Abstract: An improved sewing machine is disclosed for making consistent edge seams. The improvement automatically adjusts a width of a sewn seam based upon feedback from a sensor which detects a position of a sewn edge. Feedback from the sensor causes a transverse adjustment in the position of an edge guide. An outside foot of the sewing machine may be suspended on a biased linkage to permit its transverse displacement when making an adjustment to a seam width.

Abstract: A system and method for texture mapping in a computer-aided design and automation system for mass customization. The system includes a 3-D body model and a virtual prototype model. A grid is drawn or printed on a fabric and the fabric is draped on a body. Photographs are then taken of the garment and entered into the system. A picture converter generates views of the garment from different angles and stores the pictures in a picture database. The grid lines on the fabric provide information on the flow of the fabric on the body. The picture converter converts the grid lines into the control line information that is stored in a 3-D library. This control line information enables subsequent accurate and consistent texture mapping. In the preferred embodiment, the texture mapping is based on a textile design database, which may be created from a fabric swatch or by textile design.

Abstract: A CNC controlled buttonhole sewing machine comprises work piece clamps with sliding drives for displacement from an initial position of spread, by a length of spread, into a final position of spread. The sliding drive is an electric positioning motor that is allocated to a work piece clamp. Further provision is made for a control unit with data storage, in which to store data, for displacement of the work piece clamp by a given length of spread.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for controlling a position of an embroidery frame, which is capable of performing an accurate embroidering operation by feed backing a position error due to mutual operations of interlocking devices for driving the embroidery frame using a displacement sensor for sensing a displacement of the embroidery frame, and a method thereof. The apparatus comprises an X-axis driver, a Y-axis driver, a sensor and a controller. The X-axis driver moves the embroidery frame along an X-axis direction. The Y-axis driver moves the embroidery frame along a Y-axis direction. The sensor senses a displacement of the embroidery frame to the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and outputs electric signals corresponding to the sensed displacement. The controller generates X-axis and Y-axis drive control signals based on the electric signal from the sensor in order to control the X-axis and Y-axis drivers, respectively.

Abstract: A method for securing a raised appliqué to a substrate and the articles resulting therefrom. The preferred method includes various steps of digitizing an ornamental pattern into a computer format, then using that format to stitch, cut, and embroider an appliqué and wadding material onto a substrate, such that the appliqué is three dimensionally raised in portions by the wadding material, and the resulting combination of substrate, wadding material and appliqué material may then be sculpted out to form an attractive raised appliqué design suitable for use on any substrate, but especially garments, headwear and similar articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sewing machine for positioning a line of stitches a predetermined distance from an edge of a workpiece. The edge tracing sewing machine includes a machine body with a reciprocable needle mounted therein. The needle is reciprocated between an upward and a downward position at which it pierces a moving workpiece, passing a thread therethrough. The edge tracing sewing machine also includes a plurality of illuminable units that communicate stitch positioning to a machine operator, allowing the operator to manually adjust the lateral position of the workpiece, maintaining the stitch positioning within a predetermined tolerance from specifications.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an embroidery sewing machine and a drive device thereof, wherein a cover means is provided to close an opening of a box through which a means for holding an embroidering frame may be protruded out and may be moved for embroidery stitching operation, the holding means being connected to one of a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism of the drive device arranged within the box, the first drive mechanism being provided to move the holding means in a first direction and the second drive mechanism being provided to move the holding means in a second direction that is normal to the first direction.

Abstract: A sewing method allows firm seaming to be performed without inserting point needles through linking loops that are formed near the ends of the course direction, and the other linking loops can be automatically linked with efficiency. The sewing method seams knitted fabrics having linking loops on their top courses, the knitted fabrics being stretched in the course direction with point needles inserted through some successive ones of the linking loops, wherein the point needles are pulled out with the knitted fabrics sandwiched and held in the vicinity of the linking loops across the course direction. Then, linking loops not having been pierced with the point needles are seamed at intervals smaller than the intervals of arrangement of the linking loops not having been pierced with the point needles. The linking loops pierced with the point needles are seamed by linking.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an inflatable seat webbing, more particularly for a seat belt, comprising the steps of weaving a two-ply fabric having an upper ply and a lower ply, folding and placing outermost outer parts on adjoining parts so that all parts are located in sequence above or below a middle part to result in, as viewed in a warp direction, the configuration of a collapsed concertina, and tucking the middle part to the left as viewed from a predetermined direction in relation to fabric threads so that the upper ply and the lower ply of the middle part formerly facing each other now face outwards and sandwiching the folded outer parts and the middle part in between.

Abstract: Sports goggles include a goggle frame, a goggle lens fitted in the goggle frame, a strap coupled to the goggle frame at coupling positions on the right and left sides of the goggle frame. The sports goggles also include a ventilation fan system having a ventilation fan. In the system, a ventilation fan unit is provided on an upper portion of the goggle frame, a power supply unit is provided on one of right and left end areas below the coupling positions, and a switch unit is provided on the other area. The sports goggles provide a wearer with comfortable fitting and easy manipulation of the switch for the ventilation fan system.

Abstract: A process by which dithering techniques may be used to reproduce a desired multi-colored dyed pattern on a substrate using precisely delivered quantities of liquid colorants that are available in only a relatively few colors. In one embodiment, the process is one in which a designer, working with a conventional computer-aided design system, can be provided with an image that accurately predicts the appearance of individual colorants, or a specific combination of colorants that are physically blended on the substrate within specified pixels, as those colorants would appear on the substrate selected by the designer. In other embodiments incorporating the process disclosed herein, specific actuation instructions for a specific dye injection machine capable of patterning a moving textile substrate may be generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to ear muffs and in particular to an earmuff that are to be used in conjunction with headphones for portable radios, cassette players and the like. The outer surface of the earmuff is a solid shape resembling a standard earmuff while the inner side that faces the ear breaks apart into 2 C-shape donut halves to accommodate the placement of the headphone speaker. This design allows the earmuff to be positioned around the headphone speaker by means of the 2 C-shape donut halves and reconnect together around the headphone speaker in order to stabilize against the headphone and allow space for the headphone band and speaker wire between the connected respective halves of the donut. The earmuff makes use of the unique donut design to accommodate various styles of portable headphones while providing maximum insulation to the ear. The earmuffs are detachable and can be exchanged.

Abstract: An embroidery machine includes a plurality of heads installed above a working table and spaced apart from each other. A needle holder inside each head is slidingly movable up and down and includes a plurality of hooks at a lower part vertically opposite to the needle holder. A plurality of embroidery frames are installed between the needle holder and the hook. A guide rail is disposed in the X direction with respect to each embroidery frame, and an X-axis driver linear motor moves the embroidery frame in the X direction. A guide rail is disposed in the Y direction with respect to each embroidery frame, and a Y-axis driver linear motor moves the embroidery frame in the Y direction. A controller controls a plurality of X-axis and Y-axis driver linear motors and actuates or stops only one of the plurality of embroidery frames.

Abstract: A method for integrating clothing fit information includes several steps. The first step is to define a multi-dimensional array having a plurality of cells. Each dimension of the multi-dimensional array represents a different one of a plurality of body measurements, and each cell of the multi-dimensional array represents a different body configuration. The second step of the method is to populate the plurality of cells of the multi-dimensional array with a fit data representative of corresponding body configurations. The third step is to query the multi-dimensional array for the fit data associated with at least one cell oft he multi-dimensional array.

Abstract: An engaging pin, protruding in a front and rear direction of a sewing apparatus from an end portion of a swing arm, includes a shaft portion and a head portion provided at a free end of the shaft portion. A U-shaped engagement groove is formed at one end portion of a periphery of a housing case of a sewing cartridge, and is attached to and detached from the engaging pin provided in the sewing apparatus. The engagement groove includes a narrow groove portion, which engages the shaft portion, and a wide recessed portion, which engages the head portion. The narrow groove portion and the wide recessed portion are connectedly provided each other. The narrow groove portion includes connecting portions. The connecting portions are inclined so that an opening of the engagement groove becomes wider toward a periphery of the housing case.

Abstract: A system for converting an automatic embroidery machine from one type of work to another type of work is disclosed. The invention adapts a cap frame sash or driver unit or sash to be quickly mounted to and dismounted from a tubular frame sash or holder. The cap frame sash has additional braces so that the cap frame sash snaps into a tubular frame sash. The tubular frame sash has clips that engage the additional braces on the cap frame sash in a quick-release fashion. There is no need to remove the tubular frame sash from the machine to embroider caps. The flat work frame is simply snapped out of the clips of the tubular frame sash, and the cap frame driver or sash is snapped into the tubular frame sash. The invention uses spring clips, registration pins, and complementary sockets. No fasteners are required since a single type of sash is able to accommodate more than one type of workpiece frame when the embroidery machine is reconfigured.

Abstract: A buttonhole sewing machine comprises a buttonhole cutting device which includes a knife and a cutting block unit with several cutting blocks, one of which at a time being movable into a position of cooperation with the knife. The cutting blocks are mounted on an anvil that is stationarily joined to the sewing machine. The knife is movable from above against the anvil.

Abstract: A knife track adjustment structure of a thread cutter of a sewing machine includes a front guide board bridged over the base board with an upper and a lower ends of the front guide board locked on the base board. The front guide board up and down adjustably displaceable on the base board. A guide is disposed under the middle section of the front guide board, a guide pin being sequentially passed through a hook rod arm and a knife arm. A swing arm, a first end of the swing arm being pivotally connected with the base board, a pin being connected with the bottom of a second end of the swing arm. The pin is sequentially passed through the hook rod arm and pivotally connected on the knife arm. A spring compressed between the swing arm and the base board helps in restoring the knife arm and hook rod arm.

Abstract: A control system for a group of fiber processing machines includes a superordinate control console; and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine. The superordinate control console and the machine-specific control consoles are connected to one another by control and regulating devices via a network. The superordinate control console is utilized for all and only for those inputs and displays which require no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines and the machine-specific control consoles are utilized for all and only for those inputs and displays which, for the operation of the machines require a personal control and display acknowledgement at the machines.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically presenting a generally pre-needled textile sheet coming from an upstream module and intended to feed a cross-layer module, the apparatus comprising means for measuring the positions of the longitudinal edges of the textile sheet, means for adjusting the width of said textile sheet, means for adjusting the position of said textile sheet, and processor means responsive to the position measuring means to control the adjustment means in real time in such a manner that the textile sheet presents determined width and position.