Improvements in Sewing Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st. Apr., 1896-Accepted, 23rd May, 1898
Improvements in Sewing Machines.
I, FRANOIS HENRY RICHARDS, of 112 Edwards Street, Hartford, iu the County
of Hartford and State of Connecticut, United States of America, 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 :-
This invention appertains to sewing-machines of that class having means for
actuating a reciprocating needle and a revoluble loop-taker; and it more particularly
relates to improved means for effecting a peculiar manipulation of, and for protecting,
the loop-forming thread, during the operation of sewing.
The object of this invention is, primarily, to provide, in a sewing-machine of the
class specified, a revoluble loop-taker and a reciprocatory needle constructed,
combined, and concting to form draw-out and draw-up successive loops, without
unnecessarily chafing the thread or subjecting the same to injurious strains; and
especially to do this, first, by carrying the needle-thrend or running-thread through
the fabric and then below the fabric in a sinuous or spiral path, to form a "first'
loop having the bight thereof at one side the perpendicular plane of, and
substantially at right augles to, the sewing-line; second, carrying this loop around,
to iuclose a second or lower thread; third, advancing the forward or running end
of this loop and carrying the same downward through and below the fabric in a
sinuous path, to form a second "loop; fourth, carrying the forward portion or
needle-side of the second loop to one side, and out of the path of movement, of the
rearward portion or fabric-side of said loop; fifth, carrying the needle-side of said
loop upward and past the fabric-side of said loop with a minimum frictional
resistance; and sixth, drawing out the second loop, to thereby take up the first
loop and completo the first stitch.
A further object of this invention is to furnish a needle of improyed construction
adapted for use in connection with a revoluble loop-taker, in sewing-machines of
the class specified, and having means whereby the loop-forming portion of the
ruuning-thread is engaged and is carried downward through the fabric in a spiral
path, to form a loop, and whereby said portion is practically housed and protected
against abrasion during the operation of forming a loop; and also having means
for engaging the forward portion or needle-side of the loop and holding the same
out of the path of movement of the rearward portion or fabric-side of said loop
while one portion is passing the other portion during the ascent of the needle, to
thereby obviate injurious rubbing-contact between said portions of the loop in the
operation of sewing.
Referring to the sheet of drawings, (hereto annexed,) and to the several figures
thereof, the same reference characters indicate corresponding parts in all of said
figures.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, of a portion of the operative mechanism of a sewing-
machine having a revoluble, multi-hook loop-taker and a reciprocatory needle-bar,
and embodying the present improvements.
Figure 2 is a side view, on an exaggerated scale, of the needle, which constitutes
one of the essential features of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a rear view of said needle, seen from below in Fig. 2.

page_text: JODAL VIEW of the nocare, taken in Hotted me
and looking toward the right hand in said figure.
Figure 5 is a similar cross-sectional view of the needle, taken in dotted line b-b,
Fig. 2.
Figure 6 is a similar cross-sectional view of the needle, taken in dotted line c―c,
Fig. 2.
Figure 7 is a similar cross-sectional view of the needle, taken in dotted line d―d,
Fig. 2.
Figure 8 is a similar cross-sectional view of the needle, taken in dotted line e-e,
Fig. 2.
Figure 9 is an end view of the needle, seen from the right hand in Fig. 2.
Figure 10 is a side elevation, on a relatively-small scale, of that portion of the
sewing-machine mechanism which directly controls the peculiar manipulation of
the thread in forming, drawing out, and drawing up a loop during the operation of
inaugurating and completing a stitch. This figure shows a revoluble multi-hook
loop-taker; a portion of the improved reciprocating needle, on an exaggerated
scale; a piece of fabric being operated upon; and the upper and lower threads;
and this figure is intended to illustrate the first step or the first position of the
above-named parts in the operation of forming a loop, after one or more loops have
been formed and drawn up to complete one or more stitches. In this figure, which
illustrates what will be hereinafter termed the "first" position of the thread-
manipulating mechanism, the needle is shown with the eye just passing through
the fabric, and as carrying the forward or drawing end of the preceding loop
through the fabric, to inaugurate the formation of the next succeeding loop; the
preceding loop being shown as having been carried about one-half way around the
loop-taker and as having been fully drawn out, and in position to be taken up by
the succeeding loop.
Figure 11 is a sectional rear view of a portion of the needle, needle-thread and
fabric, upon an abnormally-large scale, as seen from the left hand in Fig. 12, and
shows said needle and needle-thread in the first position thereof illustrated in Fig. 10;
the looped portion of the thread being broken away.
Figure 12 is a sectional side view of the needle, needle-thread and fabric, on the
same scale as, and as seen from the right-hand, in Fig. 11; said figure showing
the parts in the first position illustrated in Fig. 10, and also showing a portion of
the
Figure 13 is a sectional plan view of the needle, needle-thread and fabric, taken
in dotted line 1-1, Fig. 12.
Figure 14 is a side view, similar to Fig. 10, and shows the same parts in their
"second" or slightly-advanced positions; the needle, in this instance, having
advanced the drawing-end of the preceding loop a short distance through the
fabric.
Figure 15 is a sectional rear view, similar to Fig. 11, and shows the same parts
in positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in Fig. 14.
Figure 16 is a sectional side elevation, similar to Fig. 12, and shows the same
parts in positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in
Fig. 14.
Figure 17 is a sectional plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 16; said section
being taken in dotted line 2-2, Fig. 16.
Figure 18 is a side view, similar to said Figs. 10 and 14, and shows the same
parts in their "third," or further advanced, positions; the needle, in this instance,
having completed its downward stroke, and having carried the drawing-end of the
preceding loop, in a sinuous path, the required distance for forming the next
succeeding loop, with the bight thereof at one side, and at substantially right angles
to the perpendicular plane, of the sewing-line.
Figure 19 is a rear view, similar to Figs. 11 and 15, and shows the saine parts in
positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in Fig. 18.

page_text: Figure 20 is a side view, similar to Figs. 12 and 16, and shows the same parts in
positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in Fig. 18.
Figure 21 is a sectional plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 20; Baid section
being taken in dotted line 3-3, Fig. 20.
Figure 22 is a side view, similar to Figs. 10, 14, and 18, and shows the same
parts in their "fourth" positions, or in the positions they occupy upon the
inauguration of the upward stroke of the needle; the needle, in this instance,
being shown as having moved upward a short distance, leaving the loop formed by
the downstroke of the needle in position to be engaged by the hook of the loop-
taker, and the hook of the loop-taker being shown in the position it occupies just
preparatory to engaging said loop.
Figure 23 is a rear view, similar to Figs. 11, 15, and 19, and shows the same
parts in positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in
Fig. 22.
Figure 24 is a side view, similar to Figs. 12, 16, and 20, and shows the same
parts in positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in
Fig. 22.
Figure 25 is a sectional plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 24; said
section being taken in dotted line 4-4, Fig. 24.
Figure 26 is a side view, similar to Figs. 10, 14, 18, and 22, and shows the same
parts in their "fifth" positions, or in the positions they occupy during the
ascending movement of the needle, and when the newly-formed or second loop is
engaged by a book of the loop-taker; the inauguration of the drawing-up of the
preceding loop being, at this time, effected by the partial drawing-out of the
running-end of said loop by the hook of the loop-taker.
Figure 27 is a sectional side view, similar to Figs. 12, 16, 20, and 24, and shows
the same parts, together with a portion of the loop-taker, in positions corresponding
to the positions of like parts illustrated in Fig. 26; said figure showing the forward
portion or the "needle-side" of the newly-formed loop, as thrown into the thread-
receiving channel of the needle by the advancing movement of the loop-taker in a
plane intersecting the plane of the needle, where said needle-side of the loop lies at
one side, and out of the path of movement, of the fabric-side of said loop, and in
position to permit the unobstructed passage of said loop portions without injurious
rubbing-contact.
Figure 28 is a front view, showing the parts illustrated in Fig. 27, as seen from
the right hand in said figure, and showing said parts in positions corresponding to
the positions of like parts illustrated in Fig. 26.
Figure 29 is a sectional plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 27; said section
being taken in dotted line 5-5, Fig. 27.
Figure 30 is a side view, similar to Figs. 10, 14, 18, and 22 and 26, showing the
parts in their "sixth positions, or in the positions they occupy during that portion
of the ascending movement of the needle when the newly-formed loop has been
carried by the hook of the loop-taker a short distance around said loop-taker, and
when the preceding loop has been partially drawn up and around the lower
thread; the two end portious-i.e., the needle-side and fabric-side-of the loop,
in this instance, being in the positions they occupy just preparatory to passing one
another.
Figure 31 is a side view, similar to Figs. 12, 16, 20, and 24, and shows the same
parts in positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in
Fig. 30.
Figure 32 is a front view, similar to Fig. 28, and shows the same parts, with the
exception of the loop-taker, in positions corresponding to the positions of like parts
illustrated in Fig. 30.
Figure 33 is a sectional plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 31 ; said section
being taken in dotted line 6-6, Fig. 31.
Figure 34 is a side view, similar to Figs. 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, and 30, showing the
same parts in their "seventh" positions, or in the positions they occupy when the

page_text: loop-taker has been further advanced and the needle lins been elevated sumciently
to bring the needle-side and fabric-sido of the newly-formed loop into alignment,
and in position to pass each other.
Figure 35 is a side view, similar to Figs. 12, 16, 20, 24, aud 31, and shows the
same parts in positions corresponding to the positions of liko parts illustrated in
Fig. 34.
Figure 36 is a front view, similar to Fig. 32, and shows the same parts in
positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in Fig. 34.
Figure 37 is a sectional plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 35; said section
being taken in dotted line 7-7. Fig. 35.
Figure 38 illustrates, in side view, the "eighth " position, or the position next
succeeding the advanced positions of the parts shown in Figs. 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30,
and 34; the needle, in this instance, having passed, in its ascending movement,
through the fabric, and out from juxtaposition with, the newly-formed loop; &nid
figure showing the needle and fabric sides of the loop at their passing positions ;
the newly-formed loop having been carried further around the loop-taker, and the
preceding loop having been drawn up correspondingly.
Figure 39 is a side view, similar to Figs. 31 and 35, showing the same parts in
positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in Fig. 38.
Figure 40 is a front view, similar to Figs. 32 and 30, showing the same parts in
positions corresponding to the positions of like parts illustrated in Fig. 38.
Figure 41 is a sectional plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 39; said section
being taken in dotted line 8-8, Fig. 39.
Figure 42 illustrates, in side view, the "ninth" or next succeeding positions of
the parts shown in Figs. 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, and 38; said figure showing the
positions of said parts when the newly-formed loop is in its fully-drawn-out position,
and when the preceding loop has been fully drawn up and drawn taut around the
lower thread, to complete the stitch; the needle, in this instance, having started on
its down-stroke.
In the drawings, only so much of the operative mechanism of the sewing-machine
is shown, as is deemed necessary to a clear understanding of the construction,
application, and mode of operation of the improvements constituting the subject-
matter of this invention; the mechanism shown being only that which is required
for effecting the concerted action of the loop-taker and needle necessary to the
peculiar manipulation of the needle-thread during the operation of sewing, as will
hereinafter be more fully described.
Briefly stated, the sewing-machine mechanism illustrated in the drawings com-
prises the framework-which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and is designated
by F, and which may be of any suitable general construction-for carrying the
co-operative mechanisms of the machine; a throat-plate 3, for supporting the
fabric in the stitch; a vertically-reciprocating needle-bar N, carrying a needle N¹
at the lower end thereof; a horizontally-disposed needle-bar-actuating shaft D,
journaled in suitable bearings in the framework F, and operatively connected with
the needle-bar; a revoluble multi-hook shuttle or loop-taker, S, peripherally
supported at an inclination to the path of movement of and below the needle-bar,
preferably by means of track-rolls 27, carried by suitable studs or carriers 27',
connected with a bracket, which constitutes a part of the framework, (said track-
rolls, carriers and bracket being shown in dotted line ;) a suitable feed-dog 50,
adapted to be operated in any suitable manner; a presser foot 39; and needle-bar
and loop-taker actuating mechanism co-operatively connecting the needle-bar and
loop-taker and adapted for simultaneously actuating said needle-bar and loop-taker
at comparative velocities of a predetermined ratio.
The needle-bar and loop-taker actuating mechanism-which may be of any
suitable construction and organization for imparting the requisite comparative
movements to the needle-bar and loop-taker-is shown in Fig. 1 consisting of a
horizontal needle-bar-actuating shalt D, operatively connected with the needle-bar
through the medium of a suitable connection; a revoluble driver H in position and

page_text: adapted for rotating the loop-taker; a horizontal driver-actuating shaft D',
operatively connected with the driver H by means of a train of speed-reducing
gears ; an intermediate or vertical shaft D, operatively connected at opposite
ends thereof with the needle-bar-actuating shaft D and driver-actuating shaft D'
by means of a train of gears E and a train of gears E', respectively.
All of the foregoing elements of the sewing-machine mechanism, with the exception
of the needle and loop-taker (which will be bereinafter more fully described,) may
be of any suitable genera! construction and organization alaptable for the purposes.
of this invention.
As a means for manipulating the needle-thread, to form, draw up, and draw
out successive loops, without chafing or subjecting the thread to injurious
strains, there is provided a revoluble multi-book loop-takor S and a recipro-
catory needle N¹ of peculiar construction and relative organization; and means.
are also provided for imparting to said loop-taker and needle comparative
movements of relatively-varying velocities, as will be hereinafter more fully
described.
The loop-taker S, (shown in the drawings.) has three equidistantly-disposed
loop-engaging hooks e, f, and g', respectively, on the periphery thereof; and it.
is so supported that the path of movement of the hooks will be oblique to, and
intersect the path of movement of, the needle; and said loop-taker is so disposed
relatively to the needle that each hook thereof-when in position for engaging the
loop-will be located at one side of the path of movement of, and adjoining a thread-
way or thread-receiving groovo formed in, one face of the needle, as will bo
hereinafter more fully described.
The improved needle N', (shown more clearly in Figs. 2 to 9, inclusive,) which-
needle may be of any usual or suitable size, is constructed to positively carry
the needle-thread-or the drawing-end of the succeeding loop, as the case may
be-sidewise of the sewing-line, and through the fabric in a spiral path, without
any perceptible motion of the needle-thread through the eye of the needle; and it
is also constructed to act in concert with the loop-taker S at predetermined points.
in the rotation of said loop-taker, or at a certain stage in the operation of
drawing up the first loop L, and drawing out a second loop, as L', to cause the
needle-side and fabric-side portions of the second loop L' to freely pass each other
with the minimum frictional resistance during the ascent of the needle, as will
bereinafter be more fully described.
For the purpose of effecting the peculiar manipulation of the thread, whereby
the results herein before set forth are attained, the needle N-which has the usual
needle-eye 10, and which also has the usual needle-thread groove 12, extending
from the needle-eyo upward in parallelism with, and at one side the axis of, the
needle has, formed in the periphery thereof, a spiral groove, which is designated in a
general way by G, and which, for convenience, will be hereinafter termed the "traverse.
groove"; which groove extends-from the upper part of the needle-eye 10 at that
side of the said needle-eye opposite that into which the needle-thread groove 12
merges npward and transversely of the needle in a spiral direction, as shown at 13,.
and terminates at its upper end, preferably in a relatively-short straight portion 14,.
at the rearward side of the needle and in substantial parallelism to the axis of said
needle, and also in a vertical plane relatively to the sewing-line S of the fabric..
(Shown most clearly in Figs. 21 and 25.) This spiral traverse groove G positively
controls the movement and position of the thread in its passage through the fabric
and during the operation of forming the loop. The curvature or degree of spirality
of the spiral traverse-groove G will, of course, be proportionate to the size and
length of the needle, and to the length of the stroke of the needle through the
fabric.
As will be seen by reference to the operative views 12, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24,
and 25, which are a series of successive groups of figures illustrating successive
positions of the needle N in forming a loop, the loop-forming portion 20 of the
thread which portion, in these figures, is shown, as the "drawing-thread" of.

page_text: the so-called "first" loop L-is engaged by the walls 18 and 181 of the spiral
traverse groove G, as the needle descends through the fabric; is carried downward
thereby through tho fabric, and in a path coinciding with the spiral plane of said
groove without any material motion through the eye of the needle, and is protected
throughout said downward movement by the walls of said groove, which practically
incase tho said drawing-thread.
The portion 20 of the thread, during the formation of the so-called "second"
loop L', lies between the outer edges of the walls of the spiral groove and the axis
of the needle; so that said portion of the thread will meet with but little resistance
in passing through the fabric, owing to the fact that a space is provided for this
portion of the thread within the boundary line of the perforation (designated by P,)
made in the fabric, as will be clearly apparent by a coinparison of the several figures
referred to in this paragraph.
For the purpose of enlarging the perforation P, just precoding the withdrawing
or upward movement of the needle-to furnish a space to accommodate and facilitate
the free movement of the two end portions, or the needle-side and fabric-side of the
so-called "second" loop, after the loop has been engaged by the loop-taker, and the
needle is on the return or upward movement-the needle N' has, near the upper
end of the spiral portion of the groove G and between the upper and lower ends of
said groove and in juxtaposition to the straight portion 14 of said groove, an
extending wedge (designated in a general way by W,) which wedge is, for convenience,
shown (see Figs. 2, 3, and 9) as an enlargement concentric to the axis of the needle
and having a couically-tapered lower end, which merges into the substantially-
straight lower portion of said needle. This wedge or expander W is so located in
a direction lengthwise of the needle as to enter and just pass through the fabric
when the needle is in its lowest position, as shown in Fige. 19 and 20 of the
drawings; and said wedge will, in practice, have its full working-face 15-which
constitutes the wedge proper-in alignment with the lower end of the traverse
groove G, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings; so that when the needle is
withdrawn from the fabric, there shall be a full space formed in the fabric on the
outer side of the needle, through which the needle and needle-thread may be
readily drawn. This operation of withdrawing the wedge from the fabric takes
place after the needle has descended to its lowest positiou, as shown in Fig. 20, and
has been moved through a short distance through a separate stroke, or to the
positions shown in Figs. 27, 28, and 29. This movement of the needle draws the
wedge, as before stated, out of the fabric, leaving a perforation of relatively-large
area in said fabric to provide a space for the free movement of the thread at the
side of the point of the needle, and at the same time forms the so-called "second"
loop, which, at this stage in the operation, is engaged by the hook e of the
loop-taker S, which loop-taker will usually have three equidistantly-disposed
peripheral hooks, which are designated by e, f, and g', respectively, as before
stated. It will be understood that the working-face of the wedge W might be
eccentric to the axis of the needle, and extend over the front face only of said
needle.
In sewing by the peculiar method carried out by the sewing-machine mechanism
described herein, the inner end portion 21 of the new or second loop L', or that
portion of the loop contiguous to that end of the loop which extends through the
eye of the needle-which portion will, for convenience, be hereinafter referred to
as the "needle-side" of the loop-will, during the ascending movement of the
needle, necessarily be drawn under the opposite or outer end portion 20 of snid
loop, or that portion of the loop contiguous to that end of the loop which passes
over from the fret loop L through the perforation P in the fabric to form said
Becond loop L', and which impinges the fabric-which portion 20 will be bereinafter
referred to as the "fabric-side" of the loop; consequently, if means are not provided
for the protection of the needle-side of the loop during this operation, said
needle-side 21 will be tightly impinged between the outer face of the needle and
the fabric-side of said loop; said fabric-side of said loop being forcibly drawn

page_text: against the needle-side 21 of the loop, which would, in consequence, subject the
fabric-side and needle-side of the loop to injurious frictional resistance, thereby
increasing the tensile strain upon the thrend, and, in practice, frequently causing
a breaking of said throad.
For the purpose of protecting the needle-side of the loop and the fabric-side of
the loop against injurious frictional contact, during the operation of drawing the
needle-side 21 of the loop upward and past the fabric-side 20 of said loop, the
needle is provided at one side thereof with an inclined thread-receiving channel
or threadway 16, which extends from the needle-eye 10 downward and sidewise to
the front face of said needle, and in a direction substantially corresponding to the
plane of the needle-side 21 of the loop, when said loop has been engaged by, and
carried partly around, the loop-taker-that is, whon said loop has arrived at the
position thereof shown in Figs. 27, 31, and 35.
The inclined channel or threadway 16 is made of suitable depth and proportion
for receiving and practically encasing the needle-side 21 of the loop which is in
juxtaposition to the eye of the needle, and for protecting that portion 21 as the
same is drawn upward past the fabric-side 20 of said loop during the upward stroke
of the needle; so that the portion 20,-in passing downward over the needle-eye, ns
the loop L is drawn out by the loop-taker, is not obstructed by the portion 21, which
lios in the channel 16 of the needle, as most clearly shown in Figs. 27, 31, and 35;
but, on the contrary, said portion 20 rides over the needle-side 21 of the loop upou
the outside face of the needle, without injurione contact with said needle-side of
the loop.
As will be understood by a comparison of Figs. 27, 31, and 35, above referred to,
this peculiar manipulation of the needle-side portion 21 and fabric-side portion 20
of the loop is dependent, in a great measure, upon the concert of action for a definite
length of time between the rotating loop-taker S and the reciprocating needle N';
as the drawing-up of the so-called "first" loop L, the drawing-out of the so-called
"second" loop L, and the peculiar manipulation of the two portions 20 and 21 of the
so-called "second" loop relatively to each other, to facilitate the passage of one
portion by the other portion, without injurious frictional resistance, are due to
the conjoint action of the loop-taker and needle.
The successive steps in the co-operation of the loop-taker S and the needle N'
are fully portrayed in the successive Figures 22 to 41, inclusive, which is particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following:
During the ascending movement of the needle, and when the needle has reached
the position relatively to the loop-taker illustrated in Fig. 22, the hook e¹ engages
the bight of the loop which has been formed and carries the same downward and
forward from the position shown in Fig. 22 to the position shown in Fig. 27. At
this point in the advancing movement of the book e', the loop is-owing to the
intersecting relation between the path of movement of the needle and the path of
movement of the loop-taker-carried inward relatively to the path of movement
of the needle, which forces the needle-side portion 21 of the loop into the channel
or threadway 16 of said needle, and out of the path of movement of the fabric-side
portion 20 of said loop. A continued upward movement of the needle from the
position shown in Fig. 27 to the position shown in Fig. 39, and a continued
advancing movement of the hook from the position shown in Fig. 26 to the
position shown in Fig. 38, carry these two portions 20 and 21 past each other with
the minimum frictional resistance, and without the locking of one portion of the
loop upon the other.
In practice, the loop-taker S will be so supported that the path of movement of
the hooks thereof will intersect the path of movement of the ueedle, as before
stated; and the needle N¹ will be fixed in the needle-bar N with the inclined
channel or threadway 16 at the outer side of said needle and adjoining the inner
face of the loop-engaging hook, when said hook is in position to engage a loop of
the needle-thread.
Thus it will be seen that, during the advancing movement of the hook, from the

page_text: position shown in Fig. 27 to the position shown in Fig. 42, the bight of the loop
will be carried downward by the hook, and simultaneously carried sidewise from a
point at the outer side to a point at the inner side of the path of movement of the
needle. This necessarily causes the needle-side portion 21 of the loop to be carried
laterally into the thread-receiving channel or threadway 16 of the needle, which,
at this period in the advancing movement of the hook, is in the position for receiving
said needle-side portion 21 of said loop.
I desire to state in conclusion, that the invention is not confined or restricted to
the precise details in construction and arrangement herein described and referred
to, as various modifications may be made therein, without devinting from the
principle or spirit of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is-
1. The combination of needle and loop-taker mechanism, for mauipulating the
needle-thread in such manner that the needle-thrend is protected during its passage
through the fabric, and the needle-side and fabric-side portions of the loop are
separated laterally and carried past each other without frictional contact,
substantially as herein described.
2. The construction, combination, and co-operative arrangement herein described
of a needle having an expanding wedge; a revoluble loop-taker having one or
inore peripheral loop-engaging hooks; and needle and loop-taker-actuating
mechanism for effecting a downward passage of the needle-wedge into, and an
upward passage of the needle-wedge out of, the fabric, immediately preceding the
engagement of the loop of the needle-thread by the hook of the loop-taker, and
timed to effect an engagement of the hook of the loop-taker with the loop
immediately succeeding the withdrawal of the wedge from the fabric, whereby the
needle-opening in the fabric is expanded immediately preceding the drawing-out
of the loop by the loop-taker, and a free movement of the needle-thread through
the fabric is facilitated.
3. The construction, combination, and co-operativo arrangement herein described
of a reciprocatory needle and a revoluble loop-taker, comprehending means
whereby the loop-forming end of the needle-thread will, during the descent of the
needle, be carried laterally of the sewing-line and downward through the fabric
in a spiral path, and whereby the needle-opening in the fabric will be expanded
near the lower end of the downstroke of the needle and immediately preceding the
engagement and drawing-out of the loop by the loop-taker, and whereby the loop
of the needle-thread will be engaged by the loop-taker immediately succeeding the
withdrawal of the wodge from the fabric, as herein sot forth.
4. A reciprocatory needle having a transverse eyo, and having a thread-
receiving channel at one side thereof which extends downward from said eye in an
inclined path, and is adapted for receiving the needle-side of the loop and for
holding the same out of the path of movement of the fabric-sido of said loop;
combined with a co-operating revoluble loop-taker supported peripherally at an
inclination to the path of movement of the needle, and having peripheral loop-
engaging hooks for engaging the loop of the needle-thread, and for so carrying
the same laterally of the path of movement of the needle as to draw the needle-
side of the loop into the thread-receiving chanuel of the needlo and out of the
path of movement of the fabric-side of said loop while the needle-eye is below
the fabric-side of said loop; and mechanism for simultaneously actuating the loop-
taker and needle to carry the two portions of the loop past each other while
separated, substantially as heroin described.
5. The herein-described construction, combination, and co-operative arrangement
of loop-forming mechanism, comprehending a reciprocatory eye-pointed needle
having a traverse groove extending upwardly from the eye in a spiral path, and
adapted, during the descent of the needle, for receiving and carrying the fabric-side

page_text: of the needle-thread laterally of the sewing-line and downward in a spiral path
through the fabric to inaugurate the formation of the loop, and also having a
thread-receiving channel at one side thereof, which extends downwardly from the
needle-eye in an inclined path, and which is adapted for receiving the needle-side
of the loop and for holding the same out of the path of movement of the fabric-
side of said loop during the ascent of the needle; and loop-taker mechanism
comprehending a revoluble loop-taker supported with the plane of its periphery
intersecting the path of movement of the needle, and having means for engaging
the loop and for so carrying the same laterally out of the path of movement of
the needle as to draw the needle-side of said loop out of the path of movement of the
fabric-side of said loop and into the thread-receiving channel of the Deedle while
the needle-eye is below the fabric-side of the loop.
6. A. sewing-machine needle having a trausverse eye therethrough; a traverse
groove communicating with and extending upward from said eye in a spiral path;
and an iuclined channel in communication with said eye, and extending downward
and sidewise therefrom.
7. A sewing-machine needle having an eye, therethrough; a needle-thread
groove formed in one face of the needle, and extending upward from one end of
the needle-eye in substantial parallelism with the axis of the needle; a traverso
groove formed in the periphery of the needle, and extending upward from the
opposite end of said needle-eye in a spiral path; and a thread-receiving channel
extending downward from the needle-cye in an inclined path.
8. An eye-pointed sewing-machine needle, substantially as described, having a
groove in communication with and extending upward from the needle-eye in a
spiral path, and also having a laterally-projecting wedge located between the
upper and lower ends of the traverse groove with its working-face above and in
alignment with the lower end of said traverse groove.
9. A sewing-machine needle having a transverse eye therethrough; a traverse
groove communicating with and extending upward from said eye in a spiral path;
an inclined channel in communication with said eye, and extending downward and
sidewise therefrom; and a laterally-projecting wedge located between the
downwardly-extending channel and the upper end of the traverse groove.
10. An eye-pointed sewing-machine needle having a needle-thread groove in
communication with and extending upward from one end of the needle-eye in
substantial parallelism with the axis of the needle; a traverse groove in communi-
cation with and extending upward from the opposite end of the needle-eye in
a spiral path; a thread-receiving channel communicating with and extending
downward from the needle-eye in an inclined path; and a wedge located above,
and having its working-face in alignment with, the lower end of the traverse
groove, and extending laterally beyond the side walls of the lower end of said
groove, substantially as herein described.
11. As an article of manufacture, a needle embodying the characteristics
herein described.
12. As an article of manufacture, the herein-described sewing-machine needle
constructed substantially as shown in the drawings.
Dated this 6th day of March. A.D. 1896.
FRANCIS HENRY RICHARDS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.