Improvements in Sewing Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1892-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sewing Machines.
We, ALBERT LEGG and CHARLES WARD WESTON, both of Milton, in the
County of Ulster, and State of New York, United States of America, 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:
Our invention relates to all kinds of sewing machines, and consists broadly of
a sewing machine needle having a recess adapted to engage and let go of the
thread at each stitch and of means attached to the presser-bar of threading said
needle at each stitch.
Its objects are to do away with the labour and annoyance attendant upon
threading the needle by hand, to lessen or avoid the reeving of the thread through
the needle, to construct a needle having a recess or open-eye that will operate with
all kinds of complemental stitch forming mechanism, to construct such a needle that
will operate successfully upon all kinds of material, to produce a stronger needle
and to provide mechanism for threading at each stitch which shall be economical,
simple and easily attachable to the various styles of sewing machines.
We attain these objects by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings
in which similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the
various views.
Figures 1 to 6 inclusive show a needle which embodies our invention thereof,
and.
Figures 7 to 23 inclusive show mechanisms which embody our invention of means
of threading said needle.
Figure 1 is an enlarged front view of such a needle.
Figure 2 is a side view.
Figure 3 a right side view of the same.
Figures 5 and 6 are cross sections respectively on lines 5-5 and 6-6, looking in
the direction of the arrows of Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows a modification.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, A is a needle adapted to fit the needle-bar of a
sewing machine, near the point of the needle, or where the eye is ordinarily located,
a recess or notch bis formed running up towards the butt of the needle; this recess
or notch is shaped substantially like an ordinary needle-eye, open at the extremity
nearest the point of the needle. For convenience we designate the side of the
needle having the recess, as the front thereof.
In a reciprocating shuttle machine, it is essential that the needle should carry
the thread in its eye, or recess during its partial rise for the purpose of forming a
loop for the entry of the shuttle, and not slip out until some resistance other than
mere gravity is met upon the further rise of the needle. We therefore, in such
cases, form the recess or notch & smallest at its opening point d. The size of said
opening & regulates the size of thread to be used, but a much wider range of thread
may be used in the same needle, than in any needle now used.
We have found that, in operating upon material that hugs the needle closely,
such for instance as fine new muslin, the spur c of the recess is apt to catch and tear
the material unless it is guarded more effectually than has been accomplished
heretofore. To this end we round or point the lower end of said spur c so that said
point is, on all sides, within the outside line or normal surface of the needle, and
also omit the ordinary grooves below the eye or recess, as the thread is not carried
by the recess on its rise, when it is above the material.

page_text: In order to facilitate the withdrawing of the needle through the material we
slope or round off the edges of the lower surface f of the recess or the whole of said
surface may have a general slope or slant outwards from the back of the recess,
and down towards the point of the needle.
We have found that when this surface f of the recess has no slope or slant or
slants only outward and down towards the point, the thread is apt to be injured or
broken, and does not slip out readily from the recess at the proper time. We
therefore slant or slope said surface in the direction of feed of the thread, to wit,
from the long groove of the needle, down towards the short groove side, as shown
in Figures 1 and 6; the result of which construction is that the thread is fed more
readily through the recess or eye, and is released therefrom more readily, when
resistance is met.
We have found too, that the operation of the needle may be facilitated by
rounding or pointing the lower end of said spur e more towards the long groove side
of the needle than the other. By this means the size of the opening d may be
diminished by bringing the end of spur e opposite a higher point of the slanting
surface and the general slant of the various parts is increased, rendering the
passage of the needle both ways through the material, easier.
To render the needle strong, we form the recess b so that its centre line is a little
in front of the longitudinal centre line of the needle, and the long and short
grooves h and y respectively also a little in front of said centre line. Thus there is
a line of greater amount of stock down the back and behind the recess of the needle,
as shown in Figure 5.
Hereinafter a mechanism is described by which the thread is fed to the needle in
front, when the needle is in the material. In such a mechanism the long groove h¹
of the needle, may be turned as shown in Figure 4. The object of this device is to
allow the thread when it is fed to the needle from the front to pass down through
the long groove thereof.
We will now proceed to describe attachments for sewing machines to be used
when an open-eyed needle is used.
Figures 7 to 15 inclusive show one class of such attachments.
Figure 7 is a front view of a portion of machine, showing our device attached
thereto.
Figure 8 is a rear view of the same.
Figure 9 is a side view looking in the direction of feed of the machine.
Figures 10 and 11 are cross-sectious, looking down, on 5-5 and 6-6, respectively
of Figure 7.
Figures 12 is an enlarged view showing the parts just after the recess of the
needle has engaged the thread.
Figures 13, 14 and 15 show a modification; Figure 13 being a front view thereof;
Figure 14 a side view looking in the direction of feed of the machine and Figure 15 a
sectional view on the line 10-10 of Figure 14.
1 is the presser-bar; 2 the needle-bar; 3 the cloth-plate and 4 the presser-foot
of one of the ordinary styles of sewing machines.
The needle-bar 2 carries a
needle having an open-eye or recess & facing the presser-bar. The band 5 is
secured to the presser bar 1 below the face plate 6 by screw 7 and carries
lugs 8 in which the guide-arm 9 and finger-arm 10 are journalled angularly
with reference to each other and the path of the needle as shown more clearly
in Figures 9 and 14. Said arms 9 and 10 are bent or cam-shaped, and slide
along pins or lugs 11 on needle-bar 2 as it reciprocates. The axes and cam-
shape of said arms determine the motions of the guide 12 and finger 13, borne
respectively on the lower ends of said arms. Springs 14 and 15 (see Figures 13.
14 and 15) work in opposition to the lugs or pins 11. It is preferable that
pins 11, 11, should operate on opposite sides of arms, and 10 respectively.
Another device for operating said arms is shown in Figures 7 to 12 inclusive
in which said arms 9 and 10 slide each between two lugs or pins 11 on needle-
bar 2 as it reciprocates.

page_text: Guide 12 is an ordinary guide-eye, such for instance as the spiral or pig-tail
shown in Figures 13 and 14, through which the thread is fed to the needle;
but a good construction is also shown in Figures 7 and 9 consisting of a slot 16
and spring 17 fastened on the side of the slot 16 and projecting across it so
that the thread may be slipped in readily and retained. Finger 13 is substantially
hook-shaped.
The operation of this attachment is as follows:-to wit. Needle-bar 2 is at its
upper limit of stroke. Cam-shaped arms 9 and 10 respectively hold guide 12 and
finger 13, in front of the path of the needle, or on that side of the needle in which
is the recess b. Arm 10 is a little longer than arm 9 so that finger 13 is below
guide 12, and the hook thereof behind the thread passing down through said guide.
This position of the parts is shown in Figures 7 to 11 inclusive, and in Figures 13
to 15 inclusive. As needle-bar 2 descends pins or lugs 11 and springs 14 and 15
operating in opposition to each other upon cam-shaped arms 9 and 10 swing them
upon their axes, on presser-bar 1 forward towards and one to either side of the
path of the needle. As finger 10 is thus advanced it catches thread 18 below
guide 9 and said thread as both guide and finger 10 are advanced to opposite
sides of the needle path, is carried forward and distended partially around the
descending needle, so as to be engaged by the recess b thereof as shown in Figure 12.
Of course it is understood that when the form of our device shown in Figures 7
to 12 inclusive is used, said pin or lugs 11 operate said arms both ways without the
assistance of any springs. As needle-bar 2 descends, finger 13 returns to its former
position and guide 12 remains in its advanced position to feed the thread to the
long groove of the needle until the needle has risen sufficiently to render this
unnecessary when this also returns to its former position. This operation is repeated
with each stitch.
Of course we do not limit ourselves to the particular motions described of said
guide and finger. They may be varied considerably, for instance the arm 9 may
be adapted to return guide 12 to its normal position, as soon as the needle has
engaged the thread. In such case the long grooves of the needle may be turned.
around to the front thereof, as shown in Figure 4. This motion of the guide is
illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 but the long groove is shown straight as whether
or not it should be turned depends upon the nature of the complemental stitch
forming mechanism.
Figures 16 to 23 inclusive show another class of attachments to be used when an
open-eyed needle is used, in which the guide is stationary with reference to the
presser bar. This class of attachments is shown as applied to an ordinary lock-
stitch,, or shuttle machine, but of course, we do not limit ourselves to this
application of our invention. And it will be understood also that our attachments
described above are applicable to this and other styles of sewing machines.
Figure 16 is a perspective view, showing the application of our stationary-guide,
class of attachments to a shuttle sewing machine, a portion of the cloth-plate being
broken away, and the slides covering the shuttle race being removed showing some
of the parts beneath.
Figure 17 is an enlarged sectional elevation through the head of the machine,
carrying a needle-bar and presser bar looking from the rear of the machine towards
the front, said section being taken on line x-x of Figure 18.
Figure 18 is a front or face view of the head of the machine and parts above the
feed-plate, represented in Figure 17.
Figure 19 is an inside view of the front plate, appearing in Figure 18 the same
being detached, together with the needle-bar and presser-bar and other connected
parts, from the main portion of the head.
Figure 20 is a further enlarged detail view, showing a portion of the shuttle race,
needle-bar, presser-foot and finger in their relative positions at one period of
forming the stitch.
Figure 21 is a similar perspective view showing the said parts at another period
of forming the stitch.

page_text: Figure 22 is a horizontal section on the line y-y of Figure 19 showing the
finger in one position with reference to the needle, and
Figure 23 is a similar view showing another position of the thread carrier.
SS represents. the frame of the machine above the table; 3 the cloth-plate;
2 the needle-bar; 1 the presser-bar; and 4 the presser-foot. 19 is the feed
surface, and 20 the feed-bar beneath the cloth-plate. 21 represents the oscillating
bar for operating the feed surface, and 22 a spring for retracting the feed-bar 20
downward and forward, in co-operation with said oscillating bar 21.
23 represents the shuttle carrier, which is pivotted in the usual manner beneath
the cloth-plate of the machine; and 24 represents the shuttle carried therein
reciprocating in an arc in the race 25.
26 is the lifter for the presser bar and 27 the spring for retaining the presser-
foot upon the cloth. The lifter 26 bears upon the projecting stud or block 28
projecting from the presser-bar 1. and said lifter by means of its cam-shaped
periphery is used to raise and lower the presser-bar, and all parts attached thereto,
in the usual manner.
29 is the tension plate for retarding the thread, and the eye 30 and hook 31
serve to take up the thread.
32 in Figure 17 represents the rotary shaft for driving the needle-bar. The
disc 33 upon the end of this shaft bears the crank pin 34, operating in the cam-
shaped grooved piece 35, attached to the needle-bar, giving the needle a variable
speed of reciprocation. The periphery of the disc 33 also forms a cam acting on
the roller 36 upon the end of the arm 37 pivotted at 37* carrying the hook 31
reciprocating the latter to and fro in co-operation with the spring 38 to take up
the thread at the proper time.
Upon the shaft 32, there is also a head 39, having a cam-shaped slot, the
curvature whereof is made variable in a direction longitudinal to the cylindrical
surface of the head, 39.
13 is the finger, the shank 10' whereof is the prolongation of the lower arm of
the lever 40 and is pivotted at 41 to said lever arm, to allow motion transverse,
relative to the machine. The lever 40 is fulcrummed at 42 upon the block 43
fastened to the presser-bar 1. The lower arm of said lever 40 bears the finger or
thread carrier 13 and moves about said fulcrum 42 in a path endwise relative to
the machine.
The upper arm of the lever 40 bears a roller 44 fitting the cam-slot in the
head 39, and thereby the finger 13 is reciprocated in a direction end wise with
reference to the machine. The plate 45 also attached to the foot-bar and shown
in detail in views 22 and 23 contains a V-shaped slot or cam, which, when the
thread carrier is moved by the lever 40 in one direction, guides said thread carrier
in a transverse direction relating to the machine by means of said cam; this
transverse movement being permitted by pivot 41.
12 is the guide for receiving the thread as it passes from the spool through the
tension plate 29, eye 30 the guide 47, the hook 31, the eye 48, and eye 49 thereto
and thence through the presser-foot to the cloth; the thread being distended
between said guide 12, and the cloth in a position for seizure by the finger or
thread carrier 13 as illustrated in Figures 20 and 21.
Said guide 12 should be attached to or rigid with reference to the presser-bar its
attachment as shown to the presser-foot accomplishes this result. In Figure 20,
50 represents the cloth, and 51 the upper thread and 52 the lower thread. The
curvature of the cam-shaped slot in the head 39 and the V-shaped slot 46 in the
plate 45 are so arranged that the finger or thread carrier 13 performs functions in
connection with guide 12, similar to those performed by finger 13 and guide 12
when they both move as described above.
In the operation of the machine as the needle A descends the finger 13 at the
position shown in Figure 23, seizes a bight of the portion of thread between the
guide eye 12 and the cloth, and carries the same about the needle at the proper
time to be seized by the notch b, and inserted through the cloth. The needle,

page_text: completing its downward stroke, its initial upward movement forms a loop 53,
Figure 20, the shuttle entering the same. The thread becomes disengaged from
the needle, during its continued upward motion. The shuttle having passed
through the loop, as shown in Fig. 21 the upper thread 51, is pulled by the take-up,
drawing and completing the stitch in the usual manner, excepting that the said
upper thread is free from the needle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is;
1. A sewing machine needle having a recess for engaging the thread, which
consists of a notch in the front of said needle and running up towards the butt of
the same the point of the spur of said notch being on all sides within the normal
surface of the needle substantially as described.
2. A sewing machine needle having a recess for engaging the thread which
consists of a notch in the front of said needle and running up towards the butt of
the same the point of the spur of said notch being on all sides witbin the normal
surface of the needle and the lower surface of said notch being inclined downwards
all the way from the long groove side to the short groove side of said needle
substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. In a sewing machine needle the device for engaging the thread which consists
of a notch in the front of said needle and running up towards the butt of the
same the point of the spur of said notch being on all sides within the normal
surface of the needle and the lower surface of said notch being inclined downwards
all the way from the long groove side to the short groove side of said needle
and also outwards and downwards from the back of said notch substantially as and
for the purposes described.
4. In a sewing machine needle the device for engaging the thread which consists
of a notch in the front of said needle and running up towards the butt of the same
the point of the spur of said notch being on all sides within the normal surface of
the needle and on the long grouve side of the longitudinal centre line thereof and the
lower surface of said notch being inclined downwards from the long groove side
to the short groove side of said needle substantially as and for the purposes
described.
5. In a sewing machine needle having a recess for engaging the thread the device
for strengthening said needle, which consists of providing a line of greater amount
of stock along the back of said needle and behind said recess substantially 'as
described.
6. In a sewing machine the combination of (1) a needle having a recess or open
eye for engaging the thread (2) means of operating said needle (3) means of feeding
thread to the same which consists of a guide and finger movable from in front of
the path of said needle towards and to opposite sides of said path whereby the thread
is carried and distended partially around the needle as it descends (4) means of
operating said guide and finger and (5) complemental stitch forming mechanism
substantially as described.
7. In a sewing machine the combination of (1) a needle having a recess or open-
eye for engaging the thread (2) means of operating said needle (3) means of feeding
thread to the same which consists of a guide and finger movable simultaneously in
straight divergent lines from in front of the path of said needle towards and to
opposite sides of said path whereby the thread is carried and distended partially
around the needle as it descends (4) means of operating said guide and finger and
(5) complemental stitch forming mechanism substantially as described.
8. In a sewing machine the combination of (1) a needle having a recess or open-
eye for engaging the thread (2) means of operating said needle (3) means of feeding
thread to the same which consists of a guide and finger movable simultaneously in
straight divergent lines from in front of the path of said needle towards and to
opposite sides of said path said guide being adapted to remain in its advanced

page_text: position during a part of the time of each stitch whereby the thread is carried and
distended partially around the needle as it descends and fed to the long groove
thereof (4) means of operating said guide and finger and (5) complemental stitch
forming mechanism substantially as described.
9. In a sewing machine having a needle with a recess or open-eye for engaging
the thread the device for operating the thread feeding mechanism of said needle
which consists of the combination of (1) cam-shaped arms journalled on the presser-
bar and (2) means of swinging said arms on said axes as the needle-bar reciprocates
substantially as described.
10. In a sewing machine having a needle with a recess for engaging the thread
the device for operating the thread feeding mechanism of said needle which consists
of the combination of (1) lugs on the presser-bar (2) cam-shaped arms journalled in
said lugs and (3) means for swinging said arms on said axes as the needle-bar
reciprocates substantially as described.
11. In a sewing machine having a needle with a recess or open-eye for engaging
the thread the device for operating the thread feeding mechanism of said needle
which consists of the combination of (1) lugs on the presser-bar (2) cam-shaped
arms journalled in said lugs (3) pins on the needle bar adapted to swing said arms
in one direction on said axes as said needle bar reciprocates and springs adapted to
swing said arms in opposition to said pins substantially as described.
12. In a sewing machine having a needle with a recess or open-eye for engaging
the thread the device for operating the thread feeding mechanism of said needle
which consists of the combination of (1) lugs on the presser-bar (2) cam-shaped
arms journalled in said lugs and (3) pins on the needle-bar adapted to swing said
arms on said axes as the said needle-bar reciprocates substantially as described.
13. In a sewing machine the combination of (1) a needle having a recess or open-
eye and (2) means of reciprocating the same with (3) means of threading said needle
upon each downward stroke thereof consisting of a guide at one side of the path of
said needle and a thread-carrier moving in an angular path across the path of said
needle and means of operating the same and (4) complemental stitch forming
mechanism substantially as and for the purposes described.
14. In a sewing machine the combination of (1) a needle with a recess or open-
eye for engaging the thread (2) means of operating said needle (3) means of feeding
thread to the same which consists of a guide on the presser-bar at one side of the
path of said needle and a finger journalled on the presser-bar and movable partially
around said needle path whereby the thread is carried and distended partially
around the needle as it descends (4) means of operating said finger and (5) com-
plemental stitch forming mechanism substantially as described.
15. In a sewing machine having a needle with a recess or open-eye for engaging the
thread the device for operating the thread feeding mechanism which consists of the
combination of (1) an arm journalled on the presser-bar (2) a cam shaped slot in
the path of said arm and adapted to direct said arm out of the path of its motion
upon said axis means of swinging said arm upon said axis and in said slot as the
needle-bar reciprocates substantially as described.
16. In a sewing machine having a needle with a recess or open-eye for engaging
the thread the device for operating the thread feeding mechanism which consists of
(1) a lever fulcrummed on the presser-bar and bearing a finger pivoted on one arm
thereof (2) means of swinging said lever upon the axis of its fulcrum as the needle-
bar reciprocates and (3) a cam-shaped slot in the path of said finger-bearing arm of
said lever and adapted to direct said finger out of the path of its motion upon the
axis of the fulcrum of said lever substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of May 1892.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.