MENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Fox at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th April 1883.
JOHN Fox of 128 London Wall in the city of London Machinist
MENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
"
"IMPROVE-
This invention relates to certain improvements in sewing machines which taken
together with certain subsidiary parts constitute in combination a new machine of
simple construction the parts whereof are designed and applied for attaining to
smoothness and accuracy of working and facility for adjustment and manipulation
by the operative in the process of sewing with the machine. The stitch is a lock
stitch working by a rotary hook and spool and vertical needle.
The improvements consist in the means for connecting upper and lower rotating
shafts and tinning them, also in the lower rotating shaft carrying a rotating hook
of special construction and operating a novel feed motion also in the spool carrier
working in conjunction with the rotating hook for the under thread also in means
for regulating the size of stitch or feed; Also in the operating mechanism of the
thread lifter also in modifications of the bed plate and framing of the machine for
receiving the parts.
The framing of the machine consists of a bed plate provided with two pedestals
projecting downward from its underside and having on its upper side a hollow
overhanging arm or framing projected vertically horizontally and longitudinally
from the upper surface of the bed plate.
There are two horizontal shafts one passing through the horizontal part of the
hollow arm and the other through the pedestals or brackets projecting from the
under surface of the bed plate and these shafts are connected together at their
rear ends and caused to rotate in opposite directions by means of a pitman or
connecting rod contained in the vertical part of the overhanging arm.
The upper
end of said pitman is attached to a crank on the upper shaft and passes through a
5 Price 8d1

page_text: stuffing box or bearing in a short transverse rocking fulcrum bar near the middle
of its length, the pitman is attached to the bottom shaft by means of a sliding
crank plate working in a guide in the disc wheel (to be hereafter described in
detail) and which gives a variable rotatory motion to the said bottom shaft. The
upper shaft is the first motion shaft and carries a disc and pin which working in
a curvilinear groove in a cam plate attached to the needle bar gives a positive
intermittent rectilinear (up and down) motion to the needle.
At the back of the disc is a plate cam which gives the necessary motions to the
thread lifter by means of a lever jointed at one end to the overhanging arm which
lever has a roller near the middle of its length which runs in a groove in the plate
cam, and at its free end a link connecting it to another short lever which is fixed
to the end of the spindle which carries the thread lifter
The rear end of the upper shaft carries a driving fly wheel or hand wheel
according to whether it is driven by treadle or hand and said fly wheel has a so
called fast and loose arrangement for actuating the spool winder without at the
same time giving motion to the machine as is well known.
The front end of the bottom shaft carries the excentric necessary to give the
proper motion to the feed bar and is bored out centrally sufficiently to receive
the spindle or stalk of the rotating hook, an arrangement which permits of easy
adjustment of the said rotating hook in relation to the vertical motion of the
needle.
The feed is actuated by means of a plate or disc having a centre pin working
freely in a hole in the bracket and a fork projecting laterally from its edge and
embracing the eccentric on the bottom shaft thereby receiving a pocking motion
upon its centre pin which motion is communicated to the feed by a link one end
of which is attached to the feed bar and the other to a sliding block which slides
in a vertical groove cut in the face of the rocking disc, the distance of such block
from the centre of the disc determining the amount of motion given to the feed
bar and feed dog and therefore the length of the stitch.
The position of the slide block in the groove of the rocking disc and consequently
in relation to the centre of the rocking disc is determined as follows: A short
link connects the end of the link, upon which is carried the slide block, to an arm
on the end of the rocking shaft which shaft is carried between screw centres. In
connection with the rocking shaft at one end is a lever arm pasthrough and
extending above the bed plate and at this point there is provided on top of the
bed plate a scale plate having a curved slot 'therein and the shank of the lever arm
has a screw stud provided with a binding screw and is passed through the slot and
attached to the lever arm on the end of the rocking shaft. To change the position
of the slide block in its slot the rocking shaft is turned by moving the arm with
its stud and it is secured by the binding screw at the point to which it is moved.
The scale plate is to be scaled off to the distance points for adjustment corre-
sponding to a given number of stitches to the inch for finer or coarser work. The
arm carries an index pointer for travelling over the scale.
The rotating hook consists of. a hollow disc having a briar shaped tooth or hook
projecting laterally from its edge in such manner that it takes the loop of thread
formed by the rising motion of the needle and carries it completely over the spool
which contains the bottom thread so as to complete a stitch with each revolution
and with the least possible strain on the thread
The bottom thread is carried on a spool enclosed in a cylindrical case which fits
loosely in the hollow of the rotating hook and has a central hollow pin upon
which the spool revolves and which contains a nut attached to the free end of a
flat spring which is fastened to the exterior of the case and by means of a screw
on the inner side keeps the spool in the case and puts the requisite amount of
tension on the spool thread. A triangular horn of doubled metal is attached to the
outer surface of the spool case which horn acts as a hooked guide under which
the spool thread is passed and thereby said thread is protected from contact with
the rotating hook.

page_text: The spool case is kept in position in the hollow or recess of the rotating book
by means of a disc or ring holder which ring is hinged to the end of a screwed
stud said screwed stud passing freely through a hole in the framing below the
rotating hook is adjustable backwards or forwards longitudinally and laterally in
its bearings by means of two tightening or holding nuts.
A recess is cut in the inner face of this hinged holding disc or ring for the
reception of the horn which projects from the outer face of the spool case and
prevents said spool case from rotating with the hook.
There is also a curved spring attached to the inner surface of the said discs
which presses against the bottom edge of the spool case and modifies the amount.
of pressure put thereon and allows of the needle thread passing between them.
without damage.
There is also hinged to the outer surface of the holding disc or ring a curved
fork the prongs of which are made to project under the bottom edge of the disc
arm and the spool case held therein and as the said holding disc is opened on its:
hinges to remove the spool from the hollow recess of the rotating hook the spool is
taken hold of by the fork and retained in position upon the surface of the disc
and is thereby removed from and replaced in its position in the hook with great
facility.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Fox in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th October
1883.
"
JOHN Fox of 128 London Wall in the City of London Machinist IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SEWING MACHINES,"
This invention relates to certain improvements in sewing machines which taken
together with certain subsidiary parts constitute in combination a new machine of
simple construction, the parts whereof are designed and applied for attaining to
smoothness and accuracy of working and facility for adjustment and manipulation
by the operative in the process of sewing with the machine.
The stitch is a peculiar lock stitch formed by means of a rotatory hook and spool
and vertical needle.
The improvements consist in the means for connecting upper and lower
shafts and timing them also in the lower rotating shaft carrying a rotating hook
of special construction and operating a novel feed motion also in the spool carrier
working in conjunction with the rotating hook for the under thread, also in the
means for regulating the size of stitch or feed, also in the operating mechanism of
the thread lifter, also in modifications of the bed plate and framing of the machine
for receiving the parts.
In order that the said Invention may be well understood I have hereunto
annexed three sheets wherein Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the
machine.
Fig. 2 a plan of bed plate showing the lower working parts in dotted lines, the
upper framing being removed.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section at line A, B, Figs 1 and 2 looking from the right
hand side of the said figures.
Fig. 4 is an end view of the overhanging arm carrying the needle bar and
thread lifter mechanism seen from right hand of Fig. 1; Fig 4 detail of thread
lifter levers.
Fig. 5 is like view with end covering plate removed
Fig. 6 represents the end view from left of Fig 1 of the rotating hook and feed
mechanism the spool, and spool carrier being removed.
Fig 6 a view showing detail with the rotating hook removed.
Figs. 7. 7 and 7 show in front side and back view the cam at end of top shaft
with the roller for working the needle bar and the cam path at back for operating
the thread lifter.
Fig. 8 shows enlarged view of rotating hook and spool carrier mechanism and
the excentrics on the lower shaft for working the feed motion but feed bar
omitted
Fig. 9 is a central section of rotating hook device and Fig 9° a front view.
Figs 10 and 10° are front and side views respectively of the spool case and
Fig 10 is central section of the spool case. with spool therein the spool being also
shown in position in the back of the spool case in Figs 10° and 10%. The spool
itself is of ordinary make.
Fig. 11 represents the spool case holder and attaching bolt seen from right
of Fig 8.
In Figs. 12 to 14 sheet 3 there is shown a modified construction of mechanism
for operating the thread lifter and the feed.
Fig. 12 is a vertical central section.
Fig 12 is a plan view of rocking bar
Fig. 13 is a plan view partly in section at line C, D, Fig. 12, showing the
under shaft for regulating the feed and an additional rocking shaft for actuating
the feed dogs working through the hollow feed regulating shaft here made as a
hollow sleeve.

page_text: Fig. 13 is a central longitudinal section of the rocking feed bar and regulating
'sleeve and Fig 13b is an end view of same.
Fig. 14 is a vertical transverse sectional view at line-a b of Figs 12, and 13,
Fig. 15 is a general end view from left of Fig. 12.
The framing of the machine consists of a bed plate A provided with two
pedestals A¹ projecting downwards from its underside and having on its upper
side a hollow overhanging arm or framing B projected vertically, horizontally
and longitudinally from the upper surface of the bed plate.
There are two horizontal shafts C and C one passing through the horizontal
part of the hollow arm B, and the other through the pedestals or brackets A¹,
projecting from the under surface of the bed plate A, and these shafts are con-
nected together at their rear ends and caused to rotate in opposite directions by
means of a pitman or connecting rod D, contained in the vertical part of the
overhanging arm B. The upper end of said pitman is attached to a crank E
on the upper shaft C and passes through a stuffing box or bearing in a short
transverse rocking fulcrum bar D¹ near the middle of its length, the pitman is
attached to the bottom shaft by means of a sliding crank plate F, working in
a guide in the disc wheel G, (to be hereafter described in detail) and which
gives a variable rotatory motion to the said bottom shaft C'. The upper shaft
is the first motion shaft and carries a disc H and pin which working in a
curvilinear groove in a cam plate attached to the needle bar gives a positive
intermittent rectilinear (up and down) motion to the needle.
At the back of the disc H is a plate cam I which gives the necessary motions to
the thread lifter K by means of a lever K¹ jointed at one end K to the over-
hanging arm B, which lever has a roller K³ near the middle of its length which
runs in the groove in the plate cam I and at its free end a link K* connecting
it to another short lever K³ which is fixed to the end of the spindle L which
carries the thread lifter K.
The rear end of the upper shaft C carries a driving fly wheel or hand wheel M
according to whether it is driven by treadle or hand and said fly wheel as a so
called fast and loose arrangement for actuating the spool winder without at the
same time giving motion to the machine as is well known.
The front end of the bottom shaft C₁ carries the eccentric N necessary to give
the proper motion to the feed bar and is bored out centrally sufficiently to receive
the spindle or stalk of the rotating hook, an arrangement which permits of easy
adjustment of the said rotating hook in relation to the vertical motion of the
needle.
The feed is actuated by means of a plate or disc O having a central pin O'
working freely in a hole in the bracket A¹, and a fork O*, projecting laterally from
its edge and embracing eccentric N¹, on the bottom shaft C¹ thereby receiving a
rocking motion upon its centre pin O¹ which motion is communicated to the feed
bar, by means of link P, one end of which is attached to the feed bar Q and the
other to a sliding block R which slides in a vertical groove R¹ cut in the face of
the rocking disc O the difference of such block R, from the centre of the disc O
determining the amount of motion given to the feed bar and feed dog and therefore
the length of the stitch. The position of the slide block R in the groove R¹ of the
rocking disc O and consequently in relation to the centre of the rocking disc is
determined as follows a short link R' connects the end of the link P upon which
is carried the slide block R, to an arm on the end of the rocking shaft R', which
shaft R³ is carried between screw centres R, R³ In connection with the rocking
shaft Ra at one end is a lever arm Re passing through and extending above the
bed plate and at this point there is provided on top of the bed plate a scale
plate R7 having a curved slot therein and the shank R of the lever arm has a
Screw stud provided with a binding screw; and is passed through the slot and
attached to the lever arm Re on the end of the rocking shaft. To change the
position of the slide block R.in its slot the rocking shaft R³ is turned by moving.
the arm Ro with its stud and it is secured by the binding. screw Rat. the point to.

page_text: which it is moved. The scale plate R' is to be scaled off to the distance- points
for adjustment corresponding to a given number of stitches to the inch for finer
or coarser work: The arm R6 carries an index pointer for travelling over the scale.
The rotating hook Figs 8, 9 and 9* consists of a hollow disc 1 having a briar
shaped tooth or hook 2 projecting laterally from its edge; in such manner that it
takes the loop of the thread formed by the rising motion of the needle and carries
it completely over the spool which contains the bottom thread so as to complete a
stitch with each revolution and with the least possible strain on the thread.
The bottom thread is carried on a spool S enclosed in a cylindrical case S¹, this
case, S fits loosely in the hollow disc 1 of the rotating hook, said case S¹ having a
central hollow pin S' upon which the spool S revolves and which hollow pin S'
receives a stud T attached to the free end of a flat spring S³, Fig 10, which spring
is fastened to the exterior of the case S¹ and by means of a screw T passing into the
plug T from the other side keeps the spool in the case and puts the requisite
amount of tension on the spool thread.
A triangular horn St of doubled metal is attached to the outer surface of the
spool case which horn S' acts as a hooked guide under which the spool thread is
passed, as said thread passes from the spool S through the hole S, Fig. 10° and
thereby said thread is protected from contact with the rotating hook and a
groove S' is made in the edge of case, S in which groove the thread lies when it
passes over and around the spool in making the stitch. The spool case is kept in
position in the hollow or recess 2 of the rotating hook by means of a disc or ring
holder U which ring is hinged at U¹ to the end of a screw stud V. Said screwed
stud V passes freely through a hole in the framing A¹ below the rotating hook and
is adjustable backwards or forwards longitudinally and laterally in its slotted
bearings by means of two tightening or holding nuts V'.
A recess U2 is cut in the inner face of this hinged holding disc U for the reception
of the horn S' which projects from the outer face of the spool case and this recess U³
prevents said spool case from rotating with the hook. There is also a curved
spring Us attached to the inner surface of the said disc U which presses against
the bottom edge of the spool case S¹ and modifies the amount of pressure put
thereon, and allows of the needle thread passing between them without damage.
There is also hinged at U to the outer surface of the holding disc U a curved
fork Us the prongs of which fork are made to project under the bottom edge of
the disc U and the spool case S held therein and as the said holding disc U is
opened on its hinges U¹ to remove the spool from the hollow recess of the rotating
hook 1, 2, the spool is taken hold of by the fork Us and retained in position upon
the surface of the disc and is thereby removed from and replaced in its position
in the hook with great facility. The spring U holds the hinge U with the
holding disc U forward to its work and the spring U' holds the fork Us forward.
The action of the needle in relation to the action of the rotating hook in forming
the stitch by the action of rotation of the upper and lower rotating shafts will be
readily understood without further description by any one acquainted with sewing
machine mechanism.
The needle bar cam and the presser foot devices are of substantially well known
construction.
In the modification, sheet 3, a connecting rod 1 is strapped upon cam 2 and
connected at 3, to an arm 4 on the rocking shaft 4s and this rocking shaft 4 has
at its opposite extremity a slotted vertical arm 4b which slot receives the end of
the feed-dog-motion-link P; the feed dog Q is actuated through link P connected
directly as shown to the boss on the slide arm of the feed dog piece and the arm Q¹
riding on cam N serves to give the lift to the feed dog substantially as shown
in the other arrangement before described. The link P has a pin 5 therein
against which the vertical arm 4b will press upon each forward motion of shaft 4ª
and the slotted ended spring 6 will upon the arm 4b going backward, carry back
the link P and the feed dog ready to be again fed forward upon the succeeding
motion of shaft 4 and arm 4b.

page_text: The regulation of the length of stitch by the sleeve shaft R will be through the
lever R8 similarly to that before described but instead of the slide block R in the
rocking disc O and its levers the motion is as follows:-The arm 8 rocks and sets
the sleeve shaft R and will through the arm 7 and link 8 which link 8 is jointed
to the feed dog motion link P raise or lower the extremity of link P and with it
the pin 5.
Now when pin 5 is raised by arm 7 and link 8 there will be greater distance
through which the pin 5 and with it the feed link P will be driven by the
action of the arm 4b upon said pin 5, in consequence of the point of contact
of pin 5 and arm 4b being at greater radius from the axis of the rocking shafts.
The rocking fulcrum bar D¹ shown in Figs 12, 12 and 14 is a slotted bar with
screw for compensating for wear and may be used instead of the stuffing box of
bar D¹ shown in the construction first described.
The thread lifter arm shown here is a simple pivoted lever the inner arm of
which runs in the barrel cam in the end of shaft C.
Having now described the nature and particulars of the said Invention I
claim -
Firstly. The improvements in sewing machines as herein described consisting of
the upper shaft C and the lower shaft C¹ connected and operating synchroniously
by means of the rocking and vertically reciprocating connecting rod D (pitman)
connected by the crank E and the sliding crank F, G, for the purpose of giving a
variable rotatory motion to the rotating hook 1, 2, as set forth and shown by the
drawings.
Secondly. In a sewing machine as herein described the combination with the
upper rotating shaft C of the cam H, I operating the thread lifter K through the
levers K', K, K³, in combination with the needle bar as herein described and shown
by the drawings.
Thirdly. In combination with the lever shaft C¹ and rotating hook 1, 2, the
cam N, N¹, lever P and slide R and fork O, O' operating the feed bar through
link P as herein described and shown by the drawings.
Fourthly. In combination with the slide R and fork O, O' the feed adjusting
parts R³, R³, R*, R³, R³, R7 and R8 as described and shown by the drawings.
Fifthly. In a sewing machine the combination with the rotating hook 1, 2 of
shaft C of the spool case S¹, S³, S³, S4, S³, Se, and spool S secured therein as
described and shown.
Sixthly. In combination with the spool S and spool case S¹ and rotating hook,
the spool case holder U, U, U³‚ Ù³‚ Ùª Ù³, Uº, U³, V, and V₁ as set forth and
shown by the drawings.
Seventhly. In a sewing machine as herein described the modification of the feed
motion rocking shaft and adjusting sleeve shaft operated by the excentric 2 and
connecting rod 1 as and for the purpose herein set forth and shown by Sheet 3 of
the drawings.
In Witness whereof. I the said John Fox bave hereunto set my hand and
seal this seventeenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
In the presence of
WALTER A BARLOW
Patent Agent & Engineer
6 St. Paul's Churchyard
London E.C.
JOHN FOX (L.S.)