Abstract: To improve embroidery precision by preventing the front end of an embroidery frame from being pulled down by the weight of cloth workpiece, the embroidery sewing machine comprises: at least one cylindrical bed disposed on the upper portion of a machine frame; a table disposed on the upper portion of the machine frame and divided into a fixed table and an up-and-down table; a mechanism for supporting the up-and-down table vertically movably at an upward position roughly flush with the cylindrical bed and at least two downward positions of different height; and a mechanism for holding the up-and-down table at the upward position and the at least two downward positions, respectively.

Abstract: In a two-way communication system having first and second communication terminals, a telephone apparatus at each terminal for two-way telephone service and a picture communication apparatus at each terminal for providing users with visual images of each other; the picture communication apparatus includes video cameras for generating video signals to be transmitted, display apparatus for displaying the visual images, a control apparatus for controlling transmission and reception of the video signals, and a line drawing input apparatus connected to the control apparatus for generating a line signal representing the line drawing and which is transmitted with the video signals from the control apparatus.

Abstract: An improved insulating plate for an insulated rail joint includes a main plate portion made of a thermo-plastic resin, thick portions formed on the main plate portion at its side face contacting a joint plate, and planar heater elements embedded in the thick portions.

Abstract: A pad comprising at least one sheet of material having a thermoplastic resinous composition and a heater actuable to heat and soften the sheet, the pad being for use in alignment of machine equipment, rails, beams, girders, or other constructional elements relative to a horizontal base, vertical or inclined line, or to other constructional elements. In use the pad is placed between the equipment, rail or the like and a support or abutment therefor, and the heater is actuated so as to soften the pad just sufficiently that the weight of object or a force thereon reduces the thickness of the pad an amount equal to the desired movement of the object necessary to achieve the desired alignment.

Abstract: An electrothermally deformable levelling pad utilizable in padding, levelling or aligning girders, rails or any other constructional or structural elements. The levelling pad comprises at least one thermoplastic plate member and an electric heater for heating the thermoplastic plate member to soften or melt to cause the overall thickness of the pad to reduce to a value sufficient to bring an article or machine to a predetermined level. The plate member is made of a thermoplastic random-copolymerized polyester which comprises an acid component and a glycol component.