Abstract: Embroidery machine including several hundred embroidery locations each of which includes the following tools; a needle, a stiletto, a thread guide and a thread brake with respective drives. At least two actuators for connecting or disconnecting the tools from their respective drives are associated with every embroidery location. No more than one switching element, such as a shuttle spool valve is provided for each embroidery location which is switchable so as to switch all the actuators of said embroidery location jointly. Such a switching arrangement permits efficient switching of the tools enabling selective switching of only the tools of a switching point the embroidering/non-embroidering state of which is to be changed.

Abstract: An embroidery lace machine has a plurality of mechanisms which can be brought into and out of operation by connection to and disconnection from a main drive shaft using electrically operated coupling devices 33. A single signal generating means (15) generates a reference pulse each time the driving shaft is in a reference rotational position and a train of angular position pulses indicating the rotational displacement of the shaft. Counting means (20) counts the number of angular position pulses following receipt of the reference pulse and generates a timing control signal via a one-shot device (31) and amplifier (32) to actuate each coupling device (33) when the number of angular position pulses counted by the counting means coincides with a respective preset count associated with the respective mechanism.

Abstract: A system is provided for improving frame adjustments of automatic embroidery machines. Groupings of holes are punched in an elongated tape corresponding to binary numbers. The tape is read by an electro-optical reader which converts the information on the tape to electrical pulses which, in turn, control a drive system for causing the embroidery frame to move predetermined discrete distances.

Abstract: A relatively great number of embroidering locations with the appropriate embroidering implements are arranged in at least one row. The embroidering implements are capable of being coupled to and uncoupled from the embroidering implement drive of the embroidering machine according to a predetermined repetition and color-change program by electromagnetic actuation devices. Therefore, according to the invention, a so-called group-switching of the embroidering locations, respectively of their electromagnets, is performed such that groups of a few embroidering locations, respectively their electromagnetic actuation devices, form switching groups or units. The electromagnetic actuation devices of each switching unit are connected in parallel at their input sides. An input conductor common to the switching unit connects them to the embroidering location control device.

Abstract: A relatively great number of embroidering locations with the appropriate embroidering implements are arranged in at least one row. The embroidering implements are capable of being coupled to and uncoupled from the embroidering implement drive of the embroidering machine according to a predetermined repetition and color-change program by electromagnetic actuation devices. The pattern and machine-function control of the embroidering machine is performed via a data carrier whose reading and evaluation unit controls a pattern and machine-function control device. Data for the repetition and color-change program are also placed on this data carrier for pattern and machine-function control. Suitable further data are also placed on this data carrier for actuating a switch associated with the reading and evaluation unit for transmitting the repetition and color-change program to an embroidering location control device connected to the electromagnetic actuation devices of the embroidering implements.

Abstract: In a shuttle embroidering machine a plurality of needle carriers and drill carriers are arranged to be displaced at approximately right angles relative to the plane of an embroidery frame. Each needle carrier has a needle inserted into one end and each drill carrier has a drill inserted into one end. A generally horizontally extending arm is attached to the opposite end of each needle carrier and drill carrier. The arms are pivotally displaceable about a horizontal axis. One end of each arm is connected to a needle carrier or a drill carrier and the other end is displaceable along a path due to the pivotal displaceability of the arms about horizontal axes. A drive element provides the operative displacement of the needle carriers and drill carriers. The arms are shaped for selective form-locking engagement with the drive element.

Abstract: An embroidery lace machine is driven by electric signals. A plurality of selection plates control a jacquard and can move horizontally in response to control elements. A reset bar returns the selection plates to their original positions. In one embodiment, the control elements consist of plates aligned with the selection plates and biased into contact with the selection plates. Electrically actuated solenoids selectively prevent movement of selected ones of the control elements. In a second embodiment, the control elements are wires selectively engageable with a sliding plate. Electrically actuated solenoids are provided for selectively connecting the control elements with the sliding plate.

Abstract: A positioning device for a mechanical switching lever arrangement in an embroidery machine comprises an electromagnetic device which serves for displacing a pawl lever between a first end position and an intermediate position. The pawl lever serves for actuating a switching lever arrangement. The positioning device further comprises a mechanical amplifier device for displacing the pawl lever between the aforementioned intermediate position and a second end position. At its free end region the pawl lever carries a permanent magnet which continuously adheres to the electromagnet when the same is deenergized. The mechanical amplifier device, which cooperates with the pawl lever, comprises an externally actuatable switching lever arrangement. By pivoting this switching lever arrangement the pawl lever can be displaced from its intermediate position to the second end position and vice versa.

Abstract: At an embroidery machine there are mounted and displaceably guided two rows of embroidering implement rods which can be connected so as to be operatively coupled or decoupled in accordance with a desired program to a related one of two operatively associated oscillating drive rails. The embroidering implement rods which are related to the same embroidery location or position and which are, for instance, arranged in superimposed relation, can be simultaneously coupled to or decoupled from the operatively associated drive rail by means of a common switching lever. This switching lever can be actuated either directly or manually by means of adjustment levers and automatically by means of an electromagnetic device. This individual switching of all implements of an embroidery location enables easily adjusting any desired combination of working and inactive embroidery locations.

Abstract: A punched card control system for an embroidery machine which has an embroidery creel and a drive mechanism for driving the creel includes a number of lifter rods each arranged to sense a corresponding hole in successive groups of holes punched in a card or tape, each group of holes representing an operating instruction for the embroidery machine. A feed mechanism advances the card past the lifter rods while each rod is in a rest position relative to the feed mechanism, so that the holes of each group are confronted by corresponding ends of the lifter rods. The feed mechanism then displaces the card a certain distance toward the rods so that those rods whose ends confront holes in the card remain stationary, while the remaining rods are contacted at their ends by the card which then moves these rods from their rest positions. A reading device including electrical switching elements responds to the position of each lifter rod and provides corresponding output signals over a number of line channels.

Abstract: A multi-needle chain-stitch quilting machine and method of operation thereof are provided that imparts relative motion between the needles and the material that is controlled so as to pull needle thread tails from the needle side of the quilted material. The feature of controlling thread tails may be optional to provide selection of either a high speed mode of operation without thread tail control or a quality mode of operation with reduction or removal of needle thread tails from the face of the quilted material. Thread trimmers may be included at each needle location on the looper side of the material to cut both needle and looper threads.