Usm Corporation

Porter Sewing Machines, Inc.

Edward S Babson

Michael R Porter

Thomas G Brophy

Robert F Gorini

Robert E Porter

Donald F Herdeg

Steven Marcangelo

Carlton G Lutts

William Burrows Mercaldi

Oliver C Brett, Jr

Warren A Cavicchi

A method and apparatus are provided for aligning one or more plies of material moving in a predetermined direction, and preferably through a desired path of travel, prior to stitching in a sewing machine. A friction wheel or other guide element is provided for applying a force to the ply having a component in a direction transverse to the direction of travel and sensors are provided for sensing the transverse position of the ply at the point where the sensor is located relative to the desired transverse position at that point. The sensor outputs are weighted, and where two or more sensors are provided, the sensor outputs are combined in a predetermined manner. The combined and weighted outputs are then utilized to control the transverse force applied by the guide element to the ply. The operating speed of the sewing machine may be utilized either as an additional input to control transverse force or to control the rate at which adjustments are made to the transverse force.

Method and apparatus for aligning a fabric ply in a sewing machine

Method and apparatus for aligning fabric as it is advanced in a prescribed direction toward a sewing machine such as a double overlock seamer for stitching pants. Photosensitive devices sense displacement of edges of upper and lower fabric plies relative to a desired alignment line. Error signals are produced when either ply edge is displaced from the desired alignment line. Friction wheels responsive to the respective error signals guide each ply toward the desired alignment line as it is advanced toward the sewing machine. Each friction wheel pivots about an axis perpendicular to the ply and is controlled by a stepper motor. Each friction wheel is movable between an operating position in which it is biased against the respective fabric ply, and a retracted position for insertion or removal of fabric. The pressure applied to the fabric ply by the friction wheel is adjustable. A centering device aligns each friction wheel with the direction of fabric movement toward the sewing machine when no fabric is present in the apparatus.

Method and apparatus for guiding fabric to a sewing machine

In a sewing machine for performing twin overedging and seaming in one high-speed operation, specially designed top and bottom variable feed dogs pull the two plies through a three needle stitching area with improved, simplified elements for diverting one ply edge while the other is being overcast. The upright overcast edge of the top ply passes through a tunnel formed through the top feed dog. A guide wall attached to the throat plate guides the top edge away from the bottom overedging station. A guard wall can be attached to the presser foot to keep the turned-up top edge away from the seaming needle. A fiber optic/pneumatic system controls automatic stop, presser foot/top feed retraction and between-work thread cutter functions. Alternative front edge guides facilitate feeding the two plies in registration.

Double overlock seamer

Work feeding and automatic guidance mechanism are combined in a single curvature-controlled means located on one side of a workpiece being progressively processed in a machine, for instance a stitcher. Accordingly, separate feed dog mechanism or equivalent is eliminated. The feeding-steering means preferably comprises a rotary ring orbitally driven about an operating tool such as a needle, and effects guidance and feeding of the work synchronously in intervals when the tool is disengaged from the work.

Automatic work guidance mechanism

A method and a machine for stiffening part of a flexible workpiece, such as the toe portion of a vamp, causes it to register with the tacky layer of a correspondingly shaped molten deposit of thermpolastic which simultaneously is being cooled to effect release. The entire deposit is transferred to the selected toe area and smoothly covers any surface irregularities or apertures. The surface receiving the molten deposit is flat and cooled but not recessed so that peripheral portions of the upper layer of the deposit are not chilled as rapidly as its under layer and remain deformable during register of the toe portion therewith. A workholder preferably includes a substantially rigid margin clamping means cooperative with a yieldable work engaging pad, a relatively non-compressed portion of the pad unmasked by the clamping means defining three dimensionally the adhered charge printed onto the work.

Method for stiffening workpieces such as shoe components

This invention relates to automatic mechanism for processing the edges of pile type fabrics and the like from which thinner or non-pile margins are to be removed. Fabric edge finishing machines are provided with a means for sensing relative thickness of work piece portions, such as terry material as distinguished from thinner or marginal non-terry portions. Accordingly washcloths and the like, as directed by an edge guide and corner turning mechanism, are under the control of a sensor and are automatically guided through the operating localities of instrumentalities, such as the needle and trimming mechanism of an overedge stitcher, or other edge treating machines, to provide for removal of the non-terry material and processing directly along the edge of the remaining terry material.

Fabric edge finishing machines

A method and a machine for stiffening part of a flexible workpiece, such as the toe portion of a vamp, causes it to register with the tacky layer of a correspondingly shaped molten deposit of thermoplastic which simultaneously is being cooled to effect release. The entire deposit is transferred to the selected toe area and smoothly covers any surface irregularities or apertures. The surface receiving the molten deposit is flat and cooled but not recessed so that peripheral portions of the upper layer of the deposit are not chilled as rapidly as its under layer and remain deformable during register of the toe portion therewith. A workholder preferably includes a substantially rigid margin clamping means cooperative with a yieldable work engaging pad, a relatively non-compressed portion of the pad unmasked by the clamping means defining three dimensionally the adhered charge printed onto the work.

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Ipswich, MA, United States of America

Edward S Babson