Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 11th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 25th May, 1889
1, HENRY HUBERT HUMPHREY of Detroit State of Michigan, United States of
America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this.invention to be as follows:-
In the manufacture of certain kinds of knit goods, such as mittens, socks and the
like, it is customary to provide them with a lining or so called tufting, made by closely
covering the inner surface with loose yarn meshes...
The object of my invention is to do this work by machinery in an ecomomical
and expeditious manner.
To this end my invention consists in the peculiar construction and organization in
an operative machine of different elements, all as more fully hereinafter described.
The frame of the machine consists of a standard provided with a suitable foot, for
attaching it to a work-table, this standard is provided with a overhanging hollow arm,
which projects at right angles therefrom and carries at its forward enda hanger. This
arm supports in suitable bearings a transverse shaft, to the front end of which is
secured a hand wheel. Upon the said shaft is a grooved cam into which engages
by means of a suitable wrist pin a reciprocating rack bar; a mitre pinion is secured
upon the same shaft and meshes with another mitre pinion which operates at one
end of a horizontal shaft which revolves in suitable bearings in the hollow arm
and which is provided at its free end with a crank engaging with a lifter of a
vertical reciprocating pressure foot bar to which the pressure foot is adjustably
secured.
The mitre pinion also meshes with another mitre pinion upon the end of a longi-
tudinal shaft which revolves in suitable bearings in the hollow arm and carries at its
free end a grooved guide pulley and an excentric. This latter is provided with an
excentric rod pivotally connected to a cross-head which is adjustably secured upon a
pawl. This feed pawl turns loosely upon a feed shaft and engages with a feed ratchet,
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page_text: which is fast upon the said shaft and has a suitable back-stop. The work supporting
arm or rest is supported at one end by the standard, some distance below the
hollow arm and through this work supporting arin the feed shaft passes, and is
supported therein in suitable bearings, and. has secured to its free end a serrated feed
disc which is made tapering towards the periphery. The work supporting arm is
pivotally secured to the standard and carries upon its rear end a spring locking latch
which operates in connection with a catch on the standard to lock the work
supporting arm to the said standard, or permit, of its being un'ocked or turned on its
pivot, to carry the feed wheel out from under the pressure foot, to permit of placing
the work on or taking it off the support.
The needle is adjustably secured by a set screw to a holder which is adjustably
secured to a downwardly projecting arm of a reciprocating needle bar, and this needle
bar has adjustably secured to it a crank rod which connects it with a crank disc
secured upon the transverse shaft.
The pressure foot is grooved upon its underside "to extend down over both sides of
the feed disc, and is provided with a vertical slot through which the needle operates.
The pressure foot bar is also provided with a lifting lever by means of which the
pressure foot may be vertically withdrawn from operation against the tension of a
spring. The lower end of the hanger forms a bearing for a horizontal shaft to one end
of which is secured a pinion which engages with the rack bar before described.
and thereby imparts an oscillating, motion to an excentric which is adjustably secured
upon the said shaft.
This excentric carries an oscillating retaining hook or looper, adjustably secured to
it by means of a set screw.
•
In practice, the machine is driven by suitable power applied to the pulley from
whence it is transmitted to the longitudinal shaft and through the intermeshing.bevel
pinions to the transverse shaft which intermittently reciprocates the rack bar and also
From the
reciprocates the needle bar by means of the connections described.
transverse shaft the power is transmitted to the horizontal shaft by means of the
intermeshing beve! pinions and this shaft intermittently lifts the pressure foot off
the feed wheel, while the spring by its tension, keeps the pressure foot in the
interval between its 'reciprocations, down upon the work on the feed wheel. The
excentric revolves the feed shaft. intermittently, and thereby moves the feed wheel a
distance of one or more teeth, according to the adjustment of the feed pawl.
intermittent reciprocations of the rack bar impart to the retaining hook an
intermittent oscillating motion and it will be seen that on account of its excéntric
connection with the rock shaft the hook while it oscillates between the relative
positions has an excentric or tilting motion for the purpose hereinafter 'described.
The hand wheel serves as a convenient and safe means to enable the operator'to
adjust and operate the machine without the use of
power.
The
In putting the machine to work, the article upon which the machine is designed to
operate; such as mittens or the like is turned inside out and slipped over the free end
of the work support after the same has been swung toward the operator to bring it
away from the operating parts, which would interfere with the convenient adjustment
of the work. After the work is thus engaged, the work support is 'turned into 'its
normal position, where it is locked to the standard by the locking latch and then the
pressure foot is released, to permit it to hold the work down upon the feed wheel and
form a ridge in the fabric. Upon motion being given to the parts, the 'forward
reciprocation of the needle carries the thread through the fabric, while at the same
time the retaining hook oscillates downwardly close to the needle, and passing with
its point between the needle and the loop, so that upon the needle returning, the yarn is
drawn through the needle and a loop formed. While the needle returns to make a
new stitch, the feed disc feeds the work to one side, while at the same time the
pressure foot is withdrawn to release the fabric sufficiently to permit a free 'feed, and
simultaneously the retaining hook clears itself by an upward movement from tlie loop
which it holds, and this clearing motion is assisted by the tilt of the 'hook, towards the
pressure foot. Thus the parts continue to operate and forms a series of loops upon

page_text: the fabric, which by the guidance of the operator, are made to cover the fabric in
a regular manner to form what is called "tufting" or fleece lining. All the parts
of the machine when needed are made adjustable to work upon different kinds of
materials, as will be easily understood by the practical operator.
Dated this 25th day of September 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Tufted Fabrics and in
Machines therefor.
I, HENRY HUBERT HUMPHREY, of Detroit, Michigan, United States of America,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
In the manufacture of certain kinds of knit goods, such as mittens, socks, and the
like, it is customary to provide them with a lining or so called tufting, made by closely
covering the inner surface with loose yarn meshes.
The object of my invention is to do this work by machinery, in an economical and
expeditious manner.
To this end my invention consists, in the peculiar construction and organization in
an operative machine. of different elements, all as more fully hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine.
Figure 2 is a top plan..
Figure 3 is an end elevation.
Figure 4 is a perspective of the front end of the machine.,
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on line. 2, x, in Figure, 1.
Figures 6 and 7 are, details, illustrating the operation of the machine, in connection
with the work.
The frame of the machine consists of the standard I, provided with a suitable foot,
for attaching it to a work table; this standard is provided with a overhanging, hollow
arm 2, which projects at right angles therefrom. and carries at its forward end a
banger 3. This arm 2 supports in suitable bearings a transverse shaft 4, to the
front

page_text: end of which is secured a hand wheel 5. Upon the said shaft is a grooved cam 6 into
which engages by means of a suitable wrist pin, a reciprocating rack bar. 7; a mitre-
pinion 8 is secured upon the same shaft and meshes with another mitre pinion 9 which
operates at one end of a horizontal shaft 10, which revolves in suitable bearings in
the hollow arm, and which is provided at its free end with a crank 11 engaging with
a lifter 12, of a vertical, reciprocating pressure foot bar 13; to which the pressure
foot 14 is adjustably secured!
The mitre pinion 8 also meshes with another mitre-pinion 15 upon the end of a
longitudinal shaft 16 which revolves in suitable bearings in the hollow arm 2, and
carries at its free end a grooved guide pulley 17 and an eccentric 18. This latter is
provided with an eccentric rod 19, pivotally connected to a cross-head 20 which is
adjustably secured upon a pawl 21. This feed pawl turns loosely upon a feed
shaft 22, and engages with a feed ratchet 23 which is fast upon the said shaft 22, and
has a suitable back-stop 24. 25 is the work supporting arm or rest supported at one
end by the standard I, some distance below the hollow arm 2, and through this work
supporting arm the feed shaft 22 passes, and is supported therein in suitable bearings:
and has secured to its free end à serrated feed-disc 26 which is made tapering towards
the periphery. The work supporting arm 25 is pivottally secured at 27, and carries
upon its rear end a spring locking latch 28 as shown in figure 5 which operates in
connection with a catch 29, on the standard I to lock the work supporting arm to the
said standard, or permit of its being unlocked or turned on its pivot, to carry the feed
wheel 26, out from under the pressure foot, to permit of placing the work on or taking
it off the support.
To allow the shaft 22, which is journal!ed in the arm 25, to move laterally with the
said arm without disorganizing its driving gear the parts are made very slightly loose
in their fit. The part of the circle which the shatt 22 describes in moving the arm 25
laterally is so slight that no swivel or other similar connection is required.
The needle 30 is adjustably secured by a set screw 31 to a holder 32 which is
adjustably secured to a downwardly projecting arm 33 of a reciprocating needle
bar 34, and this needle bar has adjustably secured to it at 35a crank, rod 36 which
connects it with a crank disc 37 secured upon the transverse shaft 4.
The pressure foot. 14 is grooved upon its under side to extend down over both sides
of the feed disc, and is provided with a vertical slot 38 through which the needle
operates. The pressure foot bar is also provided with a lifting lever 39 by means of
which the pressure foot may be vertically withdrawn from operation against the
tension of a spring. 40. The lower end of the hanger forms a bearing for a
horizontal shaft 41, to one end of which is sccured a pinion 42, which engages with
the rack bar 7 before described, and thereby imparts an oscillating motion to an
eccentric 43 which is adjustably secured upon the said shaft 41.
This eccentric 43 carries an oscillating retaining hook or looper 44,, adjustably
secured to it by means of a set screw 4.
In practice, the machine is driven by suitable power applied to the pulley 17 and
whence it is transmitted to the longitudinal shaft 16 and through the intermeshing
bevel pinions 15 and 8 to the transverse shaft 4, which intermittently reciprocates the
rack bar 7, and also reciprocates the needle bar 34, by means of the connections
described. From the transverse shaft 4, the power is transmitted to the horizontal
shaft 10, by means of the intermeshing bevel pinions 8 and 9 and this shaft inter-
mittently lifts the pressure foot off the feed wheel, while the spring 40 by its tension,
keeps the pressure foot, in the interval between its reciprocations, down upon the
work on the feed wheel I. The eccentric 18 revolves the feet shaft 22 intermittently
and thereby inoves the feed wheel a distance of one or more teeth according to the
adjustment of the feed pawl. The intermittent reciprocations of the rack bar 7,
impart to the retaining hook 44 an intermittent oscillating motion, and it will be seen
that on account of its eccentric connection with the rock shaft 41 the hook while it
oscillates between the relative positions corresponding to the positions of the needle 30
shown in Figures 6 and 7 has an eccentric or tiling motion for the purpose herein-
after described:

page_text: The hand wheel 5, serves as a convenient and safe means to enable the operator to
adjust and operate the machine without the use of power.
In putting the machine to work, the article upon which the machine is designed to
operate, such as mittens, or the like is turned inside out, and slipped over the free end
of the work-support 25 after the same has been swung toward the operator to bring
it away from the operating parts, which would interfere with the convenient adjust-
ment of the work. After the work is thus engaged, the work support is turned into
its normal position where it is locked to the standard by the locking latch 28, and
then the pressure foot 14 is released, to permit it to hold the work down upon the
feed wheel and form a ridge in the fabric as shown in Figure 6. Upon motion being
given to the parts, the forward reciprocation of the needle carries the thread through
the fabric, while at the same time, the retaining hook 44 oscillates downwardly, close
to the needle, and passing with its point between the needle and the loop, so that
upon the needle returning, the yarn is drawn through the needle, and a loop formed,
as shown in Figure 7. While the needle returns to make a new stitch, the feed disc
feeds the work to one side, while at the same time the pressure foot is withdrawn to
release the fibric sufficiently to permit a free feed, and simultaneously the retaining
hook 44 clears itself by an upward movement from the loop which it holds; and this
clearing motion is assisted by the tilt of the hook, towards the pressure foot. Thus
the parts continue to operate, and forms a series of loops upon the fabric, which by
the guidance of the operator, are made to cover the fabric in a regular manner to
form what is called "tufting' or fleece lining. All the parts of the machine when
needed are made adjustable to work upon different kinds of materials, as will be easily
understood by the practical operator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
First. A loop stitch lining or tufted fabric manufactured by machinery substantially
as described.
Second. In a tufting machine, the combination with the standard or frame, of
two overhanging arms, one carrying the stitch forming mechanism, comprising a
reciprocating needle, a reciprocating pressure foot, and a retaining hook, and the
other carrying the feed mechanism and forming the work support, substantially as
described.
Third. In a tufting machine, the combination with the stitch forming mechanism,
of a feed disc, tapering toward its periphery, and a pressure foot adapted to extend
down on both sides of said disc to press the fabric into a ridge, substantially as
described.
Fourth. In a tufting machine, the combination of an oscillating, retaining hook, a
feed disc which decreases in thickness from the centre to the periphery, a grooved
pressure foot, extending down on each side of the disc, and a reciprocating needle,
substantially as described.
-.
Fifth. In a tufting machine, the combination with the work supporting arin, of the
feed shaft running through said arm, the feed disc carried upon the outer end of said
shaft, the actuating feed mechanism for said disc on the inner end of said shaft, and
the reciprocating pressure foot, extending down upon both sides of the feed disc,
substantially as described.
Sixth. In a tufting machine, the combination with the work support and the
serrated feed wheel carried thereon, of an intermittently, vertically reciprocating
pressure foot bar, a longitudinally recessed and transversely slotted pressure foot,
carried by the foot bar and which at intervals holds the work in contact with the
feed wheel, the needle, and means for reciprocating the same through the slot in
the pressure foot, in a plane inclined to the plane in which the pressure bar reci-
procates, and an oscillating loop retaining hook, operating in the path of the
needle, in advance of the pressure foot, all arranged to operate substantially as
described.

page_text: Seventh. In a tufting machine, the combination with tlio standard of the Trainie,
provided with an overhanging arm; carrying the stitch forming mechanism, of a work.
support pivotally secured to the standard of the frame, and the feed wheel at the free
end of said support, substantially as described.
Eighth. In a tufting machine, the combination with the standard.of the frame,
provided with the overhanging arin, supporting near its free end the stitch forming.
mechanism of the machine, substantially as described, of the work supporting arm.
pivotally secured to the standard; and the automatically operating locking device on
said standard and work supporting arm; substantially as described.
Ninth In a tuiting machine, the combination of the reciprocating needle the
intermittently oscillating retaining. hook..excentrically secured to its actuating rock
shaft and adapted to operate in a vertical plane in the path of the needle; substantially.
as described.
Tenth. In a tufting machine; the combination with the reciprocating needle, and
suitable feeding mechanism, of the retaining hook:44, the oscillating, shaft.41; the
excentric 43, adjustably secured to said shaft and carrying, the retaining hook, the.
pinion 42, and the reciprocating rack bar.7,.the parts being constructed to operate.
substantially as described.
.
Eleventh. In a tufting machine, the combination with the drive pulley. 17. anil.
hand wheel 5, the needle and the loop forming hook, of the shafts 10 and 16, the
transverse shaft. 4, the intermeshing bevel pinions 8, 9pand 15, secured upon said
shafts respectively, the grooved cam wheel ; the reciprocating rack. bar 7; and its
actuating connection, and the retaining hook 44, the crank disc 37 and its actuating
connection with the reciprocating needle bar, the crank 11 on the shaft 10 and its
actuating, connection with the reciprocating pressure foot bar and the excentric 18
and its actuating feed connection with the feed wheel 26, substantially as described.
Twelfth. In a tufting machine, the combination with the transverse .shaft
its actuating connections with the needle and retaining hook, of the bevel gear
wheel 8, secured upon said shaft, the bevel gear wheel 9, the shaft 10. and its
actuating connection, with the presser foot bar, the bevel gear wheel 15, the drive
pulley 17, and the main drive shaft 16, and its actuating, connection with the feed
mechanism, substantially as described.
and

page_text: The hand wheel 5, serves as a convenient and safe means to enable the operator to
adjust and operate the machine without the use of power.
In putting the machine to work, the article upon which the machine is designed to
operate, such as mittens, or the like is turned inside out, and slipped over the free end
of the work-support 25 after the same has been swung toward the operator to bring
it away from the operating parts, which would interfere with the convenient adjust-
ment of the work. After the work is thus engaged, the work support is turned into
its normal position where it is locked to the standard by the locking latch 28, and
then the pressure foot 14 is released, to permit it to hold the work down upon the
feed wheel and form a ridge in the fabric as shown in Figure 6. Upon motion being
given to the parts, the forward reciprocation of the needle carries the thread through
the fabric, while at the same time, the retaining hook 44 oscillates downwardly, close
to the needle, and passing with its point between the needle and the loop, so that
upon the needle returning, the yarn is drawn through the needle, and a loop formed,
as shown in Figure 7. While the needle returns to make a new stitch, the feed disc
feeds the work to one side., while at the same time the pressure foot is withdrawn to
release the bric sufficiently to permit a free feed, and simultaneously the retaining
hook 44 clears itself by an upward movement from the loop which it holds; and this
clearing motion is assisted by the tilt of the hook, towards the pressure foot.
Thus
the parts continue to operate, and forms a series of loops upon the fabric, which by
the guidance of the operator, are made to cover the fabric in a regular manner to
form what is called "tufting" or fleece lining. All the parts of the machine when
needed are made adjustable to work upon different kinds of materials, as will be easily
understood by the practical operator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is
First. A loop stitch lining or tufted fabric manufactured by machinery substantially
as described.
Second. In a tufting machine, the combination with the standard or frame, of
two overhanging arms, one carrying the stitch forming mechanism, comprising a
reciprocating needle, a reciprocating pressure foot, and a retaining hook, and the
other carrying the feed mechanism and forming the work support, substantially as
described.
Third. In a tufting machine, the combination with the stitch forming mechanism,
of a feed disc, tapering toward its periphery, and a pressure foot adapted to extend
down on both sides of said disc to press the fabric into a ridge, substantially as
described.
Fourth. In a tufting machine, the combination of an oscillating, retaining hook, a
feed disc which decreases in thickness from the centre to the periphery, a grooved
pressure foot, extending down on each side of the disc, and a reciprocating needle,
substantially as described.
Fifth. In a tufting machine, the combination with the work supporting arm, of the
feed shaft running through said arm, the feed disc carried upon the outer end of said
shaft, the actuating feed mechanism for said dise on the inner end of said shaft, and
the reciprocating pressure foot, extending down upon both sides of the feed disc,
substantially as described.
Sixth. In a tufting machine, the combination with the work support and the
serrated feed wheel carried thereon, of an intermittently, vertically reciprocating
pressure foot bar, a longitudinally recessed and transversely slotted pressure foot,
carried by the foot bar and which at intervals holds the work in contact with the
feed wheel, the needle, and means for reciprocating the same through the slot in
the pressure foot, in a plane inclined to the plane in which the pressure bar reci-
procates, and an oscillating loop retaining hook, operating in the path of the
needle, in advance of the pressure foot, all arranged to operate substantially as
described.

page_text: Seventh. In a tufting machine, the combination with the standard of the frame,
provided with an overhanging armi, carrying the stitch forming mechanism, of a work
support pivotally secured to the standard of the frame, and the feed wheel at the free
end of said support, substantially as described.
Eighth. In a tufting machine, the combination with the standard of the frame,
provided with the overhanging arm, supporting near its free end the stitch forming
mechanism of the machine, substantially as described, of the work supporting arm
pivotally secured to the standard, and the automatically operating locking device on
said standard and work supporting arm, substantially as described.
Ninth. In a tuiting machine, the combination of the reciprocating needle the
intermittently oscillating retaining. hook, excentrically secured to its actuating rock
shaft and adapted to operate in a vertical plane in the path of the needle, substantially
as described.
Tenth. In a tufting machine, the combination with the reciprocating needle, and
suitable feeding mechanism, of the retaining hook 44, the oscillating shaft 41; the
excentric 3, adjustably secured to said shaft and carrying the retaining hook, the
pinion 42, and the reciprocating rack bar 7, the parts being constructed to operate
substantially as described.
Eleventh. In a tufting machine, the combination with the drive pulley 17 and
hand wheel 5, the needle and the loop forming hook, of the shafts 10 and 16, the
transverse shaft 4, the intermeshing bevel pinions 8, 9, and 15, secured upon said
shafts respectively, the grooved cam wheel C, the reciprocating rack. bar 7, and its
actuating connection, and the retaining hook 44, the crank disc 37 and its actuating
connection with the reciprocating needle bar, the crank 11 on the shaft 10 and its
actuating connection with the reciprocating pressure foot bar and the excentric 18
and its actuating feed connection with the feed wheel 26, substantially as described.
Twelfth.. In a tufting machine, the combination with the transverse shaft 4 and
its actuating connections with the needle and retaining hook, of the bevel gear'
wheel 8, secured upon said shaft, the bevel gear wheel 9, the shaft 10 and its
actuating connection, with the presser foot bar, the bevel gear wheel 15, the drive
pulley 17, and the main drive shaft 16, and its actuating contection with the feed
mechanism, substantially as described.
Dated this 11th day of January 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London.
Agents for the Applicant.