Improvements in Sewing Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by CARLO LURASCHI, of Milan, in the Kingdom
of Italy.]
Improvements in Sewing Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
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 :-
The machine which constitutes the subject of this invention is of the general
construction of a Singer machine but presents the peculiarity of enabling the
simultaneous formation of two parallel seams, the distance between which can be
modified at will within suitable limits (such as for example between 1 and 20
millimetres).
The improved machine differs from several others which have heretofore been con-
structed for realizing the same object in that it has not only two needles but also two
shuttles. One of these needles is fixed as usual, and the other is adapted to be
separated from it more or less within the above-stated limits, or even beyond them.
Of the two shuttles, one is designed to work with the fixed needle and the other with
the needle placed at variable distances, this shuttle can therefore be displaced
relatively to the former shuttle the same distance which the needle with which it
must work in unison is separated from the fixed needle. The two shuttles being
placed symmetrically with regard to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the
machine, and separated more or less from each other in the longitudinal direction
according to the distance of the two seams are displaced parallel with each other and
actuated by the same mechanism. Accordingly a species of double Singer machine
so to speak is obtained.
In the accompanying drawing the several figures represent respectively.
Figure 1 a side elevation showing the extremity of the arm of the machine and the
head connected therewith.
Figure 2 a plan of the cloth-presser with its bar shown in section.
Figure 3 is a plan of the needle-plates.
Figure 4 an elevation showing the head of the arm of the machine all the parts
placed below the needle-plate being in vertical section.
Figure 5 the projection on a plane which is at a right angle to that of Figure 4,
showing the parts represented in this Figure.
Figure 6 a plan of the parts which are represented in Figure 5. below the needle
plate.
Figure 7 the plan of the two needle-holders.
Figure 8 the plan of the mechanism, showing the latter when the base plate of the
machine is turned upon the hinges by means of which it is connected to the support
or table.
The different parts of the improved sewing machine are denoted by the following
letters:-
a thread-tightener.
b fixed needle-holder.
61 movable needle-holder.
c fixed needle.
c² needle adapted to be displaced according to the distance between the two seams.
d screw serving to adjust the cloth presser.
e cloth-presser of two parts adanted to the space between the two seams.

page_text: as regards the shuttle n¹ it is not like the shuttle n but the arrangements of both
shuttles relatively to the longitudinal plane which passes through the centre of the
machine are symmetrical so that the opposite surfaces of the two shuttles placed side
by side will exactly correspond.
It is of course necessary to arrange the shuttle n¹ (Figure 5) so that its different
positions correspond to those which the needle c' will successively occupy. For
this purpose the shuttle driver m¹ (Figure 5) is provided with a slot v and a graduated
scale which like that corresponding to the needle c¹ ranges from 1 to 20 millimetres.
When in this manner the positions of the needle c¹ and that of the shuttle n¹ are
once adjusted they are maintained by turning the pressing screw o.
It will be readily understood that for the two shuttles arranged symmetrically as
above described can be substituted two similar shuttles, provided that, instead of
causing these shuttles to move simultaneously to one of them is imparted a move-
ment in the opposite direction to that of the other, in such a manner that the two
shuttles will be at the two opposite ends of their movement at the same time. This
may for example be obtained by pivoting to the connecting-rod a rocking lever
having two arms of equal length, actuating one of the shuttles by a carrier linked
to the extremity of one of these arms and the other shuttle by another carrier linked
to the extremity of the other arm.
The above described principle on which my invention is based can be applied to
the construction of embroidering and button hole making machines.
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 :
In a sewing machine designed for obtaining two parallel seams by a single
operation.
First. The simultaneous employment of two needles and two symmetrically
arranged shuttles of different construction placed opposite each other at variable
distances in the direction of the movement of the said shuttles, and adapted to
receive simultaneous movements in the same direction which shuttles can also be
replaced by other shuttles of similar construction, provided that reciprocating
movements in opposite directions are imparted to them.
Second. The arrangement of a partition between the two shuttles, on one side being
formed a simple hole for the passage of the fixed needle, and on the other side a
recess to receive an adjustable grooved plate for the passage of the movable needle
in the different positions.
Dated thia
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.