IMPROVE- MENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SEWING MACHINES." A communication from abroad by Lebbeus
Wisner Lathrop and William McMonnies, both of Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania, in the United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th December 1864.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON. of 47. Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the Comuty of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," a communication to me from abroad
by Lebbeus Wisner Lathrop and William McMonnies, both of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, in the United States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that class of sewing machines in which two spools
are employed for making the lock chain or embroidery stitch with the same
machine at the choice of the operator, and the improvements apply solely to
that portion of the mechanism or apparatus which is contained underneath
the table or base plate of the machine. the upper works being arranged in
any well known or suitable manner. Beneath the base plate or table is situate
horizontal driving shaft, which has attached in one end a slotted and grooved
[Price Sd.]

page_text: cup, revolving with the shaft, and provided with a hook on its outer edge
which seizes the loop of the needle thread by passing in front of the needle.
A slot is cut through the cup extending clear to the edge or rim, and a groove
is also cut round the interior circumference of the cup near its front edge.
This cup is further provided with a guard which extends round its outer edge.
An elastic metal thread controller or take up is fixed to the back of the
cup. The lower thread (when used) is supplied like the upper one direct
from an ordinary spool which is carried in a spool case of an annular form
having a bar across it with a slot at each end, and is further provided with
a tension spring under which the thread passes on leaving the spool. This
spool case is connected by a screw to a frame or ring which fits into the
annular groove made inside the slotted cup, and when a fresh spool is to be
inserted the spool case is detached from the frame by turning the coupling
screw. A hook or projecting arm stands out horizontally from the back of
the frame at its lower side, upon which the loop catches and is held during
part of a revolution of the cup. The spool case holder which prevents the
spool case from revolving consists of two cranked rocking shafts, provided
each with a lever or projecting arm, which arms are operated upon alternately
by a cam or wiper on the driving shaft, and thus receives a slight reciprocating
or rocking motion. To each rocking shaft is also fitted a second arm or
projection, which arms alternately enter the corresponding slots in the cross
bar of the spool case, and thereby hold it and prevent it from turning. The
free passage of the loop over the spool case is allowed for by the withdrawal
of the armis or projections from the slots just at the time the thread is passing.
after which they enter their respective slots again. In sewing by this machine
its action is as follows: The hook on the cap in revolving catches the loop
of the needle thread and carries it round under the spool case, the front
portion of the loop passing over the front part of the spool case, whilst the
back portion of the loop enters the slot in the cup and passes behind the
spool case. The motion of the spool case holder is so arranged, as hereinbefore
described, that the points or projecting arms are each clear of the spool case
at the time the thread is passing the slots therein. As the back part of the
needle loop passes rather more than half across the spool case it is caught up
on the stationary hook or projecting arin on the frame or ring above referred
to which hook holds that portion of the loop stationary until the revolving
thread controller, which is attached to the cup. comes by its revolution in
contact with the thread so held, and carries it round, so as to withdraw the
loop entirely from the revolving hook and hold it sufficiently firm to prevent
its being again caught or disarranged whilst the revolving hook seizes another

page_text: loop of the needle thread. The thread controller is now released by its own
motion from contact with the loop. which is free to be drawn up to the cloth.
These movements produce the lock stitch, but in order to produce an embroidery
stitch consisting of a chain stitch with a second thread passing through each
loop thereof, a moveable or adjustable plate is employed which is attached
to the cup so as to be capable of being moved on a pin or pivot to one side
or the other. When the embroidery stitch is required it is simply requisite
to adjust this plate so as to expose or uncover a depression or rounded recess
formed in the edge of the cup. by which means the back part of the thread
or loop is permitted to come in contact with the depression referred to, thus
passing the thread round to the front of the needle, whilst the revolving hook
catches the loop below it. By simply severing the lower thread close to the
cloth plate the machine will in the condition last described produce the
single ihrend chain stitch.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 27th June 1965.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I. JonN
JENRY JOHNSOx, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields. in the County of Middlesex.
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria. by Her Leiters
Patent, hearing daie the Twenty-ninth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four. in the twenty-eighth year
of Her reign. did. for Herself. Her heirs and successors. give and grant unio
me, the said John Henry Johnson. Her special license that I, the said John
Henry Johnson, my execuiors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I. the said John Henry Johnson. my executors, administrators. or 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," a communication to me from
abroad by Lebbeus Wisner Lathrop, and William McMonnies, both of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America, upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors or

page_text: administrators. by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal. 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 imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Pateni.
NOW KNOW YE. that I, the said John Henry Johnson, 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. reference being had to the accompanying Drawings and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
The said Invention relates to that class of sewing machines in which iwo
spools are employed for making the lock chain or embroidery stitch with
the same machine at the choice of the operator, and the improvements apply
solely to that portion of the mechanism or apparatus which is contained
underneath the table or base plate of the machine. the upper works being
arranged in any well-known or suitable manner. Beneath the base plate or
table is situate a horizontal driving shaft which has attached to one end a
slotted and grooved cup revolving with the shaft and provided with a hoop
on its outer edge which seizes the loop of the needle thread by passing in front
of the needle. A slot is cut through the cup extending clear to the edge or rim.
and a groove is also cut round the interior circumference of the cup near its
front edge. This cup is further provided with a guard which extends round
its orter edge. An elastic metal thread controller or "take up is fixed to
the back of the cup. The lower thread (when used) is supplied like the
upper one direct from an ordinary spool which is carried in a spool case of an
annular form, having a bar across it with a.slot at each end, and is further
provided with a tension spring under which the thread passes on leaving the
spool. This spool case is connected by a screw to a frame or ring which fits
into the annular groove made inside the slotted cup. and when a fresh spool
is to be inserted, the spool case is detached from the frame by turning the
coupling screw. A hook or projecting arm stands out horizontally from the
back of the frame at its lower side upon which the loop catches and is held
during part of a revolution of the cup. The spool case holder, which prevents
the spool case from revolving, consists of two cranked rocking shafts provided
each with a lever or projecting arm, which arms are operated upon alternately
by a cam or wiper on the driving shaft, and thus receive a slight reciprocating
or rocking motion. To cach rocking shaft is also fitted a second arm or pro-
jection, which arms alternately enter the corresponding slots in the cross-bar

page_text: of the spool case and thereby hold it and prevent it from turning. The free
passage of the loop over the spool case is allowed for by the withdrawal of
the arms or projections from the slots jusi at the time the thread is passing.
after which they enter their respective slots again. In sewing by this machine
its action is as follows:-The hook on the cup in revolving catches the loop
of the needle thread and carries it round under the spool case: the front.
portion of the loop passing over the front part of the spool case, whilst the
back portion of the loop enters the slot in the cup and passes behind the spool
case. the motion of the spool case holder is so arranged as herein-before des-
cribed, that the points or projecting arms are each clear of the spool case at
the time the thread is passing the slois therein. As the back part of the needle
loop passes rather more than half across the spool case it is caught up by the
stationary hook or projecting arm on the frame or ring above referred in.
which hook holds that portion of the loop stationary until the revolving
thread controller which is attached in the cup comes by its revolution in
contact with the thread so held. and carries it round so as to withdraw the
loop entirely from the revolving hook, and hold it sufficiently firm to prevent
its being again caught or disarranged whilst the revolving hook seizes another
loop of the needle thread. The thread controller is now released by its own
motion from contact with the loop, which is free to be drawn up to the cloth.
These movements produce the lock stitch. but in order to produce an
embroidery stitch consisting of a chain stitch with a second thread passing
through each loop thereof, a moveable or adjustable plate is employed, which
is attached to the cup so as to be capable of being moved on a pin or pivot
to one side or the other. When the embroidery stitch is required. it is simply
requisite to adjust this plate so as to expose or uncover a depression or
rounded recess formed in the edge of the cup, by which means the back part
of the thread or loop is permitted to come in contact with the depression
referred to, thus passing the thread round to the front of the needle, whilst
the revolving hook catches the loop below it. By simply severing the lower
thread close to the cloth plate, the machine will in the condition last described
produce the single thread chain stitch.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same. and for that purpose I shall
refer to the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed. the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts throughout all the
Figures.
Fig. of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a side view of the
improved machine partly in section; Fig. 2 is a plan of the under side thereof;

page_text: Fig. 3. is a face view of the spool case: Fig. 4, is an edge view of the same:
Fig. 5, is an end view of the slotted and grooved cup: Fig. 6. is a section of
the same through . 2: Fig. 7. is a view of spool case frame: Fig. 8. is an
edge view of the same: Fig. 9. is a back view of the slotied and grooved cup:
Fig. 10. is a plan of the spool case and frame attached: Figs. 11 and 12.
represent the slotted and grooved cup with the method of making the em-
broidery stitch: Fig. 13, shows the cup. spool case, and frame in position:
and Figs. 14. 15, and 16. illustrate the lock. embroidery, and single chain
stitches produced by this machine. D. is the table or base plate of the
machine to which is fixed a stationary bracket arm E. the outer end of which
holds the presser foot and needle bar. the latter being worked by the shaft. F.
operated by the vibrating rod G. This part of the machine is well known.
and need not be more particularly referred to. Beneath the base plate runs
the horizontal shaft H, giving motion to the different parts of the machine.
This shaft has attached to one end a slotted and grooved cup A. shewn full
size in Figs. 5, 6, 9. 11. and 12. A hook 1, is fixed permanently on the
outer edge of the cup. and a slot K is cut through the cup. extending clear
to the edge or rim at K. A groove L is cut round the interior circumference
of the cup. This cup A, has a guard m. running round its outer edge.
the back of this cup is fixed the thread controller or take-up "n; it is attached
to the cup by means of the spring n' (see Fig. 9). The spool case B. has a
har across it with two slots in it at 0". O': it also has a spring p. under
which the lower thread passes, giving it the necessary tension in sewing.
case B is fastened to the frame or ring by the screw Q (Fig. 13).
or ring C fits into the groove T. of the slotted and grooved cup A.
B is detached from the frame whenever a new spool is inserted.
frame C is fixed a hook R. on which the loop catches and is held during part.
of a revolution of the cup A. In Figs. 1 and 2 is shewn the spool case
holder S, consisting of two cranked rocking spindles, carrying two points S¹, S',
and two levers S", S", bearing on the cam T, which cam is so shaped as to give,
in conjunction with helical springs shewn in Fig. 2, a reciprocating or rocking
motion to the bars or spindles S. S, whereby each of the points S', S', enters
alternately into the slot O", O', of the spool case, thus holding the spool case
from turning round, and at the same time allowing the loop of thread v', v²,
to pass between it and the spool case bar O.
To
This
'The frame
The case
To the
The operation of this machine is as follows, and will be readily understood
on reference to Fig. 13. The cup A is rotated in the direction of the arrow X.
The needle of the machine in passing through the cloth forms on its return a
loop on the under side, this loop is caught by the hook I as it rotates, and

page_text: is carried round under the spool case B. the loop being so spread by the hook
as io cause the front part of the said loop to pass over the front part of the
spool case as at '. ', and the back portion to pass through the slot K
(Fig. 1), in the cup and behind the spool case, as at ". ". (Fig. 13). The
hook 1. or rather the point of it, passes on the outside of the needle in taking
the loop. The motion of the spool case holder S is so arranged that the
points St. S. are each clear of the spool case, at the time the thread is passing
the slots o", o, respectively. As the back part of the needle loop passes a
little more than half across the spool case, it is caught up on the stationary
hook or projecting arm R. which holds that portion of the loop stationary,
until the revolving thread controller . which is attached to the cap A. comes
by its revolution in contact with the thread thus held, and so carries it round
as to withdraw the loop entirely from the hook 1, and hold it sufficiently firm
to prevent its being again caught or disarranged, whilst the hook again
takes hold of another needle thread loop. The thread controller is now
released by its own motion from contact with the loop, which is free to be
drawn up to the cloth. This revolving thread controller is an elastic metallic
substance which yields to the strain of the thread without breaking it. and is
preferable to any other substance from its durability and certainty of action.
The motion above described produces the lock stitch shewn at. Fig. 14.
The plate
catches
being
In order to produce the embroidery or combination stitch shewn in Fig. 15, a
moveable plate X, shewn in Figs. 11 and 12, must be moved from its position
in Fig. 11, to that of Fig. 12, so that the back part of the thread or loop can
come in contact with the depression X on the edge of the cup, thus passing
the thread ", round to the front of the needle, whilst the hook
the loop below if forming the embroidery stitch Fig. 15.
in the position Fig. 12, the lower spool thread may be
(Fig. 13). when the machine will then work with the
forming the single chain stitch (Fig. 16). The machine thus makes the three
stitches with no other alteration than moving the plate X, and cutting the
thread of the lower spool.
cut at the point a¹
upper thread only,
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion, that what I consider to be novel
and original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,
First, the peculiar arrangement of machinery for producing either the
lock stitch, embroidery stitch, or single chain stitch, by one machine at the

page_text: choice of the operator, without adding to or taking from it any of its parts,
substantially as herein-before described.
Second, the application and use of the stationary take-up 1 inside the cup
or spool case holder, as herein-before described.
Third, the application and use of the elastic metallic thread controller n, as
herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of holding the under spool case B stationary
by means of reciprocating fingers S, S', as herein-before described.
Fifth, the combination of the circular slotted cup A with the hook I
attached to its side, and a slot K at the back of the hook, substantially as
herein-before described.
Sixth, the combination of the thread controller n with the stationary hook R,
operating as described.
Seventh, the application and use of the moveable plate X on the cup A,
substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Nineteenth day of June. One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-five.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (..S.)