Abstract: A TASER and a vertical grip are combined to be attached to the stud post under the forend or the barrel of a conventional long arm. A TASER may also be combined with the forend or barrel of a conventional long arm itself. Stud posts come standard on certain long arms like the M-16 rifle. Stud posts can be installed on single shot and pump action shotgun forends as well. The TASER power supply can serve as a power source for a strobe lamp, which may be sighted by rescuers either visually or with infrared night viewing or other special viewing equipment for miles. The optical signal could be produced in the infrared, visible light and ultraviolet light regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The signal lamp is inserted into a TASER's firing chamber in lieu of an ammunition cartridge.

Abstract: A method for deflecting a projectile from an initial trajectory. Such a projectile has a first surface area and a second surface area and moves through a gaseous atmosphere with a surrounding plasma sheath. This method includes the step of directing electromagnetic radiation toward the projectile, wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength which is absorbed by the plasma sheath but is not substantially absorbed by the gaseous atmosphere.

Abstract: The gun may have a receiver element with a barrel extending forwardly from the receiver element with the barrel having a chamber end and a discharge end. A handle element may be attached to the receiver element and a trigger assembly may be integrated with the handle element. The receiver element may have a bolt carrier chamber formed therein and a bolt carrier assembly slidably disposed in the bolt carrier chamber. The bolt carrier chamber at a rearward portion thereof and the bolt carrier assembly may define a gas chamber. A bolt assembly may be slidably disposed in the bolt carrier assembly. An actuator may be slidably engaged with the receiver element and may be engageable with the bolt carrier assembly and the bolt assembly. A firing pin assembly may be slidably disposed in said bolt assembly and may have a firing assembly in communication with said trigger assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: A sensor system for defending armoured vehicles against projectiles through the use of active armour. A thermal sensor detects a projectile's presence, and a laser proximity sensor determines its location. A doppler sensor distinguishes between threatening and nonthreatening projectiles by measuring the projectile's velocity. The sensors are positioned in a housing with a segmented spherical window, wherein each sensor can detect the projectile through a window segment having a filtering characteristic which is matched to its associated sensor. An eyelid shutter, which can open and close, protects the window from small arms fire and shrapnel. A conical deflector protects the sensor system from objects such as tree branches. Heater elements are used to clear ice and snow from the window, and the eyelid shutter removes other material through the use of a cleaning liquid delivery system and rubber wipers.

Abstract: In a negative pressure boosting device, a movable valve seat is air-tightly and slidably disposed in a concavity of a valve body. The movable valve seat and a valve element compose a vacuum valve. A servo ratio changing device includes a control spring compressed and disposed between the movable valve seat and the valve body. The servo ratio changing device is provided on a valve mechanism (the vacuum valve). During operation, the valve element comes in contact with the movable valve seat. The movable valve seat does not move in a low-input range so that the servo ratio is a relatively large ratio for the normal operation. In a high-input range, the control spring starts to be compressed to move the movable valve seat, thereby changing the servo ratio to a small ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic DEVICE having a valve housing (1) with a movable valve body (2) arranged inside the valve housing, a hydraulic cylinder with at least a hydraulic chamber (115), and at least a control mechanism (4) for the control of said movable valve body (2), the valve body (2) is substantially sleeve-shaped and arranged inside an annular space (128) in the valve housing (1), and said valve body (2) is provided with a plurality of apertures (250, 251, 252; 206, 202) to make a flow of hydraulic liquid possible in the radial direction through the valve body (2).

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device is provided which is capable of pressure reduction and pressure increase by electronic control without changing over hydraulic circuits, and which is reliable and simple in structure. A vehicle brake device using such a control device is also provided. A pressure chamber and an offset spring are provided in a hydraulic pressure control valve. A spool valve is moved to a position corresponding to brake operating force, thereby changing over connections between the output port and the discharge port and between the output port and the input port, and adjusting the degrees of opening of valve portions. In this manner, the hydraulic pressure at the output port to a value corresponding to the brake operating force is controlled.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a hydraulic drive apparatus such as a transaxle having a hydraulic pump and moveable swash plate mounted in a housing including a control arm for moving the swash plate between forward and reverse positions and a unidirectional return to neutral mechanism for biasing and returning the swash plate to a neutral position when the control arm is in one of the reverse or forward positions but not from the other position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling structure between a drive shaft and a swash plate assembly in a variable capacity swash plate type compressor, which is so modified that the rotating force of the drive shaft can be transferred to a rotor and the swash plate assembly by substantially equal amounts so as to prevent the frictional of a driving unit as well as prolong life time.

Abstract: A double-acting hydraulic actuator with an axial locking device has a cylinder chamber defined by two coaxial cylindrical walls of different diameters interconnected by a frustoconical wall. A guide piston sliding in the smaller-diameter cylindrical wall is fixed to an end of an actuator rod. The actuator rod has an annular protuberance of diameter equal to the diameter of the cylindrical wall. An annular stepped piston providing sealing between the two cylinder chambers is slidably mounted in a middle portion of the actuator rod to slide between the piston and the annular protuberance. When the actuator is extended, a narrowed end of the annular piston bears against conical surfaces of two half-rings and urges them outwards. When the half-rings are pushed outwards and the narrowed end of the annular piston becomes interposed between them and the middle portion of the actuator rod.

Abstract: A fluid powered linkage (12) has at least three side plates (18) of substantially equal width joined by connectors (17) to form a polygon of variable cross sectional area. An upper plate and a lower plate enclose a variable volume within the polygon. At least one port (37) allows fluid to enter into or leave from the enclosed variable volume in a controllable manner. Seals prevent fluid from entering or leaving the enclosed variable volume other than through the one or more ports. Two abutments (19, 11) are located on the side plates or connectors and the distance between the two abutments varies non-linearly with, but in the same direction as, the variable cross-sectional area. Optionally, an inner surface of one or more of the side plates defines a recess. A preferred linkage has a cross-section in the shape of a diamond or rhombus of varying internal angles, or a half or quarter thereof. In use, the obtuse angle preferably ranges from nearly 180 degrees to about 135 degrees.

Abstract: A stove top barbecue assembly for placement over a flame of a gas stove. The assembly has a base ring which has a center opening which is at least as large as the flame of the gas stove. A cage, which is made from a metal with openings, contains cinders which are heated by the gas flame. A grill is supported by the base ring over the cage and includes channels to guide any grease to the outer periphery of the base ring.

Abstract: A roller grill assembly for cooking human food has a plurality of horizontally aligned roller tubes which can be arranged to extend at an angle of about 3° to 5° are rotatably mounted to a housing frame. A sealing assembly comprises a bearing member and an annular sealing member. A drive chain engages an idler sprocket to rotate the tubes. The housing has a cavity that receives a sliding compartment assembly that has a frame comprising track members and a cross strut shaped to support a pan for holding food. The tubes have heating elements with compact spiraled configuration at the ends. A cover is pivotally mounted by a biased pin or two legged spring to cover a control panel.

Abstract: For basting a substance is sucked into the cylinder and expelled from the cylinder, a removable injecting element is connected with the cylinder and has a front part having an outlet opening, at least the front part of the injecting element connected with the cylinder is inserted into an object and the substance is injected from the cylinder through the injecting element and through an opening in the front part of the injecting element into an interior of the object, and alternatingly the injecting element can be disconnected and removed from the cylinder, and the substance can be expelled from the cylinder through an outlet opening which is wider than the opening in the front part of the injecting element, directly onto an exterior of the object.

Abstract: A fry pan with its position angle adjustable includes a body, a tightening device and a base. The body has an upper plate and a lower plate capable of being tightened by the tightening device. The body has a shaft and is pivotally connected to the base by the shaft. The base has a position device connected with the body. The body can be adjusted in its desired position angle by the shaft functioning as a pivot and then is tightened by the position device at the adjusted sloping angle for fat to flow down easily.

Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie including a rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes.

Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie including a rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes.

Abstract: A twine tensioner includes upper and lower ribbed rollers biased together so as to enlarge a length of twine passing between them so as to cause a predetermined tension to be required for advancing the length of twine through the rollers. The upper roller is mounted for movement relative to the lower roller and is guided such that, as it moves away from the lower roller, the twine tension first increases and then does not undergo any appreciable increase or spike as a knot in the length of twine through the nip of the rollers. The tensioner is constructed such that the upper roller may be easily manually moved away from the lower roller so as to permit twine to be threaded through the tensioner without requiring any additional tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid heating of calender rolls 350, 352 for a calendering apparatus 200 is disclosed. At a heating area 800, the rolls 350, 352 are preheated, reheated, or maintained at any temperature prior to the rolls 350, 352 being placed into the calendering apparatus 300. The preferred method of heating is by induction heating. The rolls 350, 352 may be delivered to the heating apparatus 802 from an initial storage area 420 or the calendering apparatus 300. The rolls 350, 352 are transported by an overhead transfer mechanism 400. The disclosed method and apparatus greatly facilitate formation of multi-layered laminates and is particularly useful in the tire building art.

Abstract: The device for compressing a load of particulate material in an open-top trailer includes a frame mounted or mountable on a support so as to be elevated over the load of particulate material in the open-top trailer, a drum roller rotatably mounted or mountable to the frame, and a windrower mounted or mountable to the frame adjacent the drum roller. The windrower is for windrowing a heaped portion of the load of particulate material so as to heap the heaped portion above upper edges of sides of the trailer. The windrower windrows the heaped portion into a windrow of particulate material generally centrally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the trailer as the trailer and the windrower are translated relative to one another along the longitudinal axis. The drum roller is disposed on the frame so as to roll over and thereby compress the windrow of particulate material as the trailer and the roller translate relative to one another along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuously operating press for pressing planar products. The press comprises facing platens (7, 7′) between which the product (1) to be pressed is passed in order to subject the same to compression. The press further includes slat elements (2, 2′) introduced as a continuous line of adjacent slat elements between the product (1) being pressed and both ones of the press platens (7, 7′) so as to make the slats to travel with the product being pressed and to slide along the press platens, the surface of the slats facing the platens being provided with a tray recess.

Abstract: Extended-nip roll press for dewatering a material web comprises a rotating mating roll and an extended-nip press roll. The extended-nip press roll has a stationary support and a flexible roll cover which rotates about the support. A press shoe is arranged on the support, and the roll cover has end sections which are clamped firmly on rotatable end walls on the support. End wall clamping rings respond to a first actuating device and clamp a resilient spreader ring radially against an outer ring that can be connected firmly to the end walls. A sealing ring is arranged on each end wall adjacent the clamping ring and can be deformed radially against the outer ring by means of a second actuating device.

Abstract: A stencil printer of the present invention includes a print drum around which perforated part of a stencil or master is to be wrapped. A master making section make a master and includes a cutter for cutting the stencil paid out from a roll. A master discharging section removes the master wrapped around the print drum and then discharges it. A deciding device determines, on the turn-on of a power supply, whether or not the power supply has been turned off during an interval between the time when the stencil paid out from the roll starts being perforated and the time when the cutter cuts the stencil. When the deciding device determines that the power supply has been turned off during the above interval, the master discharging section discharges the master present on the print drum.

Abstract: A method for the production of printed surfaces which are fluorescent under ultraviolet (UV) light uses either a single color or four-color print process in which the base colors of yellow, blue and red and special color tones contain fluorescent pigments, which are not visible under normal light but visible under UV light, in a fixed ratio to the pigments which are colorfast under high intensity light. The method of this invention can be carried out easily to apply and the numerous printing steps previously required are avoided. One advantage is that pictures printed with fluorescent colors appear to give a complete three-dimensional effect at night under UV light with an authentic stepless color reproduction of all tones when daylight effect.

Abstract: A method for detecting registering errors for multi-color rotary presses in which register marks are printed on a paper web by each printing section, a light source is caused to flash based on a reference signal generated by signal output means operating in synchronism with the rotation of a predetermined plate cylinder for outputting signals, the register marks printed by all printing sections are read as two-dimensional image data via reading means operating in synchronism with the flashing of the light source, the two-dimensional image data are developed into matrix data, a first center of gravity is found as an approximate center of gravity of each register mark from the matrix data, a second center of gravity is found as a high-precision center of gravity of each register mark from the matrix data based on the first center of gravity, the second center of gravity of a predetermined register mark is used as a reference to find the relative positions of other register marks, a deviation of the resulting re

Abstract: Test printing apparatus for test printing, wherein printing ink is printed on a test substrate. An ultraviolet irradiation assembly is mounted adjacent the rotary path of the bearing surface bearing the test substrate, for emitting ultraviolet radiation against the test substrate. The apparatus has a control arranged for controlling the drive for imparting to the bearing surface a speed in the sense of rotation, which during the irradiation of the test substrate by the irradiation assembly is different from the speed that is imparted by the drive to the bearing surface during the printing of the test substrate. An irradiation assembly and a method for test printing are also described.

Abstract: A printing unit for a rotary printing press utilizes form cylinders, blanket cylinders and ink cylinders and transfer rollers. Intermediate support rings are provided on these cylinders or rollers.

Abstract: A printing machine includes two printing units, each comprising a web feed section, a web printing section connected to the web feed section and a web treating section connected to the web printing section, in which a single-side surface of a continuous web is printed at each of the web printing sections. The printing machine also includes a turn/transfer section at which two the printing units are operatively connected and the continuous web printed by one of the two web printing sections is transferred to the other one thereof through turning and transferring treatment of the continuous web. The printing machine is capable of carrying out double-side printing and single side printing and improving printing efficiency with a relatively small location space or site.

Abstract: The tension of a web in a rotary printing machine is monitored and adjusted. The web runs through at least one printing group in the rotary printing machine. Any change in the stretch of the web during the production run is determined by noting any difference between first and second speeds of the web. The change in stretch is compensated for by a change in the tension of the web before the first printing group.

Abstract: An inking apparatus according to the present invention includes an ink fountain roller, an ink fountain blade, a front end of which is position-adjustable to be located close to the outer circumference of the ink fountain roller, a pair of side plates, each standing upright from the ink fountain blade so that an arcuate front end surface encircles part of the outer circumference of the ink fountain roller to form an ink fountain for storing ink in cooperative with the ink fountain roller and the ink fountain blade, in which a permanent magnet is embedded in a bottom surface of each the side plate in contact with the ink fountain blade for fixing the side plate to a desired position of the ink fountain blade. The pair of side plates are movable relative to the ink fountain blade along an axis of the ink fountain roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cylindrical printing blanket comprising a seamless sleeve and a sheet-like blanket having a fabric layer, a compressive layer and a surface printing layer, said sheet-like blanket being bonded onto the outer surface of said seamless sleeve. The blanket is made by cutting a long sheet-like blanket that has the fabric layer, the compressive layer and the surface printing layer and is bonded to the outer surface of the seamless sleeve, thus the operation can be done with good workability.

Abstract: Variable-format web-fed offset printing machine having printing-unit cylinders comprising core cylinders to which compressed air can be applied and onto which intermediate sleeves can be pushed axially and shrunk on radially. Each intermediate sleeve includes a carrier layer whose inner face rests on the core cylinder, a compressible intermediate layer, a transition layer, and a variable-thickness bridging layer, which ends with a covering layer to which a further surface like a printing plate or a rubber blanket can be fitted.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (10) for printing an image on a receiving substrate (20), the printing apparatus including: ink application means (11) for imagewise applying liquid ink to a side of the receiving substrate; a drying section (12) for drying the receiving substrate after the ink application; transportation means (13, 14, 15) for transporting the receiving substrate along a path (30-36) past the ink application means (11) and through the drying section (12); wherein the path (30-36) has a path section (30-36) between a first position (P1,P2) at the ink application means (11) and a second position (P3-P7) downstream the first position (P1,P2), the path section (30-36) having first (30) and second (32) substantially straight portions and a convex curve (31) between the first (30) and second (32) substantially straight portions.

Abstract: An imaging unit for a printing form cylinder of a printing press, the printing form cylinder having a width, the imaging unit comprising: an imaging unit comprising, in combination: a cleaning unit, a coating unit positioned below said cleaning unit, an image creating unit positioned below said coating unit, and an image developing unit positioned below said image creating unit. Each of the cleaning, coating, image creating and image developing units traverse over the width of the printing form cylinder thereby rendering reverse movement without active operation to the other side of the printing form cylinder unnecessary.

Abstract: A printing unit for a rotary printing machine with reversible image setting and digital changeover by means of thermal transfer, having an image-setting unit, an erasing or cleaning component and at least one inking unit. In order to achieve further cost advantages and miniaturization for such a printing unit, in particular for use in small edition color printing (digital offset press), the form cylinder and blanket cylinder are combined into one cylinder. In order to produce the reversible setting of an image (form production), this cylinder is provided with a hydrophilic surface and interacts directly with an impression cylinder in order to print on a substrate. The image-setting unit and erasing or cleaning component and inking unit are set against this cylinder.

Abstract: A printing unit of a sheet-fed printing press for printing on sheets includes a plate cylinder having a circumference, on which a recess is formed; a feed reel mounted within the recess for feeding a printing film onto the circumference of the plate cylinder so as to introduce an image forming region for each printing operation; an image forming device for forming an image on the image forming region of the printing film fed on the circumference of the plate cylinder with the first edge of the image forming region positioned at an edge of the recess closer to the rewind reel; a rewind reel mounted within the recess for rewinding the printing film from the circumference of the plate cylinder; and a control unit for controlling the length of the printing film to be fed from the feed reel onto the circumference of the plate cylinder, based upon the length of sheets to be printed for each printing operation.

Abstract: A method of decoying an incoming missile from a target. The method comprises deploying an array of barrels each containing multiple projectiles, determining a position and orientation for a decoy image of the target in relation to the incoming missile, and firing multiple projectiles substantially simultaneously from respective barrels of the array to create the image. Each projectile contains image forming matter.

Abstract: High temperature incendiary (HTI) devices and methods destroy biological and/or chemical agents. Preferably, such HTI devices include dual modal propellant compositions having low burn rate propellant particles dispersed in a matrix of a high burn rate propellant. Most preferably, the HTI device includes a casing which contains the dual modal propellant and a nozzle through which combustion gases generated by the ignited high burn rate propellant may be discharged thereby entraining ignited particles of the low burn rate propellant. In use, therefore, the high burn rate propellant will be ignited using a conventional igniter thereby generating combustion gases which are expelled through the nozzle of the HTI device. As the ignition face of the propellant composition regresses, the low burn rate particles will similarly become ignited.

Abstract: A highly pliant projectile intended to be deployed from a firearm is adapted to be elongated during transit through the firearm. The propellant gases act upon a piston element which is coupled to a force transfer member that is positioned in a cavity within the projectile body so that propulsion forces are applied to the forwardmost part of the projectile, causing it to elongate, thereby reducing its diameter so as not to interfere with the walls of the firearm.

Abstract: A non-lethal cargo projectile includes a projectile body; a nose cap attached to a front of the projectile body; a boattail attached to a rear of the projectile body; a fin assembly including a boom attached to the boattail; a parachute assembly disposed in a front of the projectile body; a cable connecting the parachute assembly to the boattail; a fuze disposed in the boattail; a first pair of half cylinders disposed in the projectile body behind the parachute assembly; a first circular disc disposed at a front end of the first pair of half cylinders and a second circular disc disposed at a rear end of the first pair of half cylinders; a second pair of half cylinders disposed in the projectile body in front of the first circular disc enclose the parachute assembly; and a payload disposed in a space defined by the first pair of half cylinders and the first and second circular discs.

Abstract: An obturator having redundant surfaces for sealing between a projectile and a gun tube, where the obturator has at least one gun tube side cannelure. At least one projectile side cannelure is located opposite to the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the at least one gun tube side cannelure is conformed to seal around the projectile. A tail protrudes from a rearward end of the at least one gun tube side cannelure, where the tail makes an interference fit with the smooth gun bore to make a low pressure seal.

Abstract: A track has an acceleration zone and an inertial running zone. The acceleration zone is to accelerate a car lifted by a lifting apparatus having a stationary power source through a steep down slope. The track is disposed approximately horizontal in the inertial running zone as the car proceeds mainly by inertial running. The car is provided with a seat as to oscillate corresponding to gravity and acceleration of the car. A control device is used to control the oscillation of the seat provided. The seat oscillates corresponding to gravity and acceleration in lifting by the lifting apparatus and in the acceleration zone.

Abstract: A beam for a railway track guided vehicle system configured to be supported at spatial intervals on piers includes an upper flange disposed along a longitudinal length of the beam. The upper flange has opposite laterally outward portions configured for receipt of functional elements for guidance of a track vehicle. Opposite side webs extend downwardly from the upper flange along the longitudinal length of the support. A lower flange is disposed at ends of the webs opposite from the upper flange and is disposed longitudinally along the length of the support. The beam includes a uniform cross-sectional shape along a longitudinal length thereof so as to generate favorable air flow conditions for the track guided vehicle. The lower flange has a lateral dimension so as to essentially cover an underlying pier. In this way, the pier does not cause air flow disturbances to the track guided vehicle.

Abstract: A trackside power distribution apparatus includes overlapping feeders. A first signal supply unit has an input adapted to receive power from a first electrical power source and an output for supply of power to a feeder. A first portion of feeder is connected to the output of the first signal supply unit and extends alongside a track to a unit requiring power. A second signal supply unit has an input adapted to receive power from a second electrical power source and an output for supply of power to a feeder. A second portion of feeder is connected to the output of the second signal supply unit and extends alongside the track to the unit requiring power. A selection apparatus is also provided which selects which feeder portion is used to supply power to the unit. The provision of the two feeder portions improves the reliability of the apparatus in the event that one power source fails.

Abstract: A hand-held tool for not only placing granular materials such as grass seed, granular chemicals, or a combination thereof into soil but also aerating it and detecting near surface rocks and the like. The tool includes a hopper, a shaft which terminates in a soil-piercing spike, and a spring-actuated sleeve slideably mounted on the shaft. The shaft defines a partially hollow bore and an orifice, the orifice being disposed on a sidewall of the shaft distal from the hopper and proximate with the juncture between the shaft and the spike. The bore and the orifice fluidly communicate with each other and with the hopper. The spring-actuated sleeve normally blocks the orifice, so that seed and/or chemicals cannot spill out of it. Granular materials are dispensed by dropping them by gravity out of the orifice whenever the spike can be driven into the soil far enough.

Abstract: A particulate distribution system for transporting seed or other particulate from a source into a plurality of metering bins, the system including a manifold duct that begins and ends at the source and an air delivery system mounted to the duct to transport particulate there through and a plurality of particulate flow diverting structures that extend from the manifold into each metering bin, whereby each metering bin is filled in accordance with the flow of air available thereto.

Abstract: Embroidery machines have previously not been well adapted to embroider billed caps such as baseball caps. A bill hook is secured or hooked on the distal end of the bill. The hook is supported by a base support, which is mounted to the hat hoop base frame. The bill is flexed away from the head portion of the cap, thereby providing room for the embroidery machine to access the area immediate adjacent to the bill that is embroidered. By flexing the bill away from the head portion of the cap and attaching it to the hat hoop base frame, which moves with the cap as it is moved in the embroidery machine, the bill is much less likely to become jarred lose from the hat hoop base frame during the embroidery process. This reduces registration errors and with it the scrap rate of caps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sewing machine having an indicating device for indicating selected patterns in a manner that the same may be substantially the same with the actually stitched result of the selected patterns, wherein the patterns selected by a user by operation of a pattern selecting/combining device 3 are indicated at an indicating device 8 and wherein in response to an optional combination or modification of the selected patterns, an image treating device 7 accordingly treats the image of the indicated patterns to indicate the same at the indicating device 8. The pattern data are stored in a pattern data memory 50 and a stitching mechanism 51 is operated in accordance with the pattern data stored in the pattern data memory 50, thereby to form the patterns of stitches.

Abstract: A bow and skew reduction control system and method is disclosed. In a tufting machine, an elongate bow roll is positioned intermediate a supply of a backing material to be tufted and a cloth feed roll positioned upstream of a needle bar. The backing material is passed at least partially about the bow roll and is passed over the cloth feed roll and into a tufting zone positioned with respect to the needle bar. The bow roll is provided with an actuator operably coupled to a controller. The roll of backing material is supported at its respective ends by a pair of jack assemblies, the jack assemblies being constructed and arranged for independent operation, and for raising and lowering, respectively, the ends of the roll of backing material as instructed by the controller. At least one, or a plurality, of spaced weft yarn markers are formed or otherwise disposed on the backing material and are parallel with the weft yarns thereof.