IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of
Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd April 1857.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex,, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North
Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," a communication from abroad, to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to that class of sewing machines wherein the stitch
is composed of two threads, the one being worked by a vibrating needle, whilst
the other thread is looped therein underneath the fabric by means of a peculiar
circular or discoidal shuttle or spool case, herein-after more fully referred to.
According to one arrangement of apparatus, a suitable bracket is fitted or
formed on the top of the bed plate for carrying the vibrating needle arm or
lever, and an auxiliary lever herein-after referred to, the two levers being so
connected that when the needle arm descends to enter the needle into the

page_text: cloth the auxiliary arm rises and draws the upper thread, which is passed
through an eye in its extremity. Below the bed plate is a diagonal or
oblique driving shaft, working in suitable brackets, and fitted or formed with
a cam or crank for working the needle arm through'a connecting rod. This
shaft carries also a grooved driving pulley which receives motion from any
convenient source by means of a driving strap or band. A bevil cam is also
fitted to this shaft for the purpose of giving motion to any convenient arrange-
ment of cloth feeding mechanism. . On the extreme upper end of this shaft is
fitted a driving plate, for imparting a rotatory motion to the discoidal shuttle
or spool case, which revolves freely in a circular race or holder. The spool
case and raco are not at right angles to the shaft or parallel to the plane of
the driving plate, which latter is fitted with projections or pins taking into
corresponding holes in the spool case, so as to transmit a rotatory motion
thereto when the driving plate revolves. By placing the spool case at an
angle, the pins will leave it on one sido as it revolves, and will allow of the
play of the needle and passage of the needle thread without interruption.
The spool case is made circular or discoidal, and carries the spool in the
centre thereof; and is formed with two noses, between which a recess or throat
is left, so that the needle thread may be caught on the revolution of the spool
case, and by being carried round the two threads, namely, the needle thread
and the spool thread, will be interlocked and form the stitch desired. A
radial arm, which may be tightened as required, and through the end of
which the spool thread passes, is fitted to the centre of the spool, and revolves
as the thread is drawn off, the amount of friction or drag being adjusted
according to the degree of tension required. The needle thread is drawn in
an opposite direction to the movement of the needle by means of the auxiliary
lever herein-before referred to, so that the stitch may be completed when
the needle is at its lowest position.
According to certain other modifications of sewing machines, these improve-
ments consist in the use of a circular shuttle or thread case, having a bobbin
of thread in or near its centre of revolution, as referred to in the first described,
arrangement, and on or near its circumference a hook or bill, for entering and
extending the loop of the needle thread, and carrying it completely over the
entire shuttle and bobbin, for the purpose of interlacing the two threads.
Motion is imparted to this circular shuttle by means of a pin having a
crank movement, or cogs or their equivalents may be employed; such cogs
gearing into corresponding notches in the shuttle, and being so disposed as not
to interfere with the passage of the loop.
An clastic and durable seam is formed by so arranging the apparatus that,

page_text: a long forward and a short backward shuttle stitch may be produced, and this
is accomplished by making the cloth move only every second stitch, whilst
during the intermediate stitching the needle is thrown backwards. to enter the
cloth behind the first stitch, in order to make a long forward and then a short
backward stitch.
In order to draw up the slack, a fixed eye piece is used, in conjunction with
a second eye attached to the needle lever or its equivalent, the thread being
passed through both eyes as it proceeds from the bobbin. The circular
shuttles are so placed that their point will enter the loop parallel to the
motion of the cloth, the axis being placed sideways from the line of motion
of the needle. A friction spring or arm, as described in the first arrangement,
is also employed here for producing tension on the thread of the centre spool,
such spool, unlike the ordinary shuttles, having no traverse motion. With
regard to the needle employed, the eye which is made near its point is so
disposed that it will be parallel to the motions of the shuttle point which
enters the loop, any convenient contrivance being used to bend the said loop
sideways or within the reach of the entering point. It is proposed also to
combine a rotatory cloth-feeding apparatus with the revolving hook or shuttle,
and to use therewith also a guiding foot piece, which will press the cloth to
the roughened surface of the feed, and will serve also for stripping the needle
from the cloth.
Another peculiarity of this Invention consists in drawing up the slack loop
formed by a circular shuttle, by the operation of such shuttle on the succeeding
loop, so that the expansion of one loop will tighten the other; and for this
purpose, the loop which is being tightened is held in such a manner that it
may be released or contracted in proportion as the other loop is being ex-
panded, thereby preventing it from twisting. These circular shuttles may be
so arranged that they will take up the loop on one side and throw it off on
the other, and the hooks or bills may be made to turn only one half revolution
for each succeeding stitch.

page_text: and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North Britain,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs. and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Henry Johnson, Her special license that I; the said John
Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
mako, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING. MACHINES," (a communication from abroad,)
.upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
.the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
. The said Invention relates to that class of sewing machines wherein the
stitch is composed of two threads, the one being worked by a vibrating
needle, whilst the other thread is looped therein underneath the fabric by
means of a peculiar circular or discoidal shuttle or spool case, herein-after
more fully referred to.
According to one arrangement of apparatus, a suitable bracket is fitted or
formed on the top of the bed plate for carrying the vibrating needle arm or
lever, and an auxiliary lever-herein-after referred to, the two levers being so
connected that when the needle arm descends to enter the needle into the cloth
the auxiliary arm rises and draws the upper thread, which is passed through
an eye in its extremity. Below the bed plate is a diagonal or oblique driving
shaft, working in suitable brackets, and fitted or formed with a cam or crank
for working the needle arm through a connecting rod. This shaft carries also
a grooved driving pulley, which receives motion from any convenient source by

page_text: means of a driving strap or band. A bevil cam is also fitted to the shaft for
the purpose of giving motion to any convenient arrangement of cloth-feeding
mechanism. On the extreme upper end of this shaft is fitted a driving plate
for imparting a rotatory motion to the, discoidal shuttle or spool case, which
revolves freely in a circular race or holder. The spool case and race are not
at right angles to the shaft or parallel to the plane of the driving plate, which
latter is fitted with projections or pins-taking into corresponding holes in the
spool case, so as to transmit a rotatory motion thereto when the driving plate
revolves; these projections or pins being at right angles to the face of the
driving plate. By placing the spool case at an angle, the pins will leave it
on one side as it revolves, and will allow of the play of the needle and
passage of the needle thread without interruption. The spool case is made
circular or discoidal, and carries the spool in the centre thereof, and is formed
with two noses, between which a recess or throat is left, so that the needle
thread may be caught on the revolution of the spool case, and by being
carried round the two threads, namely, the needle thread and the spool thread,
will be interlocked and form the stitch desired. A radial arm, which may be
tightened as desired, and through the end of which the spool thread passes,
is fitted to the centre of the spool, and revolves as the thread is drawn off; the
amount of friction or drag being adjusted according to the degree of tension
required. The needle thread is drawn in an opposite direction to the move-
ment of the needle, by means of the auxiliary lever herein-before referred
to, so that the stitch may be completed when the needle is at its lowest position.
According to certain other modifications of sewing machines, these improve-
ments consist in the use of a circular shuttle or thread case, having a bobbin or
thread in or near its centre of revolution, as referred to in the first described
arrangement, and on or near its circumference a hook or bill, for entering and
extending the loop of the needle thread, and carrying it completely over the
entire shuttle and bobbin, for the purpose of interlacing the two threads.
O Motion is imparted to this circular shuttle by means of a pin having a crank
movement, or cogs or other equivalent may be employed; such cogs gearing
into corresponding notches in the shuttles, and being so disposed as not to
interfere with the passage of the loop.
An elastic and durable seam may be formed by so arranging the apparatus
5 that a long forward and a short backward shuttle stitch may be produced, and,
this is accomplished by making the cloth move only every second stitch, whilst
during the intermediate stitching the needle is thrown backwards to enter the
cloth behind the first stitch, in order to make a long forward and then a short
backward stitch.

page_text: -In order to draw up the slack, a fixed eye-piece is used in conjunction with
a second eye attached to the needle lever or its equivalent, the thread being
passed through both eyes as it proceeds from the bobbin. The circular
shuttles aro placed so that their point will enter the loop parallel to the
motion of the cloth, the axis being placed sideways from the line of motion of
the needle. A friction spring or arm, as described in the first arrangement,
is also employed here for producing tension on the thread of the centre spool,
such spool, unlike the ordinary shuttles, having no traverso motion. With
regard to the needle employed, the eye, which is made near its point, is so
disposed that it will be parallel to the motions of the shuttle point which
enters the loop; any convenient contrivance being used to bend the said loop
sideways or within the reach of the entering point. It is proposed also to
combine a rotatory cloth-feeding apparatus with the revolving hook or shuttle,
and to use therewith also a guiding foot-piece, which will press the cloth to the
roughened' surface of the feed, and will serve also for stripping the needle from
the cloth.
.
.
Another peculiarity of this Invention consists in drawing up the slack loop
formed by a double-pointed circular shuttle, by the operation of such shuttle
on the succeeding loop, so that the expansion of one loop will tighten the other,
and for this purpose the loop which is being tightened is held in such a
manner that it may be released or contracted in proportion as the other loop
is being expanded, thereby preventing it from twisting. These circular
shuttles may be so arranged that they will take up the loop on one side and
throw it off on the other; and the hooks or bills may be made to turn only
one half revolution for each succeeding stitch.
.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I shall
refer to the several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, the
same letters: of reference indicating corresponding parts throughout all the
corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 of the Drawings is a sectional elevation of one arrange-
ment of sewing machine; Figure 2 is an end view, looking towards the front
of the machine, with the bed plate in section; Figure 3 is a transverse section
taken along the line 1, 2, in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a detail plan of the driving
plate; and Figure 5 is a plan of the discoidal shuttle inverted.
A is the base plate of the machine, which may be secured to any suitable
table or framework. To the top of the base plate is secured a bracket B, and
to the under side a second bracket C; to the latter is attached another bracket
D, which serves as a bearing for the upper end of the diagonal shaft E, the

page_text: lower end of which turns in a bearing at, a in the bracket C. The shaft E is
furnished with a bevilled cam F, which by means of levers and rods, not shewn
in the Drawing as not appertaining to this Invention, opérates the feeding
apparatus. To the shaft E is also secured the grooved pulley G, round which
passes the band from the driving wheels. The diagonal shaft E is cranked
between the cam F. and the pulley G, and this cranked portion is embraced by
the end of the connecting rod H. To the top of the shaft E is secured the
driving plate I (see Figure 4), which has a space or notch cut out at b, b.
On the edge of the driving plate are fitted or formed three teeth i, i, i, pro-
jecting at right angles to the plane of the driver, the heighth of all the teeth
from this plane-being exactly similar.
To the top of the bracket D is secured the shuttle or spool case holder J,
which has a bevilled recess for receiving the lower bevelled edge of the spool
case or discoidal shuttle K.
To the top of the spool case holder J is attached the washer or rim L, which
has also an edge bevilled in a contrary direction to that of the said holder, in
order that it may be adapted to the upper bevilled edge of the spool case or
discoidal shuttle. The holder J and washer L are so connected together as to
confine the shuttle, but at the same tine allow it to revolve freely.:
It must be here understood that the angular race for the shuttle formed
by the holder J and washer L, as well as the plane of the shuttle itself, are.
not at right angles to the centre of the shaft E, or parallel to the plane of the
driver I, but at an angle with the latter, for the purpose herein-after
explained...
.
The spool case or discoidal shuttle consists of a metallic ring with bevelled
edges, as shewn in Figure 5; it has two noses d and e on its periphery, and a
rounded recess or throat f between the said noses. On the top of this ring
or spool case is a recess for receiving the top flange g of the spool, there being
suitable notches and recesses to prevent the spool M. turning without the ring
or case, the notches and recesses being so arranged as to allow the spool to be
removed from its case and replaced at pleasure. The top flange g of the spool
is connected to the lower flange by the nut h, round which the spool thread is
wound.
The nut projects underneath the flange j, and in this projections turns the
radial arm & in such a manner that its movement is entirely independent of
the spool or spool case. The radial arm k is composed of two elliptical springs,
so arranged that there is a slight friction against the nut.
On one end of the radial arm is an orifice, through which passes the thread

page_text: from the spool, as seen in Figure 3, and from this orifice the thread. passes'
through a regulating screw at t, and through the nut, the regulating screw
serving to increase or diminish the friction of the radial arm, as circumstances
may require..
...
In the under bevelled edge of the spool case holder K. are three recesses n;
so situated as to coincide with the teeth i, i, on the driver I. I have pro-
viously alluded to the fact of the plane of the shuttle or spool case and its raco
being at a different angle to the plane of the driver, and the latter, with its
projections i, i, are so arranged that but one only of the teeth i enters one of
the recesses.in the spool case K at one time, the other two teeth i, i, being out.
at the time that the shuttle or spool case approaches the needle X, so that the
play of the latter as well as the movements of the needle thread may not be
interrupted, as is more fully described hereafter.
The top of the holder J projects above the top of the base plate A, and is
furnished with a plate N, on which rests the fabric z to be stitched. Through
this plate, as well as through the top of the holder, is an orifice for the passage
of the needle X. The rod H, above alluded to, is connected by means of a
ball and socket joint to the lower arm of the needle bar P, which has its
fulcrum on a pin p, attached to the base plato A. To the end of the long arm
of the needle bar is secured the needle ✗, before alluded to. R is the
auxiliary. lever, with its fulcrum on a pin q, attached to a projection on the
bracket B, and is connected to the needle bar by the rod Q.
The end of the auxiliary lever R is cranked and furnished with an eye r,.
through which passes the thread from the spool or bobbin T; the latter turns
on a bracket U, and has a slight friction imparted to it by means of the
adjustable spring V. W is a spring lever, on which runs loose a serrated
wheel Y, connected with the feeding apparatus. This portion of the machine
being used for but one description of work, and not being embodied in my
Invention, need not be further described.
The diagonal shaft E being set in motion by the driving strap, which
embraces the grooved-pulley G, a vibrating motion must, through the con-
necting rod H, be imparted to the needle bar P, causing the needle X to move
up and down in and through the orifice in the plate N and holder J. At
the same time the teeth i, i, i, on the driving plate 1, entering in rotation
the recesses n in the spool case K, the latter with its spool will revolve in its
race formed by the holder J and washer or rim L. Simultaneously with the
above movements the bevelled cam F operates any convenient system of rods
and levers in connection with the feeding apparatus. A vibrating motion is

page_text: also imparted to the auxiliary lever R by means of the connection Q with the
needle bar P, the movements of the lever and bar being invariably in contrary
directions.
The thread from the spool T passes through an eye. in any convenient
portion of the bracket B, thence through the eye V in the end of the auxiliary
lever R, and thence through the eye of the needle towards the fabric. The
spool thread, as before mentioned, passes from the spool M, through the eye
of the radial arm k, theuco through the regulating screw t, and upwards
through the nut h, and through the needle passage to the fabric.
In working this machine, supposing the working portions of the machine to
be in the position shewn in Figure 1, that is, with the needle X raised to its
highest point, and consequently the auxiliary lever R depressed to its lowest
point, the rounded recess or throat f, between the noses & and e, will be directly
opposite to, and at its furthest point from the needle X. On turning the diagonal
shaft E, the cranked portion of the said shaft so acts on the connecting rod H
and bar Pas to depress the needle and raise the auxiliary lever, whilst at the
same time the teeth i on the driving plate I cause the shuttle K to revolve, and
the nosed to approach the needle. When the needle with its thread has
penetrated the fabric, and reached its lowest point, the nose e of the shuttle
has arrived at the needle passage in the plate N and holder J. The needle
now commences to rise, and the end of the auxiliary lever to descend, and
the nosed to approach the needle. This slight raising of the needle and
depression of the auxiliary lever forms a loop on the needle thread beneath
the fabric, and this loop is caught by the nose d.
Supposing the discoidal shuttle to have now arrived at its original position,
that is, with the throat f at its furthest point from the needle (the point from
which the description started), the needle thread, caught by the nose d, will
be now in a direct line across the top of the shuttle, and consequently a length
of thread equal to the distance from the needle to the opposite side of the
shuttle must have been drawn from the spool T; not direct from the spool,
however, but by the assistance of the auxiliary lever, which, during the move-
ment of the shuttle towards the point which it has now reached, descends and
delivers the amount of thread required at the appropriate time. On the
further movement of the shuttle, the thread across, the samo is withdrawn by
the descent of the needle and the rising of the auxiliary lever combined, the
spool thread and needle thread being thereby interlocked beneath the fabric,
and thus a stitch is completed when the needle has arrived at its lowest
position. The nose d now approaches the needle as before, and a repetition
of the above described movements and operations takes place.
7

page_text: The advantages of the above described machine are, that by the employment.
of a circular or discoidal shuttle confined to a race, as above.set forth, an
uniform and easy motion is obtained, and the friction common to ordinary
shuttles is diminished.
The peculiar arrangement of central spool allows also of a larger quantity of!
thread being deposited within the shuttle.
By the use of the radial arm the thread can be withdrawn from the spool
at an uniform requisite tension, thereby avoiding breakages.
By driving the shuttle in the manner described, not only is the required
motion obtained by very little friction, but the free play of the needle and
-thread is uninterrupted, and what is of equal importance, the thread is not
strained by the weight of the shuttle, as in other machines. By drawing the
needle thread in an opposite direction to the motion of the needle, and thus
completing the stitch when the needle is down, I am enabled to give to the
needle an uniform reciprocating movement, and thus dispense with the use of
irregular cams, and in their stead. I employ a simple crank or eccentric
motion, whilst at the same time the stroke or traverso of the needle is little
more than one-half of that of the other sewing machines.
Figure 1, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, represents a front elevation of
another form of sewing machine,, and. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the
same; the rest of the Figures are details, which I shall hercin-after fully
describe. A is the fraino supporting the entire machinery, its lower part
serving as a table to support the cloth, and is half circular, corresponding with
the surface of the feeding ring B, which turns freely on three braces or
supports b, b, b, screwed to the frame A. A' is an arm, projecting forward
from the upper part of the frame A, and carrying the slide C, in which the
needle bar C works; it carries also another slide for the foot-piece D, which
"presses the cloth in the roughened surface of the feeding ring B by means of
a spiral spring L, and can be raised from the cloth by a knob d'. 'd is a catch,.
which takes into notches in the bar D, to hold it in an elevated position when
required; E is the driving shaft, working in bearings in the frame A, and
carrying the wheel F with a curved groove, in its side, in which groove works
the short end g of the lever G, which drives the needle bar C by means of its
forked end and the pin c. The curve of the groove in F is such as to give
the needle-two up and two down motions at each revolution of the wheel F.
The lever G turns on a stud pin I, screwed into and through the frame A,
so as to project on the other side, where it serves as a stud for the spool L,
such spool being supplied with proper tightening nuts to produce tension on
the thread. and are two pins screwed into the wheel F, which operate

page_text: on the arm U, working on a stud u in the frame. The arm U is secured to
the arm V, and gives motion to the ratchet wheel X by means of a catch W
on the end of the arm V. The wheel X is carried by the shaft Y, passing
under the table forward to the feeding ring B, which it drives by means of a
small toothed pinion Z. The arm V has a tail or projection V, which is
pressed against tho set screw w by a spring v.
:
The needle n on the bar c has an eye near its point, in order to form a loop
of thread below the cloth, through which another thread is to be carried to
form a shuttle stitch, as is well known. This stitch I accomplish by means of
a circular revolving shuttle Q, shewn in plan and side elevation at Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a section taken through the centre of the shuttle and its con-
nections. This shuttle is formed like a case, having in the centre of its
bottom a stud, on which turns the bobbin R (shewn in Figure 6); a spring r
on the bobbin pressing into a groove on the end of the stud, to produce friction
and tension on the bobbin thread, and at the same time to keep the bobbin in
the shuttle, but by pressing the spring r aside the bobbin can be readily taken
out. The bobbin thread passes out of the shuttle through a small hole in the
side of the thread case. The circumference of the shuttle has a pointed hook,
which seizes the loop as the needle expands it, and at the same time carrying
it completely over the revolving shuttle and bobbin, thus effectually passing
the bobbin thread through the said loop. The shuttle revolves freely in the
bed plate T (Figure 8), and is held in position by a ring S, see Figures 7, 8,
and 9; a plate v covers the shuttle, but can be pushed aside to obtain
admittance to it when requisite. The shuttle may be driven in two different
ways, the first consisting in the application of a pin p (Figure 2), making a
crank motion around the centre of the shuttle, and reaching into the notch
formed by the hook of the shuttle, thus carrying it along, while revolving.
This pin has some play within the notch, so that the loop can freely pass
when tightened up. The pin p deriving its crank motion by being fastened to
a lever M (shewn in Figures 2 and 13), having a slot in the middle, through
which slot passes the stud m, fastened to the under side of the frame A; its
other end is connected to the crank pin P on the bevel wheel N. The motion
of the crank pin is thus transmitted to the pin p, as will be clearly understood
on referring to Figure 2. The bevil wheel N gears into another wheel O,
of the same size, which is connected to the wheel J by a short shaft passing
through the collar bearing I. The wheel J gears into the wheel F'. in a
peculiar manner, as shewn at Figure 3, the teeth of F and J being so
arranged that J is only revolving during the ascent of the needle, in order
to afford a more equal motion to the needle bar, which would be requisite

page_text: with a continuous motion of the shuttle, and where no extra arrangements
besides the motion of the needle itself are used for pulling up the loop after
it has passed over the shuttle.
'
My second method of driving the shuttle is shewn in Figures 9 and 10, and
consists in the use of cogs gearing into corresponding notches near the circum-
ference of the shuttle. The teeth being only in gear diametrically opposite
the needle will not interfere with the passage of the loops around the shuttle,
it being so arranged that these loops will not come in contact with the teeth
of the driver. In cases where the shuttle revolves backward and forward at
each stitch, the driver M need only be a segmental rack (see Figure 4),
actuated by suitable mechanism, which requires here no further description.
T, Figure 12, is the bed plate, and s, Figure 11, a ring for holding the shuttle
in position; this shuttle also carrying a bobbin, as above described, and shown
in Figure 5.
The feeding apparatus in Figures 1 and 2 is so arranged that the cloth may
'be fed either an equal distance for each stitch, or it may be moved only every
second stitch; while during the intermitted stitches the needle is thrown back-
wards to enter the cloth behind the first, in order to make a long forward and
then a short backward stitch. One of the pins f" in 'the wheel F can be
screwed back by its head f", so as not to act on the arm U, in which case
the cloth will bo fed only every second stitch.
=
The front end of the shaft E carries a cam e, (Figure 1,) which operates
against a plate k, screwed to the needle slide C¹ by a set screw, so that it can.
be set in any position so as to strike more or less against the cam e; if it is
set in the position shewn in the Drawing it will not be struck by the cam é
at all, and this is its position when the back stitch arrangement is not used.
The needle slide C¹ is fastened to the frame only on the top, and in such a
manner that the under end can spring back when the cam e strikes against
the plate k, so that the needle will enter the cloth behind the previous stitch
to produce the above described effect. The same effect may also be produced
by moving the cloth at each stitch, and throwing the needle back every second
stitch through a distance longer than the feed at each stitch.
Figures 6 and 7 on Sheet 1 of the Drawings represent in side and front
elevation another machine, shewing the application of my rotating shuttle, and
Figure 1 on Sheet 3 is a plan of the same.
A is the bed plate, having two bearings below for the shaft E to work in; its
upper part A' is detached, but is screwed to the bed plate A, and its two
arms A", A" serves as hangers for the axis 1 of the needle lever G. Two
other arms A, A, serve to carry the spool L, as well as a long arm reach-

page_text: ing forward to the needle to hold the foot-piece D, with its spring (not shewn
in the Drawings) and handle d, for raising it from the cloth. The back part
of the bed plate is sunken, as shewn in the detail section, Figure 2, (Sheet 3,)
in order to give space for the cloth under the lever shaft.
The needle u is fastened directly to the lever G, and consequently must be
curved; the lever G has an arm g, reaching backward, to the end of which
arm is connected the eccentric strap 8, by means of a universal joint, as shewn
more clearly in the details, Figures 8, 4, and 5, Sheet 3, the eccentric 4 being
cast or fitted to the side of the driving pulley F.
The shuttle and its connections are shewn in the detail Figures from 6 to
17 inclusive, on Sheet 3 of the Drawings; Figure 6 is a front view of the
shuttle race T; at Figure 7 is a ring s, for holding the shuttle in its race T;.
Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the bed plate A, race
T, and ring S, so as to shew the mode of holding the shuttle Q. The race T
is secured to the bed plate A by the lugs T', T, Figures 6 and 7, Sheet 1.
Figure 9, Sheet 3 is a vertical section through the shuttle and its bobbin R;
Figure 10 is a front elevation, and Figure 11 a top view of the same.
The shuttle is driven by the wheel or driver M, (Figure 12,) having thrce
teeth 1 p, p, p, projecting from its side, which gear into corresponding recesses
or notches in the side of the shuttle marked q, q, q, in Figures 9 and 10.
The shuttle is slightly inclined to the vertical position of the driver M, as
shewn in Figure 8, so that the teeth p, p, p, will only gear into the shuttle Q
while below or opposite the entrance of the needle, thus giving a free passage
to the loop around the shuttle. The centre of the shuttle is placed sideways
from the line of entrance of the needle, which will give a more direct down-
ward pull of the hook in expanding the loop, as also more space for the
feeding apparatus B.
The bobbin R, shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15, turns loose on a stud in
the centre of the shuttle, and is provided with a friction spring r, turning with
some friction in a circular rabbit formed on its face. A small arm 8 on the
spring r extends beyond the shuttle, and has a projection reaching inside the
thread case (Figures 9 and 13), to receive the bobbin thread, and pass it
outside towards the cloth. The tension of the bobbin thread while sewing
will hold the arm 8 stationary while the shuttlo revolves, and the bobbin will
turn only so much as the thread unwinds; this tension will also prevent the
bobbin from falling out; but when commencing to sew, and no tension is on
the thread, the arm 8 is held by the catch 7, (shewn in Figure 7, Sheet 1,
and Figures 7 and 16, Sheet 3,) which can be sprung slightly back when the
bobbin is to be removed.

page_text: In this machine the loop is expanded while the needle ascends, and closed
up while it descends, the thread passing each time through the needle eye in
a contrary direction to the motion of the needle.
My method of doing this will be easily understood by comparing the two
Figures 6 and 6*, (Sheet 1) the former shewing the needle in its lowest
position, and the latter at its greatest elevation. a is an eye-piece, fastened
to the stationary arm A', Figures 6 and 7 (Sheet 1); and a¹ is another eye,
screwed into the needle arm G. The thread passes first through the eye a,
then down through a', up again through a, and then into the needle eye.
Now, when the arm G with its eye a' raises, the thread will bo loosened, so
that the shuttle can expand the loop. When tho shuttle has made one half
of a revolution, the lever will descend, and the eye-pieces a and a will draw
the loop up as quickly as the shuttle releases it. The thread may be passed
more times through a and a¹, and rollers may be used to lessen the friction.
In this machine, as also in the one last previously described, the shuttle
point enters the loop in a direction parallel with the motion of the cloth;
and this arrangement allows of the application either of a rotatory or
reciprocating feed motion, moving the cloth in the direction of the arrow in
Figure 1 (Sheet 3). It produces also, especially in the last machine, a better
action in expanding the loop, by not pulling it so much across the stitch.
It brings the pulley F in a more convenient position, and also allows of the
bobbin being more easily got at. The needle is placed so that the eye is
parallel with the motion of the cloth, which is its natural and proper position,
in order that the stitches may be perfectly in a line, instead of slanting, as is
the case when the eye stands across the line of motion of the cloth. Now,
as I also give a parallel motion to the shuttle point while seizing the loop, it
requires some arrangement for throwing aside such loop, in order that the
point may catch it. This arrangement is shown on an enlarged scale in the
Figures 17, 18, 19, and 20 (Sheet 3). T, in Figure 17, shews part of the
bed plate, where the needle n enters, seen from the front, as in Figure 6; and
Qis a portion of the shuttle with its point g, as seen in Figure 10. The loop
has been just formed, but requires to be pushed forward, so that the point g
can enter it. Figure 19 shews a top view of the same position. 11 is a small
spring, shewn also in Figure 21, screwed to the bed plate T, sce (Figure 22),
and reaching with its flat head into a corresponding slot in the plate T, just in
front of the loop. When not working it assumes the position shewn in
Figure 19. The wheel or driver M has a pin 12 on its circumference, as
shewn at Figure 12, which pin will strike against the spring 11, and push it
forward into the position shewn in the section, through the plate T in Figuro

page_text: 18, just at the moment the point of the shuttle is to enter the loop, which will
thus be pushed forward, so that the said point may enter it below the
spring 11.
Another mode of producing the same result is shewn in Figure 20, where
the loop is brought sideways to the oblique position of the groove in the bed-
plate T, wherein the needle enters. Figure 22 is a plan view of the feed
motion, with the bed plate removed; Figure 23 is a cross section of the bed
plate A through the part where the needle enters, the piece T being removed;
and Figure 24 is a side view of the feeding bar B, which carries a plate,
having a roughened surface for moving the cloth. This roughened plate is
carried by an arm B', projecting from the feeding bar B. 6, b, Figures 22
and 23, are two lugs cast on the, bed plate A, between which lugs the bar B
slides, being held in its place by a pin. f is a cam cast on the wheel or
driver M, and fast on the shaft E. This cam raises the bar B up towards
the cloth, to take hold of it by striking against the piece 6, and then pushes
it forward by striking against the plate u. It then releases the piece b, so as
to let the bar B descend out of contact with the cloth, and then releases the
plate u, so that the bar B may be forced back again by a spring, which is
not shewn in the Drawings. The length of stitch can be changed by the
nut w, which moves the plate u more or less from the cam f. In using this
shuttle, the slack loop is tightened up from above the cloth, either by a large
traverse of the needle (as represented in Sheet 2), or by the eyes a and a¹;
as in Figures 6 and 6ª (Sheet 1),-which pull the thread back through the
needle eye..
I shall now show how this may be effected by the shuttle itself, so that
the expansion of the one shall tighten up the slack of the other loop, thus
keeping the length of thread required for forming the loop constantly below
the cloth.
.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, on Sheet 4 of my Drawings, shew a circular shuttle,
with two hooks diametrically opposite each other. It is supported and driven
in a similar manner to that shewn on Sheet 3, but makes only one half of
a-revolution for each stitch.
The four Figures shew the position of the books and loops after each
quarter of a revolution. Figure 1 represents the hook .1. of the shuttle Q just
entering the loop formed on the needle n; Figure 2 shews the position after
the hook has made a quarter of a revolution in the direction indicated by
the arrow, the loop being partially extended, the needle in its highest position,
and the cloth fed for the next stitch. In Figure 3, the shuttle has made
one half of a revolution. The loop is now fully extended by the hook 1,

page_text: whilst the hook 2 is entering the new loop. The hook 2, whilst expanding
the new loop, will now draw the thread for forming it from the first loop,
which is being loosened by hook 1, as will be seen in Figure 4, which shows
the third position; the next position being the same as in Figure 3, only the
books will have changed positions; hook 2 will have fully expanded the second
loop, and at the same time tightened up the first, while hook 1 is again
entering a new loop, and so on. The centre bobbin is not shewn; it may be
arranged the same as shewn in Sheet 8. The blue-line shews the shuttle
thread, and the red the needle thread.
In order that a new loop may be formed when the needle ascends, the first
loop requires to be at that time a little slack, so as not to pull on the needle'
thread; for this purpose the shuttle has on its circumference two grooves,
which receive the loop and wind it partially around the shuttle (as will be seen
in Figures 2 and 4) in such a manner that it will slip off' and assume the posi-
tion shewn in Figure 3 at the moment before the new loop is to be formed.
Figure 5 is a side elevation, and Figure 6 a front view, partly in section, of
another form of sewing machine, the feed motion, which may be similar to
that above described, being altogether omitted.
The driving shaft E (see Figure 6) is here placed parallel to the feed of
the cloth, the shuttle point entering the loop at right angles thereto.
Figure 7 shews a detail of the driving shaft having a crank pin, which
drives the needle lever G by means of a slotted arm g, shewn in Figure 5.
M is the shuttle driver, having three teeth p, p, p, which work in cor-
responding holes or recesses in the shuttle, as has been described in referenco
to Sheet 3. The cam f drives the feed motion, and the entire machine is
driven by the driving pulley F. The shuttle of this machine is so constructed
as to draw the loop up in a similar manner to that explained with reference
to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, but it makes, however, one entire revolution for each
stitch, each loop remaining on the shuttle during two revolutions or nearly so.
Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 shew the shuttle in the position after each quarter
of a revolution, and Figure 12 is a back view of the same.
Figures 13 and 14 show the bobbin R and its tension spring r; Figures 15
and 16 show the shuttle race T and ring S. Figure 17 is a top or plan
view of both, and Figure 18 is a horizontal section taken through the
centre of the shuttle Q and its connections. It will be seen that the
entering hook 1 of this shuttle is much longer than those before described,
thereby throwing the bobbin out of the centre; it is also much thinner
than the spool case or shuttle itself, so as to give room for another
distinct hook on the other side of the shuttle; the inside curve of, this second

page_text: hook 2 starts from the same point as that of hook 1, but in an opposite
direction, so as to have the point about opposite that of the entering point
at 9; the object of this second hook is to hold the loop while it is slackened
and drawn up by the hook 1.
In order to explain the action of these hooks, it will be necessary to follow
the motion of the shuttle, firstly; during each quarter of the first revolution
while expanding the loop, and then during the time it is drawing it up again.
Figure 8 shews the needle in the cloth and the shuttle 'point 9 entering
the small loop a just formed on the needle (see side view of Figure 8); the
condition of the loop 6 will be explained hereafter.
In Figure 9, the loop a is being slowly expanded downward by the inside
curve of the hook 1, and and the needle n is raising.
In Figure 10, the hook 1 has fully entered the loop a, and is now expanding
it further, carrying it at the same over the bobbin case, the needle has fully,
raised, and is commencing to descend again, whilst the cloth has been fed in.
the direction of the arrow.
:
'In Figure 11, the. loop a is fully expanded, and is commencing to slacken
again. I shall now again refer to Figure 8, the loop which was referred to
asia being now referred to as b, while a applies to the new or second loop.
The shuttle has now made a full revolution, a new loop a is formed and
entered by the point g, the old loop 6 has somewhat slackened, but the motion
of the needle into the cloth has pulled up some of this slack.
The front part of loop 6 will now, in consequence of the feed of the cloth,
pass behind the hook 1, so as not to be affected, and then press on,to,the:
second hook 2, in Figure 9, the new loop is expanding and pulling. the;
thread from loop. b, which is slackening. The curves of both hooks are such
that hook 1 will pull up just as much thread as the other hook 2, slackens,
thus preventing the hook 6 from twisting or knotting while it is drawn up.
In Figure 10, loop 6 is nearly closed, and will soon be let free from hook 2,
while loop a is expanding further, and the cloth is fed again.
7
In Figure 11, loop 6 has been fully closed and tightened up by loop a,
which is fully expanded. A small notch a, near the circumference of the
shuttle (Figure 11), seizes the loop b, and pulls, it sideways, so as to give it an
additional pull for drawing the stitch tight.
.
The next position will again be the same as in Figure 8, and-so on, éacli
loop being expanded during the first revolution by hook 1, and then passed
over to the hook 2,, which will hold it while it is drawn up during the next?
revolution, the shuttle with its two hooks forming a screw, which takes up the
loop on one side and lets it free on the other.
salay kn
:
:

page_text: The point g of the hook 1, projects and runs in a groove on the ring S
(in Figures 15 and 18). The object of this is to make the loop 6 (Figure 8),
behind the hook 1, there being a thin bridge between the lower end
of the lever and the shuttle, which holds the loop back beyond the reach of
pass
the point g.
The bobbin and its spring revolves with the shuttle, and they are so
arranged that the thread passes out near the centre of the shuttle, but this
may be modified in any other suitable manner.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of the said Invention. But
what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the system or mode of driving the spool case or discoidal shuttle by
placing it at an angle with the driver, such driver consisting of a circular
plate or disc fitted or formed with teeth or projections at right angles to its
face, which gear or fit into corresponding recesses or notches in the back of
the shuttle, in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described with
reference to Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Second, the drawing or tightening of the loop of the needle thread in
an opposite direction to the movement of the needle, so as to complete the
stitch when the needle is at its lowest position by means of a stationary eye-
piece a, and moveable eye-piece a³, as herein-before described, and illustrated
on Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Third, the application and use of the stud pin-p, having a crank motion for
actuating a discoidal shuttle, as herein-before described with reference to
Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Fourth, the system or mode of driving or actuating a discoidal shuttle by
means of segmental racks gearing into corresponding notches or recesses
in the shuttle itself, in such a manner as not to interfere with the passage
of the needle loop, as herein-before described with reference to Sheet 2 of
the Drawings.
'
. Fifth, the placing of a .circular or discoidal shuttle in such a position that
its point will enter the needle loop in a direction parallel to the motion of the
cloth, as herein-before described.
Sixth, the placing the axis of a discoidal shuttle or rotating hook at an

page_text: angle with the line of motion of the needle, as herein-before described, and
illustrated by the Drawings.
Seventh, the application and use of a friction spring to and in the central
spool of a discoidal shuttle, for the purpose of giving tension to the shuttle
thread, such spool having no transverse motion, as herein-before described, and
illustrated by the Drawings.
Eighth, the placing of the eye of an eye-pointed needle parallel to the
motion of the shuttle point entering the loop, a suitable contrivance being
employed for bending the loop sideways within the reach of the entering
point of the shuttle, as herein-before described, and illustrated by the
Drawings.
Ninth, the application and use of a yielding foot-plate for pressing the
cloth to the roughened surface of the feed, and for stripping it from the
needle, in combination with a circular or discoidal shuttle, as herein-before
described, and illustrated by Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Tenth, the drawing up of the slack loop formed by one point of a double-
pointed circular or discoidal shuttle by the similtaneous extension of the
succeeding loop effected by the second point of the shuttle, as herein-before
described, and illustrated by the Drawings.
Eleventh, the systems or modes of holding the loop so that it is slackened
in proportion as the succeeding loop is tightened, by means of a double-
pointed circular or discoidal shuttle, as herein-before described, and illustrated
by the Drawings.
Twelfth, the arranging of circular or discoidal double-pointed shuttles in
such a manner as to take up the loop on one side or face of the shuttle, and
throw it off on the other, as herein-before described, and illustrated by the
Drawings.
Thirteenth, the application and use to and in circular or discoidal shuttles
of two hooks or points making only half a revolution for each stitch, as
herein-before described, and illustrated by the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Twenty-second day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-seven.