IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co, Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention relates to sewing machines and has for its objects to improve the
construction and simplify the operation of the class of machines wherein a rotating
loop-taker enters and opens a loop of needle thread and carries it around a bobbin,
the only movement of which is that about its own axis or centre, and the extent
of this latter movement is solely that due to the pull of the thread as the latter is
consumed in the formation of the stitch.
In accordance with the invention herein described the loop taker is composed of
a partial hoop of metal extended through more than 180° of an arc of a circle, it
preferably being made to occupy about 270° of such are; the periphery of the said
hoop being circular, one end being pointed to enter the loop of needle thread and
the inner edge of the said hoop, back of its point being provided with a shoulder,
which co-operating with a second shoulder forming part of a bridge connecting the
hoop back of its shoulder with the heel of the hook, leaves a recess for the entrance
of a projecting lug of a saddle piece the latter being also provided with a pushing
prong.
The rear side of the hoop has attached to it a concavo-convex back plate which
carries a stud or pin that receives upon it the central sleeve of a cylindrical bobbin
case which is thus supported loosely at the centre of rotation of the loop taker, but
which is prevented from rotation with the said loop taker by means of a holder
which co-operates with the bobbin case in such manner as to prevent its rotation,
but yet permit the loop of needle thread to pass freely between the holder and the
head of the bubbin case.

page_text: The bobbin containing the under thread is placed within the open rear side of
the said case, with its barrel surrounding the sleeve of the case, but preferably not
touching it, for the peripheries of the heads of the bobbin preferably rest by gravity
against the inner cylindrical wall of the bobbin case.
The bobbin case is provided with a tension device.
The loop taker is placed in a circular space in a loop taker guide, and is retained
in the said guide loosely by an annular cap, the centre of rotation of the loop
taker being coincident with the centre of rotation of the bobbin; the loop taker
guide is however set a little to one side of; or excentric with, the centre of rotation
of the shaft actuating the saddle which causes the rotation of the loop taker the
periphery of the loop taker from at or near its heel to or near its point being just
enough smaller than the inner diameter of the loop taker guide to constituto a
working fit between them.
In order to enable the loop of needle thread engaged by the point of the loop
taker to be spread by the said loop taker and be passed over the bobbin case and
bobbin therein, and between the loop taker and the saddle which rotates it in a
circular path, the axis or centre of rotation of the said loop taker guide is set a
little excentric with relation to the centre of rotation of the shaft carrying the
saddle which rotates the loop taker, such location of the saddle and loop taker
resulting in causing the saddle, extended into the loop taker guide and across the
plane of movement of the said loop-taker, to revolve in a circle excentric with that
in which the loop taker is arranged and held to rotate.
The said saddle rotating about a different centre from that of the loop-taker is
so moved relatively to the loop taker guide that the lug and prong of the saddle
will alternate in their engagement with the loop taker, the change in relative
position of the said parts being such as to place the prong of the saddle in
engagement with the heel of the loop-taker just after the point of the loop-taker
enters the loop of needle thread, the prong pushing the loop taker through the said
loop and continuing to push it until the loop has been expanded over the edge of
the bobbin case after which the lug of the saddle is made to engage a shoulder of
the loop taker and thereafter, by a pull, continue the movement of the loop taker.
While the lug acts to pull the loop-taker there is left between the saddle and the
loop-taker a space sufficient for the passage of the loop of needle thread without
being held or injuriously detained by the saddle.
As the lug approaches and passes its lowest point of movement it occupies such
position with relation to the loop taker as to permit the loop of needle thread to
pass freely around the end of the said lug into the space between the said saddle
and the bridge of the loop taker, and the loop thereafter emerges from between
the said parts at or near the heel of the loop taker, after which, the loop of needle
thread having been cast off, the prong of the saddle is again made the mover for
the loop-taker, as will be hereinafter more fully described.
The loop taker herein described is driven at a variable speed by mechanism
commonly employed in the "Wheeler and Wilson" sewing machine to rotate the
hook shaft and hook.
The said invention consists partly in a sewing machine containing the following
elements, viz; a needle bar, means to reciprocate it; an eye pointed needle
therein; a bobbin; a loop taker composed of a hoop having a point, a shoulder or
recess back of its point, a back piece, and a stud or pin; a loop-taker guide to
receive and permit the rotation therein of the loop-taker, and a saddle having a
prong and a lug which serve alternately to maintain the positive rotation of the
loop-taker; a rotating shaft to impart motion to the saddle; and means to rotate
the said shaft and the loop-taker at a variable speed during each rotation thereof,
the loop taker guide being set to present the centre of rotation of the loop-taker a
little to one side of, or excentric with relation to, the centre of rotation of the
saddle and its actuating shaft, whereby the saddle in its revolution is made to
alternately push and pull the loop-taker through the said loop of needle thread,
the change of position of the saddle with relation to the loop-taker (both moving

page_text: continuously in the same direction) affording space at the proper times for the free
passage of the loop of needle thread between the saddle and the loop-taker, all the
said parts cooperating substantially as hereinafter described.
The said invention also partly consists in a feed bar jointed to an arm of a rock
shaft, a link connected to said rock shaft and having a shoe or pin, and an elbow
lever having one of its arms provided with a segmental groove to receive the said
shoe or pin, combined with a cam to actuate the said lever, the latter having a
uniform vibration, the adjustment of the shoe or pin in the slot of the said lever,
in the manner hereinafter described altering the length of the feed.
To produce a positive lift of the feed bar, the main shaft of the machine is
provided with a cam which acts upon one arm of a rock-shaft, the other arm of
which is provided with a roll on which rests the free end of the feed-bar.
The link carrying the shoe or pin is adjusted in the segmental slot, to vary the
length of the stitch, by means of a rock-shaft having arms, one of which serves as
a hand lever while the other arm is joined by a connecting rod to the said link, as
hereinafter described.
•
The invention also partly consists in the combination with the loop-taker and
its actuating devices, of a take-up, and means to operate it, as hereinafter
described.
The invention also partly consists in a bed plate, and a depending lug and
attached hub combined with a loop taker guide bored excentrically and mounted
on the said bub.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view representing a sewing machine embodying this
invention.
Figure 2 is an underside perspective view of the machine represented in
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal section of the machine on the line x, x
Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the loop-taker and the bobbin case drawn to
an enlarged scale.
Figure 5 is a front view of the saddle.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the saddle and the shaft with which it is
connected.
Figure 7 is an inner side view of the loop-taker guide, the loop taker being
removed.
Figure 8 is a view of the needle and loop guard.
Figures 9 to 14 represent different positions of the loop-taker, the latter being in
the loop-taker guide to show the formation of the stitch.
Figures 15 and 16 are respectively a side elevation and an edge view of the
loop-taker.
Figure 17 is a section of the bobbin case and bobbin.
Figure 18 is a perspective view of the bobbin case alone.
C
Figure 19 is a vertical section of Figure 1 chiefly to show the feed actuating
mechanism, and
Figure 20 is a perspective view of the devices used to actuate the feeding bar.
The bed plate A, the overhanging arm A, the needle-bar A, the needle A³ the
rock shaft A for moving it, the main shaft B, the link B' embracing an excentric or
crank thereon, the take-up actuating cam hub B2, the crank B³, the link B*, the
arm B³, on the short shaft B°, the take-up lever B', the presser foot-bar B³, and the
presser foot B, are all as common to the "Wheeler and Wilson" sewing machine,
the shaft Be having as it will be understood a variable movement of rotation.
The shaft B, at its front end is provided with a saddle C, shown as a concavo-
convex plate preferably an integral part of the said shaft, the said saddle having a
planed face 2 to act as a needle guard located in the plane of the point of the loop
taker, the said saddle at one end being shaped to present a prong 3, and at its
convex side near its opposite end having a lug 4.

page_text: The bed-plate at its under side is provided with a lug D which is extended to a
point below the lower end of the loop taker guide D' so as to protect and guard
the loop-taker against blows when the machine is removed from the table which
supports it.
The loop-taker guide D¹ is a cup-like piece of metal bored or planed to form a
circular guide-way 5. The guide D₁ is provided with an opening D2 see Figure 7.
which is bored a little at one side of its centre, the said opening fitting a hub D³
projecting from the lug D and concentric with the short shaft Be. The guide 11
is thus placed slightly excentric with relation to the said shaft so that the loop
taker hereinafter described, is rotated in a circle excentric with relation to the
chaft B and its attached maddle.
Below the short shaft B° see Figure 3, the guide D¹ is bored to receive loosely a
screw D, which enters a tapped hole in the lug D.; and above the said shaft Bo
the guide receives a screw 8 which is entered loosely through a hole made in the
lug D and at one side of the said screw 8 the lug is provided with a guide adjusting
screw 10, the rotation of the said screws permitting the guide to be adjusted
toward or from the path of movement of the needle.
The guide D at its top is provided with a needle and loop guard E, see
Figures 3 and 8 which is shewn as a plate attached by a screw 13 and having a
slot 14 which allows the loop of needle thread to be thrown out from one side of
the eye of the needle and prevents it from twisting before the said loop is entered
by the point of the loop taker, and the top of the said guide D is also shewn
as recessed at 15 to permit the entrance of the overhanging portion of the feed
point.
The lower end of the guide D' is provided with a shank which receives a spring
bolt De having a thumb nut, the said bolt and nut having attached to it an
arm D7 preferably rigid and curved at its upper end to correspond in shape with
the head of the bobbin case a and forked to embrace loosely a projection a³ on
the said bobbin case and prevent it from rotating with the loop-taker to be
described.
The loop-taker G is composed of a partial hoop g connected by means of a bridge
piece g extended across the hoop from its rear end or heel g² to, and joining with,
the hoop at a little distance back of the shoulder g³ which is just back of the point g',
the junction of the bridge and hoop leaving a shoulder g and between it and the
shoulder g³ a recess g6 for the reception of the lug 4 of the saddle C, the said lug
being of less length than the said recess from the shoulder g³ to the shoulder'g³.
The periphery of the hoop is supposed to be in the arc of a true circle for about
270° and the said hoop has a working fit in the loop-taker guide D', the inner wall
of which is supposed to be a true circle, but the centre of which is a little at one
side of, or excentric with relation to the centre of the short shaft Be carrying the
⚫ saddle.
In order that the loop-taker may be moved continuously forward or be rotated
rapidly and be made to pass through the loop of needle thread in a positive manner,
or without slipping backward, and so not to strain and thus break the loop of
thread, it is necessary that space be made at the proper time for the passage of the
loop of needle thread between the saddle and loop-taker and to do this it is
necessary that the prong and the lug of the saddle be alternately made effective in
producing the forward rotation of the loop-taker.
When the prong 3 of the saddle is in contact with the heel g² of the loop-taker
the latter is pushed, but when the lug 4 engages the shoulder g³ the loop taker is
pulled by the saddle.
When the prong 3 is effective as the mover for the loop-taker, the lug 4 is kept
sufficiently at the rear of the shoulder g3 as not to pull the loop taker, but as soon
as the lug 4 becomes effective as the mover of the loop-taker the contact between
the prong 3 and the heel g is broken.
This make and break of contact between the continuously rotating loop taker
and the prong and lug of the saddle is effected by placing the centre of rotation of

page_text: the loop-taker in the loop-taker guide excentric with relation to the centre of
rotation of the saddle and its actuating shaft B6, such difference in centres resulting
in such a relative change of position of the parts during each cycle of their move-
ment and during the formation of each stitch, as to cause the seeming oscillation of
the saddle; or such a movement thereof with relation to the heel g' and shoulder g³
of the loop-taker as to cause the lug 4 to occupy at times a substantially central
position in the recess gº, and at other times to bear against the shoulder g³, and at
other times against the shoulder g³, When in this latter position, the prong being
then effective to move the loop-taker, the lug acts to sustain the loop-taker at a
distance of 180° beyond the point at which the prong is pushing, thus preventing
the cramping of the loop-taker in the circular space in the loop-taker guide.
The hoop g has attached to it, as herein shown, by screws 16, 17, a back plate g
of concavo-convex shape, as represented in Figures 15 and 16, the said back-plate
holding a stud 910 upon which is placed the sleeve a' of the bobbin-case a, the shape
of the latter being best shown in Figures 4, 17 and 18. This bobbin-case, closed
at its outer end by a head, has a lug or projection a¹ which is engaged by a notched
holder D7 connected at its lower end to a fulcrum pin De preferably surrounded by
a spring a³, the latter acting normally to keep the lower end of the holder in a
vertical groove 45 of the loop-taker guide.
The bobbin-case receives within it the bobbin f, the peripheries of the heads of
the bobbin resting against the inner side wall of the cylindrical part of the bobbin-
case, the barrel of the said bobbin preferably not touching the said sleeve.
The holder cooperates with, and prevents, the rotation of the bobbin-case with
the loop-taker, and the only rotation of the bobbin in the bobbin-case is that due
to the pull of the thread on the bobbin as the said thread is required for the stitch,
and to enable the holder to so restrain the rotation of the bobbin-case it is obvious
that a lug on the holder might enter a notch of the case which is the converse of
the construction shown in the drawing.
The holder also acts as the device to retain the bobbin-case on the stud of the
loop-taker, the force of contact between the holder and bobbin case being so little
as to allow the ready passage of the loop of needle thread over the bobbin-case.
The bobbin-case, at its outer side, is slotted as shown at 19, Figure 18, to permit
the introduction of the thread under the tension spring h which is held in position
by a screw h¹ and is provided with a screw h² to regulate the pressure of the spring
on the under thread passing between it and the bobbin-case, the spring / thus
regulating the tension on the under thread.
Figures 9 to 14 inclusive show the action of the loop-taker on the loop of needle
thread. In Figure 9 the lug 4 of the saddle is in contact with the shoulder 9³ of
the loop-taker just as the point of the hoop of the loop-taker is to enter the loop
of needle thread, and then the prong 3 of the saddle almost touches the heel g³ of
the loop-taker.
In this construction the lug acts to push the point g' into the loop of needle
thread, and immediately thereafter the prong comes in contact with the heel g* of
the loop-taker and continues the entrance of the point of the loop-taker into the
said loop of needle thread, so that by the time that the shoulder g³, in opening the
loop, arrives at the position Figure 10, the lug 4 is removed from contact with the
said shoulder g³ and stands in a substantially central position in the recess 96. A
space is thus afforded between the lug and shoulder g³ and entirely about the said
lug, in the said recess in which the loop of needle thread may pass and be caught
by the shoulder gå at its junction with the hoop, and the loop of needle thread rests
in the corner between the said shoulder go and the hoop until in the further rotation
of the loop-taker it reaches the position Figure 11. The loop of needle thread in
the mean time approaching the centre of rotation of the loop-taker, and is expanded
by its passage over the said shoulder g³ and bridge g¹ within the periphery of the
loop-taker, the shoulder g being shaped to present an inclined wedge g², shown
best in Figures 4 and 16.

page_text: The loop of needle thread having reached the position Figure 11, the continued
rotation of the loop-taker by the action against it of the prong 3 of the saddle,
causes the loop of needle thread in its expanded condition to be drawn down, and
by the time that the loop-taker arrives in its position Figure 12, the change of the
relative position of the loop-taker and saddle is such as to throw the lug 4 in
contact with the shoulder g³. Immediately thereafter in the further movement of
the parts in the direction denoted by the arrow, the prong 3 is removed from
contact with the heel g² of the loop-taker, as, in Figure 13, and is kept out of
contact therefrom, and the lug 4 acts to pull the loop-taker through the loop of
néedle thread, the loop of needle thread passing freely in the curved space between-
the bridge g' and the interior of the saddle, and emerging from between the prong
and heel while the parts are in the position Figure 14. The lug continues the
movement of the loop-taker until the point of the same has entered the next loop
of needle thread, at which time the prong of the saddle is again thrown in contact
with the heel of the loop-taker, and immediately thereafter the lug is removed from
the shoulder g³ as before stated.
The shaft B having attached to it the saddle described has a variable move-
ment, or a movement such that the book of the loop-taker travels through different
arcs at different rates of speed, and this, variable movement is essential to good
sewing at high speed with a rotating loop-taker of the kind described, for the
speed of the loop-taker when entering and expanding the loop of needle thread.
must be very quick, for the loop of needle thread should be drawn down to its
longest position and a little beyond in order to afford the take-up ample time to
complete the stitch before the needle in its next descent meets the goods.
The loop-taker is held in the loop-taker guide by means of a cap n attached. by
screws in the holes 23.
The bridge g¹ shaped substantially as shown in Figure 16, serves to keep the
under thread t, Figures 9 and 10, at one side. of the path of movement of the point
of the loop-taker.
The bridge g is cut out to form an incline 24, which, as the loop-taker arrives
at about the position Figure 13, acts to allow the loop of needle thread to slip
forward more rapidly than it would be carried by the loop-taker thus affording
slack and permitting the taking up of the loop to be commenced at the earliest
possible moment.
The outer side of the point of the loop-taker, see Figure 16, is cut out or
concaved at 25 to enable the point of the loop-taker to run as close as possible to
the rear side of the needle when the point enters the loop, the recess just back of
the point preventing the thread from being cut between the point and the needle
as the latter rises, the point of the loop-taker holding the loop and advancing
while the needle rises at one side of the said point, the said space affording
clearance for the thread where it emerges from the eye of the needle next the
point of the loop-taker.
The take-up B pivotted at 26 has one of its arms provided with a swivel block
which runs in a cam groove in the cam hub B2, the said take-up operating as usual
in the Wheeler and Wilson machines, the shape of the cam however is slightly
changed to enable the take-up to give up thread to the requirements of the
rotating loop-taker, and to take up the loop elongated by the said loop-taker.
In the machine herein described the loop-taker is actuated positively and has a
working fit in its guide, and it is due to the difference in centres as stated that the
openings are made at the proper time between the loop-taker and the variably
rotating saddle which moves it continuously in a circle. This method of rotating
the loop-taker has a decided advantage over a shuttle driven in a circular race by
a driver, the space for the passage of the thread between the shuttle and the driver
being due to centrifugal action of the shuttle in the race and to momentum and
change of speed of the driver.

page_text: Instead of the particular devices herein shown by which to reciprocate the needle
bar, and instead of the particular take-up, any other common and well known
needle bar actuating mechanism and take-up might be employed.
i
The bridge g' connecting the hoop gl at two points and extending across the,
same in a curved path at one side of the centre of rotation of the loop-taker, is of;
value in strengthening the loop-taker, in holding the loop of needle thread from,
contact with the bobbin-case, and in keeping the under thread from being caught
by the point of the hook of the loop-taker. It is possible however to modify the
shape of the said bridge, and in fact by a different shaping of the parts of the loop,
taker to do away with a part if not all of it, but its use is preferred in the manner
shown in the drawing.
1
The feed bar 1340 is connected by screw 102 with the arm 103 of the rock.
shaft t, extended longitudinally under the bed to nearly the rear end of the
machine, where it has a second arm 104 connected by a screw 105 with the link t³:
provided at its free end with a shoe or pin 108 which is made to enter the
segmental slot 110 in the arm of the elbow t. The latter has for its centre of:
motion a rod 112 which has its bearing in a lug at the under side of bed A, the
said slot being extended from end to end of the said arm and across the said rod to
thus enable the feeding of the fabric to be entirely suspended.
The elbow lever thas an arm provided with a roller stud or shoe 114, see
Figure 20, which enters a cam groove 115 in the camn' hub B². The rotation of the
shaft B and of the said cam hub attached to it causes the elbow lever t* to be
vibrated or moved uniformly at each rotation of the said shaft, but the said lever
turns the rocking shaft t² a greater or less distance according to the position of the
shoe or pin 108 in the segmental slot 110, the nearer the said shoe or pin to the
centre line of the rod or shank 112, the less the extent of the rocking movement of
the said shaft and the shorter the feed.
The free end of the feed bar B40 is held by a spring upon a roller n on a pin n¹
at the end of an arm ², connected with a rocking shaft n³, held at its ends
between suitable screws, one only of which is shown. A second arm nt of the said
rock shaft is extended toward the main shaft of the machine and provided with a
plate n, preferably of steel, attached to its under side by a screw and made
adjustable by an adjusting screw 44. The said plate rests upon the cam n6 at the
rear side of the crank B³, the rotation of the screw 44 by a screw driver, (the
shuttle covering slide being removed for the purpose) serves to raise or lower
the feed.
The link to is joined by the connecting rod f with the arm f¹ of the rock-shaft f
held in the upright part at its other end, and preferably at the rear side of the said
upright, having a hand lever f³ by which to turn the rock-shaft f, and thus
raise or lower the shoe or pin in the said segmental groove 110 for the purposes
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by ny foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
First. A sewing machine containing the following instrumentalities viz:-a
needle bar; an eye pointed needle; means to operate it; a variable rotating shaft
and the saddle attached thereto and having at one end the prong 3 and at its other
end the lug 4; a bobbin; a rotating loop-taker composed essentially of a hook
having a point, shoulders g³ and go, and a heel g²; a loop-taker guide adjusted to
place the centre of rotation of the loop-taker out of line or eccentric with relation
to the centre of rotation of the shaft carrying the saddle; and a bobbin and bobbin
case;
the saddle acting alternately to push and to pull the loop-taker in its
continuous circular movement, substantially as described.
Second. A sewing machine containing the following instrumentalities viz:-a
eedle bar; an eye pointed needle; means to operate it; a variably rotating shaft;
nd a saddle attached thereto; a rotating loop-taker composed essentially of a hook.

page_text: having a point, shoulders 73 and 95, and a heel; a loop-taker guide adjusted to
place the centre of rotation of the loop-taker out of line or eccentric with relation
to the centre of rotation of the shaft carrying the saddle, a bobbin and bobbin-
case; and a take-up and means to operate it, the saddle acting alternately to push
and to pull the loop-taker in its continuous circular movement, substantially as
described.
Third. The bed plate, the lug D, and its attached hub D³, combined with the
loop-taker guide bored eccentrically and mounted on the said hub, substantially as
-described.
Fourth. In a feeding mechanism for sewing machines, the bed-plate, the rock
shaft extended longitudinally under it and provided with arm 103 and 104,
the feeding bar B₁ jointed to arm 103, the link t³ jointed to the arm 104, the
rotating shaft B, the cam B² thereon, the grooved lever t, the cam grooved hub B³
to actuate it, and its adjustable link t³.
Fifth. The main shaft, its attached cam grooved hub, the rock shaft x², the
feed-bar pivotted to it, the arm to support the free end of the feed bar, and the
link having the shoe or pin, combined with the segmentally slotted elbow lever,
the connecting rod extended above the bed plate, and the rock-shaft f³ having
arms ƒ¹ and ƒ³, the combination being and operating substantially as described.
Dated this 13th day of October 1885.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.