Patent GB-861177-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to sewing machine attachments
IPC: D05B35/06
Filed: 1957-11-09
Abstract: 861,177. Sewing machines. SCOTCRAFT Ltd., and ALLEN, I. Oct. 31, 1958 [Nov. 11, 1957], No. 34983/57. Class 112 A sewing machine attachment for ruffling or gathering strip material such as ribbons or lace while the latter is being stitched to base material comprises a presser foot which is adapted to extend over the throat plate of the sewing machine and is formed with a needlepassing slot, a rod disposed transversely above said slot and urged resiliently into slot-superposing position, and means for guiding the strip material to pass over said rod and through said slot, the resilient loading of said rod being adapted thereby to provide feeding of the strip material as the latter is being stitched to the base material fed below the presser foot. The presser foot comprises a post 11 attachable to the presser bar 12 of the sewing machine, a sole plate 13 formed with a needle-passing slot 15, and a guide bar 21 which is secured by screws to the sole plate and is integral -with the lower portion or heel of post 11. The underside of the heel is flat over an area flanked by the rear and outer edges thereof, and curves upwardly in both directions, as indicated at 99, from the front and inner limits of the flat area to allow free rearward movement of the united strip and base material. The guide bar 21 is formed with horizontal flanges 22, 23 on which is slidable, in the direction of stitching, a carrier plate 24. A tension spring 34 is connected between lugs 36, 37 formed on the sole plate 13 and carrier plate 24 respectively. A bar 38 projecting rearwardly from the carrier plate 24 is formed with a transverse bar 39. A tension spring 41 is connected between the latter and a plate 42 adjustably fixed to post 11. Springs 34 and 41 bias the carrier plate 24 rearwardly to engage arm 39 with a screw 54 adjustably threaded through the post 11. A hardened cylindrical rod 58, which may be rotatable, is mounted in respective bores in arm 38 and a lug 59 projecting rearwardly from the carrier plate 24, and overlies the needle-passing slot 15. A transverse dovetail groove formed in the upper surface of the carrier plate 24 slidably receives a tongue 46 formed on the lower plate 47 of a guide for the strip material L. Said lower plate is rigidly secured by side spacer members 32, 33 to an upper plate 31 to provide a guideway 30 therebetween. A strip 48 of friction material is interposed between tongue 46 and said dovetail groove, and the guide for the strip material L is secured in adjusted transverse position by a screw 53 passing through a slot 52 in an extension of spacer 32. The front edge of the upper plate 31 has an upwardly-curved portion 63 to which is secured a cylindrical bar 64 to provide a guide slot 65 therebetween. An arm 56 projecting rearwardly from spacer 32 towards arm 39, is grooved on its lower surface to slide over rod 58, and constitutes a guide for the outer edge of the strip material L. A screw-threaded rod 68, rotatably mounted in ears 66, 67 formed on the edges of plate 31, carries at one end a knob 69 and screws through a boss 71. The latter, which is slidably but non-rotatably engaged with plate 31, is formed with a rearwardly and downwardly nose 72, and constitutes an adjustable guide for the inner edge of the strip material L. In use, the strip material is threaded right side up through the guide slot 65 and guideway 30, and passes over rod 58, through slot 15 and under the heel portion of the presser foot. The base material is fed right side up below the presser foot. During stitching the needle 16 on its downward stroke strikes the rod 58 and displaces the springs 34, 41. The strip material is thereby pulled through the guideway 30, and as the needle continues its downward stroke the excess strip material is doubled over and stitched to the base material. The rod 58 returns to its original position on being cleared by the needle during its upward stroke. Rod 58 may be formed with a circumferential groove in alignment with the needle. The amount of gathering can be varied by alteration in the length of stitch. In a modification, Fig. 8, the presser foot comprises a post 75 and a flat sole plate 76 formed with a slot 78 for passing the needle and strip material. The guide for the latter comprises a block 82 carried by the transversely bent front end of a rod 86 which passes slidably through post 75 and is biased rearwardly by a spring 83. Block 82 is fixed in adjusted position on said front end by a screw 85. A rod 92 lying in a groove in the outer face of block 82 has a transversely-bent rear end 98 which abuts post 75. Block 82 is secured in adjusted position on rod 92 by a screw 100. Projecting transversely from the inner face 89 of block 82 to overlie the sole plate are three guide rods 93, 94, 95 which carry a slidable clip 97. A further guide rod 96 projects from the bevelled front corner 90 of block 82. Rod 93 is located over the front edge of slot 78 and performs the same function as the rod 58 of the first embodiment. The outer edge of the strip material is guided by face 89 and the inner edge is guided by clip 97. Light material is passed under rod 96, over rod 95, under rod 94 and over rod 93 on its way through slot 78. Heavy material is passed under rod 96 and over rods 95, 94, 93.