Improvements in Sewing Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1898
Improvements in Sewing Machines.
We, JASPER VANNETTE, of No. 12, Liberty Street, Inventor, and CHARLES
JOSHUA YINGLING, of No. 126 South Washington Street, Merchant, both of
the City of Tiffin, Seneca County, State of Ohio, United States of America,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
-
This invention relates to sewing machines and more particularly to lock stitch
sewing machines of that class in which both the upper and under thread is taken
direct from the ordinary commercial spool of sewing thread. The advantages
offered by such class of machines being that a greater supply of under thread
is provided than that afforded by the ordinary bobbin, whereby the machine may
be run longer without stopping for a new thread supply, and also the trouble
and loss of time attendant upon winding the bobbin is avoided.
My invention has for its object to improve machines of the class referred to,
by rendering the same capable of being operated at a greatly increased speed,
reducing noise and vibration, and otherwise rendering the same more effective
and desirable then heretofore constructed.
In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a spool supporting frame
which is supported beneath the bed-plate of the machine in a suitable manner
so as to be capable of having a reciprocating movement, the same being preferably
provided with arms or extensions which are loosely seated within openings
formed in hangers on the under side of the bed-plate. This frame, which may
be of any suitable form, is provided with two pins or rods arranged in line with
each other on which an ordinary commercial spool carrying the under thread
supply is adapted to be loosely supported to have a reciprocating movement. A
space or opening is provided between the adjacent ends of the said two pins
through which the needle thread loop is passed by suitable means for the purpose
of receiving the reciprocating spool therethrough. After the spool has been
passed through the needle thread loop, the latter is then drawn back through the
opening between the pins by the ordinary take-up acting above the cloth-plate
of the machine and caused to interlock with the under thread and form a lock
stitch in the usual manner.
The spool, which is preferably enclosed in a cylindrical case, is reciprocated
back and forth from one to the other of the said rods by means of a driver.
This spool driver preferably consists of a frame or plate which is supported to
slide in guide-ways in the spool frame and provided with suitable arms for
loosely engaging with the opposite ends of the spool. A rotating driving shaft,
supported in suitable bearings on the under side of the bed-plate, is provided with
a crank which is connected through the medium of a pitman with a fixed pin
on the spool driver so as to communicate the desired movement to the latter.
It will be understood that when one end of the spool has entered into the needle
thread loop which has been passed through the opening between the ends of the
spool supporting rods, such needle thread loop cannot be drawn up by the take-
up to complete the stitch until has passed off the opposite end of the spool

page_text: and is enabled to pass through the said opening between the ends of the spool
supporting rods. Therefore, as an important feature of my present invention,
I have arranged for reciprocating the spool frame in opposition to the movement
of the spool and its case whereby the said opening of the spool frame, after
receiving the needle thread loop therethrough for the purpose of being passed
around the front end of the spool, will be moved towards the opposite end of the
spool during the movement of the latter in the contrary direction and thus
enable the thread loop to be drawn off the spool and through the said opening
in one half the time that would be required in case of the individual movement
of the spool alone.
The spool frame receives its reciprocating movement also from the rotating
driving shaft, through the medium of a second crank with which the latter is
provided and a pitman connecting said crank with a pin on the spool frame.
The movements of the spool driver and the spool frame in opposition to each
other as described is secured by so arranging the two cranks with which the
driving shaft is provided that the throw of one is opposite to the throw of the
other. By reason of such movement of both the spool frame and spool driver
in opposition to each other, the throw or movement of such parts, for the pur-
pose of passing the needle thread loop around the under thread, is only one half of
that which would be required in case the movement was confined to one of
the parts. I am thus enabled to employ easy crank or eccentric movements to
operate the said parts and so materially diminish noise, vibration, and friction,
as well as increase the durability and general effectiveness of the machine.
The body portion of the spool frame within which the spool driver is sup
ported to slide, is provided with a central elongated opening therein through
which the crank shaft extends, whereby a direct line of draft is secured between
the cranks and the pitman connected spool driver and spool frame.
The said crank being located at that side of the spool frame opposite the
spool, also prevents possibility of the ends of the thread from either the upper
or lower spool coming in contact with the same and getting entangled there-
with. The means for taking the thread loop thrown out by the needle and
passing the same around one end of the spool, consists of a loop seizing hook
which first enters the needle thread loop and opens the same, and a loop spreading
finger which engages with one side of the opened loop and then, acting in com-
bination with the hook, spreads the loop through the said opening between the
ends of the spool supporting rods or pins and around the end of the spool. The
said loop seizing hook, which is carried at the front end of a rotating shaft
mounted in suitable bearings on the under side of the bed-plate, is formed with
an attaching shank having a substantially triangular shaped loop seizing blade
at one side thereof which is pointed at its front end and tapered to considerable
width at its rear end. This form of blade insures the ready entry of the same
into the needle thread loop, and, after receiving a partial turn, opens the loop
to considerable width and causes the same to assume a well defined triangular
shape with the forward or upper side thereof in the path of the loop spreader,
which latter moves forward at such time in a path at right angles to the path of
the loop seizing hook and engages with the said upper side of the loop and
carries the same over and across one end of the spool and through the opening
of the spool frame. This loop spreader moves in a substantially circular path
around the spool case and, as it engages one side of the loop and carries it over
and across the end of the spool, the loop seizing hook with its engaging portion
of the loop continues its downward movement in a path parallel with one side
of the spool and so acts in combination with the loop spreader to pass the loop
around the end of the spool whereby the latter may be passed through the
same.
The detailed operation of the parts in taking the needle thread loop from the
needle and passing it around the spool is as follows: The loop seizing blade
first enters the needle thread loop thrown out by the needle and, after fully

page_text: entering the same, causes the thread loop to receive a partial turn as one side
thereof passes around to the rear end of the blade, whereby the sides of the
loop will be spread apart in a direction at right angles to the path of the loop
spreader. Continuing its movement, the loop seizing blade causes the loop to
assume a triangular shape with the sides widely separated and the upper side
in the path of the loop spreader which now advances to engage the same. The
sides of the loop being thus widely separated permits the use of a long thread
engaging finger on the loop spreader which may engage with one side of the
loop without liability of striking the other and extend a considerable distance
over the end of the spool to insure the thread being carried thereover. After
the loop has been opened by the loop seizing blade and one side thereof engaged
by the loop spreader, the latter continues to move forward and the loop seizing
hook downward until the spreader has carried one side of the loop from the
needle opening over the upper side of the spool, and the spreader and hook
together have carried the intermediate portion of the loop across the end of the
spool through the opening of the spool frame. The continued movement of the
parts now carries the lower portion of the loop between the adjacent arm of
the spool driver and the end of the spool and so completes the encircling of the
latter by the loop. During such action of the parts in passing the thread loop
around the end of the spool, the spool frame and spool are being moved in
opposition to each other, the timing of the parts being such that as soon as the
loop is carried through the opening of the spool frame, the spool moves across
such opening. When the parts reach a position with the opening of the spool
frame at the opposite end of the spool, the loop has also been moved to
such position by the action of the loop seizing hook moving in a direction
contrary to the movement of the spool, and is free to be drawn up by the
usual take-up to interlock with the under thread and complete the stitch.
The particular form of the loop seizing hook as described enables the same to
enter the thread loop as it is thrown out by the needle and continue its move-
ment without requiring additional slack thread until its blade portion has fully
entered the loop and the latter has passed around to the rear end of the blade,
during which time the needle is moved above the work being operated upon. The
advantage secured by such action of the parts is that the hole made in the goods
by the passage of the needle therethrough is not obstructed by the presence of
the needle when the thread is being drawn through said hole by the loop seizing
hook, thus reducing the friction on the needle thread.
Any suitable means may be employed for acting in combination with the
loop seizing hook to engage with one side of the loop and carry the same across
the end of the spool and around its enclosing case as described. The loop spreader
preferably consists of a thread engaging finger which is carried at one end of
a lever, the latter being pivotally connected at its opposite end to a vertically
disposed lever which is fulcrumed on a lug on the under side of a bed-plate and
provided with a pin having an anti-friction roll thereon which is engaged by
a grooved cam secured on the driving shaft. This cam imparts a horizontally
reciprocating movement to said loop spreader lever. An elbow lever, fulcrumed
on a lug on the under side of the bed-plate, is provided with a stud on one arm
extending within a longitudinal slot in said loop spreader or finger carrying
lever and with a connected anti-friction roll on the other arm which is engaged
by a grooved cam which is also secured on the said driving shaft. This elbow
lever is operated to communicate a vertical movement to the loop spreader lever,
and, acting in combination with the said vertically disposed lever, causes the
thread engaging finger to move in a substantially circular path around the spool
case and enclosed spool.
As before described, the loop seizing hook moves in a path at one side of the
path of the reciprocating spool and, after the thread loop has been passed around
one end of said spool, carries the loop to the opposite end of the latter and in
position to be drawn up by the take-up through the opening of the spool frame.

page_text: The thread loop, in being carried longitudinally over the spool case, is thus acted
upon only at one side of the latter and consequently would cause that portion
at the opposite side of the spool to drag. To prevent such drag and insure the
more positive and rapid action of the loop in being passed longitudinally over
the spool case, I employ a loop pusher for engaging with the loop on that side
of the case opposite to the loop seizing hook and pushing the same in a direction
in opposition to the movement of the spool, whereby the loop will be directly
engaged at opposite sides of the case and positively carried from one end of
the latter to the other. The said loop pusher preferably consists of a plate
which is movably supported on the spool frame with one edge thereof extending
into a longitudinal open slot in one side of the cylindrical spool case and provided
with a notch in such edge which permits of the passage of the loop spreader
therethrough in carrying the loop around the end of the spool and also forms a
shoulder which is adapted to engage with the side of the encircling loop, and,
moving in the same direction with the spool frame and in opposition to the
movement of the spool, push said loop to the opposite end of the spool case and
off the same.
The edge of the loop pusher plate extending into the slot of the spool case
prevents rocking movement of the latter with its enclosed spool, and also positively
insures the engagement of its thread engaging shoulder with the thread loop
which has been carried across the said slot. When the loop pusher is movably
supported on the spool frame, it is connected with the latter to be operated thereby
through the medium of toggle links which are centrally supported and controlled
by a connecting link which is pivotally connected with a fixed support on the
under side of the bed-plate. Such connection secures a differential movement
of the loop pusher relative to the spool frame whereby the former is caused to
move faster than the latter during such time as it is pushing the thread loop so
as to insure the latter being pushed off the end of the spool case and drawn up
through the opening of the spool frame before such opening is closed by being
entered into the spool. The loop pusher may, however, be formed as an integral
part of the spool frame, or be otherwise constructed and supported to properly
perform its function as described without departure from my invention.
To provide for placing the spool in position upon the spool supporting rods
of the spool frame or removing it therefrom, one of the said rods has a screw
threaded connection with the frame whereby it may be moved to increase the
space between the ends of the said rods sufficiently to permit of the spool being
readily slipped on or off the same. Such movable rod has a crank handle as a
means for operating the same.
The wooden commercial spool is adapted to ride directly upon the said sup-
porting rod without any intermediate support as I find that the friction caused
by lint, dust or other foreign matter getting between such parts has no appreciable
effect upon the action of the same as it does in the case of a metallic support
for the spool riding upon said rod. The spool being supported in such a manner
also permits the spool case being made very cheap, simple and light, the same
being preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal bent into a substantially
cylindrical form. This case is adapted to be supported upon the peripheries
of the end flanges on the spool and be retained in position against un-
due endwise movement thereon by means of the arms of the spool driver
engaging the opposite ends of the same. Rocking or turning of the spool case,
as before described, is prevented by means of the loop pusher extending into
the open slot with which said case is provided. In lieu of such slot in the
spool case, however, the latter might be provided with a tongue thereon and the
edge of the loop pusher he provided with a groove to receive said tongue. Such
a construction would accomplish the same purpose as the construction first
described.
The space between the opposite spool engaging ends or arms of the spool driver
is of course greater than the length of the spool case so as to permit of the needle

page_text: thread loop being readily passed between such arms and the adjacent ends of the
case when the latter with its enclosed spool is being passed through said thread
loop. The rear arm of the spool driver extends upward across the center of
the spool and is provided with an opening therein which receives the rods of the
spool frame, and is also adapted to permit the thread loop being drawn upward
by the take-up without liability of getting caught between the end of one
of the spool supporting rods and the said arm.
The spool case may be provided with any suitable means for giving the desired
tension to the under thread, a simple means being to provide the case with a series
of arms beneath which the thread may be passed. The said spool case is also
provided with a number of openings adapted to lighten the same and also permit
the operator to see the enclosed spool for the purpose of ascertaining from
time to time the amount of thread remaining on the same.
In order to provide a simple and practical means whereby the different makes,
kinds, sizes and numbers of commercial spools of sewing thread, which vary more
or less in size, may be used in the machine by the ordinary operator, I provide
a series of cases each being provided with the proper indicative numbers or
characters stamped or otherwise located thereon to denote the one or more kinds
of thread which it may be adapted to contain. For instance, a case marked
A. B. D. Silk," indicates that such case is adapted to enclose commercial
spools of sewing silk of the three numbers indicated.
The several spool cases are adapted to the particular sizes and numbers of
the spools of thread which they are intended to enclose, by having their inner
diameter and length of the proper size to contain the particular spool without
undue movement of the latter therein. For instance, a case intended to enclose
a "No. 70 cotton" is reduced both in diameter and length to correspond to such
size of spool, the length being regulated by providing the case with an inwardly
projection shoulder, it being understood that the length of the several cases are
uniform to properly fit between the engaging ends or arms of the spool driver.
The spool case is also provided with an upwardly extending flange on that side
thereof adjacent to the path of the loop seizing hook, which is adapted to prevent
the under thread in its passage from the spool to the needle opening in the bed-
plate from getting in the path of said hook. The edge of such flange is rounded
from end to end to permit the ready passage of the needle thread loop thereover.
Having thus described a practical embodiment of my invention, I wish it to
be understood that the same may be more or less materially modified without
departure from the spirit of the invention. Also, in lieu of the commercial
spool for carrying the under thread as described, an ordinary bobbin wound
in the usual manner might be employed, and I wish it to be understood that the
term "spool" as used throughout the specification, unless otherwise defined, is
intended to cover a bobbin or any other similar thread carrying device.
Total
1. 1
1
1000
We, JASPER VANNETTE, of No. 12, Liberty Street, Inventor, and CHARLES
JOSHUA YINGLING, of No. 126 South Washington Street, Merchant, both in

page_text: the City of Tiffin, Seneca County, State of Ohio, U.S.A., 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:-
This invention relates to sewing machines and more particularly to lock stitch
sewing machines of that class in which both the upper and under thread is taken
direct from the ordinary commercial spool of sewing thread. The advantages
offered by such class of machines being that a greater supply of under thread
is provided than that afforded by the ordinary bobbin, whereby the machine may
be run longer without stopping for a new thread supply, and also the trouble
and loss of time attendant upon winding the bobbin is avoided.
My invention has for its object to improve machines of the class referred to,
by rendering the same capable of being operated at a greatly increased speed,
reducing noise and vibration, and otherwise rendering the same more effective
and desirable than heretofore constructed.
In the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated only so much of
a sewing machine as is necessary to explain my invention,
Fig. 1 is a bottom view of a portion of the bed plate of a sewing machine
with certain parts of a stitch-forming mechanism thereon embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through line 2-2 of the construction shown
in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a detail view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 2, showing the
change in position of the same at a different time during the formation of a stitch.
Fig. 4 is a front end view of the machine, with certain of the parts removed and
in section to more clearly show the reciprocally moving spool supporting frame,
spool driver, and long-pusher, and the connection between such parts.
Fig. 5 is a detail view, partly in section, showing the relative positions assumed
by the spool supporting frame, spool, loop-spreader, and loop-seizing hook, at
a time when the latter first enters the thread loop thrown out by the needle;
the several parts being shown in elevation.
Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5, showing the position assumed by the
parts at a different time during the formation of a stitch.
Figs. 7 and 8 are plan views of the movable parts shown in Figs. 5 and 6,
and the loop-pusher, with certain of the parts in section and broken away, also
showing different positions assumed by the parts during the formation of a
stitch.
Figs. 9-13 inclusive, are views illustrating the operation of certain of the
moving parts in taking the thread loop from the needle and passing it around the
spool carrying the under thread whereby it will interlock with the latter.
Fig. 14 is a view of a spool case embodying my invention.
Figs. 15 and 16 are views illustrating modifications in the construction of
certain of the parts to be hereinafter referred to, and
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the loop seizing hook detached from its operating
shaft.
To explain in detail, a denotes the bed-plate of a sewing machine, and a
the needle. I have not considered it necessary to illustrate any of the stitch-
forming mechanism above the bed-plate, other than the needle, as it may be of
any well known kind.
Beneath the bed-plate a is a spool supporting frame b which is adapted to be
supported in any suitable manner to be capable of having a reciprocating move-
ment, the same, as more clearly shown in Fig. 1, being provided with arms or
extensions which are loosely seated within openings formed in hangers a a²
on the under side of the bed-plate. This frame b, which may be of any suitable
form, is provided with two pins or rods 62 62 arranged in line with each other
on which an ordinary commercial spool 63 carrying the under thread supply is
adapted to be loosely supported to have a reciprocating movement.
A space
or opening is provided between the adjacent ends of the two pins
b

page_text: through which the needle thread loop is passed by suitable means for the purpose
of receiving the reciprocating spool 63 therethrough. After the spool has been
passed through the needle thread loop, the latter is then drawn back through
the opening between the pins by the ordinary take-up acting above the cloth-plate of
the machine and caused to interlock with the under thread and form a lock stitch
in the usual manner.
The spool 63, which is preferably enclosed in a cylindrical case h, is reciprocated
back and forth from one to the other of the rods 2 by means of a driver c.
This driver, as herein shown, consists of a frame or plate c¹ which is supported
to slide in guide-ways c²² in the spool frame b, as more clearly shown in Figs. 2
and 4, and provided with suitable arms c c for loosely engaging with the opposite
ends of the spool. A rotating shaft d, supported in suitable bearings on the
under side of the bed-plate, is provided with a crank d¹ which is connected
through the medium of a pitman with a fixed pin on the spool driver c
so as to communicate the desired movement to the latter. It will be understood
that when one end of the spool 63 has entered into the needle thread loop which
has been passed through the opening between the ends of the rods 62, such
needle thread loop cannot be drawn up by the take-up to complete the stitch
until it has passed off the opposite end of the spool and is enabled to pass through
the said opening 64 between the ends of the rods b².
Therefore, as an important feature of my present invention, I have arranged
for reciprocating the spool frame in opposition to the movement of the spool and
its case whereby the said opening 6 of the spool frame, after receiving the needle
thread loop therethrough for the purpose of being passed around the front
end of the spool, will be moved toward the opposite end of the spool during
the movement of the latter in the contrary direction and thus enable the thread
loop to be drawn off the spool and through the said opening in one-half
the time that would he required in case of the individual movement of the
spool alone.
The spool frame b receives its reciprocating movement also from the rotating
shaft d, through the medium of a second crank with which the latter is pro-
vided and a pitman d connecting said crank with a pin 66 on the spool frame,
as more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The movements of the spool driver
and the spool frame in opposition to each other as described is secured by so
arranging the two cranks and that the throw of one is opposite to the
throw of the other. By reason of such movement of both the spool frame and
spool driver in opposition to each other, the throw or movement of such parts,
for the purpose of passing the needle thread loop around the under thread, is
only one-half of that which would be required in case the movement was con-
fined to one of the parts. I am thus enabled to employ easy crank or eccentric
movements to operate the said parts and so materially diminish noise, vibration
and friction, as well as increase the durability and general effectiveness of
the machine.
The body portion of the spool frame within which the spool driver is sup-
ported to slide, is provided with a central elongated opening therein through
which the crank shaft d extends, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2, whereby a
direct line of draft is secured between the cranks d and d and the pitman con-
nected spool driver and spool frame. The said cranks being located at that
side of the spool frame b opposite the spool, also prevents possibility of the ends
of the thread from either the upper or lower spool coming in contact with the
same and getting entangled therewith.
The means for taking the thread loop thrown out by the needle and passing
the same around one end of the spool 63, consists of a loop seizing hook e which
first enters the needle thread loop and opens the same, and a loop-spreading
finger f which engages with one side of the opened loop and then, acting in
combination with the hook e, spreads the loop through the opening of the
spool frame and around the end of the spool. The hook e, which is carried at

page_text: the front end of a rotating shaft e¹ mounted in suitable bearings on the under
side of the bed-plate, is formed with an attaching shank having a substantially
triangular shaped loop seizing blade e at one side thereof which is pointed at
its front end and tapered to considerable width at its rear end. This form of
blade insures the ready entry of the same into the needle thread loop, and, after
receiving a partial turn, as shown in Fig. 6, opens the loop to considerable width
and causes the same to assume a well defined triangular shape with the forward
or upper side thereof in the path of the loop-spreader f, which latter moves
forward at such time in a path at right angles to the path of the loop-seizing hook
and engages with the said upper side of the loop, as shown in Figs. 2 and 11,
and carries the same over and across one end of the spool and through the
opening of the spool frame. This loop-spreader moves in a substantially
circular path around the spool case and, as it engages one side of the loop and
carries it over and across the end of the spool, the hook e with its engaging
portion of the loop continues its downward movement in a path parallel with
one side of the spool and so acts in combination with the loop-spreader to pass
the loop around the end of the spool whereby the latter may be passed through
the same.
The detailed operation of the parts in taking the needle thread loop from the
needle and passing it around the spool as illustrated in the drawings, is as
follows: The loop-seizing blade first enters the needle thread loop thrown out
by the needle as shown in Figs. 5 and 9, and, after fully entering the same,
causes the thread loop to receive a partial turn as one side thereof passes around
to the rear end of the blade, as in Fig. 10 whereby the sides of the loop will
be spread apart in a direction at right angles to the path of the loop-spreader.
Continuing its movement, the loop-seizing blade causes the loop to assume a
triangular shape with the sides widely separated and the upper side in the
path of the loop-spreader which now advances to engage the same as in Fig. 6.
The sides of the loop being thus widely separated permits the use
of a long thread engaging finger f¹ on the loop spreader which may
the
engage with one side of the loop without liability of striking
other and extend a considerable distance over the end of the spool to insure
the thread being carried thereover. After the parts have reached the position
shown in Fig. 6, the loop-spreader continues to move forward and the loop-seizing
hook downward as shown in Fig. 11, until they reach the position shown in
Fig. 7, at which time the spreader has carried one side of the loop from the
needle opening over the upper side of the spool, while the spreader and hook
together have carried the intermediate portion of the loop across the end of the
spool through the opening 4 of the spool frame. The continued movement of
the parts, as shown in Fig. 12, now carries the lower portion of the loop
between the adjacent arm of the spool driver and the end of the spool and
so completes the encircling of the latter by the loop. During such action
of the parts in passing the thread loop around the end of the spool, the spool
frame and spool are being moved in opposition to each other, the timing of the
parts being such that as soon as the loop is carried through the opening of
the spool frame, the spool moves across such opening. When the parts reach
the position shown in Fig. 8 with the opening of the spool frame at the
opposite end of the spool, the loop has also been moved to such position by the
action of the loop seizing hook e moving in a direction contrary to the movement
of the spool, and is free to be drawn up by the usual take-up to inter-lock with
the under thread, as shown in Figs. 8 and 13, and complete the stitch.
The particular form of the loop seizing hook as described enables
the same to enter the thread loop as it is thrown out by the needle
and continue its movement without requiring additional slack thread until the
blade has fully entered the loop and the latter has passed around to the
rear end of the blade, during which time the needle has moved above the work
being operated upon as shown in Fig. 10. The advantage secured by such action

page_text: of the parts is that the hole made in the goods by the passage of the needle
therethrough is not obstructed by the presence of the needle when the thread
is being drawn through said hole by the hook e, thus reducing the friction on
the needle thread.
Any suitable means may be employed for acting in combination with
the Toop seizing hook to engage with one side of the loop and
carry the same across the end of the spool and around its enclosing case as described.
The loop-spreader as herein shown consists of the thread engaging finger fl
which is carried at one end of a lever f, the latter being pivotally connected
at its opposite end to a vertically disposed lever f³ which is fulcrumed on a
lug on the under side of the bed-plate and provided with a pin having an anti-
friction roll f thereon which extends within a cam groove fo formed in a
sleeve which is secured on the shaft d. This cam f6 imparts a horizontally
reciprocating movement to the lever f. An elbow lever f, fulcrumed on a
lug on the under side of the bed-plate, is provided with a stud f on one
arm extending within a longitudinal slot fo in the lever f and with a con-
nected anti-friction roll f" on the other arm extending into a cam groove fla
formed in a sleeve which is also secured on a rotating shaft d. This lever f
is operated to communicate a vertical movement to the lever f, and acting in
combination with the lever f³, causes the thread engaging finger fl of the
lever to move in a substantially circular path around the spool case and
enclosed spool, the position assumed by the parts at different times in their
operation being shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
As before described, the loop seizing hook e moves in a path at one side of the
path of the reciprocating spool and, after the thread loop has been passed around
one end of said spool, carries the loop to the opposite end of the latter and in
position to be drawn up by the take-up through the opening of the spool frame.
The thread loop, in being carried longitudinally over the spool case, is thus
acted upon only at one side of the latter and consequently would cause that portion
at the opposite side of the spool case to drag. To prevent such drag and insure
the more positive and rapid action of the loop in being passed longitudinally
over the case h, I employ a loop-pusher for engaging with the loop on that side
of the case opposite the hook e and pushing the same in a direction in opposition
to the movement of the spool, whereby the loop will be directly engaged at
opposite sides of the case and positively carried from one end of the latter to the
other. The loop-pusher, as more clearly shown in Figs. 2, 7, and 8, consists
of a plate which is movably supported on the spool frame with one edge
thereof extending into a longitudinal open slot in one side of the spool case h
and provided with a notch in such edge which permits of the passage of the
loop-spreader therethrough in carrying the loop around the end of the spool
and also forms a shoulder which is adapted to engage with the side of the
encircling loop, as shown in Fig. 12, and, moving in the same direction with
the spool frame and in opposition to the movement of the spool push said loop
to the opposite end of the spool case and off the same, as shown in Fig. 8.
The edge of the plate i extending into the slot of the spool case prevents
rocking movement of the latter with its enclosed spool, and also positively insures
the engagement of the thread engaging shoulder with the thread loop which
has been carried across the said slot as shown. When the loop-pusher is movably
supported on the spool frame, it is connected with the latter to be operated thereby
through the medium of toggle-links which are centrally supported and con-
trolled by a connecting link which is pivotally connected with a fixed support
on the under side of the bed plate. Such connection secures a differential move-
ment of the loop pusher relative to the spool frame whereby the former is caused
to move faster than the latter during such time as it is pushing the thread loop
so as to insure the latter being pushed off the end of the spool case and drawn
up through the opening of the spool frame before such opening is closed by
being entered into the spool. The loop-pusher may however, be formed as an

page_text: integral part of the spool frame, as shown in Fig. 16, or be otherwise constructed
and supported to properly perform its function as described without departure
from my invention.
To provide for placing the spool in position upon the rods 62 of the spool frame
or removing it therefrom, one of said rods has a screw threaded connection with
the frame as shown whereby it may be moved to increase the space between the
ends of the said rods sufficiently to permit of the spool being readily slipped on
or off the same. Such movable rod has a crank handle as a means for
operating the same.
The wooden spool 63 is adapted to ride directly upon the rods b² without any
intermediate support as I find that the friction caused by lint, dust, or other
foreign matter getting between such parts has no appreciable effect upon the
action of the same as it does in the case of a metallic support for the spool riding
upon said rods. The spool being supported in such manner also permits the spool
case being made very cheap, simple, and light, the same being preferably formed
of a single piece of sheet metal bent into a substantially cylindrical form as
shown. This case is adapted to be supported upon the peripheries of the end
flanges on the spool and be retained in position against undue endwise movement
thereon by means of the arms c³ of the spool driver engaging the opposite ends
of the same. Rocking or turning of the spool case h, as before described, is
prevented by means of the loop-pusher i extending into the open slot h¹ with
which said case is provided. In lieu of such slot in the spool case, however, the
latter might be provided with a tongue h³ thereon and the edge of the loop-
pusher be provided with a groove h¹ to receive said tongue, as shown in Fig. 15.
Such a construction would accomplish the same purpose as the construction
first described.
The space between the opposite ends or arms c³ ct of the spool driver is of course
greater than the length of the spool case so as to permit of the needle thread
loop being readily passed between such arms and the adjacent ends of the
case when the latter with its enclosed spool is being passed through said thread
loop. The rear arm of the spool driver extends upward across the center of
the spool 63 and is provided with an opening therein which receives the rods 62
of the spool frame, and is also adapted to permit the thread loop being drawn
upward by the take-up without liability of getting caught between the end of
one of the rods and the said arm, as will be obvious upon reference to
Fig. 8.
The spool case may be provided with any suitable means for giving the
desired tension to the under thread, the same as herein shown being formed with
a series of arms h over and under which the thread is passed as shown in Fig. 14.
The case is also provided with a number of slots or openings as shown adapted
to lighten the same and also permit the operator to see the inclosed spool for
the purpose of ascertaining from time to time the amount of thread remaining
on the same.
In order to provide a simple and practical means whereby the different makes,
kinds, sizes, and numbers of commercial spools of sewing thread, which vary
more or less in size, may be used in the machine by the ordinary operator, I
provide a series of cases each being provided with the proper indicative numbers
or characters stamped or otherwise located thercon to denote the one or more
kinds of thread which it may be adapted to contain. For instance, the case
illustrated in Figs. 4, 5(. and 6, and marked "A.B.D. silk," indicates that such
case is adapted to enclose commercial spools of sewing silk of the three numbers
indicated.
The several spool cases are adapted to the particular sizes and numbers of
the spools of thread which they are intended to inclose, by having their inner
diameter and length of the proper size to contain the particular spool without
undue movement of the latter therein. For instance a case intended to inclose
a "Ne. 70 cotton" as in Fig. 14, is reduced both in diameter and length to corre-

page_text: spond to such size of spool, the length being regulated by providing the case with
an inwardly projecting shoulder h, it being understood that the length of the
several cases are uniform to properly fit between the engaging ends or arms of the
spool driver.
Having thus illustrated and described a practical embodiment of my inven-
tion, it will be obvious that the same may be more or less materially modified
without departure from the spirit of the invention. Also, in lieu of the com-
mercial spool for carrying the under thread as described, an ordinary bobbin
wound in the usual manner might be employed, and I wish it to be understood
that the term "spool" as used throughout the specification and claims, unless
otherwise defined, is intended to cover a bobbin or any other similar thread
carrying device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is: --
1. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a reciprocally moving frame
supporting said spool and having an opening for the passage of the needle
thread loop in being passed around the spool, the position of said opening being
shifted from one end to the other of the spool by the movement of the frame, and
means for taking the thread loop from the needle and passing it around said
spool to interlock with the thread carried thereby.
2. In a
sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a case inclosing said spool,
a reciprocally moving frame supporting said spool and case and having an opening
for the passage of the needle thread loop in being passed around the spool,
the position of said opening being shifted from one end to the other of the
spool by the movement of the frame, and means for taking the thread loop
from the needle and passing it around said spool to interlock with the thread
carried thereby.
:
3. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a frame supporting said spool
and having an opening for the passage therethrough of the needle thread loop,
means for imparting movement to said spool and spool frame in a direction in
opposition to each other, and means for passing a needle thread loop through
said opening in the spool frame and around the spool.
4. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a reciprocally moving frame
supporting said spool and having an opening for the passage therethrough of
the needle thread loop, a reciprocally moving spool driver operating in a direction
in opposition to the movements of the spool frame, and means for passing a
needle thread loop around the spool.
5. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
imechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a reciprocally moving frame
supporting said spool, a reciprocally moving driver for imparting movement to
the spool in a direction in opposition to the movements of the spool frame,
said driver being connected with the latter to be supported and guided thereby,
and means for passing a needle thread loop around the spool.
6. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a frame supporting said spool
provided with an opening for the passage of the needle thread loop and also
having guide-ways, a reciprocally moving spool driver supported and operating
in said guide-ways in the spool frame, and means for passing a needle thread
around the spool.
7. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a reciprocally moving frame

page_text: supporting said spool and having an opening for the passage of the needle thread
loop, a loop seizing hook operating in a path at one side of the spool frame, a
loop-spreader co-operating with said hook and moving in a path through said
opening in the spool frame to pass a needle thread loop around the spool,
means for operating said hook and loop spreader, an operating shaft having a
crank or eccentric at that side of the frame opposite the hook, and means
operatively connecting said crank or eccentric with the spool frame.
8. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a reciprocally moving frame
supporting said spool, a reciprocally moving driver operating said spool in a
direction in opposition to the movements of the frame, said driver having a part
thereof provided with an opening to receive the spool supporting portion of
the spool frame, and means for passing a needle thread loop around the spool.
9. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a loop seizing hook and a loop
spreader operating in paths at an angle to each other and co-acting in opening
and carrying the needle thread loop around the spool, the thread engaging or
drawing surface of the hook operating to open the loop and move one side thereof
across the path of the loop-spreader, and means for operating said hook and
spreader.
10. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism of a spool carrying the under thread, a support for said spool, a
loop seizing hook operating in a circular path at one side of said spool, a loop-
spreader operating in a circular path at substantially right angles to the path of
the hook and co-operating with the latter in passing the needle thread around
the spool, the thread engaging or drawing surface of the hook being arranged
in a plane parallel with the plane of the path of movement of the hook, and
means for operating said hook and spreader, respectively.
11. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a support for said spool, a
rotating loop seizing hook having a relatively thin blade portion of substantially
triangular form arranged at right angles to its axis and provided with a thread
engaging surface at the rear end of said blade arranged in a plane parallel with
the plane of the path of movement of the hook and of the needle, the lower
edge of said blade being arranged to move, during its passage through the
needle thread loop, in a path in line with or above the lowest limit of movement
of the needle eye for the purpose set forth, and means co-operating with said hook
in passing the needle thread around the under thread.
12. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread supply, a rotating shaft carrying
a loop seizing hook, said hook being provided with a thread engaging surface
arranged at right angles to the axis of its operating shaft whereby the sides of
an engaged needle thread loop will be opened or spread apart in a direction
parallel with the plane of the path of movement of the hook, a loop-spreader
moving in a path to engage one side of said opened loop and carry the same
around the spool, and means for operating said loop spreader.
13. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread supply, a frame supporting said
spool, a circularly moving loop seizing hook operating in a path parallel with
one side of the spool, a circularly moving loop spreader operating in a path
around the spool, and means for operating said hook and spreader, respectively.
14. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a reciprocally moving spool carrying the under thread, a rotating
loop seizing hook having a relatively wide thread engaging surface arranged
at right angles to its axis for entering and opening the needle thread loop into
triangular shape with the sides spread apart in the direction of movement of the
hook, a loop-spreader moving in a path to engage one side of the opened loop and

page_text: carry the same around the spool, and means for operating the hook and spreader,
respectively.
15. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a reciprocally moving frame
supporting said spool and having an opening for the passage of the needle thread
loop, a loop seizing hook moving in a circular path at one side of said spool,
a loop spreader moving in a circular path around one end of the latter and co-
operating with the hook in passing a needle thread loop around the same, and
means for operating the said hook and spreader, respectively.
16. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a support for said spool, a
loop-seizing hook and its operating mechanism, a circularly moving loop spreader
co-operating with said hook in passing the needle thread around the spool,
consisting of a lever having means at its front end for engaging with the thread,
a vibrating lever connecting with the rear end of said spreader lever, and means,
co-operating with said vibrating lever, to impart a circular movement to the
thread engaging end of the spreader lever.
17. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a reciprocally moving frame
supporting said spool and having an opening in its spool supporting portion,
a circularly moving loop seizing hook operating in a path at one side of the spool,
a loop-spreader, consisting of a lever having a thread engaging arm, and means
for moving said lever through the said opening of the spool frame and causing
its thread engaging arm to move in a circular path around the end of the
spool.
18. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a support for said spool, a loop
seizing hook and its operating mechanism; a loop-spreader for co-operating with
said hook in passing a thread loop around the spool, consisting of a lever having
a thread engaging portion, a vibrating lever pivotally connected with one end
of said spreader lever, and a second vibrating lever having a sliding connection
with the spreader lever and co-operating with the first lever in imparting a
circular movement to the thread engaging end or portion of said spreader lever.
19. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, means for passing the
needle thread loop around one end of the spool, and a reciprocally moving
loop-pusher operating in a path at one side of the spool for pushing the thread
loop along the same.
20. In a sewing machine, the combination, with 'the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a case inclosing said spool,
means for passing the needle thread loop around one end of said spool, and a
reciprocally moving loop pusher operating in a path at one side of the spool
and having a loose connection with the spool case.
21. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a case inclosing said spool
and having a slot therein, means for passing the needle thread loop around one
end of said spool, and a reciprocally moving loop pusher operating in a path
at one side of the spool with one edge thereof extending into said slot in the
spool case.
22. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a reciprocally moving spool carrying the under thread, a cylindrical
case inclosing said spool means for passing the needle thread loop around one
end of said spool case, a loop-pusher operating in a path at one side of the spool
for pushing the thread loop along the latter, and means for imparting a recipro-
cating movement to the loop pusher in opposition to the movements of the
spool.
23. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating

page_text: mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a case inclosing said spool,
a reciprocally moving frame supporting said spool and case and having an
opening for the passage of the needle thread loop, means for passing the needle
thread loop around one end of said spool case, and a loop-pusher carried by said
spool frame for pushing the thread loop along the spool case:
24. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a reciprocally moving spool carrying the under thread, a case
inclosing said spool, means for passing the needle thread loop around one end of
said spool case, a loop-pusher, consisting of a plate supported with one edge
thereof loosely engaging with the spool case to hold the latter from turning,
and provided with a notch in-that edge thereof adjacent to the spool case-forming
a thread engaging shoulder, and means for imparting a reciprocating. movement
to the loop-pusher in opposition to the movements of the spool.
25. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a spool carrying the under thread, a support for the spool, a
case inclosing said spool provided with an open slot extending lengthwise
through the same, means located exteriorly of said case and extending loosely
into its slot so as to prevent a turning or rocking movement of the case with its
enclosed spool, and means for passing a needle thread loop around the spool and
spool case to interlock with the under thread.
26. In a sewing machine, the combination, with the needle and its operating
mechanism, of a commercial spool. carrying the under thread, a support for said
spool, a cylindrical case supported directly upon the periphery of the end flanges
of the spool and having a stop projection located on its inner wall at a point
distant from the end of the case so. as to engage with a spool of less length
than the latter and prevent undue endwise movement of the same, and means for
passing a needle thread loop around the spool and spool case to interlock with the
under thread.
27. In a sewing machine, the combination, with a spool supporting frame
comprising two pins or.rods, of a spool carrying the under thread riding directly
upon said pins, an open-ended cylindrical case supported upon the periphery
of the end flanges of the spool, and means independent of the case for holding the
same in longitudinal position upon the spool.
28. In a sewing machine, the combination, with a spool supporting frame
comprising two pins or rods, of a spool carrying the under thread riding directly
upon said pins, an open-ended cylindrical case supported upon the periphery
of the end flanges of the spool and being provided with suitable indicative
characters to denote the particular kind, size, and number of spool to be inclosed
in the same, and means independent of the case for holding the same in longi-
tudinal position upon the spool and communicating a reciprocating movement
to the case and its inclosed spool..
T
JASPER VANNETTE,
CHARLES JOSHUA YINGLING.
Haseltine, Lake & Co., '
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.