US3224393A

US3224393A - Automatically actuated sewing machines

Info

Publication number: US3224393A
Application number: US308201A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth D Adams; John A Herr; Ira G Schwartzberg
Original assignee: Singer Co
Current assignee: Singer Co
Priority date: 1963-09-11
Filing date: 1963-09-11
Publication date: 1965-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-21
Also published as: GB1014368A; DE1485346A1

Description

Dec. 21, 1965 K. o. ADAMS ETAL AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED SEWING MACHINES 1O Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 11, 1963 INVENTORS. Kenneth D.Adams, John A. Herr, and BY Ira 6. Schwarfzberg ?h110R-EY Dec. 21, 1965 Filed Sept. 11, 1963 K. D. ADAMS ETAL AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED SEWING MACHINES 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

Kenneth 0. Adams, John A. Herr, and

BY Ira 6.8chwarfzberg W 721TT0H-EY K. D. ADAMS ETAL SEWING MACHINES 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 21, 1965 AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED Filed Sept. 11, 1963 INVENTORS Kenneth 0. Adams, John A. Herr, and Ira 6.30/1wart2berg.

.9 BY Q ZI'TTORNEY Dec. 21, 1965 K ADAMS HAL 3,224,393

AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 11, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. Kenneth 0. Adams John A. Herr, am] BY Ira 6'. Schwarlzberg.

9A7 ORNE Y Dec. 21, 1965 K. D. ADAMS ETAL 3,224,393

AUTOMATICALLY AOTUATED SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 11, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.9.

INVENTORS.

Kenneth 0. Adams, John A. Herr, and

BY lid 6. .Schwarfzberg Dec. 21, 1965 K. o. ADAMS ETAL 3,224,393

AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 11, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Kenneth 0. Adams, John A. Herr, and

BY Ira G. Schwarfzberg.

W ZiTTOR/VEY Dec. 21, 1965 K. o. ADAMS ETAL 3,224,393

AUTOMATICALLY AGTUATED SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 11, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 l ennefhD. Adams,

John A. Herr, and

BY Ira G. Schwartz/Jam 21 'A:TTORNEY Dec. 21, 1965 K. D. ADAMS ETAL 3,224,393

AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 11, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 1 59 l I L] INVENTORS. Kenneih B. Adams, John A. Herr, and

Ira G. Schwarfzberg.

ATTORNEY ec. 21, 1965 K. o. ADAMS ETAL AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED SEWING MACHINES 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Sept. 11, 1963 r M 9 6 Y 3% M N m 0 4! R 9 E a f. 0 I Mmw w 1 8 .A m 040/ m -mm mwm @J K m w m V! wm a a .m F

Dec. 21, 1965 K. AISAMS ETAL AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 11, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 1o INVENTORS.

Kennefh 0. Adams,

John A. Herr, and BY Ira 6. Schwarfzberg.

iinite dtates atent Oflice 3,224,393 AUTOMATICALLY AGIUATED SEWING MACHINES Kenneth D. Adams, Long Vailey, John A. Herr, Garwood,

and Ira G. Schwartzherg, Newark, N.J., assignors to The Singer Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 308,2ti1 16 Claims. (Ci. 1122) The present invention relates to an automatically actuated sewing machine and more particularly to a sewing machine in combination with a mechanism for automatically moving the work relatively to the sewing machine and controlling the operation of the sewing machine to produce a seam of predetermined configuration.

The objects of this invention are to provide a mechanism which is capable of automaticaly sewing intricate seams with great accuracy and reliably and at relatively high speeds, in which the seam configuration can be readily laid-out preferably in pattern form, which patterns can be easily changed to elfect the production of entirely different seams, and which is dependable, durable, emcient and reasonably economical.

In accordance with this invention, there has been provided a sewing machine in combination with a universally movable Work supporting means together with a control mechanism which is adapted to move the work support relatively to the stitch forming mechanism of the sewing machine and to control the operation of the sewing machine. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the control mechanism is designed to be actuated by a pattern that consists of a line conforming to the desired seam and laid out on a pattern sheet, the mechanism being designed to sense and to follow the line photo electrically and in turn, through appropriate connections and drives, to actuate the work supporting means and the sewing machine.

Having in mind the above and other objects that will be evident from an understanding of this disclosure, the' invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts as illustrated in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention which is hereinafter set forth in such detail as to enable those skilled in the art readily to unde stand the function, operation, construction and advantages of it when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fra mentary front elevational view of a machine in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the control panel that is used in association with the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1.

FiG. 4 is a detail view in rear elevation of the head end of the sewing machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detail View of the pattern sensing mechanism of the machine of FIG. '1.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 10-40 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 11I1 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially on the line 1212 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 13-13 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a detail horizontal sectional view of the thread trimming mechanism of the sewing machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 1515 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 1616 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a detail view of the thread trimming elements of the mechanism disclosed in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 18-18 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 is a detail sectional view similar to FIG. 18 but with the parts in a different position.

FIG. 20 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on the line 29-20 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of a pattern sheet for controlling the operation of the machine.

With reference to the drawings, the present invention is illustrated as embodied in a machine comprising a table I, supported upon legs 2. The table 1 is a conventional wooden industrial sewing machine table and is provided on the top thereof with a heavy aluminum mounting plate 3 spaced above the top of the table 1 by a pair of strips 4 extending longitudinally of the table 1. A work support 5 is mounted upon the plate 3 for universal movement, the work support 5 comprising a work supporting upper plate 6 disposed in spaced parallel relation to the plate 3.

The plate 6 is supported at an intermediate point and at its ends by

vertical plate

7, 8, and 9. The plate 9 is mounted upon and slidable along a rod 10 by spaced bearings 11. Extending between and supporting the

plates

7 and 8 are a pair of I beams 12 which are supported for sliding upon

rods

13 and 14 by pairs of spaced

bearings

15 and 16. The

rods

10, 13 and 14 are arranged parallel and the work support 5 is movable along the same in one direction. The

rods

10, 13, and 14 are secured at the ends thereof by mounting blocks 17 to a pair of spaced

rods

18 and 19 arranged at right angles thereto and which are in turn mounted on the plate 3 for endwise sliding by bearings 20. The work support 5 is thus freely movable universally with respect to the plate 3. The mounting blocks 17 are tied together to prevent warping and binding in the bearings by a plate 21.

Sewing machine Mounted on the table 1 is a free arm type industrial lock switch sewing machine 22 similar to that disclosed in the United States patent of Hale No. 2,822,771. The sewing machine includes a bed 23, from which rises a pedestal 24 supporting the work arm 25 and the standard 26 which in turn carries the bracket arm 27 that terminates in a head 28 overhanging the end of the Work arm 25.

Journaled longitudinally of the bracket arm 27 is a main shaft 29 which is adapted to be driven by a belt 30 entrained about a pulley 31 on the exposed end of the main shaft 29 and a pulley 32 in the output shaft 33 of a transmitter 34. The transmitter 34 is a conventional commercial item and is not herein illustrated or described except to point out that it includes a constant speed electric motor and a magnetic clutch which is electrically controlled by means of a tachometer to provide for slipping the clutch to obtain two preselected and variable speeds in the output shaft 33, thereby to provide for driving the sewing machine at two different speeds, that is a high speed and a low speed.

Mounted in the head 28 for endwise sliding is a needle bar 35 that is driven from the main shaft 29 in the conventional manner, the needle bar 35 carrying at its lower end a needle 36. The needle 36 is adapted to penetrate the work in the usual fashion and to cooperate in the formation of lock stitches with a conventional loop taker mechanism (not shown) mounted in the work arm 25 and adapted to be actuated by a bed shaft 37 to which oscillation is imparted by a crank arm 38 secured to the bed shaft 37 and having a slide block 39 disposed in a fork 40 mounted for oscillation on a shaft 41 and adapted to be rocked by a pitman 42 pivotally connected at its lower end by a pivot screw 43 to the fork 40 and at its upper end being formed with a strap 44 embracing a crank 45 on the main shaft 29. Also mounted in the head 28 is a presser bar 46 upon the lower end of which is mounted a bracket 47 carrying a presser foot 48 having a central aperture through which the needle 36 passes. The presser foot 48 is adapted to be raised and lowered by a presser mechanism including a presser lifter shaft 49, which extends into the head 28 and is therein provided with a crank arm 50 coupled at its end to a block 51 that is secured to the presser bar 46. The presser lifter shaft 49 is adapted to be turned by a crank arm 52 (FIG. 9) secured to the shaft and connected .by a push rod 53 with one end of a lever 54 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends in a pivot shaft 55 (FIG. 12) and connected at its other end to a pull rod 56. The lower end of the pull rod 56 is connected to the piston rod 57 of an air cylinder 58 mounted in a support 59 carried by the bed of the sewing machine 22. Air is adapted to be fed to the top and to the bottom of the air cylinder 58 by

conduits

60 and 61 respectively.

Air is adapted to be supplied selectively to the

conduits

60 and 61 from a source of air delivered by a conduit 62 (FIG. 13) to a manifold 63 and is adapted to be controlled by a solenoid actuated valve such as one of the valves 64, the

conduits

60 and 61 being any one of the conduits 65 on the outlet side of the valves 64. The valves 64 .and their associated elements are mounted on a panel 66 carried by the legs 2 of the table 1.

By virtue of this mechanism, when air is supplied to the top of the cylinder 58, the piston rod 57 thereof is forced downwardly, which through the pull rod 56, pivots the lever 54 to raise the push rod 53, thereby rocking the presser lifter shaft 49 to raise the presser bar 46. When air is supplied to the bottom of the cylinder 58, the presser bar 46 is lowered.

For a purpose that will hereinafter appear, there is connected to and movable as the piston rod 57 of the air cylinder 58 a pair of switch rods 67 and 68 (FIG. 12). The switch rod 67 carries a switch as at 69 that is adapted to engage and to actuate a switch 70 when the piston rod 57 is at the bottom of its stroke. The switch rod 68 carries a switch arm 71 that is adapted to engage and to actuate a switch 72 when the piston rod 57 is at the top of its stroke.

The presser foot 48 is also adapted to be lifted upon each stitch by an alternating presser mechanism that comprises a solenoid 73 carried by a plate 74 secured to the end of the head 28 of the sewing machine 22. The solenoid 73 has an armature 75 connected to a pull rod 76 that is in turn connected to the bracket 47 of the presser foot through a lost motion connection comprising a stud screw 77 secured to the bracket 47 and extending through an elongated slot 78 in the rod 76. The armature is held up by a spring wire 79. In the normal position of the parts when the solenoid 73 is dee-nergized, the presser foot bracket 47 is lowered with the presser foot 48 in engagement with the work with the screw stud 77 disposition the bottom of the slot 78. Thus, when the solenoid 73 is energized, the presser foot bracket 77 is lifted slightly so that presser foot is just clear of the work. A lost motion is also built into the connection between the crank arm 50 and the block 51 to permit this limited motion. The lost motion provided by the screw stud 77 and the slot 78 provides for actuation of the presser lifter mechanism.

Operation of the sewing machine 22 is controlled by a conventional slip-type stop motion mechanism such as forms the subject matter of the United States patent of Ivanko, No. 2,721,526 which is associated with the pulley 31 on the main shaft 29 of the sewing machine 22 and comprises a stop arm 80 adapted to engage a stop shoulder (not shown) on the inner face of the pulley 31. The stop arm 80 is adapted to be moved endwise of the main shaft 29 by a bracket 81 pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft 55. For rocking the bracket 81, there is provided a pull rod 82 (FIG. 10) secured at one end to the bracket 81, and at the other end to a plate like bell crank lever 83 pivotally mounted at 84. The lever 83 is also connected to one end of a push rod 85 (FIG. 9), the lower end of which is connected to a crank arm 86 (FIG. 10) secured to the pivot shaft 55. The pivot shaft 55 is oscillated by a lower arm 87 which at its free end is connected by a pull rod 88 to the piston rod 89 of an air cylinder 90 mounted with the air cylinder 58 on the support 59. Air under pressure is supplied to the top of the air cylinder 90 by a conduit 91 which like the

conduits

60 and 61 of the air cylinder 58, is connected to one of the solenoid controlled air valves 64. Thus when the respective one of the valves 64 is opened, the piston rod 89 is forced downwardly, which through the pull rod 88-, pivot shaft 55, lever arm 87, push rod 85, lever 83 and pull 82, moves the bracket 81 to release the stop motion.

The stop motion is latched in released position by a pawl 92 adapted to engage with a shoulder 93 (FIG. 10) in the bell crank lever 83. To actuate the stop motion, the pawl 92 is pivoted to release the lever 83 by means of an air cylinder 94 having a piston rod 95 that engages a stud 96 on the pawl 92. The air cylinder 94 is carried by a plate 97 mounted on the sewing machine 22 under the bracket arm 27. Air under pressure is supplied to the air cylinder 94 by a conduit 98 which is connected to one of the solenoid actuated air valves 64.

Associated with the air cylinder 90 is a switch 99 which is adapted to be actuated by a switch arm 100 on a rod 101 secured to and movable with the piston rod 89 of the air cylinder 90 so that the switch is actuated when the cylinder 90 is at the top of its stroke.

A pair of switches 102 and 103 (FIG. 11) are associated with the sewing machine and are adapted to be actuated alternately once for each reciprocation of the needle 36. These switches are mounted in opposed relation on the plate 97 and include a movable contact 104 biased by a spring 105 into closed position. Disposed between the movable contacts 104 and adapted to open the same alternately is a rocking arm 106 mounted on a rock shaft 107 oscillated by a crank arm 108 (FIG. 9) secured to the shaft and having a free end that is biased by a torsion spring 109 into tracking engagement with a segmental cam 110 mounted. on and movable with the fork 40 which oscillates the loop taker shaft. The cam 110 has a first surface 111 which moves the arm 108 to open the switch 103 and permit the switch 102 to close and a second surface 112 which moves the arm 108 to open the switch 102 and permit the switch 103 to close.

For cutting the thread chain at the completion of the sewing cycle, there is provided an under or bobbin thread cutter mechanism which, inasmuch as the same is of conventional construction, it is not necessary that the same be herein disclosed except to point out that it is actuated by the actuation of the clamp filter mechanism. The means for cutting the upper or needle thread and to hold the same to prevent unthreading of the needle is disclosed in FIGS. 14-19. This mechanism comprises a knife bar 113 that is secured by a bracket 114 to the piston rod 115 of an air cylinder 116. The knife bar 113 is guided in a groove 117 in the underside of the front end bracket 118 of the air cylinder 116 and is pivotally movable with the air cylinder about a pivot screw 119 which pivotally secures the rear end bracket 120 of the air cylinder to a plate 121 that is secured to the standard 26 of the sewing machine 22. At its forward end, the knife bar 113 is provided with a screw stud 122 the shank of which is disposed in a cam slot 123 in a block 124 carried by the plate '74. On the under side of the knife bar 113 at the front end thereof is a ledger blade 125 which is secured thereto by a shoulder screw 126 the shank of which provides a pivot axis for a knife blade 127 disposed between the knife bar 113 and the ledger blade 125. The ledger blade 125 is resilient and is adapted to yield downwardly at the front thereof when the thread end is nipped. To prevent dis placement of the ledger blade 125 at the front thereof about the screw 126 there is provided an upwardly bent car 128 received within a notch 129 in the end of the knife bar 113. The knife blade 127 has a laterally diverging cutting arm 13% formed with a sharpened cutting edge 131 that cooperates with a cutting edge 132 of the ledge and blade 125 and a rounded nipping edge 133 that cooperates with a nipping edge 134 of the knife bar 113. On the edge opposite from the edge from which the arm 13%} extends, the knife blade is provided with an upstanding stud 135 that cooperates with a cam groove 136 in the underside of the block 124.

The cam slot 123 is formed with a substantially straight portion 137 at its forward end together with an inclined portion 138 leading to a short straight portion 133 at the rear portion. The cam groove 136 is made significantly wider than the stud 135 and has a first edge 14% that is parallel to the

edges

137, 138, and 139 of the slot 138 and a second edge that is parallel to the edge 137 of the slot 1333, together with a rise 142 at the forward end of and rising from the edge 140 and a rise 143 in the rear portion of the edge 141. Thus, assuming that the knife blade 127 is open which is in the position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 17, as the knife bar 113 is advanced, the knife blade is advanced with it to receive the thread in the throat between the base of the nipping edge 133 of the knife bar and the nipping edge 134 of the knife bar 113. During this time the stud 135 rides along the edge 141i and there is no relative motion between the knife bar 113 and the knife blade 127. At the end of the forward stroke, the stud 135 engages the rise 142 and is forced closed relative to the knife bar 113 thereby severing the thread lead between the cutting edges 131 and 132 and pinching or nipping the end of the thread between the nipping

edges

133 and 134. As the knife bar 113 is withdrawn, the knife blade 127 remains closed to hold the nipped end of the thread until the stud 135 engages the rise 143 at which time the knife blade 127 is forced open to release the thread end.

The inclined surface 138 of the cam slot 123 provides for shifting the knife bar 113 and the elements carried about the pivot screw 119 to move the free end thereof clear of the presser foot 43. The edge of the rise 143 and the edge 141 at this point are formed parallel to the

edges

138 and 139, of the cam slot 123 so that there is no relative motion between the knife blade 127 and the knife bar 113 as they are moved along this portion of the cycle.

To actuate the knife bar 113 air under pressure is supplied to the air cylinder 116 by a conduit 144 which is connected to one of solenoid actuated air valves 64. The front of the air cylinder 116 is connected by a conduit 145 to a continuous source of low pressure air such as the manifold 63 through a pressure reducer 146. The knife bar 113 is advanced by the high pressure air supplied to the rear of the air cylinder 116 when the respective one of the valves 64 is opened which overcomes the low pressure air supplied to the front of the air cylinder by the conduit 145, and it is returned by the low pressure air when the valve 64 is closed and the conduit 144 is exhausted.

The return of the knife bar 113 is stopped temporarily short of the rise 143 in the cam groove 136 so that the knife blade 127 will remain closed and thus holding the nipped end of the thread for a few stitches. In this manner, the thread end is not released until it has been locked in the work. The means to accomplish this comprises an upstanding flange 147 on the rear end of the knife bar 113 that is adapted to engage a pivoted detent 143 on the lower end of the piston rod 149 of an air cylinder 159. The detent 148 is pivotally mounted on the piston rod 149 by a pivot pin 151 which is extended into a slot in a guide bracket 152 to prevent turning of the piston rod 149. Air under pressure is supplied to the top of the cylinder by a conduit 153 which is connected to one of the solenoid actuated air valves 64. When air is admitted to the conduit 153 by opening the valve 64, the detent 148 is lowered so that it will be engaged by the flange 147 and will thus hold the knife bar 113 against further return. The cylinder 159 is a spring returned so that when the valve 64 is closed and the conduit exhausted, the piston rod 149 will rise and the knife will complete its return stroke.

Associated with the air cylinder 116 is a switch 154 having a trip button 155 that is adapted to be engaged by the flange 147 on the knife bar 113 at the forward end of its stroke.

The actuation of the air cylinder 150 is controlled by a mechanism comprising a vertical axis shaft 156 (FIG. 9) journaled in the standard 26 of the sewing machine 22 and to which rotation is imparted by a worm wheel 157 that is driven by a worm 158 on the main shaft 29. Secured to the shaft 156 for unitary rotation therewith is a flange 159 having a friction material 160 on the face thereof. Mounted on the shaft 156 for free rotation relative thereto and coupled thereto for rotation by a slip clutch is a collar 161. The friction clutch comprises a compression spring 162 that biases the collar endwise of the shaft 156 against the flange 159, the compression spring 162 being coiled about the shaft 116 and abutting at its lower end against a collar 163. The collar 161 is provided with a circumferential groove 164 within which is connected one end of a tension spring 165, the other end of which is anchored to the standard 26 (FIG. 10). Thus, as the collar 161 is rotated with the shaft 116, the spring 165 is wound about the collar within the groove 164. Formed on the periphery of the uppermost flange 166 of the collar 161, which is the portion that engages the friction material 160, is a cam surface 167 (FIG. 10) which, after about five stitches of the sewing machine is brought into engagement with the trip 163 of a switch 169 mounted on the cover plate 171 of the standard 26, which is electrically connected to the solenoid actuated air valve 64 that controls the air cylinder 150 to close the valve. Also mounted on the cover plate 170 is a stationary stop arm 171 that is adapted to engage a shoulder 172 on the leading end of the cam 167 to hold the cam against further rotation with the shaft 156. Further rotation of the shaft 156 relative to the collar 161 is taken up in slippage of the flange 166 relative to the friction material 160. The mechanism of the system are such that the collar 161 will rotate with the shaft 156 for something less than one revolution which will equal about five stitches of the sewing machine. The collar 161 is released and returned by the spring 162 to its normal position at the end of the cycle by a crank 173 mounted in the cover plate 170 and having its end 174 seated in a groove 175 in the collar 161. The crank 173 has a crank arm 176 that is adapted to be engaged at the free end thereof by the piston rod 177 of an air cylinder 178 to which air under pressure is supplied by a conduit 179 which is connected to the conduit 98 so that the air cylinder 178 is actuated simultaneously with the air cylinder 94, that is, at the same time that the clamp lifter mechanism is actuated at the end of the sewing cycle. When the air cylinder 178 is actuated, the end 174 thereof is depressed to lower the collar 161, thereby separating the flange 166 thereof from the friction material 160 and permitting the collar to rotate free on the shaft 156 under the action of the spring 165 as it is relaxed.

For convenience there is a junction box 180 mounted on the plate 97 for collecting the various conduit and electrical connections associated with the sewing machine. A similar junction box 181 (FIG. is mounted in the table 1 at the rear thereof.

Work clamp With reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the work arm 25 of the sewing machine 22 extends beneath the upper plate 6 of the work support 5. At which point the upper plate 6 is provided with a cut-out 182 having a shoulder 183 for receiving and supporting a rigid work clamp (not shown) in which the work piece is adapted to be loaded prior to being placed in the work support 5 and which positions and supports the work piece during the sewing operation. The work clamp is secured to the plate 6 by a pair of opposed clamps 184 each of which has an end 185 adapted to engage the margin of the work clamp over the shoulder 183 and to hold the same down. The clamps 184 are each pivoted at its end on a bracket 186 with upper plate 6 and is pulled down by a pull rod 187 connected at the top thereof to the clamp 184 and at the bottom to the piston 188 of an air cylinder 189. Air under pressure is supplied simultaneously to the air cylinders 139 by a conduit 190 that is connected to one of the valves 64. To insure that the sewing operation cannot be started unless the work piece is positioned properly in the cut-out 182, there is provided an interlocking switch 191 (FIG. 5) having a trip arm 192 adapted to be engaged by the work clamp when it is properly located.

Drive for the work table 5 There is provided a drive means for moving the work support 5 and thus for moving the work piece relative to the point of stitch formation of the sewing machine to produce the desired seam, which drive means comprises a drive wheel 193 (FIG. 7) that engages a plate 194 that is carried by the upper plate 6 of the work support, the plate 194 being disposed substantially in the place of the plate 6 and the plate 6 is provided with a cut-out 195 to accommodate the same. The plate 194 is carried by a plurality of spring fingers 196 secured by screws 197 to the plate 6 so that the plate 194 floats relative to the plate 6 and any vertical thrust on the plate 194 will not be transmitted to the plate 6 and thus to the

bearings

17 and 20 supporting the same and thereby interferring with free and easy movement of the work support 5.

To insure sutlicient friction between the wheel 193 and the plate 194 so that the wheel 193 will drive and will not slip relative to the plate 194, there is a spring biased resistance wheel 198 mounted in the work support 5 beneath the plate 194 and opposed to the wheel 193. The wheel 198 is mounted for rotation of an axle 199 (FIGS. 7 and 8) carried by a fork 260 on the upper end of a stud 201 that is mounted in a sleeve 202 fixed to the plate 3 of the work support. Bearings 203 provide for free rotation of the stud 201 and thus of the wheel 193. The stud 231 is biased upwardly by a plurality of compression springs 204 seated in boxes 205 in a cylindrical block 206, in the sleeve 2112, the block 206 being held vertically by an abutment 207 on the inner wall of the sleeve 202. To release the wheel 198 from the plate 194 to permit the work table 5 to be moved manually, there is provided a lever 203 having a forked end 209 engaging a groove 21% in the bottom of the stud 201. The lever is movable about an abutment member 2111 intermediate the ends thereof and the free end is held up by a strap 212 secured to the underside of the table. When the free end of the lever 298 is raised, the forked end 209 and thus the stud 201 are lowered.

The drive wheel 193 is journaled on an axle 213 mounted in a fork 214 on the lower end a sleeve 215 that is carried by and freely turnable in a plate 216. The plate 216 constitutes a part of a bridge 217 that is supported on the table 1 by

end brackets

218 and 219 and which spans the work support 5 to provide clearance for movement of the work support. The wheel 193 is driven by a motor 220 which, through a reduction gear 221 drives a shaft 222 extending longitudinally of the sleeve 215. At its lower end the shaft 222 carries a gear 223 that meshes with a gear 224 on a countershaft 225 which is also provided with a worm 226 that meshes with a worm wheel 227 secured to the drive wheel 193. The motor 220 is supported for turning with the sleeve 215 and power is supplied thereto through a brush unit 228 mounted on a supporting bracket 229 carried by the bridge plate 216.

Steering mechanism for the work table 5 For turning or steering the drive wheel 193 there is provided a line tracer mechanism which is a commercially available photocell controlled mechanism marketed by Canadian Westinghouse Company, Ltd., under the name Linatrol. This mechanism is adapted to sense a pattern line and to generate a control signal in response thereto. Basically this mechanism comprises a photocell or tracer unit 230 and a steering unit 231. The tracer unit 230 (FIGS. 6 and 7) has a lower stationary portion 232 carried by a bracket 233 depending from the bridge plate 216 and having a light source 234 adapted to illuminate the pattern sheet and a lens 235.

There is an upper portion 236 of the photocell unit 236 which is mounted in the bridge plate 216 for turning and having a photocell 237 suspended therein on a rod 238 pivoted intermediate its ends at 239 and adapted to be vibrated by a permanent magnet 240 that is acted upon by an electro magnet 241 that is supplied with alternating current, so that the photocell is vibrated at the frequency of the alternating current. The lens 235 is adapted to focus the image of the pattern line on the photocell 237. The steering unit 231 includes a servo motor 242 that responds to the signal generated by the photocell as it is vibrated across the pattern line. On the output shaft 243 of the motor 242 is a gear 244 that meshes with a gear 245 on the upper portion 236 of the photocell unit to turn the same.

The operation of the tracer unit 230 may be described briefly which is believed to be adequate for purposes of this invention, as follows: As the photocell 237 is vibrated across a pattern line, as defined by the image of the lens 235 it produces an alternating current voltage which, so long as the pattern line is centered with respect to the pattern line, constitutes a pure sine wave. When the pattern line wanders from a centered condition with respect to the photocell, and depending upon which direction it moves the negative or positive portion of the wave are reduced. The servo motor 242 responds to this change to turn the upper unit 236 of the tracer unit, 230 to maintain the same so that the photocell is vibrated at right angles to the pattern line. A tachometer may be inserted in the system to dampen the response of the motor 242 thereby to reduce hunting.

To turn the driving wheel 193 in unison with the turning of the tracer unit 230, there is provided a pulley 246 on the photocell unit which is coupled by a belt 247 with a pulley 248 on the sleeve 215 that carries the driving wheel. The resistance wheel 198 is also turned in unison with the driving wheel 193 by a belt 249 that is also entrained about the pulley 248 and about a pulley 251) on a vertical axis shaft 251 journaled in the bridge and having a second pulley 252 that is connected by a belt 9 253 with a pulley 25% on the stud 201 that carries the wheel 198. To turn the units manually as when it is being initially set up, there is provided a knob 255 on the top of the shaft 251.

A programming unit 256 is mounted on the bridge piece 216 adjacent to the tracer unit 230 by a bracket 257 and includes a light source 258, a photocell 259 and a lens 260.

The pattern sheet is adapted to be mounted substantially in the plane of the upper plate 6 of the work table to the rear of the plate 194 by means of a plate 261 (FIG. 5) seated in a cutout on the plate 6 and positioned on two sides by screws 262 and clamped against the screws by clamping elements 263.

The drive imparted to the work table 5 by the wheel 193 is continuous so, in order to hold the table stationary while the needle 36 is in the work, there is provided an electro magnetic clamp 264 carried by a bracket 265 on the end of the work table 5 and adapted to sieze a steel plate 266 on the plate 6.

In FIG. there is illustrated a sample pattern which represents a pair of Work pieces which are to be sewed in one continuous cycle. The pattern line 267 is the line which the tracer unit 230 is designed to sense. The dots 268 are sensed by the programming unit 256.

The electrical controls are contained within a console 269 a fragmentary portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 2. Included within the control console is an indexing mechanism (not shown) which is actuated by the programmin unit 256, that is, each time the programming unit passes over one of the dots 268, the indexing mechanism is advanced one step. Associated with the indexing mechanism there is a programming board 270 having a sufiicient number of vertical columns of sockets to accommodate the number of operations to be controlled, and a number of horizontal columns of sockets to provide the desired maximum numbers of steps in the cycle. By insorting the contact pins in the appropriate sockets in the programming board, the various desired steps in a desired cycle may be provided in the desired sequence. The console also includes various manually actuated controls such as on-oif switches 271, a cycle start switch 272, switches 273 for opening and closing the clamps 184 independently of the cycle, a switch 274 for imparting movemental actuation to the tracer mechanism, selector switches 275 to provide for selecting between automatic and manual actuation, a switch 276 for stopping the indexing mechanism, Various pilot lights 277, controls 278 for setting the high and low speeds for the transmitter 34 which controls the sewing speed and controls 279 for setting the speed of the drive motor 220 of the work support 5. The stop switch 271, the clamp releasing switch 273, and cycle start switch 272 are duplicated at a junction box 289 at the front of the machine. There is also provided on the box 280 a switch 281 for manually raising and lowering the presser foot 48 to permit threading the needle.

Operation In the normal rest position, the valve 64 that controls the application of air under pressure through the conduit to the top of the air cylinder 58 is open and the presser foot 48 is thus held raised. At the same time, the valve 64 that controls the application of the air through he conduit 153 to the air cylinder 158 is open so that the detent 148 is down and engaging and holding the flange 147 of the knife bar 113 against completion of its return stroke so that the knife is held closed to hold the nipped thread end.

At this time, the operator loads a work piece in a work clamp and inserts the same into the cut-out 182 in the plate 6. 1f the work clamp is properly seated, the switch 191 will be closed to permit initiation of the cycle. The operator then pushes the clamp switch 273 which opens the solenoid actuated air valve 64 that feeds air under pressure through the conduit 190 to the air cylinder 189,

thereby bringing the clamps 184 down to secure the work. The solenoid actuated air valve 64 is held open by a locking relay so that the switch 273 may be released after a momentary closing and will remain open until the end of the cycle.

When the operator is satisfied that the work is properly loaded and clamped, the cycle start switch 272 is closed to initiate the cycle. The specific sequences thereafter in the cycle depends upon the programming of the ma chine. As an example of the operation the cycle shown in FIG. 21, will be described.

The stop position of the machine as at the dot 282 which-is one of the dots 268 and the associated point on the pattern line 267, as indicated by the dotted line from the dot 282 to the line 267. When the cycle start switch 272 is closed, the drive motor 220 is energized at its low speed to drive the wheel 193 which moves the work table 5 along a path defined by the pattern line 267. When the programming unit 256 contacts the dot 283 it indexes the programming mechanism in the console 289 to close the solenoid actuated valve 64 associated with the conduit 60 whereby air pressure is removed from the conduit and it is exhausted, and simultaneously, the valve 64- associated with the conduit 61 is opened to apply air under pressure to the top of the air cylinder 58, thus raising the piston rod 57 and permitting the presser foot 48 to lower. When the piston rod 57 of the air cylinder 58 is up, thus when the pressure foot is down, the switch arm 71 carried by piston rod 57 closes the switch 72 which actuates the valve 64 of the conduit 91, thereby applying air under pressure to the air cylinder of the stop motion mechanism pulling the link 58 to release the stop motion which automatically is latched by the detent 92 in the released position. The sewing machine 22 is thus started. The sewing machine proceeds sewing at its low speed until the programming unit 256 senses the dot 284 which will shift both the drive motor 221) of the tracing unit and the transmitter 34 of the sewing machine to their high speed operation.

During the sewing operation, the

switches

102 and 103 are alternately opened and closed. The switch 162 is electrically connected to the solenoid 73 of the alternating presser mechanism thereby lifting the presser foot 48 clear of the work so that the table 5 can be removed without distortion of the work as would occur if the presser foot 48 engaged the work while the table 5 was moved. The switch 103 is electrically connected to the electromagnet 264 to energize the same and thus lock the work table 5 against movement when the needle 36 is in the work. The specific actuation of the

switches

102 and 103 by the cam provides for releasing the presser foot 48 as the needle descends, locking the table 5 by energization of the electro magnet 264, while the needle is in the work, releasing the table 5 by deenergizing the electro magnet 264 as the needle is rising, and raising the presser foot 48 when the needle clears the work.

The end of the thread which has been nipped by the thread cutter as illustrated in FIG. 18 is released after about five stitches of the sewing operation by the cam 167 which opens the switch 169. The switch 169 releases the latching relay that has been holding the valve 64 of the conduit 153 open, thereby permitting the air cylinder 158 to rise, whereby the detent 148 is lifted clear of the flange 147 on the knife bar 113 so that the air cylinder 116 under the constant bias of the low pressure air of the conduit 145 completes its return strokes. As heretofore noted, as the knife bar retracts, the rise 143 of the cam surface 136 acts upon the stud in the knife blade 127 to open the knife, thereby releasing the thread end and setting the knife blade for its next cutting stroke.

The sewing operation proceeds until the programming unit 256 senses the dot 285 at which time the drive motor 229 and the transmitter 34, since the cycle is approaching a point Where sewing is stopped, are shifted to slow speed operation. When the unit 256 senses the dot 286, the

sewing operation is stopped while the work table continues to move along the path defined by the pattern line 267. In stopping the sewing operation, the valve 64 on the conduit 98 is momentarily opened so that air under pressure is fed to the air cylinder 94 the piston rod 95 of which engages the stud 96 and trips the detent 92 to actuate the stop motion mechanism, thus stopping the sewing machine. When the piston rod 89 of the air cylinder 90 raises upon release of the detent 92, the trip arm 100 actuates the switch 99 to reverse the valves 64 associated with the

conduits

60 and 61 of the presser lifter mechanism, thereby raising the presser foot 48. When the presser foot 48 is fully lifted the trip arm 69 on the piston rod 57 of the air cylinder 58 actuates the switch 70 which actuates the valve 64 associated with the conduit 144 of the air cylinder 116 thereby forcing the knife bar 113 forward to cut the thread and to nip the end thereof. At the end of the forward stroke of the knife bar 113, the flange 147 engaged the contact 155 of the switch 154 which opened the circuit of the valve 64 of the conduit 144, thereby permitting the constant low pressure and supplied by the conduit 145 to move the knife bar 113 in its return stroke. The switch 154 also situated the valve 64 of the conduit 153, thereby causing the air cylinder 150 to drop the detent 148 into the path of the flange 147 of the knife bar to prevent completion of its return stroke. Since the conduit 179 is connected to the conduit 98, the air cylinder 178 was actuated simultaneously with the air cylinder 94, thus releasing the collar 161 and permitting the spring 165 to return the same to its rest position. The sewing machine is now in its normal rest position with the presser foot 48 raised and the thread end held nipped.

When the programming element 256 senses the dot 287 the sewing operation is again started in the same manner as when the dot 283 was sensed, and the machine sews slow as it passes along a continuously curved and difficult portion of the pattern. Upon raising the dot 288 the sewing operation is again stopped. The dot 289 shifts the driving mechanism for the work table 5 to its high speed so that it will proceed as quickly as possible along the following relatively smoothly curved portion of the pattern line 267. The dot 290 shifts the tracing mechanism to its slow speed in preparation for the be ginning of another sewing operation, which is then initiated by the dot 291. Upon approaching a relatively straight portion of the pattern line 267, the drive mechanism for the work table 5 and the sewing machine are both shifted to their high speeds which is initialed by the dot 292. The dot 293 shifts both the drive mechanism and the sewing machine to their slow speeds in contemplation of stopping the sewing machine which is accomplished by the dot 294. The dot 295 again initiates the sewing operation which proceeds until stopped by the dot 296. The dot 297 shifts the drive mechanism for the work table 5 to high speed so that it will proceed as rapidly as possible until the dot 298 shifts it to slow speed in contemplation of stopping the cycle which is accomplished by the dot 282.

During the entire sewing operation, the stitch length is determined by the amount that the work table 5 is moved while the needle 36 is out of the work. By selecting the proper ratios in the drive and by shifting the speed of the sewing machine and the tracing machine in simultaneously between their high and low speeds, an accurate and uniform stitch length is obtained.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of our invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the nature of the invention, what we claim herein is:

1. In combination, a sewing machine having a point of stitch formation and means for supporting and moving a work piece relative to the point of stitch formation in a path defined by a pattern line conforming to the desired seam configuration, said means comprising a work support, means for mounting said work support for universal movement relative to and in a plane containing the the point of stitch formation, a pattern member mounted for movement with said work support and having a pattern line, a tracer mechanism for generating a varying electrical control signal in response to the relative position of said tracer mechanism laterally of the p-atttern line, and means responsive to said control signal for moving said work support relative to the point of stitch formation and for simultaneously moving said pattern member relative to said tracer mechanism whereby said pattern member is moved with said pattern line in cooperation with said tracer mechanism and said work support is moved in a path defined by said pattern line.

2. In combination, a sewing machine having a point of stitch formation and control means for initiating and terminating the operation of said sewing machine, a work support, means for mounting said work support for universal movement relative to and in a plane containing the point of stitch formation, a tracer mechanism for generating a varying electrical control signal in response to the relative position of the tracer mechanism laterally of a pattern line, means responsive to the control signal for effecting relative movement between said tracer mechanism and the pattern line in a path conforming to the configuration of the pattern line and for simultaneously imparting corresponding movement to said work support, and means for actuating said sewing machine control means at preselected points along said pattern line to initiate and terminate the operation of said sewing machine.

3. In the combination set forth in claim 2 in which said tracer mechanism includes a photoelectric element cooperating with the pattern line and said means for actuating the sewing machine control means includes a photoelectric element adapted to cooperate with control points disposed in predetermined relation with respect to said pattern 'line.

4. In combination, a sewing machine having a point of stitch formation and control means for controlling the operation of said sewing machine, a work support, means for mounting said work support for universal movement relative to and in a plane containing the point of stitch formation, a tracer mechanism for generating a varying electrical control signal in response to the relative position of the tracer mechanism laterally of a pattern line, means responsit e to the control signal for effecting relative movement between said tracer mechanism and the pattern line in a path conforming to the configuration of the pattern line and for simultaneously imparting corresponding movement to said work support, a programming board having sequential series of individually selectable contacts for actuating said sewing machine control mechanism and said means for effecting relative movement between said tracer mechanism and the pattern line and the movement of said work support, and means for indexing said programming board in response to a con trol signal initiated in a preselected point in relation to the pattern line.

5. In combination, a sewing machine having a point of stitch formation, control means for initiating and terminating the operation of said sewing machine, a presser mechanism adapted to engage the work at the point of stitch formation and a presser lifter mechanism for raising and lowering the presser mechanism relative to the work support, means for mounting said work support for universal movement relative to and in a plane containing the point of stitch formation, a tracer mechl3 anism for generating a varying electrical control signal in response to the relative position of the tracer mechanism laterally of-a pattern line, means responsive to the control signal for effecting relative movement between said tnacer mechanism and the pattern line in a path conforming to the configuration of the pattern line and for simultaneously imparting corresponding movement to said work support, means for actuating said sewing machine control means at preselected points along said pattern line, and means for actuating said presser lifter mechanism in sequence with respect to said sewing machine control means whereby said presser mechanism is lowered before the operation of said sewing machine is initiated and said presser mechanism is raised after the operation of said sewing mach-inc is terminated.

6. In combination, a sewing machine having a point of stitch formation, a work support, means for mounting said work support for universal movement relative to and in a plane containing the point of stitch formation, means for imparting movement to said work support in accordance with a predetermined pattern, means for raising said presser mechanism out of engagement with the work for a portion of each stitch cycle of the sewing machine, and means for locking said work support against movement in each stitch cycle substantially when said resser mechanism is lowered and for releasing the same substantially when said presser mechanism is raised.

7. In the combination set forth in claim 6, in which said means for locking said work support against movement comprises an electromagnet, and said means for raising said presser mechanism is electrically actuated, and there is provided alternately acting electrical switching means associated with said sewing machine for controlling the operation of said means for raising said presser mechanism and said means for locking said work support.

8. In combination, a sewing machine having a point of stitch formation, control means for initiating and terminating operation of said sewing machine, a work support, means for mounting said work support for universal movement relative to and in a plane containing the point of stitch formation, a tracer mechanism for generating a varying electrical control signal in response to the relative position of said tracer mechanism laterally of a pattern line, means responsive to the control signal for effecting relative movement between said tracer mechanism and the pattern line in a path conforming to the configuration of the pattern line and for simultaneously imparting corresponding movement to said work support, a thread cutter for automatically severing and nipping the sewing thread upon the termination of operation of the sewing machine, and means for automatically actuating said thread cutter after a predetermined number of stitch forming cycles of said sewing machine to release the nipped end of the sewing thread.

9. In combination, a sewing machine having a point of stitch formation, control means for initiating and terminating operation of said sewing machine, and means for severing and nipping the sewing thread at the termination of the sewing operation comprising an endwise movable knife bar, means for imparting endwise motion to said knife bar, a knife blade pivotally mounted on the knife bar and having a cutting edge and a nipping edge and cooperating with the knife bar to cut and nip the sewing thread upon closing of said knife blade relative to said knife bar, cam means for pivoting and closing said knife blade relative to said knife bar at the end of the forward stroke of the knife bar, cam means for opening said knife blade at the end of the return stroke of said knife bar to release the nipped end of the sewing thread, latch means for stopping said knife bar on the return stroke thereof before the knife blade is opened to release the nipped end thereof, and means for releasing said latch means after a predetermined number of stitches in the next sewing cycle.

10. In the combination set forth in claim 9, in which the means for imparting endwise motion to said knife bar comprises an air cylinder, means providing constant low pressure air to said cylinder for biasing the same in the return direction, means providing high pressure air to the other side of said cylinder and valve means for controlling the high pressure air.

11. In the combination of claim 9, in which the means for releasing said latch means comprise a cam, means including a slip clutch for rotating said cam in timed relation to said sewing machine, a control element for releasing said latch means and actuated by said cam after a predetermined number of stitches, means biasing said cam toward its initial position, and means actuated upon termination of the sewing operation to release said slip clutch to permit said biasing means to return said cam to its initial position.

12. In combination, a sewing machine having a point of stitch formation and means for supporting and moving a work piece relative to the point of stitch formation in a path defined by a pattern line conforming to the desired seam configuration, said means comprising a work support, means for mounting said work support for universal movement relative to and in a plane containing the point of stitch formation, a tracer mechanism for gene-rating a control signal in response to the relative position of said tracer mechanism laterally of the pattern line, means for imparting universal movement to said work support and for simultaneously effecting relative movement between said tracer mechanism and the pattern line comprising a drive wheel in driving relation with said work support and turnable about a steering axis normal to the plane of movement of said work support, means for imparting rotation to said drive wheel, and means responsive to the control signal for turning said drive wheel about said steering axis to change the direction of the movement of the work support relative to the point of stitch formation and of the relative movement between the tracer mechanism and the pattern line, said work support having a drive plate engaged by said drive wheel, and means for securing said drive plate to said work support for unitary movement with said work support in said plane and for movement relative to said work support in a direction normal to said plane.

13. In the combination set forth in claim 12, a freely journaled resistance wheel resiliently engaging said drive plate on the opposite side of and opposed to said drive Wheel, said resistance wheel being mounted for turning about a steering axis aligned with the steering axis of the drive wheel, and means for turning said resistance wheel about the steering axis in unison with the turning of said drive wheel.

14-. In the combination set forth in claim 13, means for moving said resistance wheel endwise of the steering axis thereof out of engagement with said drive plate.

15. In combination, a sewing machine having a point of stitch formation and means for supporting and moving a work piece relative to the point of stitch formation in a path defined by a pattern line conforming to the desired seam configuration, said means comprising a work support, means for mounting said work support for universal movement relative to and in the plane containing the point of stitch formation, a pattern member mounted for movement with said work support and having a pattern line, a tracer mechanism comprising a photoelectric element adapted to be vibrate-d in a plane normal to said pattern member and defining a path of motion on said pattern member with the midpoint thereof comprising a tracing point and to generate a varying electrical control signal .in response to the lateral position of said pattern line relative to the tracing point, means responsive to the control signal for turning said tracer mechanism to maintain the plane of vibration of said photoelectric element normal to the pattern line, means for imparting movement to said work support and for simultaneously moving said pattern member relative to said tracer mechanism, and means responsive to said control signal for directing the movement of said work support and the pattern member to maintain the pattern line on the tracing point as the pattern member is moved relative thereto and thereby moving the work support in a path conforming to the configuration of the pattern line.

16. In the combination set forth in claim 15, in which said means for imparting movement to said work support comprises a drive wheel in driving relation with said work support and turnable about a steering axis normal to the plane of movement of said work support, and in which said means for directing the movement of said work support comprises means for coupling said drive wheel to said tracer mechanism for turning said drive wheel 16 about the steering axis thereof in unison with the turning of said tracer mechanism.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,997,148 4/ 1935 K'leinschmit et al. 112252 2,483,138 9/ 1949 Helmet 112219 2,532,421 12/ 1950 Rathje.

2,808,795 10/ 1957 Worth-am 1122S2 3,079,880 3/1963 Bihaly 112-204 3,083,580 4/1963 Carson et a1.

3,084,640 4/1963 Hayes et al. 1122 3,135,904 6/1964 Purkhiser 318162 X JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION, A SEWING MACHINE HAVING A POINT OF STITCH FORMATION AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND MOVING A WORK PIECE RELATIVE TO THE POINT OF STITCH FORMATION IN A PATH DEFINED BY A PATTERN LINE CONFORMING TO THE DESIRED SEAM CONFIGURATION, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A WORK SUPPORT, MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID WORK SUPPORT FOR UNIVERSAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO AND IN A PLANE CONTAINING THE THE POINT OF STITCH FORMATION, A PATTERN MEMBER MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID WORK SUPPORT AND HAVING A PATTERN LINE, A TRACER MECHANISM FOR GENERATING A VARYING ELECTRICAL CONTROL SIGNAL IN RESPONSE TO THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SAID TRACER MECHANISM LATERALLY OF THE PATTERN LINE, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID CONTROL SIGNAL FOR MOVING SAID WORK SUPPORT RELATIVE TO THE POINT OF STITCH FORMATION AND FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVING SAID PATTERN MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID TRACER MECHANISM WHEREBY SAID PATTERN MEMBER IS MOVED WITH SAID PATTERN LINE IN COOPERATION WITH SAID TRACER MECHANISM AND SAID WORK SUPPORT IS MOVED IN A PATH DEFINED BY SAID PATTERN LINE.