IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR SEWING BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, OR SHEETS OF PAPER
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Haseltine, of the "International" Patent
Office, Southampton Buildings, London, Doctor of Laws, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR SEWING BOOKS, PAMPHLETS,
OR SHEETS OF PAPER."-A communication from abroad by Deboralı
Shedd, of the City and State of New York, United States of
America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Haseltine at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declara-
tion, on the 10th October 1872, pursuant to the 9th Section of the
Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HASELTINE, of the "International" Patent Office, Southampton Buildings,
London, Doctor of Laws, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINES FOR SEWING BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, OR SHEETS OF PAPER," and
have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, admini-

page_text: strators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have
made solemn Declaration that it has been communicated to me from
abroad by Deborah Shedd, of the City and State of New York, United
States of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Haseltine, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
scal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing forming
a part of the Specification
This Invention may be used with any ordinary or improved sewing
mechanism proper, but I will describe it as based on the well known
"Singer" machine, I attach to the sewing mechanism additional
mechanism which properly manipulates the work or pamphlet, and
causes the sewing to be properly effected thereon.
The said improvements relate to the arrangement of a large and slow.
wheel operated by a crank on the quickly revolving shaft of the sewing
machine, and constructed with means for holding it during the period
the crank is not effective thereon, so that the said large wheel shall turn
intermittently and reliably. The said improvements also relate to
means for moving the book inward and outward relatively to the
sewing mechanism; to means for operating a presser foot, or analogous
device to hold one book while another is being moved; to means for
clamping the work firmly on the table, or on the feed plate or carrier
which slides thereon; to a peculiarly formed guage which regulates the
position of the foot or one end of the book, and yields by a spring to
allow some of the motions; and to a knife which stands in the path of
the books, aud cuts cach clear of its successor as it is pushed out of the

page_text: of the machine or with the arm A' towards him; the edge nearest the
operator in that position will be termed the front of the machine.
A is the rigid framework or bed; the ordinary rigid horn or arm
supporting the sewing machine mechanism is marked A'; this horn, as
also the sewing machine mechanism which it supports, and the shuttle
with the means for giving motion to the shuttle may be of the ordinary
character.
In adapting these improvements to the aforesaid "Singer" sewing
machines, I take out of the machine the ordinary rough surface and
means for operating it which form the feed motion of the machine, and
substitute radically different means for feeding, holding, and moving the
work; I stitch each work or pamphlet separately, perforating it by the
needle and producing a lock stitch with the thread through the per-
foration, but the distribution of the stitches on a book is very different
from that of the stitches in ordinary work. Book sewing requires a
round of operations repeated after every nine or other number of stitches;
one of the first essentials is to provide a means for ensuring such repeated
round of operations.
B is a large wheel mounted upon an axis 6 and receiving a słow
intermittent motion from the crank c on the guide shaft C, the form of
the crank and its action on the wheel are analogous to the so called
"Geneva stop” in watch work; the large wheel B is held immoveably
by the crank in either direction during a large part of the revolution,
and then during the remainder of the revolution of the crank it takes
effect on the large wheel B, and gives the said large wheel a movement
one step forward, all the motions which are to be repeated in a round
are derived from this wheel. As I have adjusted and proportioned
the parts the wheel B revolves once during each revolution of the
shaft C, and consequently during each nine descents and ascents of the
needle bar.
D is a plate which I term the carrier, resting on the table or bed A,
and capable of being moved horizontally thereon in any direction; this
carrier D has a long and wide hole through it which allows the needle
to descend and produce stitches through it and through any book or
pamphlet lying thereon, this hole is marked d. It must be understood
that when I say "book," I mean a book or pamphlet of moderate
thickness that can be perforated at one stroke by a suitable needle. The

page_text: books are laid successively on the carrier D with their backs nearly
abutting against each other along the central line of the hole or opening
d; a low partition piece d' is mounted on the carrier D in line with the
centre line of the hole d, a corresponding upright piece which
serves both as a partition and knife is mounted at the opposite end of
the carrier; the books are laid with their backs against the pieces
ď, ďª, a book being first applied on the outside or front, and the next
being applied on the inside or back; then the first having been sewed
and removed, the third is laid on the front in the place previously
occupied by the first, and so on successively.
In order to place the stitching properly in succession in books thus
introduced, the carrier D and its adjuncts after completing the stitching
of one book, move forward or backward to properly place the stitches
on the next book; the carrier D is connected by rigid arms D', -D³,
to a shaft D³, which is supported in bearings or levers E', E³, fixed
on a shaft E mounted in fixed bearings below; the lever E' is con-
nected by a rigid arm e to a lever F, turning on a fixed point
below, and carrying a pin F', which stands in one or the other of the
parallel circumferential grooves in the periphery of the wheel B; when
the pin F is in one groove the carrier D and its connections are forward,
and the sewing is effected on the rearward book; when the pin Fis
transferred to the other groove the carrier D and its connections are
suddenly shifted backward, and the next round of sewing operations is
performed with the parts in the new position which puts the stitches
in the forward book.
The pin F is changed automatically from one groove to the other
by means of the switch lever G, which turns on a pivot 7, and is
mounted in a break between the two grooves, as shown. At each
revolution of the wheel B the pin F¹ is received properly by the switch
tongue G, and transferred into the other groove, and by a little farther
movement of the wheel B and pin E¹ and in such a manner on the
switch lever as to shift it and place it in the proper position to receive
and transfer the pin F at the next revolution back to the same groove
which it previously occupied.
Figure 4 shews this part of the mechanism very clearly. There are
an opening and catch just within the rim of the wheel B, which tend
to hold the switch lever G with gentle firmness in its extreme

page_text: positions, one way or the other.
one side, it is held there until it
ferring the pin E' from the one groove into the other, and feels the
pin E properly acting on the widened short end of the switch lever.
In this condition the force of the pin E' is sufficient to overcome the
spring catch, and the switch lever moves over rapidly into its opposite
extreme position.
When it has been swung over to
has performed its function of trans-
The action of this switch lever, by thus inducing the round of
operations to be performed alternatively with the carrier and its
adjuncts in one position and the other, compels the needle to really
descend in sewing eighteen times instead of nine, before all the parts
are again in precisely the same position as at first.
I have described a slight outward and inward, or forward and back-
ward motion of the books. The irregular right and left motion
necessary to properly distribute the stitches for book sewing along the
line near the books is effected through another train of mechanism.
The shaft D³ is free to slide axially in its bearings in the levers E¹, E².
A link H hinged to the side of the arm D' is connected to an arm
I on a rocking shaft I which is supported in fixed bearings below,
and receives a peculiar motion through the segment I³. This segment
gears into a segment J³, which is on one arm of a lever turning on a
fixed centre J. The other arm J carries a pin which runs in a
peculiarly formed groove b in the face of the wheel B. The pin J
may be provided with a roller to reduce friction if desired.
The groove has such a contour that the segments J', I', are
rocked on the carrier D, and its connections are moved right and
left, to properly distribute the stitches. I have arranged the machine
to sew books with their stitches close together, then a long interval
and a single stitch, another long interval and then more stitches close
together, with a repetition of the descent of the needle in some of the
holes to fasten the stitches, or as I term it, properly "tie a knot." These
operations are all controlled by the form of the cam b, and may be
varied by applying a new wheel differently grooved, as the necessity
of any peculiar work, or the fancy of the bookbinder may require.
K is a holding plate, which is pressed down upon the books while
the sewing is being effected, and is lifted at proper intervals sufficiently
to allow the removal of one book and the insertion of another.
It

page_text: may be of a smaller size than the carrier D', but the hole within it
should be of about the same size as the hole d in the carrier D, and
should come directly over it. The plate K is raised and lowered by
means of rigid arms K', K³, which are fixed on a sleeve K³; the latter
is mounted on the moveable shaft Ds and is subject to all the motions.
thereof, with the slight independent motion necessary to properly raise
and lower the holding plate K. One end of the sleeve K³ bears against
the hub or boss of the arm D*, while the other end is pressed by the
spring K which is coiled around the shaft D', taking a proper hold in
a recess in the boss of the arm D'. This spring presses the sleeve K³
and its connections towards the boss D', and also exerts a tendency to
uncoil itself, and thereby lift the holding plate K.
This latter tendency of the spring K' is important, as the holding
plate K is thereby always supported out of contact with the books,
except as it is pressed down by the mechanism now to be described.
K is an arm fixed adjustably on the sleeve K' by means of the set
screw K. It rests on a peculiar rocking shaft L, which is supported
in semi-cylindrical cavities or bearings in the extensions of the arm
D', D, and has a flat face adjacent to the arm K. The shaft L is
carried with the shaft Ds and its connections in the forward and back-
ward movement, and also in the right and left motions thereof, and
is capable of being so turned that its flattened place may act camwise
on the arm K, and by elevating it depress the holding plate K. An
overhanging end of the shaft L is splined as represented, and carries
an arm or lever L' which has a sleeve extending to a lever P, which
turns on a centre p just level with the centre e of the adjacent lever
E. The levers P and E are tied by a screw p₁ so that they are com-
pelled to move together. The same screw also stiffcus the arm P
against any tendency to motion in a direction endwise to the shaft L.
This arrangement supports the overhanging end of the splined shaft L,
and also the lever L' which gives it motion, and holds the lever L'
against any endwise motion, while the shaft L may move endwise to
any extent required. A pin be fixed in the arm or lever L' is embraced
in a slot in an arm M³ of the triplex lever M. This lever is mounted
on a pin m fixed in the framework A, and receives motion from the
cams B' fixed on the side of the rim of the wheel B. The intermittent
rotation of the wheel B first causes the side cam 13 to
arm M, turning the lever M depresses the lever L, and liberates the
strike the upper

page_text: arm K, by allowing it to rest on the flat place sunk in the shaft L.
This movement allows the force of the spring K to elevate the holding
plate K. A further motion of the wheel M brings another side cam
B' in contact with the lever arm M', this turns the lever M back again to
its ordinary position, elevating the arm M³, and the lever L', and the
arm K', the holding plate K being depressed and held firmly down on
the books during a nearly complete revolution of the wheel B, when
the same round of operations is repeated. The plate K should be loose
on the arms K³, K².
It is important that at the completion of the sewing operation when
the carrier D is near its extreme left position and the holding plate K
has been lifted, the carrier D should commence in accordance with the
form of the cam 6 to move back to the right to assume its original
position in commencing to sew the next book. The book already sewed
must then be not only liberated by the raising of the holder plate, and
thus not drawn back by the carrier, but will be firmly held against such
a motion. I accomplish this object by means of a peculiar presser
foot N, which descends at the proper moment, and pressing firmly on the
book holds it between itself and the fixed table A, allowing the carrier D
to slide freely back without a possibility of moving the book with it.
The presser foot N may be carried on a sliding rod operated by a lever,
or it may be as here represented, a part of the lever itself. In either
case I prefer to operate it by means of the cam 6 on the side of the
wheel B, holding the presser foot up by the spring O, except when it is
pressed down by the action of the cam.
Each time the carrier returns to its first position on the right hand
side of the machine, and has received a new book and clamps the same
by the holder plate K and carrier D and commences to move it forward,
the thread strands stretched across from the last book to the new book;
this thread thus stretched is by the succeeding movements of the
carrier and clamps carried directly against the sharp edge of the fixed
knife and severed. The next time the clamp opens the book finished
by the succeeding movement is delivered and allowed to fall on the left
hand side of the machine. In a modification of the above described
mechanism is the brace that extends out from the main frame A across
the rim of the wheel B, is provided with a loop which resting constantly
against a suitable bearing turned on the outside of the wheel B
supports the latter against the side strain produced by its action against

page_text: the lever M. A spring not represented tends to hold the lever M
alternately in one extreme or other of its motion.
R is a light gauge plate bent as represented, and adapted to allow
the right hand end of the holder plate K to pass beyond its working
surface, as represented. Its working surface or useful part is in the
shoulders R', R', which receives the edges of the book R', receiving the
book when applied on the outside and gauging its position, and Rª
receiving the book and gauging its position when applied on the inside
of the machine. This gauge is moveable, being held within keepers a¹, a²,
on the front edge of the machine, it is adjustable by means of a strip or
block R secured in the desired position by means of a set screw R'.
The spring tends to hold the block R³ firmly against the keeper aª.
The spring yields and allows the whole gauge to slide a little to the
right when required. This capacity of the gauge R to yield a little to
the right is important in effecting the proper motions. The cam bis
formed to give a feeding motion forward or to the left during most of
the time the sewing is being effected on a book, but it has one movement
backward or to the right farther than its original position. The yielding
of the gauge R by means of the spring perfectly allows for this
backward movement. The importance of the bent form of the gauge
will be understood. It is necessary to set the gauge so far to the left in
sewing small books that the working surface R', R', will come within
the end of the holder plate K.
Although I have described this machine as adapted for sewing books,
it may be useful in sewing various other articles of analagous form and
character. Its chief use, however, is likely to be in sewing books,
pamphlets, and other moderately thick masses of paper.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the
same, I claim,
First. In combination with a sewing machine and suitable devices for
holding the books, the slow and intermittently moving wheel B,
controlled by the crank c, and "Geneva stop" formed by the relation
of the crank and its attachments to the wheel as herein specified.
Second. The two parallel grooves in the periphery of the slow wheel B
with the switch G, pin F, connected shaft D³, and carrier D arranged

page_text: for joint operation, to move the carrier and the supported books outward
and inward at each operation, as hercin specified.
Third. In combination with a sewing machine and a carrier M
operated as described the holding plate K raised at intervals and pressed
down firmly upon the books during the sewing operation, substantially
as herein specified.
Fourth. The presser foot pressed downward by à positive motion
during the return motion of the carrier M to hold the book between
itself and the bed A, and cause it to be clamped by the next action of
the clamping plate K in a new position ready to present the thread to
the knife, and by the succeeding movement free it from the machine, as
specified.
Fifth. The knife d' arranged as described, to perform the double
functions of a partition piece to adjust the position of the books on each
side, and of a knife to divide the thread which connects them, sub-
stantially as herein specified.
Sixth. In combination with a sewing machine having a holder
plate K operated as shewn, and adapted to hold and present books to the
sewing mechanism, the gauge R with its shoulders R', R², and bend
between them provided with a yielding spring r to allow a slight
backward motion of the carrier and of the books carried thereon, all as
herein specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Haseltine, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
W. J. Lowe.
GEORGE HASELTINE. (L.S.)