Abstract: A device for removing and relocating pieces of fabric from a stack having a carousel that carries a plurality of stack support plates disposed about the axis of rotation of the carousel.When one supportplate is depleted of its pieces forming a stack, a bar for elevating the supportplate to piece removal position is caused to be lowered to a position which permits the carousel to be rotated and to selectively present a supportplate having a full stack thereon in a location whereat it is elevated to piece removing position and the device resumes its function of separate and sequential removal and relocating of each piece from the stack.

Abstract: A modular bench for supporting a sewing machine in which the various elements comprising the support structure are formed from tubular material that can be joined by means of male and female connectors in a plurality of ways to support various sizes and shapes of working tables which are best suited for a particular sewing operation. Additionally, the bench is provided with noise and vibration dampening elements which are effective in elastically isolating the working table from the sewing machine and its operating motor and the latter two members from the support structure.

Abstract: A workpiece guide for separately guiding, aligning and removing the curled edges of superposed layers of fabric to be joined by seaming in a sewing machine. The guide includes a plurality of spaced and vertically aligned plate elements forming passages therebetween for the fabric layers. The leading edges of the plate elements have a curved profile and adjacent the sewing axis these profiles are formed to extend in the direction of the sewing zone and define recesses with a configuration of bulbous outline. The edges of the plate elements forming the entrance to the recesses are tapered in the direction of their respective passages and are effective in engaging the pieces of fabric to complete the unrolling and straightening of the fabric edges as they enter their respective passage.

Abstract: A workpiece guide control for a sewing unit in which the guide is mounted for limited sliding movement on the worksurface of the unit intermediate its sewing machine and traveling gripper. The guide slides to a position of close proximity with the stitching instrumentalities and by means of a displacing apparatus operatively associated with the traveling gripper and the guide, the latter as the gripper approaches, is effective in activating the displacing apparatus to effect movement of the guide from the pathway of the gripper and permit the latter to advance to the position from which the guide was displaced.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cutting apparatus for sewing machines disposed downstream of the machine's sewing zone. The apparatus includes a cutting blade and a protective guard for the blade both of which have independent actuating devices. The actuating devices are effective in moving the guard and blade between one position which provides clearance for the workpieces being advanced along the machine's work surface and another position where they are operatively associated with the workpieces. A timing element is operatively associated with both actuating devices and is effective in causing the protective guard to be moved toward the workpieces prior to movement of the blade.

Abstract: A regulating device for the upper wheel type workpiece transport mechanism in sewing machines. The transport wheel is rotatably driven and carried by a tubular support pivotably mounted on the machine. An eccentric roller having an indicating arm extending therefrom is in operative contact with the tubular support and with one end of the indicating arm disposed in operative association with a graduated scale defined by a plurality of stops for selectively locating the indicating arm. By moving the latter to any one of the stops, the eccentric roller is effective in changing the operating position of the transport wheel so that it can accommodate workpieces which vary in thickness and with generally the same amount of pressure being applied to each workpiece.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for applying elastic rings to tubular garments having a supporting frame within which a sewing machine is mounted. Above the sewing machine the frame supports an elongated movable structure having a piece-carrier mounted on each end thereof. The apparatus includes a loading zone and a sewing zone and control devices for simultaneously moving the piece-carriers to and from the sewing and loading zones and for reversing the positions of the piece-carriers to alternately position them in each of the two zones.

Abstract: A device for orienting a chain of stitches severed from a completed workpiece to a position where the severed chain will be taken and sewn with the initial stitches into the seam formed on the following workpiece.