IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Daniel Hanna, of Belfast, in the County of
Antrim, Ireland, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SEWING MACHINES.”
Sealed the 27th August 1872, and dated the 29th February 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Daniel Hanna at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th February 1872.
I, DANIEL HANNA, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in certain improved mechanical arrangements
and contrivances for producing certain sewed work and stitching com-
monly called the French vein or hem stitch, herring bone, cross stitch,
sparring, revering and other like work done by the needle upon linen,
cloth, or other suitable fabric, and also in order for producing by certain

page_text: mechanical contrivances equality of motion with smoothness and ease
necessary to be acquired in working before-named sewing machines.
The machines more particularly alluded to and and upon which the
improvements are proposed to be made are what is commonly called. the
"Thomas sewing machine," but said improvements are also applicable
to others.
One of my principal improvements consists in causing the shuttle box
carrying the shuttle, &c., to move upon an arc of a circle, whose centre
exists at or near a point in the driving shaft of the machine where the
shuttle cam is at present affixed, thereby causing it to accompany the
needle motion in the back stitch, which the needle will perform by
means of a moveable limb, slide, or swivel jointed piece to which it is
attached. The needle motions are guided either by a cam on a hori-
zontal shaft moved in connection with proper gearing on an upright
shaft, on which shaft also a cam regulating the throat slide is affixed.
This upright shaft is furnished with proper connections with the counter-
shaft described in my original Specification to my former Letters Patent,
No. 2593 of 1870; or the aforesaid needle motions are regulated by
suitable cranks, arms, and levers attached, connected, and driven by a
cam or cams afore-mentioned on the countershaft before alluded to, &
specified in former Letters Patent, No. 2593 of 1870.
Secondly. The causing a lateral or sidelong motion to be given to
the needle arm, limb, or slide by similar means, directed accordingly
and derived from the same source, viz., the cam or cams on the counter-
shaft before mentioned.
Thirdly. The use and application by appropriate adjustments of the
cam or cams on the afore-named countershaft to the feeder or feeders,
presser arm, and (if preferred) throat slide also, altered to suit when
necessary to change the pattern of the stitch.
Fourthly. A shuttle accelerator motioned by the shuttle driver, and
attached conveniently to the shuttle box or other part of the machine.
Fifthly. When an underfeed motion is adopted, the use of an endless
chain band with suitable studs on rollers or wheels from the rere of the
machine to the fore or head part thereof communicating with the feeders
described in my original Specification of Letters Patent, No. 2593 o
1870; also the projection (if preferred) of one of the feeders with its can
to the outer or opposite side of the shuttle box.

page_text: Sixthly. An improved needle in two parts, moving in proper slides,
affixed to the needle slide and worked by afore-named appliances.
And lastly. The application and use of driving machinery of the
common clockwork character especially adapted to these afore-men-
tioned sewing machines.
on the 29th August 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DANIEL
HANNA, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-fifth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Daniel Hanna, Her special licence that I, the
said Daniel Hanna, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Daniel Hanna, 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 SEWING MACHINES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Daniel Hanna, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and 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.

page_text: feed lever d¹. The end of the lever shaft D is made square, and the
feed lever d or any other may be slipped on and fastened by a
screw d³.
As the Drawings are to a full size scale, and the parts are referenced
to correspond with each other, little difficulty will be had in order to
understand them, and so far as available I have retained the original
lettering and numbers on the Drawings on my original Patent plans,
No. 2593 of 1870. I shall now describe the Drawings shewing forth my
Invention.

page_text: attached lever or stud W (Fig. 4, Sheet 2) and hinged horizontal
lever V. The edge cut of the cam e gives the former and the cut face e¹
produces the latter motion, being the required motions for performing
the hem stitch. The upright spindle before alluded to is supported in
its position by a bridge 9 (see Figs. 2 and 4, Sheets 1 and 2), and
retained above by a bracket N³, with a cap thereon hinged or screwed
thereto to prevent the spindle n from rising, or when shifted to admit of
its being drawn up through the hole in the bracket when required to be
its being drawn up through the hole in the bracket when required to de
removed.
"
At the "left" end of the countershaft p (Figs. 1, 2, and 4, Sheets 1
and 2) is fixed a double cam, similar to original cams A¹ and A³ on the
driving wheel. This cam marked p' and p² giveth motion to the presser
arm or lever O in the ordinary manner, producing the usual result as at
present used in the "Thomas and other machines," and also to what I
term the throat side, described in my former Letters Patent, 2593,
1870, which moves the hole and needle slot in a lateral direction to suit
the needle motions communicated by the cam e and e¹, as has been
already described, see Sheets 1 and 2, and Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. The
particular parts connected with the “ throat slide are, first, the cam p²;
second, a communicating slide in case p*; third, the levers p³ on the
upright shaft O, with adjusting screw and spring; and lastly, the slide Y,
which is formed to fit into a kerf or hole cut in the side of the shuttle
race S, and in which the needle slot is cut. Affixed to and in fact forming
a part of the throat slide on the top thereof, and marked by a black thick
line (see Sheet 2, Fig. 4), letter y on Drawing (also sec Sheet 1, Fig. 2),
is a thin steel or brass slide, with a single needle hole therein. This thin
plate or tongue bridges over the opening where the shuttle traverses, and
the use of which is to ensure a smooth passage for the thread upwards or
otherwise, as whereas the covering plate forms the upper covering of the
shuttle race, and which cover being made fast to the frame of the
machine, the shuttle traversing freely underneath, a small slit or opening
would occur wherein the thread would jamb and break; this being close
and smooth no such opening could occur, and therefore no breakage of
thread. Passing over the top of this tongue, and likewise bridging over
the shuttle race opening but entirely free from it, being securely fastened
to the shuttle race and race bearer S³, is another tongue piece, adjusted
at the one end by a pin and screw passing through a drawn hole in the
plate at y (Figs. 2 and 2ª, Sheet 1), fitted into a chamfered slot (curved)

page_text: in the upper plate, and moving with the shuttle race when forming the
back stitch; there is a drawn needle hole or small slot in this tongue or
slide to accommodate the needle motion in the lateral or side stitch,
No. 2, being made. The use of the tongue is to pass freely beneath the
cloth while being held by the claw to a position necessary to bring the
needle hole immediately beneath the needle while the back stitch is
being formed, the cloth being immovable.
Respecting the shuttle and shuttle driver, as I have not altered or
made any improvement on them, I have merely shewn a space for the
former, and marked the latter by the letter E on the Drawings. Their
motions are identical with machines now in use, but of course governed
by the peculiar arrangements and motions of the particular machine.
The backward or sidelong motion of the shuttle race or box is pro-
duced by the race being fixed upon a bearer S³ on all the Drawings
referring to this class of machine, hinged at the rear end to a bearer, the
latter forming part of the framework of the machine, and borne upon a
bearer formed at the fore end or front in the machine case, and sliding
along a small slide bridge about the middle. These bearers may be
furnished with small friction rollers or wheels, which would improve the
motion; but as the distance to be traversed is very small, I merely claim
the application of such if I think fit to employ the same.
The aforesaid bearer S2 being free to move in the required direction,
viz., from "left" to "right," is motioned in the first instance by levers
fixed to an upright shaft and marked r, ³, and 78 (Sheets 1 and 2,
Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4). These levers are put in motion when the machine
is working by a cam &² (Figs. 2 and 4, Sheets 1 and 2), which cam is
attached to the left side of the first motion wheel 6 (already mentioned).
A method for adjusting the traverse of the race bearer and race box is
shewn on Figs. 2 and 4, Sheets 1 and 2. A slot is formed in the
turned-up portion of the bearer S2 and marked at S³, into which slot a
small stud or pin is inserted, the one end forming a small pusher head
and the other end having a hole through which an adjusting screw
works. This screw has a steady collar piece which causes it to act
when in motion upon the stud, moving it backwards and forwards,
thereby lengthening or shortening the lever action on ³, and of course

page_text: UGA Staten to suit the set of the neture,
.be.
as the case may.b
There is another method by passing the adjusting screw through the
turned-up piece, having a sufficient space for the lever (r²) action, as
the distance at the other end of the lever r¹ cannot be altered without
removing the cam 68; and although the operation only affects one point
of the lever ³, yet if the screw is made to work at a short distance it will
not be continuously pressed by the lever, and will therefore have the
shorter traverse space to pass.
Either of these methods will do, but the
former is preferable.
The head of the machine, which gives the required motions to the
needle, is similar to the ordinary "Thomas" machine, but with the
additions hereafter described. i is a portion of the framework of the
machine, to which the face plates j and k (see Sheet 1, Fig. 1, and
Sheet 2, Fig. 4) are suspended or hinged to a stud or pin at the upper
end only connected with the plate j; but as the plates j and k are con-
nected by a hinged joint similar to a common door hinge at the top, the
whole three plates are thereby retained together. By an inspection of
the Drawings their motions are obvious at first sight. The plate j moves
in a lateral direction, and therefore carries with it the plate k, upon
which the needle slide is affixed, performing a front and rear or lateral
motion to the needle to form the hem stitch No. 2. The plate k being
free to move in a direction at right angles to the last-mentioned motion,
namely, from right to left and the reverse, is moved by the fore cam e
acting upon a stud or pin W, which stud W passing freely through the
plates i and j and fixed to k gives the required motions to form the back
stitch No. 1. There is a spring u fixed to the steady plate i, and passing
into a slot at the rear side of the stud pin W, where it moves freely,
which spring is so adjusted to give it two motions, viz., from rear to
front and also from right to left, the machine parts performing the
reverse. The stud holes form stoppers to the spring, and is cut
accordingly. There is also, and situated behind the lever r, snug, or
hinge, at a situation behind said lever, an adjusting screw h (see Sheet 2,
Figs. 4 and 5). Fig. 5 is a plan looking upwards shewing the exact
position of screw h.

page_text: Drawings, as it is immaterial either respecting position or materials, as
such may be optional with the maker or owner for convenience, I hereby
furnish a list of such :-
No. 1, a small back spring to lever arm v¹, see Sheet 1, Figs. 1 and 2, &c.
2, .ditto ditto S to throat slide V, ditto 2, Fig. 3.
3, a back spring S* acting on a pin to the shuttle
race bearer
-
Sheet 2, Fig. 4.
4,
ditto u to needle motions already
described
-
ditto
ditto.
6,
ditto ps to connecting slide bar p*, Sheet 1, Fig. 2.
7, a spring c³ to presser arm or lever
ditto Fig. 1.
In adjusting the machine in order to ungear the bevil wheels con-
necting the countershaft with the upright spindle n, see Sheet 1, Fig. 2,
I propose using a moveable collar, which is hinged to the side of the
frame of the machine and slips over the countershaft. When lifted and
the spur pinion loosed the first motion wheel 6 may be pushed aside, and
vice versa; when restored to its proper position the machinery is also
restored to its working position.
The working of the afore-described machine is as follows:-First, the
stitch No. 2, on the hem being formed the machine is set in motion,
which causes the feeder arm to act as usual, pushing the cloth forward
or from left to right to a new position; but when the feed has been given
the needle arm has also been shifted by the operation of the cam e,
whereby the spring u acting, and the lever - is (see Sheet 2, Figs. 3
and 4) relaxed, and the arm stayed by the adjusted slot (see Fig. 5)
in j,j. The throat slide and connections, as before described, is also
relaxed, which brings the slot, &c., to a stay point produced by the end
of the slide bar coming in contact with the side of the kerf in the side of
the shuttle race, bringing the needle slot and hole to an upright and
new position, and the needle arm, operating as at the present time on
"Thomas' machines," coming down perforates the cloth-form stitch
No. 3. Let it be observed that the cloth is in nowise shifted except
between the stitches 2 and 3, the foot and claw retaining the cloth firm
upon the upper plate, stitch No. 3 being formed by the operation of the
cam e, which causes the stud to move to the position shewn in Fig. 4,
being pressed to such position by the spring u, inserted in a slot in the
side of the stud 10. The throat slide remains steady. No feed is given,

page_text: but the race bearer 8², carrying all its fixings with it, is shifted from left
to right by the operation of the levers and r, see Sheets 1 and 2,
Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, actuated by a cam b' on the left side of the first
motion wheel p, which brings the upper tongue y, and with it the needle
slot and hole in the throat slide, to a new position corresponding with
that caused by the cam e. The needle arm now acts, bringing down the
needle, perforating the cloth, and forming stitch No. 1, which although
it perforates a point somewhat beyond that desired, the tension spring of
the thread draws the stitch closer. This observation also applies to
stitch No. 3, and the operation performs what is desired, the forming of
the V shaped perforation, by tying the stitches 3 and 1 close together,
the open shire threads being tied in a bunch, the needle being raised as
usual (which applies in every case), and the machine motion continued.
The cam e restores the slide j or slides j, k, to their original line, and
also through the agency of the same cam or cams e and e², which are
fixed together, the lever is also pressed against the sides of the
plates or slides j and k, which being hinged together move simulta.
neously, pushing the same to their former position when forming stitch
No. 2, or at the commencement of this description. The cam P* on the
countershaft P acting, operates through the lever P³ upon the throat
slide Y and its fixings, pushing it backwards or from front to rear to the
required adjusted distance to suit that produced by the cam e and e².
The race bearer back spring having also brought the shuttle race back to
its original position simultaneously with the movement of the plates j
and k, the needle arm is then brought to bear, and the needle perforates
the cloth through the rear end of the needle slot hole in the tongue y,
which now corresponds with the hole in the under tongue, and forms
stitch No. 2 when I commenced.
N.B. No feed is given between Nos. 1 and 2. Although the position
or acting of the back springs may not be mentioned in the above working
description, yet the observations beyond recited are to be observed as to
their position and action.
A recurrence of the same operation already described produces what is
commonly called the French vein or hem stitch, and also that the cloth
is supposed to be prepared in the usual manner, viz., the shires drawn
out and the cloth margin neatly folded to the shires in the usual
manner; but this operation doth in no wise affect the object of this
Invention, as such is supposed to be subsequent to all other and known

page_text: preparation of cloth, &c. "This applies to all." As the description of
the machine with working details necessary for producing the hem
stitch or French vein, which is supposed to be the most complicated and
troublesome, has been already given, the production or working for other
stitches described can be easily managed by merely altering the arrange-
ments and adjustments. For instance, the first motion wheel may be
altered to 2 to 1 or 4 to 1 by changing the spur gearing wheels. The
cams may also be altered, merely shifting one set and substituting
another, they being fitted to suit the size of the first motion wheel; also
by casting off any portion of the machinery and working the remainder.
Thus as has already been explained the original properties of working
the "Thomas machine" may be simply retained by casting off,
ungearing, and adjustment of present machinery. As it would be
needless and endless to explain all the properties or working for other
productions I refrain from so doing.
The shuttle accclerator, shewn in Sheet 3, Figs. 7 and 8 on Drawings,
described a convenience, where the lateral stitch may be too long for the
ordinary motion of the machine, thereby tying up the loop thread with
the shuttle, and shewn in Sheets 1 and 2; and it consists of a communi-
cated lever motion to the shuttle through a slot in the side of the shuttle
race. The accelerator is driven by a stud or projection on the side of
the shuttle driver. The descriptions on the Drawings are:-No. 1, the
shuttle driver; 2, the upright spindle or shaft, with two lever arms
affixed thereto, and motioned by the aforesaid stud on the driver; 3, a
small bar with slotted holes connecting the front motions to No. 4, the
upright shaft, on which are also fixed two lever arms, one of which
passes through the slot in the race and into the shuttle itself. In the
return motion of the shuttle, viz., from rear to front, the shuttle pushes
the small lever arm on No. 4 back to its original position, and which is
retained by a small spring, band, or spiral, &c., until the driver with its
communicating levers (already described) pushes it forward as before.
The shuttle accelerator, studs, pins, and fixings are fixed on the shuttle
race bearer 8.
The Drawings on Sheet 4, Figs. 11, 12, and 13, described are,
when, an underfeed motion is adopted, the arrangements of which
connected with my Invention I shall now describe:-First, the presser
lever C on Sheets 1 and 2, Figs. 1 and 3, with its cam and fixings are
removed, and of course the feed slot and feeder, &c., also, and these are

page_text: substituted by an endless chain or band M fixed on the countershaft P
(see Sheets 1 and 2), Figs. 1 and 2, carried over two studded or plain
wheels N, N, the wheels L being fixed to the shafting P on the box or
frame at the fore end of the machine. The motions are thereby com-
municated from the rear end of the machine to the fore part thereof J,
to which the ordinary feed motions used in that class of machines called
the "Wheeler and Wilson" and "Singer" sewing machines, and which
I use accordingly. The feeders may be either simple, double, or
otherwise. Also the upper presser foot with its springs and fixings
similar to those used in the afore-named machines are arranged and
fixed to the head of the machine, and marked Q, Q', Q. The inner
plate or cover (Sheet 1, Figs. 2 and 2*), as also the upper tongue,
marked thereon y and y², must be made somewhat thicker and arranged
to suit, and the upright portions of the carriage bearer S, Sheet 2,
Fig. 4, also made to suit. The other portions and motions not used in
this latter arrangement for the underfeed motions are identical, and used
in connection with this latter arrangement and shewn on the former
Sheets 1 and 2; but a little spacing, &c., will be necessary in all cases.
The working of this latter scheme is the same as has been before
described.
On Sheet 3, Figs. 9 and 10, an improved needle in two parts,
namely, the spring arms and needle proper or jointed end, is described,
with the machine head motion arrangements, in lieu of those arrange.
ments described in Sheets 1 and 2, and substituted in place thereof.
The sliding arm or needle guide X is made thicker than in ordinary
machines, to admit of the spring arm X2, which latter is made of
tempered steel or other metal, moving freely therein, and clearing the
side end of the needle arm or lever (Y¹, Sheet 2, Fig. 3). The slotted
piece V, which is affixed to the sides of the plate guides, the spring
arm X³, and the lower portion of the needle or needle proper carrying
the thread, is slipped into a hole or slot in the spring arm similar to
the present method of attaching the needle to the needle guide by
screws 8, 8, but attached to the spring arm instead of the guide. The
lateral needle motions are hereby obtained through the agency of the
cam e (see Sheet 2, Fig. 4), which is connected with the first-mentioned
machine, which cam presses the lever V (see Sheet 2, Fig. 4) and pushes
the spring arm or upper portion of the needle bar aforesaid. In the case
of the improved needle arrangements being used the lateral motions

page_text: of the needle shewn in Sheets 1 and 2 are substituted by the latter
described improvements, and of course the use and operation of the
upper hinged pin with one suspended plate done away with, and the
spring arm by its own elasticity, after being pushed backward by the
cam e already named, returns to its former position. The working of
this improvement does not affect the arrangements as already described
in this Specification.

page_text: "
its fixings in connecting with these improvements to move in a trans-
verse direction with the needle arm of the "Thomas or machines of
like construction, or from right to left and the reverse of the machine
itself, being what I term the forward or back motions, by means of a
hinged joint at the rear end of the bearer which supports or carries said
shuttle box or race.
Secondly. The construction, use, and application of certain plates and
machinery for carrying the needle arm both forward, backward, and
laterally, the cloth only being moved in one direction by the feeder
motions, with the improvements suitable to the above-named motions
connected with the slide fitted to the side of the shuttle box or race,
and described in my former Letters Patent of A.D. 1870, No. 2593,
which latter consists of tongues thereto attached or connected with the
shuttle case, shewn principally in Sheet 2, Fig. 4, and Sheet 1, Fig. 2ª.
Thirdly. The lever bar adjustments, as described heretofore.
Fourthly. The shuttle accelerator connected with the shuttle driver
and motioned by levers, causing the shuttle to pass somewhat further
than the driver will act.
Fifthly. The endless chain and motions connected with the forward
underfeed motion, together with the parts and mechanism connected
therewith to the head and shuttle rare, as before described.
Sixthly. The improved needle attachments and improvements to effect
the lateral stitch by means of a slide bar and levers fastened to the head
part of the machine, instead of being simply one needle or piece described
in my former Letters Patent, A.D. 1870, No. 2593.
And lastly. As to the use only of driving machinery already public
property to these particular machines, and by clockwork adjustments and
arrangements thereto to be affixed if required.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Hanna, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
DANIEL HANNA, C.E. (L.S.)