Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the total internal resistance of a multicell battery having positive and negative terminals employs a first transistor device having an input and an output and having mutually exclusive conductive and non-conductive electric states. An arrangement of resistances is connected in series with the device to form a network. The network is connected between the positive and negative terminals. An operational amplifier has an output connected to the input of the device and first and second inputs. The first input is connected to the network at a point connected to both of the device and the arrangement. A square wave signal alternating between a positive voltage and ground on alternate half cycles is applied to the second input. The device is in the conductive state when the alternating voltage is positive and is in the non-conductive state when the alternating voltage is at ground.

Abstract: An emergency battery monitor is adapted for use with at least one storage battery. The battery has first and second output terminals across which an output voltage is produced, the battery, when in normal operation, exhibiting an output voltage falling within a nominal value range having predetermined maximum and minimum values. The battery has at least one cell which contains a liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte, when the battery is in normal operation, has a predetermined minimum level in the cell. The monitor includes a member associated with the cell, which is electrically conductive when the level of the electrolyte is at least equal to the minimum level and is electrically non-conductive when the level of the electrolyte falls below the minimum level. Integrated circuits coupled to the output terminals and the member produce a first signal designating normal battery operation when the member is conductive and the value of the output voltage falls within the nominal value range.

Abstract: An optical low bobbin thread detector is disclosed utilizing particularly cost effective matrixed light emitting diodes for bobbin thread detection and alarm, and virtually eliminating false alarms by employing a system requiring detection of a predetermined number of successive valid low bobbin thread detections to justify actuation of the alarm.

Abstract: A solar cell powered detecting and indicating system applicable to mechanically controlled sewing machines without D.C. power supplies connected to regular A.C. house mains, and detecting and indicating circuits minimizing power consumption for compatability with solar generated power supply.

Abstract: A method of producing a buttonhole is disclosed in which individual legs thereof are composed of stitches alternately extending parallel to the length of the buttonhole and substantially transversely of said length. The stitches extending parallel to said length are formed at twice the stitch length and in the opposite direction of work feed from the transversely extending stitches.

Abstract: An electronically controlled multiple pattern sewing machine is provided with the capability of sewing a repetitive sequence of patterns. The sewing machine operator selects, one by one, the patterns desired to be sewn and these are stored in a temporary memory in the order of their selection. In addition, each of the patterns may be modified such as by providing double feed, bight mirror, feed mirror, bight override and/or feed override. The arrangement also allows the operator to replace a previously selected pattern in a string with a different pattern at the same place in the string.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed having means for automatically sewing a buttonhole. A Hall Effect sensor switch interacts with a lever, which engages adjustable spots on a buttonhole gaging presser foot, to provide signals for electronic circuit logic indicating the end of a buttonhole being sewn.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with an electronically controlled top feed arrangement wherein an upper feed dog and a presser foot are adapted to alternately apply and relieve pressure upon a work fabric, the upper feed dog and the presser foot being oppositely phased with respect to each other. A linear actuator is coupled to reciprocate the upper feed dog along a feed line and a memory stores feed data including for each stitch a first data portion for controlling the feed stroke of the upper feed dog and a second data portion for controlling the return stroke of the upper feed dog.

Abstract: A method of forming a buttonhole including two spaced apart rows of zig zag stitches so that each row is formed in a like manner with the final overlaying stitches accomplished in the forward direction and which may be initiated by a barring stitch adjacent the edge of the garment followed by a straight stitch down the cutting space to the opposite end of the garment.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed which includes at least one regulatable operating instrumentality, such as, for example, an adjustable needle thread tensioner. Means are provided for generating signals indicative of different parameters which affect the ultimate overall stitch, such as, for example, fabric thickness at the seam, thread type, and pattern type. A central processor is provided with an algorithm for controlling the thread tension so as to maintain uniform stitch quality as a function of the different parameters.

Abstract: A method of forming a buttonhole pattern including two spaced-apart rows of zig zag stitches so that each row is formed in a like manner includes sewing a row of narrow zig zag cording stitches in a first direction and subsequently covering the cording stitches with one of the parallel rows of zig zag stitches formed in a second direction and repeating these steps for the second of the parallel rows.

Abstract: An electronic sewing machine with pattern selecting means is provided with control circuitry operable to increase stitch lengths in the work feeding direction by a predetermined integral multiple in a selected pattern by providing for pattern data retention and the discontinuance of endwise needle reciprocation during work feed operations corresponding in number to the said predetermined integral multiple.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed in which the pattern of successive needle penetrations during stitching is influenced in accordance with pattern information stored within the machine in a static memory. This pattern information is retrieved and utilized electronically to control, among other factors, the magnitude and direction of feed of the work fabric being stitched. Manually operable electric feed reversing switch means is provided which is effective, while it remains closed, to interrupt utilization of this pattern information to the stitch forming instrumentalities both as to needle bight and work feed motion and to substitute in its place information from auxiliary static memory for use electronically to influence uniform work feed in a reverse direction with the needle maintained in one predetermined lateral position.