitching station. Work holding clamps secure the belt loop onto the waistband.

Abstract: The chain mail fabric of a protective garment is impregnated with an elastomeric material to impart elastic characteristics to the fabric. In a first embodiment of such a garment construction, a chain mail glove includes a glove portion with an open end and a cuff portion attached to the open end of the glove portion. The cuff portion comprises a plurality of interconnected rows of wire rings which extend laterally around a wrist in encircling relation so that the cuff portion is expandable in diameter. The cuff portion is impregnated with an elastomeric latex material to impart elasticity to the cuff. In use, the cuff elastically encircles the wrist without bunching or gathering of the material, yet it is expandable in diameter to extend a hand therethrough. In a second embodiment, an arm protector includes a sleeve portion and cuff portions at each end of the sleeve.

Abstract: An automatic loader for a stator coil lacing machine includes structure for advancing a stator from a first position adjacent an arbor of the machine to a second position away from the arbor. The automatic loader also includes structure for moving the arbor between a lowered position away from the stator whereby the advancing structure moves the stator between first and second positions, and a raised position so that the stator is positioned on the arbor. The automatic loader may further include structure for disengaging a lacing cord feeder tube reciprocating drive of the machine from a cam of the machine when the arbor is lowered so the reciprocating drive is drivingly reengaged with the cam when the arbor is raised. The automatic loader may also include structure for maintaining driving engagement between a lacing needle drive of the machine and a lacing cord feeder tube oscillating drive when the arbor is raised and lowered.

Abstract: The invention provides a hockey glove in which the flexibility of the fingers is substantially increased without detracting from the protection provided by padding along the back of the glove. Stalls are provided for the fingers in which a portion of each stall is not attached to the padding along the back of the finger, but is isolated from the padding overlaying the stall and only resiliently attached thereto so that when the fingers are flexed the padding follows the flexing motion, but restricts it only minimally. In a preferred embodiment an elastic strap is provided to form a resilient web between the isolated portion of each finger and its associated padding. When the fingers are flexed, the isolated portions of the stalls allow the fingers a greater freedom of movement while the fingers remain protected by the overlying padding because the elastic strap pulls the sections of padding along with the stalls. The thumb stall may optionally be similarly constructed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing a small number of flexible objects, such as circular knit hosiery blanks from a mass of randomly arranged flexible objects, depositing the flexible objects on a turntable in spaced apart relation, removing individual flexible objects from the turntable, conveying the individual flexible objects to a sensing location, sensing the orientation thereof, returning to the turntable any flexible objects that are not properly positioned for the sensing of the orientation thereof, conveying the flexible objects which have had the orientation thereof determined along one of two alternate paths of travel determined by the orientation that has been sensed and the orientation desired at the delivery point, delivering the properly oriented blanks to a transfer location, transferring the blanks to a further processing apparatus, and further processing the flexible objects.

Abstract: A puller device of a sewing machine having a stitch-forming mechanism alternately engageable and disengageable with a garment for stitching the garment and a feed mechanism for feeding the garment through the stitch-forming mechanism. The puller device comprises a puller roller downstream of the feed mechanism for uniformly pulling the garment when the stitch-forming mechanism is disengaged from the garment. The puller device also comprises a feed rocker shaft, clampingly-attached to the feed mechanism, for driving the puller roller in synchronization with the stitch-forming mechanism, intermittently engaging the puller roller when the stitch-forming mechanism is disengaged from the garment and intermittently disengaging the puller roller when the stitch-forming mechanism is engaged with the garment. The puller device includes first and second presser feet positioned adjacent the puller roller for urging the garment against the puller roller.

Abstract: A cut/loop hook and clip module for use in a tufting machine has a molded body member including a plurality of tufting machine hooks cast therein in side-by-side relationship. The hooks have a beak at one end, a blade extending from the beak to a shank and a mounting portion of the shank extending remote from the beak. An elongated groove is formed in the shank and the mounting portion for receiving the tail portion of a cooperating clip. The clip includes a creased and bowed flag portion at one end of the tail portion. The hook includes a detent in the form of a notch adjacent the groove and the tail portion includes a detent in the form of a nub which is positionable into the notch to locate the clip so that the creased flag portion is in proper relationship relative to the beak of the hook. The flag portion of the clip is positioned on the side of the hook opposite to that having the groove with the flag portion biased against the blade adjacent the end of the beak.

Abstract: A folding stamp for folding sewing parts which are to be attached to a main sewing part, in a sewing system for making pockets in articles of clothing. The additional sewing parts, such as flaps or pocket-bag blanks, can be fed manually. This folding stamp has a fastening unit arranged on an upwardly and rearwardly extending extension formed on a vertical web. The fastening unit thereby extends above a resting surface on top of the web and in the direction toward the rear end of the folding stamp. The folding stamp is thereby arcuate or C-shaped in longitudinal cross-section, which gives it a compact construction and gives the operator an unimpeded view of the region in which he must feed the additional sewing parts.

Abstract: A boxing glove including an impact reducing mechanism which can assist in minimising of some injury during boxing. The boxer's fist is movable within the covering defining the fist space and movable between the rear and front positions when the front of the boxing glove strikes a target. The impact reducing mechanism includes a first part, preferably in the form of a rectangular plate, and a resilient means, preferably including at least one elastic band, which operatively interconnects the plate to the covering. The plate is forwardly displaceable via the forward moving fist between an inoperative position and an operative position when the front of the boxing glove strikes the target. The plate thus acts against the elastic band. After the front of the glove has lost contact with the target, the elastic band allows the plate to be in the inoperative position. Preferably, the impact reducing mechanism includes a frame in the fist space said frame attached to the inside of the covering.

Abstract: A method and system for tufting fabrics are disclosed. In addition a number of alternative tufting heads are disclosed. The method and system take into account at least one of the following factors: the direction of traverse with respect to filaments, any change in direction of traverse, the yarn type and thickness, the orientation of the needle with respect to the filaments, the distorting effect the needle has on the filament grid network when it is inserted into the backing, and the backing. The position of the needle relative to the positions of the tufts in the pattern is adjusted in order to compensate for positional errors introduced by the factors mentioned. The tufting heads are also modified to make them suitable for automation.

Abstract: The fabric of the present invention includes a pile portion comprising spun yarn tufted in alternating arrangement with bulk continuous filament yarn through a base layer. The spun yarn includes a space-dyed component and a stock-dyed component. The bulk continuous filament yarn is also space-dyed. A process and apparatus for producing the pile fabric of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the assembly of pillow-top mattress covers. In the method of this invention, the gussets for a pillow-top mattress cover are prepared in a single step in which the gusset material is folded longitudinally, and the flange material is attached thereto and the gusset material is sewn together in one stitch. Thereafter, a gusset is attached to each of the top and bottom panels of the cover along its outer edge. Each gusset is secured to the underside of its associated top or bottom panel at the folded edge using a blind stitch which is not visible externally of the panel. No gluing is required. During the step of attaching the gusset to its associated mattress cover panel, precisely positioned mitered corners are formed on the gusset where the gusset is to be attached to the corner of its associated panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee pad for athletes which has a cushion part which covers the front and side of the knee and fastening means surrounding parts of the thigh and of the lower leg in the region of the knee, and in order to obtain optimal protection it proposes that the fastening means comprise two fastening strips which are connected, extending approximately parallel, to the cushion part (1) at two different heights, and that the cushion part (1) has a stretchable elastic region (6) between the attachment of the upper fastening strip (2) and the attachment of the lower fastening strip (3), said elastic region connecting two less stretchable cushion regions (4, 5).

Abstract: An embroidery machine having a stationary stitching free arm, a pattern transfer element, and a frame having an edge and adapted to hold a workpiece to be embroidered, is used with a holding system having a support coupled longitudinally to the transfer element and movable on the frame in a longitudinal direction relative to the station. A pair of outer wheels on the support flanking the station are rotatable about respective axes generally parallel to the longitudinal direction. A center wheel on the support vertically offset from and generally between the outer wheels is rotatable about a respective axis generally parallel to the longitudinal direction. The frame edge can be engaged on one side by the outer wheels and on the other side by the center wheel to hold it in the station. A drive rotates one of the wheels, normally the center wheel, and thereby displaces the workpiece and frame held by the wheels in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention is a self-contained protective device/system designed to protect the hips, pelvis, buttocks, and coccyx areas of the user. The device may be worn outside of the clothing. Because it is small in size and lightweight, it may be easily put on and removed and does not interfere with body movements. It contains the following components: an inflatable air bag folded into pleats, a battery, a gas cartridge, sensors to determine angular motion and acceleration, a triggering/valve mechanism to release the gas and a relief valve. When the user falls, the sensors automatically release gas from the cartridge and inflate the airbag assembly, forcing the folded pleats to fully cover said areas of the user's body. After use the relief valve is opened to release air from the airbag assembly, the pleats are reinserted into the system and the invention is ready for reuse after the spent cartridge is replaced.

Abstract: Front and rear needle bars are provided with front and rear needles for inserting yarns into a backing material. An excess of front loopers are provided for the front needles and an excess of rear loopers are provided for the rear needles. The front loopers respectively face the rear loopers and are respectively aligned with each other. The needle bars are shifted laterally so as to provide longitudinal rows of tufts formed by the front needles providing spacing between the tufts of a longitudinal row which space is filled in by the tufts of rear needles.

Abstract: A pants for aiding and preventing injury to the hip and upper femur. The pants are made from resilient material having body cushioning properties and four pockets. The pockets are positioned with a pocket on each side of the back and one adjacent hips on each side. Pockets are positioned to cover the hips and upper femur area of the wearer. A pair of rigid pads are placed within the pockets on each side of the back and a second pair of rigid pads are provided for placement within the pockets on each side adjacent to the hip. The pockets located on the back are fitted with reenforcements such as plastic spaced apart and running horizontally therein to allow for flexibility of movement about a horizontal axis. Pads on the side of the hip are fitted with reenforcement means spaced apart and running vertically to allow for flexibility and movement about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A hand protector for fishing has a thumb portion which includes material on at least the inner or pad side of the thumb, for the direct engagement of the teeth of a typical game or sport fish for the support and carriage thereof. The teeth engaging material may be any suitable pile type material comprising a multitude of small loops; the loop portion of hook and loop fastening material (e. g., Velcro, tm) may be used. The thumb portion of the protector also provides complete protection for the thumb of a wearer of the device, from possible injury from the teeth of the fish. In an alternative embodiment, the protector includes a glove covering most of the hand and providing for greater comfort in colder conditions. The four fingertips of the glove embodiment are open, to provide for good tactile feel for the user of the glove.

Abstract: A ballistic panel carrier vest with front and rear ballistic panel carrying pockets and a trauma plate pocket has front, rear and side portions, as well as epaulets, breast pockets with flap closures and buttoned placket front opening that look like the same elements of an underlying shirt so that the fact of wearing the vest is concealed. The vest is made from a shirt of the type over which it will be worn by cutting off the collar and sleeves, and either cutting the shirt tail off at the waist or folding it under. Loose edges of epaulets, breast pocket flaps and placket are sewn down.

Abstract: A tufting machine has a hook bar for mounting a plurality of hooks and is secured to a plurality of drive links driven by oscillating rocker arms from a rock shaft, and includes a plurality of resilient leaf springs secured at spaced apart locations to the hook bar and to a fixed member in the bed of the tufting machine. The leaf springs provide a low oscillating mass support for the hook bar in the plane of oscillation. Tension tie-rods extend laterally between adjacent drive links to counteract the lateral loads of the knives against the hooks.