IM- PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SEWING BOOKS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SEWING BOOKS." A communication from
abroad by Edward Stanley Boynton, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
of America.
Sealed the 13th June 1878, and dated the 25th April 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th April 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SEWING
Books." A communication from abroad by Edward Stanley Boynton, of Bridge-
port, Connecticut, United States of America.
The machine herein described is adapted to sew or unite the signatures to form a
book. The uniting means are band threads inserted through the saw cuts to form
loops into which within the signatures are projected securing pins to hold such
loops. The open signatures during such operation are held between pressers and
throat plates; the pressers are then lifted sufficiently high to permit the clear
movement of one-half of the signature upon the other by the action of the folding
blade.
The said Invention consists in various combinations of parts as herein-after set
forth, and as shewn in the Drawings, in which,―
Figure 1 is a plan of a machine, embodying this Invention; Figure 2 is a left-
hand side elevation; Figure 3, a right-hand side elevation; and Figure 4 is a front
elevation of the same.
Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section on the line A*, B*, Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a sectional plan with the bed removed.
Figure 7 is a left-hand side elevation, with automatic feed mechanism attached.
Figure 8 is a plan of the said automatic feed mechanism.
TA

page_text: Figures 10 and 11 are sectional details of the presser-operating rock shaft and
mechanism co-operating therewith.
Figures 12, 13, and 14, shew a front elevation, section, and plan of the throat
plate.
Figure 15 shews details of the presser foot.
Figure 16 shews details of the clamp feeding mechanism.
Figure 17 shews in section details of the method of coiling the band thread about
the securing pins.
The frame of the said machine is of suitable shape to sustain the working parts.
The main or driving shaft a², provided with a pulley 1 adapted to be rotated in any
usual way, has a worm 2, which engages a worm wheel 3 on the cam shaft 4, and
thereby rotates the said shaft, which is provided with a cam grooved disc 8, see
Figure 5. The groove of this disc receives a roller stud 11 on an arm b²; projecting
from the needle-arm rock shaft e, the latter being provided with ears c², in which
are centre pins d³; the points of the latter enter corresponding concavities in the
ears es, which project downward from the presser operating rock shaft d. The rock
shaft d has its centre pins fin line with the centre pins d², consequently the two
rock shafts vibrate from the same centre, whereby the presser feet g², which bear
upon the open signature are enabled to adapt themselves to their varying thicknesses,
so as always to be in correct position with reference to the loops thrown
outward from the needles i to ensure the entrance into such loops of the
securing pin.
The needles i are eye-pointed, and each one is supplied with a band thread led
from a suitable spool g over tension devices f; they are carried at the ends of
arms E, projecting from the needle arm rock shaft, there being one or more needles
to each arm, preferably two.
The cam groove which imparts movement to the needle arms is so shaped as to
cause the needles to rise slowly as they enter the saw cuts in the open signature,
laid one half upon the bed C, while on the other half projects forward over the book
support D.
After the presser feet bear upon the open signature and bring it down upon the
throat plates a, the needles stop and recede far enough to throw out at their rear
the necessary loops for the entrance of the securing pins, after which the needles are
caused to recede quickly.
Each needle is so curved that its are corresponds with the radius of its carrying
arm, is grooved deeply upon its convexed face, and is threaded from that side, so
that the thread emerges from the eye on the concaved side of the needle, and from
such eye passes to and encircles a securing pin within a signature.
The presser operating rock shaft d (see Figures 10 and 11) has a bearing h²
which receives upon it a ratchet wheel 13, provided with a hub 13*, to which is
secured one end of a strong spring 14, the other end of the spring being attached to
a fixed part 2 of the shaft d. Upon the bearings 2, at the ends of the shaft d, and
beyond the ratchet, are placed the sockets 12, which at their upper and lower
ends are connected rigidly by shafts. These sockets 12 at one or both ends,
according to the number of needles being used, have a spring held pawl x, which
engages the teeth of the spring ratchet wheel 13. One of these sockets 12 is con-
neeted by a link 7 with an adjustable pin 6 on a disc 5 at the end of the shaft 4. As
the sockets are moved by the shaft in the direction of the arrow 2, the pawl x
engages the ratchet wheel on the bearing projection h², and applies to such bearing
projection the power necessary to rock the shaft d on its centres f³.
The presser operating rock shaft d has adjustably attached to it a series of presser
arms F, provided at their outer ends with removable presser feet S², suitably slotted
to receive the needles.
Each presser foot, as shown in Figures 1 and 15, has a pin directing block v, near
the sides of which the needles i rise. These blocks assist in retaining the loops of
band thread in proper position to be entered by the securing pin which is guided
when passing from one to the other loop by a guideway in the block; the entrance

page_text: to the guideway being countersunk to ensure the proper entrance and direction of
the wire into the loops.
Each presser has a spring stop w, against which the free end of the securing pin
strikes before it is severed to be left in the loop of band thread; this step prevents
longitudinal movement of the pin under the action of the cutters, and serves as a
guide for the pin as it is being drawn down to the signature by the band
loop.
The shaft at the upper end of the sockets 12 has placed upon it in line with
each presser arm a link J to operate a securing pin cutter I, shown in this instance
as a lever pivoted upon the arm F, the stationary member to co-operate with the
said cutter I, being a small centrally bored steel die secured in the arm F. This
shaft has also a link K, in this instance shown as a three part link. One part m³
of this link is made as a socket to receive within it loosely the reduced end of
the second part n³, about which and between the end of m² and the internally
threaded larger portion of 2 is placed a spiral spring o².
The part n is provided with a pin to enter a slot in the part m², whereby tho
separation of the parts will be prevented.
The third part p² of the link K is screw-threaded at one end to enter the internal
screw thread of the part n², and it is slotted at its outer end to fit a stud 2 on a
bell-crank 17, having its fulcrum on a hub 82, projecting from the main jaw t
of the clamping feeding device H, that moves the material 19, from which
the securing pins are cut, such material being led from suitable reels or
spools h.
The auxiliary jaw 18, connected with one end of the elbow lever 17, is slotted
at u², to receive a guide pin w², projecting from the part 2, and the upper end of
the said jaw 18 enters a recess or groove formed at the top of the part t, the
material 19 passing between them, so that it is held against lateral deflection
when not positively clamped.
The main jaw has its fulcrum on an adjustable friction bolt w³, held in the arm
F; the said bolt has a conical split head which enters a more acute angled conical
recess in the main jaw, so that by tightening the nut x², the main jaw may be
held upon the bolt we, with more or less force to cause a sufficient amount of
resistance to any movement thereon as may be necessary to ensure its proper
co-operation, as a clamp with the movable jaw 18; the stiffer the material 19 the
greater the resistance, and vice versa.
Lengthening the link K by screwing the part p³ into the part n² shortens or
diminishes the quantity of material fed forward for each securing pin. The spiral
spring of permits the clamp feeding device H after the passage of the securing pins
into the loops to remain stationary in its forward position resting against the end
of the wire guide G, while the shaft carried by the sockets 12 is moved far
enough to cause the link J to operate the cutting device to sever the securing pin
from the coil of material, such pin being cut from the material when the crank
operating the sockets 12 is capable of exerting its greatest power. As the sockets
recede, and with them the shaft, the elbow lever is first moved by the link K to
cause the auxiliary juw to release the material 19, and then both jaws move back
together over the material preparatory to again engaging it at a new place to again
carry it forward.
1.
The guides G, G¹, which receive and direct the material 19 from the spool to the
clamp feeding device and then to the presser foot guide to enter the band loops
are curved in opposite directions, whereby a proper amount of friction is always
exerted upon the material 19 to hold it while the feeding mechanism recedes,
which ensures a uniform length of pin or forward feed of the material, and obviates
the use of a dog or clamp to hold the same. The presser feet after clamping the
open signature upon the throat plate a remain at rest while the sockets continue to
advance, and through the shaft and its connections feed forward the material 19
and sever or divide it into pins. The connecting spring 14 between the ratchet

page_text: wheel 13 and the bearing portion h³ permits the presser to so stop its motion and
to remain held by a yielding pressure.
It will be seen that the presser feeding devices and cutting mechanism are all
operated from single connections with the cam shaft, and it will be obvious that
instead of a crank disc the sockets may be moved by a grooved cam.
The presser arms F on the presser-operating rock shaft d are of such length, and
the shaft is so pivoted with relation to the bed C and the throat plates, and so
operated through the sockets described that the pressers are always lifted above the
throat plates to a distance equal or about equal to the width of the plate C,
whereby ample space is furnished for the clear passage from under the presser arms
after the insertion of the securing pins of that half of the signature then above the
table C.
The shaft 4 has a cam grooved disc 9, which receives a roller stud 10 on the
short arm of a sector lever N pivoted at a³, Figure 2. The toothed end of this
sector engages a pinion O on the shaft M extended across the machine, and rocks
the shaft so that its cranks b³ connected with ears y on the folding plate L raise
such plate after the pressers are elevated and carry it forward, causing the folder
to move upward and outward to lift that part of the signature lying above it and
cause it to fold over upon the other half of the signature outside the needles.
The folder is kept in a nearly horizontal position by means of a tail piece b
suitably controlled by guides c³. When the folder reaches its forward position one
of the cranks bs strikes the upper end of a spring pawl o and disengages it from
the teeth of a ratchet wheel n on a shaft provided with arms ❝ connected by
links m with the book supporting plate D adapted to be guided vertically in
suitable ways of the frame. The weight of the table D is counterbalanced by the
weight q, and the weight of the sewed signatures is counterbalanced by the
weight p, and when the pawl o is disengaged the plate D is kept up by the
weight only. The folder blade at the under portion of its forward edge has a
lip, which as the folder passes forward over the top of the throat plate a
descends upon the signature just folded by it and placed upon the book pile, and
crowds such book pile and plate D down until the signature just united and folded
is brought to such a level below the front of the throat plate that the latter and
the book pile are at the proper level to receive a new signature. These throat
plates are diagonally slotted at the front, as shown in Figure 12 at 21, to permit
the top signature of the book pile to pass below the top surfaces of the throats, so
that when the band threads are drawn taut by the descending needles the full
strain of the threads is exerted directly upon the securing pins to draw the top
signature firmly down upon and close to the next signature of the book pile, while
the pawl o holds the plate D stationary. The band threads as they pass down
through the diagonal slots 21 are each moved laterally to one side of the paths in
which the needles move, so that the needles always rise at the same side of the
band threads, and cause the "purl" of the stitches to run in the same direction.
The throat plates a are by a set screw z made horizontally adjustable to corre-
spond in position with the presser and needles; they are also adjustable with
relation to each other by suitable set screws to correspond with the distances apart
of the band slots in different sized books.
The material 19 from which the securing pins are formed will preferably be of
wire, corrugated or plain, but if desired it may be of other strong material, such as
a stiffened thread.
The securing pins are inserted within the band loops formed or projected from
the concave or rear side of the curved needles; but as the needles descend to
tighten the loops about the pins such pins are moved from the rear to the front
side of the needle holes or across and down in front of the throat plates in the
direction of the arrow, Figure 13.
It will be noticed when the securing pins are being inserted in the band thread
loops that the threads extend from the securing pins in the top signature of the

page_text: book pile in front of the needles, and thence to the rear of the needles through the
eyes, and down along the convex face of the needles, as shown in Figure 17, and
consequently each securing pin is placed within a twisted loop, so that when the
loop is tightened the band thread is found to have a turn about the securing pin.
If the needle eye should be threaded in the opposite direction and the pins were
inserted at the opposite or front side of the needles this twist of the band thread
about the pin would not be produced.
It will be noticed in a book connected in the manner described that the wider
the book is opened the more the bands are loosened, and as the book is closed the
bands are tightened.
The back plate 22, to which are attached the throat plates a and the plate D, is
supported by screws g³, Figure 4, which permits the back plate and its connected
parts to be turned away from it to permit access to the needles to adjust or thread
them. This arrangement is essential to the rapid and practical operation of the
said machine. The locking springs a hold the plate 22 in an upright position.
By the aforesaid automatic feed, the signatures are picked up and placed upon
the table and needles, in the following manner-
The cam shaft 4, through the cam 9, roll 10, sector N, pinion O, intermediate
gear wheel P, and pinions Q, Q, carries arms R into the position shown in the
dotted lines of Figure 7, rack S having until this time held upper grippers 8, 8,
through the sector T, pawl V, and ratchet W, in the same plane by passing round
stationary sector 20; then the gripper closing screw Y detaches pawl V and spring
✗, forces the grippers 8, 8, upon the signature on the grippers t, t, the plane of which
has been changed by the rack S passing round the stationary sector 20 and larger
sector U; cain 9 reciprocates the arms carrying the grasped signature upon the
book plate and needles; the pawl V through the action of the spring Z re-engages
the ratchet W to repeat the operation.
The plate D has at its outer margin a signature gripper c, suitably pivoted to
permit the introduction under it of a signature, and provided with a spring to
hold it pressed down thereon. This gripper by pressure upon the lower signatures
prevents their being moved laterally away from the throat plates, thereby always
retaining the lower signatures close to the throats and back plate to ensure a rigid
base for the tightening of the stitch.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In a book sewing machine, the needles, throat plate, presser feet, and
mechanism for feeding and cutting the material to form the securing pins in
combination with the folding blade, operating as above described.
Second. The combination with the throat plate and needles of the book supporting
plate, and mechanism for locking and releasing it, whereby the supporting plate is
held positively, and kept from descending while the band thread is drawn to tighten
the stitch, as and for the purpose above set forth.
Third. The rounded and slotted throat. plates and book supporting plate in com-
bination with the needles, whereby the signature last folded is made to rest directly
upon a signature below it when the needles draw the band threads about the
securing pins placed within their loops, as above described.
Fourth. The throat plates provided with diagonal slots leading from the needle
openings, to operate upon the band threads carried by the needles, as above
described.
Fift!.. The throat plates and book supporting plate combined with moveable back
plate, to permit access to the needles, as above described
Sixth. The rounded and slotted throat plates combined with the folder, provided
with a lip to operate upon the signatures, as above described.
Seventh. The book supporting plate and mechanism for holding and releasing it
in combination with thread carrying needles, pressers, the curved guides to receive,

page_text: and the feeding and cutting mechanism to feed forward and sever the securing pin
material when placed in the loops of band thread, as above described.
Eighth. The combination with the presser of two band thread carrying needles
and a guide to direct the end of the securing pin into two loops consecutively, as
above described.
Ninth. The combination with the vibrating presser arm and presser foot, provided
with a pin directing block and needle holes, of a cutting blade attached to the
presser arm to sever the securing pin from the main portion of material, as above
described.
Tenth. The combination of the presser, provided with a guide for a securing pin
and a spring stop, as above described.
Eleventh. The combination with the presser foot of a guide block, operating in
combination with the needles and securing pin, as above set forth.
Twelfth. The combination with the clamping feed mechanism and with the throat
plate and vibrating presser of guides curved in different directions to prevent return
movement of the material to be cut into securing pins, as above described.
Thirteenth. The combination with the clamping feed mechanism of the yielding
and adjustable connecting link and a stop for the feeding clamp to permit the latter
to remain at rest while the shaft continues its movement to sever a securing pin
from the material, as above described.
Fourteenth. The feeding clamp, composed of the main and auxiliary jaws and
elbow lever, supported upon a hub projecting from the main jaw, as set forth, and
in combination with a friction bolt arranged to operate, as above described.
Fifteenth. In a book sewing machine the combination with the throat plates of
the presser and needle carrying arms, having their centres of vibration in the same
axial line, and operating as above described.
Sixteenth. The presser operating rock shaft and its bearing portion combined
with a ratchet and spring placed thereon, and arranged in combination with the
sockets and their connecting shafts, to actuate the feeding and cutting mechanism
after the presser feet clamp the open signature upon the throat, as and for the
purposes described.
Seventeenth. The presser operating rock shaft and the shaft adapted to move
in an arc concentric with the axis of the said rock shaft, and also vibrate upon an
independent bearing of the rock shaft in combination with the links for operating
the cutting and feeding devices, as above described.
Eighteenth. In a book sewing machine, the book supporting plate, and the
needles grooved on their outer sides nearest such plate in combination with feeding
and cutting mechanism for placing securing pins into loops formed at the rear sides
of the needles, whereby when the said needles are withdrawn to tighten the loops
of band thread and draw the signatures together, the band thread is made to com-
pletely encircle the securing pins, as above described.
Nineteenth. In a book sewing machine the combination with the shafts for
actuating the presser and needle carrying arms, and the back plate of presser and
needle carrying arms, and throat plates with set screws to adjust them laterally to
enter the band slots in various sized books, as above set forth.
Twentieth. The combination with the throat plates and book supporting plate of
the signature gripper, operating as above and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.