Abstract: A demand responsive sewing machine thread take-up construction is disclosed accommodating a shortened thread introduction path which facilitates operator interface and reduces construction costs while providing for improved reliability and uniformity of thread manipulation by the take-up.

Abstract: A needle looper assembly for a lockstitch sewing machine wherein the upper thread is retrieved by a sewing needle extending through a work material, which sewing needle has an extensible hook portion for catching an upper thread and drawing the same down through the work material to a looptaker in the bed of the sewing machine. The needle looper assembly is supported on the end of a lever pivotally carried in the sewing machine bed to extend transversely thereof. The lever has the needle looper assembly attached to one end thereof, and may be actuated by a cam so as to drive the needle looper assembly to an elevated thread catching position or to a retracted thread releasing position. Retaining means are provided associated with the needle looper to permit an upper thread to be caught and held during passage through a work material and to be released when in a retracted position adjacent the looptaker.

Abstract: A thread tensioning device, wherein a helical spring of varying diameter is deflected by a control knob with a defined operating range to increase tension in sewing thread moved through the device, is provided with a member which is formed to engage one or more intermediate coils of the spring while the spring is deflected more than a predetermined amount by the control knob and thereby increase thread tension obtainable over a portion of the operating range of the knob.

Abstract: A bobbin case, which is loosely confined within the looptaker of a sewing machine, is biased both into engagement on one side against the looptaker and about the looptaker axis toward a position of engagement with a stop by a continuously engaging light force applying resilient member, and a shock absorber is disposed for engagement with the bobbin case only upon movement thereof through a predetermined distance in opposition to the bias of said resilient member.

Abstract: A chain stitch insert receivable in the bobbin case of a sewing machine is formed with a topside ledge which captures and consumes thread as a hook point carries a loop of thread around the bobbin case. The ledge enables the formation of chain stitches without the need for a special eyelet on the machine.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a thread handling device including an elongate rigid member and a strip from which resilient fibers extend outwardly to contact thread passing between the rigid member and strip, and with a thread engaging cam which prevents a premature descent in said device and improperly formed stitches resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A thread handling device including an elongate rigid member and a strip with fibers extending outwardly to contact thread in a sewing machine passing between the rigid member and strip is provided with bracketing thread controlling cams which improve the performance of said device.

Abstract: A thread handling system for a sewing machine is provided with elongate thread holding members formed for frictional contact of both members with thread during movement of the thread in the holder free of a takeup, and both formed and placed to cause thread in the thread holder to be pulled by the takeup away from one of the members and frictional drag on the thread holder reduced during movement of the takeup in the stitch setting direction.

Abstract: A bobbin thread pull-off, attachable to a rotating lock-stitch looptaker in a location to pull bobbin thread from a bobbin after the previous stitch has been set. The pull-off and attachment means are given a thread handling finish prior to assembly to a completed looptaker, no other finishing operations being required after assembly thereto.