CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ATTACHMENTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR SEWING MACHINES, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Bown, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
ATTACHMENTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR SEWING MACHINES, PARTS OF WHICH
ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
Sealed the 21st February 1879, and dated the 22nd August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Bown at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd August 1878.
WILLIAM BOWN, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer.
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ATTACHMENTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR SEWING MACHINES,
PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
My improvements relate,―
Firstly. To shuttles, in the construction of which instead of putting in the spring
action for carrying the reel from the end or inside of the shuttle, as ordinarily
adapted, I drill a hole in the flat side of the solid nose of the shuttle and drop in a
circular bush, conical or other suitable shape. On this bush of steel I place a coiled
spring, and then screw into the hole a flat-ended screw.
The advantage of this improvement is that the action is easier to get at, and
the friction on the reel required for a break can be regulated and adjusted by
screwing in or out of the screw.
In my Specification of Patent No. 3817, 1876, I described and claimed a sliding
pressure spring for increasing and decreasing the tension on the thread. As a
further improvement and modification of that arrangement, instead of causing the
spring to slide I make the spring stationary, and form an enlarged part on the end
of the pin inside the shuttle, and slide the pin backwards and forwards by means
of the head outside the shuttle, the enlarged part pressing on the spring according
to the direction in which it is moved, more or less increasing or decreasing the
tension on the thread accordingly.

page_text: Secondly. My improvements relate to hemmers, and consist in forming with or
securing to the end or ends of an open bar or frame, for suitable attachment or
adjustment with the plate of the sewing machine, a suitable sized coiled ring, the
internal diameter being the width of the hem desired. The ring is divided some-
what similar to a split ring and slightly opened, and the open end of the ring is
finished with an enlarged part, or otherwise, to prevent injury to the material while
passing through the herumer. In use the material to be hemined is passed sideways
through the divided part of the ring and turned over the enlarged part, the action
of the machine drawing the material through the ring, and forming a hem for
sewing as it passes to the action of the needle.
This improved hemmer may also, when required, be used for hand sewing by
simply attaching the hemning ring to an ordinary ring to fit the forefinger, the
material being drawn through the hemmer and the hem formed in the ordinary
process of sewing.
Thirdly. My improvements relate to oil cans as attachments or accessories to
sewing machines, my object being to prevent the oil from running about when the
can is laid in the box usually kept for extras to sowing machines, or when laid on
the table. This I effect by extending the spout into the interior of the can, and
securing to the same a spring of such a form that the two outer ends abut against
the two sides of the can, while the inner ends are provided with pieces of leather
or other suitable material, which effectually cover over the holes formed in the spout
extending into the can, preventing any egress of oil. To eject the oil the sides of
the can have only to be pressed when the ends of the spring in contact with the
sides of the can will be depressed, causing the other ends carrying the buffers to bo
removed from the holes in the tube, and thereby ejecting the oil. Immediately the
pressure is removed from the side the spring assumes its former position, closing up
the orifices in the tube, and thereby preventing further escape of oil; or I may
effect this same result by placing the spring inside the tube, the ends being
covered with leather, and filling up the holes to prevent the escape of oil. This is
effected when required, as in the former case, by pressing the sides of the can,
which compresses the air inside, and forces the end of the springs away from the
holes in the tube, allowing the oil to escape, but as soon as the pressure is removed
the ends of the spring cover up the orifices in the tube and prevent further
escapo.
By a slight modification in the form of spring the improvements hero described
may be applied to oil cans for other purposes, the pressure on the outside of the can
in all cases being necessary to eject the oil.
Fourthly. My improvements relate to an appliance for use with a sewing machine,
applicable in a combined form for lapping or raising seams, and when detached one
part is suitable for self sewing or sewing without tacking, preserving in all cases an
even edge, the other detached part being suitable for forming a single hem. This
attachment or appliance is formed of a top and bottom plate, with slots for securing
to the plate of the sewing machine. On the end of the bottom part a guide is
formed, from which a spring arm projects. The top plate is curved over in a
suitable form at the end for forming the top part of the lap seam. In use in the
combined form the bottom cloth is passed under the spring arm and against the
guide, and the top cloth turned over under the curved part of the top plato,
the action of the machine drawing the cloth evenly to the action of the needle, tho
lap seam being regularly and uniformly made without tacking.
The bottom plate can be used separate for sewing plain seams without tacking,
keeping the two edges of the cloth perfectly level, and not fulling one cloth over
the other.
The top part can also be used detached for forming single hems, which are turned
over and sewn regularly throughout the length of the material.
Fifthly. My improvements relate to wrenches for screwing and unscrewing the
various nuts of sewing machines when required to take them to pieces for cleaning
or otherwise. This wrench consists of two pieces or straps of steel or other metal,

page_text: hinged together about the centro to allow the wrench to be folded up and come
within a small compass. At the outer end of one of these straps or pieces the
largest slots or recesses for turning the screw heads or nuts are made, while the
outer end of the other strap is slotted so as to receive a circular plate working on a
centre pin, in which plate the smaller recesses or slots for turning the screw heads
or nuts are placed. Additional slots are also formed in this circular plate, into
either of which a spring paul drops, hinged to the top side of the strap. By pressing
on the outer end of this paul the circular plate can be turned round until the
desired sized slot is in position, when the paul can be released, dropping into the
recess, and firmly holding the plate in position while the wrench is being used for
turning the screw head or nut.
The wrench may be fixed in an extended position when in use by a suitable
catch on the first-named strap passing into a slot formed in the end of the second-
named strap, or by other equivalent means.
When the wrench is not in use the catch may be released, and the wrench folded
up and put away, occupying but little space.
And, lastly. My improvements relate to an accessory or attachment to sewing
machines termed winders, used for winding the thread on the reels of shuttles, and
may be stated as being an extension or improvement on McGral's Patent, No. 3380,
1875, of which I am licensee, and my improvements consist in jointing or hinging
either the arm or body of the winder in such a manner that when the reel is filled
with thread by the action of the winder, the continued action of winding will
operate on the jointed part or body of the winder in such a manner as to cause it
to be disconnected from the bobbin, stopping the winding, and allowing the bobbin
to be withdrawn, the action being obtained by the self-acting motion of a spring
pressure plate in contact with the thread on the reel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Bown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd February
1879.
"
WILLIAM BOWN, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ATTACHMENTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR SEWING MACHINES,
PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
My improvements relate,-
Firstly. To shuttles.
Secondly. To hemmers, applicable to be used with or without the aid of a sewing
machine.
Thirdly. To oil cans as an accessory to a sewing machine, and also to be used in
modified forms for other useful purposes.
Fourthly. To an appliance for use with a sewing machine in a combined form
for lapping or raising seams in cloth or other material, and in a detached form one'
part is for self sewing or sewing without tacking, and the other part for forming a
single hem.

page_text: Fifthly. To wrenches as an accessory to a sewing machine, and also applicable for
other useful purposes.
And, lastly. To winders as an attachment or accessory to sewing machines for
winding the thread on to bobbins or reels, being extensions or improvements on
McGral's Patent, No. 3380, 1875, of which I am licensee.
But as theso several improvements will be better understood by aid of the
Drawings hereunto annexed, I will proceed to describe the same, reference being
had to the various figures and letters marked thereon.
Figures 1 and 2 represent side and sectional views of a shuttle fitted with my
improvements as referred to under the first head, which consist in drilling a bole A
in the solid nose of the shuttle, into which I place the bush B of any suitable shape,
but suitably formed at the front part to permit the end of the shuttle reel C to
work in. On the bush B I place the coiled spring D, and then the screw E. By
this arrangement and construction of this part of the shuttle the action is more
readily accessible, and the friction on the reel required for a break can be easily
regulated and adjusted as desired by screwing in or out of the screw E.
In my Specification of Patent No. 3817, 1876, I described and claimed a sliding
pressure spring for increasing or decreasing the tension on the thread of the shuttle.
As an extension or improvement on that arrangement, instead of causing the spring F
to slide it is stationary, and I fix to or form on the end of the pin G inside the
shuttle an enlarged collar or flange H, and by means of the head of the pin G outside
the shuttle, the pin, shown detached at Figure 3, may be slided backwards or
forwards, the enlarged collar or flange H pressing on the spring more or less
according to the direction in which it is pressed, thereby increasing or decreasing
the tension on the thread accordingly.
Figures 4 and 5 represent in front and side views my improved hemmer, referred
to under the second head of my improvements, which consists in forming on the
end or ends of the bar or frame J, secured in position on the cloth plate of the sewing
machine, the coiled or split ring K, the internal diameter being the width of the hem
desired, and on the other end of the bar a similar ring L is formed for forming a
smaller hem, in which case the hemmer has to be reversed in position on the machine,
as will be understood. The material to be hemmed is passed sideways through the
divided part of the ring at L", and then turned over the knob or enlarged part M,
the action of the machine drawing the material through the ring, and forming a
hem the width of the inside of the ring as it passes to the action of the needle for
Bewing.
It will be readily understood that the width of the hem desired to be made will
always be the internal diameter of the ring.
Figures 6 and 7 represent in side and edge views a modification of this hemmer
for use with hand sewing, the hemming ring L being constructed as before described,
and attached to the finger ring N of suitable sizes, which is slipped on the forefinger,
and the material introduced and turned over as before described, forming the heun,
which is seen in position as it passes from the ring.
Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 represent various modifications of my improvements in
oil cans, referred to under the third head.
Figure 8 shows sectional front and edge views of an oil can, in which the spout N
extends into the body of the can. 0, 0, are springs secured to the spout. The ends
a, a, abutt against the sides of the can, and the ends b, b, are covered with leather
or other suitable material, which covers over two holes formed in the spout at that
part, preventing any egress of oil, to eject which the sides of the can have to be
pressed, which will cause the ends b, b, of the springs carrying the leather or other
material to be removed from the holes in the spout, and thereby permitting the
escape of oil. Immediately the pressure is removed the orifices in the spout are

page_text: closed, and the escape of oil effectually prevented. The oil is supplied to the can
by removing the small screw cap Q
Figure 9 represents sectional front and edge views of a modification of the
arrangement described, in which I place the spring P inside the tube, the pressure
on the outside of the can in this case also being necessary to eject the oil, which
compresses the air inside and forces the end of the spring away from the oil hole
in the spout, allowing the oil to escape. With this construction I am enabled to
screw the spout into the can at R, and avoiding the use of the screw cap Q, as at
Figure 8.
At Figure 10 I have shown a modification for large oil cans for general purposes,
in which I form a convex cap S to the handle, and secure the rod T to it, on the other
end of which I secure a plug of leather or other suitable material, marked U,
fitting the spout V, so that when the convex cap is pressed inwards it will
propel the rod T and buffer U forwards, allowing the escape of oil; but imme-
diately the pressure is removed, the rod and buffer closes the orifice and prevents
further escape of oil.
At Figure 11 I have shown a further modification, in which I place the convex
cap W on the top of the can, and secure to it the bell-crank rod X working on tho
centre or axis Y. The other end Z of the rod X is covered with leather or other
suitable material, which closes up the orifice and prevents escape, but to eject the
oil pressure has only to be applied to the cap W, when the end Z will be removed
from the hole, thereby permitting the escape of the oil.
Figures 12 and 13 represent in edge and top views the appliance used in a com-
bined form in connection with a sewing machine for lapping or raising seams in
cloth and other goods, and constitutes the fourth head of my improvements. This
attachment or appliance consists of two plates marked A' and B', both having
slots C formed in them for securing thein to the plate or table of the machine. On
the bottom plate A' a bar D¹ is formed, which acts as a guide for the material to be
Bewn, and from this bar the spring arm El projects. The top plate B¹ is curved over,
as shewn at Du, for forming the top part of the lap seam. In use the bottom cloth
of the two pieces of material to be lap-seamed is passed under the spring arm E',
and against the guide D', and the top cloth is turned over under the curved part of
the top plate B₁, and the action of the sewing machine will draw the material so
placed to the action of the needle, completing and sewing a raised lap seam, which
will be regularly and uniformly made without tacking.
The bottom plate A', shown detached at Figure 14, can be used in this separate
form for sewing plain seams without tacking, the two edges of the cloth being kept
perfectly level, and not pulling one over the other, by the action of the spring arm
and guide.
The top plate B', shown detached at Figure 15, can also be used in a separate form
for forming single hems, which are turned over and sewn regularly throughout the
length of the material by the action of the sewing machine, the width of hem being
regulated by moving the plate backwards or forward on the plate or stand of the
machine.
Figures 16 and 17 represent front and sectional edge views of my improved
wrench, referred to under the fifth head. H' and J are straps forming the body of
the wrench, hinged or jointed together at K'. On the axis L' the annular plate M'
works, the gaps N', N₁, N', being of regular sizes for screwing or unscrewing nuts
and pins, and the strap H' carries a still larger slot O' for the same purpose. Ad-
ditional slots P1, P1, P1, are made in the annular plate M¹, into either of which the
spring paul Q' drops, according to the size of nut to be operated on.
This paul is
hinged to the strap at R', and is held in position by the spring S¹, so that when it
is desired to alter the size of gap for different size nuts, it is simply necessary to
press on the outer end of the paul Q1, which releases it, permitting the annular plato
to be turned round to any position desired, the inner end of the paul snapping into
one or other of the slots P1, P1, P1, firmly holding it in position while the wrench is
being used for turning the screw head, the catch 1" holding the wrench in the

page_text: extended position. The straps H' and J' being hinged at K' permit the wrench to
be folded up, as shown in edge view at Figure 18, and put away if desired, occupying
but little space.
Figure 19 represents a front view of a winder constructed according to my im-
provements, and referred to under the last head. The body or arm of the winder
is hinged or jointed, as at U¹, so that when the reel is filled with thread by the action
of the winder the continued winding will operate on the jointed part so as to cause
it to fall away from the bobbin or reel, as shown in dotted lines, stopping the
winding, and allowing the bobbin to be withdrawn. The pressure of the bobbin as
it fills and increases in diameter presses down the pressure plate V', shown detached
at Figure 20, until the point d of the tail of the pressure plate comes in contact
and acts upon a spring, shown in dotted lines in Figure 19, marked e, e, which frees
the end of the moving arm and frees the bobbin, as described.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which
the same may be carried into effect, I wish it understood that I do not purpose
confining myself to the details herein described and exhibited, as the samo may
be varied without departing from the spirit of our Invention; but what I claim
and wish protected by these my in part recited Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. The improvements in shuttles herein described, and exhibited at Figures 1,
2, and 3.
Secondly. The improved construction of hemmers for sewing machines and for
hand sewing or their equivalents, as herein described, and exhibited at Figures 4, 5,
6, and 7.
Thirdly. The improved construction of oil cans requiring pressure on the outside
to eject the oil, as herein described, and exhibited at Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11, or
any mere modification of the same.
Fourthly. The improved appliance in its combined and separate forms, as herein
described, and exhibited at Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15, for raising lap seams, sewing
plain seams without tacking, and for forming single hems.
Fifthly. The improved folding portable wrench, as herein described, and exhibited
at Figures 16, 17, and 18.
Lastly. The improvements in winders herein described, and exhibited at Figures 19
and 20.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Bown, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, the Twenty-first day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
Witness,
W*. LOACH,
WILLIAM BOWN. (LS.)