Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1887
Specification Accepted, 16th Dec., 1887
I, PHILIP DIEHL of Elizabeth, State of New Jersey, United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer, 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 :-
The Invention, herein to be described, is an improvement on Machines wherein is
employed an oscillating shuttle co-operating with an eye pointed needle, to form a
lock or shuttle stitch.
Heretofore in all Machines employing an oscillating shuttle which passes entirely
through the loop of needle thread the bobbin has been so supported in the shuttle that
it partakes of a movement bodily with the shuttle as the latter is moved forward
through the loop and is returned into its most backward position preparatory to again
entering a second loop of needle thread, or in other words the centre of the bobbin
is eccentric to the centre of oscillation of the shuttle and the bobbin also oscillates
with the shuttle.
In experiments to improve the class of machine referred to in order that it may be
run at a great speed and yet do good work it has been discovered that when the
centre of rotation of the bobbin is eccentric for any appreciable extent to the centre
of oscillation of the rock shaft which oscillates the shuttle, the practical speed limit
is greatly curtailed because of the friction and wear of the shuttle in the shuttle race
and because of the extra momentum and jar that have to be overcome as the direction
of movement of the shuttle is changed quickly.
When the centre of the bobbin is eccentric to the centre of oscillation of the shaft
moving the shuttle, it results that the weight of the bobbin and its thread is added to
the weight which has to be carried backward and forward by the shuttle or to be
oscillated with the shuttle.
The greater the weight of the shuttle the greater its momentum and jar when the
motion of the shuttle is reversed and so also the greater the friction of the shuttle in
its raceway due to centrifugal action, and consequently when running at very high

page_text: speed the momentum and friction are both greatly increased in intensity and the
practical speed limit is soon reached.
To obviate all the difficulties and provide a machine which may be run at very high
speed and do good work I have provided a small segmental shuttle on which is erected
a bobbin post, and on this post located at the centre of oscillation of the shuttle and
also concentric with relation to the oscillation of the shaft for operating the shuttle
I have mounted the bobbin carrying the under thread.
In this way the weight of the bobbin and its thread is so distributed that it is
equally balanced about the centre of the rock shaft which actuates the shuttle, and
herein the evils due to momentum of the bobbin and its thread, are overcome, and so
also objectionable heating of the raceway and shuttle due to centrifugal action of the
shuttle is reduced to the minimum, which besides enabling the machine to be run with
less power, also necessitates less oil or other usual lubricant between the shuttle and
its race.
A sewing machine employing a rotating shuttle provided with a bobbin having its
centre concentric to the shaft which actuates the shuttle driver or carrier and driven
at a constant speed from the needle bar actuating shaft, could not be made to operate
practically, but to enable a machine to operate having a rotary shuttle and a bobbin
mounted therein and turning on a centre coincident with the centre of the shuttle,
the shaft for rotating the shuttle driver or carrier has been driven mechanically from
the needle bar actuating shaft through the intervention of a variable speed mechanism
whereby the shuttle at portions of each rotation is made to travel at a different rate
of speed, such variable speed enabling the shuttle to get through the loop of needle
thread in the time allotted therefor by the reciprocation of the needle, it being essential
in the manufacture of a practical machine to let the shuttle take and cast off the loop
of needle thread in the shortest possible time or cycle of movement of the shuttle and
then move more slowly to enable the take up or other thread controller to take up the
loop of needle thread and finish the stitch before the feed operates and it is also
especially desirable and quite essential in high speed machines to have the most time
possible during each stroke or oscillation of the shuttle, in which to let the take up,
and thereafter the feed operate, thus avoiding shock upon not only the thread but also
on the working parts of the machine.
In machines using a variable motion mechanism, such as referred to, it has also been
deemed essential to so place the centre of rotation of the shuttle eccentric with
relation to the centre of rotation of the shaft actuating the shuttle driver or carrier,
or else to employ a peculiar device having lugs which are made to alternately engage
and then release the shuttle in order that the loop of needle thread may pass freely
about the shuttle without hindrance from its driving source.
3.
In a machine wherein the shuttle rotates the point of the shuttle travels through
path measured by 365 degrees of a circle or travels through only a complete circle
for each stitch and to ensure sufficient time during each complete rotation of the
shuttle to enable the take up and feed to operate in succession as stated the variations
in speed of movement of the point of the shuttle during each rotation thereof must be
very considerable and the greater the variation in speed the greater the strain and
wear on the mechanism.
By employing an oscillating rather than a rotating shuttle and actuating it by
mechanisin capable of turning it in one and then in the reverse direction for more
than 180 degrees of a circle I am enabled to make the point of the shuttle move in the
production of each stitch over a distance greater than 360 degrees in practice about
404 degrees, such increase in degrees through which the shuttle is moved while each
stitch is being made, enabling me to run the shuttle at nearly the same speed from the
commencement to the end of each stroke, and this without at all lessening the time
in which the take up and feed may operate.
I have also so timed the movement of the parts which actuate the shuttle, that the
loop of needle thread is cast off the leading or point end of the shuttle before the
point of the shuttle arrives at the limit of its forward throw, but the reverse movement
of the shuttle is commenced before the loop of needle thread being drawn up by the

page_text: take up arrives at the heel of the shuttle, such reversal effectually opening a space
between the driver and the heel of the shuttle for the free passage of the loop of the
needle thread as it slips upward to the underside of the material about the bobbin or
underthread.
The shuttle herein to be described and claimed has a point and co-operating with it
and extended in the same direction it has a loop discharger made as a
finger which is
a little longer than the projecting portion of the point the said discharger being
inclined toward the bobbin case and meeting it or nearly so at a point nearly in line
with a vertical line intersecting the centre of the bobbin case supporting post the said
point and discharger being so constructed and combined relatively each to the other
and to the bobbin as to commence to discharge the loop before the point of the said
oscillating shuttle reaches a line drawn vertically through the bobbin supporting post
the loop discharger causing the loop of needle thread to be delivered against the
bobbin case at a point beyond the said vertical line in the direction of the forward
movement of the shuttle so that there is no liability of the loop being passed up about
the wrong side of the bobbin case.
I have herein shown the bobbin case as provided at its front with a tension device
or spring, and have provided a tension regulating lever which is accessible to the
operator without removing the shuttle or bobbin.
Herein the bobbin case made to embrace a post extended outwardly from the centre
of the shuttle in the line of the centre of oscillation of the shaft for actuating the
shuttle receives and supports a bobbin, and the said bobbin case, as in other sewing
machines employing both hooks and shuttles is restrained from rotating by a suitable
bobbin case detainer.
Heretofore bobbin cases of the class referred to have been closed at their outer
sides but to assist in enabling the take up to commence a little earlier than it would
or otherwise could to take up the loop of needle thread last drawn by the shuttle
I have cut away about one half of the front end of the bobbin case thus decreasing
its thickness, and so also by providing the bobbin head with a slot it is possible to see
the thread on the bobbin so as to stop the machine before the bobbin thread is
exhausted.
To enable the passage of the loop from the bobbin case over which it is spread by
the shuttle to be accelerated from the time the loop starts to ride upon the loop
discharger toward the bobbin case I have cut away or bevelled the outer face of the
bobbin case so that as the loop commences to run off the loop discharger it also
commences to slide down the bevel of the bobbin case toward the side thereof from
which the loop of needle thread is pulled up by the take up, the bevelled portion of
the bobbin case, co-operating with the take up aiding in forcing the loop of needle
thread toward the edge of the bobbin case farthest from the operator and aiding the
movement of the loop along the loop discharger at a speed in advance of the speed of
rotation of the shuttle.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partially broken out of a sewing machine embodying
the Invention.
Figure 2 an underside view of Figure 1.
Figure 3 an elevation on a larger scale of the right hand end of the machine shown
in Figure 1.
Figures 4 to 7* inclusive different views of the oscillating shuttle its bobbin case
and the shuttle race.
Figure 8 the shuttle and bobbin case and bobbin removed.
Figures 9 and 10 front and side elevations of the shuttle.
Figure 11 a section of Figure 8 in the line y. y.
Figures 12 and 13 show the bobbin case detached and
Figure 14 a section of Figure 12.
The bed plate A, overhanging arm B, rotating needle bar actuating shaft C needle
bar its eye-pointed needle the link the upper end of which embraces a crank on
the shaft while its lower end is connected by a stud screw to one arm of a rock
shaft I having an arm ³ which receives a roller or other stud extended from a

page_text: crank on the shaft D supported in bearings bb; bb; and having a shuttle driver H
(the said rock shaft D being oscillated from the said shaft C and the intermediate
devices described for about 202 degrees), the shuttle race G, the cam d, the lever J,
the rock shaft F having arms e, e', the feed bar K, the cau c on the rock shaft I,
the feed lifting rock shaft E, its arms e² and e³, the take up lever T and its operating
cam hub T are all substantially the same as in machines heretofore made by me.
Instead of the particular or exact devices herein described by which to oscillate the
shaft D in one and then in an opposite direction for more than 180 degrees or for
substantially 202 degrees I may without departure from the present Invention
employ any other well known or equivalent devices for the purpose.
The shuttle S shown separately in Figures 9 and 10 and with the bobbin case and
bobbin in place in Figure 8 is as herein shown composed essentially of a substantially
semi-annular or segmental hoop having a point 6, a heel b, a loop discharger ³, a
post holding arm and a stud or post 6 erected thereon on which stud or post is
placed loosely the sleeve g of the bobbin case g¹.
The bobbin case gl (see Figure 14) is cut away at its outer side as at g' to thereby
not only reduce the thickness of the shuttle at its discharging side and to lighten it in
weight but also to leave exposed the bobbin m which is made to surround the
sleeve g.
The part of the bobbin case not cut away as shown and described is beveled as
at g³ so that the loop of needle thread, while the shuttle moves from the position
Figure 6 to the position Figure 7 is drawn by the take up down the said incline g
after having been spread over the bobbin case as the shuttle is moved from the position
Figure 6 to the position Figure 7.
The bobbin case has attached to it by a suitable pin or screw ga tension spring g
which at or near the centre of its length is outwardly bulged to be acted upon by a
suitable tension regulator 9 pivoted at g movement of the regulator in one or the
other direction increasing or diminishing the pressure of the free end of the said
spring upon the bobbin or under thread between it and the bobbin case g'.
The bobbin case is provided with a finger g with which co-operates a bobbin case
holder g herein shown in figure 3 as a spring arm provided with a handle g' and
connected in a yielding manner with the raceway block G by a suitable screw glo
The bobbin case in practice will be provided with usual or suitable slots through
which to lead the under thread into position beneath the tension spring gỗ.
The shuttle is held in the race by a proper cover plate as n see Figure 3.
The loop discharger is pointed in the direction of the movement of the shuttle
when the latter is entering so as to pass through the loop of needle thread and in
practice the said loop discharger is longer than the point of the shuttle the point or
delivery end of the loop discharger being inclined toward the periphery of the bobbin
case and in its extreme forward throw passing to a point beyond a vertical line see
Figure 7 drawn through the centre of the stud or post on which the bobbin case
turns so that the said loop discharger ensures the delivery from it of the loop thread,
taken from the needle n at a point on the bobbin case at the left of the said vertical
line so that the loop of needle thread cannot by any possibility rise to the right of the
bobbin case viewing Figure 7.
As shown in Figure 4 the point of the shuttle is just back of the needle as the
latter is descending to form a loop in the needle thread for the entrance of the point
of the shuttle in order that the shuttle may draw the loop of needle thread down
expand and pass it about the bobbin case and its thread.
The needle bar is actuated by a crank motion in usual manner.
The point of the shuttle S enters the loop of needle thread after the needle has
finished its descent and begun to rise, and in its forward motion the shuttle see
Figures 5 and 6 carries the needle thread against and spreads it over the rounded edge
of the bobbin case, as shown at its right hand side, but as soon as the point of the
shuttle reaches the position Figure 6 the position of the loop discharger 6 is such that
the loop of needle thread leaves the notch at the base of the point & crosses the end
of the shuttle driver H when in the said notch, and is deposited upon the said loop

page_text: discharger ready to be moved toward the bobbin case as the take up T commences to
draw upon the upper or needle thread, the action of the take up on the needle thread
being such as to cause it when the shuttle is moving from the position Figure 6 to
the position Figure 7 to travel on the loop discharger at a speed in excess of the speed
due to the speed of the shuttle and the loop discharger delivers the loop of needle
thread from its point directly upon the bobbin shell at the rear side of the line drawn
vertically through the stud or post 65 as in Figure 7ª and thereafter and before the
loop of needle thread in its rising movement by the take up reaches the heel of the
shuttle, the motion of the shuttle H is stopped and reversed so as to leave a clear
space between the heel of the shuttle and the carrier as best shown in Figure 7.
In order to enable me to actuate the shuttle for more than a half circle by a shuttle
driving rock shaft actuated by a link and crank motion from a rotating needle bar
actuating shaft and yet retain the centre of motion of both the bobbin and the shuttle
concentric with relation to the rock shaft for actuating the shuttle driver I had to
shorten the shuttle so that its length from point to heel is substantially only a semi-circle,
but such a shuttle would not be practical unless it were for the loop discharger which
is made to extend farther than the point of the shuttle when at the limit of its
forward throw, the loop discharger pointed inward toward the bobbin case being
essential to ensure the delivery of the loop of needle thread directly upon the bobbin
case beyond its lower centre.
Referring to figure 9 it will be seen that a line drawn from the heel of the shuttle
to the point of the loop discharger, will cut the post or stud on which the bobbin
case turns and that were the said line made to intersect the centre of the said stud,
the line would cut the loop discharger back of its delivery end neither of the said
lines however cutting the point 6' of the shuttle.
The back of the shuttle as herein shown is composed of a single arm 6 of such
length and stiffness as to constitute a support for the stud or post 6, the said back
plate terminating as herein shown at a considerable distance back from the periphery
of the bobbin case and back of the periphery of the bobbin, thus leaving the bobbin
case and bobbin within it projecting beyond the edge of the back so that the shuttle
in passing from the position Figure 4 to the position Figure 6 has to spread the loop
of needle thread only sufficient to embrace the overhanging or projecting periphery of
the bobbin case, thus somewhat reducing the length of the loop required to be taken
from the needle to be expanded about, the bobbin case.
When the loop of needle thread passes from the loop discharger it is deposited
entering upon the bobbin case at that portion thereof which is protruded beyond the
arm
The arm forming the back of the shuttle is bulged outwardly rather abruptly as
shown best in Figures 10 and 11, and its free end is beveled inwardly towards the
centre of the bobbin to thereby co-operate with the bobbin case in holding such an
amount of loop of needle thread and in such condition and under such strain that as
the loop of needle thread acted upon by the take-up and passing along the loop dis-
charger toward the bobbin case it will aided by the incline or bevel referred to, as
well as by the bevel g³ of the bobbin case ensure an accelerated movement for the
loop of needle thread.
The improved shuttle, bobbin and bobbin-case, assembled for operation, present
within the loop of needle thread their greatest thickness at any one point when the
shuttle is in substantially the position shown in Figure 6, and at such time the part:
of the shuttle and bobbin case at the right of a vertical line let fall through the centre
of the stud or post 6 and embraced or encircled by the loop of needle thread is
materially thicker than when the said parts are in any other position.
In another Application for Patent bearing even date herewith I have shown and
described a shuttle substantially such as herein shown, the same being combined with
a shuttle carrier rather than a shuttle driver and raceway, the shuttle herein shown
being therein made the subject of claim as combined with a carrier thus enabling a
raceway to be dispensed with.
The
presser bar P and its attached presser foot p² are all'as usual.

page_text: 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
1 claim is :-
:-
1. In a Sewing Machine the following instrumentalities viz. a reciprocating needle
bar carrying an eye-pointed needle, a rotating needle bar actuating shaft and inter-
mediate connection between it and the needle bar, a take up, a rock shaft located below
the bed plate of the machine; mechanism substantially as described to oscillate the
said rock shaft for more than one half a rotation; a shuttle driver; a shuttle race, an
oscillating shuttle having a point and a loop discharger located adjacent to the point,
and a bobbin having the centre of motion coincident with the centre of oscillation of
the rock shaft for moving the shuttle to operate, all substantially as described.
2. In a Sewing Machine, an oscillating shuttle having a heel and point at nearly
180 degrees from each other and a loop discharger longer than the point and extended
toward the bobbin case, combined with a bobbin case and bobbin, the centre of rota-
tion of the bobbin being coincident with the centre of motion of the shuttle
substantially as described.
3. In a sewing machine, an oscillating shuttle having a heel and point substantially
or nearly 180 degrees distant, a loop discharger adjacent to but longer than the point
and extended to the bobbin case in the direction of the forward movement of the
shuttle, a bobbin having its support concentric to the circular periphery of the shuttle,
and a bobbin case combined with a tension device arranged at the outer side of the
bobbin case and accessible from the front of the shuttle to adjust the tension on the
bobbin thread substantially as described.
4. A shuttle race, a rock shaft and means substantially as described to oscillate it for
more than 180 degrees, an oscillating shuttle having a point substantially or nearly
180 degrees distant from its heel, a loop discharger adjacent to but longer than the
point and extended in the direction of the forward motion of the shuttle and inclined
towards the bobbin case, combined with a bobbin case means substantially as described
to prevent the rotation of the bobbin case with the shuttle, and a bobbin, the centre of
rotation of the bobbin in the case, and the centre of oscillation of the shuttle and the
rock shaft actuating it being all substantially coincident whereby the momentum of
the oscillating shuttle is only that due to its own weight, thus enabling the shuttle to
be run at high speed with the minimum of shock and strain upon its actuating parts
as set forth.
5. In a Sewing Machine, a circular raceway, a rock shaft provided with a shuttle
driver, means substantially as described to oscillate the said rock shaft for more than
180 degrees and a bobbin having its support coincident with relation to the centre of
oscillation of the said rock shaft and of the race way combined with a shuttle having
loop discharging prong, and the bobbin case swelled or bulged and cut away as
described to enable the loop of needle thread to be unerringly passed beyond the
vertical centre of the bobbin case to be drawn up about and enclose the bobbin or
under thread substantially as described.
al
In witness whereof 1 the said Philip Diehl have hereunto set my hand and seal
At 1007
PHILIP DIEHL.