Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1887
Complete Left, 19th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 22nd Nov., 1887
I, ARTHUR HELWIG, of No. 123, Leighton Road, Kentish Town, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct a darning machine whereby holes in
woven and knitted materials can be completely mended without the work having to
be finished by hand.
The darning is effected by a single thread and one needle; a hook or looper is
employed that automatically retains and secures the one end of each stitch to the
material that is being mended. There are imparted to the darning needle two
motions, videlicet a reciprocating motion for producing individual stitches, and a
step by step, or intermittent sideways motion between the completion of each stitch
and the commencement of the next stitch. Means are provided for throwing out of
gear the feeding mechanism that effects the sideways motion of the needle, and also
for returning the needle to its starting position when necessary. A pressure clamp
or work holder is employed for holding the material to be darned; it is so constructed
and arranged that the sets of stitches forming the darn are caused to be interwoven
with each other in a similar manner to that which obtains in hand darning.
In the accompanying two sheets of drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section, and
Fig. 2 a plan or top view of a darning machine according to this invention.
Fig. 3 is a plan or top view of certain parts of the machine.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly in vertical section, showing the reverse side to that
shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line A, B, Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the machine.
In describing my invention, when I speak of a stitch I mean a thread passed and
extending from the extreme rearward portion of the needle's eye to its extreme
forward position and back again (through the material being mended).
1 is a darning needle secured to a needle bar, 2 by a screw 3.
4 is a bracket formed with extensions, 5 arranged to slide sideways in slots or guide
ways, 6 at the upper ends of the standards 7.
The bracket 4 is formed at its rear end with grooves or channels 8, in which the
needle bar 2 may reciprocate, and at its forward end with a table or support 9.

page_text: 10 is a knob secured to the needle bar 2; by pressing against it with the hand,
motion in a forward direction may be imparted to the said bar, the return movement
of which is effected by a spiral spring 11.
12. 12 are plates secured to the standards 7; they are made removable to
enable the extensions 5 of the bracket 4, and the needle bar 2 to be inserted into
their places.
13 is a bar pivotted at 14 to the bracket 4 and provided with an inclined part 13*;
to the free end of this bar is pivotted a pawl 15 that normally engages with the teeth
of a rack 16 fixed to the rear standard 7.
17 is a spring arranged to force the pawl 15 upon the rack 16.
18 is a spring that tends to force the free end of the bar 13 and the pawl 15 towards
the needle bar 2 and into the position shewn in fig. 3.
19 is a roller pivotted to the needle bar 2; it is so arranged that when it returns
with the said bar under the action of the spring 11 from the position shewn in fig. 3
to that shewn in fig. 2 it acts against the inclined part 13* which serves as an
abutment therefor and forces the bracket 4 and attached parts sideways through a
distance equal to the space that is to be maintained between two adjacent stitches of
the darning.
20 is a lever pivotted at one end (21) to a bracket 22 secured to the base 23 of the
machine.
The lever 20 is connected at its other end to one extremity of another lever 24
pivotted to the bracket 4 by a pivot or screw 25.
26 is a lever pivotted to the lever 20; it is formed with a slot 27 in which works
the prolonged end of the joint pin 28 of the two levers 20 and 24. The lever 26
carries a rod or pin 29 arranged to take beneath the pawl 15.
30 is a bent rod secured to the bracket 4; it serves as a stop to limit the turning
movement of the lever 26.
The arrangement of the levers 20, 24, and 26, and the rod or pin 29 is such that if
the lever 26 be pulled the pawl 15 will first be disengaged from the teeth of the
rack 16 and then the bracket 4 and attached parts will be returned to that side of the
machine at which the darning commences.
31 is a hook or looper pivotted at 32 to a lever 33. The lever 33 is pivotted to the
table or support 9 by a pin or pivot 34 to which is secured another lever 35 arranged
below the table or support 9 and provided with a pin 36.
37 is a looper shaft supported in bearings 38 carried by the bracket 4; it has
secured to it a lever arm 39 that engages with the pin 36 of the lever 35, and also a
lever 40 that carries a finger 41 the end of which is normally maintained in the path
of the roller 19. The finger 41 may be dispensed with if the lever 40 be arranged in
the path of the roller 19. The looper 31 is hinged or jointed at 42 to a lever 43.
This lever 43 is connected at 45 to an adjustable lover 46 whereby the action of the
looper may be timed or regulated. Usually however the lever 46 need not be made
adjustable, the action of the looper being in such cases timed or regulated when the
machine is made and thereafter remaining invariable.
47 is a spring the free end of which rests on the looper and prevents it rising. The
construction and arrangement of the looper mechanism herein before described is such
that when the roller 19 moves with the needle and needle bar from the position
shewn in fig. 2 to that shewn in fig. 3 such roller acts against the finger 41 (or the
lever 40) and partly rotates the looper shaft 37, which, through the mechanism
described, causes the point of the looper to rotate from the position shown in figure 2
to that shown in fig. 3.
48 is a spring that returns the looper, looper shaft and attached parts to the
positions shown in fig. 2, when the roller 19 returns.
49 is a screw that passes through the lever 40 and rests against the side of the
bracket 4; it serves to permit of the position of the lever 40 and finger 41 relatively
to the roller 19 being adjusted for regulating the movement of the looper 31. The
work holder comprises two blocks of plates 50 and 51 whereof 50 is fixed to a
standard 52 and 51 is formed with a rod or extension 53 arranged to slide in a

page_text: fixed head 54. The blocks or plates 50 and 51 are each formed with ribs or
projections 55 so arranged that those of one block or plate fit into the spaces between
those of the opposite block or plate, as shewn in fig. 4. Each rib or projection
is formed with guides or slots 56 for the passage of the needle 1 and the darning
thread.
With this arrangement the stitches lying in one direction and constituting one half
of the darn, will (after the material in which they are secured has been turned
to an angle with the position it occupied when the stitches were formed) be each held
fast and be caused to assume a corrugated or wave like form by the ribs or
projections 55, so that each stitch of the second set of stitches will be interwoven with
those of the first set, in a manner well anderstood.
57. 57 are springs arranged to press the upper block or plate 51 upon the lower
one 50 when darning.
58 is a lever pivotted to the rod or extension 53, and provided with an extension 59
that bears upon a plate 60 secured to the head 54. By turning the lever 58 from the
horizontal position shewn in Fig. 6 to the vertical position shewn in fig. 1 the block
or plate 51 will be raised against the action of the springs 57.
61 is a cover plate to protect the looper and attached parts and prevent them
engaging with the material to be darned. This plate is not shewn in fig. 6.
62 is a second cover plate above part of the bracket 4.
63 is a spindle for carrying a spool of darning thread.
64 is a guide eye for such thread; and
65 is a tension device all of ordinary construction.
The operation of the machine is as follows :-
-
The article or material in which there is a hole to be mended is placed in the
machine, so that the hole is situate between the plates 50 and 51 of the work holder;
then the upper plate 51 is lowered. The needle 1 (threaded with darning thread) is
then moved forward from the position shown in fig. 2 to the position shown in fig. 3;
by the action of the roller 19 on the finger 41 the looper 31 is moved from the
position shewn in fig. 3 to that shewn in fig. 2 just before the needle reaches the end
of its stroke. As the needle commences to make a backward stroke the spring 48
returns the looper to its normal position (fig. 2); the point of the looper during its
movement enters a loop of the thread from the needle and retains it until the needle
has nearly concluded the subsequent or forward stroke: as the needle continues to
move forward during this latter stroke it enters the loop of thread on the looper
which then moves as before to the position shown in Fig. 3, the said loop slipping off
the looper on to the needle. When the needle afterwards commences a further
return stroke the looper acts as before and takes up a new loop of thread which is
engaged or locked with the loop or forward end of the preceding or first stitch in
such manner that the latter is retained by the material and prevented from being
drawn out; during the movement now under notice the roller 19 acts against the
pawl 15 as herein before described and feeds the bracket 4, needle 1 and attached parts
sideways through the proper space into position for commencing another stitch; such
sideways movement causes the thread to move from one part of the material to
another thus uniting the rear ends of the stitches to the material darned in the usual
manner. On completion of a set of stitches in one direction the pawl 15 is thrown
out of gear and the parts are returned to their normal positions in the manner
herein before described. The work is then turned to a position at an angle (say
about 60°) to that it formerly occupied in relation to the machine and the second set
of stitches is produced the same being interwoven with those of the first set thus
finishing the darning or mending.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I, ARTHUR HELWIG, of No. 123 Leighton Road, Kentish Town, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer 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 :-
The object of this invention is to construct a darning machine whereby holes in
woven and knitted materials can be completely mended without the work having to be
finished by hand.
The darning is effected by a single thread and one needle; a hook or looper is
employed that automatically retains and secures the one end of each stitch to the
material that is being mended. There are imparted to the darning needle two motions,
videlicet a reciprocating motion for producing individual stitches, and a step by step
or intermittent sideways motion between the completion of each stitch and the
commencement of the next stitch. Means are provided for throwing out of gear the
feeding mechanism that effects the sideways motion of the needle and also for
returning the needle to its starting position when necessary. A pressure clamp or
work holder is employed for holding the material to be darned; it is so constructed
and arranged that the sets of stitches forming the darn are caused to be interwoven
with each other in a similar manner to that which obtains in hand darning.
Referring to the two sheets of drawings filed with my Provisional Specification,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section and
Fig. 2 a plan or top view of a darning machine according to this invention.
Fig. 3 is a plan or top view of certain parts of the machine.
-
Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly in vertical section, showing the reverse side to that
shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line A, B, Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the machine.
In describing my invention when I speak of a stitch, I mean a thread passed and
extending from the extreme rearward portion of the needle's eye to its extreme
forward position and back again (through the material being mended). 1 is a darning
needle secured to a needle bar 2 by a screw 3. 4 is a bracket formed with extensions 5,
arranged to slide sideways in slots or guideways 6 at the upper ends of the standards 7.
The bracket 4 is formed at its rear end with grooves or channels 8, in which the
needle bar 2 may reciprocate, and at its forward end with a table or support 9. 10 is
a knob secured to the needle bar 2; by pressing against it with the hand, motion in
a forward direction may be imparted to the said bar, the return movement of which
is effected by a spiral spring 11. 12, 12, are plates secured to the standards 7 ;

page_text: they are made removable to enable the extensions 5 of the bracket 4 and the needle
bar 2 to be inserted into their places. 13 is a bar pivotted at 14 to the bracket 4 and
provided with an inclined part 13*; to the free end of this bar is pivotted a pawl 15
that normally engages with the teeth of a rack 16 fixed to the rear standard 7.
17 is a spring arranged to force the pawl 15 upon the rack 16. 18 is a spring that
tends to force the free end of the bar 13 and the pawl 15 towards the needle bar 2
and into the position shown in Fig. 3. 19 is a roller pivotted to the needle bar 2; it
is so arranged that when it returns with the said bar under the action of the spring 11
from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 2, it acts against the inclined
part 13* which serves as an abutment therefor, and forces the bracket 4 and attached
parts sideways through a distance equal to the space that is to be maintained between
two adjacent stitches of the darning.
20 is a lever pivotted at one end (21) to a bracket 22 secured to the base 23 of the
machine. The lever 20 is connected at its other end to one extremity of another
lever 24 pivotted to the bracket 4 by a pivot or screw 25. 26 is a lever pivotted to
the lever 20; it is formed with a slot 27 in which works the prolonged end of the
joint pin 28 of the two levers 20 and 24. The lever 26 carries a rod or pin 29
arranged to take beneath the pawl 15. 30 is a bent rod secured to the bracket 4; it
serves as a stop to limit the turning movement of the lever 26. The arrangement of
the levers 20, 24 and 26 and the rod or pin 29, such that, if the lever 26 be pulled,
the pawl 15 will first be disengaged from the teeth of the rack 16, and then the
bracket 4 and attached parts will be returned to that side of the machine at which
the darning commences. 31 is a hook or looper pivotted at 32 to a lever 33. The
lever 33 is pivotted to the table or support 9 by a pin or pivot 34 to which is secured
another lever 35 arranged below the table or support 9 and provided with a pin 36.
37 is a looper shaft supported in bearings 38 carried by the bracket 4; it has secured
to it a lever arm 39 that engages with the pin 36 of the lever 35, and also a lever 40
that carries a finger 41, the end of which is normally maintained in the path of the
roller 19. The finger 41 may be dispensed with if the lever 40 be arranged in
path of the roller 19. In some cases the needle bar 2 is provided with an inclined
projecting part arranged to act against a roller carried by an arm hinged or jointed
to the finger 41 (or lever 40), the arrangement being such that the finger will be
operated quicker or earlier than if operated by the roller 19 only which acts
subsequently. The arm carrying the roller is free to turn to the right from its
normal position but cannot turn to the left from such position, and just as the needle
reaches the end of its outward stroke the roller carried by such arm falls out of
contact with the inclined part. The looper 31 is hinged or jointed at 42 to a lever 43.
This lever 43 is connected at 45 to an adjustable lever 46 whereby the action of the
looper may be timed or regulated. Usually, however the lever 46 need not be made
adjustable, the action of the looper being in such cases timed or regulated when the
machine is made and thereafter remaining invariable. 47 is a spring, the free end
of which rests on the looper and prevents its rising. The construction and arrange-
ment of the looper mechanism hereinbefore described is such that when the roller 19
moves with the needle and needle bar from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown
in Fig. 3 such roller acts against the finger 41 (or the lever 40) and partly rotates
the looper shaft 37 which, through the mechanism described, causes the point of the
looper to rotate from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3. 48 is a
spring that returns the looper, looper shaft, and attached parts to the positions
shown in Fig. 2. when the roller 19 returns. 49 is a screw that passes through the
lever 40 and rests against the side of the bracket 4; it serves to permit of the position
of the lever 40 and finger 41 relatively to the roller 19 being adjusted for regulating
the movement of the looper 31. The work holder comprises two blocks or plates 50
and 51, whereof 50 is fixed to a standard 52, and 51 is formed with a rod or extension 53
arranged to slide in a fixed head 54. The blocks or plates 50 and 51 are each formed
with ribs or projections 55 so arranged that those on one block or plate fit into the
spaces between those of the opposite block or plate as shown in Fig. 4.
Each rib or

page_text: projection is formed with guides or slots 56 for the passage of the needle 1 and the
darning thread. With this arrangement, the stitches lying in one direction and
constituting one half of the darn, will (after the material in which they are secured has
been turned to an angle with the position it occupied when the stitches were formed)
be each held fast and be caused to assume a corrugated or wave like form by the ribs
or projections 55, so that each stitch of the second set of stitches will be interwoven
with those of the first set in a manner well understood. 57, 57, are springs arranged
to press the upper block or plate 51 upon the lower one 50 when darning. 58 is a
lever pivotted to the rod or extension 53, and provided with an extension 59, that
bears upon a plate 60, secured to the head 54. By turning the lever 58 from the
horizontal position shown in Fig. 6 to the vertical position shown in Fig. 1, the block
or plate 51 will be raised against the action of the springs 57. 61 is a coverer plate
to protect the looper and attached parts and prevent them engaging with the material
to be darned. This plate is not shown in Fig. 6. 62 is a second cover plate above
part of the bracket 4. 63 is a spindle for carrying a spool of darning thread;
64 is a guide eye for such thread; and 65 is a tension device, all of ordinary
construction.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-The article or material in which there
is a hole to be mended is placed in the machine, so that the hole is situate between the
plates 50 and 51 of the work holder; then the upper plate 51 is lowered. The
needle 1 (threaded with darning thread) is then moved forward from the position
shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3; by the action of the roller 19 on
the finger 41, the looper 31 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in
Fig. 2, just before the needle reaches the end of its stroke. As the needle commences to
make a backward stroke, the spring 48 returns the looper to its normal position (Fig. 2);
the point of the looper during its movement enters a loop of the thread from the needle
and retains it until the needle has nearly concluded the subsequent or forward stroke: as
the needle continues to move forward during this latter stroke, it enters the loop of
thread on the looper, which then moves as before to the position shown in Fig. 3,
the said loop slipping off the looper on to the needle. When the needle afterwards
commences a further return stroke, the looper acts as before, and takes up a new loop
of thread which is engaged or locked with the loop or forward end of the preceding
or first stitch in such manner that the latter is retained by the material and prevented
from being drawn out; during the movement now under notice, the roller 19 acts
against the pawl 15, as hereinbefore described, and feeds the bracket 4, needle 1, and
attached parts sideways through the proper space into position for cominencing
another stitch such sideways movement causes the thread to move from one part of
the material to another, thus uniting the rear ends of the stitches to the material
darned in the usual manner. On the completion of a set of stitches in one direction
the pawl 15 is thrown out of gear, and the parts are returned to their normal positions
in the manner hereinbefore described. The work is then turned to a position at an
angle (say about 60°) to that it formerly occupied in relation to the machine, and the
second set of stitches is produced, the same being interwoven with those of the first
set, thus finishing the darning or mending.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. Adapting a darning machine to secure both ends of the stitches formed to the
material darned or mended.
2. In a darning machine the combination with a needle and means for operating
the same to form stitches, of a looper whereby one end of each stitch formed is
secured to the material that is being darned or mended.
3. In a darning machine the combination of a needle, means for operating the same
to form stitches, a looper that secures one end of each stitch to the material that is
being darned or mended, means for operating the said looper, and a work holder,
substantially as hereinabove described.

page_text: 4. In a darning machine adapted to secure both ends of the stitches formed to the
material darned or mended, imparting to the needle an intermittent step by step
movement sideways in such a manner as to cause it to assume the proper positions for
commencing successive stitches, substantially as hereinabove described.
5. In a darning machine adapted to secure both ends of the stitches formed to the
material darned or mended and in which the needle has imparted to it by suitable
mechanism an intermittent step by step movement sideways, providing means
substantially such as described for throwing the said mechanism out of gear, and for
returning the needle, the looper, and the attached parts to their original or starting
positions for commencing a fresh set of stitches.
6. My improved darning machine substantially as described.
Dated this 19th day of October A.D. 1887.
ARTHUR HELWIG.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Applicant's Agent.