Abstract: A sewing machine including a needle bar that has a sewing needle attached in a lower end thereof; a needle-bar vertical drive mechanism that vertically moves the needle bar by a sewing machine motor via a sewing machine motor main shaft; an imaging unit that captures image of at least the sewing needle and a moving object that is in close proximity of the sewing needle; a distance calculating portion that calculates a distance between the sewing needle and the moving object based on image data captured by the imaging unit; a judging portion that makes a judgment that the distance calculated by the distance calculating portion is equal to or less than a predetermined distance; and a control portion that controls execution of a predetermined safety operation based on a judgment result of the judging portion.

Abstract: A stitcher is provided that includes a needle configured to place stitches in a fabric that is moved therethrough. The stitcher includes a sensor positioned below the fabric to monitor stitches placed in the fabric. A microcontroller is provided configured to receive data from the sensor and, based on such data, to compare one or more attributes of the monitored stitches with one or more predetermined parameters relating at least one attribute of the fabric. The predetermined parameter may be either hardcoded inn the microcontroller or input by a user of the stitcher prior to beginning operation of the machine. When the attributes of the monitored stitches fall outside of the predetermined parameters, the microcontroller initiates notification of the user.

Abstract: A mouth and/or hand-held finger-actuated remote control unit is disclosed which is operable to permit selective variation of a pneumatic-operated controller (38, 42) having a proportional electrical control output to the electric motor (46) of a sewing machine (48). The unit comprises a hollow, elastic compressible bladder element (10, 110, 210) closed at one end and which is pneumatically connected to the controller. The bladder element is of length, width and height dimensions selected and proportioned to permit insertion of the bladder element in a person's mouth between the upper and lower teeth, or between the last fingers of a person's hand between the innermost knuckles and the person's palm. The bladder element is compressible by closing of a person's teeth thereon or movement of the fingers engaging the bladder toward the individual's palm to force air to the controller, thus controlling operation of the sewing machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the braking mechanism of sewing machines and provides a smooth stop motion to halt the machine. The braking phase of the stop motion involves a roller controlled brake pad which slows down the machine prior to the stop dog contacting the stop bolt. The roller, when activated, runs along the right hand stop wheel and verifies the distance of the brake pad from the stop wheel for one revolution. The roller falls into an indentation and is then ejected away from the right hand stop wheel by a notch, thereby descending the brake pad a small distance onto the stop wheel for one more revolution. At this point, the brake attenuates much of the machine's momentum. After one revolution of braking, the machine comes to a smooth stop.

Abstract: A pedal mechanism for a sewing machine drive device, comprising: a support member fixedly mounted on a support plate extending horizontally between legs of a sewing machine table; a pedal mounting base mounted adjacent to the support plate, a foot-operated pedal being mounted on the pedal mounting base, the pedal transmitting an operation signal to a sewing machine controller when the pedal is pressed down; and an articulated linkage mechanism for connecting the support member and the pedal mounting base in such a manner that the linkage mechanism can be angulaly moved so as to move the pedal mounting base between an operating position and a non-operating position while maintaining the base in a horizontal condition, so that the pedal mounting base can be placed on the support plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for flicker protection when a servo motor driven sewing machine starts utilizing comparators. Setting the original voltage as the reference voltage and the dropped voltage as the monitor voltage, the comparator compares the voltages and, if the difference exceeded more than the predetermined value, signals for setting the maximum electric current to the servo motor are attenuated such that the voltage drop of the electric source will be reduced.

Abstract: A thread is passed through a dyeing apparatus before the thread is supplied to a sewing machine as an upper thread. The dyeing apparatus has a cylinder containing a plurality of coloring members, each coloring member containing a coloring liquid of a different color. The cylinder is rotated by a manually operated dial to select one of the coloring members in accordance with a stitch to be sewn with a sewing machine. A coloring section of the selected coloring member is exposed to the outside of the cylinder for establishing contact between the thread and the coloring section. A heat-set roller is adapted to come into contact with the thread for heat-setting the coloring liquid applied thereto. The contact between the thread and the coloring member and the heat-set roller is actuated in response to operation of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A position indictor for an industrial sewing machine, particularly a programmable industrial sewing machine, in which an elongate slender member may be selectively extended through a tubular conduit to have an end of the member adjacent the work supporting bed so as to indicate to an operator the starting position for a work material from which stitching may initiate. The elongate slender member, which is best implemented by a wire, may also be used as an edge guide or a pivot point. Extension of the member through the flexible conduit may be initiated by an air cylinder or solenoid, and may be initiated by program control to take place when the sewing needle and the sewing machine presser foot are elevated.

Abstract: A phase indication device of the invention is provided for a sewing machine for electrically indicating a predetermined angular position of a main drive shaft and showing that the sewing machine is ready for starting a stitching operation. The phase indication device comprises first and second detection means, electric circuit and an electric indicator. The first detection means produces a first electric signal when detecting the predetermined angular position of the main drive shaft. The second detection means produces a second electric signal when detecting the drive motor being deenergized. The electric circuit is operative to produce an output to lighten the electric indicator when the circuit receives both of the first and second electric signals.

Abstract: A winding device for a sewing machine including a sewing mechanism connected to a machine drive mechanism, by a coupling which comprises, a sewing machine housing, the winding device being movable to swing into the sewing machine housing and be covered by a lid when not being used. A two-armed hinge support is pivotally disposed on the housing and connected to the lid. One arm of the said two-armed hinge support is connected by a lever mechanism with a support, and the support is pivotally attached to the sewing machine housing for the winding device forming a toggle joint such that when the lid is opened the toggle joint is pushed through and the winding device is brought into its operating position and secured there while the other arm of the two-armed hinge support disengages said coupling between the machine drive mechanism and the sewing mechanism.