Improvements in and relating to sewing machines
Year: 1889

page_text: I, HENRY ALFRED OLDERSHAW of No. 38 Highcross Street Leicester in the county
of Leicester Engineer and Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object Improvements in and relating to sewing machines
to facilitate the production of fancy stitches, cross stitches, embroidery, laying in of
cords, also for making button holes, lace or eyelet holes, and overseaming them; and
edging fabrics, or for the production of an "herring bone" stitch for the surface of
fabrics, leather and the like by the arrangement of a rotary shuttle or hook placed at
right angles with the main shaft, in combination with a regulated laterally reciprocating
needle bar, and for overseaming lace or eyelet holes I employ feed points that move in
opposite directions.
By the aid of these contrivances I am enabled to stitch either along or across the
fabric.
My improvements are not only applicable to the machines as shown in the drawings
but to others of a similar construction, or to other rotary machines for sewing
purposes.
That my invention may be well understood I will now refer to the drawings
accompanying this specification of which
Figure 1. is a view in section of a rotary machine or that portion of a sewing
machine to which my invention refers.
Figure 2. is a view in section through shuttle shaft of the bed of the machine.
Figure 3. is an end view of the overhanging arm of a sewing machine shewing the
laterally reciprocating needle bar with the rocking frame and its accessories.
Figure 4. is a cut off view of the connecting rod, and adjusting plate for regulating
the length of stitch, and means whereby the rod is shifted to effect. the same.
Figure 5. is a view of the face of the needle plate E showing the feed points 29.
working in opposite directions (indicated by the arrows) pivotted on feed levers 30.
connected to links on the shaft 18 (see dotted lines figure 2) to get a circular move-
ment in overseaming lace or eyelet holes, either both or one only may be employed,
DR11

page_text: "
this needle plate and feed points are removed when ordinary sewing or
"herrin
boning is required. In figure 1. on line A is the horizontal driving shaft a¹ at the
outer end of which is fitted the lever 1. and crank 2. these are of the ordinary con-
struction for operating the needle bar B. The double grooved or screw cam 3.
having the lever 4. with a hole therein, 5. into which is fitted the pin 6 (see figure 4.)
of the swinging or adjusting plate, 7. this plate is pivotted at its lower end 8. to a
pin in the hole 9. under the screw cam in the arm of the machine.
In the groove 10. of the plate 7. is fitted the outer end of the connecting rod 1.1.
and by the operator shifting this end of the rod he can lengthen or shorten the stitch
at will and regulate the rocking frame 12., for reciprocating the needle bar
horizontally the collar b¹ round the needle bar is of the ordinary construction.
;
The connecting rod is pivoted to the rocking frame at 13. and the arms 14. of the
frame are pivoted upon the presser foot bar ( By the movement of the main
shaft a¹ movement is given to the swinging plate and rod connected therewith and
the needle bar is moved laterally causing the needle at its downward movement to
cross over from one side of the slot 15. to 16. and "cice versu" which enables me to
stitch embroidery, or fancy cross stitching and the like, but for ordinary straight
sewing the rod is moved to the bottom of the swinging lever 7. when the needle bar
will have no movement from the rocking frame. The feed plate 17. (see figure 2.)
is regulated by the levers 18 and 19. which are of the ordinary kind, and is removed
when the plate E is used, when by additional levers, 30. and feed points, 29. and links
on the shaft 18. I cause a circular movement of the fabric in overseaming lace or
eyelet holes. I put the rotary shuttle or hook 20. out of its ordinary position
relatively to the line of feed and fix it parallel to the shuttle shaft 1) (see figures 1.
and 2.) on line d. and being enabled to reciprocate the needle bar laterally I can
produce the various stitches desired, the eye of the needle being squared to the
shuttle. 1 can thus work circular holes by overseaming them. I may also lay in a
cord and stitch over it in overseaming button holes, the bracket 21. holding the rotary
shuttle or hook is cast in one with the base or bed of the machine, 22. or the bracket
can be seperate and screwed under the bed so that the rotary shuttle is at right
angles with the main shaft, the inner end of the shuttle shaft D carries the bevel
wheel 23. gearing with the bevel wheel 24., but I may use worm gearing to actuate
the short shaft. 25. if necessary to impart the rotary movement to the shuttle or hook
and driver at the end thereof. By the reciprocating needle bar, and regulating the
feed I am enabled to make cross stitches at varying angles for making "herring
bone" stitches. Of course it will be well understood that such fancy stitching or
embroidering or eyelet hole overseaming cannot be accomplished with the reciprocating
needle except the rotary shuttle is fitted at right angles to the main shaft.
By the use of these contrivances any cross stitch pattern can be made at the will
of the operator; or for laying the edges of fabric together either with the insertion
of a narrow cord, or braid-or without.
Of course the contrivances shown for actuating the rocking frame may be modified
to suit other machines of a like construction to the one shown in the drawings.
The adjusting or swinging plate or holder may be plain, not having teeth at one side
as shown in figure 4, and the connecting rod may carry a thumb screw sliding in the
groove in the plate for adjusting the rod at the point required. In the swinging or
adjusting plate 7. (shown in figure 4.) the outer end of the connecting rod is provided
with the lever 26. held by the spring 27. to keep the latch 28. to the teeth, to remove
the latch out of the teeth the lever is depressed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
First. In combination with a sewing machine a double grooved, or screw cam 3. and
a swinging grooved plate or lever 7. operated thereby, adjustable connecting rod 11,
rocking frame 12. actuated in the manner and for the purpose herein before described.
Second. In combination with the reciprocating needle bar, or shifting needle, the

page_text: feed points 29. pivotted upon the feed levers 30, and needle plate E-operated in the
manner specified.
Third. Improvements in sewing machines having the shuttle or hook rotating at
right angles with the main shaft in combination with the laterally reciprocating
needle bar. Substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and set forth.
Dated this 31st day of December 1888.
WILLIAM BESTWICK MAXFIELD,
Patent Agent,
Of "The Central" Office for the Procuration of Patents, &c.,
19, Bowling Green Street, Leicester,
Agent for the Applicant.