Improvements in Sewing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1890-Accepted, 4th Oct., 1890
[Communicated from abroad by WARREN R. PERCE, of Butler Exchange, Providence,
Rhode Island, United States of America, Attorney-at-Law.]
Improvements in Sewing Machines.
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to means of imparting reciprocating motion to the needle arm
and feed carrier and shuttle carrier of a sewing machine, without the use of a driving
belt, and consists of a worm wheel rigidly mounted upon the main driving shaft of
the machine and gearing, with a worm mounted on a shaft at a right angle with said
main shaft, which worm, by means of a crank pin at its end, moves backward and
forward a link bar, thereby giving an oscillating movement to the pivoted feed carrier
and the pivoted shuttle carrier connected with said feed carrier; and also relates to
the feed and shuttle mechanism of sewing machines, and consists further in providing
the feed carrier with a cam on its periphery adapted to lift the feed bar, and with a
caun on the inner face of the carrier at its rear end to advance the feed bar at the same
time that it is lifted as aforesaid, and certain means for giving a differential or
variable motion to the feed carrier and shuttle carrier by a pin and slot connection
between said carriers, as hereinafter fully described.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in vertical section, showing such parts of a
sewing machine as embody my invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line of Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 show in front elevation the feed and shuttle carriers at the end
of their forward and backward movements, respectively, and the link operating the
same.
line
Figure 5 is an end elevation with the bed plate in vertical section as seen on
yy of Figure 1.
Fig. 6 shows a modification.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the feed carrier and,
Fig. 8 is a cross section on the line z z of Fig. 7.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts in the drawings.
In the drawing, A represents the table, B the legs, and C the bed plate of a sewing
machine. The bed plate is secured to the table by screws F or otherwise. The
fixed arm D, has the integrally formed standard E and is fastened to the bed plate
by bolts F.
A vibrating needle arm G is pivoted at G2, to the arm D. The bed plate C has
an opening at C. The needle arm below its pivot bearing extends vertically downward
through the opening C and below the table A. At its opposite end the needle arm G
carries a needle bar H in the usual manner. The needle bar H has the usual recipro-
cating motion vertically in the guide of the standard E. The lower end of the needle
arm G is longitudinally slotted at g. A shaft is supported by hangers 0 C³
which extend downward from the bed plate C. The shaft I has a crank I and
the crank end of said shaft passes through and is mounted in the bearing C
formed in the hanger C2, and the opposite end of said shaft has a conical recessi
which receives a correspondingly shaped coned screw bolt 05 which passes through
the hanger C3 and is adjusted therein to support said shaft at that end, and to
take up the lost motion in the shaft bearings. The pin of the crank I engages with
the slot g of the needle arm G. The said shaft 1', also has a worm gearing K formed
upon it.
M is the main driving shaft of the machine mounted on the legs B B. A fly

page_text: feel is mounted upon the main shaft and a treadle bar or pitman M* revolve
said shaft and wheel by the usual treadle.
The worm wheel L is secured upon said shaft M and engages with the worm Ko
the shaft I. A bracket C is cast or secured upon the underside of the bed plate C
The feed carrier N, whichi is sector-shaped, is mounted upon said bracket by a pivot
and is capable of an oscillating motion, which is communicated to it by a link or
bar P. The link P is pivoted to the feed carrier N at one end, as shown in Figures 3
and 4 at p and at the other end to the lower end of the needle arm G at p¹. (See
Figure 1.)
A shuttle carrier O is mounted upon the bracket C by a pivot o. The carrier O
has a shorter radius than that of the carrier N and is pivoted upon said bracket at
a point higher than the pivot n. The carrier O derives motion from the carrier N,
by means of a pin n' which projects from its face and which engages in a slot o² of
the carrier N. The carrier O has a rest 03 (see Figure 5) in which the shuttle R is
supported.
The feed bar S (whose shape is shown in Figure 5) is suspended horizontally
beneath the bed plate and is supported at one end by a pin secured to a
bracket which projects downward from said bed-plate said feed bar S has
at its end a longitudinal slots to receive the pin t and also has a downwardly
projecting lips at its opposite end which rests upon the periphery of the carrier N.
The feed carrier N has two cams, one a side cam n³ projecting laterally from the
rear face of said carrier, and the other a segmental can n² formed eccentrically upon
the periphery of said feed carrier.
2
As the carrier N moves forward, the feed bar S is lifted by the segmental cam n²
and is also advanced by the lateral pressure of the side cam n³ of said carrier. As
the carrier N moves backward, the cam n² allows the feed bar, which rides upon it, to
descend, and the passage of the cam n³ allows said feed bar to return to its former
position by the operation of the spring t¹.
These movements of the feed bar in connection with the presser foot feed the cloth
from stitch to stitch.
The shuttle carrier O has a rest 03 in which the shuttle R is supported and carried.
The operation of my device is as follows:-
The pitman M² is operated by a treadle in the usual manner and revolves the fly
wheel M and the main shaft M. The worm wheel L rigidly mounted upon the
shaft M turns with it and engaging with the worm K of the shaft I turns the
crank I.
By this worm gearing the shaft K is rotated in a direction at a right angle with
the shaft M. The crank I is turned by the shaft I and by means of its pin engaging
with the slot g of the needle arm G gives a vibrating motion to said needle arm,
which motion causes the needle bar H to alternately move up and down and at
the same time communicates a reciprocating motion to the link or bar P pivoted
to the said needle arm at pl. The pivotal connection p. of the link bar P with
the feed carrier N causes the said carrier N to oscillate vertically upon the
bracket C.
The pin-and-slot connection n¹ 0%, between the feed carrier N and the shuttle
carrier O, gives an oscillating movement to the shuttle carrier O, which has its
separate pivot or bearing on the bracket Cat o. As the pivot is located above
the pivot n and the distance between the points n¹ o¹ is less than the distance
between the points n p, it is evident that the carriers have a differential motion
and that the shuttle carrier O has a quicker travel and describes a longer
are, so that the shuttle carrier can advance rapidly and pass the shuttle through
the loop of the stitch, while the feed carrier follows more slowly and gives
time for the needle to pass into and out of the cloth while the feed itself is at
rest. When the feed and shuttle carriers are thrown back in the position shown in
Figure 4, the needle is down to its full extent and will rise a short distance to loop
the thread, before the shuttle receives the loop in its forward movement. The shuttle
carrier advances more rapidly than the feed carrier and passes the 'shuttle through

page_text: the loop and moves rapidly forward out of the way, while the feed carrier follows with
a slower movement to raise and push forward the feed bar, after the needle has
been withdrawn from the fabric. In Figure 3 the carriers are shown in position at
the end of their forward throw and a needle is then up to its full extent. As the
needle descends, the carriers rock back, the feed bar is lowered and pulled back by
the spring to its normal position as shown in Figure 5, and the shuttle is carried back
by its carrier to the full extent of its backward throw, so as to give ample space
and time for the needle to descend and make the next loop.
Instead of connecting the carriers by a pin upon one passing through a slot in
the other as hereinbefore described they may be connected by a link V and mounted as
shown in Figure 6 and produce the same movement. In Figure 6, however the
bracket is shown as being solid and having a slot through which the pin n' extends.
In such a construction of the parts, the carriers are mounted on opposite sides of
the bracket. In sewing machines as hitherto constructed, the power is communicated
from the wheel to the stitch forming mechanism by means of a belt passing over said
wheel and over a pulley, the latter turning a main shaft on the machine which extends
beneath the bed plate. My device dispenses entirely with such belt connection and
substitutes a worm gearing for it.
In the sewing machine as commonly constructed, only a comparatively few stitches
can be produced by each revolution of the driving wheel. The number of stitches
formed is in ratio to the relative diameters of the wheel and pulley. On the one
hand, the driving wheel cannot practically exceed a certain diameter and weight,
and on the other hand the pulley cannot practically be of less than a certain diameter.
If the pulley is too small, the belt will slip upon it, because there is not a sufficient.
binding surface for friction, and the leverage at which the power is applied to the
pulley is too short. Especially when heavy fabrics are used, and the resistance to
the needle which they offer is consequently great, the bolt must be tightened in order
to secure the necessary frictional hold upon the pulley.
Again, it is a common experience in the use of sewing machines to find that the
belt is stretched, by the constant strain, and fits loosely, so that it is necessary to
occasionally shorten the belt in order that it may bind the wheel and pulley more
snugly. By substituting the worm gearing for the belt I secure a simple and
durable driving mechanism which is positive and certain in its motion and capable
of great speed, and enables the formation of a greater number of stitches for each
revolution of the fly wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In a sewing machine, the combination of the driving shaft suitably mounted,
the worm wheel fastened on said shaft, the worm shaft suitably mounted and having
a crank, the worm formed on said worm shaft and engaging with the worm wheel
of the main shaft, the bed plate and standard the needle arm pivotally imounted on
said standard and slotted at its lower end to engage with the crank of the worm
shaft, the needle bar pivoted to the needle arm and adapted to reciprocate vertically
in guides of the standard, substantially as specified.
Second. In a sewing machine having a bed plate, standard and stitch-forming
mechanism, the combination of a needle arm pivoted to said standard, and driving
mechanism consisting of a suitably mounted rotatable worm gearing and crank pin
adapted to impart a reciprocating motion to said needle arm, substantially as
specified.
Third. In a sewing machine having a bed plate and standard the combination of
a driving shaft suitably mounted and having a worm wheel a worm shaft suitably
mounted and having a worn and crank, a vibrating needle arm pivoted to said
standard and engaging with said crank, a link bar pivoted to said needle arm at its
lower extremity, and an oscillating feed carrier pivoted to said link bar and mounted
upon a bracket of said bed plate, substantially as specified.

page_text: Fourth. In a sewing machine, the combination with a stitch-forming mechanism
and a vibrating needle arm having a slotted end, of a driving shaft provided with
a worm wheel and a worm shaft engaging with said worm. wheel and provided with
a crank connecting with the slotted end of said vibrating needle arm, substantially
as specified.
Fifth. In a
sewing machine, the combination, with a worm and worm shaft and
a driving shaft provided with a worm-wheel of an oscillating feed carrier pivoted"
upon a bracket of the bed plate and an intermediate link connection between said
feed carrier and worm shaft, substantially as specified.
Sixth. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the reciprocating needle bar
and needle, a driving shaft having a worm wheel and a worm shaft and worm, of a
connected feed carrier and shuttle carrier, and an intermediate link connection
between said feed carrier and worm shaft, substantially as specified.
Seventh In a sewing machine the combination of the bed plate, the standard,
the presser foot, the feed bar, the pivoted feed carrier having the cam n³, the link
pivoted to the feed carrier, the vibrating needle arm pivoted to said link and having
a slotted end, the worm shaft having a crank in engagement with said slot of the
needle arm and rotatable by its engagement with the worm wheel of the driving shaft,
substantially as specified.
Eighth. In a sewing machine the combination of the bed plate the standard, the
presser foot, the feed bar, the pivoted feed carrier having the cam 2, the link pivoted
to the feed carrier, the vibrating needle arm pivoted to said link and having a slotted
end, the worm shaft having a crank in engagement with said slot of the needle arm
and rotatable by its engagement with the worm wheel of the driving shaft,
substantially as specified.
Ninth. In a sewing machine the combination of the bed plate, the standard, the
presser foot, the feed bar, the pivoted feed carrier having the cams n² n³, the link
pivoted to the feed carrier, the vibrating needle arm pivoted to said link and having
a slotted end, the worm shaft having a crank in engagement with said slot of the
needle arm and rotatable by its engagement with the worm wheel of the driving
shaft, substantially as specified.
Tenth. In a sewing machine the combination of the needle arm, the needle bar,
the needle, the standard and the presser foot, of the feed carrier pivoted on a bracket
and having the cams n² n³, the shuttle, the shuttle carrier pivoted upon said bracket
eccentrically to the centre of oscillation of said feed carrier, said carriers being con-
nected at points unequally distant from their pivotal centres to secure their differential
movement, and the movable feed bar resting near its free end on the periphery of
said feed carrier and suitably supported at its opposite end and the spring adapted
automatically to return said feed bar to its normal position, when relieved from the
pressure of said cam n³ substantially as specified.
Eleventh. In a sewing machine having a downwardly projecting bracket, the com-
bination of a vibrating needle arm, a reciprocating needle bar and needle, an oscillating
feed carrier pivoted to said bracket and movable in a plane parallel to the plane of
said needle arm, an oscillating shuttle carrier pivoted upon said bracket eccentrically
to the centre of oscillation of said feed carrier and in a plane parallel with said feed
carrier, said carriers being connected together at points unequally distant fro:n their
centres, and a link connecting said vibrating needle arm and feed carrier, substantially
as specified.
Twelfth. In a sewing machine having a downwardly projecting bracket, the
combination, with the pivoted feed and shuttle carriers and the pin-and-slot con-
nection for joining said carriers together and for operating them jointly with a
differential movement, of the link, the needle arm having the slotted lower end and
the crank for vibrating said needle arm, substantially as specified.
Thirteenth. In a sewing machine provided with a downwardly projecting bracket,
the combination of a vibrating needle arm, a reciprocating needle bar and needle, an
oscillating feed carrier formed with a slot and pivoted to said bracket so as to be
movable in a plane parallel to the plane of said needle arm, an oscillating shuttle

page_text: carrier pivoted upon said bracket eccentrically to the centre of oscillation of said feed
carrier and having a pin projecting laterally into the slot of said feed carrier, said
shuttle carrier being movable in a plane parallel to said feed carrier, and a link
connecting said feed carrier and needle arm, substantially as specified.
Fourteenth. In a sewing machine having a downwardly-projecting bracket the
combination of a pivoted feed carrier and a pivoted shuttle carrier, a slot-and-pin
connection of said carriers for operating them jointly with a differential movement,
a connecting link pivoted to one of said carriers a pivoted needle arm having said
link pivoted thereto, and a shaft having a crank adapted to vibrate said arm,
substantially as specified.
Fifteenth. In a sewing machine having a downwardly projecting bracket, the com-
bination of a pivoted oscillating feed carrier having a slot, a pivoted oscillating shuttle
carrier arranged eccentrically to the centre of oscillation of said feed carrier and
provided with a pin projecting laterally into said slot, a vibrating needle arm and
needle, a link pivoted to said feed carrier and needle arm, and a shaft having a crank
adapted to vibrato said needle arm, substantially as specified.
Sixteenth. In a sewing machine having a downwardly projecting bracket, the com-
bination, with a pivoted oscillating feed carrier formed with a slot a pivoted oscillating
shuttle carrier arranged eccentrically to the centre of oscillation of said feed carrier
and provided with a pin projecting laterally into said slot, of a vibrating needle arm
having a slotted lower end, a connecting rod or link, and a crank adapted to operate
in the slot of said needle arm, substantially as specified.
Seventeenth. In a sewing machine having a bed plate standard driving mechanism,
a vibrating needle arm, a reciprocating needle bar, a needle, and a downwardly pro-
jecting bracket, the combination of a link bar receiving motion from said driving
mechanism an oscillating feed carrier pivoted to said link and mounted on said
bracket in a plane parallel to the plane of said needle arm, a pivoted shuttle carrier
mounted on said bracket in a plane parallel to the feed carrier and eccentrically with
reference to the centre of the oscillation of the feed carrier, and provided with loose
connecting means to communicate from said feed carrier a differential motion to the
shuttle carrier, substantially as specified.
Dated this 30th day of July 1890.
2
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.