IMPROVEMENTS IN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bristow Hunt, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
DRIVING MECHANISM FOR SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES." A communication
from abroad by Leopold Sternberger, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the
United States of America.
Sealed the 3rd October 1879, and dated the 5th April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bristow Hunt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April 1879.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR SEWING AND OTHER
MACHINES." (A communication from abroad by Leopold Sternberger, of Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America.)
This Invention relates to driving, stopping, and starting mechanism to be used
where a number of machines, each demanding the attendance of one operative,
such, for instance, as a series of sewing-machines, are used, and the object of the
Invention is to give each operative entire control of the movement of the machine
which has to be attended to, while both hands are at liberty for the performance of
such duties as the machine may require. Further objects of the Invention are to
ensure compactness in the arrangement of the machines, and the driving devices for
the same, to provide simple and instantaneously acting clutching and braking
devices, and to furnish means whereby the parts can be readily maintained in
proper working condition.
The improved apparatus is constructed with opposite side-frames, and a table
which is secured to the side-frames by means of bolts and nuts, the heads of the
bolts being adapted to slotted lugs formed on the under side of the table. A trans-
verse brace extends from one side-frame to the other, and is secured to the table by
means of a bolt, the head of which is also adapted to a slotted lug.
Each table carries two sewing machines, openings being made in the table for
the passage of the driving belts, and the side frames carry two rods, to which
treadles are pivoted.
Machines driven in the ordinary way by foot-power through the medium of a
pitman crank and crank shaft, the latter carrying the belt-pulley and fly-wheel in

page_text: the usual manner, may be used in connection with machines driven by power in
the manner hereafter described, without any interference with the operation of
either.
In practice, a number of machines are arranged side by side in a room or apart-
ment so that the tables touch or almost touch each other, and beneath this row of
machines extends longitudinally a main driving-shaft, which is supported at some
little distance above the floor by bearings. This shaft carries a series of driving
pulleys, one for each sewing machine, a suitable belt passing round each pulley and
thence round one of a number of grooved pulleys, each of which is carried by a short
shaft adapted to bearings in a pendant frame secured to the underside of one of the
tables by means of bolts, the heads of which are adapted to slotted lugs on the
underside of the table, these lugs being so arranged that the belt-pulley of each
short shaft will be brought into line with one of the said openings in the table.
Each short shaft carries in addition to the said belt and grooved pulleys a
friction pulley, which is firmly secured to the shaft, the grooved pulley however
being loose so that it is free to turn independently of the shaft or to slide longi-
tudinally thereon. The hub of the grooved pulley is elongated and is reduced in
diameter for the reception of a sleeve, which is clamped between the shoulder
formed by reducing the hub and a ring or collar at the end of the hub.
The pendent frame carries a bearing for a transverse rock-shaft, to one end of
which is secured a clutch lever having two arms, one of which is forked so as to
partially embrace the said sleeve, and has slots adapted to pins which project from
the opposite sides of the sleeve, and the other of which carries at the end a friction-
pad faced with leather, cork, or like elastic and frictional material.
The grooved pulley has a friction facing of similar material, but between which
and the short shaft the hub of the pulley intervenes, this hub being adapted to a
recess formed at and near the centre of the friction-pulley and being acted upon by
a coiled spring. By the intervention of the hub of the pulley between the shaft
and the friction facing, oil from the said shaft is prevented from gaining access to
the said facing, and the latter is thereby maintained in proper condition for exerting
its full frictional effect.
To the end of the rock-shaft, opposite that which carries the said clutch lever, is
secured an arm, the outer end of which is connected by means of a rod to the toe
of a treadle.
The grooved pulley revolves constantly, being driven from a pulley on the main
shaft, so that when it is desired to start the sewing machines it is only necessary
to depress the toe of the treadle and thus cause such a movement of the rock-shaft
in its bearings as will force the grooved pulley toward the face of the friction-pulley,
the facing coming into frictional contact with the latter. The motion of the
grooved pulley is thus transmitted to the short shaft and thence to the shaft of the
sewing-machine on the table.
When it is desired to stop the machine the toe of the treadle is elevated, thus
causing a movement of the rock shaft in a direction the reverse of that just
.described, the grooved pulley being drawn away from the friction pulley, and the
facing removed from frictional contact with the face thereof, a movement which is
facilitated by the action of the said coiled spring. The same movement of the
rock-shaft causes such an operation of the arm carrying the friction pad as to bring
it down on the periphery of the friction pulley with a force sufficient to cause the
instant stoppage of the same.
According to another modification of the Invention the clutching and braking
devices are arranged on the main shaft and are of a duplex character, to accord
with the above described arrangement of duplex table.
In this case a flanged base-plate is firmly bolted to the floor or other support, and
in the centre of this plate is a vertical standard, to a bearing at the top of which is
adapted a sleeve surrounding the main shaft, but firmly secured thereto.
This sleeve carries at each end a friction-pulley constructed in a manner similar
to the friction-pulley above described. Each driving or grooved pulley is connected

page_text: by a belt to the driving-pulley of a sewing-machine, and is secured to one end of a
sleeve, which slides loosely on the shaft, the inner end of each sleeve carrying a
friction-pulley, which is adjacent to one of the inner friction pullies of the sleeve,
and is provided with a friction-facing, its sleeve projecting sufficiently beyond its
face to afford a bearing for the said coiled spring, and to prevent the access of oil
from the shaft to the said friction facing.
Each sleeve is reduced in diameter for the reception of a collar, the collars being
acted upon by the forked arms of the clutch levers hung to the rock shafts, as above
described, the other arms of the said levers carrying friction pads, which act, on the
peripheries of the said outer friction pulleys.
To each of the rock-shafts is secured an arm, the outer end of the arm of one
shaft being secured to a treadle located on one side of the main shaft, while the outer
end of the arm of the other rock-shaft is secured to a treadle located on the opposite
Bide of the said shaft.
The operation of each set of clutching and braking devices is the same as that of
the devices herein before described.
Each of the rock-shafts has two square or angular portions and two round
portions, the one square portion being slightly less in size than the other, and the
one round portion less in diameter than the other.
The said arm is adapted to the larger squared portion of the shaft, and the said
clutch lever to the smaller squared portion of the same, and the round portions of
the shaft have their bearings in posts or standards.
By this means provision is afforded for the lateral withdrawal of the rock-shaft
from its bearings in one direction, the lever and arm being first released from the
shaft.
The said posts and central standard are cast with the base plate, or otherwise
firmly secured to the same, so that the bearings carried by the posts and standard
will always have the proper relation to each other, and will not be affected by local
irregularities in the floor. The base-plate provides a ready means of securing the
posts and standard to the floor or support after the parts have been fitted together,
and the said plate also serves as a receptacle for collecting and retaining the oil
which drips from the bearings, thereby preventing the soiling of the floor or the
saturation of the same with oil.
By securing the said sleeve to the main shaft and adapting it to the said central
bearing, all wear on the shaft due to the rotation of the same in the bearing is
prevented, and it is thus kept in working condition for a much longer time than
usual.
According to another modification of the Invention, the clutching and braking
devices are arranged directly on the crank-shaft of the machine, the latter being
adapted at each end to studs secured to the opposite side-frames, so that they can
be readily removed when worn, and new ones substituted therefor.
Sliding loosely on the crank shaft is a sleeve, carrying at one end a friction-pulley,
and at the opposite end a grooved pulley, round which passes the belt from the
pulley on the driving-shaft below.
A ring or collar is clamped between the hub of the grooved pulley and a shoulder
on the sleeve, and is arranged to be operated by the forked arm of the lever hung
to the rock-shaft, an arm on which is connected to the treadle in the manner herein-
before set forth. Secured to the crank shaft is a friction-pulley, adjacent to the
face of which is arranged the friction-pad carried by the arm of the clutch lever,
the arm in this case forming a continuation of one of the forks of the forked
arın.
The loose friction-pulley has a friction-facing, which is adjacent to the inner face
of the fast pulley, the facing being carried away from or forced into frictional contact
there with as the rock shaft and its lever are operated. The said coiled spring acts
on the end of the sleeve, carrying the friction and grooved pulleys.
The friction pulley, fast or secured to the crank shaft, has a flange for receiving
the belt, by which motion is communicated to the sewing-machine on the table,

page_text: According to another modification of the clutching and braking devices, the
pendent frame has three bearings, that at one end carrying a short shaft, that at the
other end a fixed pin, and that in the centre a shaft, which has at one end a friction-
disk, and is enlarged at the other end, to which is secured the grooved pulley which
receives the belt from the pulley on the driving shaft, a ring or collar being clamped
between the hub of the pulley and a flange on the said central shaft. The enlarged
end of the shaft has a central opening formed therein for the reception of the end of
the fixed pin.
The short shaft has at one end the belt-pulley for driving the sewing machine,
and at the other end a friction pulley baving the said friction-facing. The move-
ment of the friction disk towards and away from the friction-pulley, and the
application of the brake to the pulley are effected by means of the rock-shaft clutch
lever and arm in the manner hereinbefore set forth.
The said coiled spring is interposed between the central bearing and the enlarge-
ment of the said shaft.
An especial feature of the lastly described devices is the thorough isolation of
the friction-facing from any of the shafts or bearings to which oil is applied.
It will be evident that although the Invention has been described in connection
with a sewing-machine, it can be used with advantage in connection with any
machine which has to be frequently stopped and started, and the work on which
demands the use of both hands by the operator.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Bristow Hunt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th October 1879.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR SEWING AND OTHER
MACHINES." (A communication from abroad by Leopold Sternberger, of Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America.)
This Invention relates to driving, stopping, and starting mechanism to be used
where a number of machines, each demanding the attendance of one operative, such
for instance as a series of sewing-machines, are used; and the object of the Invention
is to give each operative entire control of the movement of the machine which has
to be attended to, while both bands are at liberty for the performance of such duties
as the machine may require. Further objects of the Invention are to ensure com-
pactness in the arrangement of the machines and the driving devices for the same,
to provide simple and instantaneously acting clutching and braking devices, and
to furnish means whereby the parts can be readily maintained in proper working
condition.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a
frame and table carrying two sewing machines, that on the right hand side having
the improved power driving devices, and that on the left hand side being driven by
foot in the ordinary manner; Figure 2 is an inverted plan view of the table shown
in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section and drawn to an enlarged
scale, of one form of clutching and braking device; Figure 4 is a transverse section
on the line 1-2, Figure 3; Figure 5, a sectional view of a modified form of
clutching and braking devices; Figure 6, a transverse section on the line 3-4,
Figure 5; and Figures 7 and 8, sectional views of other modifications of the clutching
and braking devices.
In Figure 1 A represents one of the opposite side frames of the machine, and B a
table which is secured to the side frames by means of bolts and nuts, the heads of
the bolts being adapted to slotted lugs 61 formed on the underside of the table, as
shown in Figure 2. A transverse brace a¹ extends from one side-frame to the other,
and is secured to the table by means of a bolt, the head of which is also adapted to
a slotted lug b².
Each table B carries two sewing machines, openings x, x, being made in the table
for the passage of the driving-belts, and the side-frames A carry two rods a, a, to
which treadles & are pivoted.
The sewing-machine on the left-hand side of Figure 1 is driven by foot-power
through the medium of a pitman c, crank p, and crank-shaft M, the latter carrying
the belt-pulley G and fly-wheel H in the usual manner. This is done in order to show
that machines driven in the ordinary way may be used in connection with machines
driven by power, in the manner hereafter described, without any interference with
the operation of either.
In practice a number of machines are arranged side by side in a room or apart-
ment, so that the tables B touch or almost touch each other, and beneath this row of
machines extends longitudinally a main driving-shaft D, which is supported at some
little distance above the floor by bearings y. This shaft D carries a series of driving
pullies E, one for each machine, a suitable belt passing round each pulley, and
thence round one of a number of grooved pullies I, each of which is carried by a
short shaft F adapted to bearings f in a pendent frame J secured to the underside
of one of the tables B by means of bolts, the heads of which are adapted to slotted
lugs b on the underside of the table, these lugs being so arranged that the belt-
pulley G of each short shaft F will be brought into line with one of the openings
in the table.
These devices are shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, on reference to which
it will be observed that each short shaft F carries in addition to the pullies G and I
a friction-pulley K, which is firmly secured to the shaft, the pulley I however being

page_text: loose, so that it is free to turn independently of the shaft or to slide longitudinally
thereon. The hub of the pulley I is elongated, and is reduced in diameter for the
reception of the sleeve k, which is clamped between the shoulder formed by
reducing the hub and a ring or collar at the end of the hub, as shown in
Figure 3.
The frame J carries a bearing for a transverse rock-shaft h, to one end of which
is secured a clutch lever P having two arms m, m', the arm m being forked so as to
partially embrace the sleeve k, and has slots adapted to pins which project from the
opposite sides of the sleeve. The arm m³ carries at the end a friction-pad faced with
leather, rubber, cork, or like elastic and frictional material.
The pulley I has a friction facing 8 of similar material, but between which and
the shaft F the hub of the pulley I intervenes, this hub being adapted to a recess
formed at and near the centre of the friction-pulley K, and being acted upon by a
coiled spring j. By this intervention of the hub of the pulley between the shaft and
the friction-facing 8, oil from the shaft is prevented from gaining access to the said
facing, and the latter is thereby maintained in proper condition for exerting its full
frictional effect.
To the end of the rock-shaft h opposite that which carries the said clutch lever P
is secured an arm L, the outer end of which is connected by means of a rod e to the
toe of the treadle d.
The pulley I revolves constantly, being driven from a pulley on the main shaft D,
so that when it is desired to start the sewing machine it is only necessary to depress
the toe of the treadle d, and thus cause such a movement of the rock-shaft h in its
bearings as will force the pulley I towards the face of the friction pulley K, the
facing a coming into frictional contact with the latter. The motion of the pulley I
is thus transmitted to the short shaft F, and thence to the shaft of the sewing-
machine on the table B.
When it is desired to stop the machine the toe of the treadle is elevated, thus
causing a movement of the rock-shaft h in a direction the reverse of that just
described, the grooved pulley I being drawn away from the friction pulley K, and
the facing & removed from frictional contact with the face thereof, a movement which
is facilitated by the action of the said coiled spring j. The same movement of the
rock-shaft causes such an operation of the arm m' that the friction pad carried by
the same is brought down on the periphery of the pulley K with a force sufficient to
cause the instant stoppage of the same.
In Figures 5 and 6 is shewn a modification of the Invention, in which the
clutching and braking devices are arranged on the main-shaft D, and are of a duplex
character to accord with the duplex table shown in Figures 1 and 2.
J¹ is a flanged base-plate firmly bolted to the floor or other support, and in the
centre of this plate is a vertical standard z, to a bearing f at the top of which is
adapted a sleeve w surrounding the main shaft D but firmly secured thereto.
This sleeve w carries at each end a friction pulley i¹ constructed in a manner
similar to the pulley k shown in Figure 3. Each driving-pulley 1' is connected by
a belt to the driving pulley of a sewing-machine, and is secured to one end of a
sleeve which slides loosely on the shaft D, the inner end of each sleeve carrying a
friction-pulley K₁, which is adjacent to one of the inner friction pulleys i¹ of the
sleeve w, and is provided with a friction facing 8, its sleeve projecting sufficiently
beyond the face of the pulley K¹ to afford a bearing for the spring j and to prevent
the access of oil from the shaft to the said friction facing.
Each sleeve is reduced in diameter for the reception of a collar k, the collars
being acted upon by the forked arms m of levers P hung to the rock shafts h¹, as in
Figure 3, the other arms m' of the levers carrying friction pads, which act on the
peripheries of the pulleys K¹.
To each of the rock-shafts h¹ is secured an arm L, the outer end of the arm of one
shaft being secured to a treadle located on the opposite side of the shaft D.
The operation of each set of clutching and braking devices is the same as that of
the devices shown in Figure 3 and boreinbefore described,

page_text: Each of the rock-shafts h¹ has two square or angular portions t, t¹, and two round
portions v, v, the portion t¹ being slightly less in size than the portion t, and the
portion v¹ less in diameter than the portion v.
The arm L is adapted to the portion t of the shaft, and the lever P to the
portion of the same, and the portions v, vl, of the shaft have their bearings in
posts or standards n¹.
By this means provision is afforded for the lateral withdrawal of the shaft h¹
from its bearings in the one direction of the arrow, Figure 6, the lever and arm
being first released from the shaft.
The posts n¹ and standards are cast with the base-plate J¹ or otherwise firmly
secured to the same, so that the bearings carried by the posts and standard will
always have the proper relation to each other, and will not be affected by local
irregularities in the floor. The base-plate provides a ready means of securing the
posts and standard to the floor or support after the parts have been fitted together,
and the said plate also serves as a receptacle for collecting and retaining the oil
which drips from the bearings, thereby preventing the soiling of the floor or the
saturation of the same with oil.
By securing the sleeve w to the main-shaft D and adapting it to the bearing f,
all wear on the shaft due to the rotation of the same in the bearing is prevented,
and it is thus kept in working condition for a much longer time than usual.
In Figure 7 is shewn a modification of the Invention, in which the clutching and
braking devices are arranged directly on the crank shaft M of the machine, the
Intter being adapted at each end to studs q secured to the opposite side frames A,
so that they can be readily removed when worn and new ones substituted
therefor.
Sliding loosely on the crank-shaft M is a sleeve carrying at one end the friction
pulley, and at the opposite end the pulley I', round which passes the belt from
the pulley on the driving-shaft below.
The ring or collar k is clamped between the hub of the pulley I' and a shoulder
on the sleeve, and is arranged to be operated by the forked arm m of a lever P hung
to the rock-shaft h, an arm Lou which is connected to the treadle in the manner
hereinbefore set forth. Secured to the crank shaft is a friction pulley K¹, adjacent
to the face of which is arranged the friction pad carried by the arm m¹ of the
clutch lever P, the arm in this case forming a continuation of one of the forks of
the arm m.
The pulley has a friction-facing 8, which is adjacent to the inner face of the
pulley K, the facing being carried away from or forced into frictional contact there-
with as the rock-shaft h and its lever are operated. The usual spring j acts on the
end of the sleeve carrying the pulleys i¹ and I.
The pulley K' has a flange for receiving the belt by which motion is communicated
to the sewing-machine on the table B.
In Figure 8 is shown another modification of the clutching and braking devices.
In this case the frame J has three bearings f, that at one end carrying a short shaft F,
that at the other end a fixed pin F', and that in the centre a shaft w¹, which has at
one end a friction-disk i, and is enlarged at the other end, to which is secured the
pulley I which receives the belt from the pulley on the driving-shaft, a ring or
collar being clamped between the hub of the pnlley and a flange on the shaft w¹.
The enlarged end of the shaft w¹ has a central opening formed therein for the
reception of the end of the pin F¹.
The shaft F has at one end the belt-pulley G for driving the sewing-machine, and
at the other end a friction-pulley K¹ having the usual friction-facing 8. The
movement of the disk i towards and away from the pulley K¹, and the application
of the brake to the pulley are effected by means of the rock-shaft h, clutch lever P,
and arm L, in the manner hereinbefore set forth.
The usual spring j is interposed between the central bearing f and the enlarge-
ment of the shaft w¹.
An especial feature of the devices shown in Figures 7 and 8 is the thorough

page_text: isolation of the friction-facing 8 from any of the shafts or bearings to which oil is
applied.
It will be evident that although the Invention has been described in connection
with a sewing-machine it can be used with advantage in connection with any
macbine which has to be frequently stopped and started, and the work on which
demands the use of both hands by the operator.
Having now described the nature and object of the said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as the Invention com-
imunicated to me by the said Leopold Sternberger,-
First. The combination of a shaft having a friction-pulley and clutching mechanism
with a pivoted lever having two arms, one for operating the clutch and the other
for operating a brake, substantially as hereinbefore specified.
Second. A friction-clutch in which a portion of the body or hub of the friction-
pulley or disk intervenes between the friction facing s and the part to which oil is
applied, thereby isolating the said facing 8 and preventing the access of oil thereto,
substantially as hereinbefore specified.
Third. The combination of the shaft D with the sleeve w having one or more
friction-pulleys ¹, the sleeve being secured to the shaft, and surrounding the latter
where it passes through the bearing f, substantially as hereinbefore specified, and as
shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Fourth. The combination of the shaft D and bearing with the sleeve w secured
to the shaft D, adapted to the bearing f, and having at each end a friction-pulley i¹,
substantially as herein before set forth, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Fifth. The combination of the base plate J' with posts n' forming a bearing for
the rock-shaft h¹, and cast with or otherwise rigidly secured to the base-plate,
substantially as hereinbefore set forth, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Sixth. The combination of the base-plate J¹ with the posts n' and standard z
cast with or otherwise rigidly secured to the base-plate, substantially as heroin-
before specified, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Seventh. The combination of the posts n', the lever P, and the arm L with the
rock-shaft having angular portions t, t¹, and bearing portions v, v', varying in size,
so as to permit the lateral withdrawal of the shaft from the bearing, substantially
as hereinbefore specified, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Eighth. The combination of the shaft F, its friction-pulley K, and belt-pulley G
with the pulley I, the collar, the rock-shaft h, the arm L, and the lever P, substan-
tially as herein before set forth, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Ninth. The combination of the shaft M with the friction-pulley i¹, and with a
pulley K' having a flange for the reception of a belt, as herein before set forth, and
as shown in Figure 7.
Tenth. The combination of the shaft F, its pulleys G and K', the shaft w¹, its
disk i, and pulley I', the collar or sleeve k, pin F¹, rock-shaft h, and lever P, substan-
tially as herein before specified, and as shown in Figure 8.
And, Eleventh. Two or more machines independent of each other as regards their
own action, but operated from one driving-shaft, in combination with frictional
clutching mechanism for each machine, the said mechanism being mado controllable
by the feet of the attendant, substantially as hereinbefore specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Bristow Hunt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
BRISTOW HUNT. (L.S.)