Abstract: An embroidery frame includes a base frame, an opposing frame disposed in a first direction with respect to the base frame, a mounting portion, and a support member. The support member includes a support portion, a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first section includes a first inclined section extending, with respect to the opening, to the first direction and the second direction, and is coupled to the base frame or the mounting portion at a position further in the second direction than the support portion. The second section includes a second inclined section extending, with respect to the support portion, to the first direction and the second direction, and is coupled to the support portion. The third section couples the first section and the second section at a position further in the first direction than the support portion.

Abstract: The seasonally adjusting apparatus for collecting solar thermal energy comprises a solar thermal collector, a top panel, a bottom panel, and a frame. The solar thermal collector absorbs sunlight to produce thermal energy. The top panel and the bottom panel are positioned on opposite sides of the solar thermal collector and regulates how much sunlight is absorbed by the solar thermal collector during each season. The top panel and the bottom panel each have a shading surface and a reflecting surface. The shading surface casts a shadow over the solar thermal collector during the summer months when the sun's position is higher in the sky. The reflecting surface bounces more sunlight onto the solar thermal collector during the winter months when the sun's position is lower in the sky. The frame properly positions each component so that the solar thermal collector absorbs the appropriate amount of sunlight during each season.

Abstract: A sewing machine includes a frame support portion, a detecting device, a detecting device, a processor, and a memory. The frame support portion is configured to be detachably mounted with a selected one of a plurality of embroidery frames whose types are different from each other. Each of the embroidery frames has a holding portion. The detecting device is configured to detect the type of the embroidery frame mounted on the frame support portion. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes comprising, setting a sewing area inside the holding portion, by setting a size of the sewing area, as well as a position and an angle of the sewing area, identifying an embroidery pattern to be sewn on the sewing workpiece, and setting a layout of the identified embroidery pattern, corresponding to the sewing area.

Abstract: A reinforcement for structural use including two longitudinal bars or plates connected by transverse bars or plates. The end sections of each side of the transverse bars or plates end at the longitudinal bars or plates. The longitudinal bars or plates extend laterally from both ends forming corresponding ending areas where there are no transverse bars or plates between the longitudinal bars or plates. At least two of the ends of the longitudinal bar or plate assembly have an inclined section that switches direction toward the respective end and toward the longitudinal bar or plate facing it, and then a section parallel to the opposing longitudinal bar or plate. The ends of the longitudinal bars or plates include elbows folded inward.

Abstract: An embroidery machine having horizontally parallel fabric shafts for the vertically arranged embroidery fabric. A plurality of upper and lower horizontal guides are distributed over the length of the machine. One upper and one lower horizontal guide are each connected to a horizontal guide element by vertical connection elements, the horizontal guide elements and the fabric shafts each being vertically adjustable by a positioning drive in guides mounted on the machine.

Abstract: The embroidering frame of the shuttle embroidering machine comprises cloth beams drivable via drive means. The cloth beams coact in pairs to receive between each such pair a respective material web. These material webs are superimposed in the frame plane and at each material web there engages at each longitudinal edge of the web material a rod-shaped temple or spreader. The upper and lower cloth beams both for the upper and lower material webs are each in selective driving connection by a respective endless belt of the drive means with the driving shaft of an associated geared motor of the drive means and which is carried by the embroidering frame. A belt tensioning device which is reversibly switchable with the rotation direction of the associated geared motor is used. The control circuit of the geared motors contains switching means for the selective separate or synchronous operation of the two geared motors.

Abstract: An embroidery and applique machine having a number of article feeding modules, each adapted to supply articles such as sequins which are to be appliqued in alignment with a needle. The feeder modules are mounted on a carriage for movement therewith. A motor moves the carriage back and forth along a fixed path relative to the needles. An indexing mechanism is effective for stopping the carriage at any one of a number of positions in which the feeder modules are in register with the needles for supplying articles in alignment with a particular needle. A number of carriages may be provided at positions relative to the needles. A lost motion flange on the carriage contacts abutments on the indexing mechanism and enables the feeder modules on the carriage to register with the needles irrespective of the direction of movement of the carriage on the path.

Abstract: A embroidery framework is displaceable in vertical and horizontal directions by related drives and contains a circumferentially closed embroidery frame. This embroidery frame is supported at supports which are vertically displaceable by a vertical drive of the related drives. A side member of the embroidery frame is held in a vertically extending guide rail for displacement in a vertical direction. From the vertically extending guide rail there projects a horizontal bracket which conjointly with such guide rail forms a T-shaped constructional unit resistant to bending. This constructional unit is guided in horizontal direction at a stationary machine stand. The horizontal drive of the related drives act upon the constructional unit comprising the guide rail and the bracket.

Abstract: A tufting method and apparatus for tufting yarn to a backing layer, including individual tufting elements, comprising, means to control forward and lateral displacement of successive needle strokes. A preferred embodiment includes means to select particular yarns for tufting from a plurality of yarns and means to select the length of yarn to be tufted. In a further preferred embodiment a reduced number of tufting elements is contemplated with the elements spaced so as to enable the production of a full sized tufted product by lateral shifting of the backing layer to provide for intermediate tufting positions.

Abstract: Continuous unseamed lengths of embroidered fabric are produced by a special process and apparatus therefor. Fabric to be embroidered upon is pulled off a vertical bolt and engaged at its upper edge by pins on an endless belt which is actuated to advance the fabric across the face of an embroidery apparatus. Then the lower edge of the fabric is tensioned transversely. Embroidery proceeds and then the embroidery yarns are cut. A release member disengages the lower edge of the fabric, the belt is actuated to advance the fabric, disengage its upper edge from its pins, to move the embroidered fabric onto a collection bolt and to position a new section of the fabric in the embroidery area. The upstream rear end of the embroidered section of fabric is registered so the new embroidery will be continuous with that just completed, and the operation is repeated.

Abstract: A device for advancing a textile cloth, for instance on an embroidery loom, in accordance with which the cloth unwinds forward without limit, with possible return to the rear, while continuously retaining the same predetermined tension due to the direct action of an electromagnetic coupler, which by electronically controlled tensions and relaxations of tension, balances the advance and rearward-return process of the cloth.

Abstract: Stepping mechanisms are used to move an embroidering frame in both the vertical and horizontal directions on a machine frame. Each stepping mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder-piston rod assembly, a multi-way valve for directing the flow of hydraulic fluid to the assembly, and an electric stepping motor connected to the valve for regulating the flow to the assembly. To effect movement a signal is transmitted to the stepping motor which positions the valve to operate the hydraulic cylinder-piston rod assembly. The piston rod is in direct contact with the frame and its movement provides the desired movement of the embroidering frame. The piston rod is connected to the stepping motor for closing the valve when the desired position of the embroidering frame has been reached.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing the feed frame of an automatic embroidery machine of the type incorporating two stepping motors which are drivingly connected with the feed or embroidery frame, each stepping motor bringing about a feed or advance of the feed frame in one direction. A control mechanism generates control pulses for each stepping motor as a function of the momentarily required feed displacement of the feed frame in each direction. The control mechanism embodies two switching circuits each of which is operatively associated with one of the stepping motors, and such switching circuits generate output pulses, the number of which is proportional to the number of pulses delivered to each switching circuit by a program storage and by means of which there is determined the magnitude of the momentarily required feed displacement in the corresponding direction.