Improvements in Sewing Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 8th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 8th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sewing Machines.
I, JOHN STEWART WALLACE of Cliftonville Avenue, Belfast, in the County of
Antrim, Ireland, Timber Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows :-
My invention relates to sewing machines and its main object is to adapt the
machine for operating either as a lock-stitch sewing machine or, as a cbain-stitch
sewing machine.
My said invention is advantageously applicable to sewing machines of the kind or
class in which the shuttle is carried and operated by an oscillating lever arranged
Beneath the work plate.
The mechanism for operating the shuttle comprises an oscillating or shuttle lever
arranged below the work plate and pivoted thereto by means of a suitable pin or stud
which extends through and is adjustable in a slot in the said work-plate the said
oscillating lever being also provided with a slot corresponding to that in the work
plate for the purpose hereinafter described. The shuttle box for carrying the shuttle
is secured in any suitable manner upon the end of the long arm of the said oscillating
or shuttle lever and is guided in its to-and-fro movement by a suitable guide
formed on or attached to the underside of the work plate or in any other suitable
manner.
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The end of the, short arm of the said oscillating or shuttle lever is provided with a
slot into which the end of a pivoted swing arm engages to operate the said oscillating
lever as hereinafter described.
The said oscillating or shuttle lever is, as above stated, provided with a longitudinal
slot corresponding to the slot in the, work plate. Therefore by adjusting the screw
to one or the other end of the said slots the throw or travel of the shuttle-lever may be
varied, to adapt the machine for operating either as a lock-stitch or as a chain-stitch
machine.
When it is desired to form lock-stitches with the said machine the said screw is so
adjusted, as to ensure the greatest amount of movement of the end of the oscillating
lover carrying the shuttle, so that the shuttle will pass through the loop formed by
the thread.
...
When however it is desired to form chain-stitches with the said machine, the
aforesaid screw is adjusted to the opposite end of the slot to that above referred to, so
that the movement of the shuttle lever is greatly reduced. In this case the shuttle
box is provided with, a hook or loop taker to catch hold of the loop and permit the
needle to pass therethrough to form the stitch. The shuttle may, if desired, be
removed when the machine is used for forming chain stitches.
Upon the main driving shaft of the machine is arranged a cam or eccentric which
is connected by means of a suitable eccentric rod and strap to the short arm of the
needle operating lever, this lever, is pivoted to the overhanging arm of the machine as
is usual in machines of the kind in which the needle bar is operated from the outside. .
The end of the long arm of the said needle operating lever is adapted to operate the
needle bar and for that purpose the said lever is provided with a longitudinal_slot,
in which a pin, or stud on the needle-bar works, so that, in the operation of the
machine the eccentric, by means of its rod, will impart an up and down movement to
the said needle operating lever and consequently to the needle bar. The said pin or.
stud is secured to a suitable sleeve which fits loosely upon the said needle bar and
which is, secured thereto by a set screw so that the height of the needle bar may be
adjusted as desired. I sometimes provide other means for permitting the vertical.
adjustment of the needle bar.

page_text: The swing arm for actuating the shuttle lever is pivoted at its upper end to the
eccentric rod and engages at its lower end with a slot in the end of the said lever as above
described. The said swing arm is moreover provided with a longitudinal slot between
its upper and lower ends into which a pin or stud projecting from the face of the cam
or eccentric on the driving shaft engages so that in the rotation of the said shaft the
said pin will cause the lower end of the swing arm to oscillate and to impart a
to-and-fro motion to the shuttle lever.
Suitable tension arrangements adjustable to either lock or chain stitches are added
to the machine and in the case of a lock-stitch the needle bar may act as a take up.
The material is fed forward in any convenient manner.
Dated this 7th day of January 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sewing Machines.
I, JOHN STEWART WALLACE, of Cliftonville Avenue, Belfast, in the County of
Antrim, Ireland, Timber Merchant, 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 :-
My invention relates to sewing machines and is designed to improve the construction
of the same.
My said invention relates more especially to machines of that kind or class in
which an oscillating lever is employed for carrying and operating the shuttle.
An improved feature of my said invention is the provision of improved means for
onabling the machine to be operated for forming either lock-stitches or chain-stitches
as may be desired.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, and
Figure 2 an underside view, showing my improvements applied to a sewing-machine
of the kind or class in which the shuttle is carried and operated by an oscillating
lever.
Figure 3 is a front elevation, partly in transverse section on the line x, x,
Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line y, y, Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 2, some of the parts being removed, showing
the mechanism in a different position..
Figure 6 is an underside view, some of the parts being removed, showing a
modification hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the work-plate, B is the overhanging arm, C is the fly-wheel, D is the main
or driving shaft, E is the shuttle.
a is an oscillating lever for operating the said shuttle E. The said oscillating or
shuttle lever a is provided at one extremity with a cradle or shuttle-box a¹ formed
therewith or firmly attached thereto, and is pivoted at a to the work-plate A.
b, bare guides formed on or attached to the underside of the said work-plate for
guiding or directing the said cradle or shuttle-box a' in its to-and-fro movement.
The end of the short arm of the said oscillating or shuttle lever a is provided with
a slot c.in which works one extremity of a pivoted swing-arm d (which passes
through a suitable slot A' in the work-plate A) so as to operate the said oscillating
lever:
e is a cam or eccentric keyed or otherwise secured upon the main or driving
shaft D, which is supported in a suitable bearing in a bracket A2 forming part of
or firmly secured to the work-plate A. The said cam or eccentric e is connected, by
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page_text: means of a suitable eccentric rod f, strap f¹ and link g, with the short arm of the
needle-operating lever h which is pivoted at ' to the overhanging arm B, as is usual
in machines of the kind in which the needle-bar is operated from the outside. The
end of the long arm of the said needle-operating lever is adapted to operate the
needle-bar i, and for that purpose the said lever is provided with a longitudinal slot h
in which works a pin or stud secured to a suitable sleeve or collar which fits
easily upon the said needle-bar i and is secured thereto by a set-screw i³, so that, in
the operation of the machine, the cam or eccentric e, by means of the eccontric strap f',
rod and link g, will impart up-and-down movement to the said operating lever h
and consequently to the needle-bar i. The height of the said needle-bar may be
adjusted as desired by means of the sleeve or collar. I sometimes provide other
means for permitting the vertical adjustment of the said needle-bar.
The upper extremity of the said swing arm d for actuating the shuttle-lever a is
pivoted at to the eccentric rod and is provided with a longitudinal slot d² in
which works a pin or stud j projecting from the face of the cam or eccentric e, so
that, in the rotation of the shaft D, the said pin will cause the swing arm d to
oscillate and to impart to-and-fro or oscillating motion to the shuttle-lever a.
The material to be stitched or sewn is fed forward by means of a notched or
roughened projection k upon a plate supported, by means of screws passing
through slots in the said plate, upon a bracket firmly attached by means of
screws or in any suitable manner to the underside of the work-plate A. The slots ³
permit the said plate k¹ to move freely to and fro upon the bracket 1, and, moreover,
permit a slight up-and-down or pivoting movement to be imparted to the said plate
in the manner hereinafter described. m is a spring which bears against an extension
provided upon the said plate k¹ and normally maintains the latter in such a position
that the notched or roughened projection is flush with the upper surface of the work-
plate A. n is a lever pivoted at n' to an arm o firmly secured to, or formed in one
with a cross-piece o¹ secured to the work-plate A. The short arm of the lever n
extends through a slot * provided in the plate ¹ and through a slot provided in the
bracket. The long arm of the said lever n extends into the path of a pin or
projection upon a block or piece y arranged to move or slide freely upon the
oscillating shuttle-lever a. The said long arm of the lever is moved in one direction
by the said pin or projection p in the oscillating movement of the said lever a. ? is a
forked lever pivoted at 1 to a lugs secured to the work-plate A. The lever » also
extends into the path of the said pin or projection pand is arranged to act upon a
pin or projection 2 provided upon the long arm of the lever n, so as to move the
latter in the other direction during the oscillation of the said lever a. t is a cam pivoted
at t¹ to the bracket 1, the said pivot passing through the slot in the plate k.
When
the said plate is reciprocated or moved to and fro upon the bracket by the short
arm of the lever n, the cam t if moved by the said lever acting upon its curved
under surface so that it presses against the underside of the notched or roughened
projection of the plate and moves the latter so as to compress or put under
tension the spring m and cause the said notched or roughened projection / to project
above the surface of the work-plate during its forward or feed movement, but permit
it to return to its normal position or flush with the said work-plate under the action
of the said spring m during it return movement.
For varying the movement of the feed-plate ¹ and thus regulating the length of
the stitches, I provide the following mechanism, that is to say-a bell-crank-lever u
is pivoted at to the work-plate, and one arm of the said lever u is provided with
a slot u in which engages a pin or stud q provided upon an arm q² firmly secured
to, or formed in one with the block or piece q. The other arm of the bell-crank-
lever u is coupled to one extremity of a screw-threaded spindle which passes
through a correspondingly screw-threaded hole in the side of the work-plate A, and
is provided upon its other extremity with a milled knob or head u. By operating
the said screw-threaded spindle u³ so as to move the arm of the bell-crank-lever u
connected therewith in one or the other direction, the other arm of the said lever will
be caused to move the piece or block q and the pin or projection p so as to increase

page_text: or diminish the motion imparted to the lever n by the oscillating shuttle-lever a,
and consequently also that of the feed-plate k, 'and thus lengthen or shorten the
stitches.."
F, Fare suitable adjustable tension arrangements or devices which may be readily
adjusted to suit either lock or chain stitches; in the case of lock-stitches, the
needle-bar may act as a take-up. G is the presser-foot, which may be of any
suitable construction. H is a bobbin-winding device of ordinary or other suitable
construction. I is a holder for the reel of cotton or other material used for sewing
purposes. I' is a holder for the reel employed for winding the bobbins.
The machine may be arranged to be operated by hand or by foot or other power
as may be desired."
For making chain-stitches, I provide a hook pivoted at to the work-plate A.
w is a lever pivoted at w¹ to the said work-plate and arranged to be operated by pins
or projections a³ provided upon the underside of the shuttle-lever a, during the
oscillation of the latter. w is a pin or projection provided upon the said lever wand
which is adapted to engage in a slot provided in one extremity of a connecting:
rod, the other extremity of which is coupled to the hook c.
When the pin or
projection w² is engaged in the slot a¹ (as shown in Figure 5), the necessary motion
for making chain-stitches will be imparted to the said hook by the oscillating
shuttle-lever a through the pins or projections a³, lever, and connecting rod a*
For throwing the said connecting rod a* in and out of gear with the lever w when
desired, I provide another lever y* which is pivoted at y to the work-plate A and
the free extremity of which is provided with a pin or stud y which engages in a
slot provided in the connecting rod *. zis a sliding block or piece arranged
to move freely in a guide attached to the work-plate A. is a thumb-screw
provided with a milled handle or knob 3. The said thumb-screw 2 passes through
a slot provided in the side of the work-plate A and engages in a correspondingly
screw-threaded hole provided in the block or piece The block or piece = is
provided, moreover, with an extension and is connected to the lever y* by means
of a connecting rod, one extremity of which is coupled to the said lever y*, and
the other extremity to the extension 2. By moving the block or piece z by means
of the milled handle or knob and thumb-screw 2 in one or the other direction,
the connecting rod * can be moved by means of the connecting rod and lever y*
into the position shown in Figure 5, or can be thrown out of gear into the position
shown in Figure 2 when it is desired to employ the shuttle for making lock-stitches.
The block or piece z may be clamped in either position by means of the thumb-screw -²
and knob or handle 23.
When operating the machine for making chain-stitches, the shuttle is removed.
Figure 6 illustrates a modification wherein the hook for forming the chain-
stitches is extended and is provided with a stud or pin which works in an
arc-shaped slot formed in an extension provided upon the sliding block or-
piece 2. Tho said hook is, in this instance, arranged to engage in a groove te³
provided in the lever w, and the necessary movement for forming the chain-stitches
is imparted to the said hook v by the lever w, which latter is operated by the
shuttle-lever a in the manner hereinbefore described. When it is desired to operate
the machine for forming lock-stitches, the block or piece is moved into the position
shown by dotted lines, and the hook is thus drawn back, as shown by the dotted
lines, so as to be clear of the needle and out of the path of the shuttle.
The oscillating or shuttle lever is: in some instances, provided with a longitudinal
slot corresponding to a slot provided in the work-plate. A suitable screw is, moreover,
provided by the adjusting of which to one or the other end of the said slots the
throw or travel of the shuttle-lever may be varied to adapt the machine for operating
either as a lock-stitch or as a chain-stitch machine. When it is desired to form lock-
stitches with the said machine, the said screw is so adjusted in the said slots as to ensure
the greatest amount of movement of the end of the oscillating lever carrying the
shuttle, so that the shuttle will pass through the loop formed by the thread.
When; however, it is desired to form chain-stitches with the said machine, the

page_text: aforesaid screw is adjusted to the opposite end of the slot to that above referred.
to, so that the movement of the shuttle-lever is greatly reduced. In this case, the
shuttle box is provided with a hook or loop-taker, to catch hold of the loop and
permit the needle to pass therethrough to form the stitch. The shuttle may, if
desired, be removed when the machine is used for forming chain-stitches.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 wish it understood that I.
claim :-
First. In a sewing-machine having an oscillating shuttle-lever, the provision of
suitable means whereby the said machine is adapted for the formation of lock--
stitches and chain-stitches.
Second. A sewing-machine having an oscillating shuttle lever and so constructed
that all the parts necessary to adapt the machine for forming lock-stitches or chain-
stitches are permanently secured in their places and the change from one to the other
kind of work can be effected without the addition or removal of any part other than.
the shuttle.
Third. The improved means for operating the oscillating shuttle-lever, substantially
as described.
Fourth. The improved sewing-machine constructed substantially as described with.
reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings and operating in the
manner above specified.
Fifth. The modification of my invention substantially as described with reference:
to Figure 6 of the dr
drawings
DL
تيم
Dated this 8th day of October 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.