Feed control for operationally programmed sewing machine

Claim 2

In combination with a sewing machine having a drive mechanism and a material feed device driven thereby in one direction at an adjustably regulated feed rate, material sensing means for detecting the presence of material being advanced toward the feed device in said one direction, automatic control means connected to the drive mechanism for operating the machine during a sewing cycle while the material is detected by the sensing means, programming means connected to the control means for intermittently generating a stop signal interrupting operation of the machine during the sewing cycle, and feed rate control means connected to said material feed device for changing the rate at which the material is fed in said one direction in response to said stop signal from the programming means.

Claim 3

In combination with a sewing machine having a drive mechanism and a material feed device driven thereby in one direction at an adjustably regulated feed rate, material sensing means for detecting the presence of material being advanced toward the feed device in said one direction, automatic control means connected to the drive mechanism for operating the machine during a sewing cycle while the material is detected by the sensing means, programming means connected to the control means for intermittently generating a stop signal interrupting operation of the machine during the sewing cycle, and feed rate control means connected to said material feed device for changing the rate at which the material is fed in said one direction in response to said stop signal from the programming means, said feed device including a feed-in control lever biased in one direction, said feed rate control means including a plurality of retractable stop elements, position limiting means movably mounted for engagement by said stop elements when extended to limit movement of the control lever in said one direction to preselected positions, power operated means for extending said stop elements, and means connecting the power operated means to the programming means for selecting the stop elements extended in response to said interruptions in the sewing cycle.

Claim 4

In combination with a sewing machine having a drive mechanism and a material feed device driven thereby in one direction at an adjustably regulated feed rate, material sensing means for detecting the presence of material being advanced toward the feed device in said one direction, automatic control means connected to the drive mechanism for operating the machine during a sewing cycle while the material is detected by the sensing means, programming means connected to the control means for intermittently generating a stop signal interrupting operation of the machine during the sewing cycle, and feed rate control means connected to said material feed device for changing the rate at which the material is fed in said one direction in response to said stop signal from the programming means, said feed device including a feed-in control lever biased in one direction, said feed rate control means including a plurality of retractable stop elements, position limiting means movably mounted for engagement by said stop elements when extended to limit movement of the control lever in said one direction to preselected positions, power operated means for extending said stop elements, and means connecting the power operated means to the programming means for selecting the stop elements extended in response to said interruptions in the sewing cycle.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 2 wherein said position limiting means comprises a plate, means pivotally mounting the plate in fixedly spaced relation to said stop elements, and linkage means connecting the plate to the control lever.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 3 wherein said pivotal mounting means includes a frame fixedly mounting the power operated means in spaced relation to the plate.

Claim 7

In combination with a sewing machine having an adjustably positioned feed control for changing rate of feed in one direction, means for intermittently generating a stop signal interrupting operation of the sewing machine during a sewing cycle, and feed rate control means responsive to said stop signal for automatically changing the position of the feed control.

Claim 8

In combination with a sewing machine having an adjustably positioned feed control for changing rate of feed in one direction, means for intermittently generating a stop signal interrupting operation of the sewing machine during a sewing cycle, and feed rate control means responsive to said stop signal for automatically changing the position of the feed control.

Claim 9

In combination with a sewing machine having an adjustably positioned feed control and means for intermittently interrupting operation during a sewing cycle, feed rate control means responsive to said interruptions for automatically changing the position of the feed control, said feed rate control means including a plurality of retractable stop elements, position limiting means movably mounted for engagement by said stop elements when extended to limit movement of the feed control to preselected positions, power operated means for extending said stop eelements, and means for selecting the stop elements extended in response to said interruptions during pauses in the sewing cycle.

Claim 10

In combination with a sewing machine having an adjustably positioned feed control and means for intermittently interrupting operation during a sewing cycle, feed rate control means responsive to said interruptions for automatically changing the position of the feed control, said feed rate control means including a plurality of retractable stop elements, position limiting means movably mounted for engagement by said stop elements when extended to limit movement of the feed control to preselected positions, power operated means for extending said stop eelements, and means for selecting the stop elements extended in response to said interruptions during pauses in the sewing cycle.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 6 wherein said position limiting means comprises a plate, means pivotally mounting the plate in fixedly spaced relation to said stop elements, and linkage means connecting the plate to the feed control.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 7 wherein said pivotal mounting means includes a frame fixedly mounting the power operated means in spaced relation to the plate.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 8 including programming means for preselecting the intervals during the sewing cycle when operation is interrupted and the position of the feed control changed.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 6 including programming means for preselecting the intervals during the sewing cycle when operation is interrrupted and the position of the feed control changed.

Claim 15

In combination with a sewing machine having a drive mechanism rendered operative in delayed response to detection of material by a sensor to initiate a sewing cycle, means for operating the drive mechanism during said sewing cycle, signal controlled means connected to the sensor for energizing said operating means during said sewing cycle and programming means connected to the signal controlled means for temporarily deenergizing the operating means during pauses of preselected duration within the sewing cycle.

Claim 16

In combination with a sewing machine having a drive mechanism rendered operative in delayed response to detection of material by a sensor to initiate a sewing cycle, means for operating the drive mechanism during said sewing cycle, signal controlled means connected to the sensor for energizing said operating means during said sewing cycle and programming means connected to the signal controlled means for temporarily deenergizing the operating means during pauses of preselected duration within the sewing cycle.

Claim 17

In a sewing machine having a power source and a stitching mechanism operated by said power source, the combination comprising a feeding mechanism driven by said power source for advancing material through said stitching mechanism, feed control means cooperating with said feeding mechanism for changing the rate of feed of the material in one direction, timing means connected to said stitching mechanism for producing a stop signal upon elapse of a preselected period of time, and circuit means interconnecting the timing means and the feed control means for automatically effecting said change in feed rate in reponse to said stop signal, said circuit means including means cooperating with the timing means for controlling a period initiated by the stop signal during which the feeding and stitching mechanism are inoperative.

Claim 18

In a sewing machine having a power source and a stitching mechanism operated by said power source, the combination comprising a feeding mechanism driven by said power source for advancing material through said stitching mechanism, feed control means cooperating with said feeding mechanism for changing the rate of feed of the material in one direction, timing means connected to said stitching mechanism for producing a stop signal upon elapse of a preselected period of time, and circuit means interconnecting the timing means and the feed control means for automatically effecting said change in feed rate in reponse to said stop signal, said circuit means including means cooperating with the timing means for controlling a period initiated by the stop signal during which the feeding and stitching mechanism are inoperative.