An apparatus for inserting sheet material or textile fabric between the mating male and female rings of an embroidery hoop. The female ring is placed in a cutout in a support plate or template and the fabric to be embroidered is positioned thereover. The corresponding male ring carried by a reciprocating head is then activated to insert the male ring into the female ring with the fabric therebetween completing the assembly.

An automated screening and splining apparatus for continuously seating an elongated flexible spline material in a screen frame having a screen retaining channel along first, second, third and fourth perimeter sides and corners of the screen frame and defining a spline sealing area within the screen retaining channel for receiving spline material therein, and the screen frame having first, second, third and fourth perimeter edges, comprising: (a) frame assembly; (b) slide carriage device mounted on the structural support device having first moving device for latitudinal movement along a y-axis between a third position and a second position, and for latitudinal movement along the y-axis between third position and fourth position; and the slide carriage device having second moving device for longitudinal movement along an x-axis between a second position and a third position, and for longitudinal movement along the x-axis between a fourth position and first position; and (c) a spline dispensing head assembly mounted on the slide carriage device for supplying the spline material to the screen retaining channel of the screen frame in a continuous splining cycle, as the slide carriage device move from the first position to the second position, to the third position, to the fourth position and then return to the first position in a continuous, uninterrupted cycle.

A machine for applying frames to fabric with the fabric accurately aligned with the frame. A work surface has blocks which are adjustable to position an outer frame along a line 45.degree. to the front of the machine. An air cylinder is supported over the work surface by an arm which is slidably adjustable relative to a column which is rotatably adjustable to position the air cylinder relative to the outer frame. A pressure plate of the air cylinder holds an inner frame to be pressed into the outer frame. A laser light source is supported by the column so as to be directed to any desired position on the work surface to align the fabric with the outer frame.

A machine for applying frames to fabric in preparation for embroidering the fabric has a pair of table halves which are laterally adjustable in position to vary the spacing between them and to vary their positions relative to a frame holder. A neck piece at the front edge of each table half is also laterally adjustable relative to the table halves so as to more closely approximate the shape of a garment when it is slipped over the table. An apparatus for applying frames having an image projector and a two-bar linkage for advancing the upper frame half toward the lower frame half is also disclosed.

A splining apparatus for seating an elongated flexible spline in the screen retaining channel of a screen frame to secure flexible screen material thereto, including a work support assembly for receiving and holding the screen frame, and a carriage assembly for longitudinal movement between a first position and a second position. The splining apparatus further includes a screen roll feed holder assembly for supplying screen material located at the first position; and a spline roll holder for supplying spline material located at the second position. The carriage assembly supports a spline head assembly for supplying the spline to the screen frame as the carriage assembly moves from the second position to the first position. The spline head assembly includes a spline wheel sub-assembly for inserting and seating the spline into the screen retaining channel as the carriage assembly and the spline head assembly move from the first position to the second position. The spline head assembly also includes a spline cutter sub-assembly for cutting the spline at the second position after the spline and screen material have been seated in the screen retaining channel. The splining apparatus also includes an electronic sensor for sensing the end of the screen frame and for stopping the movement of the spline head assembly at the second position.