Abstract: An elastic metering device including a plurality of individual tape feeding and tensioning mechanisms having a common drive shaft, with each mechanism being adapted to independently act on one of a plurality of tapes as they advance toward the machine. Each tape feeding and tensioning mechanism includes an operator controlled variable speed drive mechanism for selectively affecting the manner in which each mechanism acts on each tape.

Abstract: A cloth feeder for sewing machine comprises a reciprocatively movable needle arranged so as to sew the cloth on the bed, a pulse generator for generating the electric pulses in order to feed the cloth during the needle stays away from the cloth, a step motor actuated by the pulses from the pulse generator, and a rotator driven by the step motor and arranged in pressed contact with the cloth so as to feed it.

Abstract: A cloth feeding apparatus having two feeding devices with respect to the feeding direction and adapted to feed a cloth under a tension by setting the feeding amount on the downstream greater than the feeding amount on the upstream.

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: The disclosed invention relates to an auxiliary feed mechanism adapted to maintain an edge of a workpiece in substantial registration with a predetermined path along which the workpiece edge is moved. The invention includes a motor driven auxiliary feed device which is operatively associated with a unique servosystem. The invention further includes sensing elements arranged to monitor the position of the workpiece edge and devices operatively associated with the sensing elements and the servosystem for automatically adjusting the feed rate of the auxiliary mechanism according to the characteristics of the work being sewn and for effecting the speed of the auxiliary mechanism relative to the velocity of the workpiece whereby maintaining the desired alignment of the workpiece edge relative its predetermined position or path during the sewing operation.

Abstract: The lengths of at least a pair of limp workpieces fed through a work station are controlled by pressing each of the workpieces into engagement with a separate toothed wheel and by controlling the rotational velocity of one of the toothed wheels as a function of the rotational velocity of the other toothed wheel. In one preferred embodiment the contorl of the rotational velocities of the two wheels is accomplished by means of a differential gear and a motor which operates under the control of rates of feed sensors which monitor the rates of feed of the two workpieces.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for driving a puller wheel to assist in feeding cloth material through a sewing machine. The material passes between a puller wheel and an idler wheel after having been sewn by a reciprocating needle. The driven puller wheel assists the standard feed dogs in feeding the material past the needle. The invention discloses a positive drive mechanism having a variable speed gearbox driven by the sewing machine motor and drivingly connected to the puller wheel. The distance between puller wheel and idler wheel is variable to accommodate any thickness of material and still provide a positive feed.

Abstract: A method for sewing together fabric pieces which comprises the steps of sewing elastic cord-like core material such as polyethylene cord along the edge portions of two or more fabric pieces, automatically engaging the edge portions of the fabric pieces with each other by guiding the sewn core material, and sewing together the engaged edge portions to render an assembly of fabric pieces adapted for use as a cover; and a machine for sewing together fabric pieces which is provided with a core material-guiding mechanism for clamping core materials previously sewn to the edge portions of two or more fabric pieces being sewn together, thereby engaging the edge portions with each other.

Abstract: A sewing machine for sewing and feeding material has a rotatable main shaft in a housing which is connected to drive a reciprocating needle for reciprocation in a stitching area. Adjacent the needle is a presser rod which depends from the housing and a carrier is mounted on the rod for upward and downward movement and is biassed downwardly so as to press a feed roller rotatably mounted on the carrier against the material to be fed. A drive mechanism for the feed roller is mounted on a bracket extending outwardly from the housing, and it includes a rotatable drive gear which is driven intermittently through an oscillation mechanism driven from the main shaft. A substantially triangular rocker member is pivotally mounted on the same axis as the drive wheel, and it supports two spaced apart guide rollers over which a drive belt is guided. The drive belt is connected to the gear drive wheel and to a gearwheel on the feed roller to rotate the feed roller intermittently.

Abstract: An auxiliary feed mechanism adapted for use with a sewing machine including a feed roller for advancing the workpiece through the work station and a mounting structure adapted to move the feed roller between two positions in one of which the feed roller is operative to aid in feeding the workpiece through the workstation and in the other of which the feed roller is rendered ineffective to transmit motive power to the workpiece. A plurality of flexible couplings drive the feed roller in timed relation to the actuation of a variable speed drive motor which is coupled in a unique electric circuit relationship with the main drive motor of the machine so as to vary the feeding rate of the feed roller in accordance with the machine cycle rate.