Abstract: A guiding structure for a cloth feeding mechanism which is disposed on a base below a needle plate of a sewing machine, a feeding dog driven by the cloth feeding mechanism is mounted on a mounting seat. The guiding structure comprising a first guiding portion formed on the mounting seat and a second guiding portion formed on a guiding device, the first and second guiding portions cooperate with each other to guide the feeding dog to move in the X-axis direction, so that the cloth can be fed precisely along the predetermined path to ensure good sewing quality.

Abstract: A seaming machine for seaming segments of sheet material to one another to form larger sheets includes a frame defining a sheet-receiving area and a pair of spaced seaming devices on opposed sides of the sheet-receiving area for respectively seaming opposed edges of the segments of sheet material to one another. The frame typically defines a table-receiving space for a table to support the sheet segments. The machine provides for the seaming of multiple sheet segments while the sheet segments remain atop the table or another work surface. Relative back and forth movement between the frame and work surface facilitate the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple needle sewing machine for sewing large-area sewing material (28) which consists of several layers, at least two layers (6, 15, 21), whereof one layer (15) at least is formed of an elastic material, which multiple needle sewing machine comprises a sewing unit, a supply device for the layers to be sewn together (6, 15, 21), a storage device for withdrawing and storing the sewn layers (6, 15, 21) from the sewing unit, as well as a device which is arranged upstream of the sewing unit and by which the layer (15) made of an elastic material is supplied to the sewing unit in a non-stretched condition or tendentiously in the region of the device in a tendentiously compressed condition, together with said one or said further layers (6, 21), while retaining the compression.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of sewing large area sewing material consisting of plural and at least two layers, of which at least one layer is formed of an elastical material, for instance foamed material, wherein said layers are fed to the sewing unit in a superposed relationship and wherein the layer of elastical material is fed to the sewing unit in an unexpanded and preferably bulged condition and is stitched together with the layer formed of non-elastical material. Such a method offers the advantage that the formation of folds in the stitched product is prevented in a simple and inexpensive manner.

Abstract: An automatic loader for a stator coil lacing machine includes structure for advancing a stator from a first position adjacent an arbor of the machine to a second position away from the arbor. The automatic loader also includes structure for moving the arbor between a lowered position away from the stator whereby the advancing structure moves the stator between first and second positions, and a raised position so that the stator is positioned on the arbor. The automatic loader may further include structure for disengaging a lacing cord feeder tube reciprocating drive of the machine from a cam of the machine when the arbor is lowered so the reciprocating drive is drivingly reengaged with the cam when the arbor is raised. The automatic loader may also include structure for maintaining driving engagement between a lacing needle drive of the machine and a lacing cord feeder tube oscillating drive when the arbor is raised and lowered.

Abstract: In order to move a piece of fabric (1) over a work table (2) using a gantry robot (4), a gripper (7) comprising a flat foam-covered plate is lowered on to the fabric by the robot shaft (6). It is found that the best control over the fabric is obtained by allowing the gripper to rest on the fabric solely under its own weight, i.e. it should not be pressed down by the robot shaft. A flexible coupling (8) allows the gripper to float, while preventing relative rotation between the robot shaft and the gripper. The coupling is mounted to be movable up and down relative to the shaft, and a coupling part (13) to which the gripper is attached can tilt along two horizontal axes. When the gripper is raised, compressed air is introduced into the coupling, causing parts (11,15) of the two coupling members (10,13) to make contact, so that the gripper is held rigidly in a horizontal position. It is held in that attitude while it is lowered on to the fabric, and the pressure is then released.

Abstract: A device for feeding a tie stiffening or other article to the supporting table 2 of a sewing machine includes a container 19 for said articles provided above the supporting table 2. The container 19 has a window 21 which extends along its bottom and under which there is disposed a withdrawal device 6 with needles 27, 28 which sink in opposite directions into the currently lowest layer 22 of the stack, substantially transversely of the window, which layer, after the needles have sunk in, is withdrawn from the stack, turned through 180.degree. and deposited on the supporting table when the needles are pulled out. The withdrawal device is turned by means of a pair of pinions 10 which encounter a pair of stationary racks 11 during lowering.

Abstract: A feeding device for independently feeding, by a preparatory device, a binder strip and flap strips to a garment held by a base presses. There are eight types of combination in feeding fashions, whether or not the binder strip is to be fed, whether or not one flap strip is to be fed, and whether or not another flap strip is to be fed (2.sup.3 =8). Various feeding fashions are provisionally set in order prior to actual sewing, and control means controls actual operations of the preparatory device in accordance with the feeding fashions and every feeding fashions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for loading and transferring material in order to transport the material from a loading location through a sewing machine is provided. The invention reduces the cycle time between the loading of materials by allowing the operator to load one material while a previously loaded material is in the sewing process. The use of clamps during the loading, transporting, and sewing procedures ensures that the stitching will be accurately located and the material will be in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A sewing machine, having a device for centrally cutting a piping strip at both of its ends. At least one knife is arranged in a piping strip gripper between the parallel rows of oblique gripping needles. Before the start of the sewing process, a piping strip which has been placed at a predetermined position on a resting plate is held clamped between said plate and the gripper, which is lowered onto the resting plate. By actuation of the knife by an external force such as a pressure fluid, a blade of the knife penetrates into the piping strip and, by horizontal displacement of the knife, the piping strip is incised centrally at its end. Preferably there is a blade for each end of the piping strip.

Abstract: A zigzag sewing machine comprising a needle bar lateral drive device, a needle bar lateral drive steppping motor for controlling the needle bar drive device, a feed device for driving a feed dog back and forth, a crossfeed device for driving the feed dog from side to side, and a crossfeed stepping motor for controlling the feed drive device. The sewing machine can sew beautiful pattern stitches and neat stitches by setting up amplitude according to the minimum feeding pitch of the feed dog which is smaller than the minimum moving pitch of the needle bar. Since the needle location is determined by cooperation between the needle bar and the feed dog, the maximum lateral moving width of the needle is shorter than amplitude and the needle can be securely and accurately driven even at a high sewing speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for superimposing at least two flexible sheets, in particular a back panel and a front panel of an article such as a slip. The process comprises forming a stack of each type of sheets and arranging said stacks on a plate (1), then for each of these stacks: gripping at least one sheet by means of a gripping assembly (12, 14) arranged above the plate (1) and relatively displacing said plate and said gripping assembly between a rest position and a sheet gripping position, displacing the gripping assembly (12, 14) so as to bring it above a deposit member (15) and actuating the assembly so as to release the sheet and spread it on the deposit member, returning the gripping assembly (12, 14) above the plate (1) and causing the plate to rotate a portion of a revolution to position a second stack directly below the gripping assembly.

Abstract: An accessory unit (2) for a sewing machine (1) for automatically sewing pieces of ribbon material (20) onto a sewing material (5), has a hollow guide shaft (23) with a longitudinal slot (24) to guide the ribbon material (20). A needle (25) is used as an advance feed mechanism and can be inserted through the slot (24) into the ribbon material (20) which passes through the guide shaft (23), by means of which the ribbon material (20) can be advanced in the longitudinal direction of the guide shaft (23). The accessory unit (2) can be swivelled around a vertical axis (x) by at least 90.degree. relative to the sewing machine (1).

Abstract: A clamping mechanism installed on a circulating conveyor is composed of a clamp and a supporting plate and a latch lever axially attached to the supporting plate. The clamp is designed to be opened to a specified extent by a coiled spring. When the clamp is closed against the operation of the coiled spring, it engages with a latch of a latch lever so as to be locked.A cloth sent out from the sewing machine advances between the opened clamp and the supporting plate. The clamp is closed by an air cylinder and clamps the cloth.When the latch lever engages with a limiting lever set at a specified position in the direction of movement of the conveyor, the lock is unlocked, and the clamp is opened to release the cloth.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for forming on a work piece a line of stitching substantially free from puckering by placing a stitch-engaging element of a width less than the length of a stitch to project across the line of stitching at the sewing position. The stitch-engaging element comprises a plurality of flexible filamentary elements arranged side by side in close juxtaposition and an endless row of stitching-engaging elements movable in a direction longitudinally of the row of stitch-engaging elements and positioned so that a portion of the row of stitching-engaging elements projects across the line of stitching at the sewing position. The flexible filamentary elements project radially from the periphery of a disc to form an endless row of stitch-engaging elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple-needle sewing machine which is capable of making stitch tracings in zigzag, etc. on a cloth by moving up and down a plurality of needles, with the cloth held between a needle plate and a cloth holder and moved right and left. The needle plate has a long hole with such a length that the right and left movement of the needle plate is not hindered by the vertical movement of the plurality of needles. Within the long hole, there is a needle passing plate positioned which has needle holes through which the needles pass. This needle passing plate is formed shorter than the long hole of the needle plate so as not to hinder the right and left movement of the needle plate. Such a structure is effective for making finely a plurality of the same stitches in zigzag, etc.

Abstract: A relatively long needle (22) is supported at the lower end of a needle bar (28). The needle bar (28) and needle (22) are moved up and down and forwardly and rearwardly. The needle bar (28) and needle (22) are moved forwardly while they are in materials (M) which are being sewed together, to in that manner advance the materials (M) stitch by stitch. The materials (M) are supported on a bed (10) which includes a slot (20) which is elongated in the direction of the stitch path. The needle (22) is received in the slot (22). A side boundary of the slot (20) provides a side guide surface (84) which is contiguous a first side of the needle (22). An upper thread (76) extends downwardly from a thread guide (110) into a side groove (86) in the first side of the needle (22), to and through a needle eye (80). A recess (82) is formed in the second side of the needle (22) above the needle eye (80). Following downward movement of the needle (22) through the materials (M), the needle (22) is moved upwardly.

Abstract: A label injector for placing labels in the hems of towels, or the like, is disclosed. The labels are extracted from a vertical magazine onto the surface of a wheel by a combination of suction into openings on the surface of the wheel and upward movement of the magazine. The wheel is then rotated until the extracted label passes through a slot in the adjacent hemming track into the hem being folded. Suction is terminated, releasing the label, and the wheel is returned to its original orientation to receive another label. Other embodiments disclose a magazine for double thickness labels, and an applicator carrying a belt in a peripheral groove to assist in moving the labels.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for changing the sewing direction of a multiple needle flat sewing machine for sewing elbow pads of sports wear, jumpers, etc. and patchworks of various shapes. Needles are stopped at the needle upper dead center position; a throat plate is moved in a direction contrary to the sewing direction; a needle thread or looper thread caught on tongues of the throat plate is released from the tongues; and the sewing direction can be changed at any desired angle in relation to the sewing direction at the start, such as a right angle, an acute angle or an obtuse angle. The present invention also makes it possible to carry out fancy stitching with thick thread by a multiple needle flat sewing machine.

Abstract: A rotational stitching apparatus with separately driven stitching head is used for stitching folded sheets by wire and thread clamping, thread sealing, and loop thread stitching. The drive system permits autarkic stitching heads to be optionally replaced and to be adjusted in correspondence with the product assortment. Each stitching head has a stitching head driveshaft, by means of which it is connected to the stitching cylinder driveshaft 1 or the cylinder axle 37, preferably by way of a gear or the toothed belt. Implementation of various stitching technologies is made possible by additional apparatus disposed peripherally to the stitching cylinder circumference.

Abstract: The device herein described comprises a feed roller 12 rotated by a motor 16 and disposed before the presser foot 9 at right angles to the feed advance direction of the workpiece. Individually and selectively acting against the feed roller 12 are two pressure backing rollers 19, 20 each of which engages a respective piece of ribbon-like trimmings to push it against the feed roller which carries out the pulling thereof. The pressure backing rollers 19, 20 are supported by a swinging plate which is caused to oscillate upon the action of a fluid-operated cylinder 30 in order to make the backing rollers selectively engage with the feed roller 12 and therefore selectively feed said ribbon-like trimmings under the pressure foot 9.

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine has two feeding devices, each having a workpiece holder, each of which, when in a sewing position, can be raised up into a position some distance above a carrier plate and, at this distance above the carrier plate, can be moved over the other workpiece holder situated on the carrier plate to a transfer position. The purpose of these measures is to minimize the cycle time with the lowest possible expense and to increase the output of the automatic sewing machine as much as possible while largely avoiding idling paths.

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: Herein disclosed is a material feeder of a sewing machine, which comprises a first mechanism which draws a predetermined length of a narrow and long material from a bobbin when actuated, and a second mechanism which actuates the first mechanism when the length of the material drawn from the bobbin is reduced to a predetermined degree.

Abstract: A method of sewing sheet material passing over a throat plate of a sewing machine by providing a nozzle member having a nozzle adjacent a sewing needle at an upstream side thereof with respect to a moving direction of the sheet material and impregnating the sheet with lubricating fluid by supplying the lubricating fluid from the nozzle such that the fluid contacts a surface of the sheet material facing the throat plate. Thereby, component yarns of the sheet are prevented from being severed when the needle pierces through the sheet material such that the severances are minimized.

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: Apparatus for transferring a fabric strip 12 from a deposit station 10 to a support base 16 includes a plate 24 having a stop ledge 28 abutting an end of the fabric strip 12. A bar 34 projects through an opening 30 in plate 24 to create a fold in the fabric strip 12. A thin plate 66 retracts against a ledge 52 to grasp the fabric strip 12. Then, the transfer clamp 14 is rotated into a position such that the plate 66 lies flush with the support base 16. The transfer clamp releases the folded fabric strip 12 in a position where it is then fed into the sewing machine 22 together with the fabric piece 18 when they are sewn together.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a sewing machine with a material feed dog includes a support for a feed dog which is attached thereto and which is slidably mounted on a feed link and is connected with a drive for its transverse motion that is controlled independently of the main shaft. To effect a low inertia drive, the drive includes a link mounted on a pin firmly fixed to the housing. The link has a bearing drive piece eccentrically positioned with respect to the pin and in drive-contact with the feed dog support. The drive piece comprises an eccentric that surrounds the pin and abuts against a side surface of the support, thus providing a simple drive mechanism. In order to ensure low-friction transmission, the side surface of the support which is in contact with the eccentric is constituted by an abutment piece and in addition, transmission is accomplished via a roller bearing surrounding the eccentric.

Abstract: An elongated workpiece is transported forwardly and backwards in a sewing or stitching machine by looping it upstream and downstream of the sewing or stitching station, by maintaining both loops under tension, by increasing the size of the downstream loop simultaneously with a reduction of the size of the upstream loop, and vice versa.

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: An automatic sewing machine is provided with a workpiece feeding device for imparting a continuous motion to the workpiece during the sewing cycle and with a sewing head having a needle bar which is oscillatorily driven by an arm shaft via a crank gear. In order to reduce the needle deflection due to the continuous workpiece feed motion in a simple way, in addition to the crank gear for driving the needle bar, there is interposed a double crank gear between the arm shaft and the crank gear which reduces the angle of rotation while the needle penetrates the workpiece.

Abstract: A sewing machine for producing a stitch pattern according to a predetermined program, in which a workpiece receiving device is driven by a linkage cooperating with a rotating control cam. An adjustment device makes it possible to affect portions of the stitch contour with respect to their relative position. The adjustment device has elements interposed between the control cam and the drive shaft for allowing a lateral displacement of the cam relatively to the drive shaft. The amount and the angular position of lateral adjustment may be achieved without rotating the cam and/or the drive shaft.

Abstract: A continuous, automated method and apparatus for manufacturing pillowcases in which a hem is continuously formed along one longitudinal edge of an indeterminate length fabric, and the fabric is thereafter successively cut to length and folded, with the folded pieces being sewn along the side and end thereof to form successive completed pillowcases. The versatile method and apparatus of this invention is adapted for manufacturing pillowcases of the conventional folded hem style, as well as pillowcases of the attached hem and mock attached hem styles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed drive for work holders of sewing assemblies, by which, during the formation of the initial stitches of a seam taking place at a low speed, the control cam plate moving the work holder is driven at a reduced speed, and, during the formation of the main part of the seam taking place at a high sewing speed, the control cam plate is driven intermittently in a manner such that at every lowermost position of the needle, the work holder is temporarily stopped. The feed drive comprises a planetary gearing having two inputs, of which the first input can receive a constant rotary motion, and the second input can receive, at the start of the seam formation, a continuous rotary motion which is subtractively superimposed upon the rotary motion at the first input, and, during the ordinary sewing operation, an oscillatory motion whose frequency is equal to the frequency of the needle bar motion.