IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOK SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Garrett Tongue, of the Firm of Tongue &
Birkbeck, Patent Agents & Engineers, of 34, Southampton Build-
ings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOK SEWING MACHINES."-A communication
from abroad by Henry Graham Thompson, of Milford, in the
County of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, United States of
America.
Sealed the 22nd May 1874, and dated the 21st March 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Garrett Tongue
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st March 1874.
I, JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue & Birkbeck,
5 Patent Agents & Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOK SEWING MACHINES," (communi-
cated to me from abroad by Henry Graham Thompson, of Milford, in

page_text: the County of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, United States of
America,) to be as follows:-
Certain arrangements of mechanism heretofore employed in sewing
books by machinery has consisted of a series of needles with eyes near
their upper ends entering the saw cuts at the folded portion of the 5
sheets, said sheets resting upon a descending table, and the thread being
introduced by a travelling hook.
In book sewing machines of this character there has been a difficulty
in keeping the long thin needles in their proper position, and the first
part of these improvements has for its object improved means of holding 1
the upper ends of the vertical needles in their proper position .for
receiving the lacing threads as the rear table descends, and also for the
purpose of adjusting the machine to the different thicknesses of the
paper that is being sewed. For this purpose bevilled latches are
employed that act to position and hold the upper ends of the needles 1
each time a sheet is placed over and pressed down thereby the travelling
hook that places the thread will move near to the needles, and the thread
will be received by the hooks of said needles. In book sewing machines
the thread is frequently broken by a knot catching in the hook, and by
the sudden rapid movement the thread is snapped. If the attendant 2
had any warning the machine could be stopped or moved slowly so as to
allow the knot to pass the hook or for another knot to be tied, thus
saving considerable time and rendering the operations more certain and
continuous. To effect this a swinging fork is employed, through which
the thread runs freely, but which will be moved by a knot and give an 2
alarm on a bell, or stop the machine, but said fork by yielding to the
knot does not prevent its passage freely through the machine or break
the thread.
In Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto annexed Figure 1 is a plan of

page_text: rod c.
The lifters & are attached to this frame 6 by screws e that pass
through a slot so as to be positioned to correspond with the needles ;
hence when the frame is swung back the lifters d will be out of the
way of the needles, and the sheets of paper can be pressed down beneath
› said lifters d, and when the frame 6 is swung towards the needles the
lifters & pass at each side of such needles, the needles occupying the slot
in the lifters. Upon each of these lifters d is a latch i with a hook-
shaped inclined end that when swung around draws the needle to the
base of the slot, and hence holds it firmly in position while the sheet is
being sewed, and this latch is moved or turned sidewise to liberate the
needle, and then is drawn back with the lifters d to allow the sewed
sheet to be forced down upon the needles.
The swinging movement given to the frame and the turning of the
latch may be through the medium of any suitable mechanism, a bar l
5 being shewn having movable tappets o that act upon pins at the back
ends of the latches i to move all the latches at once, and these tappets o
can be moved to allow of said latches and guides & being positioned to
suit the needles, and this bar is moved by a right angle lever k and
spring m, the reverse motion to unlatch the hooks i being given by a
lever f, cam g, slide h, and bearing bar n. An eccentric pin s upon the
axis of the cam g is shown as the means for swinging the frame 6 back
and forth.
When the paper that is being sewed is thick or the number of folds
large more room is required between the needle and the vertical
fence; hence the hook i is made adjustable by placing its centre screw
excentrically in a bush 14 (see Figures 4 and 5) that is in the lifter d,
and is held by a screw 15, so that by turning the bush 14 the inner face
of the hook may be moved nearer to or further from the bottom of the
slot in the lifter d. The thread r passes from a suitable spool through the
guide cyc and around the tension clamp u, thence through a slot in the
arm to the eye w, and to the travelling hook that passes the thread to
the hooks of the needles a. The armis on a shaft x that has a cam to
act
upon the hammer y of the bell z, and the slot will allow the thread
to pass freely, but when a knot comes into contact with such arm it is
moved and the bell sounded. The knot however slides off the arm v
without breaking the thread, but the attendant is warned, and slackens
the speed or stops the machine so that the thread may not be broken.

page_text: In sewing hooks the thread has to remain double in the fold of the
sheet, hence it requires to be very fine, and the suddenness of movement
frequently breaks the thread, a sponge 12 moistened with water is
employed, through which the thread runs before reaching the eye t, and
thereby the fine flax fibres are smoothened, the thread rendered stronger, &
and the twisting and kinking entirely prevented by the water rendering
the thread soft, and when laid in the fold of the paper the thread is
sufficiently soft to be flattened and occupy less space than it otherwise
would.
The folded sheet or "signature" previously notched is placed upon
the needles, the lacing thread is passed, and the "signature" folded,
the lifters d are then thrown forward by means of the levers ƒ, the cam g
operating the frame b, thus holding tho sewed "signatures" firmly in
position. At the same movement of the lever of the cam g operates
upon the slide h, which is kept tightly pressed against the cam g by the
pressure of the right angle lever k upon the bearing bar n by means of
the spring m. The movement of the right angle lever k by this means
operates the bar l', and throws the pivoted hooks i around the needles,
holding them firmly in position for the operation of the thread carrier.
A backward movement of the leverf withdraws the hook i from
around the needles and the lifters d from over the "signatures,” and
permits the addition to the partly sewed book of an additional
" signature."
The second part of this Invention relates to improvements in the
arrangement, construction, and operations of the book sewing machines
represented in Sheets 2 and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2 is a top view; Figure 3 is a
transverse vertical section taken on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a representation of different portions of the needle.
Figure 5 represents two of the cam wheels.
Figure 6 represents a side view and a sectional view of the thread
carrier.
Figure 7 represents a sectional and side view of bumper.
Figure 8 represents a sectional view of guide a.
A represents the frame of the machine, which is constructed in any
suitable manner. In the lower portion on one side is a shaft B running
1

page_text: "
the entire width of the frame, and carrying three wheels B¹, B³, B³.
Above the shaft B and nearer to the centre of the frame is a shaft C,
which also runs the entire width of the frame, and which forms the
fulcra for two bell-crank levers C¹, C. In the upper portion of the
frame is a shaft D, which passes eccentically through a cylinder E, and
has its bearings in blocks d, d, attached to the frame. Surrounding the
cylinder E is a block G, the upper side of which is flat, and the remaining
portion is cylindrical. At each end of the block G is a lug, to each of
which lugs is pivoted the upper end of a "pitman" h. One "pitman'
connects with the bell-crank lever C¹, and the other "pitman” connects
with the bell-crank lever C³. The wheel B¹ has a cam groove 6¹ on one
of its sides, which groove is circular with a depression inward towards
the centre. The wheel B' has a cam groove 63 on its side, with a pro-
jection outward toward the periphery. The bell crank C¹ engages with
the wheel B' by means of a stud working in the cam groove b', and the
bell crank C³ engages with the wheel B³ by means of a stud working in
the cam groove 63. One of the lugs g is a part of or made fast to the
blocks G, and the other lug gis attached to the cylinder E so that as the
shaft B is revolved the wheel B' through the "pitman" h and lug g
gives a rocking motion to the block G, and the wheel B³ through
its "pitman" and lug g gives a reciprocating rotary motion to the
cylinder E. The wheel B³ has a cam groove 6' in its face, in which works
a stud on the lower end of a straight lever I, which is pivoted about
midway of its length to a projection i on the frame A. The upper end
of this lever passes through an opening or slot K in the under sidė
of the block G, and into a recess K' formed in the cylinder E (see
Figure 3). On the upper side of the block G rests a bar L, secured to
the block by screws m passing through slots n so as to allow the bar to
move longitudinally. About midway of the length of the bar L'a pin
projects downward and enters a hole in the upper end of the lever I, as
shown in full lines in Figure 3 and in dotted lines in Figure 1. On
the upper side of the bar L are pivoted the ends of the latches P, which
have their fulcrum on a lifter or finger Q attached to the upper side of
the block G, and its opposite end formed into a hook p. In the Drawings
but one of these latches and lifters is shown, but in a working machine
one for each of a series of needles is used. A series of needles are attached
to the frame. One of these needles S is shown in Figure 3; the lower
end is bent and inserted in a hole in a cylindrical plug held in place by
a set screw in a block T, so that by loosening the set screw the plug t

page_text: may be turned so as to elevate or lower the needle when required. The
block T slides in a dovetailed groove in the frame, as shown in Figure 3,
for the purpose of adapting the machine for sewing books of different
lengths by moving the needles close together or farther apart. The
point or upper end of the needle projects slightly above the upper side
of the lifter or finger Q through a notch therein, as shown in Figures 2
and 3.
The thread carrier consists of a rod R working in guides a, a, in
the upper part of the frame A so as to admit of a longitudinal motion,
and provided with suitable means for operating it either by hand or by
machinery. The guides a, a', are adjustable so that the carrier rod may
be raised or lowered when desired by means of an eccentric a³. A lateral
adjustment is also provided for by the slot a³ and set screw a* in order
that the thread carrier may be moved to and from the needle without
the vertical action attendant upon the movement of the eccentric.
In a working machine the guide a is in some cases placed upon a
slide having a horizontal movement, and the guide is adjusted according
to the length of the "signature" being sewed. The forward end of the
rod R is surrounded by a sleeve R³, in which is a spiral spring r³ press-
ing against a piston or follower 7³. Pivoted to the rod R is a hook R³,
the shank of which is flat and passes through a slot in the sleeve.
The shank has a slot cut in it at an angle of about forty-five degrees
inclination from the axis of the rod R. A pin passes from the sleeve
through the slot 7. When the rod R is pressed into the sleeve so that
its end bears against the piston ² and compresses the spring r¹, the hook
R³ is forced laterally outward in consequence of the action of the pin 7
in the slot. The outer or forward end of the sleeve R³ is bent upward
at an angle of about thirty degrees inclination for a short distance, and
then outward again parallel with the axis of the rod, as shown at R*.
This end R', when the rod is moved forward strikes against a "bumper."
The "bumper" V is attached to the top of the frame A opposite to the
thread, carrier rod, and is made laterally adjustable by means of the slot
and screw ', and the said bumper has a face plate Y (see Figure 7)
held in place by a projecting lug y¹ and set screw y, which renders the
plate readily adjustable. In the face of this plate is a circular concavity,
the centre of which is a little to one side of the centre of the plate. By
the proper adjustment of the plate the centre of the concave is kept
opposite to and receives the forward end of the sleevo R of the thread
•

page_text: carrier rod R after every forward movement, and carries the rod to the
proper position for the action of the hook 'R' in throwing the loop around
the last needle.
"
"
The "signatures or folds to be sewed have the folded portions
notched in the usual way. The signature is opened and laid upon the
needles, which pass through the holes made by the saw cuts in the folds.
The thread carrier is then moved forward, the hook R' catching the loop
in the thread of the feeding needle and carrying it along until it is
opposite the last needle, when the end R' comes in contact with the
bumper" V, which arrests the motion of the sleeve R'. The motion
of the rod is continued, the end pressing against the piston ³ and forcing
the hook R³ laterally outward so as to throw the loop around the last
needle. The thread carrier is then moved back to its former position,
and as the shaft. B revolves the lifters Q raise the signatures clear of
the needles, the hook on the point of the last needle catching the inter-
lacing thread and preventing it from slipping off the needle when the
folders of the machine turn the "signature," and the lifters or fingers Q
presses it down, and the operator places another "signature" in position
for a similar operation, which operation is repeated until the required
number of " signatures" have been sewed and the rear table filled, the
back bands are then threaded into the needles preparatory to the
removal of the book from the machine.
The third part of this Invention relates to certain improvements in
friction pulleys for driving and arresting the motion of book sewing
machines adapted so as to be applied to such machines when it is
desired to stop the motion at every revolution of the driving shaft, and
this part of these improvements consists of a fast pulley attached to a
hollow shaft, and a loose pulley attached to a solid shaft, passing through
said hollow shaft and connected thereto at one end by means of a nut
formed with an internal or female right-hand screw thread and an
external or male left-hand thread.
The apparatus also consists of a spring bolt or latch attached to the
standard or hanger which supports the driving shaft acting in connec-
tion with an inclined and an abrupt projection on the fast pulley for the
purpose of stopping the motion thereof at every revolution of the same.
The apparatus also consists in the arrangement of a cam or screw
thread sleeve working on the shaft of the fast pulley for the purpose of

page_text: molding it in contact with the loose pulley while making a revolution and
releasing it instantaneously when the motion is stopped.
In the accompanying Drawings Sheets 4 and 5, Figure 1 represents a
top view or plan of apparatus arranged in accordance with these
improvements. Figure 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section taken
in the line x, x, of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a transverse section taken in
the line y, y, of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken in
the line 1, 2, of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the nut D attached
direct to the hollow shaft B.
The fast pulley A. is attached to a hollow shaft B journaled in a
standard or hanger C occupying a suitable position with relation to the
machinery to which the Invention is applied. The face of this pulley is
inclined as is usual with friction pulleys. The end of the shaft B nearest
the machinery has a female thread cut in it corresponding with a male
left-hand thread on a projecting portion d of a nut D, which may have
its periphery milled or roughened to facilitate its manipulation by hand.
The loose pulley E is formed with a heel e, in the outer side of which
is a depression for the reception of a head g formed on the outer end of
a solid shaft G, which passes entirely through the hollow shaft B, and is
secured thereto at the outer end by a pin h passing through the head ġ
and into the end of the shaft B, and at the inner end by a male thread
engaging with the female right-hand thread on the nut D. The outer
end of the hub e has a cap I secured thereon by a pin i, which cap pre-
vents longitudinal displacement of the solid shaft G. The fast pulley A:
is secured to the shaft B so as to revolve with it, but the loose pulley E
revolves independently except when held in contact with the fast pulley.
On the inner side of the fast pulley is a stud or projection K, the
exposed portion of which is in the form of a right-angled triangle with
its hypothenuse on the side toward the machinery. At a short distance
from this stud is another stud L, the sides of which are abrupt and per-
pendicular to the side of the pulley. These studs are secured to the
pulley by shanks inserted in openings therein, and may be rivetted down
or formed with screw threads as may be preferred. A spring bolt or
latch M works in a sleeve N attached to the standard or hanger e parallel :
with the pulley shaft and between it and the periphery of the pulley and
its outer end projects to such a distance as to nearly touch the side of
.

page_text: the pulley, so that as the pulley revolves the inclined stud K. presses
back and passes the end of the bolt, and the abrupt projection or stud L
coming in contact with said bolt suddenly arrests the pulley A and stops
the motion of its shaft and of the machinery to which it is attached.
The bolt M is pressed outward by a spring n in the bottom of the
sleeve N, and its motion is limited by a stud m projecting from the bolt
and working in a slot in the sleeve.
Surrounding the hub a of the pulley A and a portion of the shaft B is
a collar P formed with a handle p for giving it a reciprocating rotary
motion. A pin q passes through the collar and, engages with a groove
running around the hub a, so that the pulley A is free to revolve inde-
pendently of the collar, but cannot be entirely detached therefrom
without removing the pin. Surrounding a portion of the shaft B and
rigidly attached to the hanger C so as not to turn is a sleeve R, on the
$ outer surface of which is cut a male screw thread 8, the pitch of which
runs in the same direction as the belt which passes over the pulley.
This screw thread & engages with a corresponding female thread on the
inside of the collar P, so that when a reciprocating rotary motion is
imparted to the collar the pulley A is pressed nearer to or further from
the side of the pulley E. The reciprocating rotary motion of the collar
is limited by a pint projecting from the hanger or standard and engaging
with two shoulders on the collar. A spring has a tendency to keep the
collar pressed in a direction corresponding with the travel of the belt. A
cam w projects from the collar just below the handle p in such a position
as to engage with the stud m which projects from the bolt.
The operation is as follows:-The loose pulley E is adjusted by means
of the nut D to such a degree of contact with the fast pulley A as to
just allow it to revolve without carrying the fast pulley with it. Thọ
loose pulley being in motion the operator raises the handle p, turning
the collar P on the screw thread & and pressing the fast pulley tightly
against the loose pulley so that both pulleys will revolve together. This
motion of the collar brings the cam w in contact with the stud m,
forcing back the bolt until the upward travel of the handle p is arrested
by the contact of the lower shoulder with the pin t, at which point the
stud m slips into a depression in the cam w and holds the parts in that
position. As the pulley A revolves the inclined stud K (which projects
somewhat further than the stud L) strikes the end of the bolt M and
forces it back far enough to release the cam 10 from the stud m, when

page_text: the spring v draws the collar P down to its former position, releasing the
pulley A from its pressure against the pulley E and allowing the loose
pulley E to revolve without it, while at the same instant the bolt M flies
outward, arresting the pulley A. by contact with the stud L and instan-
taneously stopping the motion of the shaft B and of the machinery to t
which it is applied.
When the machinery is to be operated by hand the loose pulley is
adjusted by means of the nut D, so that the fast pulley may revolve
independently of the loose pulley. The machine may then be operated
by a crank attached directly to the shaft, or in any other suitable 1
manner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Garrett Tongue in the Great Seal Patent 1
Office on the 21st September 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue & Birkbeck, Patent Agents
and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, 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 seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Garrett Tongue, Her special
license that I, the said John Garrett Tongue, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Garrett
Tongue, 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 Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOK SEWING MACHINES," a communication to me from
abroad by Henry Graham Thompson, of Milford, in the County of New-

page_text: haven, and State of Connecticut, United States of America, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Garrett Tongue, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
6 ascertain the nature of the said Invention, 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 John Garrett Tongue, do hereby.
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :—
•
The mechanism of this character to which these improvements apply
and heretofore employed in sewing books by machinery has consisted of a
5 series of needles with eyes near their upper ends entering the saw cuts at
the folded portion of the sheets, said sheets resting upon a descending
table and the thread being introduced by a travelling hook.
In book sewing machines of this character there has been a
difficulty in keeping the long thin needles in their proper position, and
the first part of these improvements has for its object improved means of
holding the upper ends of the vertical needles in their proper position for
receiving the lacing threads as the rear table descends, and also for the
purpose of adjusting the machine to the different thicknesses of the
paper that is being sewed. For this purpose bevilled latches are
3 employed that act to position and hold the upper ends of the needles
each time a sheet is placed over and pressed down, thereby the travelling
hook that places the thread will move near to the needles, and the thread
will be received by the hooks of said needles. In book sewing machines
the thread is frequently broken by a knot catching in the hook, and by
the sudden rapid movement the thread is snapped. If the attendant had
any warning the machine could be stopped or moved slowly so as to
allow the knot to pass the hook or for another knot to be tied, thus
saving considerable time and rendering the operations more certain and
continuous. To effect this a swinging fork is employed through which
the thread runs freely, but which will be moved by a knot and give an
alarm on a bell or stop the machine, but said fork by yielding to the
knot does not prevent its passage freely through the machine or. break
the thread.

page_text: In Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto annexed Figure 1 is a plan of
the portions of a book sewing machine to which the first part of these
improvements relates; Figure 2 is a side view; and Figure 3 is an end
view.
The needles a are made with eyes and hooks and supported at their
lower ends, and the devices for supplying the thread supporting the
sheets, folding, and pressing them, are similar to those previously
employed in machines of this character. A frame 6 is provided for
carrying the bevilled latches; said frame is shown as swinging upon the
rod c.
The lifters d are attached to this frame 6 by screws e, that pass
through a slot so as to be positioned to correspond with the needles,
hence when the frame 6 is swung back the lifters d will be out of the
way of the needles, and the sheets of paper can be pressed down beneath
said lifters d, and when the frame 6 is swung towards the needles the
lifters d pass at each side of such needles, the needles occupying the slot
in the lifters. Upon each. of these lifters d is a latch i with a hook-
shaped inclined end, that when swung round draws the needle to the
base of the slot and hence holds it firmly in position while the sheet is
being sewed, and this latch is moved or turned sidewise to liberate the
needle and then is drawn back with the lifters d to allow the sewed sheet
to be forced down upon the needles.
The swinging movement given to the frame 6 and the turning of the
latch i may be through the medium of any suitable mechanism, a bar
being shown having moveable tappets o that act upon pins at the back
ends of the latches i to move all the latches at once, and these tappets o
can be moved to allow of said latches and guides & being positioned to
suit the needles, and this bar is moved by a right angle lever k and
spring m, the reverse motion to unlatch the hooks i being given by a
lever f, cam g, slide h, and bearing bar n. An eccentric pins upon the
axis of the cam g is shown as the means for swinging the frame 6 back
and forth.
When the paper that is being sewed is thick, or the number of folds
large, more room is required between the needle and the vertical fence,
hence the hook i is made adjustable by placing its centre screw eccen-
trically in a bush 14 (see Figures 4 and 5), that is, in the lifter d, and is
held by a screw 15, so that by turning the bush 14 the inner face of the
hook may be moved nearer to or further from the bottom of the slot in

page_text: 0
the lifter d. The thread r passes from a suitable spool through the
guide eye t, and around the tension clamp u, thence through a slot in
the arm to the eye w, and to the travelling hook that passes the thread
to the hooks of the needles a. The arm is on a shaft x that has a cam
to act upon the hammer y of the bell z,
thread to pass freely; but when a knot
arm it is moved and the bell sounded.
arm without breaking the thread, but the attendant is warned, and
slackens the speed or stops the machine, so that the thread may not be
broken.
and the slot will allow the
comes into contact with such
The knot however slides off the
In sewing books the thread has to remain double in the fold of the
sheet, hence it requires to be very fine, and the suddenness of movement
frequently breaks the thread. A sponge 12 moistened with water is
employed, through which the thread runs before reaching the eye t, and
thereby the fine flax fibres are smoothened, the thread rendered stronger,
and the twisting and kinking entirely prevented by the water rendering
the thread soft; and when laid in the fold of the paper the thread is
sufficiently soft to be flattened, and occupy less space than it otherwise
would.
The folded sheet or "signature" previously notched is placed upon
the needles, the lacing thread is passed, and the "signature" folded;
the lifters & are then thrown forward by means of the levers f, the cam g
operating the frame b, thus holding the sewed "signatures" firmly in
position. At the same movement of the lever the cam 9 operates upon
the slide h, which is kept tightly pressed against the cam ŋ by the
pressure of the right angle lever k upon the bearing bar n by means of
the spring m. The movement of the right angle lever / by this means
operates the bar 7, and throws the pivoted hooks i around the needles,
holding them firmly in position for the operation of the thread carrier.
A backward movement of the lever f withdraws the hook i from
around the needles, and the lifters d from over the " signatures," and
permits the addition to the partly sewed book of an additional “ sig-
nature."
The novel features claimed under the first part of this Invention
are,-

page_text: to each of which lugs is pivoted the upper end of a "pitman" h, one
"pitman" connects with the bell-crank lever O', and the other "pitman"
connects with the bell-crank lever 02. The wheel B₁ has a cam
groove b¹ on one of its sides, which groove is circular with a depression
inward towards the centre. The wheel B³ has a cam groove 6³ on its
side with a projection outward toward the periphery. The bell crank O'
engages with the wheel B³ by means of a stud working in the cam
groove b¹; and the bell crank O³ engages with the wheel B³ by means of
a stud working in the cam groove 68%; one of the lugs g is a part of or
made fast to the blocks G, and the other lug g is attached to tho
cylinder E; so that as the shaft B is revolved the wheel B', through the
"pitman" and lug g gives a rocking motion to the block g, and the
wheel B through its "pitman" h and lug g gives a reciprocating
rotary motion to the cylinder E. The wheel B³ has a cam groove b³ in
its face in which works a stud on the lower end of a straight lever i
which is pivoted about midway of its length to a projection i on the
frame A. The upper end of this lever passes through an opening or
slot K in. the under side of the block G and into a recess K³ formed in
•
the cylinder E (sec Figure 8). On the upper side of the block Grests a
bar L secured to the block by screws m passing through slots n so as to
allow the bar to move longitudinally. About midway of the length of
the bar La pin 7 projects downward and enters a hole in the upper end
of the lever I, a shown in full lines in Figure 8, and in dotted lines in
Figure 6. On the upper side of the bar L are pivoted the ends of the
latches P which have their fulcrum on a lifter or finger Q attached to
the upper side of the block G and its opposite end formed into a hook p.
In the Drawings but one of these latches and lifters is shown, but in a
working machine one for each of a series of needles is used, as shewn in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, Sheets 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of
the Drawings, which shows several views on a larger scale of a complete
machine arranged and constructed in accordance with this Invention.
A series of needles are attached to the frame. One of these needles S
is shewn in Figure 8; the lower end is bent and inserted in a hole in a
cylindrical plug t held in place by a set screw in a block T, so that by
loosening the set screw the plug t may be turned so as to elevate or
lower the needle when required. The block T slides in a dovetailed
groove in the frame, as shown in Figure 8, for the purpose of adapting
the machine for sewing books of different lengths by moving the needles
close together or farther apart. The point or upper end of the needlo
"

page_text: projects slightly above the upper side of the lifter or finger Q through a
notch therein, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.
The thread carrier consists of a rod R working in guides a, a, in the
upper part of the frame A so as to admit of a longitudinal motion, and
provided with suitable means for operating it either by hand or by 5
machinery. The guides a, a', are adjustable, so that the carrier rod may
be raised or lowered when desired by means of an eccentric a³. A
lateral adjustment is also provided for by the slot a³ and set screws a¹ in
order that the thread carrier may be moved to and from the needle
without the vertical action attendant upon the movement of the 1
eccentric.
In a working machine the guide a is in some cases placed upon a
slide having a horizontal movement and the guide is adjusted according
to the length of the "signature" being sewed, as will be more clearly
understood by reference to the enlarged views of a complete machine 1
sliewn in Sheets 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, of the Drawings annexed. The
forward end of the rod R is surrounded by a sleeve R³ in which is a
spiral spring R' pressing against a piston or follower ³. Pivoted to the
rod R is a hook R³, the shank of which is flat and passes through a
slot *** in the sleeve. The shank has a slot cut in it at an angle of 2
about 45 degrees inclination from the axis of the rod R. A pin ³ passes
from the sleeve through the slot 7. When the rod R is pressed into
the sleeve so that its end bears against the piston and compresses the
spring ¹ the hook R³ is forced laterally outward in consequence of the
action of the pin in the slot r. The outer or forward end of the 2
sleeve R² is bent upward at an angle of about 30 degrees inclination for
a short distance, and then outward again parallel with the axis of the
rod, as shewn at R*. This end R' when the rod is moved forward strikes
against a "bumper." The bumper V is attached to the top of the
frame A opposite to the thread carrier rod, and is made laterally 3
adjustable by means of the slot v and screw v², and the said bumper has
a face plate Y (see Figure 7) held in place by a projecting lug y¹ and
set screw y which renders the plate readily adjustable. In the face of
this plate is a circular concavity the centre of which is a little to one
side of the centre of the plate. By the proper adjustment of the plate
the centre of the concave is kept opposite to and receives the forward
end of the sleeve R* of the thread carrier rod R after every forward

page_text: movement and carries the rod to the proper position for the action of
the hook R³ in throwing the loop around the last needle.
-
The "signatures" or folds to be sewed have the folded portion's
notched in the usual way. The signature is opened and laid upon the
needles which pass through the holes made by the saw cuts in the fold.
The thread carrier is then moved forward, the hook R³ catching the
loop in the thread of the feeding needle and carrying it along until it is
opposite the last needle when the end R' comes in contact with the
"bumper" V which arrests the motion of the sleeve R³. The motion of
the rod R is continued, the end pressing against the piston, and forcing
the hook R³ laterally outward so as to throw the loop around the last
'needle. The thread carrier is then moved back to its former position,
and as the shaft B revolves the lifters Q raise the signatures clear of the
needles, the hook on the point of the last needle catching the interlacing
thread and preventing it from slipping off the needle when the folders of
the machine turn the "signature," and the lifters or fingers Q presses
it down and the operator places another "signature" in position for a
similar operation, which operation is repeated until the required number
of "signatures" have been sewed and the rear table filled, the back
bands are then threaded into the needles preparatory to the removal of
the book from the machine.
The novel features claimed under the second part of this Invention
are,—.
Fifth. The combination of the cam wheels B¹, B³, bell-crank
levers C¹, C³, pitman h, h, lugs 9, 9, cylinder E and block G, sub-
stantially as herein shown and described for the purpose specified.
Sixth. A needle hook for the purpose of catching, holding, and
carrying the feeding thread (or interlacing) over and around the head
needle, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein shown,
and described.
Seventh. A block T provided with an adjustable plug t for raising
and lowering the needle as may be required by the different thick-
nesses of paper to be sewed, substantially as herein shown and
described.
Eighth. One or more adjustable guides a provided with eccentrics a³,
substantially as shown and described, arranged, and operating so as to
elevate or depress the thread carrier rod,

page_text: Ninth. One or more adjustable guides a having a transverse slot as
and set screw a¹ in combination with the frame of a book sewing machine,
substantially as shewn and described, all arranged and operating so as to
give to the guides a lateral adjustment.
Tenth. The combination of the guide a provided with a transverse 5
slot aª and eccentric a³, with a book sewing machine frame for the
lateral and vertical adjustment of the thread carrier rod, substantially as
shown and described.
Eleventh. In a book sewing machine the application of a guide that
is adjustable applied to regulate the distance between the thread carrier 1
rod and a series of needles, and between the thread carrier rod and
the signatures being sowed substantially as herein shown and described.
Twelfth. In a book sewing machine the arrangement and application
of a bumper V that is laterally and vertically adjustable for receiving
the end of the thread carrier rod in whatover position it may be adjustod 1
by the guides, substantially as herein shown and described.
-
Thirteenth. The arrangement of the bumper V in combination with
the face plate Y having a concavity or "bell-shaped mouth," and set
screw y, substantially as herein shown and described.
Fourteenth. The combination of the laterally and vertically adjustable 2
bumper V and face plate Y, with the thread carrier R, substantially as
herein shown and described, all arranged and operating to bring the end
of the carrier rod to the proper position for the successful operation
of the hook R³ in throwing the thread over the last of the series of
needles:
2
The third part of this Invention relates to certain improvements in
friction pulleys for driving and arresting the motion of book sewing
machines adapted so as to be applied to such machines when it is
desired to stop the motion at every revolution of the driving shaft; and
this part of these improvements consists of a fast pulley attached to a g
hollow shaft, and a loose pulley attached to a solid shaft passing through
said hollow shaft and connected thereto at one end, by means of a nut
formed with an internal or female right-hand screw thread and an
external or male left-hand thread.
The apparatus also consists of a spring bolt or latch attached to the 3
standard or hanger which supports the driving shaft acting in con-
--

page_text: nection with an inclined and an abrupt projection on the fast pulley,
for the purpose of stopping the motion thereof at every revolution of
the same.
The apparatus also consists in the arrangement of a cam or screw
thread sleeve working on the shaft of the fast pulley for the purpose of
holding it in contact with the loose pulley while making a revolution,
and releasing it instantaneously when the motion is stopped.
In the accompanying Drawings Figure 12 represents a top view or
plan of apparatus arranged in accordance with these improvements..
Figure 13 is a central vertical longitudinal section taken in the line
x, x, of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a transverse section taken in the line y, y,
of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a longitudinal section taken in the line 1, 2,
of Figure 12.
Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view shewing the nut D attached
direct to the hollow shaft B.
The fast pulley A is attached to the hollow shaft B journalled in a
standard or hanger C occupying a suitable position with relation to the
machinery to which the Invention is applied. The face of this pulley is
inclined as is usual with friction pulleys. The end of the shaft B
nearest the machinery has a female thread cut in it corresponding with
a male left-hand thread on a projecting portion d of a nut D which may
have its periphery milled or roughened to facilitate its manipulation by
hand. The loose pulley E is formed with a hub e, in the outer side of which
is a depression for the reception of a head 7 formed on the outer end of
a solid shaft G which passes entirely through the hollow shaft B, and is.
secured thereto at the outer end of a pin / passing through the licad g
and into the end of the shaft B, and at the inner end by a malo
thread engaging with. the femalo right-hand thread on the nut D..
The outer end of the hub e has a cap I secured thercon by a
pin which cap prevents longitudinal displacement of the solid
shaft G. The fast pulley A is secured to the shaft B so as to
revolve with it, but the loose pulley E revolves independently except
when held in contact with the fast pulley. On the inner side of the fast
pulley is a stud or projection K, the exposed portion of which is in the
form of a right angled triangle with its hypothenuse on the side toward
the machinery. At a short distance from this stud is another stud L,
the sides of which are abrupt and perpendicular to the side of the pulley.
These studs are, secured to the pulley by shanks inserted in openings
.
•

page_text: therein and may be rivetted down or formed with screw threads as may
be preferred. A spring bolt or latch M works in a sleeve N attached to
the standard or hanger e parallel with the pulley shaft, and between it and
the periphery of the pulley, and its outer end projects to such a distanco
as to nearly touch the side of the pulley so that as the pulley revolves
the inclined stud K presses back and passes the end of the bolt, and the
abrupt projection or stud L coming in contact with said bolt. suddenly.
arrests the pulley A and stops the motion of its shaft and of the
machinery to which it is attached. The bolt M is pressed outward by a
spring n in the bottom of the sleeve N, and its motion is limited by a
stud m projecting from the bolt and working in a slot in the sleeve.
Surrounding the hub a of the pulley A and a portion of the shaft B is
a collar P formed with a handle p for giving it a reciprocating rotary
motion. A pin q passes through the collar and engages with a groove
running around the hub a, so that the pulley A is free to revolve inde-
pendently of the collar, but cannot be entirely detached therefrom
without removing the pin. Surrounding a portion of the shaft. B. and
rigidly attached to the hanger C so as not to turn is a sleeve R, on the
outer surface of which is cut a male screw thread S, the pitch of which
runs in the same direction as the belt which passes over the pulley. This
screw thread & engages with a corresponding female thread on the
inside of the collar P, so that when a reciprocating rotary motion is.
imparted to the collar the pulley A is pressed nearer to or further from
the side of the pulley E. The reciprocating rotary motion of the collar.
is limited by a pint projecting from the hanger or standard and engaging
with two shoulders on the collar. A spring has a tendency to keep
the collar pressed in a direction corresponding with the travel of the
belt. A cam w projects from the collar just below the handle p in. such
a position as to engage with the stud m which projects from the bolt.
The operation is as follows:-Tho loose pulley E is adjusted by means
of the nut D to such a degree of contact with the fast pulley A as:
to just allow it to revolve without carrying the fast pulley with it..
The loose pulley being in motion the operator raises the handle p
turning the collar P on the screw thread S, and pressing the fast pulley
lightly against the loose pulley, so that both pulleys will revolve
together. This motion of the collar brings the cam w in contact with
the stud m forcing back the bolt until the upward travel of the handle p
is arrested by the contact of the lower shoulder with tho pin t, at which,

page_text: point the stud m slips into a depression in the cam 10 and holds the parts
in that position. As the pulley A revolves the inclined stud K (which
projects somewhat further than the stud L) strikes the end of the bolt M
and forces it back far enough to release the cam w from the stud m, when
the spring draws the collar ? down to its former position, releasing the.
pulley A. from its pressure against the pulley E and allowing the looso
pulley E to revolve without it, while at the same instant the bolt M flies
outward, arresting the pulley A. by contact with the stud L and instan-
taneously stopping the motion of the shaft B, and of the machinery to
which it is applied.
When the machinery is to be operated by hand the loose pulley is
adjusted by means of the nut D, so that the fast pulley may revolve
independently of the loose pulley. The machine may then be operated
by a crank attached directly to the shaft or in any other suitable
manner.
:
'
For convenience of illustration the Drawing represents a hand crank
attached to the end of the shaft B.
0
The novel features claimed under the third part of this Invention
arc,-
Fifteenth. A fast pulley attached to a hollow shaft in combination
with a loose pulley attached to a solid shaft passing through and con-
nected with said hollow shaft, substantially as and for the purpose hercin
shown and described.
Sixteenth. The nut D formed with the internal and external screw
thread in combination with the shafts B and G, substantially as herein
shewn and described. -
Seventeenth. The spring bolt M in combination with the studs K and
L, substantially as and for the purpose herein shewn and specified.
Eighteenth. The cam w in combination with the stud m on the bolt M,
substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.
Nineteenth. The collar P working on the screw threads 8, or their
equivalents for holding the pulleys in contact while making a revolution
and releasing them when the motion is stopped, substantially as herein.
shown and described..
Twentieth. The combination of the hub e on the loose pulley E, the

page_text: revolve independently except when held in contact with the fast pulley,
substantially as shown and described.
· Lastly. The general arrangement, construction, and combination of
mechanical parts, constituting the improved book sewing machine,
operating substantially in the manner herein-before described, and
represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whercof, I, the said John Garrett Tongue, have herc
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
:
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE. (L.S.)