Abstract: A mechanism for operating a needle board in a needling machine comprises two reciprocable rods which serve to operate the board and each of which, together with the associated eccentric drive, is mounted in a bearing housing. To permit an adaptation of the rod spacing to a desired board length, the two bearing housings are rigidly interconnected by at least one spacer to form a flexurally stiff structure.

Abstract: A rotatably mounted needle plate (30) in the form of a cylindrical sleeve is provided for a sewing machine (1) with which seams can be produced as a result of a relative movement between the sewing machine (1) and a cloth holder (68). The needle plate (30) has at least one needle-plate attachment (37) and at least two needle holes (38, 38'), a longitudinal axis (39) of each needle hole (38, 38') being radial to an axis of rotation (40) of the needle plate (30). The needle-plate attachment (37) provides cloth resting surfaces (41) surrounding each needle hole (38, 38') which are at different distances from the axis of rotation (40). By rotating the needle plate (30) there is obtained an adjustment of the sewing level, as a result of which it is assured that the lower side of the cloth will dependably rest on the cloth resting surfaces (41) during the sewing even when the cloth has partially thick regions within the course of the seam.

Abstract: A method of forming a catamential tampon is disclosed which is capable of absorbing menstrual fluids. The method includes the steps of starting with an absorbent having a cross-sectional area of varying thickness. The thickest portion has a greater volume of fibers than the thinnest portion. The absorbent can be optionally enclosed with a cover. An opening is formed through the absorbent and/or cover and a withdrawal string is secured thereto. The absorbent is formed into a generally elongated, cylindrically shaped blank and then is compressed into a pledget having a zone of high density fibers and a zone of low density fibers. After compression, the zone of low density fibers will expand faster and/or to a greater extent than the zone of high density fibers, thereby forming a curved tampon. The curved tampon is rigid and self sustaining and can be used as either a digital tampon or with an applicator.

Abstract: A children's garment comprises a garment body in the form of a sleeper including a chest portion, integral soft shoes and a zipper member extending from a collar of the sleeper to one of the shoes. A moisture absorbent layer with a moisture impervious film coating on an underside overlies at least part of the chest portion. The absorbent layer is substantially coextensive with the impervious film and has a periphery attached to the garment body so that the impervious film and the absorbent layer are essentially permanently integral with the garment body. The zipper member divides each of the chest portion, the moisture impervious film and the absorbent layer into two sections.

Abstract: A knitting needle of the type used in industrial knitting machines is provided in the shank, typically distally of and adjacent the driving butt, with a bow-spring portion acting as a shock absorber for the needle during its acceleration and deceleration. The bow-spring portion is stabilized on either longitudinal side thereof by shank portions aligned with the transverse dimensional boundaries of the shank. The convex limit of the bow-spring is spaced from the opposed transverse dimensional boundary by a distance sufficient to enable the spring to flex transversely under compression without reaching the transverse boundary. This structure facilitates high-speed operation of the needle and tends avoid fatigue failure of the hook.

Abstract: A brassiere cup molding method using moldable and non-moldable fabric blanks in which a mold with a cup shape is used to project into a cup shape a fabric blank that is stretchable but absent of plastic moldable content, i.e. non-moldable, while it is in spanning relation across an opening of a fabric blank having a plastic content, i.e. moldable, wherein the moldable blank assumes a molded frusto conical shape about the opening therein which holds the stretch fabric, although not molded, in the cup shape that was imparted to it by the mold by not allowing the stretch fabric to return to its pre-stretched flat condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for reducing the adhesiveness of sticky plets on the surface of a cotton fiber comprising decoalescing the droplets and dispersing the contents thereof along the surface of the fiber wherein the dispersion is effected by passing the fiber between a pair of rotary rollers, the rollers being pressed against each other and being revolved at different relative speeds.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible weather-shield that can be attached to any hat having a forward visor and a rear size adjustment system. The shield includes an elastic band that can be placed atop the hat's visor. The rear of the shield includes a fastening system that releasably attaches the shield to the hat's size adjustment apparatus. The shield further includes its own size adjustment apparatus that adapts the shield to the dimensions of the hat or the wearer. Fasteners are located along portions of the front edges of the shield to enable the shield to be closed over a forward portion of a wearer's neck.

Abstract: An acceleration protection ensemble protects a person aboard an aircraft from the effects of acceleration. One embodiment comprises a liquid impervious cavity having a flexible interior layer that presses against the body. The cavity substantially covers the person's shins, front thighs, chest and back, and behind the knees, and leaves the buttocks, arms, and rear calves, and thighs substantially uncovered. Hydrostatic pressure within the cavity is restrained by a exterior restraining layer of flexible indistensible material. Substantially all of the cavity is positioned between the body and the restraining layer. The restraining layer substantially covers the buttocks, and rear calves and thighs to provide a pressure panel against body parts not covered by the cavity. The filled cavity hydrostatically presses body parts under it and tensions the pressure panels to press body parts underlying the panels.

Abstract: To bring about selection of the loops of heddles of the flat type with open heads, individually from the packet of loops hanging on a track whose horizontal guides pass through both heads, upper and lower, of the loops, use is made of: a binary track which guides the loops, having two sections joined together by a step descending in the direction of the heddling zone; and, beyond said step: a plate for stopping the packet of loops in such a way that that loop which comes in turn to the front of the packet and which is pushed against said plate, is unsupported by the track; and, above said step and tight against said plate: a flat-headed vertical blade only slightly thinner than one loop and having reciprocating motion, which blade acts axially on the peak of said loop that is unsupported by the track in such a way as to cause it to drop down said step onto the lower leg of the track and enable it to be selected from the packet; and, at the side of said step, a pusher, having horizontal reciprocating motion, w

Abstract: A process or method for altering pants so that they can be used either as shorts or long pants. The process comprises taking a pair of long pants and marking a predetermined length for shorts around the circumference of the legs at the predetermined length. Permanently attaching a first fastener strip to the circumference of the leg of the pants at the predetermined length for shorts. Cutting the first fastener strip and pants along the center of the first fastener strip so that the first fastener strip is cut in half at its center and the pants are cut leaving two separate severed lower leg portions which have half of the first fastener strips at the top edge and an upper pants portion forming shorts which has half of the first fastener strip at the bottom edge of each leg portion of the shorts. Taking a second fastener strip and attaching it to the first fastener strip at the bottom edge of each leg of the shorts to form shorts.

Abstract: A head of a wearer is covered by a hood to protect the head from rain or snow. The hood comprises a hood body formed of an outer sheet and an inner sheet bonded together to form a space therebetween. When air is inflated into the space, the hood body enlarges to form a solid shape over the entire hood body. An edge portion is formed around a front opening of the hood body. The edge portion, in use, expands outwardly to allow water on the hood body to flow along the edge portion without crossing the front opening. At least one air passage device is attached to the hood body to allow air blown into the hood to pass or escape therethrough. When the air passage devices are formed near ears of the wearer, the air passage devices help audibility.

Abstract: An automatic thread trimming method and apparatus are provided for tack and jump sewing of fabrics. In a preferred embodiment, a quilting apparatus having a plurality of sets of, preferably, double lock chain stitch forming elements, is disposed on a mechanically linked mechanism in a reconfigurable array corresponding to an array of discrete patterns to be sewn. Each set of the array is equipped with a thread trimming element. In a preferred embodiment, a thread trimming cutting edge is formed on one surface of a thread stitch forming element, preferably on a revolving retainer element that is mechanically linked to the mechanism. When operated in a forward direction, a chain stitched pattern is sewn with the stitches formed in cooperation with the retainer revolving in a forward direction.

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine for sewing chain stitch seams is suitable both for forward sewing and for reverse sewing. For forming chaining loops, a chaining tongue is to be disposed in the region of the needle. During forward sewing, the chaining tongue disposed on the needle plate is directed in the feeding direction. This chaining tongue (32) for forward sewing, just as a chaining tongue (34) for reverse sewing, is formed on a disk-shaped tongue carrier (30) which is embedded in the needle plate (22). The disk-shaped tongue carrier (30) is brought, via an adjusting mechanism (40 to 57), into one of two defined operational positions corresponding to forward sewing and reverse sewing, respectively. A sewing material feeder is formed as a gripper-type feeder having upper a lower gripping structures (60, 62). The lower gripping structure (60) is guided in a guide way (36) of the needle plate across the tongue carrier (30).

Abstract: An article of clothing is disclosed which is made from two outer layers of a knit fabric material and an intermediate layer of flexible windbreak material between the two knit layers. The windbreak material is a woven material which effectively blocks the flow of air and at least some of the threads from which it is woven are threads having an elastic core and staple fibers covering the core, such as spandex. Various articles of apparel may be manufactured from the fabric material, including gloves, hats, socks, suits, and scarves. Also disclosed is a headband that has fasteners for removably attaching to a hat and a narrow portion at the forehead and a wider portion at the ears and back of neck so as to cover the adjacent portions of a wearer's body.

Abstract: A configured shirt-shaper article is used for the convenient folding and storing of a shirt in a substantially wrinkle-free state. The article is substantially flat and configured to have a generally rectangular-shaped main member with arm members extending from each upper corner area of the main member. A first fold line and a second fold line each extend longitudinally along one side and the other side respectively of the main member to divide the main member into two substantially equal side sections and a mid-section. The article is initially positioned inside the shirt. Next, the side sections with overlying shirt are folded to lie adjacent the back of the shirt. Finally, the bottom portion of the shirt is folded preferably backwardly to form a precisely and neatly folded shirt.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus for forming cuffs for sweat jackets or anklets for sweat pants or the like. The apparatus includes a movable table carrying an end of an elastic tape continuous to a supply source. The tape advances on a carrying table to a cutting device where the tape is cut. The front end of the tape is transferred to gripping blades which can be inverted, simultaneously with the return movement of the movable table. The tape is further let out toward the gripping blades by a predetermined length feeding device and the gripping blades turn so that the tape front end is folded back on the tape rear part. The tape rear part is cut off and the folded cut-piece is supplied to a sewing machine by a conveying device automatically and sewn to join both ends along the cut line.

Abstract: The machine has a rotatable needle cylinder and a casting-off sinker actuation device including a coaxial sinker ring supporting a cam and an external countercam. The needle cylinder supports a plurality of casting-off sinkers each having a heel which follows a path, extending around the needle cylinder axis, which is partially defined by the cam and the countercam. A pin is connected to the countercam and is engaged by an actuation element associated with the sinker ring and bilaterally engaging the pin. The actuation element is controllably activatable for bilaterally moving the countercam with respect to the needle cylinder along a direction having a radial component, toward or away from the axis of the needle cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a textile carding machine or drafting machine drawframe having an out-of-round or otherwise imperfect rotating member is based on detecting and analyzing the relative rotative positions of selected of the machines rotating members in relation to the moment to moment weight of the sliver output and developing therefrom a control signal for varying the speed of rotation of a rotative feeding member so as to vary the sliver weight to compensate for such imperfections.

Abstract: Adjustable fire fighters' suspenders that are physiologically conformable when used with bunker pants. The suspenders are designed for comfort, proper fit, and flexibility in movement that corresponds with the movement of the wearer during normal fire fighting activities. The suspenders include a back sliding loop and elastic straps which have a predetermined limit of stretch at the four ends of the shoulder straps which connect the suspenders to the bunker pants. The suspenders provide an improved distribution of weight and increased support of heavy bunker pants and reduce the problem of "bunker bounce".