Abstract: A work manipulating mechanism for a sewing machine attachable to the presser bar thereof which utilizes a pair of spaced apart endless belts on a first drive plate to feed an endless quantity of work material through a sewing machine in the formation of an ornamental pattern or monogramming, the first drive plate being shiftable in an orthogonal direction by a second drive plate attachable to the presser bar of a sewing machine. The first drive plate may be shifted by a rack and pinion connection to a stepper motor supported on the second drive plate, and the work material may be shifted by a stepper motor connected to one of a pair of shafts carrying sprockets encircled by the endless belts in contact with the work material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a padding allowing an article of clothing or an accessory to be adapted closely to a part of the human body.This padding is constituted by a thermo-formable plastic foam 2 placed in a non-extensible covering 1 and making an open cavity intended to receive the part of the body, but of which the dimensions are generally smaller than this part of the body. The housing is thus formed by the reciprocal compression of the foam and of the part of the body placed in the cavity while the temperature of the foam is brought to the thermo-forming temperature.This invention can be used for adapting boots, helmets, gloves, swimming flippers, etc.

Abstract: An individually fitted helmet liner includes a plurality of superposed contacting layers, each of which consists of a thermoplastic sheet formed with an array of pockets which are open and unfilled to allow their deformation in response to compressive contact with an adjacent layer. The liner is fitted to an individual wearer's head by heating the sheets to a plastic state, placing the liner between an outer shell and the wearer's head, and pressing down on the outer shell to deform the sheets to the proper extent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing rectangular pieces of fabric wherein the piece of fabric is moved in a first direction until the front edge reaches and is held in a predetermined front position, whereas the remaining part of said piece continues to move in said first direction until the rear edge reaches and is held in a predetermined rear position. The piece is thereafter moved in a second position while the front and rear edges are kept apart at a predetermined distance, and the aforesaid edges are hemmed simultaneously by hemming machines. The method and device according to the invention are used for hemming pieces having two parallel edges, and in particular rectangular pieces cut from a continuous web of fabric, such as for example floor cloths.

Abstract: A monitoring device for monitoring a low thread supply in a sewing machine comprises a light emitter and light receiver positioned on opposite ends of a rotary hook in the sewing machine. The sewing machine is equipped with the rotary hook, a bobbin case, a bobbin in the bobbin case for carrying the thread and a drive shaft for rotating the rotary hook or which rotates as a function of rotation of the rotary hook. A pulse transmitter is connected to the drive shaft which supplies pulses to a control circuit connected to the light emitter. The control circuit, responsive to the pulses, activates the light emitter only during intervals at which apertures in the rotary hook, the case and the bobbin are aligned. Light passing through the aligned apertures indicates whether there is a low supply of thread on the bobbin.

Abstract: Herein is a disclosed a transparent safety visor which may be retrofitted to protective hardhat helmets. Such helmets typically consist of an inverted bowl defining a number of key receptor sites at intervals around its interior circumference, and a liner cap including a central crown and a number of struts radiating therefrom and terminating in keys adapted to be releasably locked to the receptor sites to maintain the liner cap and bowl in a fixed relationship. The visor is made of a flexible, transparent, generally rectangular plastic sheet, with at least a pair of slots in the sheet through which are inserted a corresponding number of liner cap keys prior to placement thereof in the receptor sites. The lower edge of the visor extends below the edge of the helmet to provide a gripping surface for user adjustment of the position of the visor, and the upper edge of the visor slides between the liner cap and the bowl when adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for detecting absence of a needle thread or a bobbin thread in a sewing machine. The device includes at least one piezoelectric element provided between a throat plate and a rotary hook of the sewing machine. The piezoelectric element is adapted for intermittent contact with one of the threads when the thread shifts from the center of the needle hole by engaging with the rotary hook fin, and for signalling its contact with the thread.

Abstract: A pattern selecting device for a sewing machine comprising a first cam group of the machine for swinging the needle bar thereof and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined speed reduced with respect to the speed of the main shaft of the sewing machine, a second cam group for swinging the needle bar, rotated at further speed reduction, and an amplitude transmission lever having a follower engageable with the cams of the first cam group, said lever being provided with two members each carrying a respective follower one of which is engageable with the cams of the second cam group and the other engageable with the pattern selecting cam controllable by a rotatable dial.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a removable surface for protecting the lens of a viewing device such as a goggle. The apparatus includes a supply magazine for holding a protective film and a take-up magazine for receiving and holding spent film. The magazines are mounted oppositely and in spaced relation adjacent the lens to be protected. A film advance mechanism is provided for advancing the film from the supply magazine across the lens to a take-up magazine and a manual actuator is provided for the advancing mechanism.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is formed in flat and thickness reduced configuration having a stator, a movable portion to drive or control a needle positioning mechanism and a work feed regulating mechanism or the like in response to electrical signals. Said stator portion includes a pair of parallel spaced yokes to define a single air gap therebetween, and a plate-like permanent magnet secured to an inner wall of at least one of said yokes, the magnet being magnetized so that oppositely directed flux fields are established within the air gap. Said movable portion includes planar armatures disposed in said flux fields to pivotally move with the fulcrums placed at the opposed peripheral portion, and exciting windings each carried by said armatures.

Abstract: Yarn break in a short seam sewing machine is determined by detection of yarn swinging and wherein the sewing machine is stopped in response to the detection.

Abstract: In a stitch control process of the sewing machine which employs a microcomputer with an electronic memory storing stitch control signals and a needle position control motor and a fabric feed control motor, the microcomputer controls the needle position and the fabric feed control motors at certain rotation phases of the sewing machine. The microcomputer temporarily holds, during the operation of the sewing machine, the needle and feed control data and the feed control amount based on the feed control data which are read out in each phase and calculates the addition of the feed control amount and the needle control amount based on the needle control data which is read out at the following phase.

Abstract: A safety goggle including a one-piece wrap-around front with hinged temples continuing rearwardly therefrom. The goggle features improved anti-fogging ventilation and universal nasal area face fitting.

Abstract: A suspension system for protective headgear comprising a plurality of straps of a relatively inextensible material extending up in the headgear toward but stopping short of the crown of the headgear secured to the headgear at spaced intervals around the inner surface of the headgear. Each strap is formed with transversely extending pockets and has elastically deformable tubes in the pockets enabling extension of the strap within a limited range of extension upon tensioning of the strap, whereby with the headgear worn by a wearer and upon application of an impact load on the top of the headgear, the headgear moves down toward but stops short of engagement with the wearer's head and the tubes in the straps deform to attenuate the shock upon the wearer from the applied load.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the passage of workpiece ends through a sewing machine. The device includes a photosensitive receiver connected to one end of a fiber optic cable. The other end of the cable being arranged opposite a reflecting surface and carried by the sewing machine presser foot in a manner preventing the exposed end face thereof from being defiled.

Abstract: A system for processing workpieces prearranged within pallets that are to be sewn by a sewing machine. The system includes apparatus for automatically processing a pallet from an input location to a location wherein the pallet can be automatically attached to a positioning system. The positioning system moves the attached pallet into position underneath the sewing machine head for subsequent sewing of a stitch pattern. The sewn workpiece is returned to a location where the pallet can be detached from the positioning system. An ejector mechanism automatically moves the detached pallet to a location which does not interfere with the automatic processing of another pallet loaded at the input location.

Abstract: A seam pattern sewing machine has a plurality of seam pattern selecting switches, and a separate indicator associated with each of the switches. Operation of the switches causes the generation of a seam selection code or start address code, in accordance with the selected switch, for application to a selection address memory. A second selector has a plurality of positions corresponding to characteristics of the material to be sewn. An encoding device is coupled to the second selector for energizing the indicators associated with those seam pattern selector switches corresponding to seams that may be sewn on the selected material.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a rotatable shaft for operating a stitch forming device, and includes a feed dog for feeding fabric to be sewn, and a needle for forming stitches in the fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning fabric edges which includes a microprocessor, a photocell array, A/D converter and multiplexer. Various readings of the photocell array are made during the cycle. These readings are recorded and in conjunction with others made during the fabric edge alignment step, are employed to determine when the fabric edges are aligned.

Abstract: A device for making darts on cut parts for use with a sewing machine which has a reciprocating needle mounted over a support table for engagement with the material to be sewn and wherein the material to be sewn is moved along the table by a feeding mechanism, comprises, a pleating bar support plate which is mounted for movement around the needle and carries a pleating bar which is movable therewith for adjustable positioning in respect to the table. The support plate for the pleating bar may be adjustably positioned and the limit of its adjustment is governed by a stop which is adjustably positionable relative to the support plate. The stop advantageously comprises a rotatable multi-step stop which is carried on a lever arm so that it may be shifted relative to the support plate. The lever arm is advantageously biased in a direction so that the stop engages the support plate. The lever is connected with a drive device for effecting its adjustment.