IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING-MACHINES AND IN SHUTTLES THEREFOR
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING-MACHINES AND IN SHUTTLES THEREFOR."
communication from abroad by the Howe Machine Company (Incorporated),
of the City and State of New York, United States of America.
A
Sealed the 8th April 1879, and dated the 12th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th December 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES AND IN
SHUTTLES THEREFOR [A communication from abroad by the Howe Machine
Company (Incorporated), of the City and State of New York, United States of
America.]
The first part of this Invention has for it object to secure the proper formation of
the loop of the needle thread in shuttle sewing machines and to cause the shuttle in
passing through the loop to have a more rapid motion than during its return move-
ment; also to prevent noise in the movement of the shuttle, and to regulate the
feed of the material.
It consists in the combination with the driving shaft of a sewing machine of a
lever for actuating the shuttle, connected to a crank on the said driving shaft at a
point below the axis of the said shaft, whereby a variable oscillating or recipro-
cating motion is imparted to the carrier in order to pass it properly through the
loop of the needle-thread; also in the combination with the driving shaft and the
lever for actuating the needle have operated by a rod secured. to an eccentric on the
driving shaft of a lever for actuating the shuttle-carrier connected to a crank on the
said driving shaft by means of a link arranged in such relation to said crank and
Driss 1021

page_text: the driving shaft that the greatest travel of the said link will take place at the
time the shuttle is passing the needle in order to carry it through the loop of the
needle-thread. Also in the combination with the driving shaft, the shuttle-carrier,
and the mechanism for operating the same of a take-up lever connected to a lever
operated by a cam-cylinder on the driving-shaft, whereby the motion of the take-up
lever is retarded as the shuttle passes through the loop of the needle-thread, and the
tension of the needle-thread is relieved during the passage of the shuttle; also in
the combination with the driving-shaft of a sewing-machine and an irregular cam
mounted thereon and a swinging feed-dog, of a lever provided with an adjustable
rider capable of a longitudinal movement with respect to the said cam, whereby the
backward and forward throw of the feed-dog may be regulated; also in the com-
bination with the driving-shaft of a sewing-machine the feed-dog and the adjusting
bar of the cams mounted on the driving-shaft, whereby the proper backward,
forward, and vertical motions are imparted to the feed-bar; also in the combination
with the adjustable bar and the rock shaft by means of which it is adjusted, of an
index and scale for indicating the length of the stitch; also in the combination with
the driving shaft of a sewing machine and a cylinder mounted thereon having a
cam-groove in its periphery, of a lever connected with a bell-crank take-up lever
whereby a variable positive motion in both directions is imparted to said take-up
lever; also in lining the inner surface of the shuttle carrier with vulcanized india-
rubber, whereby rattling noise from the movement of the shuttle in said carrier is
prevented.
The second part of the Invention has for its object to prevent the strain upon
the needle thread during the passage of the shuttle through the loop of the same,
whereby all danger of the breaking of the thread is avoided, and also to provide an
efficient take-up for the slack thread of the needle.
It consists in the combination with the driving shaft of a sewing-machine of a
horizontal shuttle operating lever whose short arm oscillates in a plane below the
axis of said shaft, and which is connected to a crank thereon by means of a link
equal in length to the throw of the crank and the needle-bar and needle-bar lever,
the latter being connected by means of a link to a lever pivotted to the bed
of the machine; the said lever has pivotted to it an eccentric-strap embracing
an eccentric on the driving-shaft whereby a dip is given to the needle to form the
loop for the passage of the shuttle, the shuttle-lever and needle bar lever being
operated by their respective mechanisms to accelerate the passage of the shuttle
through the loop formed by the dip of the needle; also in the combination with the
needle bar of a short link pivotted to one end of another link, the other end of
which is pivotted to the front plate of the head of the needle bar standard; the last
mentioned link is provided with a stud or button projecting through a curved slot
in the front plate and serving to actuate a spring take-up secured to the outer face
of said front plate.
The object of the third part of this Invention is to produce a practically round
shuttle or one having all of its friction-surfaces formed on curved lines and adapted
to have the bobbin inserted from the top instead of through the end, as has been
the case heretofore in this class of shuttles; also to provide such a shuttle with
reliable, simple, and ready means for regulating the tension of its thread and for
latching its hinged or pivotted lid; and also to facilitate the threading of the
shuttle.
This part of the said Invention consists in providing the pivotted lid of the
shuttle with a flat tension-spring located on its upper surface and a combined
shuttle-tension spring and latch connected therewith on its lower surface, and
adapted to be moved by an adjusting screw extending through the shell of the
shuttle, whereby the shuttle lid may be held in place and the tension adjusted by
the same screw; also in a sewing machine shuttle having a pivotted or hinged top
or lid forming a part of the bobbin case and provided with a taper extension pro-
jecting beyond the head of the shuttle for the purpose of supporting a slack-thread

page_text: guard-spring which also extends beyond the heel of said shuttle, whereby the shuttle
thread is carried back beyond the heel of the shuttle and held down upon the lid
during its forward movement and the needle-loop extended while being drawn up
until nearly within the fabric and thus prevented from twisting; while during the
backward throw its thread is carried out of the path of the needle, and bad stitchos
resulting from the knotting of the needle and shuttle-threads thereby prevented.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
June 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING-MACHINES AND IN
SHUTTLES THEREFOR.' A communication from abroad by the Howe Machine
Company (Incorporated), of the City and State of New York, United States of
America.
The first part of this Invention has for its object to secure the proper formation
of the loop of the needle thread in shuttle sewing machines, and to cause the shuttle
in passing through the loop to have a more rapid motion than during its return
movement; also to prevent noise in the movement of the shuttle, and to regulate
the feed of the material.
It consists in the combination with the driving-shaft of a sewing-machine, of a
lever for actuating the shuttle connected to a crank on the said driving shaft at a
point below the axis of the said shaft, whereby a variable oscillating or reciprocating
motion is imparted to the carrier in order to pass it properly through the loop of
the needle-thread; also in the combination with the driving shaft and the lever for
actuating the needle bar operated by a rod secured to an excentric on the driving-
shaft of a lever for actuating the shuttle-carrier connected to a crank on the said
driving-shaft by means of a link arranged in such relation to said crank and the
driving shaft that the greatest travel of the said link will take place at the time
the shuttle is passing the needle in order to carry it through the loop of the needle-
thread;
also in the combination with the driving shaft, the shuttle-carrier and the
incchanism for operating the same, of a take-up lever connected to a lever operated
by a cam-cylinder on a driving-shaft, whereby the motion of the take-up lever is
retarded as the shuttle passes through the loop of the needle-thread, and the tension
of the needle-thread is relieved during the passage of the shuttle; also in the com-
bination with the driving-shaft of a sewing machine, and an irregular cam mounted
thercon, and a swinging feed-dog, of a lever provided with an adjustable rider, and
capable of a longitudinal movement with respect to the said cam, whereby the
backward and forward throw of the feed-dog may be regulated; also in the combi-
nation with the driving-shaft of a sewing machine, the feed dog, and the adjusting
bar of the cams mounted on the driving-shaft, whereby the proper backward,

page_text: forward, and vertical motions are imparted to the feed-bar; also in the combination
with the adjustable bar and the rock-shaft, by means of which it is adjusted, of an
index and scale for indicating the length of the stitch; also in the combination
with the driving shaft of a sewing machine and a cylinder mounted thereon, having
a cam-groove in its periphery, of a lever connected with a bell-crank take-up lever,
whereby a variable positive motion in both directions is imparted to said take-up
lever; also in lining the inner surface of the shuttle carrier with vulcanized india
rubber, whereby rattling noise from the movement of the shuttle in said carrier is
prevented.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of this improved apparatus, with parts broken
away, showing portions of the working mechanism in section.
Figure 2 represents a bottom view of the said apparatus or machine.
Figure 3 represents a transverse sectional view of the lower part of the said
machine on the line a, x, Figure 2.
Figure 4 represents a detached view of the mechanism for operating the feed-
dog.
Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the mechanism for transmitting motion from the
driving shaft to the shuttle carrier..
Figure 6 is a diagram, showing the relative positions of the end of the shuttle-
carrier, lever, link, and crank on the driving shaft as the shuttle-carrier is passing
the needle to take up the loop of the needle thread; and Figure 7 is a similar
diagram shewing the relative positions of the said parts on the passage of the
shuttle-carrier by the needle on its return motion.
Figure 8 represents a perspective view of the shuttle carrier detached, showing
the india-rubber shuttle seat thereof.
A represents the bed of the machine, and B the standard which supports the
upper work; C represents the needle-bar mounted in ways D) at the end of the
standard; and E, the presser-foot bar mounted in similar ways F, as usual; G
represents the lever which actuates the needle-bar, and which is connected to an
excentric H on the driving shaft I by means of a rod I¹ provided with an excentric
strap L at its lower end, which encircles said excentric H.
K represents a lever pivoted to the lower side of the table A, by means of which
the shuttle-carrier L' is actuated. In the present instance said shuttle carrier is
rigidly attached to the forward end of the lever K, but in case the shuttle-carrier is
arranged to travel in a race, as in some classes of machines, it may be loosely
attached to the end of the lever, as usual. The rear end of the lever extends below
the driving-shaft, and is connected with a crank M thereon by a link N, by means
of which an oscillating motion is imparted to said lever as the shaft is rotated.
As the excentric H imparts a uniform movement to the lever which drives the
needle-shaft, and as said lever imparts in turn a uniform reciprocating movement
to the needle bar, it is necessary in order to pass the shuttlo through the loop of
the needle-thread that a variable motion should be imparted to the shuttle-carrier
so as to accelerate its movement while the shuttle is being carried through the loop
of the needle-thread, and a retarded motion on the return movement of said shuttle.
This variable movement is effected by the peculiar arrangement of the lever K in
respect to the crank M on the driving shaft, the end of said lever to which the link
N is attached being constructed to fall below the axis of the driving-shaft, so that
the greatest travel of said link will occur at the time the shuttle carrier is passing
the needle, as shown in Figures 3 and 5.
An important feature of this part of the said Invention consists in the relative
length of the connecting link N, and the throw of the crank and the location of
the point of connection of said link to the lever with respect to the axis of the
driving shaft. The said link in order to give the proper variable movement must
be of a length about equal to the length of the throw of the crank, and thus it will
be seen that this cannot be effected by an excentric, the means usually employed
for actuating the shuttle lever, for the reason that the throw of the excentric

page_text: would necessitate the employment of a link or strap of much greater proportionate
length.
Ŏ represents the feed-dog formed in two parts, adjustably secured together by
means of the set-screws P, P, by means of which the upward throw of the feed
surface R may be regulated. One end of said feed-dog is slotted, as shown at S,
said slot setting over a pin T in the bed of the machine, upon which said feed dog
rides when in notion. The lower end of said feed dog is provided with an aperture,
through which extends one end of a rod V, the other end of which is attached to an
arm W, extending downwardly from a rock-shaft A¹. The said rock-shaft is
provided with a horizontal arm B¹, against which the end of a set-screw C¹ is
adapted to bear, and by means of which the said rock-shaft may be shifted in one
direction, so as to project the rod V forward, its return movement being effected
through the medium of a spring D.
To the rock-shaft is attached an arm E¹ extending upward along side of the
standard B, which is provided with a scale F', by means of which the length of the
stitch is indicated, as hereinafter explained. The forward end of the bar V is pro-
vided with an adjustable rider G¹, which bears against an irregular cam H' on the
driving shaft, by means of which a forward motion is imparted to the bar V and
the feed dog, the distance varying according to the position the rider G' occupies
longitudinally with respect to the cain H¹; the return motion of said feed dogs is
effected by means of the spring I*.
K¹ represents a cam mounted on the driving shaft and bearing against the
lower side of the feed-dog, by means of which a vertical movement is imparted to
said dog.
In order to provide for the proper motions of the bar V on the arm of the rock-
shaft, said arm is provided with a swivolled end V¹, to which said bar is pivoted,
forming a universal joint, by means of which the bar is adapted to move in the two
directions required.
L represents a lever pivoted in the standard B and extending through the bed
of the machine, its lower end carrying a friction-roller M¹, which sets in a cam-
groove N in a cylinder O¹ mounted on the driving shaft of the machine. To the
upper end of said lever L² is pivoted one end of a horizontal rod S₁ extending
along the horizontal arm of the standard B, its forward end being pivoted to the bell-
crank take up lever P'. The said cam-groove is so constructed as to give a variable
movement to the take up lever, retarding the same while the shuttle is passing
through the loop of the needle thread, so as to relieve tension on the needle thread
during the passage of the shuttle through the loop of the same. The take-up lever
is slotted at the end to which the bar S₁ is attached, and is connected to said bar
by means of a screw S² and nut, by means of which the relative position of the rod
and take-up lever can be adjusted to vary the throw of the take-up, as may be
required.
L' represents the shuttle-carrier, which, as before mentioned, is rigidly attached
to the end of the lever K', being adjustably secured thereto by means of a set screw
passing through the shank S3 of said shuttle-carrier and a longitudinal slot T¹ in
the end of the lever. The shuttle scat in said carrier is faced with rubber
(preferably vulcanized), as shown at U, U₁, to prevent the noise consequent upon
the change of direction imparted to the shuttle in its reciprocation.
The second part of the said Invention has for its object to prevent the strain
upon the needle thread during the passage of the shuttle through the loop of the
same, whereby all danger of the breaking of the thread is avoided; and also to
provide an efficient take up for the slack thread of the needle.
It consists in the combination with the driving shaft of a sewing machine of a
horizontal shuttle operating lever, whose short arm oscillates in a plane below the
axis of said shaft, and which is connected to a crank thereon by means of a link
equal in length to the throw of the crank and the needle-bar and needle-bar lever;
the latter being connected by means of a link to a lever pivoted to the bed of the
machine; the said lever has pivoted to it an excentric-strap embracing an excentric

page_text: on the driving-shaft, whereby a dip is given to the needle to form the loop for the
passage of the shuttle, and shuttle lever and needle-bar lever being operated by
their respective mechanisms to accelerate the passage of the shuttle through the
loop formed by the dip of the needle, as more fully hereinafter set forth.
Also in the combination with the needle bar of a short link pivoted to one end
of another link, the other end of which is pivoted to the front plate of the head of
the needle bar standard; the last mentioned link is provided with a stud or button
projecting through a curved slot in the front plate, and serving to actuate a spring take
up secured to the outer face of said front plate, as more fully hereinafter specified.
In the accompanying Drawings,―
Figure 8 represents a side elevation of the machine; Figure 9 is a bottom
view thereof; Figure 10 represents a rear elevation of the said machine with
the driving wheel removed, showing the excentric lever pivoted thereto, needle
bar lever, and connecting rod in the proper positions to give the needle bar its full
down stroke; Figure 11 represents a front view of the head of the standard, with
parts removed, and showing the mechanism for operating the take up; and
Figure 12 represents a front view of the said head, showing the take-up arm
attached to its front, and the mechanism for operating the same in dotted lines;
Figure 13 illustrates the manner of securing the excentric to the driving shaft.
A represents the bed of the machine; and B, the standard which supports the upper
works; Crepresents the needle-bar mounted in ways D at the end of the standard;
and E, the presser-foot bar mounted in similar ways F, as usual; K represents a lever
pivoted to the lower side of the bed A, by means of which the shuttle carrier is
actuated. The said lever is carried downwardly at its rear end, forming a short
arm, which lies and oscillates in a horizontal plane below the axis of the driving-
shaft, said short arm being connected to a crank M. on the driving-shaft by a link M'
of a length equal to the throw of the driving shaft. By this means an accelerated
movement is given to the shuttle during its passage through the loop formed by the
dip of the needle, as more fully herein-after explained.
O represents the feed dog, which is secured to the forward end of a rod V, the
other end of which is secured to an arm W, extending downwardly from a rock-
shaft A¹. The said rock-shaft is provided with a horizontal arm B¹, against which
the end of a set-screw C₁ is adapted to bear, and by means of which said rock
shaft may be shifted to regulate the throw of the feed-dog and determine the length
of the stitches. The forward end of the bar V is provided with an adjustable
rider G which bears against an irregular cam H' on the driving shaft, by means of
which a forward motion is imparted to the bar V and the feed-dog, the return
motion of said feed-dog being effected by means of a spring I. K₁ represents a
cam mounted on the driving shaft and bearing against the lower side of the feed-
dog, and by means of which a vertical movement is imparted to said dog.
G represents the lever which actuates the needle bar, and which is connected at its
rear end by means of a rod or link A² to a lever B2, pivoted at C to the rear of the
bed of the machine. This lever is preferably triangular in shape, but may be of
any shape which will permit of the arrangement of the pivot points in proper
relation to each other, as shown. The upper end of said rod or link is secured to
the lever G by means of a ball and socket joint, and its lower end is pivoted to the
lever. B².
D² represents an excentric, secured to the driving shaft in the manner shown in
Figure 13, and E2 is a strap embracing said excentric, and provided with a pro-
jection F which is pivoted to the lever B2, and by means of which an oscillating
motion is imparted to said lever as the driving shaft is rotated. The lever G, its
rod A2, and the lever Be are so arranged relatively to each other that when the needle
bar is at its full down stroke the rear end of the lever G, the pivot by which its
link or rod is secured to the lever B, and the pivot by which said lever is secured
As the
to the machine will all be in line with each other, as shown in Figure 10.
driving wheel is carried forward the upper end of the lover B2 will pass forward,
throwing the parts out of line, slightly depressing the rear end of the lever G so as

page_text: to elevate the needle bar sufficiently to form the loop. The return movement of
the lever B² then commences, carrying the parts back and returning the needle-bar
to its full down stroke, the shuttle passing through the loop of the needle thread
during the downward movement or second dip of the needle. After the shuttle has
passed through the loop the excentric gives the needle bar its proper upward stroke.
G2 represents a link pivoted to the needle-bar C at one end and at the other to a
link H2, pivoted to the front plate 12 of the standard-head. Said link H2 is pro-
vided with a projection or pin K2 extending through a curved slot L² in the plate I²,
the said pin abutting against the take-up arm M². The link H2 receives an
oscillating motion through the medium of the link Gas the needle bar is recipro-
cated, moving the take-up arm in one direction, its return movement being effected
by means of a suitable spring.
The object of the third part of this Invention is to produce a practically round
shuttle or one having all of its friction-surfaces formed on curved lines and adapted
to have the bobbin inserted from the top instead of through the end, as has been
the case hereto-fore in this class of shuttles. Also to provide such a shuttle with
reliable, simple, and ready means for regulating the tension of its thread, and for
latching its hinged or pivoted lid; and also to facilitate the threading of the
shuttle.
This part of the said Invention consists in providing the pivoted lid of the shuttle
with a flat-tension-spring, located on its upper surface, and a combined shuttle-
tension spring and latch connected therewith on its lower surface, and adapted to
be moved by an adjusting-screw extending through the shell of the shuttle, whereby
the shuttle lid may be held in place and the tension adjusted by the same screw.
Also in a sewing machine shuttle having a pivoted or hinged top or lid forming a
part of the bobbin case and provided with a taper extension projecting beyond the
head of the shuttle for the purpose of supporting a slack-thread guard-spring, which
also extends beyond the heel of said shuttle, whereby the shuttle thread is carried
back beyond the heel of the shuttle and held down upon the lid during its forward
movement, and the needle-loop extended while being drawn up until nearly within
the fabric and thus prevented from twisting, while during the backward throw its
thread is carried out of the path of the needle and bad stitches resulting from the
knotting of the needle and shuttle-threads thereby prevented.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a shuttle constructed according to the third
part of the said Invention.
Figure 15 is a view in elevation of the needle side of the shuttle, closed; and
Figure 16 is a view of the opposite side; Figure 17 is a cross-section on the
line x, x, Figure 16; Figuro 18 is a longitudinal section through the point of the
shuttle; Figure 19 is a top view of the lid or cap of the shuttle; Figure 20 is a
longitudinal section of the lid showing the latch and tension spring detached; and
Figure 21 shows a modification of the said Invention.
The shell A has a substantially cylindrical outer configuration except that the
greater portion of its top surface is flat, and consists of a cap B, pivoted at z, at the
heel of the shuttle, so as to swing away from over the bobbin-chamber, and having
a rear extension 6 beyond the heel of the shuttle. The end walls of the bobbin
chamber are provided with suitable bearings for the journals of the bobbin, and
from the front bearing a groove b¹ extends upward and through a shelf or shoulder c,
upon which the lid B rosts; d indicates a recess or slot cut under this shelf and
opening outward; D is an adjusting screw extending through the shell of the
shuttle and across this recess or slot. Upon the top of the lid B is arranged a
double-armed spring E, which has the end e of its shorter arm firmly attached, the
longer arm e¹ having a bent end f, which extends through a hole in the projecting
end of said lid. Through the wide portion of the spring at the junction of the two
armis is a hole, through which passes a screw F, having a head which rests upon
said wide portion while its other end engages in a screw-threaded hub b projecting
through said hole from a tension-spring and latch G, the end g of which is firmly

page_text: secured to the under surface of the lid while its other end is bent to form a
tongue which projects into the recess or slot d when the shuttle is closed, and is
provided with a depression which catches under the rounded tip of the adjusting
screw D, and when this screw is advanced it depresses the arm G and screw F, the
head of which presses the wide portion of the spring E against the shuttle lid. The
hub which is attached to the spring-arm G, projects above the top surface of the
lid, and entirely encloses the portion of screw F, which extends below the spring E,
thus forming a smooth curved surface, around which the shuttle-thread passes, as
will be hereinafter explained.
In preparing the shuttle for use one of the bobbin-journals is placed in the bearing
in the heel of the shuttle, and the other journal is dropped through the groove b¹ to
the front bearing; then draw the thread from the bobbin under the lid and through a
notch i, and then pass it around the hub 62 under the wide portion of the spring E,
and rearward under the arm e¹ of the said spring. The threading is then finished,
and when the lid is closed over the bobbin it is latched and held in place by the
tip of the screw D catching in the depression in the tongue-piece h of the tension-
spring and latch G. The tension of the thread is varied by turning the screw D in
or out. To increase the tension, turn the screw so that it will advance and depress
the spring-arm G, which will draw the head of screw F down and clamp the
spring E upon the thread, which is shewn by the line t and the dotted lines t¹, in
Figure 14.
It will be seen that the spring G is thus a combined tension and latch spring.
In order to prevent the thread from being pulled out from between the tension-
surfaces during the backward movement of the shuttle, the broad portion of spring
E is provided with a small tooth k at its edge which extends through a hole k¹ in
the lid. The outer surface of this small tooth is curved or bevelled, so that the
thread easily slips over it when threading the shuttle, but its inner surface is
slightly concave or hooked, so that the slipping laterally of the thread from between
the tension surfaces is effectually prevented.
By constructing the round shuttle, so that it may be loaded from the top, the
square large end necessary for the insertion of the bobbin into that class of shuttles
which load at the heel is avoided, and by providing the shuttle lid with the
extension b a support is afforded for the rearwardly-extending slack thread guard-
spring, and the keeping of the loop of the needle thread extended while being
drawn up is provided for, so that the twisting of this loop is prevented.
By the third part of the Invention is secured all the advantages attending the
cylindrical shape of a shuttle, and the difficulties in the way of perfect tension
which have heretofore existed in shuttles loading at the end are avoided.
The improved tension devices do away with the tedious process of inserting the
end of the shuttle-thread through holes or eyes in the shuttle and obviate the
removal of the shuttle from its race for the purpose of adjusting its tension.
Though in Figures 14, 15, and 16, the lid of the shuttle is shewn pivoted to swing
laterally or edgewise, this lid may be hinged to swing upwardly with respect to the
shell, as shewn in Figure 21, the general operation of the parts when the shuttle is
in use being substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
In this modification however it will be seen that the tension adjusting screw
does not engage a latch.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,―
First. In combination with the driving-shaft of a sewing machine the lever
for actuating the shuttle, connected with the crank on the driving-shaft, at a point
below the axis thereof, substantially as herein shewn and described, whereby an
accelerated motion is imparted to the shuttle on its forward movement while
passing through the loop of the needle-thread, and a retarded movement on its
return stroke as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. In combination with the driving shaft of a sewing machine and the lever

page_text: which actuates the needle bar, a lever for actuating the shuttle carrier connected to
a crank on the driving shaft by means of a link, arranged substantially as described
in relation thereto, whereby an accelerated movement is imparted to the shuttle on
its forward movement as it is passing through the loop of the needle-thread; and a
retarded movement is imparted to said shuttle on its return movement as and for
the purposes specified.
Third. The combination with the driving-shaft, shuttle carrier, and mechanism
for operating the same of a take up lever connected to a lever operated by a cam
cylinder on the driving shaft, and operating independently of the needle bar
whereby a variable positive motion with respect to the needle is imparted to the
take-up, and said take up is retarded during the passage of the shuttle through the
loop of the needle-thread, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. In combination with the driving shaft of a sewing machine, the feed
dog and adjusting bar V, the cain H¹ acting upon the adjusting bar, and the
cam K¹ acting directly upon the feed-dog, substantially as described, whereby the
requisite vertical and horizontal reciprocating motions are imparted to the feed dog,
substantially as described and shewn in Figures 1 to 8 of the Drawings.
Fifth. In combination with the driving-shaft of a sewing-machine and the feed-
dog and adjusting bar, the cams mounted on said driving-shaft whereby the proper
backward, forward, and vertical movements are imparted to said feed-dog,
substantially as set forth.
Sixth. In combination with the adjusting-bar of the feed-dog, the rock-shaft and
its operating mechanism, the index lever and scale whereby the length of the stitches
can be determined, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. In combination with the driving shaft of a sewing machine and the
cam cylinder mounted thereon, the bell crank take up lever and its operating lever
whereby a variable positive motion in both directions with respect to the needle-
bar is imparted to the take-up substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Eighth. The combination of the slotted bell crank lever P¹, its actuating rod S¹,
and the set screw and nut by which the two are adjustably connected, substantially
as described, whereby the throw of the take-up may be regulated as desired, as
shewn in Figure 1 of the Drawings.
Ninth. The shuttle carrier having the shuttle seat faced with rubber (preferably
vulcanized), substantially as set forth.
Tenth. In combination with the driving-shaft of a sewing machine the horizontal
shuttle operating lever, the short arm of which oscillates in a plane below the axis
of said shaft, and which is connected to a crank thereon by means of a link equal
in length to the throw of the crank and the needle bar and needle bar lever, the
latter being connected by means of a link to a lever pivoted to the bed of the
machine, said lever having pivoted to it an excentric strap embracing an excentric
on the driving-shaft whereby a dip is given to the needle to form the loop for the
passage of the shuttle, the shuttle lever and needle bar lever being operated by
their respective mechanisms to accelerate the passage of the shuttle through the
loop formed by the dip of the needle, substantially as described.
Eleventh. The combination with the needle bar of a short link pivoted to one
end of another link, the other end of which is pivoted to the front plate of the
head of the needle bar standard, said last mentioned link being provided with a
stud or button projecting through a curved slot in the front plate, and serving to
actuate a spring take-up secured to the outer face of said front plate substantially
as described.
Twelfth. The combination with a shuttle shell, substantially as herein described,
of a pivoted lid having a flat spring arranged upon and attached by one end to its
upper surface, and a tension spring and latch connected with said spring and
attached to the lower surface of the said lid, and adapted to be moved by an
adjusting-screw extending through the shell of the shuttle, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination with a sewing machine shuttle of a pivoted or

page_text: hinged lid forming a part of the bobbin case, and provided with a tapering extension
projecting beyond the heel of the shuttle, and a slack-thread guard-spring also
extending beyond the shuttle-heel and along a portion of the lid, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
Fourteenth. The combination with the pivoted or hinged lid and the shuttle
shell of a combined tension and latch spring, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
T17M DODT TATE