Abstract: A system for processing a material panel is provided including a table supported by a plurality of legs, the table having at least one linear edge. A sewing machine is provided functionally connected to the table at the at least one linear edge. An elongate track is provided mounted along the at least one linear edge. At least one sensor movable along said track is provided for measuring at least a length of the material panel.

Abstract: An system for providing a highly adjustable sleep system has box frame assembly and a mattress assembly with a plurality of support cylinders, where the support cylinders may be spring loaded or pneumatic. The pressure of each individual support cylinder may be automatically adjustable by changing the tension on a spring, or by modifying the internal air pressure of a pneumatic support cylinder. The box frame may have a moving tool head configured to move along a gantry and carriage assembly, and having actuators to engage valves on the bottom of each pneumatic support cylinder to add or release compressed air from a pneumatic support cylinder. Each support cylinder may have sensors or therapeutic modules, which may be controlled and monitored by a control module in the box frame assembly.

Abstract: An system for providing a highly adjustable sleep system has box frame assembly and a mattress assembly with a plurality of support cylinders, where the support cylinders may be spring loaded or pneumatic. The pressure of each individual support cylinder may be automatically adjustable by changing the tension on a spring, or by modifying the internal air pressure of a pneumatic support cylinder. The box frame may have a moving tool head configured to move along a gantry and carriage assembly, and having actuators to engage valves on the bottom of each pneumatic support cylinder to add or release compressed air from a pneumatic support cylinder. Each support cylinder may have sensors or therapeutic modules, which may be controlled and monitored by a control module in the box frame assembly.

Abstract: A system for processing a material panel is provided including a table supported by a plurality of legs, the table having at least one linear edge. A sewing machine is provided functionally connected to the table at the at least one linear edge. An elongate track is provided mounted along the at least one linear edge. At least one sensor movable along said track is provided for measuring at least a length of the material panel.

Abstract: There is provided a needle bar driver assembly for an overlock sewing machine having a needle for penetrating a material to be sewed and a needle bar for securing the needle thereto. The needle bar driver assembly includes a main shaft, a floating pivot, and a linking mechanism. The main shaft provides an oscillating motion. The linking mechanism is coupled to the main shaft and to the floating pivot, and transfers the oscillating motion of the main shaft to the needle bar while pivoting on the floating pivot.

Abstract: A corner turning assist device for a sewing machine includes at least one sensor and at least one rotating mechanism engaging the workpiece from the underside of the same. The at least one sensor(s) provides signaling to a motor and the at least one rotating mechanism to indicate when the workpiece has reached a point for pivoting.

Abstract: A corner turning assist device for a sewing machine includes at least one sensor and at least one rotating mechanism engaging the workpiece from the underside of the same. The at least one sensor(s) provides signaling to a motor and the at least one rotating mechanism to indicate when the workpiece has reached a point for pivoting.

Abstract: There is provided a needle bar driver assembly for an overlock sewing machine having a needle for penetrating a material to be sewed and a needle bar for securing the needle thereto. The needle bar driver assembly includes a main shaft, a floating pivot, and a linking mechanism. The main shaft provides an oscillating motion. The linking mechanism is coupled to the main shaft and to the floating pivot, and transfers the oscillating motion of the main shaft to the needle bar while pivoting on the floating pivot.

Abstract: There is provided in a sewing machine, a top feed belt apparatus for pulling material in a direction of sewing. The top feed belt apparatus includes a top feed belt for contacting the material, and a tool-less, manual adjustment device for providing a tool-less, indexed, manual adjustment to a motion of the top feed belt based on an operator input.

Abstract: There is provided a needle bar driver assembly for an overlock sewing machine. The overlock sewing machine has a needle for penetrating a material to be sewed, a needle bar for securing the needle thereto, and a throat plate for allowing the needle to pass there through. The needle bar driver assembly includes a needle bar connecting link assembly for driving the needle bar. The needle bar driver assembly further includes an oscillating needle bar driving assembly for driving the needle bar connecting link assembly and for raising said needle bar connecting link assembly such that the needle is more than 18 mm above the throat plate.

Abstract: A blind stitch sewing mechanism for a sewing machine includes a curved, oscillating needle, and a looper, having only one degree of freedom, for cooperatively forming a blind stitch with the curved oscillating needle.

Abstract: A material handling method and apparatus for flipping a workpiece. The method involves raising a retracted arm out of the worksurface to pivot the workpiece up and away from an edge of the worksurface. The workpiece is then slid in the direction of the edge before being guided thought the remainder of its 180 degree rotation. The guiding step further slides the workpiece toward the edge so that the workpiece is flipped at least partially in place. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes an arm and catcher plate both having an idle position below the worksurface. Pneumatic drives under microprocessor control pivot, slide and flip the workpiece, at least partially in place. An optical sensor array monitors a peripheral area around the worksurface which may be smaller than the workpiece. The drives may be halted upon the array sensing movement of the workpiece beyond a certain distance from the worksurface periphery.

Abstract: A material handling method and apparatus for flipping a workpiece. The method involves raising a retracted arm out of the worksurface to pivot the workpiece up and away from an edge of the worksurface. The workpiece is then slid in the direction of the edge before being guided thought the remainder of its 180 degree rotation. The guiding step further slides the workpiece toward the edge so that the workpiece is flipped at least partially in place. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes an arm and catcher plate both having an idle position below the worksurface. Pneumatic drives under microprocessor control pivot, slide and flip the workpiece, at least partially in place. An optical sensor array monitors a peripheral area around the worksurface which may be smaller than the workpiece. The drives may be halted upon the array sensing movement of the workpiece beyond a certain distance from the worksurface periphery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically cutting notches at specific locations on a web which are separated by predetermined lengths which are the outer dimensions of a pillowtop mattress. The web is pulled through a sewing station with a traction drive. Slack is induced in the web downstream of the traction drive. Predetermined lengths are drawn out of the slack bin in a single motion through a linear measuring device. A knife disposed in close proximity to the measuring device cuts the notches at the specific locations and subsequently severs the notched portion from the remainder of the web.

Abstract: An automatic flange applying machine for sewing the raw edges of a mattress panel and attaching a flange strip. A multi-speed sewing machine sews at high speed along straight sides and a straight top end and bottom end and forms rounded corners at a slower speed as the mattress panel is incrementally rotated about a pivot point. Photodetectors align the edges of the panel with the sewing needles while other detectors determine the location of the panel so that suitable operations begin. The panel is moved by pressure rollers through the sewing machine and the corners are formed by reversing certain of the rollers.