IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEWING LEATHER OR OTHER MATERIAL."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Hollingworth, of Bradford, in the County of
York, Boot Manufacturer, for an invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEWING LEATHER OR OTHER MATERIAL."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hollingworth at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th March 1882.
WILLIAM HOLLINGWORTH, of Bradford in the County of York, Boot Manufacturer
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEWING LEATHER OR
OTHER MATERIAL
My invention has for its object the arrangement of apparatus whereby I am
enabled to sew together two or more pieces of leather or other material by
means of a continuous thread-without the intervention of a shuttle or additional
thread
The invention consists in mounting to the bed plate of the apparatus an
oscillating arm to which is secured a needle or pricker the end of which is broad
being sharp at the two sides but not at the centre which is made concave for the
reception of the waxed thread. On turning the main shaft of the apparatus the
arm is made to oscillate, and rotary motion is also imparted to a horizontal disc,
the circumference of which, being milled causes the leather on being pressed
against the saine to travel the distance of a stitch each time the leather is pierced.
The waxed thread is carried by a radial arm which is fitted with a spring in
such a manner that the waxed thread is allowed to pass in one direction to feed the
stitches but is held in its position by the said spring and prevented passing in the
opposite direction. The end of this radial arm is close to the needle or pricker
when piercing the leather and immediately the waxed thread is held secure between
the concave part of the needle or pricker and the leather, the radial arm moves
from the needle or pricker allowing the waxed thread to pass for the formation of
the stitch. As soon as the needle or pricker has pierced the waxed thread into the
leather the requisite distance the former is withdrawn leaving the waxed thread
imbedded in the leather or other material through the closing up of the thread and
the leather by the insertion of the needle or pricker when making the next stitch,
thereby sewing together two or more pieces of leather or other material with &
continuous waxed thread.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Hollingworth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th September 1882.
WILLIAM HOLLINGWORTH of Bradford in the County of York, Boot Manufacturer
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEWING LEATHER OR
OTHER MATERIAL
My invention has for its object the arrangement of apparatus, whereby I am
enabled to sew or join together two or more pieces of leather or other material, by
means of a continuous waxed thread, without the intervention of a shuttle or
additional thread: and consists in mounting to the standard of the apparatus an
oscillating arm, one end of which is in connection with a sliding ram, having at
the bottom end a needle or pricker secured thereto. The needle or pricker for
some distance from the point is in section narrow in one direction but broad in the
other, the end being sharp at the two sides and concave in the centre, for the
reception of the waxed thread which is fed to the needle by a radial arm, and when
the thread is pierced into the leather by the needle or pricker, it remains
imbedded therein.
The distance of travel between stitch and stitch may be obtained by a horizontal
disc, the circumference of which being milled or studded with pins, causes the
leather on being pressed against the same to travel the distance of a stitch each
time the leather is pierced; or the travel may be obtained by a press foot actuated
by a cam and rocking arm.
In order that my invention may be better understood, I will proceed to describe
the same by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure represents
a side elevation shewing how my invention may be carried into effect. Figure 2
is a front view of the same looking in the direction of the arrow. Figure 3 is a
plan of the radial arm for carrying and distributing the waxed thread. Figure 4
is a plan of the presser foot which may be used as an alternative for the horizontal
feeding or travelling disc, and Figure 5 is a detail shewing an arrangement for
cleaning the needle or pricker, the latter after having pierced the leather, in its
upward movement passes between some flexible material such as cloth or leather,
thereby cleaning the needle.
Before proceeding further to describe the drawings, I wish it to be understood
that I do not claim as any part of my invention the means employed for actuating
the oscillating arm, the horizontal disc, or presser foot feed motions, as the same are
old, and well known; and I am well aware that my invention can be applied to
other well known sewing machine motions, and accomplish the object I have in
view, therefore I do not confine myself to the details shewn and described.
The main shaft of the apparatus is indicated by the letter A, to which motion is
communicated by hand wheel or treddle in the ordinary manner. On the end of
this shaft is spur wheel A¹ gearing with the spur wheel A2, which is secured on
cam shaft B: on the opposite end of this shaft is crank disc C, having a pin C¹
secured thereto, which passes through the slot hole in oscillating arm D; the slot
hole at the opposite end of this arm, clasps the pin E, forming part of the sliding
ram E¹, thus when the cam revolves, the ram E' has a vertical reciprocating
motion.
The needle or pricker F is secured at the bottom of ram E', and is prevented
being inserted further into the ram by screw F¹, which passes from the top of the
ram to the end of the needle within the ram: by this screw the end of the needle
may be regulated to pierce the material to whatever distance required.

page_text: The material being operated upon is made to travel the distance of a stitch each
time the leather is pierced, by the material being pressed against the horizontal
disc M, (shewn by Figure 5): the circumference of the disc being milled or studded
with small pins, causes the material to travel. Motion to the disc is obtained from
the main shaft, by means of worm wheel and train of wheels gearing with wheel N
secured at bottom of disc-spindle. Or the travel of the material may be obtained
by the well known presser foot P arrangement, which is operated upon and actuated
in the usual manner.
The waxed thread is carried by the radial arm G, the end being fitted with a
spring G¹, grips the waxed thread, allowing it to pass in the direction for feeding
the stitches, but not in the opposite direction. This radial arm is actuated by
rod H, and is regulated to deliver the length of thread required for a stitch, by
means of the set screws J, by the regulation of which, the end of the radial arm
at G³ is adjusted to move near to the needle F before it pierces the leather, and
travel from the needle whilst the same is being pierced, the distance required for
delivering sufficient length of waxed thread for the formation of the next stitch.
The boot sole, saddlery or other material to be stitched is placed upon the sliding
block K, which is raised or lowered by set screw K¹, to suit the thickness of material
to be operated upon. When the apparatus is put in motion, the waxed thread is
placed in the recess at the bottom of the needle or pricker F, the latter being
actuated in the manner as before described, pierces the material, say, a shoe sole,
forcing the thread along with the pricker into the leather, and on the withdrawal
of the pricker, the waxed thread is left imbedded in the leather, and is finally
secured therein by the closing up of the hole by the needle when making the next
stitch.
Figure 6 is a section through two pieces of leather shewing the stitches formed
with a continuous waxed thread imbedded in the leather as formed by my improved
apparatus
Having thus described my invention, and the manner how the same may be
carried into effect, I wish it to be understood, that what I consider to be novel and
original, and desire to claim as my invention is :-
1st. The joining together of leather or other materials by means of a Stitch as
shewn and described.
2nd The needle or pricker F having the end made concave substantially in the
manner and for the purpose as hereinbefore described.
3rd. The radial arm G having a spring G' fitted thereto for distributing the
waxed thread.
In witness whereof, I the said William Hollingworth have bereunto set
my hand and seal this twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.
WM. HOLLINGWORTH (LS.)