Abstract: A looper for connecting a plurality of knitted parts suspended on a needle ring by means of two chain-stitched seams. One of two sewing needles required for producing the chain-stitched seams is displaced laterally above the stitches supported by knitting needles of the needle ring. Both of the sewing needles required for producing the chain-stitched seams enter at least one row of stitches above the stitches supported by the knitting needles of the needle ring.

Abstract: A thread chain sewing method and device for use in the two-needle overlock sewing machine comprising an inner chaining-off finger arranged to be retractable from an advanced position in which it is positioned alongside an outer chaining-off finger. The inner chaining-off finger is retractable in a direction opposite the fabric material feeding direction. The inner chaining-off finger is held in its advanced position during sewing over the fabric as well as during a thread chain forming period after the trailing edge is stitched. Thread chains formed before the start of sewing are wrapped only over the outer chaining-off finger, while thread chains formed after the trailing edge of the material passes are bridged over the inner and outer chaining-off fingers.

Abstract: Three-dimensional thick fabrics are made from a laminate of fabric plies by first inserting pointed rods through the laminate to form rows of holes after which needles are reciprocated through the different holes to pull loops of various yarns through the holes. The loops of yarns in adjacent holes are interlocked to hold the plies together. A guide releasably clamped to each yarn controls tension in the yarn while a doffing point is employed to insure that the needle passes through a loop just formed when penetrating the next hole to insure interlock of the loops. Hollow circular objects are formed by winding a length of fabric a selected number of times around a form, following which the pointed rods are used to form holes in the resulting laminate with the needles and yarns being used to form the interlocking loops through the thickness of the laminate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a continuous chain of stitches between pieces of material on a double needle sewing machine which includes a sensing device for detecting the presence of material in the sewing area and connected to the sensing device elements are provided for releasing the tension on one of the needle threads upon indication of absence of material in the sewing area. Additionally an auxiliary feed device functioning in cooperation with the machine's feed dog and needle plate is effective in simultaneously advancing the untensioned needle thread with the single chain of stitches being formed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming an overedge stitch adapted to join a plurality of material workpieces along their edge. The overedge stitch of the present invention is formed with four threads. Two of the four threads are formed into material penetrating needle loops which project through the workpiece at spaced intervals. The first needle loop is interlooped at the lower point of penetration with the third or lower looper thread whereby uniting the workpieces. The looper thread, together with the second needle loop, is laterally spread beneath the lowermost workpiece to a point whereat they are interlooped with the fourth or upper looper thread. The loops of the upper looper thread shall be extended for subsequent penetration by one of the needle loops on the uppermost workpiece whereby forming an overedge stitch along the edge of the workpiece.