Abstract: The feeding length in a sewing machine depends on the difference between the positions of the feeder when it rises above the stitch plate and when it sinks again. In previous devices the feeder is controlled by the angular position of a guide which is kept constant during the feeding phase. According to the invention the angular position of the guide can be re-adjusted during the feeding movement. At the moment when the feeder rises above the stitch plate the angular position determines a portion of the feeding length, while the angular position at the moment when the feeder sinks again determines the rest of the feeding length.

Abstract: A seam indicating arrangement in an electronic sewing machine displays all the seams that can be sewn. The seam illustrations are displayed on an electronic display where several groups of seam illustrations can become visible by means of electric signals. Thus, the arrangement shows the seam illustrate as well as a marker and is connected to a seam selecting arrangement by which the groups can be presented one by one and the marker moved between several illustrations.

Abstract: An electronic sewing machine has an input selector for the adjustment of input data to the machine. As a complement to the pattern selecting buttons, a cloth meter is provided and positioned at or on the machine. The button and meter provide data of a specific seam selection to the electronic systems on the machine. The cloth meter is used for making a selection of a seam from a series of seams which can be selected by the buttons. When the operator pushes a button, signals are composed to a seam selection code which is fed to a start address memory.

Abstract: An electronic sewing machine for performing fancy seams, such as button holes, is provided with a memory and data circuits for the control of the stitch forming instrumentalities and has a common control for an individual length adjustment of two portions similar to one another of the fancy seam. The control actuates two programmable memories for stitch lengths in such a way that during sewing a first portion the control is connected to a first one of these memories for storing of data, and during sewing the second portion to the second memory. As the storing of data remains until new data is introduced, one and the same fancy seam can be repeated in conformable performance for an unlimited number of times.

Abstract: An electronic sewing machine with a computer (10) for the sewing of a selected fancy seam has electronic circuits to bring about a breaking of a control circuit of the motor (11) of the machine, when the selected seam is completed, and further to detect the "O"-position of a motor control (16) and in this position to re-engage the control circuit and initiate starting codes in the computer for repetition of the selected fancy seam, when the motor is restarted.

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 programmable sewing machine has a stitch memory connected to control the needle and/or the cloth feeder. The stitch memory is addressed by an address counter, which is stepped in response to operation of the machine. The address counter is reversible, and the direction of counting therein and the preseting of an address therein is derived from a seam instruction memory responsive to a pattern selection device.

Abstract: An input selector for a fancy seam sewing machine is provided with pattern selection means and an electronic seam memory for supplying stitch data to needle positioning and feeder mechanisms has, within the pattern selection means, at least one switch controlling the adjustment to a selected series of seams, e.g. utility seams, and a group of multi-pole contacts related to these seams. The contacts apply binary signals to the electronics of the machine and, in an illustrated embodiment with six double-pole contacts, a "two of four code" is achieved. This reduces the number wires required as compared with a system using single-pole switches.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring the distance of feed of cloth in a sewing machine, comprising a wheel driven by the cloth without slippage and located at the presser foot. A plurality of slits on the wheel are arranged to cooperate with two slits in the bracket of the wheel, and thereby form two light gates producing two output signals in the form of a two bit binary code. This light is detected by photo transistors or photo diodes positioned to receive light through the slits from light emitting diodes or lamps. The output signals from the unit are applied to a data unit connected to compute a positive or negative feed of the cloth. The invention is especially useful when a buttonhole is to be sewn totally automatically.

Abstract: In a sewing machine with electronic pattern data circuits for the generation of signals used for sewing fancy seams, it is possible to save spacing in the data memory by dividing the fancy seams into seam elements of several stitches so that every seam is composed of a plurality of seam elements and one and the same seam element is part of several fancy seams. A sewing machine utilizing the seam element principle must have two different memories, one stitch memory storing every element stitch by stitch and one seam instruction list storing for each fancy seam the sequence of seam elements forming the selected seam.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a pattern selection device and a seam memory for supplying stitch data for a needle positioning mechanism and a feeder mechanism. The pattern selection means includes a control switch adapted to be set in accordance with the type of cloth to be sewn. On basis of information input via the control switch and preprogramming of the memory, that seam data is chosen which is most suitable to the selected type of cloth and a selected sewing operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in sewing machines wherein data circuits generate signals which are converted into movement of the stitch forming elements in predetermined patterns. In this improvement, computer algorithms are utilized to derive the signals which move the stitch forming elements. The parameters for these computer algorithms are stored in a number of blocks and in response to appropriate pattern select devices, the desired algorithm and desired parameters for the algorithm are selected which correspond to a desired stitch pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a sewing machine supplied with stepping motors for the generation of setting movements of the stitch forming elements. A mechanical stop is provided in order to permit the stepping motors to be calibrated against the stop and thus provide precise settings of the stitch forming elements. Protection against jamming is provided by the use of elastic members between the coupling arm and linkages such that the elastic members absorb external forces against which the stepping motor is to be protected in order to keep the calibration intact. Additionally disclosed is an apparatus for setting the stepping motor either in whole steps or in arbitrary intermediate steps which are actually between two discrete stable positions.