Abstract: The device of the invention extracts a fundamental frequency from signals coming from a played musical instrument. From this is synthesized a waveform with the same fundamental frequency which can be given an arbitrary form, so that an audical impression of e.g. a violin, a trumpet or a guitar can be given to sound produced by the waveform. The waveform is produced by making a pulse train with frequency n times the fumdamental frequency, leading the pulse train to a counter activating cyclically and sequentially n different outputs. The outputs are summed with different and adjustable weights, and the waveform is determined by adjusting the n weights. The number n can be any number. An embodiment is shown with n=16.

Abstract: Electrical circuitry for varying the relative distinctiveness between the lead and rhythm audio signals produced by an electrical guitar, or the like, according to the strength with which the musician picks the guitar strings. The rhythm signal is compressed in response to how hard the player strums or picks the guitar, while the lead signal is expanded as a direct function of rhythm signal compression. An electrical signal is generated from the rhythm signal for controlling the extent of compression and expansion of the audio signals.

Abstract: A limited number of top octave synthesizer tone generating circuits for producing various tones are used in an electronic organ. Each of the top octave synthesizer circuits is capable of producing any tone which can be produced by the organ. An assignment circuit is employed to assign different ones of the top octave synthesizers to produce the tones represented by different key closures. Because of the limited number of tone generator circuits employed, it is possible under some circumstances to attempt to cause the organ system to produce root tone outputs in excess of the number of top octave synthesizer circuits used in the system. When this occurs, a root tone for a new note is assigned to the top octave synthesizer circuit which is farthest into its decay mode of operation, thereby terminating the tone previously produced by that top octave synthesizer circuit earlier than would be the case if the full decay of that tone were permitted to take place.

Abstract: An acoustic guitar having a plurality of strings each individually secured by a bridge pin at the bridge. Each pin has an enlarged head positioned on a stem secured to the guitar body through the bridgepiece. A bore extends through the head of the pin in the drection of the strings and has an enlarged counterbored portion at the tail-end. The anchoring element of each string is positioned within the counter-bored portion while the remainder of the string passes through the smaller bore and thence over the bridge nut. In one embodiment the side of the head has a slot that opens into the bore. In various embodiments the stem of the pin is secured to the guitar body by a nut threaded onto the stem, by a rib cooperating with grooves in a sleeve secured to the guitar or by a press fit.

Abstract: A drumstick structure provides a structural outer body, preferably transparent, with a central hollow bore therein, into which a rod can be inserted as desired. The central portion is permanent, or removable which can be interchanged between drumsticks as desired. In the preferred embodiment, the inner portion is comprised of an elongated shaft which conforms to the configuration of the inner bore. An end cap seals off the inner bore securing the rod therein by providing a screw-on end portion. In the preferred embodiment the cap can be an enlarged rubberized tip to provide a tympani beater head. In an alternative embodiment, the inner portion is injected with an injection moldable plastic, the plastic then hardened to form a permanent but lighter inner portion so as to make the overall drumstick a desired weight. The drumstick would be of a plastic construction to provide greater strength.

Abstract: A pin fastening device having a double tapered head, the angle of one taper being on the order of 80 degrees, or sufficient to withstand severe longitudinal forces, and the angle of the other taper being on the order of 10 degrees, so as to provide a substantial interference fit between the pin and the work members. This double tapered head may be effectively utilized with a wide variety of pin fastener attachment end styles. Furthermore, an attachment end of a pin fastener is disclosed which includes a novel configuration of annular rings, which rings have a thread angle of 60 degrees, and relatively small radii of curvature at their trough and peak. By having such a set of annular rings, one portion of the pin may be longitudinally extended sufficiently to give the pin large shear force resistance, while sufficient total ring surface is retained to withstand large tension forces. A single pin may thus have both a high shear and tension resisting capacity.

Abstract: A rivet for pivotally securing a link to a bracket and adapted to compensate for tolerance variations in the thickness of the link and the bracket. A substantially hemispherical recess is formed in the shank end of the rivet while a counter-recess defined by a substantially hemispherical recess and by a frustoconical recess is formed in the head of the rivet.

Abstract: A screw head recess includes a generally frusto-conical central socket and radial slots interconnected by concave sections of the socket. Each slot is defined by two opposed wall surfaces which intersect with a bottom surface which slopes radially inwardly and downwardly along the axis of the screw. At least a portion of the junction between one sidewall and the bottom surface is curved to produce a camming surface for frictional engagement between the screw and a driving tool sufficient to provide a temporary stick-fit between the screw and the tool.

Abstract: An automatically-ejecting shell reloading device is provided for handling spent firearm cartridge shells. The apparatus may include a die assembly mounted to receive an upwardly thrust shell. A cylindrical ram element having an upper C-shaped retainer is adapted to receive and hold a vertically-aligned shell, and the device has means for moving the ram element into an upper position, an intermediate shell-receiving position, and a lower shell-ejecting position. An ejection spring is deflected outwardly by the ram element in the intermediate position and is urged against the shell in the lower position to eject the shell laterally from the ram element. In a preferred embodiment, ejection is achieved after resizing by a leaf ejection spring mounted for lateral deflecting movement by the ram element. The device is useful for handling cartridge cases during swaging, depriming, and priming operations.

Abstract: A sight system for providing closed-loop differential tracking control over gun aiming, utilizing visual and non-visual optical radiation to assist the gunner in acquiring and destroying targets as well as providing information to the gun control computer for automatic acquisition and firing. The sight is used in conjunction with a cooperative ammunition round which emits pulsed flashes at a timed interval after firing and upon impact. Portions of these signals are in the non-visible spectrum, and an invisible-to-visible converter is utilized to signal the relative location of the flashes to the gunner. A similar conversion is utilized to provide information on laser designator illumination and other non-visible radiation emanating from the target.

Abstract: Two embodiments of closed loop electro-fluidic controlled systems are disclosed for controlling the velocity, acceleration, torque, force of pressure applied to a member. The system includes a source of electrical command signals correlated to the desired magnitude of the parameter being controlled, a transducer responsive to the controlled member for providing an electrical feedback signal correlated to the actual value of the parameter, and a circuit for providing an error signal correlated in magnitude and polarity to the magnitude and sense of the difference between the actual and desired values of the controlled parameter. Also included is a transducer responsive to the error signal for applying a positioning force to a movable valve closure element, which is subjected to no other forces, to regulate the application of pressurized fluid through the valve to the controlled member in dependence upon the error signal.

Abstract: A rotary valve for use in a steering control of an integrated brake and steering system. The rotary valve has a pinion with a first end fixed to a housing and a second end to which a lever arrangement is attached. The pinion has a series of grooves located on its surface and whenever the lever arrangement is moved, the grooves control the flow of fluid to a piston. Thereafter, movement of the piston by the fluid creates a rotary torque that is supplied to a steering gear to aid in the operation of the steering system.

Abstract: A steering control valve and worm nut centering device for a power steering booster mechanism control valve is provided comprising a flexure rod carried either by the double-acting piston member or the worm nut member and extending between those members or into the valve spool. The overall construction is conventional and well known, the particular feature of the invention being a flexure rod which is adjustable translationally or rotatively, in various modifications, to center the valve spool of the control valve and to center the worm nut. The flexure rod can be predetermined as to length, taper, alloy, and other design factors so as to flex to give a desired increase in road resistance feel substantially over and above that afforded by the usual size of reaction chambers and centering spring conventionally associated with the valve spool.

Abstract: A valve system for an unbalanced load having a first two stage valve assembly operable for raising the load and a second two stage valve assembly for lowering the load. Each of the second stages has a poppet with a parabolic contour which is dimensioned with orifice parameters to provide substantially linear flow rate change when the second stage poppet moves for substantially zero flow jerk. In addition, the raise valve assembly has a pilot line coupled directly to the load so that high pressure oil is instantly available to actuate the second stage poppet. The lower valve assembly has a dashpot to decrease the rate of opening of that second stage poppet.

Abstract: A power generator comprising: body means having three chambers separated from each other by fixed fluid-tight partitions and having a central bore. Shaft means are rotatably mounted in the central bore of the body means with at least one end of the shaft means extending from the body means. At least two drive cylinders are mounted in the central one of the chambers in the body means, each of the drive cylinders include two pistons which are slidably mounted in opposition with each piston having two opposite working faces. The piston rods are attached to the corresponding ones of the pistons traversing a respective of the partitions through stationary fluid-tight joints for allowing the piston rods to move therethrough on a pure translational movement. Two swash plate means are provided. Each of the swash plate means includes a respective lateral one of the chambers.

Abstract: A throughput-adjustable fluid-displacement machine includes a stator and a rotor which is supported on the stator for rotation about an axis. The stator has two axially spaced circumferentially extending cam tracks and the rotor has two sets of passages therein, each of the passages having an open end which always faces a different one of the cam tracks for each of the sets of passages. A plurality of pistons is respectively accommodated in the above-mentioned passages, each of the pistons having a cam follower portion and being acted on by a spring which urges the cam follower portion into a constant contact with the respective cam track so that the piston reciprocates in dependence on the configuration of the respective cam track. Two control sleeves, one for each of the sets of passages, is interposed between and selectively communicates the working chambers of the respective passages with respective input and output conduits of the machine.

Abstract: Structural honeycomb material is expanded to the open, hexagonally cellular state, by pulling it out in the expansion direction. It is then compressed across the expansion direction and fed through a throat where it undergoes further compression which creases the constituent material. On being allowed to re-expand, the material adopts a stable open-cellular state. The feeding of the material through the throat is accomplished by driving means which engages the material across the expansion direction. This is an improvement on feeding it between driving rollers having rotational axes parallel with the major axes of the cells. Satisfactory compression in the throat is more easily obtained, especially with small cell-sizes.

Abstract: It has been found that many new cars have no wings or vents made into the door windows. What I propose is a blade that will be attached to the side view mirror of a vehicle, that will deflect the outside air into a vehicle. This blade will be permanently attached to the side view mirror, and will not interfere with the raising and lowering of the window, or the normal use of the side view mirror.

Abstract: A chimney cap of concrete construction which can be conveniently carried to the situs at the upper terminus of a chimney and readily secured thereto, to offer the purposes of keeping the rain and snow out of the chimney stack and of preventing downdrafts and of providing screening therewith so as to define spark arresters in the event of the escape of sparks through the chimney top.

Abstract: A stirring rod for use in a heating vessel which includes a contractable generally circular upper portion which is joined to a generally hooked shaped lower portion by a vertically extending rod section.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises an apparatus housing divided by a partition plate into upper and lower chambers. An oven chamber is defined in the lower chamber and has a baking heater therein. A vessel having a kneading blade is disposed on the upper chamber. The upper chamber includes a drive mechanism for rotating the blade. A fermenting heater is provided below the bottom of the vessel to heat the interior of the vessel to a fermenting temperature. Dough is kneaded and fermented in the vessel and baked in the oven chamber. Another fermenting heater is disposed in the oven chamber to preheat the interior of the oven chamber for baking, while the dough is being kneaded and fermented in the vessel.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a fermenting heater for a vessel which is disposed below the bottom of the vessel and a fermenting heater for an oven chamber which, together with the fermenting heater for the vessel, can be turned ON. A kneading switch, fermenting/baking switch and a release switch for opening these switches are disposed on the front surface of the apparatus housing. Likewise, an exclusive time setter, automatic time setter and baking time setter are disposed on the front surface of the apparatus housing. A kneading circuit, fermenting/baking circuit, kneading/fermenting circuit and fermenting/baking circuit are selectively controlled by selecting a combination of the switches and time setters to perform a kneading step, fermenting step and baking step either singly or in combination.

Abstract: A convection oven has a chamber receptive of a rack across which heated air is circulated. At the downstream side of the air path through the chamber there is a steam generator having a heat accumulator comprising blocks of high thermal conductivity carried on a series of carriers arranged in a parallel superposed vertical stack. At the outset of a baking cycle, water is caused to flow downwardly within the vertical stack against the blocks to generate steam and water vapor which is circulated across the unheated product being baked to control the browning and crispiness of its outer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically making sandwiches consisting of an upper and lower breadpiece with foodstuff disposed therebetween. The apparatus comprises an upper and a lower support with a lower and an upper breadpiece dispenser and a foodstuff dispenser connected to the upper support. A sandwich station is formed on the lower support and the apparatus is movable to a lower breadpiece dispensing station wherein a lower breadpiece is dispensed on the sandwich station. The apparatus also is movable to a foodstuff dispensing station wherein foodstuff is dispensed from the foodstuff dispenser onto the lower breadpiece, movable to an upper breadpiece dispensing wherein an upper breadpiece is disposed on the lower breadpiece with the foodstuff disposed therebetween, and movable to a discharge station wherein the sandwich disposed on the sandwich station is moved to a sandwich discharge position.

Abstract: Onions are lifted and transported individually and are transferred in succession onto an orientation conveyor where the onions are made to roll on a path of least resistance until their stem axes are transverse to the line of movement of the conveyor. Following orientation, the onions are gripped individually and carried into engagement with a pair of laterally spaced trimming blades which cleanly snip off the protrusions at the ends of each onion along the stem axis to prepare the onions for further processing. During their movement toward the trimming blades by the gripping and carrying means, the onions engage blade connected camming means which automatically adjusts the lateral spacing of the trimming blades responsive to variations in onion size. Following the trimming operation, the onions are released automatically into a collector means.

Abstract: An agricultural baler has a device for picking up stalk-type and blade-type vegetation. The picked up vegetation is inserted into a precompacting chamber wherein it is subjected to initial compacting. The degree of compaction is sensed and, when it reaches a preselected magnitude, the precompacted body of vegetation is expelled from the precompacting chamber into a main compacting chamber. The precompacted bodies are of identical or substantially identical size and density.

Abstract: A scrap shearing machine comprises a pair of relatively movable shearing blades arranged in a shear frame 1, a crusher 6 positioned upstream of the shearing blades 3, 5, a filling trough 8 arranged upstream of the cutter frame 1, a feed device to feed scrap along the trough 8 towards the crusher, press bar 11, 19 for precompacting the scrap in the trough 8 to a predetermined size to enable the crusher 8 and shearing blades 3, 8 to accommodate it. The shearing blades 3, 5 the crusher 8 and the press bar 11, 19 are located in a common plane X--X. The filling trough 8 is connected to the shear frame 1 by a force transferring connection, so that the shear frame 1 reinforces the filling trough 8.

Abstract: An improvement to the hydraulic power apparatus for hydraulic presses is provided, wherein the seals and various gaskets for containing the hydraulic fluid in the press has an enclosed container substituted therefor. This enclosed container, in communication with hydraulic fluid reservoirs, provides the pressure for the ram in the hydraulic press. The container is inflatable with the pressure on the hydraulic fluid, but which fluid is never in direct contact with any of the structural mechanisms comprising the hydraulic power apparatus. The hydraulic power apparatus, hence, can be modified to increase the dimension of the ram to remove the gasket mechanisms and to provide an installation hatch which facilitates serviceability to the inflatable container.

Abstract: A control system is described which assembles digital data representing the operations to be performed by the devices (the printed material consisting of the digits corresponding to the identification numbers which are presented by numbering machines which are incremented as the imprinter executes its successive document feeding cycles). A channel is provided for each device, which is responsive to the data and through which the data is advanced so as to operate the device in accordance therewith. A check digit printing device is operated by way of its associated channels so as to present the check digit corresponding to the identification number to be printed and enable corresponding identification numbers and check digits to be printed simultaneously at different locations on a multiplicity of different documents.

Abstract: A system for providing duplex images on copy sheets wherein the images are formed on the copy sheets by delivering the sheets to an impression cylinder for transfer of the images to the sheets. First and second ink images are provided, and each sheet is fed to the impression cylinder in synchronism with a first image for transfer of the first image to one side of each sheet. Each sheet is then removed to a staging area which includes a conveyor mechanism for re-feeding the sheet to the impression cylinder, trailing edge first. The re-feeding is in synchronism with the movement of the second image whereby this second image is transferred to the opposite side of each sheet. The impression cylinder is provided with a first gripper for engaging the leading edge of each sheet and with a second gripper for engaging the trailing edge of each sheet. The staging area comprises a plurality of conveyor belts and a chamber with air exhaust means beneath the belts.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the supply of printing liquid in the reservoir of an ink-operated printer and the like, in which two monitoring electrodes are disposed in and wetted by the printing liquid, with circuit means being connected to the electrodes for monitoring the electrical resistance therebetween, which resistance varies in response to changes in the amount of ink in the reservoir. Means are provided, responsive to predetermined resistance values, for actuating at least one display element, and/or effecting disconnection of an associated printer. Additional circuit means may also be connected to the monitoring means for actuating a preliminary warning device prior to actual triggering of a display element indicating the exhaustion of the printing liquid supply. Means also may be provided for monitoring the supply of a data carrier, i.e.

Abstract: Transfer drum for printing presses through which a sheet to be imprinted passes, includes a shaft, a first and second row of sheet-supporting segments disposed in comb-like fashion along the periphery of the drum, devices for gripping, respectively, the trailing and leading edges of a sheet, one of the rows of segments being rotatably mounted on the shaft together with one of the gripping devices, and the other of the rows of segments being fixedly mounted on the shaft together with other of the gripping devices, the rows of segments being rotatable relative to one another, each of the gripping devices extending rigidly over the entire width of the drum and being secured to the respective row of segments in channels formed in the drum.

Abstract: 2.

Abstract: A method and means for obturating a stub case on the barrel wall of a firearm is disclosed having an annular bead located near the top of the stub case wall dimensioned so as to provide an annular gap between the bead and the barrel wall thereby throttling the streams of gas flowing back after detonation. The gas is thus permitted to expand and is deflected in a Y-shaped packing ring so that the radial pressure of the gas against the oblique arm of the packing ring provides a satisfactory obturating action.

Abstract: A safe and arming device used with electrically operated fuses of a missile nd including a housing with an acceleration responsive device rotatably mounted therein between safe and arming positions and biased into the safe position by a spring and actuatable to the arming position when accelerated at a predetermined rate, latching means which latches the acceleration device in the armed position and reset means which releases the latching means to allow the device to be reset into the safe position.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system in which a continuous overhead rail extends through a plurality of transport stations. Transport tubes are arranged along the rail for high-speed travel of a vehicle which is suspended therefrom. Between the transport tubes, the vehicle rests upon driven rollers which propel the vehicle into the tubes and receive the vehicle after it leaves the tubes. In the stretches provided with these rollers, the rail approaches the rollers so that the vehicle rests upon the rollers and is only guided laterally by the rail. Within the tubes themselves, however, the vehicle is suspended from the rail generally out of contact with the walls of the tubes and is displaced through the latter by a pressure differential generated by suction devices.

Abstract: A control system for automatic operation of travelling objects through a power supply system without using any signal communication systems. Either a DC power source or three-phase AC power source is utilized as a power source. With the system employing a DC power source, three trolley wires are installed, one a negative and two positive. Each of the positive wires is divided and insulated into sections of a predetermined length; the positive feeding trolley wires in each section is always supplied with the DC power, and the power to the other positive feeding trolley wire is switched on and off depending on the movement of travelling objects. Each travelling object is supplied with power by the three trolley wires has a DC motor, and when one of the positive wires has no voltage, this is detected and the braking is effected. The travelling object entering a station is automatically decelerated and stopped.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus for disposal of cut end portions in a multistrand casting plant, particularly in a twin strand steel slab strand casting plant, consisting of vehicles moving on a rail track in a position in the strand paths following the separating or cutting device in vertical direction and positioned between the conveyor path rollers of the parallel casting strands. Such vehicles are provided with a bearing surface for the cut end portions just below the conveyor path transport level. The rail track connects the conveyor paths of a strand with a discharge station.

Abstract: A device for protecting a self-propelled rail vehicle against swaying, which device includes a measuring member for ascertaining the torsional vibrations of the wheels of a driving wheel set with regard to each other. This measuring member is arranged between the respective wheel set bearing and the carriage frame, preferably in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The measuring member is operable to ascertain the torsional vibration reactions between the respective wheel set bearing and the carriage frame and to bring about a corresponding control of the vehicle drive motor for a corresponding change in the pulling force of the wheel set.

Abstract: A self-steering wheel set for a railway vehicle, particularly a convertible rail-highway semi-trailer, wherein an arcuate member is secured transversely beneath the vehicle body and a wheel-set unit or bogie is provided comprising a yoke to which a tongue is fixedly secured at its rear end, the front end of the tongue having means slidably mounting the tongue on and capturing the arcuate member, an axle and flanged wheels mounted on the yoke and air spring means supporting the vehicle on the yoke, whereby the tongue acts as a tow bar, the connection between the free end of the tongue and the arcuate member is such that it is capable of taking torque reactions, the tongue and its connection to the yoke is such that it is capable of taking longitudinal brake reaction and the bogie follows the curvature of the rails.

Abstract: A convertible semi-trailer having over-the-road or highway running gear with rubber tired wheels and a flanged rail wheel-set and bogie, the body being supported upon said highway running gear and upon said railroad bogie independently by air spring means associated with the rail wheel-set axle unit and with the highway running gear and means to alternately raise and lower the highway running gear and railroad bogie for selective use in the railroad mode or highway mode of travel, the semi-trailers being couplable end-to-end to form a train of multiple semi-trailers in the railroad mode of travel. The highway running gear may be of the single axle or the tandem axle type, in each case each axle carrying dual sets of tires of conventional size allowing loads as high as legally permitted to be carried over the road in the highway mode of travel, the railroad bogie having a single axle wheel set of approximately 60,000 lb. capacity.

Abstract: A movable distribution container that is adjustable to vary its width. The container has a frame of generally right-angled parallelepipedic shape that supports a plurality of juxtaposed shelves. The vertical corners of the frame are defined by vertically-extending members, pairs of which are interconnected to form the sides of the frame. The sides are adjustably interconnected to each other. Each side supports one-half of a shelf, with the lowermost half being rigidly connected to the vertical members and the upper halves being adjustable. The shelf halves extend towards each other to define a support surface. The distance between the shelf halves is varied by changing the distance between the interconnected sides. Wheels are connected to the frame to facilitate its movement.

Abstract: Access to a space is impeded by the generation of a sticky foam from a tacky polymeric resin and a low boiling solvent.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus is disposed in the "U"-section deflector at the bottom end of flues connected to each other in a multiple-flue, vertical flue furnace. A deflecting plate and two associated projections, one on the plate and the other on the wall, influence the flow of gases in such a manner that first the radius of curvature of the gas making the turn is decreased, and second the distribution of flow at the input cross-section of the flow-receiving flue is more uniform. The first effect improves the effectiveness of fly ash removal from the turning gas stream. The second effect prevents localized sooting and uneven heating of a heat exchanger which may be installed in the end of the receiving flue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an incinerator which enables solid waste and/or pollutant liquid waste to be destroyed by burning it, and which comprises a combustion chamber, with double metallic envelope provided with an opening for the evacuation of the ashes in the lower part, with a side opening for the loading of the solid waste, with a shaft at the upper end and with a burner which comprises a first supply of liquid fuel and a second supply of pollutant liquid waste which opens out into the burner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incineration of combustible material including the processing of sewage sludge from wastewater treating plants and the initial activation and regeneration of activated carbon granules or powder used for adsorption in wastewater treatment and the like. The method is carried out by supporting the combustible material in an enclosure, directing infrared radiation on the material, and controlling the atmosphere in the enclosure around the material for purposes of controlling the oxidation process initiated by the heat from the infrared radiation. In a more specific form the method includes a step of counter-flowing combustion gases over the combustible material to supplement the infrared heat. The combustion chamber of the enclosure is operated at a slight vacuum to minimize escape of noxious odors. In practicing the method with sewage sludge, the sludge is first pre-dried and fragmented before introducing it into the enclosure.

Abstract: An initial stream of cold liquid ammonia at substantially ambient or atmospheric pressure is divided into a plurality of smaller streams by directing the initial stream downward against a substantially horizontal and substantially flat surface, the axis of the initial stream being substantially orthogonal to the plane of the flat surface. The cold liquid ammonia is preferably produced by directing pressurized liquid ammonia into an expansion chamber to produce a mixture of cold liquid and gaseous ammonia at substantially ambient or atmospheric pressure and then separating the cold liquid ammonia from the cold gaseous ammonia. The divided cold liquid ammonia is preferably applied by a plurality of spaced conduits to the soil where the cold, liquid ammonia is then covered by additional soil by means of a field cultivator to prevent loss of ammonia to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A table for supporting an object such as a free-arm sewing machine and for allowing the object supported thereby to be adjusted heightwise relative to the work surface of the table. The table includes a platform member for bearing the object. The platform member is adjustable heightwise relative to the work surface of the table between a first position substantially even with the work surface of the table and infinite positions below the work surface of the table. At least one of the infinite positions of the platform member is positively defined by a stop member to allow the platform member to be readily moved between the first position and the position defined by the stop member.

Abstract: A presser foot adapted to be attached to a sewing machine for sewing a concealed type of sliding clasp fastener to a garment fabric or the like, the foot having in its sole or bottom surface a pair of spaced guide grooves. A substantially V-shaped partition is disposed longitudinally centrally of the foot and separates the guide grooves. This partition has an integral projection extending downwardly to register with the bottom surface of the foot and laterally beyond both sides of the partition whereby the folded edge of the concealed fastener is retained in unfolded disposition at the initial stage of sewing operation.

Abstract: A thread cutting device applicable to sewing machines includes elements connected to a support plate to be installed in the sewing machine at the position therein where the common sliding elements are to be located. The support plate has a screw which acts on a bridge element when the bridge element is pressed against the lower face of a panel of the machine. One of the elements of the thread cutting device has a generally Y-shaped configuration and is provided with an alternating lineal movement, either by means of manual, electro-pneumatic or electromagnetic operation, in directions parallel to that of the sewing of the machine. Such shaped element angularly operates a movable knife against a fixed knife in synchronized cooperation with a thread collecting hook which also has an angular displacement. The arrangement further includes a thread withdrawing device and a thread tension opening device.