Patent GB-190314033-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Sewing Machines.
Inventor: LEWIS JOHN GATES
Filed: 1903-06-23
Granted: 1904-06-23
Abstract: 14,033. Lewis, J. G. June 23. Blind-stitching machines; frames.-The frame, shown in plan in Fig. 12, consists of two main parts 30, 31, the former containing for the most part the main shaft and the sewing-mechanism, and the latter the feed and work-support mechanism. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the main shaft 32, and Fig. 1 a vertical section through the head. Work-supports; feed; presser-feet; presser lifted automatically; guiding materials.-Fig. 2 is a plan of the work-support consisting of two independently sliding and adjustable plates 60, 61. The work is fed over these plates from right to left of Fig. 1, passing over the edges 64, 65, where it is sewn, and thence to the feed. The edges 64, 65 of the plates are inclined to one another, as shown, the idea being that the folded part of a hem shall pass over one plate, and the single thickness of material over the other. The tendency of material of different thicknesses to go crooked when led over a straight edge is thus avoided. Feed-cams 33, 34 on the main shaft 32 operate three rockshafts 46, 53, 58 shown in section in Fig. 1. The shaft 46, together with springs 71, reciprocates the plates 60, 61 by means of an arm 78, and also a feed-bar 79 carried by the plate 61. The shaft 53 carries a block 80, which presses the feed-bar against a foot 83. This foot is pivoted at 85 to a lever 84, which is, in turn, pivoted on the presser-bar 88 and is actuated by an arm 90 on the third rock-shaft 58. The foot 83 passes through the presser-foot 99. The action of feeding is as follows :-When a stitch has taken place, the shafts 53, 58 are actuated, thus pressing the feed dog 79 and the foot 83 together and clamping the work between them. Continued motion of the shaft 58 causes the lever 84 to turn about 85 as a pivot and raise the presserfoot from the work. The arm 78 on the shaft 46 then forces the plates 60, 61 to the right, thus causing the work to lie slack at their edges. The slack is however immediately taken up by the feedbar 79, which moves with the plates. The foot 83 moves with the feed bar, turning about the pivot 85. The work is now released by the feed-dog and foot 83, the plates 60, 61 return to their former position, the presser-foot 99 clamps the work against a work-plate 91, and the foot 83, which is now withdrawn from the work, is returned to its normal position by a spring 98. The presser-foot can be lifted by the attendant by a pedal-actuated lever 110, and is made in two parts, one of them being at a different level from, and pivoted to, the other. The object of the pivoted part is to engage in the folded part of the work. The work is also held down on the upper edge of the plates 60, 61 by a shoe 150, which also guides the edge. Needle-bars, vibrating laterally; needle-driving. -The needle-bar is moved from side to side of the edge of the fold so as to make one stitch through the single thickness and then one through the double thickness. This is effected by a cam 36 and adjustable linkwork 128, 129. 35 is a needledriving eccentric operating a lever 118, which is connected to the needle-bar 123 by a link 121. This link causes the movement of the needle-bar to differ slightly in its two positions, and thus to compensate for the difference of stitch which would otherwise occur due to the difference in the times when the rotary hook takes the loop. Governing needle thread.-The take-up eye 133 is carried by a lever which is actuated by a cam 37. Counting - mechanism ; lockstitch hook sewing- machines; needles; needle shields; governing under thread.-The main shaft 32 actuates a counter 39, the spindle 38 of which drives a train of wheels 138, 139, 140, Fig. 18. The last-mentioned wheel carries the rotary hook 142. The hook and its gear-wheels are carried in a case 143, which is connected with the lever 110, so that when the presser-foot is raised for the insertion of the work, the hook and its immediate mechanism are also shifted out of the way. The hook is formed, amongst other things, with a loop cast-off surface, shown thickened in Fig. 18, and with a surface for receiving the loop of thread and preventing it from becoming chafed between the needle and the hook. The needle is bevelled at one side only, its flat side being presented to the plates 60, 61. A fixed guide 166 engages with the needle and steadies it as it enters the work, and to prevent the bevel on it from throwing it too much towards the hook, the hook is also provided with a deflecting-surface, which maintains the needle in a vertical position. In a modification, the hook shaft is horizontal, and the hook case is fitted with a needle-deflector separately actuated by a cam. In this case, the position of the hook interferes with the facility with which the thread is cast off, and therefore the needle-deflector is made to act also as a threadguide for the purpose.