Abstract: A carrier for transporting goods has a compartment adapted to hold goods. A crane is peripherally mounted near the underside of the compartment for articulating about a pivot axis between an upright position and a level position. The carrier has a carriage with a plurality of wheels. The carriage is adapted to slide under the compartment and on the crane. The carrier has an actuating controller for: (a) sliding the carriage between the compartment and the crane; and (b) hoisting and lowering the carriage with the crane. The system can operate by first lowering the crane to a level position. Then the carriage can be slid from underneath the compartment to a position suspended on the crane. Then the crane is articulated to an upright position to lift the carriage up against the compartment. The steps can also be reversed to bring the carriage back underneath the compartment.

Abstract: A sewing apparatus is provided for sewing vehicular air bags. Each air bag includes first and second side panels and a main body panel extending therebetween. First and second sewing machines are provided for sewing the seams between the respective first and second side panels and the main body panel. The sewing apparatus comprises at least one rotatable template to which the air bag side panels are mounted. Rotation of the templates advances peripheral portions of the side panels into proximity to the sewing machine, while longitudinal side edges of the main body panel are simultaneously advanced into the sewing machine. The apparatus includes motors and/or air cylinders for moving the first and second sewing machines and the templates towards or away from one another, and for adjusting the relative elevation of the templates and air bag side panels relative to the sewing machines.

Abstract: A sewing machine with an articulated table is provided to facilitate the proper positioning and removal of workpieces. The drive shaft disposed under the table also is articulated to rotate with a portion of the table. An alignment piston is provided to securely align the drive shaft prior to any articulation thereof. An articulation piston is provided to positively move the table through its range of articulation. A locking piston also is provided to lock the table into its nonarticulated condition. The various piston members are preferably controlled by a common unit to ensure coordinated action.

Abstract: An automated thread trimming apparatus is provided for use with a sewing machine having a plurality of needles. The apparatus is mounted on the side of the sewing machine away from the sewing machine operator. A pair of blades is provided for each needle of the sewing machine. The blades are adjustably mounted on blade mounting bars. Upon actuation, the blades are positioned to straddle each array of stitches produced by the sewing machine needles. The blade mounting bars are then moved slidably relative to one another so that each pair of blades severs an array of stitches. The blade mounting bars are then moved away from the work table of the sewing machine allowing the next workpiece to be sewn.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a sewing head for making a predetermined stitch pattern in juxtaposed material pieces includes a base plate having a toothed cam track fixed thereto, as well as a parallel cam groove, and movably mounted above the base plate is an upper support plate to which is secured clamping means for holding the juxtaposed material pieces. The upper support plate is supported by two pairs of orthagonal support rods, and a toothed cam gear is rotatably mounted to and depends from the upper bearing plate so as to be in engagement with the toothed cam track, while the shaft of the toothed cam gear is disposed in the cam groove. The shaft functions as a follower as the toothed cam gear is rotated by suitable drive means, whereby the juxtaposed material pieces are moved beneath the needle of the sewing head in the predetermined stitch pattern.