Abstract: With respect to an embroidery material such as spangle which is consumed at predetermined stitches, stitch number data corresponding to a desired consumption amount of the embroidery material is previously set and the number of stitches at which the embroidery material has been supplied is counted. Whether the desired consumption amount of the embroidery material has been consumed or not is detected and the embroidering operation is controlled in accordance with the detected result. For automatically setting an embroidery start position always at a desired position in accordance with an embroidery design, the desired embroidery start position is set and stored as absolute coordinate data in correspondence to the embroidery design and positioning control is made so as to bring the embroidery frame automatically to the embroidery start position at the time of starting the embroidering operation. Various operations of the embroidering machine can be controlled by a remote control.

Abstract: A sewing machine bobbin comprises an end wall having an outer face formed with a plurality of radially-extending strips of an optically-sensible material radiating from its center, providing sensible markings enabling the optical detection of the non-rotation of the bobbin during a sewing operation indicating a break in, or the exhaustion of, the thread wound on the bobbin.

Abstract: A sewing machine thread break detector using a photo amplifier in which thread to be monitored is guided relatively to a light beam so that thread movement will vary transmitted light. An electronic circuit signals thread breakage when uniformity of the transmitted light beam indicates thread motion has ceased during sewing machine operation.

Abstract: An optical low bobbin thread detector is disclosed utilizing particularly cost effective matrixed light emitting diodes for bobbin thread detection and alarm, and virtually eliminating false alarms by employing a system requiring detection of a predetermined number of successive valid low bobbin thread detections to justify actuation of the alarm.

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: A sewing machine having a thread monitor associated with a bobbin mounted for rotation. The bobbin includes first and second reflecting surfaces associated with an inner side of a second bobbin flange, and first and second light outlet openings associated with a second bobbin flange. A light source is provided for directing light toward the reflecting surfaces. A light receiver is positioned so as to receive light emerging from the first and second outlet opening. The light receiver produces signals representing the light intensity received by the light receiver. A Schmitt trigger provides a pulse to a microprocessor coinciding with a revolution of the bobbin. For each revolution of the bobbin, an A/D converter converts signals received from the light receiver into digital signals which are compared. The digital signal having the maximum value for the revolution is stored in a memory and then compared with a subsequent maximum value.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more threads in a sewing machine with a number of sewing heads, the signal emitter including a spring arm (2) which is fixedly anchored at its one end (3) and, at its opposite end, carries a magnet (9), this opposite end being moreover located in the path of movement of the lower thread (12) in order to be influenced by same and thereby change the position of the magnet (9) in relation to an element (10) sensitive to the position of the magnet (9) and generating an electric signal in dependence upon the position of the magnet (9), the signal change being sensed and evaluated.

Abstract: In a sewing machine a thread 20 moves through a check spring 30, through a takeup arm 32, and to a needle 15. During normal operation, a proximity detector 55 detects the movement of a flag 50 attached to a loop 36 of the check spring during each movement of the takeup arm 32. The proximity detector is supported in a position adjacent the path of movement of the flag. When the thread breaks at the needle, tension is no longer applied to the thread by takeuparm 32, so that check spring 36 and its flag 50 no longer move in front of the detector 55, causing a control circuit to deactivate the sewing machine motor.

Abstract: A sewing machine with a lockstitch rotary hook containing a bobbin, has a thread monitor with which light signals of a radiation source are conducted to a light receiver via inlet and outlet openings in parts of the rotary hook and in at least one of the flanges of the bobbin. For determination of a predeterminable thread and length, the hub which connects the flanges of the bobbin comprises a truncated cone-shaped region, in the surface of which the outlet opening extending substantially parallel to the axis of the hub ends.

Abstract: A bag closing container device applies a strip of closure tape to a container, and sews stitches through the tape and container walls, as the container is moved past a closure station. A first sensor, located near an encoder disc driven by the container transport motor, generates a signal proportional to the container transport speed. An idler roller frictionally engaged with the closure tape carries an indicator wheel, which generates in a second sensor a signal proportional to the tape speed. The thread used in stitching the containers is wrapped around a detector wheel on its way to the closure station, and is frictionally engaged with the wheel. Wheel rotation generates in a third sensor a signal proportional to thread speed. The device includes a microprocessor which receives the signals as inputs, continually compares container transport speed and thread speed, and generates a thread fault indication if the thread and container speeds deviate from a preselected ratio.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring the shuttle thread reserve in a sewing machine with a lockstitch revolving shuttle and with a light-emitting diode, which sends a beam of light through openings in the bobbin housing and in the bobbin to a photodetector which triggers a switching pulse for an actuating device. To obtain maximum utilization of the residual thread, the photodetector is used at the same time as a pulse generator for a counter which controls the actuating device. The counter can be connected to a switch-off device of a drive motor for the sewing machine.

Abstract: An optical thread breakage monitoring apparatus for tufting machines has a laser beam scanning apparatus (21). The retroreflecting strip (11) illuminated by this laser beam scanning apparatus (21) is secured above the eyes (12) of the needles (13) to the front side of the needle beam (14) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A device for detecting the residual amount of bobbin thread in a lock stitch sewing machine is arranged such that a detector detect the number of rotations of an arm shaft or oscillating shaft, or the number of cycles of vertically reciprocating movement of a needle bar of a lock stitch sewing machine including the arm shaft, and oscillating shaft, and needle bar. The detector provides an output for the detected of rotations. The residual amount of bobbin thread wound on a bobbin in a bobbin case is then detected based on the detected number of rotation output. The detected residual amount of bobbin thread is then compared with a predetermined value which is predetermined in dependence on conditions such as the thread and needle to be employed, and the workpiece.

Abstract: A bobbin run-out detector for a lockstitch sewing machine is responsive to thread tension for sensing when the bobbin is empty of thread. The thread tension is sensed by a hook member (168; 332) engageable with the thread extending from the bobbin, the hook member (168; 332) being moved by a resilient bias as a result of loss of thread tension consequent on emptying of the bobbin. The hook member (168; 332) is linked to a shutter (174; 334) which moves with the hook member (168; 332) in order to influence a light beam, light receiving means (202) being responsive to such influence to produce a signal indicative of bobbin run-out. The signal may stop the machine and/or actuate an alarm. Alternatively, the signal may actuate a bobbin change device (2, 4, 14, 16) for removing the empty bobbin and for inserting a previously wound bobbin, to permit sewing to resume.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the underthread in sewing machines, in which at least one signal generator is mounted in the path of the underthread and is disposed to generate an electric signal when the underthread is urged by means of a looper against the signal generator, and the generated signal is coupled to a signal monitoring circuit electrically connected to the signal generator device and is operable to shutdown the machine in response to a loss of said signals from said signal generator device.

Abstract: An optical thread breakage monitoring apparatus for tufting machines contains a laser (36), a mirror wheel (17) which is illuminated by the laser and also a plurality of spaced apart strip-like deflecting mirrors (23, 11, 12) which direct the laser light which is cyclically deflected by the mirror wheel (17) onto a horizontally disposed concave mirror (13) which is arranged above the mirror wheel (17) and the deflecting mirrors (11, 12) and which forms the scanning beam (20'") which is directed towards the row of needles (14) of the tufting machine. A retroreflecting strip (15) is arranged behind the row of needles (14). The receipt of the light reflected from the retroreflecting strip (15) takes place in autocollimation (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A drive control mechanism and a safety device in a sewing machine in which thread in a predetermined amount necessary for the formation of one seam each time a seam is to be formed. The drive control mechanism comprises a control circuit for allowing current to flow to a machine motor when no thread amount signal is produced though a position signal is produced at the start of the machine. The safety device comprises a thread paying-out detection circuit operable when a position signal is produced, but no thread amount signal is produced, an alarm for producing a sound or light warning in response to the operation of the thread paying-out detection circuit and a motor stop circuit for interrupting flow of current to a machine motor.

Abstract: A thread monitor device for a textile machine to monitor thread feed through a region of a machine, the device including a source of light, means to convey the light to a thread feed region, and to direct light into said region, means to receive light directed into said region from said source and produce a monitor signal representative of said received light, means responsive to said monitor signal and to changes therein to indicate the occurrence of a change in said signal representative of a change in thread feed in the region.

Abstract: A stop motion device for stopping the motion of a sewing, embroidering or tufting machine, comprises a pivotally mounted sensing lever having a sensing arm for receiving threads used by the machine. The sensing lever is also engaged with a switch for deactivating the machine when the lever is pivoted into a position to disengage the switch. A fixedly mounted guide is provided for guiding the threads at a location spaced from the sensing arm in the feed direction for the threads. Either the sensing arm or the guide includes one bore for guiding all the threads while the other includes two offset bores each for receiving at least one thread. The offset bores are offset perpendicularly with respect to the feed direction and with respect to the other single bore. When one of the threads breaks, the tension of the remaining threads causes the sensing lever to pivot and thus activates the switch to stop the machine.

Abstract: A signal arrangement for supplying a signal as a prewarning to the operator of a sewing machine, when the bobbin thread is about to run out. The bobbin has a reflective center, and a radiation source and detectors are mounted in the loop-taker. A friction clutch may be provided between the bobbin and the loop-taker, so that the bobbin rotates in one direction when thread is wound thereon, and the other direction when all of the thread has unwound therefrom.

Abstract: A device for stopping the machine drive of a needle movable in cooperation with a rotary hook of a sewing, embroidering or tufting machine upon a thread breakage comprises a thread cutting mechanism which includes a thread catcher movable through the needle path and a switching mechanism which is connected to the drive for disconnecting it and which becomes effective upon a thread breakage. The device includes a movably mounted thread feeler carrier having a thread feeler which is adapted to be located between the needle and the rotary hook. The drive mechanism for actuating the thread catcher includes control cams which are engageable with lifting cams so as to project the feeler out of the path of motion of the thread between the needle and the rotary hook. The thread feeler is associated with a piezoelectric element and the deflection of the feeler by the thread produces a pulse which regulates the drive mechanism for the sewing machine and effects the stopping thereof when the threads are cut.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning device (17) is provided for monitoring for thread breakage in tufting machines (31) in which a carrier web (16) is passed from below to a spiked roller (11) and is deflected by the spiked roller into a substantially horizontal direction so that it can be passed beneath a row of needles (12). The row of needles (12) periodically introduce threads into the carrier web (16) by up and down movement in order to form tufted material. A narrow retro-reflecting strip (14) is arranged directly below and behind the tips of the needles and directly above the tufted material (15) parallel to the row of needles (12) and substantially at right angles to the surface of the tufted material.

Abstract: A tufting machine has a broken yarn detector mounted intermediate the yarn feed mechanism and the needles, the detector having a multiplicity of yarn engaging fingers pivotably mounted in a support housing secured to a frame carried by the tufting machine. Each finger has an eyelet for receiving a strand of yarn which during normal operation of the tufting machine supports the finger in a raised position, but which drops when the yarn is broken. A signal generator and a signal receiver in the form of a light source and a photo-conductive receiver respectively are carried by the frame of the broken yarn detector at a disposition such that when a finger drops it interrupts the transmission of the light beam from the transmitter to the receiver to provide a signal which may be used to stop the tufting machine.

Abstract: A stop control for a sewing machine having an attachment for the making of spaghetti-like tubes, without visible stitching, and with or without a core filler, from a supplied bias binding material, the binding material being comprised of elongate strips joined in end-to-end relation by end connecting seams in which the connected free ends of the strips are disposed on the same side. The strip is fed to the attachment through a switching device in an electric control circuit which is energizable by contacts of the switching device and operable to terminate the operation of the sewing machine upon the occurance of a predetermined condition with respect to the binding strip material, such as: (1) a binding strip connecting end seam is too thick, (2) the binding strip becomes knotted or twisted, and, (3) the supplied binding strip material breaks or runs out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for detecting absence of a needle thread or a bobbin thread in a sewing machine. The device includes at least one piezoelectric element provided between a throat plate and a rotary hook of the sewing machine. The piezoelectric element is adapted for intermittent contact with one of the threads when the thread shifts from the center of the needle hole by engaging with the rotary hook fin, and for signalling its contact with the thread.

Abstract: Yarn break in a short seam sewing machine is determined by detection of yarn swinging and wherein the sewing machine is stopped in response to the detection.

Abstract: A thread-monitoring device for monitoring threads being fed to a textile machine, comprising for each pair of threads to be monitored, a two-arm lever pivotally mounted in a pendulum-like manner and provided at the free ends of its arms with respective thread guides. A pair of threads to be monitored is led down past a corresponding two-arm lever such that with the threads engaged in respective ones of the lever's thread guides the threads exert forces on the lever which normally balance out and leave the lever in a central position. Upon this balance of forces being upset, for example, due to thread breakage or unequal thread tensions, the lever is arranged to be displaced from its central position, this displacement being detected by suitable sensor means.

Abstract: A thread monitoring device wherein the broken tension on a thread (or threads) is sensed by a biased spring to close an electric circuit yielding an audible or visual signal.

Abstract: A thread monitor particularly for a sewing machine having a needle, the monitor comprising a control device operable for stopping the operation of the machine, a thread feeler engageable with the thread supplied to the needle, and a bracket mounting the feeler for movement between a retracted position with respect to the control device and an operative position for actuating the control device for stopping the operation of the machine. The feeler is biased toward its operative position, the bias being greater than the frictional force present between the feeler and its mounting as the machine vibrates during the operation thereof but less than the frictional force present between the feeler and its mounting when the machine is not in operation, so that, upon thread breakage when the machine is in operation, the feeler will move to its operative position for stopping the operation of the machine and, when the machine is not in operation, the feeler remains in retracted position.

Abstract: Thread control device for stitching machines comprising a mechanism for applying torque to a feed roller around which the needle thread is fed to provide proper thread feed when a small number of threads are used and to provide control of seam variation. The device further has a thread break monitoring device signaling the program control in case of thread breakage to stop the device.

Abstract: A thread monitoring device for monitoring the thread supply in a sewing machine, having a rotary hook, comprises, a hook body with a thread bobbin having thread thereon which is connected to a rotatable shaft for rotation thereby. The hook includes a stationary bobbin case which is enclosed by a hook body which has a hub portion connected to the shaft. A light source is disposed on one side of the hook and a light receiver is disposed on the opposite side. Light is transmitted by the light source through a path intercepting the thread on the bobbin so that, when the thread on the bobbin is paid out during the stitching operation, beyond a predetermined amount, the light will be transmitted to a reflective wall portion of the hook body and deflected by the wall portion to the light receiver. The light receiver is connected in a control circuit to operate a control for operating the sewing machine or for actuating an indicator to show that the thread has been used up to the predetermined amount.

Abstract: An automatic bobbin winding system for lockstitch sewing machine having the capability to wind needle thread around said bobbin while said bobbin is supported within the looptaker of the sewing machine wherein a depleted condition of the bobbin is sensed causing the work feed system to be disconnected, the bobbin winding system to be enabled and endwise reciprocation of the needle bar to be suspensed after needle thread is introduced into the bobbin winding system in order to fully wind the bobbin supported within the looptaker. When the bobbin is completely wound, a full bobbin sensing device is activated which terminates the bobbin winding, reinitiates the work feeding system and the endwise reciprocation of the sewing needle in order to continue stitching at that point where bobbin thread depletion was first sensed.

Abstract: A drive control system for stopping a sewing machine when a thread of the sewing machine is broken or tangled. The system comprises rotational speed meter circuits, each one of which is coupled with respective thread tension disk means which rotate in synchronism due to movement of threads on them. A deceleration of the rotation of one of the thread tension disk means is detected by a rotational speed meter circuit coupled with it. An electric logic circuit in the system, which is energized to drive the sewing machine in response to a closure of a start switch and deenergized to stop the sewing machine in response to a closure of a stop switch, is deenergized to stop the sewing machine in response to the detection of the deceleration of the rotation of one of the rotary disks.

Abstract: The apparatus counts the number of stitches made by a sewing machine, counts the number of predetermined lengths of thread needed to make those stitches and outputs an alarm signal when the number of stitches per thread length either exceeds a predetermined number or is less than a predetermined number.

Abstract: The rate of speed of thread being fed to a sewing machine needle is monitored so that when the thread speed decreases, indicating one or more malfunctions in the sewing operation, the operation of the sewing machine is automatically terminated.

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine comprising, a sewing needle, a work holder for moving a work piece relative the needle, and memory means having a plurality of randomly addressable storage locations for retaining data words. The sewing machine has address means for sequentially selecting the storage locations, and means responsive to the data words of the selected storage locations for moving the work holder and performing a sewing operation.

Abstract: A tufting machine malfunction detection device comprising a laser detection system adapted to monitor for the existence of yarn within a chamber adjacent the needle station with detection indicating the presence of a malfunction.

Abstract: A tension detector which senses excessive tension deviation in the yarn fed to a tufting machine to operate a loaded plunger. There is a separate plunger for each yarn end with each plunger operating to complete an electric circuit when the plunger is acted upon by a high tension deviation yarn. The electrical circuit consists of a bank of identical resistors connected in series with a known voltage across them to create a linear voltage divider, a switch corresponding to each resistor, each switch being mounted after its resistor in parallel with the remaining resistors and closed by the actuation of a respective one of the plungers. The voltage indicator can be calibrated to display the particular yarn or needle number directly thereon so that the operator may identify the particular troublesome yarn.

Abstract: A device for use with a sewing machine using bobbins to determine either when a predetermined amount of bobbin thread remains on the bobbin or, alternatively, when the bobbin is completely empty. The device employs a probe which is inserted into the bobbin when the sewing machine is not operating and will thereafter produce a signal if the bobbin is low on thread or empty.