Abstract: A sewing machine employs stepper motor actuated control for magnitude and direction of work feed including operator influenced feed balancing cam apparatus for shifting the stepper motor actuated control axially relative to or with a stepper motor shaft in order to attain parity between forward and reverse directions of work feed.

Abstract: A zig zag sewing machine needle bar gate mounted to accommodate thermal expansion on spaced bearings of which one comprises a spherical bearing arranged in a cylindrical bushing bore and with a spring clip biasing the spherical bearing against the bushing bore to compensate for lost motion.

Abstract: A sewing machine employing a stepper driven-stitch patterning mechanism including a stepper rotated cam with a spiral cam groove tracked by a follower formed with different cross sectional shape than the cam groove in order to provide only point contact with each side of the cam groove when spring biased therein. A spring arrangement biases the cam and follower together in a direction perpendicular to the axis of cam rotation, thus minimizing lost motion between cam and follower.

Abstract: A bed slide for a sewing machine having a frame fabricated of a synthetic resin material, the bed slide extending beyond the throat plate on both sides thereof, and thereby beyond the cavity accommodating the looptaker, and two embodiments of devices attachable to the synthetic resin material spaced from the cavity for slidably retaining the bed slide therein. The first embodiment, a headed stud having a transverse slot therein for receiving a turned back edge of the bed slide is retained in an aperture molded in the synthetic resin material, with a resilient member exerting a pull on the stud for imparting a drag to the bed slide and retaining the same to the bed. In the second embodiment, a Z-shaped member has its lower bar fastened to the sewing machine bed and its upper bar inserted between the bed slide and a turned back end thereof. A portion of the upper bar is bent downwardly to provide for a drag resisting free motion of the bed slide.

Abstract: A manual thread cutter for a sewing machine is disclosed in which a cutting blade is supported on a canted surface merging toward the corner of the hollow interior of a face plate covering the head end of the sewing machine. A slot extends continuously through adjacent walls of the face plate approximately medially of the canted surface so that sewing thread may be drawn through the slot to the cutting edge of the cutting blade. A platform extends from one of the adjacent walls coextensive with the bottom surface of the slot so that thread may be pivoted about the platform and drawn into the slot to impinge upon the cutting edge of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A presser attachment device for implementing needle feed in which a presser foot is elevated when a sewing needle is in engagement with work material to facilitate lateral shift thereof by the sewing needle. The presser foot is supported on one end of a substantially centrally pivoted presser foot carrier lever, the other end of which is formed with a gear segment. A pinion and ratchet combination is supported on one end of a pinion carrier lever, the other end of which is carried on the presser foot carrier lever pivot and has a pinion portion thereof in engagement with the gear segment. A combined cam and pawl is provided in which a pawl portion is in engagement with a ratchet portion of the combined pinion and ratchet when the sewing needle extends through the work material so as to lock the pinion against further rotation, depress the pinion and rotate the presser foot carrier lever to elevate the presser foot out of contact with the work material.

Abstract: A bed extension support structure for a sewing machine is disclosed which not only provides for ready removal and replacement of the bed extension but which also permits adjustment of the alignment and registration of the bed extension with respect to the work supporting bed of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A sewing machine bed which, because an open channel is required to accommodate a preassembled operating mechanism module, is reinforced to minimize objectionable deflection by reinforcing ribs formed on a cover plate and rigidly connected to reinforcing bosses on the sewing machine bed when the cover plate is secured thereon.

Abstract: A free arm of a convertible bed sewing machine is provided with a rear bed extending member which is pivoted on a cover that is fitted over a fixed machine supporting leg but can be readily removed therefrom with the bed extending member to provide space for an embroidery attachment.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a slidable bulb carrying bracket like member and a bulb cover with which the member may be moved between: (1) an elevated position wherein the bulb is protected both by the bulb cover and surrounding structure of the head end portion of the machine; and (2) a lowered position wherein the bulb is accessible for removal and replacement.

Abstract: A buttonhole presser device includes electrical switch contact members which cooperate with adjustable contact closing members to close an electrical circuit path. The switch contact members are carried by the shank of the presser device and are arranged so that when the presser device is installed on the presser bar one of the switch contact members is in electrical contact with the presser bar and the other switch contact member is in electrical contact with a conductor. The presser bar and the conductor are electrically connected to an electrical control circuit within the sewing machine.

Abstract: A reduced load presser bar mechanism having a separate secondary spring that may easily be disengaged or engaged by the operator to counter balance the biasing force of the primary presser bar spring thereby reducing the normal force exerted by the presser foot on the work piece to near zero.

Abstract: A feed regulator clamp in the shape of a bell crank having the pivot rod thereof retained in a slot in a sewing machine bed by a flat spring which also may serve to urge the clamp into clamping engagement with a feed regulator. A first arm of the bell crank comprising the clamp is for engagement with the feed regulator and a second arm of the bell crank is for engagement with a cam controlling the engagement of the first arm with the feed regulator. The flat spring which retains the clamp to the sewing machine bed urges the first arm into engagement with the feed regulator whenever permitted by the cam which is circular in cross-section except for a flat spot which, when aligned with the second arm, will permit the first arm to come into clamping engagement with the feed regulator.

Abstract: A skip stitch sewing machine is provided with adjustable means engageable with a camming surface on a needle bar for deflecting the needle bar when it is caused to descend while in an extreme lateral skip stitch position, and for thereby preventing a needle affixed to the lower end of the needle bar from striking a presser foot or throat plate.

Abstract: An input gear and a hook driving gear in mesh with the input gear in the gear train for the hook of a sewing machine are rendered self-adjusting by having the input gear drive the hook driving gear through a key which is movable in one direction on an input shaft and with respect to which the input gear is movable in a direction perpendicular to said one direction, and by having the hook driving gear drive the hook through shaft affixed collar permitting movement of the hook driving gear transversely relative to a bushing upon which such gear is rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A module including a frame which supports a motor, reduction gearing and a belt driving pulley is mounted in a sewing machine for position adjusting movements in one direction effective to set tension in a shaft timing belt, and position adjusting movements in another direction effective to set tension in a hook shaft timing belt.

Abstract: A work feeding mechanism for sewing machines including a feed dog with two pair of mutually orthogonal serrated teeth to drive a fabric past a stitch forming area in directions defined by mutually orthogonal axes. The feed dog is slidably mounted to a bracket which in turn is pivotally fastened to one extremity of a feed bar whose opposite extremity is suspended by gimbals carried in the bed. Means are disclosed to selectively impart oscillations of a varying amplitude and direction to the slidable feed dog in timed synchronization to the work feeding mechanism to drive the feed dog in lateral and longitudinal directions of fabric feeding motion which extend along the length of the sewing machine bed and normal to the length of the bed. Fabric feeding information for the work feeding mechanism may be stored in an electronic memory to permit the production of ornamental stitch patterns.

Abstract: A lock stitch sewing machine having a bobbin thread run-out indicator which is adjustable to permit initiation of the indication with a selected length of bobbin thread remaining on the bobbin. A bobbin case is supported in a rotating loop taker against rotation therewith and partially extending therefrom. The bobbin is fashioned with two flanges joined by a hub and is carried in a cavity in the bobbin case, the cavity being arranged so that one flange of the bobbin also extends partially from the rotating loop taker. A fibre optic is arranged in the sewing machine frame to extend a light ray through an opening in the bobbin case above the rotating loop taker but in between the flanges of the bobbin, adjacent the hub thereof, and through an opening in the opposite side of the bobbin case to a light sensor. The light sensor is carried so as to be shiftable normal to the direction of the light ray.

Abstract: A molded plastic guide provided in the head end mounting plate of a sewing machine receives the plastic toe of a latch carrier that is secured to a needle bar, and guides vertical reciprocatory movements of the needle bar.