IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTON-HOLE STITCH SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, GEORGE BROWNING, of the Cottage, Dalmuir, in the County of Dumbarton,
North Britain, Mechanician, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTON-HOLE STITCH SEWING MACHINES to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to Improvements in Button-hole Stitch Sewing Machines,
and is in part a development of the Invention for which Letters Patent were
granted to the said George Browning N° 4730 dated, the 20th day of November
A.D., 1879. The first part of the improvements relates to the employment of an
oscillating shuttle for working the under thread of the Button-hole stitch, which
according to the present improvements is a Lock-stitch.-The mechanism for
driving the said shuttle consists of a horizontal grooved cam placed upon the
upright shaft of the machine.-This cam drives a bell-crank lever carried upon a
vertical stud the opposite end of which bell-crank lever is attached to a toothed
rack which by the revolution of the cam is moved backwards and forwards.-The
teeth of the aforesaid rack gear into a toothed pinion on the shaft of the oscillating
shuttle-carrier and the shuttle is thereby driven.-The rack is fitted in guides to
keep it in gear with the pinion.-The bearings in which the shaft of the shuttle-
carrier are located are contained in a framework or casting attached by bolts to
the bed of the machine, so that the said framework or casting together with the
shuttle-carrier and shuttle are capable of being adjusted relatively with the needle
of the machine. For the purpose of releasing the tension of the thread in the
shuttle when the work is taken from the machine the frame which carries the
shuttle-carrier is provided with a sliding rod whose point or inner end is at such
time pressed against one half or side of the shuttle thereby opening the shuttle to
a slight extent and thus releasing the tension.-The rod is provided with a spiral
or equivalent spring for returning it to its normal position.
The second part of the Improvements relates to the mechanism for cutting the
Button-holes in the cloth, and it consists in operating the cutter whose rocking arm
is connected directly to a treadle also in raising the anvil or block by means of a
piece which is slid under it horizontally and supported upon one end of the bracket
upon which the machine is pivoted. The said sliding piece may be connected
to the aforesaid treadle so that the cutter and anvil or block are operated
simultaneously.
1004

page_text: I, GEORGE BROWNING of the Cottage Dalmuir, in the County of Dumbarton,
North Britain, Mechanician do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTON-HOLE STITCH SEWING MACHINES 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 improvements in Button-hole stitch Sewing Machines,
and is a development of part of the Invention for which Letters Patent were
granted to me the said George Browning Nº 4730 dated the 20th day of November
A.D. 1879.
The Improvements relate to the mechanism for cutting the Button-holes in the
cloth, and consist in operating the cutter whose rocking arm is connected directly
to a treadle also in raising the anvil or block by means of a piece which is slid
under it horizontally and supported upon one end of the bracket upon which the
machine is pivoted. The said sliding piece may be connected to the aforesaid
treadle so that the cutter and anvil or block are operated simultaneously.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1, (sheet 1) is in part a side elevation and in part a vertical section of
portion of a Button-hole sewing machine constructed according to and constituting
my present Invention.
Figure 2 is a side clevation of the treadle or foot lever employed for operating
the hammer wherewith the button-holo slits are cut in accordance with my present
Invention.
Figure 3 (sheet 2) is a plan of the underside of portion of a button-holo
sewing machine constructed according to and constituting part of my present
Invention:
Figure 4 (sheet 3) is in part an end elevation and in part a transverse section of
the samo.
Figure 5 is a transverse section through the rocking arm which carries the
hammer wherewith the button hole slits are cut in accordance with my present
'Invention.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the cutter anvil or block constructed according
to and constituting a part of my present Invention.
Figure 7 to 10 (inclusive) are views, of the table brackets used in connection
with, and constituting parts of my present Invention.
The cutter anvil or block, which I employ in connection with my present
improvements, is represented in underside view at Figure 3 and in side elevation,
at Figures 4 and 6 of the annexed drawings. This cutter anvil or block ¹, is
secured by the nut a³, or its equivalent to one end of the lever i, the opposite end
of which is bifurcated and pivoted at j, to the bed plate j. The cutter anvil or
block, is formed square so that after one of its four edges has become worn or cut
by the repeated action upon it of the knife, the nut a³, or its equivalent is
released and the said cutter anvil or block h¹, is turned round so that a fresh
unworn cutting surface is thereby presented to the action or blows of the knife l',
and the said block h¹, may be so turned round and fixed for each of its sides to be
operated upon until each such side is worn. An opening is formed in the bed
plate j, to allow of the cutter anvil or block passing upwards through it to receive
the blow of the hammer k', and knife, (see Figure 1).-The rising of the cutter

page_text: I, GEORGE BROWNING, of the Cottage, Dalmuir, in the County of Dumbarton,
North Britain, Mechanician, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTON-HOLE STITCH SEWING MACHINES to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to Improvements in Butten-hole Stitch Sewing Machines,
and is in part a development of the Invention for whichi Letters Patent were
granted to the said George Browning No 4730 dated the 20th day of November
A.D., 1879.. The first part of the Improvements relates to the employment of an.
Oscillating shuttle for working the under thread of the Button-lole stitch, which
according to the present improvements is a Lock-stitch.-The mechanism for
driving the said shuttle consists of a horizontal grooved cam placed upon the
upright shaft of the machine. This cam drives a bell-crank lever carried upon a
vertical stud the opposite end of which bell-crank lever is attached to a toothed
ack which by the revolution of the cam is moved backwards and forwards.-The.
teetli of the aforesaid rack gear into a toothed pinion on the shaft of the oscillating
shuttle-carrier and the shuttle is thereby driven.-The rack is fitted in guides to
keep it in gear with the pinion.-The bearings in which the shaft of the shuttle-
carrier are located are contained in a framework or casting attached by bolts to
the bed of the machine, so that the said framework or casting together with the
shuttle-carrier and shuttle are capable of being adjusted relatively with the needle.
of the machine. For the purpose of releasing the tension of the thread in the
shuttle when the work is taken, from the machine the frame which carries the
shuttle-carrier is provided with a sliding rod whose point or inner end is at such
time pressed against one half or side of the shuttle thereby opening the shuttle to
a slight extent and thus releasing the tension.-The rod is provided with a spiral
or equivalent spring for returning it to its normal position.
The second part of the Improvements relates to the mechanism for cutting the
Button-holes in the cloth, and it consists in operating tho cutter whose rocking arm
is connected directly to a treadle also in raising the anvil or block by means of a
piece which is slid under it horizontally and supported upon one end of the bracket.
upon which the machine is pivoted. The said sliding picce may be connected
to the aforesaid treadle so that the. cutter and anvil or. block are operated
simultaneously.
1
J. H. JOHNSON, DAY & JOHNSON,
Petitioner's Agents,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, GEORGE BROWNING of the Cottage Dalmuir, in the County of Dumbarton,
North Britain, Mechanician do hereby declare the nature of any said invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTON-HOLE STITCH SEWING MACHINES and in what manner
the saine is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
My Invention relates to improvements in Button-bole stitch Sewing Machines,
and is in part a development of the Invention for which Letters Patent were
granted to me the said George Browning No 4730 dated the 20th day of November
A.D. 1879. The first part of the Improvements relates to the employment of an
oscillating shuttle for working the under thread of the Button holo stitch, which
is a lock-stitch. The mechanism for driving the said shuttle consists of a
horizontal grooved cam placed upon the upright shaft of the machine. This cam
drives a bell-crank lever carried upon a vertical stud, the opposite end of this bell-
crank lever is attached to a toothed rack, which, by the revolution of the cam, is
moved backwards and forwards. The teeth of the aforesaid rack gear into a
toothed pinion on the shaft of the oscillating shuttle-carrier, and the shuttle is
thereby driven. The rack is fitted in guides to keep it in gear with the pinion.
The bearings in which the shaft of the shuttle-carrier are located are contained in
a framework or casting attached by bolts or their equivalents to the bed of the
machine, so that the said framework or casting together with the shuttle-carrier
and shuttle are capable of being adjusted relatively with the needle of the
machine.
The second part of the Improvements relates to the mechanism for cutting the
Button-lioles in the cloth, and it consists in operating the cutter whose rocking arm
is connected directly to a treadle also in raising the anvil or block by means of a
piece which is slid under it horizontally and supported upon one end of the bracket
upon which the machine is pivoted. The said sliding pieco may be connected to
the aforesaid treadle so that the cutter and anvil or block are operated
simultaneously.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1, (sheet 1) is in part a side elevation and in part a vertical section of
portion of a Button-hole sewing machino constructed according to and constituting
my present Invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the treadle or foot lever employed for operating
the hammer wherewith the button-hole slits are cut in accordance with my present
Invention.
Figure 3 (sheet 2) is a plan of the underside of portion of a button-hole
sewing machine constructed according to and constituting part of my present
Invention.
Figuro 4 (sheet 3) is in part an end elevation and in part a transverse section of
the same.

page_text: Figures 5, 6 and 7 are respectively plan of upper side, transverse section and
plan of underside of the feed wheel which may be used in connection with my
present Invention.
Figures 8 and 9 are respectively a plan and a side elevation of a cloth clamp
used in connection with my present Invention but which is well known and in
цве.
Figure 10 is a transverse section through the rocking arın which carries the
hammer wherewith the button hole slits are cut in accordance with my present
Invention.
Figures 11 to 16 (inclusive) are detached views of the shuttle-carrying and
directly-operating parts which are shown inverted to the better indicate their
correspondence with the inverted plan Figure 3, and constructed according to and
constituting parts of my present Invention and all hereinafter more particularly
described.
Figure 17, is a side elevation of the cutter anvil or block constructed according
to and constituting a part of my present Invention.
Figure 18 to 21 (inclusive) are views of the table brackets used in connection
with, and constituting parts of my present Invention.
In carrying out my present improvements, I secure the cam disc a, to the lower.
extremity of the vertical shaft b, shewn in dotted lines at Figure 1 and in plan of
underside at Figure 3 of the annexed drawings. This wheel or disc a, is provided
with two cam grooves, the groove c, in the under side of which operates the
shuttle d, (Figure 14) in the manner hereinafter described, and the groove e, in the
upper side thereof and represented in dotted lines at Figure 3 operates the feed to
the machine.
.
With reference to the shuttle operating mechanism, the cam groove c, (Figure 3)
engages with the anti-friction roller f, which is carried upon one arm of the bell-
crank lever g, the other arm of which is connected to one end of the sliding bar h.
The bell-crank lever g, is pivoted at i, to the bed plate j, of the machine, so that
when the said lever g, is oscillated about this axis, a longitudinal motion is
imparted to the bar h. The opposite end of the sliding bar h, is provided with the
toothed rack, shewn more particularly in side elevation at Figure 15. This
rackk, engages with the toothed pinion , which is secured to one end of the
shaft m, the opposite end of which has secured thereon the shuttle driver n. The
shaft m, is carried in the bearings o, and p, which are represented as detached from
the machine respectively in end and side elevations at Figures 11 and 12 and in
plan of underside at Figure 13, the said bearings as shewn being formed in part
with the plate q, which is secured by the screws r, or their equivalents to the bed
plate j. The bearing o, supports the shuttle race or ring s, which is connected
thereto by the arms t, the said race or ring 8, being that within which the shuttled,
is caused to oscillate as shewn in front elevation at Figure 14. To the underside
of the bearings o, and p, the plate u, is secured by screws passing through and into
the holes v, provided in such plate and bearings o, and 2, as shewn in side elevation
at Figure 12. This plate u, is formed at its upper side with the transverse slot or
recess w, on which the underside of the bar h, is supported and free to slide
longitudinally, so that the teeth of the rack k, are held up in gear with those of
the pinion. The shuttle and its directly-operating parts, being carried on one
plate or base g, the position of the said shuttle and such parts relatively with that
of the needle may, as a whole, be adjusted without disturbance to the working
relation of any of such parts.
In Figuro 14, I have indicated by the line 1, the position of the needle relatively
with that of the shuttle point x, at the time of the descent of the said needle
through the slit in the fabric mado by the cutter 1, in which the button-hole is
being worked; and by the line 2 (Figure 14) I have indicated the position of the
needle relatively with that of the shuttle point, after the said needle has risen
out of the slit and descended through the fabric.-After the needle descends in the
!

page_text: relative position indicated by the line 2, the shuttle d, commences its forward
motion at a period when its point x, is at a distance corresponding to that
represented as between the line 1 and the said shuttlo point *. This adjust-
ment and timing is desirable in order to prevent stitches being missed and is
therefore arranged in the cam groove c, by the part thereof marked y, being a
slightly greater distance from its axis than the part marked z. Or I may effect
this timing of the needle relatively with the position of the point x, of the oscil-
lating shuttle by any mechanically equivalent means.
The cam groove e, represented in dotted lines at Figure 3, operates the feed to
the machine through the bell-crank lever b', which is pivoted at c¹, to the bed
plate j. The lever b¹, operates the feed dog lever d¹, through the projections e¹,
which are secured to the edge of one arm of the said lever b'. The feed dog lever di
is provided with the stud or roller a¹, represented in dotted lines and is pivoted
at, to the feed dog g', hereinafter moro particularly referred to.
The cutter anvil or block 7, which I employ in connection with my present
improvements, is represented in underside view at Figure 3 and in side elevation,
at Figures 4 and 17 of the annexed drawings. This cutter anvil or block h¹, is
secured by the nut a³, or its equivalent to one ond of the lover, the opposite end
of which is bifurcated and pivoted at j¹, to the bed plate j. The cutter anvil or
block h², is formed square so that after one of its four edges has become worn or cut
by the repeated action upon it of the knife l, the nut a³, or its equivalent is
released and the said cutter anvil or block h¹, is turned round so that a fresh
unworn cutting surface is thereby presented to the action or blows of the knife 1,
and the said block h¹, may be so turned round and fixed for each of its sides to be
operated upon until each such side is worn. An opening is formed in the bed
plate j, to allow of the cutter anvil or block passing upwards through it to receive
the blow of the hammer ', and knife 1, (see Figure 1).-The rising of the cutter
anvil or block ', is effected by means of the cams m¹, and n¹, the cam n¹, supports
the cutter anvil or block h¹, and the fabric against the blow of the hammer k¹, and
knife, at the time the button hole slit is cut. The cams m', and n¹, as
represented more particularly in side elevations at Figures 1, and 19, in end eleva-
tions at Figures 4, and 20, and in plan at Figure 18, are secured to the slide bar o'.
This slide bar o¹, is held longitudinally in position by the guides p', which aro
formed on the table brackets 9, and r, and is secured against rising therein by
the spring 83, which is secured to the bracket q', or to the plato vl, thereof which is
hereinafter described. These brackets q¹, and 7, are pivoted to the bed plate j, the
pins s, fitting into the openings t¹, so that the machine, when in its working
position, rests upon the projections u', as represented at Figure 4, and when turned
back from such position loaves the cams m¹, and n', and the parts directly con-
nected therewith unaffected. The bracket q', is arranged with the plate v¹, the
proportions of which serve to sustain the cams m¹, and n', as also to absorb a part
of the shock due to the blow of the hammer k². The hammer k', with its knife l
is carried upon the rocking arm w', which is cast or otherwise formed in part with
the transverse shaft . This shaft, is supported by screwed or equivalent centres
carried in the lugs y¹, (Figure 1) which are formed upon and project upwards from
the bed plate j, and the centres engaging with the conical recesses ¹, formed in the
ends of the said transverse shaft xa. At the underside of the rocking arm w¹, the
eye a, (Figure 1) is formed, and from this, is connected the belt or link b², by
which the hammer is operated from the treadle or foot lever u², represented at
Figure 2 of the annexed drawings. The arm c², upon the transverso shaft xl, pro-
jects downwards and engages with the jaw d³, which is formed upon the slide bar o¹,
and thereby actuates the cams m', and ', simultaneously with the hammer ¹, and
ensures the cutter anvil or block h¹, being, at the required time, in the position
necessary to receive the blow of the hammer k¹, and knife . The spring t², con-
nected at one end to the arm c, and at its opposite end to a pin t, secured to the
bed plate j, serves to return the hammer ke, and cams m', and n³, into their normal
position.

page_text: The treadle or foot lever u³, (Figure 2) is pivoted at v², to the bracket w³, which
is secured to the floor or machine stand in a position convenient to the foot of the
operator, this treadle or foot lever u³, also being returned to its normal position by
the action of the spring t².
The feed wheel e², represented as detached from the machine at Figures 5, 6
and 7 of the annexed drawings, has at its upper side the groove f2, with which the
pin or stud g³, of the cloth clamp (Figures 8 and 9) engages and the said groove is
provided with the catch or pawl h, for carrying round the cloth clamp and its
contained fabric when working the round end of the button-hole. The feed
wheel, which is provided with the radial recess, through which the cutter anvil
or block h¹, is raised when in position upon the machine, is located within the
recess, (Figure 1) the plate k³, above, being that upon which the cloth clamp
travels, the centre button, constituting the guide to such clamp. The grooves m²,
and n³, at the underside of the feed wheel e, are those which are respectively
engaged with by the feed dog g', and by the stud or roller e', of the feed dog
lever d¹, both of which have been hereinbefore referred to.-The cloth clamp in
which the fabric, to be worked, is held, may be any of the well-known forms, that
represented at Figures 8 and 9 of the annexed drawings, being constructed some-
what in the manner described in my Complete Specification No. 4730 A.D. 1879,
that is to say it is provided with two pairs of roughened jaws for firmly gripping
the said fabric. The space o², between the two pairs of jaws p², admits of the
knife, slitting the fabric to the extent required for the button-hole. The cloth
clamp also admits of these two pairs of jaws being moved slightly apart, so that tho
button-hole slit formed in the fabric, may be widened to allow of the passage
of the needle therethrough.
The feed motion as provided for by the feed wheel e³, is such that the clamp is
moved along so that the fabric receives stitches along and over one edge of the
button-hole, then around the end thereof and then back along and over the other
or opposite side thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the saine is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First.-A lock-stitch button-hole sewing machine consisting of the combination
of parts some of which are old and some of which are new and operating in
combination in the new or improved manner hereinbefore described.
Second. In button-hole stitch sewing machines, the combination of an oscillating
shuttle d, carrying the under thread, with a cloth clamp for holding and guiding
the work upon the machine all operating substantially as and for the purposes
hereinboforo set forth with reference to the annexed drawings.
Third. In button-hole stitch sewing machines, the combination of the oscillating
shuttle d, with mechanism for cutting the button-hole slit in the material operating
substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to the annexed drawings.
Fourtb. In button-holo stitch sewing machines, the combination of the lover g,
toothed rack, and pinion 1, for oscillating the shuttle d, with a cloth clamp for
holding and guiding the work upon the machine all operating substantially as and
for the purposes heroin before set forth with reference to the annexed drawings.
Fifth In button-hole stitch sewing machines, the cam groove c, with the
opposite parts y, and z, of the groove respectively at slightly different distances
from the axis of the shaft b, for the purpose of ensuring the two different positions
of the needle as respectively shewn by the lines 1 and 2 of Figure 14 of the
annexed drawings and as hereinbefore described in reference thereto for oscillating
the shuttle d, substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to the annoxed
drawings.
Sixth. In button-hole stitch sewing machines, the cams ml, and n', and bar o¹,
and other directly connected parts for raising and sustaining the cutter anvil or
block h, in the position for receiving the blow of the hammer all operating
substantially as herein before described with reference to the annexed drawings. .

page_text: Seventh. In button-hole stitch sewing machines the cutter anvil or block h¹,
having four edges or cutting surfaces whereby, when one of these edges becomes
worn a fresh unworn edge may be presented to the action of the knife ',
substantially as herein before set forth with reference to the annexed drawings.
Eighth. In button-hole stitch sewing machines, the arrangement of the shuttle
race or ring 8, plate q, and bearings o, and p, in one piece so as to enable the
position of these parts collectively to be adjusted relatively to the position of the
needle substantially as herein before set forth with reference to the annexed
drawings.
Ninth. In button-hole stitch sewing machines, the trendle or foot lever u³, and
belt or rod b³, for operating the hammer c', substantially in the manner herein before
set forth with reference to the annexed drawings.