Abstract: The invention includes in one form a sewing machine, two trackers (mice) to track the ends of material-to-be-joined, and a controller for controlling stitch formation to achieve precise control of the material position, permitting desired easing (positive or negative). A long table is preferably used with a separation plate so that the two panels-to-be-joined can be laid out flat and separated during sewing. The mice slide in tracks so they will move in a straight line. The mice are adapted so that tension can be maintained and that the mice can be pulled back when the seam is done. Optical encoders are used so that the position of the mice, and thus endpoints of the panels, can accurately be determined. The sewing machine has an attachment that provides differential feed of the two plies in response to the desired and actual position of the stitches.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for automatic sewing of a piece of fabric along its edges. The process is of the type in which a rolling element (12) orientable by pivoting around a vertical axis YY' bears against the fabric in front of the presser-foot in order to guide and entrain the fabric in front of the sewing zone. The rolling element (12) is driven into rotational movement by a cylinder (16) bearing against that element in its upper zone traversed by the pivoting axis YY' in such a manner that the contact of the cylinder against the rolling element leaves this latter free to pivot, especially at high frequency, about the axis YY' independently of the value of the friction coefficient between the cylinder and the rolling element.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a pattern matching system for matching patterns on two fabric pieces to be sewn to each other, based on detected hues of the patterns. Any mismatch between the patterns is calculated on the basis of color quality information converted from detected intensities of light which is reflected by the fabric pieces. The fabric pieces are fed relatively to each other so that the patterns thereon are matched, based on the calculated mismatch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and transporting workpieces from a pickup location to a seaming location on a worksurface. Workpieces are rotated through a user-determinable seaming angle so as to re-position the workpiece for sewing a pure straight/angled seam at the seaming location. The device includes a self-compensation system wherein seaming of the workpiece will commence at the leading edge thereof regardless of the initial position of the workpiece at the pickup location.

Abstract: In a device for ascertaining the actual feed transmittted by an feed device f an industrial sewing machine to a material to be sewn, in which the number of the threads moved across a sensor arrangement is counted and the feed is calculated from the previously detected thread density, it is provided, for obtaining an exact thread count which is as independent as possible of the orientation of the sewn web, to place ahead of the photocell (10) of the sensor arrangement a rotating slit diaphragm (7) with at least one radially extending parallel limited slit (8). Preferably a second, rotationally adjustable, but fixed slit diaphragm (5) is provided, having slits (6) opening across a set angular sector, the rotatitng slit diaphragm (7) having a larger number of slits (8). Because of this the required rpm of the slit diaphragm (7) can be reduced. To avoid errors caused by the pattern of the material it is possible to operate in the relatively longer wave infrared spectrum.

Abstract: Patterns of two fabric layers are each recognized by a camera and the fabric layers are aligned to make these patterns agree in the transverse and longitudinal directions. According to the invention the influence of speed-related disturbance variables and pattern-related limitations during the generation of the signal is reduced. Two-dimensional images of the two fabric layers are recorded with a matrix camera each during a pause between feeds. The degree of congurence of the fabric layers according to the pattern is determined by two-dimensional cross-correlation analysis of the image points arranged in rows and columns. Aligning correction values are calculated from this degree. The edge distance of the fabric layers is determined with a section of the matrix sensors, which is a separate section in terms of evaluation. Based on the edge distance data, the lower fabric layer is adjusted to the correct distance continuously and the upper fabric layer is adjusted as needed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for use in a sewing machine. The improvements include preloading two pieces of material which are to be sewn together. The preloading is accomplished by positioning pieces of material to be sewn under a gripper spaced from the sewing head on a table while prior pieces of material are being sewn. The gripper engages the material and, when the prior sewing operation is completed, the gripper is moved across the table toward the sewing head to load the preloaded pieces of material. When the two pieces of material are preloaded, most of the material hangs over an edge of the table and the lengths of the pieces of material are determined by movable detectors.

Abstract: A trouser-fly piece serging apparatus includes a guide unit disposed upstream of a serging station and composed of a first elongate guide member extending at an angle relative to the path of movement of a trouser-fly piece being advanced by a serging unit, and a second elongate guide member extending parallel to the path of movement of the trouser-fly piece. The trouser-fly piece is guided by the first guide member into the serging station so that a trimming cutter disposed immediately upstream of the serging unit assumes a position to conform to a curvature of the leading end of a substantially arcuate trimming line passing across a corner of the leading end of the trouser-fly piece. Synchronous operation of the serging unit and the trimming cutter causes the trouser-fly piece to turn in one direction during which an arcuate corner which is trimmed by the trimming cutter and subsequently serged by the serging unit is automatically produced on the leading end of the trouser-fly piece.

Abstract: For laterally aligning a fabric web edge during sewing with a sewing machine (4, 6), a guide means (2) is used which can be moved perpendicularly to the conveying direction of the fabric web (S) in order to gently press the fabric web against an abutment (16) which is designed, for instance, as a driven roller and is capable of producing a variable counter-pressure. The guide means contains a ball chain (18) guided about two chain wheels. The balls are supported on a plastic rope so as to be able to rotate together with the fabric web being conveyed. By rotating the chain wheels, the lower length of the chain (18) and, thus, the fabric web (S) can be shifted laterally so as to obtain the desired aligning effect.

Abstract: An edge tracing sewing machine includes a reciprocable needle bar having a needle at a lower end, a forward feed driving device for feeding a work fabric in a sewing direction, a lateral feed driving device for feeding the work fabric in a lateral direction perpendicular ot the sewing direction, a fabric-edge position detector, a tracing width setting device, and a control device. The control device determines a lateral feed amount based on signals from the fabric-edge position detector and the tracing width setting device. The control device operates the lateral feed driving device plural times until the work fabric is fed by the determined lateral feed amount by the lateral feed driving device, if the determined laterla feed amount is greater than a maximum lateral feed pitch of the lateral feed driving device.

Abstract: A sewing machine capable of performing a profile sewing in which a stitch is provided at a position spaced away from an edgeline of a workpiece by a predetermined constant distance to provide a predetermined margin. The sewing machine is provided with memory means which stores therein the needle position data. This data is transmitted to a sewing needle swinging mechanism so as to move the sewing needle to a position inwardly spaced away from the edgeline to provide the margin. The sewing machine is also provided with image forming means connected to the memory means for providing a visualized image of a stitching reference line on one of a surface of the bed and the workpiece fabric on the bed in accordance with the needle position data. The stitching reference serves as a guide line along which the edgeline is placed.

Abstract: An automatic fabric guide mechanism in a sewing machine includes at least one edge displacement detecting device including a common light source and a pair of light sensors juxtaposed to each other so as to receive rays of light from the common light source. The light source and the light sensors cooperate with each other to define a generally U-shaped channel for accommodating a free lateral edge of a fabric during the feed of the fabric past the stitching position. This detecting device is so designed and so operated as to detect the occurrence of a lateral swing of the fabric being sewed depending on whether both of the light sensors fail to receive the rays of light from the common light source or whether both of the light sensors receive the rays of the light from the common light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a sewing machine with a textile fabric with opposite side hems. The sewing machine has a needle assembly and a bobbin assembly which are vertically aligned with each other to sew a textile fabric placed at a position between the needle and bobbin assemblies. The feeding apparatus is designed to set and withdraw the fabric into and from said position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for aligning one or more plies of material moving in a predetermined direction, and preferably through a desired path of travel, prior to stitching in a sewing machine. A friction wheel or other guide element is provided for applying a force to the ply having a component in a direction transverse to the direction of travel and sensors are provided for sensing the transverse position of the ply at the point where the sensor is located relative to the desired transverse position at that point. The sensor outputs are weighted, and where two or more sensors are provided, the sensor outputs are combined in a predetermined manner. The combined and weighted outputs are then utilized to control the transverse force applied by the guide element to the ply. The operating speed of the sewing machine may be utilized either as an additional input to control transverse force or to control the rate at which adjustments are made to the transverse force.

Abstract: An edge detector for detecting the edge of fabric in a textile folding or guiding device for an industrial sewing machine. The detector includes a light source mounted adjacent to one surface of the fabric as the fabric enters the folder. The light source is positioned for directing light onto the surface of the fabric. A photodetector is located adjacent to the light source for receiving light reflected from the surface of the fabric. The photodetector provides an output signal in response to the light reflected from the surface of the fabric which is indicative of the position of the fabric in the folder.

Abstract: An edge tracing sewing machine includes a reciprocable needle bar having a needle at a lower end, a needle position sensor for detecting needle-down position, a presser bar having a presser foot at a lower end, a presser foot switch for detecting an upper position of the presser foot, a vertical feed driving device, a forward feed driving device for feeding a work fabric in a sewing direction, a lateral feed driving device for feeding the work fabric in a lateral direction perpendicular to the sewing direction, a fabric-edge position detector, a tracing width setting device, and a control device. The control device controls the lateral feed driving device based on signals from the fabric-edge position detector and the tracing width setting device, so as to carry out a tracing sewing with the tracing width set by the tracing width setting device.

Abstract: An edge tracing sewing machine includes a reciprocable needle bar having a needle at a lower end, a forward feed driving device for feeding a work fabric in a sewing direction, a lateral feed driving device for feeding the work fabric in a lateral direction perpendicular to the sewing direction, a tracing width setting device for setting a tracing width from the edge of the work fabric to the needle in the lateral direction, a fabric-edge sensor movable in the lateral direction for detecting an edge of the work fabric, a fabric-edge position detector for detecting a position of the fabric-edge sensor, and a control device. The control device moves the fabric-edge sensor in the lateral direction to make the fabric-edge sensor follow the edge of the work fabric. The control device controls the lateral feed driving device based on the tracing width set by the tracing width setting device and the position of the fabric-edge sensor detected by the fabric-edge position detector.

Abstract: An edge tracing sewing machine includes a reciprocable needle bar having a needle at a lower end, a needle position sensor for detecting needle-down position, a presser bar having a presser foot at a lower end, a presser foot switch for detecting an upper position of the presser foot, a vertical feed driving device, a forward feed driving device for feeding a work fabric in a sewing direction, a lateral feed driving device for feeding the work fabric in a lateral direction perpendicular to the sewing direction, a fabric-edge position detector, a tracing width setting device, and a control device. The control device controls the lateral feed driving device based on signals from the fabric-edge position detector and the tracing width setting device, so as to carry out a tracing sewing with the tracing width set by the tracing width setting device.

Abstract: In a sewing station, an alignment device is provided in the delivery area from a first conveyance device to a second conveyance device and, seen from the direction of movement of the piece of material, before a processing station. The alignment device has alignment strips which may be raised and lowered and which are also horizontally adjustable. The strips are controlled by sensing elements sensing the arrangement of the front edges of the pieces of material and placed on the piece of material. In accordance with the oblique position of the forward moving edge of the piece of material, the alignment strips are moved together with the piece of material in the direction of conveyance or counter to the direction of conveyance, and this continues until the oblique position of the forward moving edge is corrected or lies within the allowable tolerance. After such alignment, the second conveyance device conveys the piece of material to the processing station.

Abstract: A sewing machine for the controlled sewing on of a tape from a tape supply onto a tubular edge region of an elastic workpiece thus forming a band, which is provided with an additional feed dog in front of the usual feed dog in the region of the needle plate. The additional feed dog is driven by a stepping motor transversely with respect to the workpiece feed direction and is used to guide and align the workpiece. Sensors control the alignment movement of the workpiece.

Abstract: A fabric edge trace stitching system in combination with an electronically controlled zigzag sewing machine comprising a driving actuator for changing the relative position of the needle and the work fabric in the direction perpendicular to the fabric feed direction, is for forming a seam tracing along an edge of the work fabric, and comprises a fabric edge detecting device, a trace width setting device, a signal compensating device for forming a smooth and approximate seam as the plain seam or a precise seam as the stitch seam, a stitch position control decive for controlling a stitching position of the needle through a swing control device, and a switching device for selecting one of the signal processing devices in the signal compensating device.

Abstract: A seam forming apparatus for forming a seam in one or more limp material segments includes a fold assembly and a driver for positioning the segments within guide channels in the fold assembly prior to presentation to a seam joining device. The driver controls the segments to be at associated predetermined positions within the fold assembly.

Abstract: An assembling device for fabric layers of simple construction providing two plates connected to each other, one of which carries a plurality of needles and the other of which has a series of corresponding holes. The two plates may be brought near to each other, so that the needles jut out from the holes for transfixing the fabric layers, and may be removed so that the plate with the holes slips off the fabric layers from the needles. A locking mechanism is provided with locks, in an unlockable way, the two plates in their approached position.

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: In order to permit a reliable alignment, in the direction transverse to the direction of rotation, of the edge 5 of the opening of a tubular workpiece 4 of medium-heavy to heavy sewing material which is drawn with considerable pre-tension over a tensioning device 3, each of the tensioning rollers 6, 7, 8 belonging to the tensioning device 3 has at least three alignment members 15 distributed uniformly over its circumference. Each alignment member 15 has an engagement side with a gripping surface. After optically scanning the edge 5 of the opening of the workpiece 4, one or more of the alignment members are displaced by a pulsating action of a pressure fluid, radially and axially, in the tensioning roller 6, 7, 8. In this way, the gripping surfaces of the alignment members 15 grip the inner side of the tubular workpiece 4 and displace it transversely to its direction of rotation.

Abstract: A sewing machine for forming successive stitches along an edge of a workpiece, including an endwise reciprocable sewing needle, a feeding device for feeding the workpiece in a feed direction, in synchronization with reciprocations of the needle, a control motor for changing a relative position between the needle and the workpiece in a lateral direction perpendicular to the feed direction, an edge sensor generating an output signal corresponding to a position relative to the workpiece edge in the lateral direction, and a position control device for receiving the output signal from the sensor in synchronization with the needle reciprocations and applying to the control motor a drive signal to control the relative position between the needle and the workpiece edge. The drive signal is determined based on the output signal of the sensor.

Abstract: The method of making contour seams on material to be sewn starts from a sewing position in which the material to be sewn has been clamped in spread manner, before the sewing operation, by means of three gripping points provided along a contour line. The contour line is defined by the pattern of the cut and superimposed fabric edges of pieces of material to be sewn together. The gripping point closest to the sewing-machine is stationary, and the two other gripping points are each supported so as to be movable in a polar coordinate system. Initiation of the sewing operation is effected each time with simultaneous release of the material to be sewn in the stationary gripping point, and in at least part of the sewing operation the stitch chain is guided parallel to the contour line in opto-electronic control.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the position of a sheet member (e.g., fabric) slidingly supported on a work surface, utilizing a drive train consisting of one or more drive wheels frictionally engaging a spherical ball captively supported within a housing. The drive wheels are preferrably located in spaced, mutually orthogonal relation proximate the great circle of the spherical ball. The spherical ball rests on and frictionally engages the fabric-to-be-positioned. Rotation of one of the drive wheels causes the spherical ball to rotate which, in turn, moves the fabric in a direction dependent on the location and orientation of said one drive wheel. The inventor can be implemented as an active feedback system utilizing the above-described apparatus together with position detectors and a controller.

Abstract: An alignment device for the automatic adjustment of the edge of a tubular workpiece to be sewn on a sewing machine having, a presser foot, a feed dog operating on the presser foot, a sensing device for detecting the edge of the workpiece, and a guide member disposed on a side of the feed dog. The alignment device has a device for rotatably driving the guide member, and a device responsive to the sensing device for controlling the equatorial or peripheral speed of the guide member relative to the sewing speed of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A sewing machine having an edge sensor for detecting an edge of a workpiece in a lateral direction perpendicular to the workpiece feed direction, and a tracing control device for controlling a relative position between a needle and the workpiece in the lateral direction to form stitches along a line a predetermined distance away from the workpiece edge. A motor to change a relative position between the workpiece edge and the sensor is operated from a first limit position to a second limit position to obtain first output signals of the sensor, and an average of a maximum and a minimum value of the first output signals is calculated. The motor is then operated from the second limit position toward the first limit position to obtain second output signals of the sensor. A first and a second average position signal are determined such that the average position signals correspond to the average value of the maximum and minimum values of the first output signals.

Abstract: The invention consists in manually inserting a first piece of fabric (49) into the bottom portion of an edge guide comprising three superposed plates (2, 3, 4). The piece of fabric is pushed towards the end of the edge guide by means of jets of air until the side (51) of the piece along which sewing is to be performed is aligned with an end abutment. A dog (17) placed beneath the bottom plate (2) presses the piece of fabric (49) against the bottom face of the middle plate (3) and then displaces it along the sewing line direction until the other side (52) of the corner has reached a reference line (53). A second piece of fabric (54) is manually inserted and is positioned in the same way as the first by means of a dog (18) placed above the top plate (4). Once both of the pieces of fabric (49 and 54) are exactly superposed, the dogs (17, 18) drive them simultaneously at the same speed under the presser foot (47) of the sewing machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for aligning fabric as it is advanced in a prescribed direction toward a sewing machine such as a double overlock seamer for stitching pants. Photosensitive devices sense displacement of edges of upper and lower fabric plies relative to a desired alignment line. Error signals are produced when either ply edge is displaced from the desired alignment line. Friction wheels responsive to the respective error signals guide each ply toward the desired alignment line as it is advanced toward the sewing machine. Each friction wheel pivots about an axis perpendicular to the ply and is controlled by a stepper motor. Each friction wheel is movable between an operating position in which it is biased against the respective fabric ply, and a retracted position for insertion or removal of fabric. The pressure applied to the fabric ply by the friction wheel is adjustable.

Abstract: A sewing machine capable of forming a line of stitches along the edge of a workpiece, while the needle is reciprocated by a needle bar relative to the workpiece in a feeding movement. The needle bar is supported by an oscillator which is joggable in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction. A sensor is provided to detect the fabric edge, by emitting a radiation toward a reflecting surface provided on the work bed of the machine. The sensor determines the position of the fabric edge by detecting an amount of the reflected radiation received. The reflecting surface has a concave shape in cross section taken in a vertical plane parallel to the feeding direction. The lateral jogging movement of the oscillator is controlled according to the amount of the reflected radiation received by the sensor, so that the line of stitches is spaced apart from the edge of the workpiece by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A folding device for an automatic sewing machine has a carrier plate for a first workpiece, a sword which is movable in the longitudinal direction thereof to receive a second workpiece and an outer frame having creasing devices for folding the second workpiece around the sword. The outer frame is pivotable into a total of three different working positions. In addition, it is movable out of its working positions into a retracted position. The purpose of this measure is to improve the field of vision for the operator while at the same time reducing the risk of an accident.

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 folding device for an automatic sewing machine has a vacuum holding device for a sword. This measure serves to ensure a perfect position of the sword relative to an outer frame of the folding device during creasing of a workpiece. A suction plate provided for this purpose is pivotable relative to the outer frame in a direction away from the sword. This serves to allow very precise creasing to take place.

Abstract: For the manufacture of pantihose, a gusset inserting machine is coupled to a hosiery machine such as a boarding or toe closing machine, for automatic transfer or gussetted pantihose to the latter machine, by a first transfer mechanism which strips pantihose from the gusset machine and loads a rotary conveyor and by a second transfer mechanism which strips the pantihose from the conveyor and loads it on a pair of supports of the receiving hosiery machine. After the gusset machine has seamed a gusset into the pantihose, a support head on which the pantihose is mounted for gusset insertion is rotated through a predetermined angle for orienting the pantihose according to the loading requirements of the receiving machine, and the two transfer mechanisms and conveyor maintain the orientation of the pantihose as established by rotation of the support head.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically and sequentially transferring and inverting preformed pocket-like fabric blanks from a first sewing station where a first seam is applied to an outturned marginal edge to a second sewing station where a second parallel seam is applied to the inturned marginal edge. A first pickup mechanism identifies, lifts, and transfers multiple ply fabric work pieces from the surface of a work table onto a spreading jaw mechanism by clamping on the upper ply or plies of the work piece with a pair of gripping fingers. The first mechanism is inserted between the plies and operable to grip the upper ply of the work piece, even where the confronting, unseamed, marginal edges of the work piece are not aligned. A second spreading jaw mechanism includes a pair of vertically spreadable jaws onto which the fabric blank is placed. A third inverting mechanism slides between the spread jaws to invert the work piece onto a split mandrel.

Abstract: A pattern aligning device for a sewing machine having two two-dimensional pattern sensors, first and second computing means and first and second actuating mechanisms. Responsive to the two-dimensional pattern data sensed by the sensors, the first and second computing means compute the displacements between the patterns on the two sheets of material in two directions. The calculated displacements in the two directions are actuated by the first and the second actuating mechanisms to correct the alignment of the two sheets of material during sewing.

Abstract: To produce pillow cases, bed sheets or like covers 10 fully automatically, a first transporting device 17 for the sections 24 cut off a supply of fabric 16 is provided in a sewing arrangement which supplies the sections 24 to a folding station 28. There each section of fabric 24 is folded over an aligning plate 32 by means of a folding bar 29 which can be moved back and forth. Above said aligning plate 32, a device 36 for the edge alignment of each folded section of fabric 24 is provided which is controllable in respect to the respective offset of the two layers 31, 33 of the folded section of fabric 24. A second transporting device 60 takes up the folded and aligned sections of fabric 24 and transports them to a first sewing station 61 where the two layers 31, 33 of the sections of fabric 24 are sewn together along two aligned edges.

Abstract: A workpiece controlling device for a sewing machine comprising, a workpiece feed mechanism which feeds material in a substantially straight line, an alignment device disposed immediately in advance of the point of stitch formation in the region of a needle plate, a device for moving the alignment device transversely relative to the direction of material feed in the sewing machine, with the alignment device acting on the workpiece in synchronism with the stitch formation, and a device for controlling the transverse motion of the alignment device.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes an edge aligning device for aligning an edge of individually fed sheets with respect to an underlying table. A tray overlies the table and has an upper sheet-receiving surface for receiving the individually fed sheets. An aligning member mounted to overly the tray includes an aligning wall having a knife edge lightly engageable with the tray. The tray is reciprocated by a reciprocating drive through a forward stroke positioning the tray to receive a sheet on its sheet-receiving surface laterally of the knife edge, and a return stroke moving the sheet-receiving surface towards the knife edge to move the sheet thereon against the knife edge, thereby to align the sheet therewith, and then past the knife edge while further movement of the sheet is arrested by the knife edge, thereby permitting the sheet to drop onto the underlying table.

Abstract: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for processing workpieces prearranged within pallets in an automatic sewing machine system. The apparatus includes an automatic release of a pallet containing a sewn workpiece. The front of the pallet drops onto shock absorbing members located within inclined chutes. The chutes contain slides which allow the dropped pallet to slide downwardly following impact with the shock absorbing members. The chutes are mounted in such a manner that they may be easily removed from the automatic sewing machine system.

Abstract: An installation for linear treatment, such as the edging of textile pieces. It comprises a sewing machine, equipped with a feed dog/presser foot system, a work table which supports the piece during edging, a detection device and two recentering means controlled together or independently of each other by the instructions given by the detection device. The two recentering means consist, on the one hand, of an active guide placed immediately in front of the presser foot and ensuring displacement of that part of the piece located near the presser foot, substantially transversely with respect to the line of stitching, and, on the other hand, of a mobile support placed upstream of the active guide presenting a mobile flat surface, on the same plane as the work table.

Abstract: A guide device for the workpieces on a sewing machine comprises driven guide wheels arranged one above and one below the workpiece, and revolving in a plane extending crosswise to a sewing direction for the workpieces. The guide wheels are each mounted on a low-mass rocker which are, in turn, mounted on a support. Due to the low-mass construction of the rockers, they form together with the respective guide wheels, vibratory systems uncoupled from the respective supports, whereby a uniform frictional contact between the guide wheels and the workpieces is achieved.

Abstract: A zig zag sewing machine having a feed device for feeding a workpiece in a feed direction on a work bed, an endwise reciprocable needle bar for carrying a needle, and a support member joggable laterally with respect to the feed direction and supporting the needle bar, including a detector having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion and disposed on the support member for detecting the edge of the workpiece extending in the feed direction. The detector is movable laterally with respect to the feed direction in a predetermined positional relation with the support member at least when the support member is laterally moved. The lateral positions of the support member and the detector are changed by a driving device which is controlled so that an amount of light received by the light receiving portion coincides with a predetermined amount, whereby successive stitches to be formed by the needle are placed on a line which is away from the workpiece edge by a predetermined constant distance.

Abstract: Fabric parts are fed to a sewing operation through a lap seam folder and the overlapped edges of the parts are maintained in proper relationship by a pair of rollers engageable with the respective parts and mounted for rotation in respective planes of rotation which intersect the feedline of the parts approaching the sewing needle. The rollers are mounted on pivotally supported arms which are operably connected to respective pneumatic cylinder type actuators for moving the arms between operative and retracted positions and for adjusting the biasing force on the arms in accordance with the type of fabric being fed through the seam folder device. The biasing forces on the rollers may be adjusted by adjusting the plane of rotation with respect to the feed direction as well as by the biasing force provided by the respective actuators.

Abstract: In a sewing machine with a feed device which comprises a feed wheel arranged next to a stitch formation point, driven synchronously with stitch formation tools, and mounted in a support provided at the housing of the sewing machine, in order to obtain an extremely exact drive in both directions, the feed wheel is placed in driving connection with a step motor. In a manner known in itself, the step motor receives stepping pulses which can be generated by a pulse generator operating synchronously with a main shaft of the machine and via a counting device that determines the feed amount. This feed amount is presettable by selectable digital data contained in a memory. In an arrangement wherein the feed wheel is connected to its drive via a deflection gearing and a transmission shaft mounted in the support, the deflection gearing consists of a ring gear attached to the feed wheel and of a pinion firmly connected to the transmission shaft.

Abstract: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, a smoothing device which removes wrinkles from the garment portions when positioned on the conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.