IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Spence, of 50, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SEWING MACHINES."-A communication from abroad by James Willcox,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Spence at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st March 1860.
This
I, WILLIAM SPENCE, of 50, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," (being a communication from abroad
by James Willcox, of New York, in the United States, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the improvements herein-after stated.
sewing machine operates with a single thread, and has combined with it an
intermittent feed, by means of which the cloth is moved forward only at each
alternate stroke of the needle. The feed is worked by a double cam to pro-
duce this effect, by which means a peculiar kind of stitch is formed. The
thread is held firmly except at the moment when the needle is at its highest
position, by means of an arm worked by the needle beam, so as to check the
delivery of the thread except when the needle is in its highest position. By
turning an arm back so as to cover a portion of the cam the feed is made to
operate at each stroke of the needle. The looper has a stationary shield to
keep the thread from being misplaced in the formation of the stitch.
With the looper and other parts there is combined a vibrating shield for the
purpose of assisting in preventing the misplacement of the thread in the forma-

page_text: tion of the stitch, also a lifter for lifting the loop and thus facilitating the
operation of drawing it home.
The looper has combined with it a stop or stationary hook for the purpose
of turning the loop in a peculiar manner, in order to produce another kind of
stitch. This hook is fixed at the lower part of the machine and extends
upwards. The hemming attachment consists of a piece of metal doubled and
twisted into the required form, by which not only a hem but also a felled seam
may be turned. The resistance to the delivery of the thread is increased
during a great portion of the stroke of the needle by means of an intermittent
tension combined with other parts of the machine, thereby practically confining
the delivery of the thread to a certain portion of the stroke of the needle. The
thread in its delivery is confined between two glass discs, and passes round the
stud on which these discs are secured. The needle is set to its proper position
by means of a key seat in the needle and a key in the stock on which it is set,
the key seat and key being so arranged with reference to each other, and to
the eye
of the needle, as to insure the turning of the eye into the required
direction.
The driving wheel, or belt, or pulley has combined with it a flexible roller
for the purpose of preventing the machine from being turned the wrong way,
and also a shield for preventing the dress of the operator from being caught
thereby.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Spence in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th September 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
SPENCE, of 50, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Spence, Her special license that I, the said William Spence, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Spence, 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

page_text: Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SEWING MACHINES," being a communication from abroad by James Willcox, of
New York, in the United States, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said William Spence, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the 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 Spence, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):—
This Invention of "Improvements in Sewing Machines" consists in the
improvements herein-after described. The machine operates with a single
thread, and has combined with it an intermittent feed, by means of which the
cloth is moved forward only at each alternate stroke of the needle. The feed
is worked by a double cam in order to produce this effect, by which means a
peculiar kind of stitch herein-after referred to is formed. The thread is held
firmly except at the moment when the needle is at its highest position, by
means of an arm worked by the needle beam so as to check the delivery of
the thread, except when the needle is in its highest position. By turning an
arm back so as to cover a portion of the cam the feed is made to operate at
each stroke of the needle. The looper has a stationary shield to keep the
thread from being misplaced in the formation of the stitch.
With the looper and other parts there is combined a vibrating shield for the
purpose of assisting in preventing the misplacement of the thread in the
formation of the stitch, also a lifter for lifting the loop, and thus facilitating
the operation of drawing it home.
The looper has combined with it a stop or stationary hook for the purpose
of turning the loop in a peculiar manner in order to produce another kind of
stitch herein-after referred to. This book is fixed at the lower part of the
machine and extends upwards. The hemming attachment consists of a piece
of metal doubled and twisted into the required form, by which not only a hem
but also a felled seam may be turned. The resistance to the delivery of the
thread is increased during a great portion of the stroke of the needle by means
of an intermittent tension combined with other parts of the machine, thereby
practically confining the delivery of the thread to a certain portion of the
stroke of the needle. The thread during its delivery is confined between two

page_text: grass dises, and passes round the stud on which these discs are secured. The
needle is set to its proper position by means of a cavity in the needle, and a
projection in the stock on which it is set, the cavity and projection being so
arranged with reference to each other and to the eye of the needle as to insure
the turning of the eye into the required direction.
The driving wheel, or belt, or pulley has combined with it a flexible roller
for the purpose of preventing the machine from being turned the wrong way,
and also a shield for preventing the dress of the operator from being caught
thereby.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed to
describe more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed, by
reference to the accompanying Drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine; Fig. 2 is an elevation, shewing
the right-hand end of the machine; Fig. 3 is an elevation of the opposite
end; Fig. 4 is a plan, shewing detached the form and construction of the
parts required to form the stitch, herein-after called stitch No. 1; Fig. 5 is an
elevation of the same parts; Fig. 6 is a similar view, with some of the outer
parts removed; Fig. 7 is a representation of the stitch No. 1; Fig. 8 is a
representation of the stitch herein-after called stitch No. 2; Fig. 9 represents
detached the means for preventing the machine from being turned the wrong
way; Fig. 10 is a plan view, shewing the hemming attachment; Fig. 11
shews the hemmer, constructed for turning a hem in the reverse direction from
that in which it would be turned by the hemmer shewn in Fig. 10; Fig. 12,
shews a modification of the stitch No. 2; Fig. 13 shews the same of the stitch
No. 1; Fig. 14 represents the parts required to form the stitch No. 2; Fig. 15
shews the means of securing the needle in the position required to give the
eye its proper direction. In all the foregoing figures the same letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
A is the main shaft, which communicates motion to the working parts, and
on the end of which the looper B is placed, as shewn in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6.
In the formation of the stitch No. 1 the point of the looper seizes the loop of
the needle as the latter commences its upward motion opening this loop as it
revolves, the end of the looper opposite the point being rounded off, which
allows the outward portion of the loop to fall gradually giving the loop a half
turn, so that the point of the looper will enter this bite of the thread at its
next turn, the loop resting on the axis for this purpose. This draws the stitch
through the loop already formed, and the further revolution of the looper

page_text: drops the previous loop. In order, however, to give additional security and
strength to the work the feed is rendered intermittent by the means herein-
after described, the work being only moved forward at each alternate stitch,
thereby producing the stitch represented in Fig. 7, called stitch No. 1. This
is accomplished by means of a double cam C, shewn detached at Figs. 16
and 22, the former of which is a side elevation, and the latter and end view of
this cam. The feeding pall D has a slot in its tail piece E so as to be capable
of moving horizontally on the stationary pin F, and is moved forward to feed.
the cloth by means of a cam on the shaft A. It will be observed that one
portion of the cam C is considerably narrower than the other. The object of
this arrangement is to provide the means of making a single-loop stitch, when
desired, for purposes which do not require special security and strength with
the same machine by which the stitch No. 1 is formed. The change from one
of these varieties of work to the other is made by means of the shifting plate
G, which is hung on the pivot H, and may be readily shifted so as to catch
either upon the broad portion only of the cam C, or upon both portions
thereof, its connection with the feeding pall D, by means of the screw H,
causing the pall to be raised so as to take hold of the cloth at every stitch;
when the shifting plate G covers both portions of the cam C, and at every
alternate stitch when the plate G bears upon only one portion of the cam,
the shaft I being made by its gearing to revolve only once while the shaft A
revolves twice. As the cam for driving the pall D recedes, the pall is thrown
back by the spring K ready for the next feed. The stitch or loop is prevented
from suddenly leaving the looper, or getting entangled by a stationary shield
or guard L, aided by the moveable one M, which last is fixed to an arm N,
which vibrates on the pivot O, and is kept in contact with the cam P, that
works it by means of the spring Q, (Fig. 1.) The stitch No. 1, formed and
secured, as herein-before described, is represented at Fig. 7. It will be
obvious that the stitch so formed will be rather rigid when being drawn into
a close knot, and in order to aid in bringing it home a lifter R is fixed to a
pin or axis S carried by the arm N, and so constructed and arranged that as
the arm N moves towards the left hand of Fig. 3, a trip T will be made to
strike against a fixed stop U, and thereby raise the lifter R against and under
the stitch, and thus assist in bringing it home.
A modification of the stitch is shewn in Fig. 13, in which the stitch No. 1
alternates with a common chain or tambour stitch. This may be produced as
well as other modifications of a similar nature by changing the gearing for
actuating the shafts A and I, and altering the cams on the shaft I to corro-
spond with the gearing and work to be done.

page_text: A stitch somewhat similar to stitch No. 1, but differing from it in some
respects, is represented in Fig. 8. This latter stitch, herein-before called
stitch No. 2, is produced by the joint operation of the looper above described,
and a stationary hook or point, as represented in the several Figures 14, 17,
18, 19, 20, and 21. In these Figures the looper is represented as constructed
to run in the opposite direction to that in which the looper is represented to
run for the formation of the stitch No. 1. In order to form this stitch (No. 2),
a stationary hook 30 permanently fixed to the frame of the machine is em-
ployed, the point or extremity of this hook being so formed and situated with
reference to the looper 31, as to be capable of arresting one side of the loop
as the looper passes, but at the same time so as to allow the loop to be after-
wards drawn from it by the subsequent operations of the machine. In order
to form this stitch the eye-pointed needle 32 is made to descend through the
cloth, and when it has commenced to ascend the rotary looper 31 takes the
loop from the needle 32, and carries it in front of the stationary point 30,
where the point of the needle which has again commenced to descend enters
the loop, as shewn at Fig. 18, after which the heel of the looper in continu-
ing its rotary movement comes in contact with the loop on itself, and turns it
half a turn against the stationary point 30, as shewn in Fig. 19. When the
needle has completed its downward course and has begun to ascend, the looper
31 in continuing its rotary movement takes another loop from the needle and
draws it through the preceding loop, as shewn in Figs. 20 and 21, and in
drawing the thread in the operation of forming the stitch, the previous stitch
is drawn up.
The modification of this stitch (No. 2), which is shewn at Fig. 12 is made
by giving the loop a whole turn instead of a half turn on the stationary
point 30.
The delivery of the thread out of which the stitches are formed is restricted
to the periods when the parts are in that position which they assume when
the needle is at its extreme forward position. This is effected by means of a
clamp or holder worked by the needle beam. This clamp or holder is com-
posed of two glass discs a, a, placed on a stud between two india-rubber
cushions b, b, and the pressure required to regulate the tension is adjusted by
the buttom c. The friction of the thread at the time of its delivery is regulated
by the pressure of these discs, and by its passing partly around the pin or stud
on which the discs are secured, the thread passing behind and under the pin
or stud. The delivery of the thread is restricted to the extreme upward
position of the needle by the action of a lever d worked by a projecting piece e,
which is moved up and down with the back end of the needle beam. The

page_text: construction and form of this lever are such that when its hinder end is at its
lowest position, and the needle consequently at its highest, the lever does not
press against the discs, but at all other parts of the stroke it is forced against
the outer disc in such a manner as to press the discs strongly against the
inner cushion, and thereby increase the friction on the thread to such an
extent as practically to prevent its delivery, except when the needle is in its
highest position.
The arrangement for setting the needle in the stock in such a manner as to.
insure the proper direction being given to the eye thereof is shewn at Fig. 15.
For this purpose a cavity is formed in the open end of the needle, and a
corresponding projection in the stock f; the lower end of the stock where the
needle enters is split for a short distance, and is tightened down upon the needle
by means of the nut g.
The machine is prevented from being turned the wrong way by means of
the arrangement shewn at Fig. 9, in which i represents a portion of the band
wheel, a shield placed near the front side of it, and permanently fixed to the
frame of the machine, and an. india-rubber ball which is inserted between
them, as shewn. When the machine is turned in the direction which will
cause the portion of the wheel represented in the Figure to rise, the ball rolls
up the incline and allows it to revolve, but should it be attempted to turn the
wheel in the reverse direction the ball wedges in between the incline or.
shield and the wheel and prevents its motion. The shield k also serves the
purpose of preventing the dress of the attendant from becoming entangled in the
wheel, for which reason it is placed at the front side of the balance and band
wheel.
Fig. 10 represents an attachment for turning a hem upon the edge of the
cloth, while the other parts of the machine perform the operation of sewing
the hem down. This hemming attachment is made of a single plate of metal,
the open leaf at m folded over the under one in such a manner as to allow the
cloth to be inserted between them. The open and lower portions of this
folder are united by the piece n, but are divided from that to the point at o,
and are twisted parallel to each other, as shewn in the Figure, so as to give a
complete turn to the cloth and turn the edge into form and hem. The
elasticity of the metal allows the cloth to pass between the two portions. An
attachment somewhat similar is shewn at Fig. 11, only that it turns in the
opposite direction, and does not turn the edge under, but only gives a half turn.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention communicated to
me from abroad as aforesaid, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
I do hereby declare that what I claim as of the Invention is,―

page_text: First, the combination with a sewing machine operating with a single
thread of an intermittent feed by which the stitch, herein-before called stitch
No. 1, is produced, and also the means of making the feed intermittent or
otherwise, as may be required.
Secondly, the combination with the looper of a stationary shield to keep the
thread from being misplaced in the formation of the stitch, as described.
Thirdly, the combination with the looper and other parts required for the
formation of the stitch of a vibrating shield for the purpose described.
Fourthly, the combination with the same of a lifter for lifting the loop, and
thus facilitating the operation of drawing home the stitch.
Fifth, the combination with the looper of a stop by which the loop is turned,
so as to produce the stitch herein before called stitch No. 2.
Sixthly, the application of an intermittent tension so as to increase the
resistance to the delivery of the thread during a great portion of the stroke of
the needle, as described.
Seventhly, the regulation of the delivery of the thread by confining it
between two glass discs, the thread passing around the stud on which the glass
discs are secured.
Eighthly, the means described for setting the needle to its required position,
so as to give the proper direction to the eye thereof, and consequently to the
thread passing through it.
Ninthly, the construction of the hemming attachment described.
Tenthly, the production of the stitch herein-before named stitch No. 1.
Eleventhly, the production of that named stitch No. 2.
Twelfthly, the application of a flexible roller to the driving wheel or belt or
pulley, in order to prevent the machine from being turned the wrong way.
And, lastly, the shield for protecting the dress of the attendant, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Spence, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
GEORGE B. COULCHER,
Law Stationer,
50, Chancery Lane.
WILLIAM SPENCE. (L.S.)