Abstract: A sewing machine attachment (12) for sewing a label to a workpiece or sewing other 360 degree operations having a sliding cloth plate (22), cloth clamps (24 and 26), a backup clamp (32) and a template (30) for clamping the workpiece and label is disclosed. The template has first and second peripheral surfaces, and at least part of the contour of the first peripheral surface in a first position substantially aligns with at least part of the contour of the second peripheral surface in a second position. The template is moved between the first position and the second position during the 360 degree operation.

Abstract: A work-feed mechanism for a sewing machine, comprising a two-arm actuating lever pivotably supported on a feed dog or on a member movable with the feed dog, and a lower feed needle supported on one of two arms of the lever and movable through a slot in a throat plate, between its lower and upper positions at which the upper end of the needle is below and above the upper surface of the throat plate, upon pivotal movements of the lever. The lever has, at the other arm, a portion adapted to abut on a portion or member provided on the lower surface of the throat plate upon upward movement of the feed dog. The lever is biased in a direction to cause the needle to move toward its lower position.

Abstract: An auxiliary presser foot mechanism is mounted in a sewing machine with the auxiliary presser foot member being biased onto one or more previously formed stitches so that the previously formed stitches will not be unduly tensioned by the operation of the thread takeup lever during the formation of the new stitch. A cam mechanism is provided for raising the auxiliary presser foot during the feeding of the workpiece and spring means are provided for pressing the auxiliary presser foot against the previously formed stitches when the sewing machine feed dog is lowered beneath the throat plate of the sewing machine.

Abstract: A feed gear of a sewing machine for reversibly driving a rotary feed dog, as for example, a conveyor belt, a chain or a feed wheel, having a first gear part for producing an oscillating movement, and a second gear part for converting the oscillating movements into reversible intermittent rotary movements. The second gear part is provided with oppositely arranged driven one-way couplings.

Abstract: A system for the manufacture of seamed articles from a strip of limp fabric includes an apparatus for feeding strips of fabric and for automatically folding the strips along desired fold lines. A fabric joining apparatus forms seams in the folded strips of fabric at desired locations while providing near-field control of the fabric using selectively operative feed dogs and far-field control using a matrix of selective retractable endless belts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sewing device which includes a sewing machine fixedly provided on a horizontal top surface of a bench, a fabric transfer mechanism for holding and making a fabric movable on the tip surface of the bench between a first position and a second position with a machine sewing portion being interposed therebetween and a pulse motor interlocked with the fabric transfer mechanism to move the mechanism. The machine sewing is performed during the movement of the fabric transfer mechanism from the first position to the second position. The device further includes a memory portion for storing length data of a plurality of seam lines to be stitched on the fabrics, the seam lines being different in length from one another.

Abstract: A workholder for a sewing machine for producing a stitch row in a workpiece according to a predetermined contour. The movably arranged workholder has a cutout essentially formed according to the stitch contour and is controlled with respect to the needle by means of a feeding device incorporating a linkage system and a control disc. In particular, a new frame-type workholder with an additional workpiece clamp is provided for rendering possible the production of a decorative stitch row in connection with a label fastening stitch row.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is waiting means for use in an embroidering machine which has a head; a needle bar vertically movably carried in the forward end portion of the head and having a needle operatively connected thereto for forming embroidery stitches on a cloth; a nipple vertically movably carried in the forward end portion of the head in parallel relation with the needle bar, the nipple slidably receiving the needle bar therewithin and adapted to be lowered synchronously when the needle bar is lowered so as to press the cloth at the needle location where the needle passes through the cloth; and a presser foot vertically movably carried in the forward end portion of the head in parallel relation with the needle bar and the nipple, the presser foot, when the needle is raised, being adapted to be displaced horizontally so as to horizontally feed the cloth while pressing the cloth around the needle location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for automated joining of limp fabric or material. The system comprises a movable seam joining device, retractable belt assemblies to capture the fabric, and a controller to achieve proper positioning of the seam joining device and the retractable rollers.

Abstract: A walking foot top feed for a sewing machine in which a walking foot is supported on a beam and a presser foot is supported on an arm, an independent beam being connected to both the presser foot arm and to the walking foot beam and a source of power being connected to the independent beam, the independent beam transferring motion from the source to the walking foot beam and to the presser foot arm to cause out-of-phase movement of the walking foot and the presser foot.

Abstract: A top feed arrangement for cooperation with a lower feed dog of a sewing machine, the lower feed dog cyclically engaging and disengaging the lower surface of material to be sewn in order to move that lower surface along a predetermined path through and past the sewing machine. The top feed arrangement comprises an upper feed dog carried by an arm that is linked to an oscillatory take-off from the primary drive system of the sewing machine. The arm is connected to the device at one end in a pivotal connection and the upper feed dog is carried at the other end of the arm. The arm is resiliently urged in a direction to cause the upper feed dog normally to approach the lower feed dog. A lifter device also responsive to the primary drive system of the sewing machine, periodically moves the upper feed dog in a direction away from the lower feed dog against the resilient force.

Abstract: A throat plate of a sewing machine with a feed plate is provided with disc type bearings retained in fixed position adjacent to the needle hole of the throat plate to support and provide low friction surfaces in contact with the feed plate.

Abstract: In a sewing machine a workpiece feeding device having a lower feeding member intermittently and reversably driven and an upper feeding member in a steady contact with the workpiece and drivingly connected to the lower feeding member by means of connecting elements including one-way coupling means and a device arranged between the latter and the upper feeding member for interrupting or reversing the upper feed motion simultaneously when reversing the lower feeding member; different embodiments are described.

Abstract: An upper feed dog for sewing machines carried by an actuating arm pivotably mounted on a support fixed to the upper surface of the main feed bar that carries the main lower feed dog. A control arm has one end pivotably connected to the same pivot as the actuating arm and its opposite end is pivotably connected to a guide block carried in one end of a double-forked lever. The opposite end of this lever is operatively associated with an oscillatably driven shaft, the motion of which is transmitted to the actuating arm by a coil spring interposed between the latter arm and the control arm and is effective so as to cause pressure of the upper feed dog on a workpiece to be progressive and prevent direct impact between the control arm and the actuating arm, whereby the operating noise level of the machine operating at high speed is greatly reduced.

Abstract: The upper feed dog for the cloth feed mechanism of a sewing machine can be moved sideways from a position opposing the sewing area to be separated from the sewing area to thus facilitate needle exchange and threading. The cloth feed mechanism of the sewing machine includes lower feed dogs which move towards and away from as well as longitudinally to a throat plate and a support member. The support member has an upper feed dog secured thereon which moves, interlocked with a driving member, in four directions above the upper surface of the throat plate with a phase in the vertical movement opposite that of the vertical movement of the lower feed dog and with a phase in the longitudinal movement identical to that of the longitudinal movement of the lower feed dog for feeding the cloth in synchronism with the lower feed dog. The support member is supported rotatably about a vertical shaft so as to oppose or separate the feed dog to or from the sewing area.

Abstract: A blind stitch sewing machine comprises in the transmission between its main drive shaft and the fabric feeder an arrangement for stitch shortening and tacking. This arrangement comprises a coupling device with two arms which are guided for movement in longitudinal direction relative to each other and coupled by a coupling spring. One of the arms, which is fixed to the fabric feeder for movement therewith is provided with a recess into which a solenoid operated bolt is engageable when the fabric feeder reaches its forward end position to thereby stop the one arm and the fabric feeder connected thereto, while the main drive shaft and the remainder of the transmission remain in operation. Thereby feed of the fabric is substantially stopped and the seam tacked. Subsequently thereto the bolt is withdrawn from the recess and the coupling spring will again couple the one arm to the drive.

Abstract: In a sewing machine a workpiece feeding device having a lower feeding member intermittently and reversably driven and an upper feeding member in a steady contact with the workpiece and drivingly connected to the lower feeding member by means of connecting elements including one-way coupling means and a device arranged between the latter and the upper feeding member for interrupting or reversing the upper feed motion simultaneously when reversing the lower feeding member; different embodiments are described.

Abstract: A fabric workpiece fed along the worktable of a sewing machine by the intermittent movement of the fabric-advance dogs operating through openings in the worktable, is also engaged by an intermittently rotated feed wheel above the worktable. The stepwise rotary movement, whose stepping angle can be varied in a stepless manner, is imparted to the wheel by the output element of a planetary-gear transmission, one input of which is connected to a stepless transmission while the other input is connected to a crank drive with a steplessly variable output-oscillation angle establishing a dwell period.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is to be connected to a domestic sewing machine for converting it into one capable of sewing heavier materials and sewing materials having edgewise designs so that the designs are maintained in alignment. The converted machine can also be capable of having an adjustable amount of hook throw. This apparatus includes a member which pivotally connects a needle bar and a feed foot to the sewing machine. The apparatus also includes a member which pivots the connecting member back and forth in a feed direction and a reverse feed direction. So that the workpiece being sewn by the machine will not slip during pivoting in the reverse feed direction, the apparatus also includes a clamp element for retaining the workpiece against a workpiece supporting surface during this time. Additionally the apparatus includes a mechanism which lowers and raises a feed dog when the connecting member has been pivoted to the substantial extremes of the feed direction and reverse-feed direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and installation for supplying a machine for linear treatment such as a sewing machine for joining flexible elements such as textile pieces, said method comprising the steps of gripping at least one flexible element by a gripping zone thereof and placing and maintaining this gripping zone at a predetermined fixed spot by means of a first gripping device (fixed clips); gripping the flexible element by said gripping zone thus positioned by means of a second gripping device (carriage provided with clips); displacing the flexible element by means of the second gripping device up to driver members of the machine for linear treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is to be connected to a domestic sewing machine for converting it into one capable of sewing heavier materials and sewing materials having edgewise designs so that the designs are maintained in alignment. The converted machine can also be capable of having an adjustable amount of hook throw. This apparatus includes a member which pivotally connects a needle bar and a feed foot to the sewing machine. The apparatus also includes a member which pivots the connecting member back and forth in a feed direction and a reverse feed direction. So that the workpiece being sewn by the machine will not slip during pivoting in the reverse feed direction, the apparatus also includes a clamp element for retaining the workpiece against a workpiece supporting surface during this time. Additionally the apparatus includes a mechanism which lowers and raises a feed dog when the connecting member has been pivoted to the substantial extremes of the feed direction and reverse-feed direction.

Abstract: An auxiliary transport device for sewing machines utilized to attach bands to the edge of a workpiece having a pair of spaced roller members disposed in frictional engagement with a band attached to the workpiece and simultaneously rotated incrementally for advancing the workpiece away from the sewing zone. A compensating roller is mounted co-axial with one of the pair of spaced roller members and incrementally rotated therewith in a location to frictionally engage and advance that portion of the workpiece extending from the band. The compensating roller is capable of yielding in a vertical direction without effecting the position of the roller with which it is operatively associated and provides a means for effectively accommodating portions of the workpiece varying in thickness as a result of attachments such as loops, pockets and the like.

Abstract: An upper layer feed mechanism in a sewing machine is disclosed herein. The upper layer feed mechanism comprises a first interlocking arm secured at one end to a horizontal feed shaft, an upper layer feed shaft rotatably supported on the machine frame of a sewing machine and having a second interlocking arm, a connector rod connecting between the first and second interlocking arms, an adjusting mechanism adjusting the connection between the second interlocking arm and connector rod, a support arm rotatably supported at one end on the machine frame, an upper layer feed arm rotatably supported at one end on the support arm and having an upper layer feed dog at the other end, a connection mechanism transmitting the rocking movement of the upper feed shaft to the support arm, a resilient means normally urging the upper layer feed dog downwardly and a means urging the upper layer feed dog upwardly against the resiliency of the resilient means.

Abstract: A sewing machine incorporates a device for transferring a flap to be sewed from a receiving station to a sewing station, the device comprising a clamp with powered jaws, which device can be moved pivotally between the receiving and sewing stations.

Abstract: A machine for sewing together two workpiece parts having edges of equal or unequal length by using a bead seam, especially for joining together the edge of a vamp and the shorter edge of a plug of a true moccasin shoe, so that the length of the plug matches that of the longer edge of the vamp, in only one operation. The bead seam forming device essentially consists of a folding finger acting in front of the needle of the sewing machine and in synchronous driving connection with the needle; several machines are described which are provided with different bead seam forming devices.

Abstract: In a sewing machine a workpiece feeding device having a lower feeding member intermittently and reversably driven and an upper feeding member in a steady contact with the workpiece and drivingly connected to the lower feeding member by means of connecting elements including one-way coupling means and a device arranged between the latter and the upper feeding member for interrupting or reversing the upper feed motion simultaneously when reversing the lower feeding member; different embodiments are described.

Abstract: Cloth moves from a reel along its length, a first "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at one edge of the path of movement of the cloth treats one edge of the cloth, the cloth is turned over and a second "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned at the edge of the path of movement treats the opposite edge of the cloth. The cloth then moves into a cutting station where the cloth is cut into smaller sections. The cut sections are moved along an L-shaped path by a conveyor system with the cut edges extending along the path, and a third "right-handed" edge treatment system positioned adjacent the first leg of the L-shaped path treats one cut edge of the sections, the sections are turned over as they move into the second leg of the L-shaped path, and a fourth "right-handed" edge treatment system treats the opposite cut edge of the sections. The sections are then stacked.

Abstract: To grip the tail end of a workpiece such as a stack of fabric layers to be stitched in a sewing machine, a pneumatically actuatable clamp on a carriage reciprocably guided along a rail has an air inlet in the form of a first nipple with a lateral entrance aperture confronting a discharge opening of a stationary air-supply line when the clamp is in a retracted loading position remote from the sewing machine. Air admitted in that position to a pressure cylinder via a branch of the supply line forces the inlet duct of the clamp against a sealing ring surrounding the discharge opening to conduct the main air flow via a check valve and a control valve to an operating jack for closing the clamp, the jack including a single-acting spring-loaded piston.

Abstract: In a sewing device for sewing fabric cuts on workpiece parts, which are moved by means of a workpiece clamping plate relatively to the needle of a sewing machine, a tiltably arranged and easily accessible vertical axis rotary looptaker for allowing replenishment of thread supply.

Abstract: A throat plate for a sewing machine having an above the bed feeding system, which throat plate provides for minimum drag on the work material. The throat plate is fashioned with a relief in which is situated a feed plate supported upon ball bearings for minimum friction, which feed plate is resiliently loaded to a central position. The throat plate is designed so that a presser foot of the above the bed feeding system will not impinge upon the movable feed plate and the feeding foot will impinge only upon the movable feed plate. Thus, work material captured between the feeding foot and the movable feed plate is not subjected to the usual drag from a stationary throat plate and, upon being released by the feeding foot, the movable feed plate returns to a starting position.

Abstract: A device for feeding materials in a feed direction for operations thereon, such as sewing buttons or buttonholes, either directly on the material or onto separate strips of material which are fed thereto. The device includes means for clamping the material which is to be sewn so that it does not shift as it is moved through a stitching area. A movable carriage is mounted on a support frame for movement backwardly and forwardly in respect to the direction of material feeding, and it carries a lower endless conveyor arranged beneath and cooperable with an upper endless conveyor so that the endless belt stretched thereon may be biased together during the feeding operation so that the material is clamped along its entire length as it is fed with the movement of the carriage. The apparatus includes a separate clamping device for clamping the forward edge of the material at the end thereof which is beyond the sewing needle operating area and this is also movable with the carriage.

Abstract: A top feeding device for advancing the upper layer of material in synchronism with the lower layer of material being sewn. The top feeding device includes an upper feed dog moving periodically in conjunction with a lower feed dog to grip and advance the materials being sewn along a path related to the stroke of the stitching needle or needles of the sewing machine. Drive for the top feeder is derived from an eccentric cam mounted on the sewing machine main drive shaft, motion being positively transferred to a pivotal upper feed dog arm by means of a lever arm depending from that arm and being a cam-following surface held under adjustable pressure in contact with the eccentric cam. The pivot for the upper feed dog arm is disposed upon an extension of the main lower feed bar which thereby provides horizontal motion to both the upper and lower feed dog arms.