IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR STITCHING FABRICS
Year: 1856

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Crawley at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th November
1856.
I, JOHN CRAWLEY, of Wood Street, Cheapside, in the City of London, Collar
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
MACHINERY FOR STITCHING FABRICS," to be as follows:-
My Invention of improved machinery for stitching fabrics relates to that
description of stitching machinery in which two threads are used in com-
bination for the purpose of producing a stitch, whereby two or more fabrics
or pieces may be firmly and securely united together, the one thread being used
to secure the other and prevent it from being drawn out of the fabric. A
similar object has been already effected, but the apparatus employed for the
purpose is of such a complicated character as to prevent its very general
adoption. The object of the present Invention is therefore to obtain a similar
result by a much simpler arrangement of mechanism than heretofore.
In carrying out my Invention, I employ two threads, as heretofore; one
thread is passed through the eye of a needle, which is carried up and down
through the two pieces of fabric intended to be united together, and the other
thread is contained in a shuttle, which is at the proper time made to pass
through a loop formed by the first thread.

page_text: The needle is mounted vertically in a bar which forms part of a moveable
frame, and is made to move up and down in guides or grooves made in a
suitable stationary framing. The moveable framing, which carries the needle,
is actuated by a crank or excentric on the main shaft of the machine, and
also carries a pendent arm, which assists in effecting some of the other motions
of the machine.
The pieces of fabric to be stitched or united together are placed on a
horizontal table, beneath which is a shuttle race, wherein the shuttle that
carries the second thread is made to traverse to and fro as in a loom.
The shuttle is actuated by means of springs, either of metal or vulcanized
india-rubber, or other suitable material, in the following manner :-Tho
pendent arm of the sliding frame that carries the needle is provided with a
horizontal arm, which acts against a stud or studs or projections fixed on a
gutta percha or leather band or strap, which is attached to a roller provided
with a ratchet wheel and click for holding it securely at any point required.
When the needle with its thread descends and passes through the fabric, the
pendent arm of the sliding frame also descends and comes in contact with tho
tail of the click lover of the ratchet wheel, when the wheel will be liberated,
and a strong spring at the end of the gutta percha or leather band which has
been stretched by a previous operation of the machine will immediately come
into action and throw the shuttle quickly through a loop that will be formed
by the returning motion of the needle.
The shuttle, when it has done its work, will be drawn back again into its
original position by the action of an arm acting upon a stud near the upper
end of the gutta percha or leather band, assisted by another spring, which
will draw the band back immediately it is released.