Abstract: A mapping and positioning apparatus may include an IMU module for monitoring movement through an environment, a scanner module, and a control unit. The IMU module is configured to monitor movement on the basis of detecting steps taken by a transporter. The scanner module may be configured to employ laser scanning to determine distances to objects or boundaries in the environment as the transporter moves the apparatus through the environment. The control unit may be configured to receive data from at least the IMU module and the scanner module and make an environmental determination to classify the environment. The control unit may be configured to generate map data based on the data received from the IMU module and the scanner module. The control unit may be configured to adaptively adjust processing of the data received from the IMU module and the scanner module based on a classification of the environment.

Abstract: A mapping and positioning apparatus may include an IMU module for monitoring movement through an environment, a scanner module, and a control unit. The IMU module is configured to monitor movement on the basis of detecting steps taken by a transporter. The scanner module may be configured to employ laser scanning to determine distances to objects or boundaries in the environment as the transporter moves the apparatus through the environment. The control unit may be configured to receive data from at least the IMU module and the scanner module and make an environmental determination to classify the environment. The control unit may be configured to generate map data based on the data received from the IMU module and the scanner module. The control unit may be configured to adaptively adjust processing of the data received from the IMU module and the scanner module based on a classification of the environment.

Abstract: A stocking positioning device (10) for use with a panti-hose manufacturing machine having a number of arm assemblies (12), each of which consists of upper and lower pairs of support arms (16, 18) for supporting respective first and second stockings (14) to be cut and seamed together to form a pair of panti-hose, the positioning device comprising upper and lower pairs of endless belts (20, 22, 24, 26), each belt being driven by its own pair of pulleys (28-42), the belts of each pair being horizontally spaced apart with the left hand belts (20, 24) rotating in the opposite direction to the right hand belts (22, 26), the pulleys being movable in unison vertically to move the belts, in use, between an upper rest position, above the arms (16, 18) of an arm assembly (12) moving from a loading station (A), to a lower operative position, in which the belts of each pair lie alongside the arms. Each pulley (28-42) is also independently movable laterally of the belt towards and away from the arm assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a line closing machine with pairs of stockings. The apparatus includes a pair of cooperating fingers mounted on the end of a carousel transfer arm. Pairs of stockings are loaded onto the fingers so as to stretch the open ends of the stockings between the fingers. The carousel advances the fingers towards a line closing machine and the fingers orient the open ends of the stockings in a horizontal vertically spaced manner so as to accept a pair of stocking supports on the line closing machine. The fingers then pivot so as to release the pair of stockings onto the stocking supports of the line closing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for flat seaming together a panti-hose half and a gusset has first and second carriers (16,18). The first carrier is moved from a loading station where a body portion of the panti-hose half is drawn on to the carrier, through an opening station where the body portion is opened along a preselected line extending from the waistband, into a seaming station. The second carrier is moved from the loading station where a gusset is loaded on to the carrier, to the seaming station. Each carrier has respective clamps (24,38), including an array of needles, which serve to grip the body portion and the gusset to their respective carriers. At the seaming station the free edges of the body portion, formed when the latter is opened at the opening station, and the free edge of the gusset are seamed together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the seaming of a spade gusset (12) into an opened seam in panti-hose by supporting the garment (10) on a carrier which comprises a head (22) onto which the panti-hose is drawn and inner support means (32, 36) displaceable within an opening (24) in the head for gripping the gusset (12) in the opening with the periphery of the gusset overlapping the periphery of the opening in the panti-hose, the gusset being stretched at least in one direction to a preselected extent. The edges of the panti-hose opening and the periphery of the gusset are mechanically seamed together while the carrier is moved relative to a seaming machine to seam the gusset to the panti-hose by a single continuous seam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of seaming a gusset to a garment characterized by supporting the garment (10) on a support which comprises an elongate member (70) open at one end onto which the garment is drawn and inner support means (74) displaceable relative to said member for gripping said gusset (22); presenting the gusset (22) to and supporting it at said one end of the support with the periphery of the gusset overlapping the periphery of an opening in the garment for receiving the gusset, said gusset being stretched at least in one direction to a preselected extent, and mechanically seaming the garment and the periphery of the gusset together while simultaneously rotating the gusset and the garment relative to a seaming machine and through at least 360.degree. about an axis passing through the gusset to secure the gusset to the garment by a single continuous seam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hosiery and particularly to the fixing of gussets on panti-hose or similar garments.