Improvements in Sewing Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 18th Apr., 1881
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sewing Machines.
We, ALEXANDER ANDERSON, Manager, and ROBERT ANDREW FERGUSON
POLLOCK, Mechanic, both of the Singer Manufacturing Company's Works,
Kilbowie, Dumbartonshire, 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 :-
This invention which relates to sewing machines has for its object the provision
of simple devices whereby the needle bar and presser bar or either of them may
be raised clear of the work plate to facilitate the insertion or withdrawal of the
fabric or goods to be sewn, under or from under the overhanging arm of the
machine.
The invention as applied both to the needle bar and presser bar is illustrated by
the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of part of the
head or overhanging arm of a sewing machine, Figure 2 is an end view of the same
and Figure 3 is a similar view with the face plate removed and shewing the needle
bar and presser bar in the raised position.
A is the overhanging arm, B the rotating shaft carried thereby and C the
pitman attached to the crank disc C¹ whereby motion is communicated from the
shaft to the needle bar D, the end of the pitman engaging a stud or pin on a
block E fitted so that the needle bar may freely slide through it. Between the
block E and a collar d on the needle bar is fitted a helical spring F the function of
which is to throw upwards the needle bar to the position indicated at Figure 3 and
thus raise the needle n quite clear of the work plate W in which position the goods
to be sewn can be readily inserted or withdrawn from under the overhanging
On pressing down the needle bar D against the power of the spring Fa
small pin or plunger G fitted in the block E is by the action of a helical spring g
surrounding it pressed into a notch or indentation d¹ in the needle bar which is
thereby retained in its operative position as shewn at Figures 1 and 2. Upon
withdrawing the plunger G by hand or by pressing on one end of a lever H whose
opposite end passes under the head of the plunger the needle bar D is freed and is
thrown upwards by the spring F.
arm A.
The presser bar I is in like manner thrown upwards out of its effective position
by a helical spring J interposed between a collar i on the bar and a block K
through which the presser bar passes a plunger L being fitted in said block and
acted on by a spring to cause the plunger to engage with a notch or indentation i¹
in the bar when the latter is depressed by hand into its operative position with the
presser foot I¹ on the feed dog in the work plate.
The usual lifter M is provided and fitted to act on a rear enlargement K¹ of the
sliding block K to permit of raising the presser foot to the slight extent necessary
in adjusting the fabric to be sewn.
When the goods are to be altogether removed from the work plate the plunger L
is withdrawn by hand or by pressing on the lever H which is fitted to act on both
the plungers G and L to simultaneously free the needle bar and presser bar.
The devices for engaging the needle bar in the operative position and raising
it out of operation may be used alone in machines where no presser bar is pro-
vided or where the presser bar is fitted to swing on a pivot to a horizontal
position over the work plate, and the devices for engaging and freeing the presser
bar may in like manner be used alone in cases in which the needle bar is jointed
and arranged to swing out of the way of the goods.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In a sewing machine the arrangement and combination of devices for engaging
the needle bar and presser bar in their operative positions and simultaneously
raising them clear of the work plate substantially as described.
2. In a sewing machine the provision of devices for engaging the needle bar
with its needle in the operative position and for throwing it vertically upwards
clear of the goods on the work plate substantially as described.
3. In a sewing machine the combination with the needle bar having a notch
or indentation therein of the block E connected to the crank disc and fitted with
the spring pressed plunger G and the spring F arranged to act substantially as
described.
4. In a sewing machine the provision of devices for engaging the presser bar
with the presser foot in the operative position and for throwing it vertically upwards
clear of the goods on the work plate substantially as described.
5. In a sewing machine the combination with the presser bar having a notch
or indentation therein of the block K fitted with the spring pressed plunger L
and the spring J arranged to act substantially as described.
Dated this Fifth day of March 1891.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.