IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1876

page_text: Filed 5th April 1877.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT HENRY
PADBURY, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent
under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Isles, and the Isle of Man, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of
May, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, and numbered 2190, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs, and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Robert Henry Padbury, Her special licence, that I,
the said Robert Henry Padbury, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Isles, and the Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING
MACHINES:"
And whereas in pursuance of and performance of a proviso in the said Letters
Patent contained, I, the said Robert Henry Padbury, did cause a Specification
under my hand and seal, particularly describing the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed to be duly filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office on or about the Twenty-fourth day of November 1876:
And whereas since the filing of the said Specification I have ascertained that
certain parts of the said Invention were known before the date of the said Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, for the reason aforesaid, am desirous by and with the
leave of Her Majesty's Solicitor-General, to make the following alterations in the
Specification, viz:
"
--
On page 6, line 48 of the printed Specification to strike out the word "my” and
to insert the words "the nature of" instead; in same line to strike out the words
'particularly ascertained."
Line 49 to strike out the words "may be" and to insert the word "is" instead;
to strike out "would observe, &c.," to "what I desire to " in line 52.
Line 53, to strike out the word "is."
To strike out the present first claim and to make the present second claim into
the first, and in consequence to alter the following words on page 7:-On line 4 to

page_text: substitute "Second" for
12
Third;" line 8, to substitute "Third" for "Fourth ;
line 12, to substitute "Fourth" for "Fifth;" line 15, to substitute "Fifth" for
"Sixth;" line 18, to substitute "Sixth" for "Seventh."
"
Also to alter the present third claim to make it read thus: "Second. The utilization
"of the vibrating inotion of bell-crank lever (for reciprocating the needle bar) to
produce the horizontal movement of the feed lever in combination with the means
"of obtaining a rising-and-falling motion in such feed lever, all as herein-before
"described and shewn."
"
Also to alter the present seventh claim to make it read thus: "Sixth. The spring
stop 13 or other equivalent fixed appliance whereby the shuttle is prevented from ]
carrying forward with it the thread loop, substantially as herein-before described
"and shewn."
"
And, lastly, to strike out the present eighth claim.
And the said Specification when altered and disclaimed' reads as follows :-
According to this Invention I construct a lock-stitch machine and a chain-stitch
machine of the same general appearance or form and the same arrangement of
arm and "table," and having substantially the same main working parts, all as
heroin-after described.
"
"
The chain-stitch machine is constructed as follows:-The "needle lever" or the
rocking or bell-crank lever which actuates the needle bar is worked from a cam on
the main spindle, and an arm mounted on its weigh shaft or fulcrum spindle, or
connected to the needle lever itself direct, works by means of a connecting rod or
rocking shaft below the bed plate. This rocking shaft carries a hook or looper,
which thus receives the required rocking or oscillating movement.
The feed is "four motion," and is as follows:-The feed lever proper receives its
side or "forward" motion directly from a downward continuation of the needle
lever; it has its fulcrum on a lever, the fulcrum of which is fixed to the framing of
lever
and thus communicates its up-and-down movement to the feed
lever proper, which has its fulcrum thereon, as aforesaid. The main framing of the
machine is cast with an arched bridge or cross piece, wherein is formed an outer
bearing for the main spindle.
"E
"
I form the machine in such a way that it inay easily be converted from an arm
machine into a "table" machine, and vice versa; and also if required form at the
same time both "arm" and "table" machines. For this purpose I connect a table to
the side of the "arm" next to the operator in such a way that it may be drawn or
swung away horizontally from the arm, and fixed at any required distance there-
from or disconnected therefrom altogether. I prefer to fit the tuble to the arm by
sliding the table on a bar, and fixing it thereto by a set screw at any desired dis-
tance, and steadying it by steady pins; or instead of a bar, a regulating screw inay
be used, or the table may be connected to the arm by means of links. When the
table is drawn away some distance from the "arm" it may be used either as a table
machine, or an arm machine without shifting the table. The latter object may also,
according to this Invention, be attained by casting or permanently fixing or hinging
the table on to the arm with a space or slot left between, both of sufficient depth for
the work.
The lock-stitch machine according to this Invention is constructed as follows:-
I give the required reciprocating movement to the shuttle by means of a
rod jointed to the shuttle carrier, and connected to a lever which receives its motion
from the arm mounted on the weigh shaft or fulcrum spindle of the needle lever,
or connected to the said needle lever. The same means may be employed for giving
the shuttle a transverse movement when required; or the shuttle may be actuated
by the cam, which gives movement to the aforesaid needle lever.
The feed is or may be the same as in the chain-stitch machine just described.
I draw up the slack of the thread by means of a lever situated at the main spindle
end, and actuated by a cam or tappet on the main spindle, a spring holding it up

page_text: to the cain. There is also a fixed appliance, such as a brush, or pad, or metal hook
or projection, which appliance by obstructing the loop prevents the tendency of
the shuttle to carry the loop forward with it. By this means I am enabled to give
the needle a continuous movement without any "dwell" or pauso.
The mode of converting the machine from an "arm" machine to a "table"
machine, and vice versd, and to adapt it for both, is the same as described with reference
to the chain-stitch machine. This inode of construction is also applicable to sewing
machines in general.
And in order that ny said Invention may be properly understood, I will now
proceed more particularly to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
Drawings and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, similar letters
of reference being used for similar parts in the different views.
Figure 1 is partly a side elevation and partly a vertical section of a "chain-stitch"
machine to which part of my improvements are shewn applied; Figure 2 is a
sectional plan of the same, the line A, B, Figure 1, shewing the planes of the
horizontal section; Figure 3 is a vertical section of Figure 1 at the line C, D, while
Figure 4 is an end view of the machine.
As shewn in these views the needle bar a is reciprocated up and down by means
of the bell-crank lever or arm b centred on a pivot c and having its outer end
attached by the link d to the needle bar a, while its other opposite end is provided
with a friction roller e which fits and rolls in a cam groove formed in the revolving
disc f. The shape of the said cam groove is best indicated in dotted lines at
Figure 1, and it will be at once apparent that as the disc f revolves the friction
roller e, following the curves of the grooves, will be caused to approach towards and
retire from the centre of the disc, thus imparting a corresponding oscillation to the
bell-crank lover b whereby the needle bar a is reciprocated.
The hook or looper g is actuated from the same movement as follows:-The pivot
c, upon which the lever bis centred and fixed, consists of a stud passing through the
frame of the machine and carrying on its opposite end another lever h, which through
a connecting rod i and crank effects a partial rotation of the shaft h, on the
opposite end of which the hook or looper g is fixed. The dip or inclination of the
hook g is easily adjustable to any desired position by sliding the stop / (see Figure 3)
backwards or forwards upon the shaft m, the said stop being connected by a link n
to the lower part of the hook g. As the hook is centred at a point above the said
link attachment, it will easily be understood that this arrangement has the desired
effect of canting its hooked upper part towards or from the needle. The stop lis
provided with a pinching pin or set screw to retain it in position. As shown on the
Drawings the hook or looper has just entered the loop formed by the upward
stroke of the needle.
The oscillation of the lever or arm b is also made to perform another duty, that
is to say, the partial actuation of the feeding arrangement. To effect this the lever b
is continued below the friction roller e, and this continuation or tail piece comes at
times into contact with the inclined portion upon the end of the feed lever 0, and
as the latter swings upon a stud or pivot p, the result of the contact is that the
inclined end of the feed lever is moved sideways, and therefore a similar sidelong
movement is imparted to the feeding end of the lever o, a spring restoring it to its
normal position. But as it is also necessary to obtain a rising and falling motion
at the feeding end of the lever o, the pivot p upon which it is centred is fixed in a
bracket hung upon a horizontal stud or shaft 7, and an arm q' fixed to or formed
ገ
upon the bracket a projects towards the main shafts of the machine so as to be
operated by a cam t fixed upon the shafts. The bracket g is thus caused to vibrate
upon its shaft and the desired rising and falling motion given to the feed lever o.
A set screw u is provided (see Figure 2) to govern the side movement of the
lever o against the pressure of its recovering spring, and furthermore a spring v is
arranged on the lever o or in any other suitable position so as to keep the arm q¹
against the cam t.

page_text: For this
Another of my improvements consists in or relates to means whereby an "arm"
machine may be readily converted into a "table" machine, or vice versu.
purpose I employ a plate or table, which when applied to the "arm" portion of the
machine coincides therewith, and by thus prolonging its breadth fits it for the
duties of a "table" machine. This table portion wis supported from the arm part
by means of two studs x and x². The stud a¹ merely performs the duty of a guide
pin, but the stud a, in addition to its guiding and supporting functions, is the means
whereby the table w is bound at any required position by the binding screw y
passing through the boss s.
"3
As shewn on the Drawings the "table" part w being thrust in against the "arm
portion, the apparatus is in a position to perform the functions of a "table"
machine, but to convert it into an "arm" machine it is only necessary to loosen
the screw y and draw the table w back into the position indicated in dotted lines
at Figure 3. Instead of the hand a screw may be employed to shift the table.
Although I prefer that this auxiliary table portion should be arranged and
secured in the manner herein-before set forth, I would nevertheless wish it to be
understood that several modified arrangements embodying the same principle might
be employed.
Three such modifications I have shewn to a reduced scale at Figures 8, 9, and 9ª
of the Drawings. At Figure 8 the table w is represented as hinged by a pin upon
a bracket projecting from the arm portion of the machine. The table may then be
swung out from the arm in the inanner shown in dotted lines, a pinching screw
being provided to hold it in position. Figure 9 again embodies the employment
of links whereby a parallel motion of the table is cusured while being swung out-
wards, as shewn by the dotted lines. The pinching bar x is made curved to suit
the curve described by the table when shifted."
I also construct the arms of sewing machines with the table portion w cast on or
otherwise permanently attached thereto by means of bolts or screws as shewn at
Figure 9. In this case a gap or slot of suitable width is formed or left between the
arm and table portion, so that a machine thus constructed can be employed either
or "table" machine without making any change whatever.
"
as an arm
"
The frame of machines constructed according to my Invention are formed with
an arched or other suitably shaped bracket 1 to support the outer bearing of the
main shafts of the machine, thereby obviating the necessity of fitting on or attach-
ing a bracket. A grooved driving wheel 2 is fixed upon the outer end of the shaft
8, so that the machine may be driven by a belt from a treadle wheel or other motor,
and I also provide the disc f with a handle, so that the machine may be driven
by hand if desired. The foot plate of the machine is fixed to an ordinary sole,
and the other parts not particularly referred to are chiefly of the ordinary con-
struction.
I will now describe that part of my Invention referring more particularly to
"lock-stitch" machines, and as illustrated at Figures 5, 5ª, 6, and 7.
The reciprocating movements of the needle and needle bar, and also the actuation
of the feeding lever, being effected in precisely the same manner as that herein-
before described with reference to the preceding Figures, it will be unnecessary to
repeat the description, but attention inust be called to a detail in the manner of
raising and lowering the feeding end of the feed lever o. This improvement (which
I shall presently describe) is introduced for the purpose of making the machine
double acting; that is to say, that in whatever direction the machine may be driven
the feed lever will be depressed in unison with the sidelong or feeding motion. For
example, it will be evident that if the arm q¹ (see Figure 5) had but one central
point of contact with the cam t, as in Figure 1, the shaft s must revolve in one
direction only, for it will be at once apparent that if the direction of revolution is
reversed the cam t would (according to the direction in which it is set) be either
too soon or too late to depress the lever q' in unison with the action of the tail piece
of the arm b upon the inclined end of the lever o. Thus the action of the feeding

page_text: portion of the lever o would either be rendered non-effective or effective in the
wrong direction, to the destruction of the seam or breakage of the needle or other
fragile parts. To obviate this I employ two tumblers q² and q³, centred loosely
upon the lever q¹ in such a manner that they will always have a tendency to fall
towards each other. These tumblers are kept apart and equidistant from the centre
of the shafts by a stop 4 fixed in the framing of the machine, and one or other of
the said tumblers 92, 93, constitutes the point of contact of the lover q¹ with the
cam t.
8
As shown in the Drawing the shaft 8 is supposed to be revolving in the direction
of the arrow, and therefore the tumbler q³ is in action. The other q² is inactive,
for when the raised portion of the cam t has depressed and passed over the
tumbler 3 in continuing its revolution it simply thrusts the unresisting tumbler q
before it until the tumbler has cleared the cam, when it immediately falls back into
its former position without having in the slightest degree acted upon the lever q¹.
On the other hand, should the direction of revolution of the shaft s be reversed the
tumbler q is in its turn rendered inactive, and the tumbler q² becomes the point of
contact of the lever g¹. The point of contact is thus, as it were, changed and
caused to meet the cam t half way in whatever direction it comes. Were it not so,
of course the cam would arrive too late to actuate the point of contact at the
proper time, but by thus practically causing the point of contact to advanco
towards the raised part of the cam, the cam has a less distance to travel round, and
becomes effective at the proper time; stops 5 are formed on the lever 7¹ or in any
other suitable position to prevent the tumblers from being accidentally over-
balanced by the pushing action of the cam t. The movement of the shuttle carrier
6 and shuttle 7 is produced by the same cam groove in the disc f which operates
the bell-crank b. A lever is suspended from a stud 9; towards its central part
it is provided with a friction roller 10, which rolls in the said cam groove, and so
vibrates the lever 8. A connecting rod 11 connects the lever's lower end with
the shuttle carrier 6, which slides backwards and forwards upon supporting guide
rods 12.
"
As shown in the Drawings the shuttle 7 has been shot about one-third of its
length through the loop, and one of my improvements consists in a mode of
preventing the shuttle from carrying the loop of thread forward with it at the
same time that the said arrangement obviates the necessity of introducing a
'dwell" or pause in the reciprocation of the needle bar, and enables the motion of
the needle to be regular and continuous. To effect this I arrange a spring stop 13,
which is held by its own elasticity or by the assistance of an auxiliary spring with
a slight but sufficient pressure against the lower side of the shuttle. When the
nose of the shuttle has entered the loop the enlarged swell of the shuttle will tend
to carry the loop against the bevelled point of the stop 13 which prevents the
further advance of the loop and holds it until the shuttle has passed entirely
through.
In the employment of sewing machines it is a desideratum that the loop should
be thrown in the path of the shuttle, that is, to one side only of the needle, so as to
enable the shuttle to enter the loop easily. To obtain this I fix a presser 14 upon
the link d, which when the needle bar is nearly at the end of its downward stroke,
descends and presses the thread down upon the yielding guide 15 and nips it as
shewn at Fig. 5, so that the length of thread between the guide 15 and the eye of
the needle is maintained in a state of tension. When the needle bar makes its
upward stroke the free portion of the thread, that is to say, the portion between
the fabric and the needle eye, is thrown in a loop to the shuttle side only of the
needle and directly in the path of the shuttle, whereby the recurrence of missed
stitches common in other machines is avoided. The guide 15 is upheld by a spring
which allows it to yield to the downward movement of the presser 14, and the
resilience of which causes the guide to follow the upward motion of the presser,
still nipping the thread until the shuttle has fairly entered the loop as shewn in

page_text: the Drawing; when the guide 15 ceases to rise the presser 14 still ascending then
leaves it behind and the thread is free. When the shuttle has passed quite through
the loop is pulled taut (so as to lock the shuttle thread) by the action of the
tightener 16, the said tightener being actuated at the proper intervals by a cam 17,
against the periphery of which the bearing part of the tightener is kept by the
action of a spring 18; or instead of the said combination of cam and spring a cain
groove and friction roller may be employed. The position of the tightener and
thread when thus thrown back by the cam 17 is indicated in dotted lines at
Figure 5. A fixed part 21 is arranged upon the upper part of the frame and
human and the upper end of the movable tightener 16 is likewise formed in the shape of
a band.
formed in the shape of a hand," The said hands 16 and 21 take hold of the
thread, and their conjunctive action imitates the movements of the human hands in
ordinary hand sewing. In machines where shuttles are employed it is usual to
make a part of the covering portion of the "arm" removable so as to remove and
replace the shuttle when the contained reel has become exhausted of thread.
According to my Invention this is effected very readily by pivotting the
removable portion 19 of the cover upon a screw countersunk so as to be level with
the cover, and in order to hold the said removable portion when in position I
arrange at the side of the arm (see Figures and 7) a vertical spring bolt 20 of
the construction shewn. When it is desired to uncover the shuttle this bolt 20
is depressed by the thumb nail and the pivotted portion of the cover swung round;
the shuttle having been replenished and replaced, the covering 19 is swung back,
and the bolt 20 springing up locks it in position as shewn.
33
The type of machine under consideration is in its main parts identical with that
already described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the modes of actuating it
are the same, and it is also susceptible to the application of the combined "arın
and "table" arrangement already described; its difference from the herein-before
described "chain-stitch" machine is in fact only in one or two characterizing details
necessary to the proper discharge of its functions as a "lock-stitch" machine.
Having now described the nature of said Invention, and in what manner the
same is carried into practical effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent,-
First. The mode of operating the hook or looper shaft in chain-stitch sewing
machines, and also the means for and manner of adjusting the hook or looper of
such machines, substantially as herein-before described and shewn.
Second. The utilization of the vibrating motion of bell-crank lever (for recipro-
cating the needle bar) to produce the horizontal movement of the feed lever in
combination with the means of obtaining a rising and falling motion in such feed
lever, all as herein-before described and shewn.
Third. The arrangement of mechanism whereby the feed of sewing machines will
be always in the same direction and in unison with the movements of the other
parts in whatever direction the driving shaft is caused to revolve, substantially as
berein-before described and shown.
Fourth. The movable lever 16 in conjunction with a fixed thread guide 21 for
taking up the slack of the needle thread or tightening the stitch, all constructed
and operating as herein-before set forth.
Fifth. The construction of table and parts connected therewith for making the
same suitable either for a "table" machine or an "arm" machine, or for both, sub-
stantially as herein-before described and shewn.
Sixth. The spring stop 13, or other equivalent fixed appliance, whereby the
shuttle is prevented from carrying forward with it the thread loop.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Henry Padbury, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.

page_text: I hereby grant my fiat giving leave to the within-named Robert Henry Padbury
to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which the same
relates, the within-written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
Temple, April 4th, 1877.
HARDINGE GIFFARD,
Solicitor Gonowal

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Henry Padbury, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING
MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Henry Padbury at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th May 1876.
ROBERT HENRY PADBURY, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
According to this Invention I construct a lock-stitch machine and a chain-stitch
machine of the same general appearance or form, and the same arrangement of
"arm" and "table," and having substantially the same main working parts, all as
herein-after described.
The chain-stitch machine is constructed as follows:-The "needle lever" or the
rocking or bell-crank lever which actuates the needle bar is worked from a cam on
the main spindle, and an arm mounted on its weigh shaft or fulcrum spindle or
connected to the needle lever itself direct works by means of a connecting rod or
rocking shaft below the bed plate. This rocking shaft carries a hook or looper,
which thus receives the required rocking or oscillating movement.
'The feed is "four motion," and is as follows:-The feed lever proper receives its side
motion directly from a downward continuation of the needle lever, it has its fulcrumi
on a lever, the fulcrum of which is fixed to the framing of the machine; this latter
lever receives up-and-down motion from a cam or tappet on the main spindle, and
thus communicates its up-and-down movement to the feed lever proper, which has
its fulcrum thereon as aforesaid. The main framing of the machine is cast with an
arched bridge or cross piece wherein is formed an outer bearing for the main
spindle.
I form the machine in such a way that it may easily be converted from an
" arm "machine into a "table" machine, and vice versa, and also if required form
at the same time both "arm" and "table" machine. For this purpose 1 connect a
table to the side of the "arm" next to the operator in such a way that it may be
[Price 6d.1

page_text: drawn or swung away horizontally from the arm and fixed at any required distance
therefrom or disconnected therefrom altogether. I prefer to fit the table to the arm
by sliding the table on a bar and fixing it thereto by a set screw at any desired
distance, and steadying it by steady pins, or instead of a bar a regulating screw may
When the
be used; or the table may be connected to the arm by means of links.
table is drawn away some distance from the arm it may be used either as a
table machine or an arm machine without shifting the table. The latter object
may also, according to this Invention, be attained by casting or permanently fixing
or hinging the table on to the arm with a space or .lot left between both of sufficient
depth for the work.
The lock-stitch machine according to this Invention, is constructed as follows:-
I give the required reciprocating movement to the shuttle by means of a rod jointed
to the shuttle carrier and connected to a lever which receives its motion from the
arm mounted on the weigh shaft or fulcrum spindle of the "needle lever," or con-
nected to the said needle lever. The same means may be employed for giving the
shuttle a transverse movement when required. Or the shuttle may be actuated by
the cam which gives movement to the aforesaid needle lever. The feed is or may
be the same as in the chain-stitch machine just described. I draw up the slack
of the thread by means of a lever situated at the main spindle end and actuated
by a cam or tappet on the main spindle, a spring holding it up to the cam.
is also a fixed appliance, such as a brush, or pad, or metal hook, or projection, which
appliance by obstructing the loop prevents the tendency of the shuttle to carry the
loop forward with it; by this means I am enabled to give the needle a continuous
movement without any "dwell" or pause.
There
The mode of converting the machine from an "arm" machine to a "table" machine,
and vice versa, and to adapt it for both, is the same as described with reference to
the chain-stitch machine.
This mode of construction is also applicable to sewing machines in general.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Henry Padbury in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th November 1876.
ROBERT HENRY PADBURY, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
According to this Invention I construct a lock-stitch machine and a chain-stitch
machine of the same general appearance or form, and the same arrangement of
" and "table," and having substantially the same main working parts, all as
herein-after described.
"armi
The chain-stitch machine is constructed as follows:-The "needle lever" or the
rocking or bell crank lever which actuates the needle bar is worked from a cam
on the main spindle, and an arm mounted on its weigh shaft or fulcrum spindle or
connected to the needle lever itself direct works by means of a connecting rod or
rocking shaft below the bed plate. This rocking shaft carries a hook or looper,
which thus receives the required rocking or oscillating movement.
The feed is "four motion," and is as follows:-The feed lever proper receives its
side or "forward "motion directly from a downward continuation of the needle lever,
it has its fulcrum on a lever, the fulcrum of which is fixed to the framing of the
machine;
this latter lever receives up-and-down motion from a can or tappet on the
main spindle and thus communicates its up-and-down movement to the feed lever
proper which has its fulcrum thereon as aforesaid. The main framing of the
machine is cast with an arched bridge or cross piece wherein is formed an outer
bearing for the main spindle.
I form the machine in such a way that it may casily be converted from an

page_text: arm
machine into a "table" machine, and vice versa, and also if required form
at the same time both "arm" and "table" machines. For this purpose I connect a
table to the side of the "arın" next to the operator in such a way that it may bo
drawn or swung away horizontally from the arm and fixed at any required distance
therefrom or disconnected therefrom altogether. I prefer to fit the table to the arm
by sliding the table on a bar and fixing it thereto by a set screw at any desired
distance and steadying it by steady pins, or instead of a bar a regulating screw
may be used; or the table may be connected to the arın by means of links. When
the table is drawn away some distance from the "arm" it may be used either
as a table machine or an arm machine without shifting the table. The latter
object may also, according to this Invention, be attained by casting or permanently
fixing or hinging the table on to the arm with a space or slot left between both of
sufficient depth for the work.
The lock-stitch machine, according to this Invention, is constructed as follows:-
I give the required reciprocating movement to the shuttle by means of a rod
jointed to the shuttle carrier and connected to a lever which receives its motion
from the arm mounted on the weigh shaft or fulcrum spindle of the needle lever,
or connected to the said needle lever. The same means may be employed for giving
the shuttle a transverse movement when required. Or the shuttle may be actuated
by the cam which gives movement to the aforesaid needle lever. The feed is or
may be the same as in the chain-stitch machine just described. I draw up the slack
of the thread by means of a lever situated at the main spindle end and actuated by
a cam or tappet on the main spindle, a spring holding it up to the cam. There is
also a fixed appliance, such as a brush, or pad, or metal hook, or projection, which
appliance by obstructing the loop prevents the tendency of the shuttle to carry the
loop forward with it; by this means I am enabled to give the needle a continuous
movement without any "dwell" or pause.
The mode of converting the machine from an
machine to a "table"
machine, and vice versa, and to adapt it for both, is the same as described with
reference to the chain-stitch machine.
"arm
This mode of construction is also applicable to sewing machines in general.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I will now
proceed more particularly to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
Drawings and to the letters and figures of referenco marked thereon, similar letters
of reference being used for similar parts in the different views.
Figure 1 is partly, a side elevation and partly a vertical section of a "chain-
stitchinachine to which part of my improvements are shown applied; Figure 2
is a sectional plan of the same, the line A, B, Figure 1, shewing the planes of the
horizontal section; Figure 3 is a vertical section of Figure 1 at the line C, D; while
Figure 4 is an end view of the inachine.
As shewn in those views the needle bar a is reciprocated up and down by means
of the bell-crank lever or arın b centred on a pivot c and having its outer end
attached by the link to the needle bar a, while its other opposite end is provided
with a friction roller e, which fits and rolls in a cam groove formed in the revolving
dise The shape of the said cam groove is best indicated in dotted lines at
Figure 1, and it will be at once apparent that as the disc f revolves the friction
roller & following the curves of the groove will be caused to approach towards and
retire from the centre of the disc, thus imparting a corresponding oscillation to the
bell-crank lever b whereby the needle bar a is reciprocated.
The hook or looper g is actuated from the same movement as follows:-The
pivot c upon which the lever bis centred and fixed consists of a stud passing
through the frame of the machine, and carrying on its opposite end another lever h,
which through a connecting rod i and crank j effects a partial rotation of the
shaft h, on the opposite end of which the hook or looper g is fixed. The dip or
inclination of the hook y is easily adjustable to any desired position by sliding the
stop (see Figure 3) backwards or forwards upon the shaft m, the said stop being
connected by a link n to the lower part of the hook g. As the hook is centred at

page_text: a point above the said link attachment it will casily be understood that this
arrangement has the desired effect of canting its hooked upper part towards or from
the needle. The stop is provided with a pinching pin or set screw to retain it in
position. As shewn on the Drawings the hook or looper y has just entered the
loop formed by the upward stroke of the needle.
I'
The oscillation of the lover or arm b is also made to perform another duty, that
is to say, the partial actuation of the foeding arrangement. To effect this the
lever is continued helow the friction roller e, and this continuation or tail
piece comes at times into contact with the inclined portion upon the end of the
feed lever o, and as the latter swings upon a stud or pivot the result of the contact
is, that the inclined end of the feed lever is moved sideways, and therefore a similar
sidelong movement is imparted to the feeding end of the lever o, a spring restoring
it to its normal position. But as it is also necessary to obtain a rising and
falling motion at the feeding end of the lever o, the pivot p, upon which it is
centred, is fixed in a bracket 9 hung upon a horizontal stud or shaft r, and an
arm q' fixed to or formed upon the bracket 7 projects towards the main shaft 8 of
the machine so as to be operated by a cam & fixed upon the shaft 8. The bracket
q is thus caused to vibrate upon its shaft, and the desired rising and falling motion
given to the feed lever o. A set screw u is provided (see Figure 2) to govern the
side movement of the lover o against the pressure of its recovering spring, and
furthermore, a spring v is arranged on the lever o or in any other suitable position
eo as to keep the arm q' against the cam t.
"
arm
"
For
Another of my improvements consists in or relates to means whereby an
machine may be readily converted into a "table" machine, or vice versa.
this purpose I employ a plate or table which, when applied to the " arm portion
of the machine coincides therewith, and by thus prolonging its breadth fits it for
the duties of a "table" machine. This table portion w is supported from the arm
part by means of two studs and x. The stud ' merely performs the duty of a
guide pin; but the stud, in addition to its guiding and supporting functions, is
the means whereby the table w is bound at any required position by the binding
screw y passing through the boss z. As shewn on the Drawings the "table" part
w being thrust in against the "arm portion the apparatus is in a position to
perform the functions of a "table" machine; but to convert it into an "arm
machine it is only necessary to loosen the screw y and draw the table w back into
the position indicated in dotted lines at Figure 3. Instead of the hand a screw
may be employed to shift the table.
""
"
Although I prefer that this auxilliary table portion w should be arranged and
secured in the manner herein-before set forth, I would nevertheless wish it to
be understood that several modified arrangements embodying the same principle
might be employed.
Three such modifications I have shewn to a reduced scale at Figures 8, 9, and 9ª
of the Drawings. At Figure 8 the table wis represented as hinged by a pin x
upon a bracket projecting from the arm portion of the machine. The table may
then be swung out from the arm in the manner shown in dotted lines, a
pinching screw y being provided to hold it in position. Figure 9 again embodies
the employment of links, whereby a parallel motion of the table is ensured while
being swung outwards, as shewn by the dotted lines. The pinching bar is made
curved to suit the curve described by the table when shifted.
f
33
20
I also construct the arms of sewing machines with the table portion w east on
or otherwise permanently attached thereto by means of bolts or screws, as shewn at
Figure 9. In this case a gap or slot of suitable width is formed or left between
the arm and table portion so that a machine thus constructed can be employed
either as an arm or "table" machine without making any change whatever.
The frame of machines constructed according to my Invention are formed with
an arched or other suitably shaped bracket 1 to support the outer bearing of the
unnin shafts of the machine, thereby obviating the necessity of fitting on or
attaching a bracket. A grooved driving wheel 2 is fixed upon the outer end of the

page_text: shafts so that the machine may be driven by a belt from a treadle wheel or other
motor, and I also provide the disc f with a handle so that the machine may be
driven by hand if desired. The foot plate of the machine is fixed to an ordinary
sole, and the other parts not particularly referred to are chiefly of the ordinary
construction.
I will now describe that part of my Invention referring more particularly to
"lock-stitch" machines, and as illustrated at Figures 5, 5ª, 6, and 7.
The reciprocatory movements of the needle and needle bar and also the actuation
of the feeding lever being effected in precisely the same manner as that herein-
before described with reference to the preceding Figures it will be unnecessary to
repeat the description; but attention must be called to a detail in the manner of
raising and lowering the feeding end of the feed lever o. This improvement (which
I shall presently describe) is introduced for the purpose of making the machine
double acting, that is to say, that in whatever direction the machine may be
driven the feed lever will be depressed in unison with the sidelong or feeding
motion. For example, it will be evident that if the arm 71 (see Figure 5) had but
one central point of contact with the cam t, as in Figure 1, the shafts must revolve
in one direction only; for it will be at once apparent that if the direction of
revolution is reversed the cam t would (according to the direction in which it is
set) be either too soon or too late to depress the lever q' in unison with the action
of the tail piece of the arın b upon the inclined end of the lever o. Thus the action
of the feeding portion of the lever o would either be rendered non-effective or
effective in the wrong direction, to the destruction of the seam or breakage of the
needle or other fragile parts. To obviate this I employ two tumblers and q³
centred loosely upon the lever q¹ in such a manner that they will always have a
tendency to fall towards each other. These tumblers are kept apart and equidistant
from the centre of the shafts by a stop + fixed in the framing of the machine,
and one or other of the said tumblers 92, 93, constitutes the point of contact of tho
lever q with the cam t. As shewn in the Drawing the shaft s is supposed to be
revolving in the direction of the arrow, and therefore the tumbler q" is in action.
The other is inactive, for when the raised portion of the camt has depressed and
passed over the tumbler 3 in continuing its revolution it simply thrusts the
unresisting tumbler before it until the tumbler has cleared the cam, when it
immediately falls back into its former position without having in the slightest
degree acted upon the lever g¹. On the other hand, should the direction of
revolution of the shaft s be reversed the tumbler q3 is in its turn rendered inactive,
and the tumbler q becomes the point of contact of the lever q¹. The point of
contact is thus as it were changed and caused to meet the cam t half-way in what-
ever direction it comes. Were it not so of course the cam would arrive too late to
actuate the point of contact at the proper time, but by thus practically causing the
point of contact to advance towards the raised part of the cam the cam has a less
distance to travel round and becomes effective at the proper time; stops 5 arc
formed on the lever q' or in any other suitable position to prevent the tumblers
from being accidentally overbalanced by the pushing action of the cam t. The
movement of the shuttle carrier 6 and shuttle 7 is produced by the same cam groove
in the disc f which operates the bell crank b; a lever 8 is suspended from a stud 9;
towards its central part it is provided with a friction roller 10, which rolls in the
said cam groove and so vibrates the lever 8; a connecting rod 11 connects the
lever's lower end with the shuttle carrier 6, which slides backwards and forwards
upon supporting guide rods 12. As shewn in the Drawings the shuttle 7 has been
shot about one third of its length through the loop, and one of my improvements
consists in a mode of preventing the shuttle from carrying the loop of thread forward
with it, at the same time that the said arrangement obviates the necessity of
introducing a "dwell or pause in the reciprocation of the needle bar and enables
the motion of the needle to be regular and continuous. To effect this 1 arrange a
spring stop 13 which is held by its own elasticity or by the assistance of an
auxilliary spring with a slight but sufficient pressure against the lower side of the
"

page_text: shuttle; when the nose of the shuttle has entered the loop the enlarged swell of
the shuttle will tend to carry the loop against the bevelled point of the stop 13,
which prevents the further advance of the loop, and holds it until the shuttle has
passed entirely through.
In the employment of sewing machines it is a desideratum that the loop should be
thrown in the path of the shuttle, that is, to one side only of the needle, so as to enable
the shuttle to enter the loop easily. To obtain this I fix a presser 14 upon the link d
which when the needle bar is nearly at the end of its downward stroke descends and
presses the thread down upon the yielding guide 15 and nips it, as shewn at Figure 5ª,
so that the length of thread between the guide 15 and the eye of the needle is main-
tained in a state of tension. When the needle bar makes its upward stroke the fico
portion of the thread, that is to say, the portion between the fabric and the needle eye,
is thrown in a loop to the shuttle side only of the needle and directly in the path of
the shuttle, whereby the recurrence of missed stitches common in other machines is
avoided. The guide 15 is upheld by a spring which allows it to yield to the down-
ward movement of the presser 14 and the resilience of which causes the guide to fullow
the upward motion of the pro-ser still nipping the thread until the shuttle has fairly
entered the loop, as shown in the Drawing; when the guide 15 censes to rise the presser
14 still ascending then leaves it behind and the thread is free. When the shuttle bas
passed quite through the loop is pulled taut (so as to lock the shuttle thread) by the
action of the tightener 16, the said tightener being actuated at the proper intervals
by a cam 17, against the periphery of which the bearing part of the tightener is
kept by the action of a spring 18, or instead of the said combination of cam and
spring a cam groove and friction roller may be employed. The position of the
tightener and thread when thus thrown back by the cam 17 is indicated in dotted
lines at Figure 5. A fixed part 21 is arranged upon the upper part of the frame
and formed in the shape of a human hand, and the upper end of the moveable
tightener 16 is likewise formed in the shape of a hand. The said hands 16 and 21
take hold of the thread, and their conjunctive action imitates the movements of the
human hands in ordinary hand sewing. In machines where shuttles are employed
it is usual to make a part of the covering portion of the "arm" removable so as to
remove and replace the shuttle when the contained reel has become exhausted of
thread. According to my Invention this is effected very readily by pivotting the
renovable portion 19 of the cover upon a screw countersunk so as to be level with
the cover, and in order to hold the said removable portion when in position, I
arrange at the side of the arm (see Figures 6 and 7) a vertical spring bolt 20 of the
construction shewn. When it is desired to uncover the shuttle this bolt 20 is
depressed by the thumb nail, and the pivotted portion of the cover swung round;
the shuttle having been replenished and replaced, the covering 19 is swung back
and the bolt 20 springing up locks it in position, as shewn.
The type of machine under consideration is in its main parts identical with
that already described with reference to Figure 1, 2, 3, and 4, the modes of
actuating it are the same, and it is also susceptible to the application of the combined
"arm" and "table" arrangement already described; its difference from the herein-
before described "chain-stitch" machine is in fact only in one or two characterizing
details necessary to the proper discharge of its functions as a "lock-stitch
machine.
Having now described my said Invention, and particularly ascertained in what
manner the same inay be carried into practical effect, I would observe in conclusion
that without confining myself to the exact details of mechanism where a slight
departure from or mere modification of the sauno would still embody the spirit of
one or all of my improvements, what 1 desire to claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is-
First. The employment in lock-stitch sewing machines of a single can or cam
groove for producing, first, the vertical motion of the needle bar; and second, the
horizontal movement of the shuttle carrier and shuttle, substantially as herein-before
described and shewn.

page_text: Second. The mode of operating the hook or looper shaft in chain-stitch sewing
machines, and also the means for and manner of adjusting the hoop or looper of
such machines, substantially as herein-before described and shewn.
Third. The utilization of the vibrating motion of bell-crank lever (for
reciprocating the needle bar) to produce the horizontal movement of the feed levor,
and also the combination of means for obtaining a rising and falling motion in such
feed lever, all as herein-before described and shewn.
•
Fourth. The arrangement of mechanism whereby the feed of sewing machines
will be always in the same direction and in unison with the movements of the other
parts in whatever direction the driving shaft is caused to revolve, substantially as
herein-before described and shewn.
Fifth. The moveable lever 16 in conjunction with a fixed thread guide 21 for
taking up the slack of the needle thread or tightening the stitch, all constructed
and operating as herein-before set forth.
Sixth. The construction of table and parts connected therewith for making the
saine suitable either for a "table" machine or an arm "machine or for both,
substantially as herein-before described and shown.
Seventh. The spring stop 13 or other equivalent fixed appliance whereby the
shuttle is prevented from carrying forward with it the thread loop, and also the
spring bolt for locking the pivotted removable portion of the arm cover, all sub-
stantially as herein-before described and shewn.
Eighth. The general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts con-
stituting my improvements upon sewing machines, whether employed to produce a
"chain" or "lock" stitch, all substantially as herein-before described and shown,
or any mere modification of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Henry Padbury, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
PORED TENDY DADDUDY
ROBERT HENRY PADBURY. (L.S.)