Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug, 1887
Complete Left, 1st May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 1st June, 1888
We JOHN JACKSON of Gravelly Hill in the County of Warwick Engineer and
PATRICK ALPHONSUS MARTIN of 26 Great Charles Street Birmingham, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to the construction of a cheap Lockstitch Sewing Machine
which has for its object a simple means of operation. We construct our invention of
metal as follows.
We form the body of the machine (by preference as a metal casting) in the form
of a square shaped frame the sides being Ṭ shaped for strongth, to the base or lower
side we form a suitable screw cramp for the purpose of fixing the machine to any
desired object. Underneath and near the upper side (or side running parrallel with
the base) we pass a wire shaft which we rotate in two holes in the perpendicular sides
or the two sides standing at right angles with the base, the end of the shaft projecting
through the left hand perpendicular side we bend or form in the shape of a crank.
To the other end of the shaft projecting through the opposite or right hand perpen-
dicular side we secure a small wheel on which we secure a suitable shaped driving
handle.
In the outer rim of the said wheel we cut a V shaped groove in which we
place a flexible rubber washer or ring. Near the said wheel we secure one end of a
wire spring. The other end we extend and lodge between the perpendicular side &
the inner side of the wheel and near the extreme end we bend out a small portion at
a right angle so that its position will be transversely with the rubber tyred wheel, we
use the said right angle end as a spindle on which to wind our spool, and the spring
formation to press the spool against the rubber and the rubber wheel to rotate the
spool. Near the end of the crank shaped end of the shaft we turn two V shaped
grooves, then we cut a fine slot across the diameter and longitudinally down the length
of the cranked out end.
In the outer groove we spring our needle the end of which we form as a hook or
crook, in the other groove we spring a piece of wire the ends of which we form as
loops to guide the cotton and act as a take up, we divide the right hand perpendicular

page_text: side in the centre or middle into two halves a short distance apart, over the lower half
we secure a work plate, and to the end of the upper half we secure a strip of sheet
steel bent double to form two sides running parrallel with each other then the ends
bent up near the centre at a right angle one end extending & lapping over the other,
we pass the cotton between the one end and the lapped over end for the purpose of
tensioning and we increase or decrease the tension by a thumb screw which places the
ends apart. We secure the parrallel sides of this strip on a lug on the end of the
upper half, and parrallel with, and a short distance from the plate. In the upper side
of the strip we form a small hole in which we lodge the point of our needle & we cut
a slot opposite, in the opposite side and also in the plate, thus when the shaft is
rotated by the handle the crank forces down the needle which oscillates in the small
hole and makes a sweep underneath the plate in the shape of a quarter or segment of
a circle.
In a line with the sweep of the needle we form to the lower half of the side
under the work plate a perpendicular surface plate against which we press our spool
which we form as follows, of thin sheet steel one side or half we form saucer shaped
having a flat rim or flange as its outer edge, the other half or side we form as a washer
having a small taper edged disc formation in its centre, we connect & secure the two
together by fixing one ond of a small barrel or collet to the centre of the interior of
the saucer shaped half and the other end to the centre of the washer shaped half
with its tapered disc outwards and we fix the washer half so that it is flush or level
with the side of the saucer rim and the small tapered disc a distance beyond the
width of the needle. We form a hole through the centre of the entire spool and the
diametre of the washer half less than the diametre of the interior so that the cotton
may be inserted and wound round the barrel in the spool. To keep the spool in
position and the tapered disc pressed against the surface plate we fix near the plate a
delicate flat spring with a portion indented to lodge in the hole of the spool which
we countersink or we lodge the spool in a frame and pressed by a spring. To keep
the material pressed against the underneath strip whilst the needle propels it forward,
we project a flat fork shaped spring through the plate which when drawn inward will
descend and when forced outward will press against the strip.
It is obvious that the germ of our invention is the utilization of the snap of the
needle on the surface plate under the work plate for the purpose of placing the loop
upon a spool or shuttle and then carrying the loop round it.
1
1007

page_text: Improvements in Lock Stitch Sewing Machines.
We JOHN JACKSON of Gravelly Hill in the County of Warwick Engineer and
PATRICK ALPHONSUS MARTIN of No. 26 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, Manu-
facturer do hereby declare the nature of our 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 consists of the improvements hereinafter described in lock stitch
sewing machines the object of our invention being the production of a cheap lock stitch
sewing machine with simple means of operation.
We make the body of the machine of a rectangular metal frame having a screw
clamp attachment. In the uprights of the frame a wire shaft rotates being driven by
a driving handle or winch. On one end of the shaft is a crank which is grooved to
receive the needle the said needle being sprung into the groove. The crank also
receives a double loop to guide the cotton and act as a take up. On the frame of the
machine is a vertical cheek on the top of which is the work plate and above the work
plate and attached to a lug on the frame is a doubled strip of metal. In the upper
parallel side of this strip is a small hole in which the point of the needle enters and
serves as a fulcrum for the needle and in the lower side of the doubled strip is a slot
coinciding with a slot in the work plate. When the shaft is rotated the crank forces
down the needle which oscillates in the small hole described and makes a quadrant or
are like sweep under the work plate and against the vertical face of the cheek
described on the frame. To this cheek the spool is connected. The case of the spool
is saucer shaped and has a flat rim or flange on its outer edge. The spool and case
are secured to and pressed against the cheek by means of a spring strip or plate. The
fabric or material to be sewn pressed against the doubled strip described while the
needle propels it forward by a flat fork shaped spring.
The essence of our invention consists in the utilization of the sweep of the needle
against the cheek under the work plate for the purpose of placing the loop upon the
spool case and for carrying the loop round it as hereinafter particularly explained and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 represents in side elevation; Figure 2 in plan and Figures 3, 4 and 5 in
end elevation (partly in cross section) a lock stitch sewing machine constructed
according to our invention. In Figures 1, and 3 the needle is represented
about to make its down stroke. In Figure 4 the needle is represented in the
act of descending and in Figure 5 the needle is represented moved nearly through the
arc indicated and about to rise. Figures 6, 7 and 8 represent the same views as
Figures 3, 4 and 5 drawn to a larger scale for the better exhibiting of the construction
and action of the parts; Figure 9 represents the spool and its case or carrier detached ;
Figure 10 represents in section and elevation the spool case or carrier separately and
Figure 11 represents the spool in elevation and section separately. Figure 12
represents the fork shaped spring for holding the fabric or material on the work plate
and the upper part of the side check of the machine on which the said spring is
situated; Figures 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 represent modifications and details of the
machine as hereinafter described.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures of the
Drawings.

page_text: a is the rectangular metal frame of the machine carrying at its bottom, the screw
clamp for fixing it to a table or other surface; c is the shaft of the machine working
The said shaft c has a
in holes or bearings at d, & in the uprights of the frame a.
, crank e at one end and a winch or driving handle f at the opposite end; the machine
may however be worked by an internally geared hand wheel or by a treadle motion or
by steam or other power; g is the needle of the machine having a loop at its upper
end The said needle g is connected to the pin of the crank e by springing the looped
end into an annular groove in the said crank pin, or the looped end of the needle may
be lodged in the neck of a fixed screw on the crank pin; h, is the double looped
wire for guiding the cotton and acting as a take up. The double loop h, h² is sprung
into a groove in or lodged on the crank pin and is capable of a swivelling motion on
the said crank pin, a loop being situated on opposite sides of the crank pin. The
manner in which the cotton from the reel ³ is conducted from it through the guiding
and taking up loop 1, 2 to the needle is best seen in Figures 67 and 8; that is, the
cotton from the reel ³ first passes between the tension discs to the loop 12 on one
side of the crank. From thence the cotton passes through the guide eye on the frame
of the machine to the loop h on the opposite side of the crank and from the loop h to
tho eyc
of the needle g: i is the work plate on which the fabric or material to be sewn
is supported the said plate i being fixed on the vertical check a* at the lower part of
the framing carrying the screw clamp b. Fixed to a lug on the right hand upright of
the framing is a doubled strip of metal k through which the needle g passes and which
forms a fulcrum for the said needle g to oscillate on as herein after explained. Between
the lower parallel side of the doubled strip k and the work plate i the fabric or
material to be sewn is situated and moves, the said fabric or material being pressed
upwards against the lower side of the strip k by the fork shaped spring holder or
lever . The acting end of the spring holder or lever passes through a slot in the
doubled strip k and the said holder or lever is connected to the vertical cheek a* by
its slot passing over or embracing a portion of the top of the said cheek, the end (³
of the slot engaging with a tooth a³ on the said cheek (see the separate view
Figure 12 and the modified machine Figures 14 and 15). When it is wished to
remove the spring holder out of action for placing the fabric on or removing it from
the work plate i the tail end l' is raised so as to lift the slot from the tooth a³ and
then moved along the top of the cheek a² until the end of the slot 3 strikes the stop a* on
the said cheek. By pushing the spring holder forward its slot again engages with the
tooth a and its forked end bears against the fabric and holds it in place on the work
plato i.
In the upper side of the doubled strip k is a hole which forms a fulcrum for the
Into the hole A³ the
needle ง and in the lower side of the doubled strip is a slot.
needle is passed the said needle oscillating in the said hole as a fulcrum while it is
moving in the arc indicated in dotted lines the said needle also working in the slot k*
while moving in the said arc. No feeding mechanism is used in the machine the
needle g feeding forward or propelling the fabric while it is passing through the are
indicated. While the needle is making its oscillating motion it travels against the
vertical face of the cheek a² and between the said face and the spool holder or case the
said spool holder or case being pressed against the check in the manner herein after
described. The spool m from which the cotton for the under thread is unwound is
contained in the saucer (or other) shaped case or spool carrier m² which acts as a
shuttle or looper for the needle thread as the needle moves in the sweep indicated.
The spool and its case or carrier are shown detached from the machine in Figure 9.
The said spool is hollow or tubular and turns on the pin or spindle m³ in the spool case
or carrier m². The underneath cotton is delivered from the spool m through a hole in
In some
the case or carrier m² and is conducted to the slot in the work plate i.
cases the whole of the edge of the spool case or carrier m² may be flanged as repre
sented in Figures 9 and 10. The spool case or carrier m² is kept in position and
pressed against the face of the vertical cheek a² by the flat spring m* crossing the said
spool case or carrier in the manner represented in the Drawing. The said flat spring m
while supporting the spool and its case or carrier in their places against the cheek a

page_text: permits them to move slightly back from the said cheek as the needle in its
oscillating motion and during the formation of the loop passes between the back of the
spool and case and the face of the vertical cheek a² of the machine. The said flat
spring m besides supporting and permitting of the yielding of the spool and its case
also presses the spool against the cheek a* and tensions the delivery of the cotton from
the said spool. A shield secured parallel to the face of the cheek a' and within
the range of the point of the needle y may be used for keeping the point of the
needle in position and for preventing it from bending when the machine is operated
rapidly.
The action of the parts is as follows:-The needle g being in the position represented
in Figures 1. 2. 3 and 6 it is ready to descend. By turning the hand wheel fin the
direction of the arrow through a quadrant the needle is driven downwards and passes
through the slot in the doubled plate k and through the fabric and occupies the
position represented in Figures 4 and 7. As the needle takes this position the cotton
carried by it is sufficiently slack to be taken up for the formation of the loop. The
further motion of the hand wheel in the same direction causes the needle to oscillate
in the hole as a centre and move through the sweep indicated into the position
represented in Figure 8. Just before the crank has moved through a semi circle from
the position Figure 6, the oscillating motion of the needle as it travels against the
vertical face of the cheek a brings the cotton against the flange of the spool case or
carrier m² thereby opening it from the needle and the motion of the needle carries the
opened thread or cotton over the case m³ which acts as a looper or shuttle and thus
forms a loop as represented in Figure 8. As the loop of the cotton or thread
approaches the summit of the case m² its motion is temporarily checked by the fat
spring m and the needle now rising releases the loop from the spring and tightens it
on the underthread supplied from the spool m and thereby forms a lock stitch the
tensioning and taking up of the slack of the thread being effected by the double
loop h, and tension discs at . As the needle g moves through the sweep indicated
the fabric is fed forward through the required distance by the action of the said needle
the forked spring holder holding the fabric against the doubled strip k as before
described.
For the purpose of increasing or decreasing the length of the stitch made by the
machine the throw of the crank pin may be altered in the manner represented in front
elevation and plan in Figure 13. In this modified arrangement the crank pin is bent
upon itself in the manner seen in Figure 13, the upper branch which is flexible
constituting the true crank pin to which the needle is connected. A fixing screw y
working in a screwed hole in the said upper branch of the crank pin bears against the
lower branch. By screwing the screw in one or other direction the two branches of
the crank may be separated to a greater or less distance and the throw of the crank
be correspondingly altered and the length of the stitch regulated.
For the purpose of filling the spool m we fix at the handle end of the crank shaft c
a driving wheel t (see Figures 1 and 2) having a V shaped groove in its pheriphery
into which groove a band of india rubber or other elastic material u is sprung (see the
sectional part of Figure 1). Near the driving wheel t is a spring arm the top of
which is bent at right angles as seen at so as to cross the india rubber tyre of the
driving wheel t. The said bent end ² of the spring arm a constitutes a spindle on
which the spool is placed for filling the spool. The spring arm, ² serves to press
the flange of the spool carried by the spindle against the india rubber tyre of the
driving wheel t so as to cause the latter by frictional contact to rotate the spool.
In the modification of the machine and parts represented in Figures 14, 15 16
and 17 a doubled strip of sheet metal p, p² sprung upon the crank pin is used for
guiding the cotton and acting as a take up in place of the double wire loops h, h³
herein before described; and in place of the flat spring m* crossing the case or spool
carrier m² for pressing it against the cheek a³, a ring like plater shown separately in
Figure 17, embracing the said case or spool carrier m³ and pressed against it by the
coiled spring and adjusting screw at s is used. The plate has indentations at its
angular end for resting on lugs &* on the cheek a². In this. modification the spool

page_text: case m (see Figure 16) is oval or elliptical and is situated in an oval opening in the
plater so as to prevent rotation in the said spool case; and instead of a continuous
rim or flange for opening the thread from the needle a portion only of the spool case
is provided with a flat rim or flange as shown at m³ and a spool of greater capacity is
used with the spool case.
There are three ways by which the tension on the underthread or cotton may be
produced. One way we have already described that is by pressing the spool against
the cheek a of the machine by the spring in which crosses and bears upon the spool
carrier or looper. A second way of producing the same result is by threading the
underneath cotton from the spool through a series of holes in the spool carrier or
looper as seen in Figure 7 and a third and most efficient way which constitutes part
of our invention consists in effecting the uniform delivery and regulation of the
underneath cotton through a single hole in the spool case or looper in conjunction
with the spring plater as represented in Figure 14. The said hole in the spool case
er looper is situated near the edge of the shuttle hole in the said plate (see
Figures 14 and 17). The cotton from the spool passes through the hole in the spool
case or looper and between the said spool case and the spring plater, the edge
the hole in the said plate pressing the cotton as it is being delivered against the
spool case or looper and thereby putting the required tension on and regulating the
delivery of the underneath cotton, the pressure on the said cotton being regulated by
the screw and spring at s.
of
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed we declare that we claim
as our invention of "Improvements in lock stitch sewing machines."
First The combination of the vibrating or oscillating needle g with the flanged or
partly flanged spoo! case or spool carrier or looper m² pressed against the vertical face
of the cheek a² of the machine for looping the thread carried by the said needle, the
several parts being constructed and arranged and operating substantially as herein
before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly Adjusting or regulating the tension of the underthread fed from the
spool in the spool carrier or looper by the combination or arrangement of parts
hereinbefore described with respect to Figures 14 and 17; also the combination or
arrangement of parts described and illustrated for effecting the same object in which
arrangement the spool is pressed against the cheek of the machine by the spring
pressed spool carrier or looper.
Thirdly The combination with the crank pin of the machine by which crank pin
the vibrating or oscillating needle is worked of the double wire loop h, h² or doubled
strip of metal p, p² swivelling on the said crank pin for guiding and taking up the
thread substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourthly The spring presser or holder marked 1, 12, 13, 14 for pressing the fabric or
material to be sewn against the doubled pierced and slotted strip k, k, k³ substantially
as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Fifthly The combination of the spring arm a, with the elastic tyred driving
wheel t on the shaft of the machine for rotating the spool for winding the cotton or
thread upon the barrel of the said spool substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Dated this Twenty fifth day of A 1000