IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Blanford, of 33, Mercers Terrace, Salmons
Lane, Limehouse, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
Sealed the 11th August 1871, and dated the 15th February 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Blanford at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 15th February 1871.
I, WILLIAM BLANFORD, of 33, Mercers Terrace, Salmons Lane, Lime-
house, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," to
be as follows:-
These improvements in sewing machines have reference principally to
that class of sewing machines in which a shuttle is used to carry the
lower thread and known as lock stitch machines, such as the "Howe"
machine and those of similar principle, and may be separately applied
and used or may be combined in one machine, the object being to

page_text: simplify the construction and operation in some portions of the machinery
and to substitute in others improved apparatus, and consist of,—
Firstly. In working the needle lever and the shuttle lever from one
solid cast cam instead of a separate cam for each lever as heretofore, the
advantages being cheapening of cost in the manufacture, a firmer hold
of the cam on the shaft through the cam being longer in the bearing,
and the removal of that great difficulty of "timing" the cams correctly,
that is, so fixing the two cams in their proper positions on the shaft
that the required action of each shall take effect together at the right
moment, which operation of "timing" requires great skill and is entirely
done away with by the use of this single cam, combining the two cams
in one, the grooves in this cam being so arranged that any but a simul-
taneous correct action of the two levers moved by this cam is impossible.
The cam is secured on the shaft by means of a set screw and pin
combined, the pin fitting into a hole drilled in the shaft so that the
most inexperienced mechanic or workman cannot fail to fix the cam in
its correct position on the shaft after taking to pieces for cleaning.
Secondly. In casting the "needle bar guide box" with the neck or
arm of the machine together in one piece instead of casting as heretofore
the guide box in two halves screwing together and again screwing to
the neck or arm of the machine, by which method the two halves are
liable by the vibration of the machine in working to become loose and
shake on the neck, but by my arrangement great solidity and firmness of
parts is obtained, very important in any machine of rapid action, and a
perfectly vertical bearing for the needle bar is secured and much costly
work of fitting is saved, and sundry contrivances for adjusting are
dispensed with.
Thirdly. In casting with and on the under surface of the table or
platform solid bearings for the cam shaft and then boring the same to
receive the shaft, which is a cheaper and more accurate method than
that hitherto employed and dispenses with caps or covers for the bearings
of the shaft.
Fourthly. In the novel construction and application of a double action
or reversible four-motion feed or griffe. This consists of a steel claw
with conical teeth at the top, moving vertically in a slide bar which
works horizontally in a slot cut in the platform of the machine parallel
with the shuttle race. This claw is moved up and down by what I call
a lift lever which obtains its motion from a cam fixed on the shaft of the

page_text: machine, the lever having an adjusting piece at its cam end for elevating
or depressing the claw according to the thickness of material to be sewn.
The slide bar which moves the claw horizontally obtains its motion from
a cam on the shaft of the machine by means of a connecting rod, one end
of which is jointed to a lever which I call the stitch lever, which stitch
lever is acted directly upon by the cam, and the other end is secured by a
thumbscrew to a curved slotted lever working on a pin joint, one end of
this curved lever moving in a slot cut in the slide bar, thus giving motion
to the slide bar. By changing the position of the connecting rod from
the top to the bottom of the curved slotted lever, or vice versa, I obtain
at any part of a revolution of the machine an instant reverse action of
the claw or feed retaining the same length of stitch in either direction.
The length of stitch is regulated by a set screw in the end of the stitch
lever which lever is acted directly upon by the cam.
The feed being reversible and the claw or grip being adjustable high
or low according to the fineness or coarseness of the work to be sewn,
the advantages obtained by this feed are very important :—
1st. Seams can be secured by changing the direction of the feed and
making a few stitches the reverse way without turning the work.
2nd. Any number of seams can be sewn without turning the work.
3rd. Its particular applicability for all quilting work, flowering toe
caps, and all other fancy work on leather, and for work of any descrip-
tion on the finest to the coarsest material.
Fifthly. In the novel construction and application of a compound four-
motion feed or griffe applicable to the Howe and similar machines in
place of the ordinary wheel feed and so adapted that either feed can be
substituted for the other in the same machine at the will of the operator
and without alteration to any other part of the machine, either feed being
fastened to the machine by a screw and nut. It consists of a steel claw
with conical teeth at the top moving vertically in a slide bar composed
of 2 plates screwed together and moving horizontally in guides attached
to the frame of the machine parallel with the shuttle race. The claw is
moved upwards by a right angle lever attached to the frame of the feed,
deriving its motion from a cam on the main shaft of the machine and is
drawn downwards by a small spiral spring. The slide bar plates are
moved horizontally by a lever attached to a stud which moves vertically
n the slide bar, the lever working on a pin joint attached to the frame
of the feed, and deriving its motion from a cam on the main shaft of the

page_text: machine, and it is kept in a position to be acted upon by the cam by
means of a spiral spring attached to it and the fram of the machine.
The stitch is regulated by an adjusting screw held on a boss fixed to the
platform of machine.
All the foregoing important alterations and improvements are effected
without changing the present approved general contour of the sewing
machines, such as the Howe and those of a similar principle to which
these improvements are most particularly applicable.
Sixthly. In an improved construction, arrangement, and combination
of parts for a machine for sewing, which machine can be worked either
by hand or treadle, including a new and improved method of driving the
shuttle, which method can be separately applied to sewing machines
already known. The body or frame of the machine supporting the
working parts has a broad base upon which is fixed the platform con-
taining the shuttle race or guide. A crank shaft runs through bearings
near the base of the frame and carries a cam, which cam gives motion
to a lever moving on a joint on the neck or arm of the frame, which
lever gives motion to the needle bar which works vertically in a guide.
An oscillating bar working on a pin joint attached to a boss on the under
side of the frame gives motion to a slide bar, upon which is fixed the
shuttle carrier, the oscillating bar having a curved groove through which
passes the crank pin upon which revolves a friction roller. One part of
the groove being true to the crank centre a dwell or stationary part
necessary for the rising motion of the needle is thus given to the oscil-
lating bar. The top of the oscillating bar is jointed to one end of a
connecting rod, the other end of which is also jointed to the slide bar
before-named, which I call a carrier slide which works horizontally in a
groove cut in the platform and parallel with the shuttle race.
will be seen that at one end of the motion a dwell is given to the slide
bar simultaneous with the dwell given to the oscillating bar. A trailed
crank countershaft working in a boss on the platform and in a direct
line with the main shaft obtaining its motion by means of the pin of the
crank shaft, and revolving with it gives motion to the feed which I
describe as follows:-A double cam in one solid casting or forging,
which I call a feed cam, is secured to the countershaft by means of a
set screw.
A bar which I call a feed bar, one end of which is slotted to
allow of the motion given to it by the feed cam and works on a
horizontal pin secured to the platform. A steel claw or griffe fitting
Thus it

page_text: vertically in a groove at the other end of a feed bar is raised or depressed
by means of a set screw. The counter action of the feed bar to the
motion imparted to it by the feed cam is effected by a spiral spring,
one end of which is secured in a recess bored in the feed bar and the
other end in contact with and opposition to the horizontal pin before
mentioned.
The presser bar arrangement that I use is the same as that used in all
machines having an under feed.
I do not confine myself to any particular description of tension, but
the ordinary tension having an upright pin with concave discs and spiral
spring and screw I find effective.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Blanford in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th August 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
BLANFORD, of 33, Mercers Terrace, Salmons Lane, Limehouse, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Blanford, Her special licence
that I, the said William Blanford, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Blanford, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter 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 Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SEWING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
William Blanford, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the

page_text: same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Blanford, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:—
These improvements in sewing machines have reference principally to
that class of sewing machines in which a shuttle is used to carry the
lower thread, and known as lock-stitch machines, such as the "Howe"
machines and those of similar principle, and may be separately applied
and used, or may be combined in one machine, the object being to
simplify the construction and operation in some portions of the machinery
and to substitute in others improved apparatus, and these improve-
ments will be clearly understood by reference to the accompanying
Sheets of Drawings in connection with the following description, and
consist of,-
Firstly. In working the needle lever and the shuttle lever from one
solid cast cam instead of a separate cam for each lever as heretofore, the
advantages being cheapening of cost in the manufacture, a firmer hold
of the cam on the shaft through the cam being longer in the bearing,
and the removal of that great difficulty of "timing" the cams correctly,
that is, so fixing the two cams in their proper positions on the shaft that
the required action of each shall take effect together at the right moment,
which operation of "timing" requires great skill, and is entirely done
away with by the use of this single cam combining the two cams in one,
the grooves in this cam being so arranged that any but a simultaneous
correct action of the two levers moved by this cam is impossible. The
cam is secured on the shaft by means of a set screw and pin combined,
the pin fitting into a hole drilled in the shaft, so that the most inex-
perienced mechanic or workman cannot fail to fix the cam in its correct
position on the shaft after taking apart for cleaning.
b.
Figures 10 and 11, Sheet 1, represent the improvements under this
head, Figure 11 showing the cam with the grooves a, a, which give
motion to the needle lever and the shuttle lever; b is the set screw
securing the cam in its correct position on the shaft c by means of the
pin at the end of the screw, which pin fits into a hole drilled in the

page_text: smart, Figure showing an chu
screw b.
4433
Secondly. In casting the "needle bar guide box" with the neck or
arm of the machine together in one piece instead of casting, as heretofore,
the guide box in two halves, screwing together, and again screwing to
the neck or arm of the machine, by which method the two halves are
liable by the vibration of the machine in working to become loose and
shake on the neck, but by my arrangement great solidity and firmness
of parts is obtained, very important in any machine of rapid action, and
a perfectly vertical bearing for the needle bar is secured, and much
costly work of fitting is saved and parts dispensed with.
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, Sheet 1, represent the improvements under this
head, Figure 6 showing the top of the needle bar and presser bar guide
box; Figure 7, the back of same; Figure 8, a side view of the guide
box and arm of the machine complete; Figure 9, a side view of part
of the platform, the dotted lines e, e, showing the solid bearings for the
shaft c, Figure 11. The dotted lines in Figures 7 and 8 represent the solid
bearings for the needle bar and presser bar. Figures 8 and 9 also
represent the relative positions of the needle bar and presser bar guide
box and platform.
Thirdly. In casting with and on the under surface of the table or
platform solid bearings for the cam shaft and then boring the same to
receive the shaft, which is a cheaper and more accurate method than
that hitherto employed, and dispenses with caps or covers for the bearings
of the shaft.
Figures 8, 9, and 12, Sheet 1, represent the improvements under this
head. Figure 8, a side view showing the solid bearing e, e, for the
shaft c, Figure 11; Figure 9, a side view of part of the platform showing
the solid bearing e, e; Figure 12, a front view of the platform showing
the solid bearing e, e.
Fourthly. In the novel construction and application of a double-action
or reversible four-motion feed or griffe. This consists of a steel claw
with conical teeth at the top moving vertically in a slide bar which
works horizontally in a slot cut in the platform of the machine parallel
with the shuttle race, or the working parts can be supported by a bracket
attached to the frame of the machine. This claw is moved up and down
by what I call a lift lever which obtains its motion from a cam fixed
on the shaft of the machine, the lever having an adjusting piece at its

page_text: cam end for elevating or depressing the claw according to the thickness
of material to be sewn. The slide bar which moves the claw horizontally
obtains its motion from a cam on the shaft of the machine by means of
a connecting rod, one end of which is jointed to a lever which I call the
stitch lever, which stitch lever is acted directly upon by the cam, and
the other end is secured by a thumbscrew to a curved slotted lever
working on a pin joint, one end of this curved lever moving in a slot cut
in the slide bar or by means of a friction joint, thus giving motion to
the slide bar. By changing the position of the connecting rod from the
top to the bottom of the curved slotted lever, or vice versa, I obtain at
any part of a revolution of the machine an instant reverse action of the
claw or feed, retaining the same length of stitch in either direction. The
length of stitch is regulated by a set screw in the end of the stitch lever,
which screw is acted directly upon by the cam.
The feed being reversible and the claw being adjustable high or low
according to the fineness or coarseness of the work to be sewn, the
advantages obtained by this feed are very important.
1st. Seams can be secured by changing the direction of the feed and
making a few stitches the reverse way without turning the work.
2nd. Any number of seams can be sewn without turning the work.
3rd. Its particular applicability for all quilting work, flowering toe
caps, and all other fancy work on leather, and for work of any descrip-
tion on the finest to the coarsest material.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet 1, represent the improvements under
this head. Figure 1 shewing a front view; Figure 2 a part side view;
Figure 3 also a part side view; Figure 4 a top view of the lift lever;
Figure 5 the screw end of the stitch lever.
Figure 1 represents a front view with the front of the bracket
removed, the same bracket having studs to which is jointed the various
levers hereafter explained. The front cam h is the stitch cam, the
back cam the lift cam, the cam / acting on the end of the stitch
screw j, and the cam i acting or moving simultaneously with cam h
lifts the adjusting piece k, together imparting the vertical and hori-
zontal motions to the steel claw 7. The stitch screw j is screwed into
a boss of the stitch lever m which is jointed at n to the bracket, the
stitch screw is held firm by means of the lock nut o. The lever m
has a joint pin at its screw end to which is attached the connecting
rod p
also jointed at q to the curved slotted lever r. This lever has a

page_text: joint at 8 secured to the bracket. The lever r has a parallel piece at
the top fitting into the friction roller t for the purpose of allowing
action to the slide bar u. To this bar is fitted the steel claw / moving
in a vertical slot. The lift lever o jointed to the bracket at w acts
on the bottom of the claw 1. The adjusting piece k attached to the
lever is for the purpose of raising or depressing the claw 1, and is
secured by a set screw. The stitch lever m is kept in opposition to the
cam h by means of a spiral spring seen broken in Drawing. The spring
x acting on the pin y fixed to the claw 7 is for the purpose of keeping
the claw down on the lever v. The cams h and i are divided into
four actions, one being a fourth in advance of the other and moving
in the direction as seen by the arrow. It will be seen that on the
movement of the cam h from Figure 1 to Figure 2 the curved lever r
will have also moved to the position indicated by the dotted lines, thus
making the longest stitch, the lift lever v remaining elevated during
this movement, and from 2 to 3 of the motion the curved lever * will
remain stationary, the lift lever descending to its lowest position.
Again on the motion of the cam from 3 to 4 the curved lever r will
resume its former position, the lift lever v remaining down or depressed
during this motion, thus completing one revolution. At the moveable
joint q of the connecting rod p is a thumbscrew seen in Figure 2,
Sheet 1, for the purpose of securing the position of the connecting
rod p at either end of the curved lever r. Upon shifting the position
of the connecting rod p from q to z, the curved lever will have moved
to the position indicated by the dotted lines, thus changing the direction
of motion imparted to the claw 1. Figures 2 and 3 represent a side
view of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 represent a top view of part of
Figure 1.
Fifthly. In the novel construction and application of a compound
four-motion feed or griffe applicable to the Howe and similar machines
in place of the ordinary wheel feed, and so adapted that either feed
can be substituted for the other in the same machine at the will of
the operator, and without alteration to any other part of the machine,
either feed being fastened to the machine by a screw and nut. It
consists of a steel claw moving vertically in a slide bar composed of
two plates screwed together and moving horizontally in guides attached
to the frame of the feed parallel with the shuttle race. The claw is
moved upwards by a right angle lever jointed to the frame of the feed,

page_text: deriving its motion from a cam on the main shaft of the machine and
is drawn downwards by a small spiral spring. The slide bar plates are
moved horizontally by a lever attached to a stud which moves vertically
in the slide bar, the lever working on a pin joint attached to the frame
of the feed, and deriving its motion from a cam on the main shaft of
the machine, and it is kept in a position to be acted upon by the cam
by means of a spiral spring attached to it and the frame of the machine.
The stitch is regulated by an adjusting screw held on a lug, cast with
the platform of the machine as in the case of the common wheel feed.
It is simple in construction, the frame and studs upon which the levers
move, the guides which carry the slide bar, and the stud which attaches
the feed to the cleft lug of the machine being made in one piece, and
the bulk does not exceed that of the common wheel feed. It fits into
the same cleft lug, the height is adjusted and the length of stitch is
regulated by the same means as used in the case of the wheel feed.
Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, & 22, Sheet 2 of the Drawings,
represent the improvements under this head; Figure 14 represents a
front view; Figure 15 a side view; Figure 16 a back view.
The cam a, Figure 14 operates the lever 6 moving on the stud c, a
joint pin d attached to the lever 6 is fitted into the friction stud e.
This stud is for the purpose of giving freedom of action to the horizontal
slide bar f. The top of the lever 6 is shaped so as to form a stop against
the adjusting screw g, the cam h acting on the lift lever i, which moves
on the stud j, raises the steel claw k. The spiral springs 1, 1, are for
the purpose of keeping the lever's band i in contact and in opposition
to the cams a and h for the return motions, the cams a and moving
simultaneously with the shaft m. Figure 15 represents a side view
shewing the stud that fixes the feed by means of the nut n to the cleft
lug on the machine; Figure 16 is a back view of Figure 14 with one
half of the action taken; Figure 17 is a part top view shewing the
position of the studs c and j; Figures 18 and 19 represent the front
and back inclined view of the combined halves of the horizontal slide
barf; Figure 20 represents the friction stud e; Figure 21 the steel
claw k; Figure 22 a section of the frame o minus the studs.
All the foregoing important alterations and improvements are effected
without changing the present approved general contour of the sewing
machines, such as the "Howe" and those of a similar principle, to which
these improvements are most particularly applicable.

page_text: Sixthly. In an improved construction, arrangement, and combination
of parts for a machine for sewing, which machine can be worked either
by hand or treadle, including a new and improved method of driving the
shuttle, which method can be separately applied to sewing machines
already known. The body or frame of the machine supporting the
working parts has a broad base upon which is fixed the platform con-
taining the shuttle race or guide. A crank shaft runs through bearings
near the base of the frame and carries a cam, which cam gives motion to a
lever moving on a joint on the neck or arm of the frame, which lever
gives motion to the needle bar which works vertically in a guide. An
oscillating bar working on a pin joint attached to a boss on the under
side of the frame gives motion to a slide bar upon which is fixed the
shuttle carrier, the oscillating bar having a curved groove through which
passes the crank pin upon which revolves a friction roller. One part of
the groove being true to the crank centre a dwell or stationary part
necessary for the rising motion of the needle is thus given to the oscil-
lating bar. The top of the oscillating bar is jointed to one end of a
connecting rod, the other end of which is also jointed to the slide bar
before named, which I call a carrier slide, which works horizontally in a
groove cut in the platform and parallel with the shuttle race. Thus it
will be seen that at one end of the motion a dwell is given to the slide
bar simultaneous with the dwell given to the oscillating bar. A trailed
crank countershaft working in a boss on the platform and in a direct
line with the main shaft obtaining its motion by means of the pin of
the crank shaft, and revolving with it gives motion to the feed which I
describe as follows:-A double cam in one solid casting or forging,
which I call a feed cam, is secured to the countershaft by means of a set
screw. A bar which I call a feed bar, one end of which is slotted to
allow of the motion given to it by the feed cam and works on a
horizontal pin secured to the platform. A steel claw fitting vertically
in a groove at the other end of feed bar is raised or depressed by means
of a set screw. The counter action of the feed bar to the motion
imparted to it by the feed cam is effected by a spiral spring, one
end of which is secured in a recess bored in the feed bar and the
other end in contact with and opposition to the horizontal pin before
mentioned.
I have not considered it necessary to more fully describe this feed
hy Drawings as it is a well-known feed motion to which I make no

page_text: The presser-bar arrangement that I use is the same as that used in all
machines having an under feed.
I do not confine myself to any particular description of tension, but
the ordinary tension having an upright pin with concave discs and spiral
spring and screw I find effective.
One of the principal objects gained in the arrangement is that all the
motions are from one shaft, greater space under the arm of the machine
being thereby obtained than where two shafts are used. Another
advantage in this combination is, that no gear wheels are used and the
driving band is not crossed, the motion of the working parts being in the
same direction as the driving wheel.
Figures 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, Sheet 2, of the Drawings, represent
the improvements under this head.
Figure 23 represents a side view of the whole combination; Figure 24
a back view of the shuttle driving motion; Figure 25, a back view of
Figure 23.
Figure 26 represents a top view of the slide bar; Figure 27
a top view of the connecting rod. The oscillating bar p, Figure 24, is
jointed at Չ to the boss on frame r, Figures 23 and 25, and also jointed
to the connecting rod s at t, which connecting rod is jointed at u to the
slide bar v. The crank w has a friction roller moving in the curved slot
of oscillating bar p at x. It will be seen on reference to the Drawings
that the oscillating bar p will remain stationary during the motion of
the crank from 1 to 2 necessary for the rising motion of the needle. The
slide bar v, Figures 23, 24, 26, upon which is fixed the shuttle carrier
moves horizontally in slots cut in the platform y, Figure 23. The needle
motion is obtained by the cam z, Figures 23 and 25
Having now described this Invention and necessarily used to
illustrate the same various parts of machinery already known and
used and to which I make no claim, I desire it to be understood that I
claim,―
1. The one solid cast cam for working the needle lever and the shuttle
lever as applicable to the "Howe" and similar machines.
2. The casting of the needle bar guide box with the neck or arm of
the machine together in one piece, as applicable to the "Howe" and
similar machines.

page_text: 3. The casting with the table or platform of the machine in one
piece solid lugs, and then boring the same for the bearings for the cam
shaft.
4 and 5. The construction, arrangement, and combination of parts
for sewing machine feeds, substantially as described under 4th and 5th
heads.
6. The shuttle driving motion in particular and the general arrange-
ment and combination of parts for a sewing machine, as described under
the 6th head.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Blanford, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of August One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-one.
WILLIAM BLANFORD. (L.S.)