Abstract: A suturing instrument for surgical operations is operated by an operator with his one hand. A suturing operation is carried out on a human part to be sutured up by crossing a needle thread and a shuttle thread in a lock stitching formation, the instrument being composed of independent members which are, for use, connected to each other easily, exactly and speedily. The main body of the instrument carrying a needle and a shuttle has an externally operated actuating member which actuates a signal generator incorporated in a connecting arrangement for connecting the main body with the drive part of the instrument, whereby when the drive part is connected to the main body by the connecting arrangement an operator may, by moving the actuating member, activate the drive through the signal generator and set all the parts of the instrument into operating positions.

Abstract: A method for controlling a tufting machine in which a supply length of a ground fabric and a yarn feed length each for a unit stitch number are selected as control measures. Since the motion of a stitch shaft is steady and stable compared to that of a spiked roller, control in accordance with the present invention results in a stable operation of the tufted machine relative to the conventional method, in which the control measures are based on a unit supply length of the ground fabric. A yarn weight per square meter is also measured and indicated during the tufting operation.

Abstract: In a micro-computer controlled sewing machine a conversion switch is provided which can be switched between a first position and a second position. A manually operable controller, such as a foot pedal, is connected to the conversion switch. The circuit means connects the conversion switch to the micro-computer in the electronic sewing machine. When the conversion switch is in its first position, the operable machine controller will control the rotation speed of the sewing machine. When the conversion is in the second position, the manually operable controller will control the needle swing amplitude.

Abstract: A sewing machine aurally informs an operator of abnormal conditions which accidentally have taken, or are taking, place by means of a vocal indication. One group of speech data corresponding to an accidentally occurring abnormal condition is selected from among plural groups of speech data according to a detection signal from a plurality of abnormal condition detectors disposed in the machine. A voice signal corresponding to the selected group of speech data is generated in relation to operation of a manual device e.g. a button such as a switch, for the start of sewing. The operator can hear the warning voice due to this vocal indication simultaneously with the operation of the manual button for the start, whereby he/she is prevented from starting of the machine while the abnormal condition exists.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based motor control system provides overload protection by incrementing a register whenever a full power condition exists and decrementing the register when less than a full power condition exists. When the register reaches a predetermined value, this indicates an overload condition.

Abstract: An abnormal condition warning apparatus for a sewing machine is disclosed. Plural detecting means disposed in the sewing machine detect the occurence of abnormal conditions in which stitch forming instrumentalities are prevented from forming a desired stitch pattern, and each of the plural detecting means generates a detection signal according to the detection. Plural groups of speech data are permanently stored in memory means, and each of the groups is predetermined to represent one of the abnormal conditions in voice. Selecting means selects one group from the plural groups according to the detection signal, an electric signal is generated based on the selected group, and electroacoustic means disposed in the machine speaks one of the abnormal conditions in response to the electric signal.

Abstract: A sewing machine comprises a pedal position detector for detecting the position of a manually operated foot pedal and generating therefrom a pedal position indicating signal. A predetermined position of the armshaft of the sewing machine is detected for generating an armshaft position signal. A soft-start speed setting circuit is provided for successively generating a soft-start speed setting signal of an increasing value as a function of time in response to the occurrence of the armshaft position signal. The soft-start speed setting signal is enabled when it is smaller in magnitude than the pedal position indicating signal and conversely the pedal position indicating signal is enabled when the latter is smaller than the soft-start speed setting signal. The enabled signal is used to control the speed of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A system for controlling a sewing machine includes a drive unit including a motor for driving the sewing machine, a brake unit including a brake for stopping the sewing machine, detection means for detecting operational states of the sewing machine, and input means for supplying operation commands to the sewing machine. The input means converts a plurality of sounds voiced by the operator into predetermined speech signals and issues such signals to a control unit to enable the latter to produce operation command signals corresponding to the speech signals for controlling the drive unit and the brake unit.

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: A detection circuit senses whether a buttonhole type presser foot is attached to a sewing machine presser bar and through a control circuit enables or disables pattern selection switches for machine operation other than a buttonholing mode.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a group of pattern cams arranged to cooperate with a needle to produce a pattern per cycle rotation thereof, a user-operated pattern selecting device arranged to be manipulated for selecting the pattern cams to control a lateral swinging movement of the needle, a machine stopping device, pattern cycle selecting device operated to select one of pattern cycles to automatically stop the sewing machine after a selected pattern has been formed up in a selected pattern cycle, a device for detecting a termination of a pattern cycle and producing an electrical signal each time it detects the termination of the pattern cycle, a counter device responding to a predetermined number of the electrical signals of the pattern cycle detecting device to produce a pulse signal, and machine stopping device responding to the pulse signal of the counter device to operate the machine stopping device to stop the sewing machine.

Abstract: In a sewing machine having a machine controller for controlling the rotational speed of the machine and a needle amplitude, adjusting device, a machine control power source switch is provided which is manipulated to produce a switch-over signal, which is identified in a predetermined lapse of time to avoid an erroneous operation of the sewing machine which may be caused by a simple switching operation of the power source switch. The power source switch is released to return to the initial position and is operated again to switch back the machine controller to the function controlling the rotation speed of the sewing machine. The change-over circuit with transmission gates is provided in the sewing machine, which is electrically connected to the amplitude adjusting device and the machine controller and to the control power source switch, respectively.

Abstract: A control device comprising a housing having a bottom pin, and a cable drum mounted on said bottom pin said cable drum being stressed by a reset spring 11. The cable drum 6 is radially and axially guided, at its periphery, by offset supporting rollers (1c). A regulating member 8a of a potentiometer 8 is fixedly installed on the hub 6a of the cable drum 6. The tap pins 8b of the potentiometer 8 are arranged on the slide 9 axially movable in the hub. The slide 9 is connected with a treadle 3 by a tappet 10 provided with a ball-and-socket joint 9b, 10a. The treadle 3 is mounted to the housing 1 to be vertically pivotable by means of two pivots beside the cable drum 6. The blocking means for the cable drum 6, actuatable by remote control, is located between the two pivots. The device of the present invention is especially suited for the control of electrical household sewing machines.

Abstract: An electronically controlled multiple pattern sewing machine is provided with an arrangement which senses when the buttonhole paddle and buttonhole presser foot are not properly positioned at the time a buttonhole pattern is selected to be sewn. Under these circumstances, an alarm is activated and stitches are not formed even though the operator may attempt to sew.

Abstract: An arrangement for energy economy in a drive which includes an induction motor and a clutch-brake unit, particularly for sewing machines is provided. The windings of the induction motor are dimensioned so that the motor speed remains virtually constant in a stable speed range under normal service conditions, and in which the clutch-brake unit serves to control the drive output speed, so that the motor operates in an alternation of load phases and no-load phases. Switches are included in the current paths of the windings, which reduce the current through the windings to a prescribable degree. A modulation circuit to control the acceleration of the motor speed and its persistence in the stable speed range during load variations is associated with the switches. The modulation circuit contains a delay element, which is triggered when the mains voltage is applied, and an impulse prolongation element having a time constant dimensioned so that the motor remains in the stable speed range under all service conditions.

Abstract: A sewing machine control circuit is disclosed in which acceleration or deceleration of the machine is effected by the operator in such a way as to gradually increase or decrease motor speed during periods of operator intervention and to maintain whatever speed exists at the time operator intervention ceases. Improved circuitry is utilized to perform these functions.

Abstract: A touch switch is composed of a first and a second touch electrodes which are adjacently arranged on a furnishing panel via an insulating substance and a circuit for processing an output therefrom and giving an effective output only when said electrodes are operated within a specific timing range.

Abstract: An auxiliary fast stop braking circuit is provided for an electronically controlled sewing machine having the capability to implement a single pattern of a repetitive stitch pattern by implementing needle bar release from its drive means and zero feed motion at the completion of the last stitch of the pattern. The auxiliary fast stop braking circuit is responsive to selection of a single pattern and to activation of the needle bar release solenoid to implement dynamic braking of the sewing machine motor.

Abstract: When a pulse motor in an electronic sewing machine is to be subjected to a heavy load, the pulse motor is operated at a slower speed in order to cause the pulse motor to operate at a rate in which it has a maximum torque output. For lesser load conditions, pulse motor speed is allowed to increase. Speed control of the pulse motor follows a generally trapezoidal curve, which curve includes a speed-up section and a slow-down section, and may include a flat section. That portion of the generally trapezoidal curve along which motor speed follows is determined by the distance which the pulse motor is required to move.

Abstract: A speed control device for a sewing machine having a drive motor, includes a foot controller with a variable resister and a depressable operating plate; depending upon the extent to which the plate is depressed the variable resister provides a variable resistance value for the motor. The controller also has manually operable push buttons each sewing to selectively connect one of several different fixed-value resistors in circuit with the drive motor. A changeover switch connects the variable resistor into the motor circuit when the plate is depressed and disconnects the variable resister from the circuit while connecting the fixed resistors into the circuit, when the plate is not depressed.

Abstract: A sewing machine composed of a drive motor, an upper shaft with detector, a motor speed control and a motor starting and stopping control. The motor speed control has a bistable device to start and stop the machine in response to signals from a switch and an extreme lower speed control to drive the motor at an extreme low speed in response to a signal from a switch. Motor speed control also has counters which when set and actuated by a switch execute a predetermined finite number of stitches. Motor control device also has circuits allowing the motor to operate in response to a variable speed control switch.

Abstract: A device for feeding to a sewing machine a strip of fabric, in particular a longitudinally folded band to serve as a pocket welt, comprises a generally oval-shaped guide mountable on the sewing-machine base and provided with sides shaped as U-profiles and with a tongue at an output end for folding a fabric strip upon passage thereof along a feed path to a sewing station at the machine. A beam of light from a gallium-arsenide source traverses the feed path in the region of the tongue to energize a photocell upon passage of a workpiece, the photocell being connected to a stitch counter for activating the same upon energization by the source. The guide has a length scale with graduations spaced in the direction of the feed path for implementing the manual positioning of a fabric strip prior to the feeding thereof to the sewing station, while the stitch counter is operationally coupled to the reciprocating sewing-needle drive to arrest the same upon counting a predetermined number of stitches.

Abstract: A low speed adaptor for use in a sewing machine driven by a main motor, particularly to one which employs a main transmission belt and an auxiliary transmission belt to change the speed of the sewing machine from high to low. This main transmission belt passes over the belt pulley of the main motor, then over the transmission belt pulley of the adaptor, and then over the belt pulley of the sewing machine; while, the auxiliary transmission belt passes over the belt pulley of the auxiliary motor and over the belt pulley of the adaptor body. The adaptor comprises an electromagnetic clutch and brake device capable of selectively switching the drive of the sewing machine from the main motor operating at high speed to the auxiliary motor operating at low speed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a tufting machine including preestablishing a selected stitch number and a selected yarn feed length for a predetermined unit feed length of ground fabric, determining stitch number and yarn feed length for the unit feed length of ground fabric by means of measured values respectively obtained from a ground fabric feed detector, a yarn feed detector and a stitch number detector, comparing the measured values with the preestablished stitch number and the preestablished yarn feed length, and automatically controlling the rotation speeds of a spiked roller and a yarn roller respectively to correct the ground fabric feed and the yarn feed to the preestablished values whenever the measured values depart from a predetermined tolerance from the selected values.

Abstract: A motor controller for an electric sewing machine mounted in a removable portion of the housing of the machine. The controller is actuatable by a pneumatic switch which successively closes a plurality of contacts as the air pressure to the switch is increased to enable the speed of the motor to be increased smoothly and gradually without sparking at the contacts.

Abstract: A zigzag sewing machine of a sewing pattern selectable type is disclosed having a cloth advancing mechanism for advancing a cloth at a predetermined pitch after every one stitch and a pitch control dial for controlling the length of said pitch. A plurality of indication lamps are provided for producing a warning signal when an erroneous combination between the cam selection and pitch adjustment is constituted.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the switching moments for special functions of automatic embroidery, straight-stitching-and sewing-machines with which the electrical signals which determine the switching moment are formed by logical switching operations in an electric or electronic control.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for minimizing sewing needle breakage on a zig zag sewing machine. A device is included on the sewing machine for sensing the presence of a straight stitch presser foot and, if present, for inhibiting any lateral jogging of the needle bar due to the operator inadvertently selecting a zig zag pattern.

Abstract: A loop forming and cutting apparatus for a tufting machine which comprises a looper having a forwardly directed bill, a slot disposed transversely through a substantial portion of the length of the bill, and a blade pivotally mounted to the looper, with the cutting edge portion thereof extending into the slot. Thus the lower edge of the bill and the cutting edge of the blade form a forwardly facing, scissors-like bight which acts to sever the yarn loops as they move rearwardly along the bill. Means are provided for terminating operation of the tufting machine when any one of the blades becomes dull.

Abstract: An electric motor-driven sewing machine which includes a drive mechanism for driving the machine by an electric motor, a mechanism for stopping operation of the machine by a brake, an automatic thread trimmer mechanism, a wiper mechanism for removing the trimmed thread, command switches for providing command signals to the sewing machine and control circuit means for controlling the various operations of the sewing machine in accordance with electrical signals. Apparatus is provided for detecting an abnormal state in which input signals which are not to take place simultaneously occur simultaneously, and to invalidate the operations of the various mechanisms of the sewing machine to protect the user from danger due to erroneous operations of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A speed control apparatus for use with an electric sewing machine having a motor drive control device for controlling the drive of the motor. The apparatus comprises a sensing device which can be optionally touched by the operator of the sewing machine, and a sensing signal generating circuit adapted to generate a signal in response to an electric change which is caused when the human body touches the sensing device, the arrangement being such that in response to the operator of the sewing machine touching the sensing device, the sensing signal generating circuit gives a predetermined signal to the motor drive control device, thereby stopping the drive of the motor.

Abstract: A protection apparatus for an electric sewing machine having a drive mechanism for driving the sewing machine by a motor comprises a speed detecting means for detecting a rotational speed of a shaft of the sewing machine, comparator means for comparing a rotational speed signal of the shaft of the sewing machine from the speed detecting means with an externally applied speed command signal indicative of a predetermined rotational speed of the sewing machine to determine from the comparison result whether the sewing machine is in a fault state, and invalidation means for deactivating the drive mechanism when the fault state of the sewing machine is determined by the comparison means. The protection apparatus detects the rotation of the shaft of the sewing machine while an operation command for the sewing machine is being inputted to early-detect an overload condition of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a safety device which protects an operator's fingers from the needle and includes a ring suspended over the presser foot of the machine. The suspended member is movable by finger pressure applied thereto in any direction and when so moved, completes an electric circuit to shut off the machine.

Abstract: A fixed speed sewing machine is disclosed having only start and stop control capability for the actual running of the machine. An arrangement is provided for controlling the acceleration of the sewing machine drive motor so that it is gradual, rather than abrupt.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a main drive shaft to which is drivingly coupled the output member of a coupling motor unit, the latter including an electric motor having a constantly rotating output shaft, a braking structure, and electrically controlled electromagnets for causing the output member to engage and become disengaged from the output shaft and the braking structure to increase and decrease the rpm of the main drive shaft of the machine. An rpm regulator has first and second inputs for receipt of a desired-rpm command signal and an actual-rpm feedback signal. The actual-rpm feedback signal is generated using a pole wheel rotating synchronously with the sewing-machine drive shaft and a plurality of pick-up transducers spaced along the pole-wheel periphery. During pole-wheel rotation, an A.C. voltage is induced in each such pick-up transducer. The spacing of the transducers relative to the spacing of the poles of the pole wheel is such that these induced voltages are phase-shifted relative to one another.

Abstract: An improved speed controlling system for an electric motor, mainly used in a sewing machine includes a motor connected to a power supply, a speed controlling circuit or circuits for operating the motor at variably controlled speeds, and an electrical braking circuit or circuits for braking the motor upon receiving deceleration command from the speed controlling circuit(s) to transfer the motor from a high speed running state to a low speed running one. Electromechanical braking means are provided for acting on the motor, during at least a part of the braking period, the braking means being controlled by the electrical braking circuit(s). A low speed setting circuit is disposed in the speed controlling circuit(s) for maintaining the low speed running state caused by the electromechanical braking means and the electrical braking circuit(s).

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed wherein positioning of the work feeding mechanism and/or needle is controlled by a respective actuator responsive to stitch pattern signals applied thereto. To enable the actuator to complete its positioning for the next stitch prior to repenetration of the needle, the power supplied to the main drive motor of the sewing machine is interrupted until the actuator has completed its task.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the automatic refilling of a bobbin spool, in a lock stitch type sewing machine, in the interval between the loading of work units. After sewing of a predetermined work unit, consisting of a single workpiece, or several workpieces, a premeasured thread length on the bobbin spool is exhausted. While the machine operator places a new work unit in position for sewing, the mechanism of the invention refills the empty bobbin spool, in situ, with a precisely measured length of bobbin thread, drawn from an effectively continuous supply source. The mechanisms provided for this purpose, in and of themselves generally known, are arranged in an improved, simplified and more compact arrangement, suitable for incorporation in a variety of commercial lock stitch type sewing machines available to the trade.

Abstract: In a protective device for controlling a sewing machine at a predetermined number of revolutions by a motor equipped with a clutch mechanism and a brake mechanism which are electromagnetically actuated, a protective device is constructed comprising a detector to detect substantially the rotation of the driving shaft of the sewing machine, and a detector to detect the voltage of a control circuit with an output from the detectors being compared with a reference value representative of a predetermined driving state for the sewing machine, so that when the output of the detector becomes lower than the reference value, the operation of the control circuit is terminated, whereby safe operation is provided for the apparatus and an operator.

Abstract: A motor, a clutch and a brake part are provided to drive a sewing machine. Two potentiometers are connected in series with individual ones of two respective switches and in parallel across two leads of a control cable which is connected to a control box. The control box supplies power to the motor under the control of a pedal. One of the switches is a contact switch controlled by a knee switch one of whose surfaces, swivelable about an axis, rests against the actuating member of the contact switch. The other switch is a position switch, such as a toggle switch, and is carried by another surface of the knee switch.

Abstract: A sewing machine motor speed regulating system which provides two speed ranges which, in turn, have independently controllable maximum attainable speed adjust. This is accomplished by selectively exciting one of two variable trim resistors serially inserted in the silicon controlled rectifier gate/controller circuit.

Abstract: In a control circuit for controlling the rotating speed of a clutch and brake motor of a sewing machine capable of performing non-ravel seaming, an improved non-ravel seaming controller for enabling non-ravel seaming during a certain number of seams at the start of sewing and for generating a medium speed signal at a predetermined level during a certain number of seams at the end of sewing to enable non-ravel seaming at such time.

Abstract: An electric sewing machine is provided on which it is feasible conveniently to perform variously programmed sewing, for example, continuous sewing for forming a desired zigzag seam and non-ravel seams at the start and the end of the zigzag seam. The sewing machine comprises:At least one regulator for influencing the operation of stitch forming instrumentalities thereof, i.e., an amplitude regulator and/or a feed regulator;A manual knob operatively connected to the regulator for setting the regulator at a desired setting;A single manually operable member shiftable among three specific positions,A first one for stopping the machine,A second one for running the machine under the operation of the knob to form the desired (e.g., zigzag) seam, andA third one for running the machine out of the operation of the knob to form a predetermined (e.g., non-ravel) seam.

Abstract: A system for producing a control signal upon intrusion of a human part into a protected area, for example the area about the needle of a sewing machine, whereby radio frequency signals at a predetermined frequency are coupled to the human machine operator from a plate on which he sits or stands. As the operator's fingers or other body part approaches the protected area, an antenna receives the rf signal and applies it to an rf phase lock loop receiver which produces an output pulse when the received signal is at the predetermined frequency and is above a predetermined amplitude to operate solenoids which prevent or terminate machine operation. Preferably, withdrawal of the body part triggers a timer which produces a signal permitting the machine to operate for a given time which is greater than the normal time between intrusions, thus continuously checking that the system is working properly.

Abstract: An automatic buttonholing device which uses a specially modified presser foot into which electrical contacts are inserted for actuating an electromechanical buttonholing assembly. The operator places small conductive markers on the fabric at the top and bottom of the desired buttonhole location. When the contacts on the presser foot ride over the markers, a circuit is completed and proper steps in the buttonholing sequence are initiated.

Abstract: Sensor including a non-contact proximity sensor, proportional change detector system and a sample gate. The machine logic program of the Automatic Sewing System generates a signal which enables the sample gate, at given times during the work cycle. The sample gate also receives a signal indicating fabric discontinuities which is generated by the sensor element. When such input signals are present, at the sample gate, an output is generated thereby to overcome the fabric discontinuities problem.