Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming parallel and non-parallel pleats in a fabric structure such as a curtain or drape includes a generally planar baseplate and a segmented forming member hingedly attached thereto and overlying the baseplate. The segmented forming member includes a first template and at least one second template which are hingedly connected together, each of the first and second templates having a leading edge and a trailing edge wherein the first template trailing edge is hingedly connected to the baseplate and wherein the second template trailing edge is hingedly connected to the first template such that a portion of the second template overlies a portion of the first template and such that the first template leading edge and such that a pocket a fabric-forming pocket is defines between the first template leading edge and the second template trailing edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out an automatic drawing-in is provided including forming lengths of thread which are double folded. The thread is passed to a corresponding heddle and between corresponding dents of a reed. The threads are leased and placed under tension. Progressively, the various threads which are leased and under tension are moved away from the drawing-in location. Heddles are selected from a plurality of magazines and the heddles are positioned in a drawing-in attitude. The reed is positioned and the dents are spread for passage of the various threads. The warp threads are passed by moving the drawn-in heddles directly from the associated magazines to a heddle frame of a corresponding set of heddle frames. The heddles are always retained in a guide.

Abstract: In processes of the production of thermoplastic polymer yarns, a process for controlling slippage of yarn on rolls across which there is a tension change. The yarn is advanced along pairs of rolls with the yarn contacting the rolls in successive wraps. At least one of the rolls is driven and has a changing diameter as the yarn advances between at least two of the successive wraps. The wraps contact the contact areas on the surface of the driven roll to each define a total wrap angle for the wrap. The number of wraps is selected and the diameter of the driven roll at the contact areas is selected to increase or decrease the tension while preventing a wrap angle in creep for any one of the wraps from being greater than about 90% of the total wrap angle for the wrap.

Abstract: A seam forming device is provided for a blindstitching machine for starting a seam at the fabric end. This device has a fabric feeding apparatus positioned direct in front of a feed dog, so as to enable it to form seams which begin at the fabric end at which sewing is initiated. This eliminates the unseamed portion at the fabric end at which sewing is initiated, which has previously been inevitable when sewing with a conventional blindstitching machine. Thus, with the present invention, it is no longer necessary to manually finish the seam after blindstitching.

Abstract: The stressing of zippers for closing leg portions of pilot's pants having integrated an inflatable bladder and having two leg portions that can be opened and closed by zippers extending in a longitudinal direction from the thigh area to the shin area is avoided by providing the leg portions with two individual zippers for the thigh area and the shin area, whereby the zippers are provided with sliding pieces that for a closing action are moved toward the foot section of the pilot's pants and whereby in the bending area of the knee of the wearer the individual zippers have between them an abutment zone.

Abstract: A screen printing frame assembly which includes adjustable tensioning bars adjacent the frame peripheral edge. Screen mesh fabric is mounted to the tensioning bars by adhesive and the bars are drawn toward the frame edge to stretch the fabric to a uniform tautness for printing. A mounting tool may be employed to secure the fabric in position prior to gluing to the tensioning bars. Each tensioning bar may also include resilient corner pieces to allow for corner slackening of the fabric.

Abstract: An immersion suit having a neck band to fit around a neck and a seal at the neck. There is a thick band of closed cell foam on the interior of the neck band. The neck band and the closed cell foam can be compressed rapidly by a strap to ensure a seal when required. When a seal is not required, the foam is a relatively loose, comfortable fit around the neck of the wearer. In the preferred embodiment, the suit has an opening in the front extending to the top of the neck band to allow ingress and egress from the suit.

Abstract: A firefighter's trousers and safety harness combination. At least a portion of the safety harness is positioned and supported within the firefighter's trousers. Preferably, the safety harness has connection parts which are exterior of the firefighter's trousers and which are connectible to a portion of the firefighter's trousers to secure the safety harness and the firefighter's trousers upon the firefighter who wears the trousers.

Abstract: A workstation tray device for easy connection with a plurality of collapsible ironing board configurations, for temporary but secure storage of containers of compositions applied to articles being ironed, in hinged cooperation for retractable storage in connection with the ironing board without being detached therefrom. The device consisting of a tray member of resilient material for attachment to a ironing board by fingers for receiving a hinged adjustable collar for clamping to one ironing board leg, and by two support arms each movably attached, at one end by a bolt to the flat end of the board member, and at the other end to a bracket attached to the tray such that the shelf is horizontally disposed under the board in convenient close proximity having adequate clearance for storage of items, all without interfering with the legs and feet of the operator. The arms have arch members hingeably attached to strut to cooperate with the tray.

Abstract: An athletic garment for covering a wearers pelvic region and at least a portion of the wearer's legs includes a ventilating portion, for covering the wearer's pelvic region and allowing rapid heat transfer from the wearer's pelvic region, and a pair of form fitting resilient tubular portions, for covering at least a portion of each of the wearer's legs, for providing resilient support for the covered leg portions and for insulating the covered leg portions to slow heat transfer from the covered leg portions. The garment may also include an outer shell for covering the ventilating portion of the garment.

Abstract: A combination pump and spray or surge function selector valve for an electric iron comprises a valve stem having a user operated member on a first end and a valve member with an angled sealing surface on a second end. A housing is spaced circumferentially about the valve member and includes a first water inlet and a pair of water outlets in fluid flow communication with said inlet. The stem is movable in a first direction relative to the housing so that the angled sealing surface selectively connects the water inlet with a selected one of the outlets while discontinuing communication between the inlet and the other of said outlets. The stem is movable in a second direction relative to the housing to pump water from the inlet to the selected one water outlet.

Abstract: A travelling fiber tuft detaching device for removing fiber tufts from top surfaces of stationarily supported fiber bales includes a housing; first and second toothed, parallel detaching rolls accommodated in the housing; first and second pivot frames carrying the first and second detaching rolls, respectively; a pivot shaft for pivotally securing the first and second pivot frames to the housing to provide for a pivotal motion of each pivot frame in a substantially vertical plane relative to the housing; and first and second setting devices articulated to the first and second pivot frames, respecitvely, and to the housing for exerting separately settable adjusting forces to the first and second pivot frames, whereby a height level of the detaching rolls relative to one another is set for effecting penetration of the detaching rolls into a top bale surface to different depths thereof during the detaching operation.

Abstract: A firefighter garment comprises an outer shell made of a flame-resistant material, a moisture barrier positioned within the shell and an inner thermal barrier layer positioned within the shell and including at least one layer of a mesh fabric. The mesh fabric creates a layer of air between the wearer and the outer shell sufficient to protect the wearer from a high temperature external heat source and yet promotes heat and perspiration vapor transfer from the wearer's body. In a preferred embodiment, the inner thermal barrier layer includes two layers of mesh material, the material having between 8 and 16 holes per inch, quilted to a facecloth material which is located facing the wearer's body.

Abstract: An article of apparel having one or more detachable decorative elements replaceably coupled thereto, the article of apparel having substantially all exposed cloth surfaces made of a stretchable material having a multiplicity of loop elements, the detachable decorative elements having a multiplicity of hook elements engaging the loop elements of the material.

Abstract: A topstitch guide for a sewing machine comprises a guide member positioned immediately prior to the presser foot and extending from the right side of the axis along which the topstitch is to be applied to a composite fabric to the left side of the axis. The composite fabric is folded along the principal seamline uniting the individual fabric components. The tip of the guide fits within the fold and engages the principal seamline so as to guide the composite fabric during the topstitching process.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for winding and doffing a roll of knitted cloth from a circular knitting machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a winding roller for winding knitted cloth produced on the knitting machine. A universal joint pivotably connects one end of the winding roller to one support arm. The other end of the winding roller is removably supported by an opposing support arm. After a roll of knitted cloth is wound, the other end of the winding roller is moved to an unloading, doffing position by swinging the free end of the winding roller using the universal joint as a fulcrum. At this position, the roll of knitted cloth is inclined downwardly and one end is placed on a receiver tray. The cloth roll is then pushed from the winding roller onto the receiver tray. The receiver tray is moved and the other end of the winding roller is moved back to the home position.

Abstract: A two-piece garment hanger which is fastened to the top section by gluing, snap action, or, preferably, some welding which is so smooth in outside appearance that the entire surface exposed to view readily lends itself to a decorative surface produced by the HydroGrafix wood grain finish decorating system.

Abstract: An overlock stitch is formed by sewing machine (11) (FIG. 1) into a work product (34) and the work product is accelerated away from the sewing machine so as to stretch the thread chain (FIG. 5). The stretched thread chain is cut by cutter (40), and the leading thread chain (43) recoils back toward the hollow chaining tongue (21) and is drawn into the chaining tongue by the stream of air (26) created by vacuum canister (52) (FIG. 6). The next work product draws the leading thread chain out of the hollow chaining tongue and the sewing machine captures the leading thread chain in the stitch. Transfer conveyor (15) (FIG. 1) moves the work product (34) into alignment with everter tube assembly (106), grippers (109) and (110) grip and open one end of the work product (FIGS. 9-14), and air drawn through the everter tube assembly everts the work product. The gripper tube assembly opens along its lower portion (FIG. 16) and drops the work product.

Abstract: A method of forming ornament elements in which a piece of material has its lateral ends folded over to form a tube of material and the tube is cut at positions along and transverse to the tube axis to form loop elements. Each loop element is then creased or folded to provide an ornament element.

Abstract: A wooden hanger having a shoulder-shaped frame, a hook and a cross bar fixed between both ends of the frame, which is cut from a shoulder-shaped plywood plate formed into such a shape by compressing it in a mold with heat in a press.