Abstract: The combination of a bobbin case assembly and a supply of thread. The bobbin case assembly has a wall structure defining a receptacle for the supply of thread and a thread tensioning assembly on the wall structure including a thread tensioning element. The supply of thread projects from the receptacle and is wrapped at least partially around the thread tensioning element so as to produce resistance to the removal of the thread from the receptacle.

Abstract: A hook system for a sewing machine having a hook assembly with a first operating axis, a bobbin basket assembly which is mounted to the hook assembly for movement relative to the hook assembly around the first operating axis, and a bobbin case assembly which is mounted on and separable from the bobbin basket assembly and defines at least a part of a receptacle for a bobbin. The bobbin case assembly has a peripheral wall extending around the first operating axis and a confining wall extending from the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall and confining wall have a combined mass. At least 50% of the combined mass of the peripheral wall and confining wall is made from a non-metal material.

Abstract: A bobbin assembly having a base wall, a center post projecting away from the base wall in cantilever fashion, a peripheral wall assembly which extends at least partially around the center post, a hook assembly and at least one of a) a thread cutting slot and b) a knife edge on the bobbin assembly. At least a part of the hook assembly is rotatable around a first axis to engage a thread and cause an engaged thread to be formed into a loop as an incident of the at least part of the hook assembly rotating around the first axis. The at least one of the a) thread cutting slot and b) knife edge on the bobbin assembly severs a thread which is formed in a loop by the hook assembly as the at least part of the hook assembly is rotated around the first axis in operation, which loop, if constricted, would wrap against the center post.

Abstract: An assembly for performing both material removal and sewing operations on a large piece of stitchable material from which a smaller piece is removed to form an opening around which the sewing machine provides stitches. The assembly includes an attachment having a kit detachable from but connectable to the sewing machine. The kit includes a base provided with a surface for supporting the stitchable material. A punch die is formed in the supporting surface with a circular punch die edge to define the size of the opening to be formed in the large piece of material. A punch tool having a proximal end cooperates with the punch die for removing the smaller piece of material from the larger piece of material. The punch tool also has a cylindrically-shaped distal end connected to the proximal end.

Abstract: A jump foot kit assembly for a sewing machine. As such, the invention is particularly useful in providing jump foot capabilities to sewing machines which were not configured by the manufacturer to have jump foot capabilities. In one embodiment, the jump foot kit assembly includes a housing which is detachably interconnectable with the sewing machine. The housing includes a bore extending through at least a lower portion of the housing such that a jump foot bar may be movably received therein. A jump foot is preferably detachably connected to a lower portion of the jump foot bar and an appropriate linkage assembly may operatively interconnect the sewing needle drive assembly and the jump foot bar to move the jump foot into and out of engagement with stitchable material being sewn upon by the sewing needle in timed relation with the sewing needle.

Abstract: A rotary loop taker is provided having a frame with a rotational axis and including an annular part and a support extending radially from the rotational axis to the annular frame part. A loop seizing point is removably maintained in an operative position on the frame through a fixed projection on one of the loop seizing point and annular part of the frame, a first receptacle for the first projection on the other of the loop seizing point and annular part of the frame, a second fixed projection on one of the loop seizing point and annular part of the frame, and a second receptacle for the second projection on one of the loop seizing point and annular part of the frame.

Abstract: A bobbin basket for use with a rotary loop taker in a lock stitch sewing machine. The bobbin basket has an integrally formed bearing rib formed of synthetic resin affixed to a metallic cylindrical side wall. Thread grooving protection members are inserted into insert housings at specified areas where the needle thread loop slides against the thread pick up and thread cast off notches. The insert housings are self contained on the integrally formed bearing rib.

Abstract: An assembly performing for performing both material removal and sewing operations on stitchable material. In one embodiment, the assembly includes sewing and material removal units which are interconnected in a manner such that the sewing unit's sewing area is isolated from the material removal unit. Preferably, the material removal unit is separable from the sewing unit. In another embodiment, the assembly includes sewing and material removal units, the material removal unit including a material removal device, a receiving table with an aperture aligned with the material removal device, and an alignment device which is movable through the aperture to align stitchable material relative to the material removal device.

Abstract: A stationary cutting blade having a separately formed blade holder and cutting edge which can be replaced as individual components. The cutting edge is formed of premium wear materials such as ceramic or carbide and the holder is stamped from a rigid metal. The cutting blade is a lamninated piece comprising two outer layers which form the blade holder, with the cutting edge in the middle layer. The blade reduces manufacturing costs of using premium wear materials and also eliminates the need for sharpening.

Abstract: A rotary loop taker for a lock-stitch sewing machine having a detachable loop seizing point and detachable raceway-defining portion. The inwardly facing vertical wall in the middle and final portions of the bobbin case raceway is defined by a replaceable member that in all cases is formed separately from the annular frame. The lower ledge in the middle and final portions of the raceway is defined by a member that may be formed separately from the annular frame, or may be formed integrally with the frame. In the preferred embodiments of the rotary loop taker, the two members referred to may both be formed integrally with the detachable loop seizing point, or only the member that defines the vertical wall may be formed integrally with the loop seizing point. If desired, neither of the two members mentioned may be formed integrally with the detachable loop seizing point.

Abstract: A material transfer assembly for transferring stitchable materially laterally in the "x" dimension relative to the arch clamp of a pattern tacker sewing machine. In one embodiment, the material transfer assembly includes a housing which may be attached to the arch clamp and a material clamp member slidably engagable with the housing to affect movement of the stitchable material relative to the arch clamp. One embodiment of the assembly is adapted for use with a sewing and stitchable material cutting assembly to transfer material between sewing and material cutting areas.

Abstract: A polymeric bobbin basket having an increased mass with a partial undercut to engage a latching mechanism on a bobbin case. A dissimilar material of greater strength and fatigue resistance than the polymeric material used in the center post is embedded within the interior of the center post less than the full extent of the center post in an arrangement that absorbs vibration and increases the strength and fatigue resistance of the center post. A shoulder spacing between the materials form the undercut.

Abstract: An assembly for use in combination with sewing machines for purposes of removing portions of stitchable material around which a buttonhole or other desirable design is sewn by the sewing machine. In one embodiment, the assembly is a kit which includes a support assembly, a material removal device positioned within the support assembly, and a driver connected to the material removal device to supply the necessary forces to remove portions of material. The kit assembly may be attached to a sewing machine without requiring any substantial modification thereof and, if properly positioned, will not interfere with sewing operations and the components associated therewith. The kit assembly may also be removed or disabled to allow the sewing machine to perform functions other than sewing buttonholes. In another embodiment, a portion disposal system is utilized to carry away and preferably contain the removed portions of material.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the range of movement of a clamp assembly of a sewing machine in two directions, one being opposite the other. The apparatus generally comprises a first tripping member interconnected and movable with the clamp assembly of the sewing machine and having a first tripping portion which is engageable with a first limit switch of the sewing machine. A second tripping member is interconnected with the first tripping member and has a second tripping portion which is engageable with the second limit switch. Generally, the second tripping member is movable relative to the first tripping member between first and second positions. The first position corresponds with the second tripping portion being positioned within a tripping zone for tripping the second limit switch, and the second position corresponds with the second tripping portion being positioned out of the tripping zone such that the first and not the second tripping member will trip the first limit switch.

Abstract: An assembly for use in combination with sewing machines for purposes of removing portions of stitchable material around which a buttonhole or other desirable design is sewn by the sewing machine. In one embodiment, the assembly is a kit which includes a support assembly, a material removal device positioned within the support assembly, and a driver connected to the material removal device to supply the necessary forces to remove portions of material. The kit assembly may be attached to a sewing machine without requiring any substantial modification thereof and, if properly positioned, will not interfere with sewing operations and the components associated therewith. The kit assembly may also be removed or disabled to allow the sewing machine to perform functions other than sewing buttonholes. In another embodiment, a portion disposal system is utilized to carry away and preferably contain the removed portions of material.

Abstract: A bobbin basket for use with a rotary loop-taker in a lock-stitch sewing machine is disclosed. The basket is integrally formed of plastic, with damage resistant members for reducing wear and impact damage at specified locations. The extent of each such location may be only a small fraction of the potential area of wear and damage. Inserts are disclosed for the needle thread stop, the needle thread pick-up notch, the upstream side wall of a rotation-restraining notch, the bearing rib, and the downstream side wall of the rotation-restraining notch.

Abstract: An apparatus for attachment to a programmable sewing machine having a sewing needle and an arch clamp assembly for moving a label and a product relative to the sewing needle to effectively attach the label to the product. In one emboiment, the present invention includes an outer clamping device, effectively connected to the arch clamp assembly, which engages the product and moves the product and label in the desired pattern, a clamping plate, also effectively connected to the arch clamp assembly, which firmly secures the label down upon the product, a movable connector between the clamping plate and, effectively, the arch clamp assembly, and a positioning mechanism attached to the programmable sewing machine which mechanically moves the connector between two positions to allow the sewing needle of the programmable sewing machine to "travel" around the entire perimeter of the clamping plate and label. One embodiment of the movable connector assumes a substantially U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A composite rotary loop taker which includes a loop seizing point mounted on a substantially annular frame, for use in a lock-stitch sewing machine. The loop seizing point forms a smoothly curved junction with the leading edge of a crosswise member between the opposite sides of a rotatably mounted substantially annular frame, said smoothly curved junction adapted to receive a thread loop and expand the loop over a stationary bobbin basket to form a lock stitch. Preferably, the loop seizing point, downwardly extending lug toward the smoothly curved junction and an inwardly extending foot therefrom are metal, together with a crosswise reinforcing member and a partially circumferential supporting wall on the opposite side of the annular frame.

Abstract: A grip guide for a tennis racquet handle that positions the player's hand in the proper position on the racquet handle, primarily for hitting Eastern backhand shots but also for various other shots if desired. The device extends, when secured to the racquet handle, across the left bevel of the handle and at least a part of the top surface of the handle. It has a nonplanar bottom shaped to provide a reliable, non-skid gripping contact with at least two planar surfaces of the racquet handle. It has a side wall cross section in the approximate shape of a rounded "V" with its open end facing away from the free end of the racquet handle, one arm of the rounded "V" extending circumferentially along the left bevel of the handle a substantial distance away from the other arm in a direction generally opposite the direction in which the other arm extends. The arm of the rounded "V" that extends along the top surface of the racquet handle is preferably the longer arm.

Abstract: A horizontal lock-stitch bobbin basket includes a cylindrical side wall, a laterally extending flange formed at the top of the side wall, and a rotation restraining notch formed in the top face of the flange. An elongated bore is defined by the side wall adjacent the restraining notch to provide for needle clearance. The bobbin basket is made of plastic and includes a needle guarding member the (1) protects the area of the bobbin basket adjacent to the bore from being accidentally damaged by the needle of a sewing machine, and (2) deflects the needle into the elongated bore.