Abstract: The electric motor and the needle locating device of a sewing machine are adjusted by a pivotable treadle controlling a radiation directing member which is located in the path of radiation issuing from one end of one or more first optical fibers the other end or ends of which receive radiation from a suitable source, and the member controls the amount of radiation entering the adjacent end or ends of one or more second optical fibers which convey the radiation to an optical detector. The latter selects the speed of the motor in dependency on the amount of radiation which is transmitted into the second optical fiber or fibers and selects the position of the needle when the motor is off. The radiation directing member can constitute a glass plate which is rotatable or performs translatory movements between the first and second optical fibers and includes portions of different radiation transmissivity or reflectivity.

Abstract: Stitch data of partial patterns constituting a continuous pattern are stored in a memory in the sewing order with each partial pattern separated from the next. When a trouble occurs, such as a break of the needle thread or the consumption of the bobbin thread, or the user depresses a start/stop switch during sewing of the continuous pattern, the sewing machine is stopped. When the user corrects the trouble and subsequently operates a head search key, sewing is resumed, in response to a starting instruction, from the head of the partial pattern at which the sewing was interrupted.

Abstract: Stitch data of a plurality of partial patterns constituting a continuous pattern are stored in a predetermined order in a memory. The continuous pattern is sewn by changing the needle thread for each partial pattern. When it is desired to start sewing from a desired position, a head search key is operated to change a pointer P and store a head address of a partial pattern designated by the pointer P into another pointer I and a help key is depressed to cause a help screen to be displayed. An advancing key can then be operated and a stitch number key or keys operated to input a desired number of stitches to advance or retreat. Consequently, the address of the pointer I is displaced by the thus set number of stitch distances in the advancing direction or the retreating direction. When the help screen is the cancelled and a start switch is operated, sewing is started from the needle position indicated by the address of the pointer I.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with an adjusting device for hem projection length sensors that can be moved relative to a cutting device, wherein the first hem projection length sensor is provided for sending a signal that brings about a cutting process for the front hem projection length, and the second of the sensors is provided for sending a signal that brings about a cutting process for the rear hem projection length. The length of the respective hem projection length and the width of an associated seamless fabric edge shall be able to be set depending on each other with minimum operator effort by the adjusting device both at the beginning and the end of the fabric. The adjusting device has a stop that is movable in the direction of feed for the front edge of the fabric for presetting the width of a seamless front fabric edge.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed having an electric circuit divided into a first high-voltage section and a second low voltage section. The second section is supplied via a step-down transformer connected to the first section. The second section has a rectifier connected to the output of the transformer for dispensing DC power to the functional elements of the machine. The first circuit section, the transformer and some elements of the second section are contained in a remote housing which is separate from the machine and is linked to it by a cable. A foot pedal for actuating the machine is integral with the housing.

Abstract: A driving motor, for continuous and positioning type operation, includes two different types of rotors, a main rotor and an auxiliary rotor, corresponding to the type of operation required. Both rotors are arranged within the field of a common stator and are controlled by this common stator. The common stator is controlled by a control device in accordance with the function of the rotor to be driven. The driving motor can particularly be used to drive sewing machines.

Abstract: A device for measuring the passage of a predetermined length of cloth at right angles to the needle of a sewing machine comprises a frame carrying an arm mounted about a shaft and urged resiliently towards the cloth by a spring adapted to put a pinion in contact with the cloth. A shaft carries a barrel in contact with a gear fixedly connected to the pinion, the barrel enclosing a spring. The barrel is connected to a terminal by a sliding contact and carries a pin which extends into an arcuate groove in a drum while passing through an arcuate aperture in a plate. Contact elements are disposed at one end of the groove and at one end of the arcuate aperture, the pin being able to move from one to the other of these contact elements. The contact elements press against the internal surface of a metallic ring carried by the drum, the external surface of this ring being connected to a second terminal by a sliding contact.

Abstract: A device includes a driving device for driving an upper shaft. A moving blade is connected to the driving device via a clutch mechanism so as to be rotated by the driving device during on-condition of the clutch mechanism. A stationary blade cuts a thread held by a holding member in cooperation with the moving blade. A detecting device stops driving of the driving device based on a signal indicating the terminating of the moving blade while the moving blade and the driving device are connected. A range detecting device detects the rotation range of the upper shaft when the driving device is stopped based on a signal from the detecting device. A restarting device restarts the driving device based on a signal from the range detecting device.

Abstract: A sewing machine comprising a sewing machine lamp for illuminating an area around an end of a sewing needle, and a plurality of color filters provided on a rotary disk which is rotated by a stepping motor so that the area around the end of the sewing needle is illuminated by light of a selected one of a plurality of different colors. When an abnormal condition detector for detecting an erroneous operation or an abnormal condition such as an accident of the sewing machine detects an abnormal condition, an abnormal condition warning device changes the color of the illuminating light to a color corresponding to a type of the abnormal condition.

Abstract: An embroidery frame attached to an embroidering machine is shifted on a horizontal plane by means of a pair of pulse motors for changing relative position between a vertically reciprocating needle and a fabric supported within the embroidery frame. A phase sensor is arranged for continuously detecting a rotational phase of an upper drive shaft which governs a vertical position of the needle. The pulse motors are controlled such that a horizontal shift of the embroidery frame is prevented or discontinued in a particular circumstance for preventing breakage of the needle and/or damage of the fabric which would otherwise occur during the frame shift operation.

Abstract: A sewing machine including a mercury switch for detecting tilt of the sewing machine. When the tilt of the sewing machine is detected by the mercury switch, a machine motor of the sewing machine is inhibited from being driven. Accordingly, even if a foot switch for driving the machine motor is depressed under the tilted condition of the sewing machine, the machine motor is not driven, thereby improving the safety of the machine. Furthermore, when the sewing machine is tilted during driving of the machine motor, the inhibition of drive of the machine motor is canceled, and a driving speed of the machine motor is set to a low speed. Under this condition, an operator can easily adjust a fabric feeding device, a thread cutting device and a rotating hook.

Abstract: A load of an electronic sewing machine is self-diagnosed by a control system to cause a DC motor to be operated under control to drive upper and lower shafts of the sewing machine. The control system includes an evaluating device to which a voltage value applied to the DC motor and a rotating speed of the DC motor, both detected, are inputted for determining a current value supplied to the DC motor and a power loss of the DC motor. These data are supplied to a fuzzy theory applying device for estimating if the power loss of the DC motor exceeds a rated value by application of a prescribed fuzzy rule. A control command signal representing an amount of the excessive power loss is outputted from the fuzzy theory applying device to the DC motor for the control of the applied voltage. No need to directly measure the current value, and therefore no need to provide a current detecting resistor in a control circuit.

Abstract: Sewing machine for stitching operation capable of correcting an amount of movement of a stepping motor when its movement is restricted and further capable of performing a stitching operation at an original specified position.

Abstract: A sewing machine for forming stitch patterns on a fabric comprising a select key, an input key, a cessation signal generator, and a controller. Stitch pattern data for desired stitch patterns are chosen from a large number of stitch pattern data stored in a memory by the select key, and arrangement data, comprising arrangement direction data, arrangement number data, and margin space data, for the stitch patterns are entered via the input key. The sewing machine forms arranged stitch patterns on a fabric by relative movement between a needle and a fabric holder. When some accident, such as thread breakage and needle breakage, occurs, during the stitch pattern formation, the signal generator issues a cessation signal and the controller stops the sewing machine in response to the cessation signal. The controller further recommences the sewing machine in accordance with the arrangement data of the stitch patterns and the stitch pattern data for the next stitch pattern.

Abstract: A multifunction switching control system includes: a sewing speed controller of a computerized sewing machine controlled in response to a voltage of a sliding terminal of a variable resistor incorporated in the controller; an invariable resistor; a first A/D converter for converting the voltage from an analog signal to a first digital signal; and a second A/D converter for converting a voltage at a fixed terminal of the variable resistor from an analog signal to a second digital signal. A switch circuit for directly connecting one terminal of the invariable resistor to the fixed terminal of the variable resistor is provided in the controller. By comparing the second digital signal with a preset value, it is determined whether or not the switch circuit is so operated. In case that the switch circuit is so operated, sewing operation other than sewing speed controls of the machine are conducted.

Abstract: A textile machine having a multiplicity of yarn manipulating instrumentalities includes a yarn break detector. The specific machine disclosed is a tufting machine having a multiplicity of reciprocable needles threaded with respective yarns supplied from a source and the yarn break detector includes at least one metal washer carried by a respective yarn between the needles and the source. The washers are mounted above a trough having first and second spaced apart strips of electrical conducting members formed in a Vee configuration having a small gap between the plates at the lower apex of the Vee. The plates are connected in an electrical circuit which is maintained open by the gap until a yarn is broken and the washer carried thereon drops into the trough to short the plates together and close the circuit. The circuit includes a relay which energizes an indicator light and deenergizes the tufting machine motor when a yarn is broken.

Abstract: A pattern matching sewing machine comprises a sewing means for sewing two superposed sheets of cloth having substantially identical patterns thereon, a feeding means for feeding the two cloth sheets into the sewing means, a detecting means for detecting a mismatch distance between the patterns on the two cloth sheets, and a transport means to transport the two cloth sheets relatively. The pattern displacement amount detected by the pattern mismatch distance amount detecting means may be reduced. A determining means is provided for determining whether pattern matching is possible or not based on the information relating to the mismatch distance obtained by the detecting means.

Abstract: A sewing machine having a wireless controller is disclosed, wherein the sewing machine substantially comprising a drive motor for driving the sewing machine, a separate controller adjustably operated to produce a variable set voltage for controlling the rotation speed of the drive motor, a converter for converting the set voltage to a corresponding digital value and producing a series of data on the basis of the digital value, a device for producing carrier waves, modulator for modulating the series of data by way of the carrier waves and producing modulated waves, transmitter means responsive to the modulated waves to produce a corresponding light signal, means for receiving the light signal, demodulator for demodulating the received light signal, and a device responsive to the demodulated light to control the rotation speed of said drive motor.

Abstract: The invention comprises an arrangement for controlling a machine by means of the body movement of the operator. It is used for controlling a sewing machine intended for a handicapped person or for an operator not using the foot control. A pulse (18) consisting of a number of periods of 40 kHz sound waves are emitted from a loud-speaker (15). The sound waves are reflected by the head of the operator and a digital circuit measures the time takes the sound pulse to return to the receiver (16). The distance measured to the head of the operator is then used to proportionally control the speed of the machines motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a stepped portion between an upper cloth and a lower cloth on which the upper cloth is mounted, including a light-emitter for transmitting light to a light receiver. The stepped portion is detected based on a decrease in light received by the light receiver. In order to assure detection of the stepped portion, an optimum amount of light to be emitted from the light-emitter is determined so that a deviation between a transmissivity of the lower cloth and a transmissivity of both cloths arranged in a layered configuration may be maximized.

Abstract: A sewing machine with a cloth-edge detector has a light source for casting light on a sensing point on a cloth, and a light receiver for generating an intensity signal according to the intensity of the received light. Before sewing, a reference signal is set at an average of two intensity signals that are gauged before and after a cloth edge. The cloth edge can be detected by comparing the intensity signal from the light receiver with the reference signal.

Abstract: A sewing machine control device equipped with an operating switch (10) for instructing the sewing machine to operate and stop by turning on and off the operating switch (10) and a counter (9) for accumulating the duration of a running signal (SRT) produced while the operating switch is in an on state, so that the actual accumulated (total) operating time during which the sewing machine is actually operated can be obtained accurately from the accumulated (total) duration of the running signal (SRT).

Abstract: A hemmer seamer assembly comprising an apparatus for positioning a chain of stitches for stitching onto fabric having a needle and a throat plate, including a device for positioning the chain of stitches forwardly of the needle, and a device for moving the fabric to the throat plate for sewing the chain onto the fabric.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlling the sewing rate in a sewing machine is disclosed that comprises a reciprocally and vertically movable needle, a motor for driving the needle and a throat plate on which a work is to be placed having a needle hole through which the needle moves reciprocally and vertically. The sewing machine is adapted to repeatedly perform a cycle in which the needle moves downwardly from the upper dead center to the bottom dead center passing through the needle hole and then upwardly from the bottom dead center to the upper dead center passing through the needle hole and the cycle is adapted to take place in such a manner that while the needle is below the throat plate the needle is moved at a rate higher than that at which the needle is moved while the needle is above the throat plate.

Abstract: A workpiece detector for a sewing machine including a rotatable detecting lever in which small angular displacements at the end of the detecting lever, caused by differences in workpiece thickness, are multiplied mechanically causing the rotation of an electrical converter. Detectable output signals are generated such that overlapping of workpieces or the end of a workpiece may be detected during stitching. The length of the detecting lever is adjustable such that the detecting point may be varied.

Abstract: A sewing machine controller which inhibits compensation sewing if the cloth presser is raised, if the treadle switch is activated or a proximity switch mounted near the needle detects the operator's hand.

Abstract: Variable potential and breaking detection potential of a controller in a sewing machine are respectively subjected to analog-to-digital conversions, thereby to make it possible that the breaking detection of the controller and correction of dispersions of component accuracies of the controller are effected at one time.

Abstract: A flat touch switch having plural switch components with rotation speeds of the sewing machine shaft indicated on each component is positioned in the region of the needle bar. Pushing a component part of the switch drives the machine at the indicated speed. A control logic circuit senses the pushed component and by sensing the speed of the driven shaft, drives the machine at the selected speed.

Abstract: A sewing machine controller in which initially a rotation transfer ratio is calculated from the number of rotations of a motor and the detected number of rotations of the sewing machine shaft. Thereafter, the number of motor rotations is calculated as the product of the rotation transfer ratio and the desired number of rotations of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A devised shank is provided to a presser foot of a sewing machine in addition to an ordinary shank, such that a special presser group for straight stitching along a fabric edge is attached to the devised shank only, in which the presser foot is attachable to a presser holder, and the ordinary shank is for such as zigzag stitching, and the devised shank is different in an attaching width from the ordinary shank. Signal generating parts are provided to the presser holder, which each issue a signal in response to when the presser foot is attached, and the signal is discriminated with a signal issued in response to a pattern group belonging to patterns selected by a pattern selecting means so that the sewing machine is driven only when the presser group and the pattern group is met.

Abstract: In a speed control arrangement for a sewing machine, a control is provided for setting a comfortable cloth feeding speed, and the speed control arrangement controls the speed of the sewing machine motor directly as a function of the set cloth feed and inversely as a function of the seam length.

Abstract: The oral machine controller is an apparatus for controlling operations of a machine by jaw and tongue movement of an operator. Upper and lower dentition grips include thermoplastic members which are conformed to tooth shape to cling thereto. A lightweight control unit in a housing includes a straight potentiometer which generates a controllably variable voltage signal to control a speed or intensity function of the machine. One dentition grip is attached to the control unit housing by a first control arm and the other to a second control arm which is attached to a moveable contact on the potentiometer for changing its position and controlling the speed or intensity function of the machine. A tongue-actuated microswitch is provided for additional control of machine functions.

Abstract: A sewing machine forms a seam in the form of a series of stitches for a length preset by the operator. The length of the seam formed is computed from feed pitches data each generated when one stitch is formed. The operation of the sewing machine is stopped when the computed seam length coincides with the preset seam length.

Abstract: In the drive for a textile working machine, for the synchronized yet independently operable drive of at least two shafts, brake-clutch units associated with each shaft are provided, which are driven by a common electric motor. To achieve a regulation and control having good dynamic properties and fast response, provision is made for the brake-clutch units to be controlled such that the rotatory speed of the driven shaft of the first brake-clutch unit is given as a required value, and the rotatory speed of the second brake-clutch unit is synchronized through the rotatory speed of the driven shaft of the first brake-clutch unit, systems being provided for establishing the rotatory speed ratio.

Abstract: A device for detecting an overlapping edge of material on a sewing machine has, in combination, a signal-level discriminator and an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide has a light-receiving end on the sewing machine for receiving light through the overlapping edge of the material. The optical waveguide may be an optic fiber which, because of its small, flexible size can be accommodated easily even in the crowded sewing head or bed of an industrial sewing machine. The other end of the optical waveguide is remote from the light-receiving end for providing the received light to the signal-level discriminator which, therefore, is also remote from the crowded sewing head or bed of the sewing machine which, in addition, could interfere with its operation.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the angular position of the main shaft of a sewing machine and the indicator apparatus of a sewing machine are utilized to output the RPM of the main shaft to the indicator apparatus. The detector detects the cycle time of the main shaft rotation by referencing a clock signal and comparing it with preset data. Thereby, the RPM of the main shaft is determined.

Abstract: A sewing machine comprises a multiplier for multiplying an operator-controlled variable reference speed value by a multiplying factor, a tachogenerator for generating speed-related pulses at a rate proportional to the speed of rotation of a motor pulley and an angular position detector for generating a position pulse in response to a predetermined position of an armshaft pulley which is coupled by a belt to the motor pulley. A ratio detector is provided for counting the speed-related pulses present during the interval between successive ones of the position pulse to generate a count as a representation of the diameter of the armshaft pulley and deriving a ratio value between the count and a value representative of the diameter of the motor pulley. The ratio value is applied to the multiplier as the multiplying factor to alter the reference speed value.

Abstract: In the invention, the sewing machine carries out winding of the thread by operating separately a thread winding mechanism and a clutch mechanism. A speed detector is provided to measure actual rotary speed of a mechanism which is related with rotation of an upper shaft. If the thread winding were carried out, while said mechanism is left as engaged with a power source of the sewing machine, the speed detector would detect the rotation of said mechanism to stop a machine motor instantaneously, so that the thread winding cannot be performed when said relative mechansim is not released from the power source, and the needle bar is not actuated at winding the thread for safety in operation.

Abstract: A sewing machine speed control apparatus enabling finer control of sewing machine rotational speed by providing speed instructive pulses to a clutch coil and a braking coil of the sewing machine within a pulse application period of an oscillator used to detect the actual rotational speed of the sewing machine. The speed instructive pulses are applied in accordance with a difference between actual and desired speeds; the difference is used to look up stored values corresponding to desired periods of application of speed instructive pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a sewing machine includes a control circuit having connector lines for reading data from a semiconductor memory device and a switching circuit for automatically switching the connector lines dependent on the type of the semiconductor memory device employed by reading a keyword stored at a head address in the semiconductor memory device. The control apparatus can use any type of semiconductor memory device available at the present time and in the future. The switching circuit includes a logic circuit which can be implemented by a simple gating circuit.

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 sewing machine controlling apparatus which starts and stops a sewing machine or controls its speed in accordance with the position of an adjusting means, e.g. - control pedal, for setting a sewing machine speed. The sewing machine speed, as controlled by the controlling apparatus is independent of the influences caused by changes in the pedal position signal P.sub.A through the vibrations of the machine or through the variations in a power-supply voltage. A smooth speed switching operation, which is free from speed variations, can be realized even at a stepped switching point of the machine speed control pedal.

Abstract: A sewing control system for a sewing machine which comprises a count circuit for counting signals synchronized with the rotation of the sewing machine, a memory circuit for storing a reference value, a comparator circuit for comparing said reference value with the output value from said count circuit, an initializing circuit for initializing said count circuit only when there is a comparison output from said comparator circuit after said reference value is stored, and a circuit for outputting a sewing finish signal as data on the number of the works sewn only when there is a comparison output.

Abstract: A motor control mechanism for adapting electric sewing machines to be used by handicapped people, is mounted on the sewing machine or adjacent thereto and includes a motor control means operatively connected between the machine motor and a variable control arm which is activated by the operator's arm, or head, or knee.

Abstract: A speed setting arrangement for a sewing machine comprises a permanent magnet mounted for unitary rotation with the foot pedal of the sewing machine, and a magnetic sensor including a plurality of magnetoresistors arranged in pairs to form a bridge circuit on a stationary plane spaced a distance from the plane of rotation of the magnet. The magnetic sensor provides an output signal which is exclusively a function of the magnetic orientation of the magnet and thus serves as a valid indication of the amount of pedal depression. An analog to digital converter is coupled to the magnetic sensor to convert its output into a digital signal for speed control purposes.

Abstract: A stitching adjustment device for a sewing machine having a stitching width adjusting device for controlling a pattern forming device by means of an electronic control device, the stitching adjustment device consisting of a means for adjusting amplitude external from the sewing machine and a means for detachably connecting the amplitude adjusting means with the electronic control device so that when connected the amplitude adjusting means controls the stitching instead of the stitching width adjusting device.

Abstract: A workpiece fed to a stitching point of a sewing machine, consisting of one or more layers of fabric, is transluminated by a source of visible or infrared radiation which is intercepted by two photoelectric sensors following each other in the direction of motion. The sensors work into respective radiation/frequency converters whose output voltages, after rectification, are compared in a window discriminator to provide an indication of the passage of a leading or trailing edge of a fabric layer manifesting itself in a jump in one of the voltages. The jump is intensified by a threshold circuit in each converter, comprising a Zener diode which for highly light-transmissive fabric layers can be short-circuited by an optocoupler.

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 sewing machine controlling apparatus which starts and stops a sewing machine or controls its speed in accordance with the position of an adjusting means, e.g. control pedal, for setting a sewing machine speed, as speed. The sewing machine controlled by the controlling apparatus is independent of the influences caused by changes in the pedal position signal P.sub.A through the vibrations of the machine or through the variations in a power-supply voltage. A smooth speed switching operation, which is free from speed variations, can be realized even at a stepped switching point of the machine speed control pedal.

Abstract: A control circuit is provided in an electronic sewing machine wherein a specific stitch pattern is selected from a plurality of stitch patterns stored in an electronic memory, by selection of a corresponding pattern number which is then indicated at a digital indicator arranged on a front panel of the machine housing. A possible incomplete or incorrect selection of a pattern number will cause the selected pattern number indicated at the digital indicator to blink, thus giving a cautionary notice to the machine operator and, at the same time, will cause the sewing machine to stop from further stitching operation.