Usm Corporation

Nicholas P Szydlek

Adolph S Dorosz

Patrick N Kirwan

An optical sensor system senses encodings on workpiece holders being processed within an automatic sewing machine. The optical sensor system can reliably sense the encodings on the workpiece holders over a wide range of spaced distances dictated by workpiece holder configurations encountered within automatic sewing machine systems.

Optical sensor for automatic sewing machine

A method and machine are provided for controlling the orientation of one or more sewing instrumentalities with respect to a workpiece while also controlling the path of movement of the workpiece. The one or more sewing instrumentalities are preferably rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane in which the workpiece is moved. The invention furthermore provides for separate and independent control of each sewing instrumentality so as to thereby render one or both needles inoperative at various times during continuous operation of the machine. The invention still further provides for separate manipulation of the thread associated with each respective sewing instrumentality so as to allow for a pullback of this thread. In principle the invention is also applicable to other than sewing machines wherein one or more operative tools may, for example, perform such functions as marking, folding, pinking, or perforating.

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Exeter, NH, United States of America

Nicholas P Szydlek