Process and apparatus for stitching excess thread chain on a sewing machine

A method of automatically stitching excess thread chain to a cloth so that no free stitches are provided on the leading edge of the cloth, utilizing a semi-automatic sewing machine having a stitching needle for stitching the thread chain, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) automatically sensing the completion of stitching, by the semi-automatic sewing machine, of a first cloth, by sensing a trailing portion of the first cloth;
• (b) automatically engaging the first cloth in response to the sensing and moving the first cloth away from the stitching needle more quickly than the sewing machine stitches the thread chain, to pull excess thread chain extending past the trailing portion of the first cloth relatively taut;
• (c) automatically severing the excess thread chain from the trailing portion of the first cloth when the excess thread chain is relatively taut;
• and
• (d) automatically positioning the excess thread chain with respect to a second cloth so that the excess thread chain is stitched to the second cloth by the sewing machine, so neither cloth has free stitches extended therefrom.

A linkage assembly for a semi-automatic sewing machine which comprises a foot pedal actuator for actuating an arm for engaging a clutch, when the arm is actuated to engage the clutch the sewing machine operating to effect stitching, and when the arm disengages the clutch the sewing machine terminating stitching:

• means for automatically stopping stitching action of said sewing machine comprising a linear actuator operatively connected to said arm and said foot pedal, and a rod having an enlarged actuator thereon operatively connected to said arm and said foot pedal;
• said linear actuator including a movable portion thereof which has an abutment for engaging said enlarged portion attached to said rod;
• and
• means for effecting actuation of said linear actuator to move said abutment away from said enlarged attachment to said rod so that said rod does not engage said abutment, thereby causing the arm to move to a clutch disengaging position.

An attachment for a semi-automatic sewing machine, having a stitching needle for stitching a thread chain, a presser foot, and a power source, comprising:

• means for positioning any excess thread chain extending from a trailing edge of an article which has just been stitched by the sewing machine after severing of the excess thread chain from the article, said positioning means comprising:
• blowing means for blowing said stitch chain from the position at which it is severed to a position on an upstream, first side of the stitching needle;
• catching means for catching the thread chain at said position on the upstream side of the stitching needle and maintaining tension on said excess thread chain by frictionally engaging it, to gradually release it as it is being stitched to another garment;
• and
• said catching means comprising a catching finger;
• a linear actuator operatively connected to said catching finger for moving said catching finger from a catching to a holding position;
• and a block of material stationary with respect to said catching finger and cooperating with said catching finger so that said catching finger frictionally holds the excess thread chain between it and said block of material.