Abstract: Bobbin case containing a lower thread bobbin mounted in a rotary hook of a sewing machine is exchanged for a new bobbin case by the bobbin case being transferred between the rotary hook and a bobbin stock section provided apart from the rotary hook. Transfer mechanism reciprocatively transfers a bobbin grasping device, grasping a bobbin case at a distal end portion of a chuck section, between the rotary hook and the bobbin stock section. In a predetermined position of a transfer stroke of the bobbin grasping device, an orientation change mechanism changes the orientation of the chuck section, being transferred toward the rotary hook, so that the chuck section faces toward the rotary hook, and changes the orientation of the chuck section of the bobbin grasping device, being transferred toward the bobbin stock section, so that the chuck section faces toward the bobbin stock section.

Abstract: A multineedle automatic sewing machine has a needle holder which is vertically movable above a needle plate. The needle holder has needles which are supplied with upper threads unwinding from spools, and with shuttles which contains spools with lower threads. The shuttles are arranged on horizontally displacable shuttle holders below the needle plate. Each shuttle contains an electric circuit in which the shuttle, together with an associated contact plate, is arranged on the lower side of the needle plate, functioning as an electric switch so that the machine is switched off in the case of the breaking of one single lower thread.

Abstract: Sewing heads (40,41) of a sewing apparatus for sewing casings for quilts are arranged in two horizontal parallel rows which are perpendicular to the stitching direction. For forming zig-zag partitions (FIG. 2) the heads (40) of the upper row are staggered with respect to those (41) of the lower row. Pleats (42) formed in the upper facing (30) are guided together with the upper edges of a pair of divider strips (32) into the stitching zones of the upper heads (40) and pleats (43) of the lower facing (31) are guided with the lower edges of two divider strips (32) of adjoining pairs into stitching zones of the lower heads (41). For forming transverse partitions (FIG. 9), a single row of sewing heads, each having two stitching zones, may be used, a separate divider strip (332) being fed to each sewing head.

Abstract: A quilting machine employs bobbin holders which support bobbins each having a conical lower portion ending in a point. A plurality of hooks are driven in an eliptical path to engage and pull down a loop of thread formed by insertion of a needle through a needle plate and the partial withdrawal thereof. The hooks keep the loop open and pull it down so that it passes over the pointed lower end of the bobbin. In order to facilitate engagement of the loop over the bobbin, the bobbins are maintained in sloped fashion. A thread take-up mechanism pulls up the loop of thread with one of the strands of the loop passing behind the bobbin between the bobbin and the bobbin holder to form a lock stitch.