Abstract: A method for producing a custom insole for a foot of a user, the method including the steps of providing a preformed insole precursor, the precursor being constructed of a solid material which is storable in an undeformed state and which is compressible to a deformed configuration under pressure substantially at room temperature and which retains the deformed configuration after removal of the pressure, and pressing the foot on the insole precursor, thereby compressing the insole precursor and forming an insole with a configuration in accordance with the configuration of the foot.

Abstract: A sewing system which includes a workholder arranged to hold a part to be sewn; one or more video cameras, such as C.C.D cameras, mounted above the workholder in such a manner that the area of the workholder is totally covered by the combined fields of view of all mounted cameras; a plurality of illuminating lights mounted above and around the table so that illumination can be applied on the part to be sewn by any desired combination of these lights; a frame grabber coupled to one or more cameras and arranged to receive images therefrom and to combine the images into one virtual macro picture; a microcomputer arranged to receive the macro picture from the frame grabber, analyze the macro picture and measure the location of all the edges of the part and its location on the workholder; and a man-machine interface for inputting sewing parameters, such as stitch size, distance from the edge and number of back-tachs, and to generate therefrom a sewing program for sewing the part along its edges.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for edge location analysis preliminary to sewing on a separate computerized sewing apparatus including scanning an object to be sewn by moving it under a scanning assembly in accordance with a predetermined sewing path to provide true edge location data, comparing the true edge location data with the expected edge locations to determine any deviations, and sewing the object using the predetermined sewing path as modified by the true edge locations data.

Abstract: Sewing apparatus comprises a sewing needle, a bobbin for feeding thread to the sewing needle, a rotary housing containing the bobbin and its case a sensor for sensing the non-feeding of thread to the sewing needle; an extraction-reloading device automatically effective, upon sensing the non-feeding of the thread to the sewing needle, for first extracting the bobbin and its case from the rotary housing, then extracting the bobbin from its case, then reloading the case with another bobbin having a supply of thread thereon and then returning the case with its reloaded bobbin into the rotary housing.

Abstract: A sewing machine bobbin includes a mini-spool rotatably mounted on the bobbin for receiving a predetermined length at the inner end of the thread such that when the bobbin stops rotating, the mini-spool may continue to rotate to pay out a part of a predetermined length of thread in order to finish a stitching operation.

Abstract: A device for electro-optical monitoring of angular and lateral deflections of a moving carriage relative to a stationary track along which it moves, including a transmitting unit mounted on the moving carriage and including a light source illuminating a pattern, a receiving unit mounted on the track in light receiving relationship with the transmitting unit and including optical sensor apparatus for sensing the light transmitted from the transmitting unit and providing an output signal corresponding thereto, and a micro computer arranged to receive the output signal from the receiving unit and to determine the angular and lateral deflection of the carriage utilizing the information derived from the signal.

Abstract: A non-contact triangulation probe system including a base plate; a first non-contact triangulation probe including a light source mounted on a first movable slide, the first slide being disposed on the base plate and arranged for sliding motion therealong, a source of movement for the first slide being associated therewith; a first position sensor for determining the relative position of the first probe and providing an output signal corresponding thereto; a second non-contact triangulation probe including a light source mounted on a second movable slide, the second slide being disposed on the base plate and arranged for sliding motion in the same direction as the first slide, a source of movement for the second slide being associated therewith; a second position sensor for determining the relative position of the second probe and providing an output signal corresponding thereto; the first and second probes being arranged to face each other such that the light beams emitted by the probes coincide on the same

Abstract: A sewing machine bobbin comprises an end wall having an outer face formed with a plurality of radially-extending strips of an optically-sensible material radiating from its center, providing sensible markings enabling the optical detection of the non-rotation of the bobbin during a sewing operation indicating a break in, or the exhaustion of, the thread wound on the bobbin.

Abstract: Computerized sewing apparatus having incorprated therein edge position sensing apparatus and the capability to modify, in real time, a pre-programmed sewing path in accordance with the actual position of the piece being sewn. The apparatus comprises a sewing head, a workholder, a microprocessor coupled to the workholder for moving the whorkholder relative to the sewing head, apparatus for sensing the edge position of an object on the workholder and arranged to provide an output signal corresponding thereto to the microprocessor, comparator apparatus in the microprocessor to compare the actual edge position with the programmed expected edge position and to determine any deviation, and apparatus coupled to the micrprocessor for modifying the sewing path during sewing to compensate for any such deviation.