IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE SEWING AND BINDING OF BOOKS, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES THEREFOR
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Gavin Brown, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED
WITH THE SEWING AND BINDING OF BOOKS, AND IN MACHINERY OR
APPLIANCES THEREFOR."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Gavin Brown at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th June 1881.
GAVIN BROWN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE SEWING AND BINDING OF BOOKS,
AND IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES THEREFOR."
This said Invention has for its object the improved and cheaper stitching or
sewing of the loose folded sheets of printed and other books together, and to
their back binding cords, tapes, or bands, much as has heretofore been done by
hand for binding them together into books, and to a special new or improved
sewing machine, or combination of mechanism, with many essential and novel
parts, and which forms the main or substantive part of this Invention.
The nature and novelty of this Invention consist as follows:-The sewing is
effected by needles pointed at both ends with the eye in the middle, such as are
used for embroidery machines, and worked and ranged as many in number as
there are to be double rows of stitching across the back of the book, and passed
right through each sheet as it is placed or fed into the machine open at the back
fold in front of the row of needles, preferably on an angled rest with shifting or
setting guide, and two or more spring or clip holders. Each needle has a thread
of its own with the end passed through the eye, "kinched" round or otherwise
secured to the middle of the needle, while the other end is secured at starting the
sewing of a book to the lower part of the vertical reciprocating frame on which
the straps or cords are stretched for carrying and sewing the sheets to as they aro
successively stitched. This vertical frame is of an open rectangular construction,
having the back cords or bands of the book (to which the sheets are successively
stitched) secured to and stretched between the lower transverse bar which carries
the sheets after they are stitched, and an upper bar or rail to which they are all

page_text: tightened, or it might be gripping or tightening clips; and the upper carrying part
of the lower bar is preferably bevilled downwards at the front to allow the lower
part of each sheet and the folded back edge to be brought forward by the angled
edge of its carrying rest close up to the cords or bands at the angle formed by
them with cach previous stitched sheet of the book, to be secured thereto in a
tight manner; and this open frame is mounted in vertical slides in a transverse
frame and counterbalanced by weights or springs to be moved freely, and held in
proper position vertically to suit the needles and sewing, and be lowered as the
work proceeds and the book gets thicker. While its transverse frame is mounted
as a slide carriage on a strong rail or other equivalent of the main frame to be
traversed laterally to the extent of the length of the stitches of the thread within
the folds of each sheet to suit and be secured to the different cords or bands, or at
the outer end transverse row of stitching (termed the "Kittle stitch ") where there
is usually no band or cord. The set of needles are carried longitudinally and hori-
zontally by their points in two rows of plier-like grippers, having their lower
parts secured in adjustable slides transversely in two longitudinal reciprocating
frames or carriages mounted on guide rails or other equivalent on the main
stationary frame, one on each opposite side of the vertical frame, and angled
carrying rail for receiving the sheets which is mounted on the lateral reciprocating
frame, all so as to pass the needles longitudinally through the open vertical and
angled frames and sheet being stitched from the one set of grippers to the other,
which pull the needles through the sheet as the needle carriages are reciprocating
therefrom, all in proper sequential time with the movement of the other parts by
cams and gearing driven from the same first motion shaft of the machine. The
lower part or jaw of cach gripper is preferably mounted in transverse guides or
slides so as to be shifted or set and fixed in their respective frames before com-
mencing each particular size of book, to suit the length of stitches and distance
between the binding cords or bands and number of needles, and exactly opposito
each other to receive these and grip them, on opposite sides of the work, by their
upper, or it might be lateral jaws, which are cach hinged to the lower one a short
distance behind the gripping points with a longer arm projecting backwards, and
mounted with a spiral or other spring sufficiently strong to hold and draw the
needle. All these holding jaws of one set of grippers are released at once by a
transverse spindle, while the other set are receiving and gripping them after being
passed through the sheet being stitched when both sets of grippers are in the
nearest position of their stroke or motion, and close up to the vertical open frame
and work. The action of the said parts to effect the stitching or sewing is as
follows: As soon and fast as the attendant puts cach folded sheet (open at the
centre fold, through and along which the stitches of thread have to pass) on to its
receiving rest plate under its grippers, it is carried forward along with the front
row of needle grippers to meet the advancing row of back needle grippers with
the needles in them, which after the vertical frame with the previously sewn
sheets has been brought close up to them are thus forced through the sheet to sew
it to the last stitched sheet, and to the back binding cords or bands, as the case
may bo, right into the front row of grippers, which then grip and carry them
forward through the sheet as they are released froin the back grippers; the front
carriage of needles then takes its outward stroke sufficient to allow the vertical
and angled frames with the sheet now left on it to be shifted laterally with their
transverse frame so as to form the long stitch within the fold of the sheet, and it
might be with a short or long stitch at the back through or outside the binding
tape, when the front needles then take their second stroke forward and pass the
needles and threads through the sheet at the other end of their stitch and opposite
side of the binding cord or edge of the strap, when the back grippers then grasp
the needles and carry them to the extreme of their outward stroke, thus completing
the stitching of this sheet to the others previously finished. This stitching of each
sheet as described, and the motion of the several frames carrying the sheets or
work and needles may be effected in various ways and by various arrangements of

page_text: cams and gearing in the sequence or relative times described, as will be well under-
stood by engineers; but one mode and means of doing this consists in taking all
the motions from a second motion revolving cam shaft driven at a slow speed by
wheel gearing from a first motion revolving driving shaft carried in bearings on
the same main side frame as the stitching mechanism described, and preferably
with the cam shaft up near the saine level as the traversing needle frames and frame
carrying the work, so as to actuate these in the sequence described by cams mounted
respectively on the opposite ends of this shaft as nearly direct as possible through
intermediate rods and levers. The said sequential stitching of each sheet is effected
while two sets of hooks are employed for drawing up the slack or loop of the long
threads between the needle and the work for tightening up the stitches at the last
after each sheet has been sewn by the needles, as described. These hooks are set and
fixed by their back ends at the same distance apart corresponding to the needles,
on transverse bars or frames mounted over each other to roll on wheels or slido
longitudinally in long parallel guides secured at their front ends by swivel joints
above the needle frames in the lateral shifting frame carrying the vertical framǝ
with the work, so as to shift therewith, but having their back ends receding back
and preferably upwards, and secured to vertical standards or other equivalent
stationary frames projecting up from the floor behind the main working frame and
mechanisin of the machine. The front end of each hook is curved downwards and
has the hook part angled back laterally to one side, with a light sido blado spring
passing a little over the lateral point of the hook. One set of these hooks gives
off the slack of the loop of thread in coming forward to the work, while the other
set is tightening this up in passing back from the work, and this set of hooks
tightens up the loop of the last stitch in approaching its extreme back stroke, while
the other set is letting off the loose loop of the previous stitch by its curved ends
coming down below the line of the horizontal needles and work, and between these
remaining there until the double stitch of the needles is effected, as already.
described, and then take up the slack loops of the new or last stitched sheet and
traverse back with them, so as to tighten these up, while the other set of hooks
and loops are traversing forward to the work, giving off the slack by the
arrangement of driving mechanism at nearly the same rate as the other set of
hooks are tightening up the threads, the momentum of the last backward part of
the traverse tightening up the stitches until the next sheet is placed in the machine
and stitched, all as herein before described. Several arrangements of mechanism or
gearing might be employed for actuating these two sets of hooks for so tightening
up the long loops or slack of the threads between the needles and the work and
compensating also for the difference of traverso length of these threads shortening
as the sewing and work proceeds. One mode of effecting the said traverse of
these thread tightening hook frames consists in carrying two endless wire cords or
light chains from the opposite side of each frame round pulleys on the corresponding
opposite ends of two light horizontal shafts (preferably over intermediate guide
pulleys) ranged in bearings close to each other at the lower part of the side frames
below the first motion shaft. These shafts are driven in reverse directions to wind
up the one set of cords and wind off the other alternately through bands on loose
pulleys on the first motion shaft, or it may be on the lower shafts put into or out
of action instantaneously by clutch boxes and reversing spindles and levers
automatically actuated at the proper sequential time by a motion taken preferably
from the motion of the hook frames, or the shafts which actuate them through a
tilting reversing spindle and weighted lever, or from the reciprocating levers and
rods of the cain at the one side of the machine, to determine the reversing action
and be instantly released by an adjustable pawl or tappet on the cam shaft which
works the lateral and vertical frames, while another automatic lover arrangement
raised or lowered by the cam which works the needle frames puts the one shaft
out of or into action with the other shaft, which takes up and gives off the cords
of the hook frame and so stops its outward motion carlier or later (the one being
driven from the other by friction or india-rubber surface pulleys) as the threads

page_text: get shorter and the tightening hooks require to traverse outwards a shorter distanco
to tighten them.
"
Another improvement has reference to the mode and means of forming the outer
transverse rows of sewing across the back of the book to the folded sheets only
when there are no binding cords or tapes there, that is, to form the " Kittle stitch
complete, by passing the outer needle and thread through each sheet at the outer
extremity of the long stitch and then interlacing the thread in the loop of these at
each alternate stitch and opposite end of each corresponding sheet, so as to secure
them to the former sheets alternately. This is effected by a small vertical plate
secured on a stud or bracket in the line of the back edges of the sheets while being
sewn and capable of being shifted and set with a short lateral slot through it in
a line with the outer needles. In the front of each of the stationary slotted plates
a vertical sliding plate is fitted with an angled prong at the top, which crosses the
slot when moved upwards to press each alternate loop and stitch aside and hold it
in front of the slot until the next lateral shift of the sheet and stitch is formed by
passing the needle and thread through the slot in the plate and loop formed and
held by the prong on the sliding plate in front, when this sliding plate is lowered
by the front end of a lever connected to its lower end, and the prong releases the
interlaced loop or stitch, which thus secures each sheet alternately at opposite ends
to the former sheets, as at present effected by hand without a binding cord or tape.
A motion is taken through the back arm of the lever of the pronged slide for
actuating it by a short lever or tappet on the rocking shaft lever which actuates
the needle frames from the cam at one side of the loom, which cam also through a
tappet and two-armed lever frees the one set of needles from their grippers, while
freeing the springs and levers of the other set of needles, so as to grip them before
moving the needle frames or carriages, all during one revolution of the cam shaft.
The cam for moving the transverso and vertical frame laterally with the work on
it, and the receiving plate with the sheet being stitched, is of a duplex character,
with an inner and outer cam groove on one side or face of the cam, each concentric
for the greater part of its revolution, each with a cam acting spring tongue or
gate, which moves the anti-friction roller of the lever or levers of the frames from
the end of the one groove to the entrance of the other each alternate revolution
of the cam shaft, thus moving the frames to one side or the other for the long
stitch and the short stitch when that is required, and giving nearly the whole
revolution of the cam shaft as a pause, while the cam or cams on the other end are
giving all the motions to the needle frames and prong plates of the end stitched to
the sheets without binding cords. After completing the stitching of each sheet to
the former sheets, as herein before described, the front needle frame without the
needles in it is drawn forwards and by hook catches at each end or other equivalent
draws out the angled receiving plate sufficiently far for the attendant to feed in a
new sheet, which is carried forward and pressed up to the binding cords or tapes
and held there to be sewn, all as before described. In some cases it might be
possible to make the loop tightening hooks work vertically between the back set
of needles and the work, either upwards or downwards therefrom, for taking up
the slack and tightening the threads after, and complete the stitching of each
sheet, instead of backwards, as described, over the back needle frame, which itself
might, by giving it a longer or greater back motion, be made to tighten up the
stitches without the use of the two sets of hooks described for that purpose.
It will be quite understood that the first motion revolving shaft of this machine
(from which all the other motions are primarily taken to insure sequential action)
may be driven by motive power through fast and loose belt pulleys and a strap or
band from any adjacent motive shaft; or otherwise the lighter class of machines
might have a fly wheel and be driven by hand through a crank handle, or by the
feet through a treddle from and connecting rods to cranks on the first motion
shaft.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Gavin Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th December
1881.
GAVIN BROWN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North-Britain,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE SEWING AND BINDING OF BOOKS,
AND IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES THEREFOR,"
My said Invention has for its object the improved and cheaper stitching or
sewing together of the loose folded sheets of printed and other books, and the
sewing of such sheets to their back binding cords, tapes, or bands, as has heretoforo
been done by hand for binding them together into books; and the Invention
comprises a new or improved sewing machine or combination of mechanism which
forms the main or essential part of this Invention.
In carrying out the Invention the sewing of the sheets is effected by needles
pointed at both ends with the eyes in the middle, such as are used for embroidering
inachines, and these needles are ranged as many in number as there are to be
double rows of stitching across the back of the book, and passed right through
each sheet as it is placed or fed into the machine, open at the back fold in front of
the row of needles preferably on an angled rest with shifting guide and two or
more spring or clip holders. Each needle has a thread of its own with the end
passed through the eye "kinched" round or otherwise secured to the middle of the
needle, while the other end is secured at starting the sewing of a book to the lower
part of a vertical reciprocating frame in which the straps or cords are stretched for
carrying and sewing the sheets to as they are successively stitched.
This vertical frame is of an opon rectangular construction having the back cords
or bands of the book (to which the sheets are successively stitched) secured to and
stretched between the lower transverse bar which carries the sheets after they are
stitched, and an upper bar or rail to which they are all tightened, or it might be
gripping or tightening clips; and the upper carrying part of the lower bar is
preferably bevilled downwards at the front to allow the lower part of each sheet
and the folded back edge to be brought forward by the angled edge of its carrying
rest close up to the cords or bands at the angle forined by them with each previous
stitched sheet of the book, to be secured thereto in a tight manner.
This open
frame is mounted in vertical slides in a transverse frame, and counter balanced by
weights or springs to be moved freely and held in proper position vertically to suit
the needles and sewing, and be lowered as the work proceeds and the book gets
thicker. While its transverse frame is mounted as a slido carriage on a strong rail
or other equivalent of the main frame, to be traversed laterally to the extent of the
length of the stitches of the thread within the folds of each sheet to suit and be
secured to the different cords or bands, or at the outer cud transverse row of
stitching (termed the "kittle stitch") where there is usually no band or cord. The
set of needles are carried longitudinally and horizontally by their points in two
rows of plier-like grippers having their lower parts secured in adjustable slides
transversely in two longitudinally reciprocating frames or carriages mounted on
guide rails or other equivalent on the main stationary frame, one on each opposito
side of the vertical frame, and angled carrying frame for receiving the sheets which
is mounted on the lateral reciprocating frame, all so as to pass the needles longi-
tudinally through the open vertical and angled frame and through the sheet being
stitched from the one set of grippers to the other, which pull the needles through
the sheet as the needle carriages are reciprocating outwards therefrom, all in proper
sequential time with tho movement of the other parts, by cams and gearing driven
from the same first motion shaft of the machine.

page_text: The lower part or jaw of each gripper is preferably mounted in transverse
guides or slides, so as to be shifted or set and fixed in their respective frames
before commencing cach particular sizo of book to suit the length of stitches and
distance between the binding cords or bands and number of needles, and these
grippers are fitted exactly opposite each other to receive the needles and grip
them on opposite sides of tho work by their upper or it might bo lateral jaws,
which are each hinged to theo lower one a short distance behind the gripping
points with a longer arm projecting backwards and mounted with a spiral
or other spring sufficiently strong to hold and draw the needlo. All theso
holding jaws of one set of grippers, are released at once by a transverse spindle,
while the other set of grippers are receiving and gripping the needles after being.
passed through, tho sheet being stitched when both sets of grippers are in the
nearest position of their stroke or motion, and close up to the vortical open framo
and work. The action of the said parts to effect the stitching or sewing is as
follows: As soon and as fast as the attendant puts each folded sheet (open at the
centro fold through and along which the stitches of thread have to pass) on to
its receiving rest plate under its grippors, it is carried forward along with the front
row of needle grippers to meet the advancing row of back needle grippers with tho
needles in them, which after the vertical frame with the previously sewn sheets
has been brought close up to them are thus forced through the sheet to sew it to
the last stitched sheet and to the back binding cords or bands, as the case may be,
right into the front row of grippers which then grip and carry them forward
through the sheet as they are released from the back grippers. The front carriago
of needles then takes its outward stroke sufficient to allow the vertical and angled
frames with the sheet now left on it to be shifted laterally with their transverso.
frame, so as to form the long stitch within the fold of tho sheet, and it might bo
with a short or long stitch at the back through or outside the binding tapo when
the front needles then take their second stroke forward, and pass the needles and
threads through the sheet at the other end of their stitch and opposite side of the
binding cord or edge of the strap, when the back grippers then grasp the needles
and carry them to the extreme of their outward stroke, thus completing the
stitching of this sheet to the others previously finished. This stitching of each
sheet as described, and the motion of the several frames carrying the sheets, or
work and needles, may be effected in various ways and by various arrangements
of cams and gearing in the sequence or relative times described, as will be well
understood by engineers, but one suitable mode and means of doing this consists in
taking all the motions from a second motion revolving cam shaft driven at a slow
speed by wheel gearing from a first motion revolving driving shaft, carried in
bearings on the same main sido frame as that which carries the stitching
mechanism described, and preferably with the cam shaft up near the samo level as
the traversing needle frames and frame carrying the work, so as to actuate theso
in the sequence described, by cams mounted respectively on the opposite ends of
this shaft, as nearly direct as possible through intermediate rods and levers. Two
sets of hooks are employed for drawing up the slack or loop of the long threads
between the needle and the work for tightening up the stitches at the last, after
cach sheet has been sewn by the needles as described. These hooks are set and
fixed by their back ends at the same distance apart corresponding to the needles,
on transverso bars or frames mounted over each other, to roll on wheels or slido
longitudinally in long parallel guides, secured at their front ends by swivel joints
above the needle frames, in the lateral shifting frame carrying the vertical frame
with the work, so as to shift therewith, but having their back ends receding back
and preferably upwards, and secured to vertical standards or other equivalent
stationary frames, projecting up from the floor behind the main working frame and
mechanism of the machine. The front end of each hook is curved downwards, and
has the hooked part angled back laterally to one side, with a light side blade spring
passing a little over the lateral point of the hook. One set of these hooks gives
off the slack of the loop of thread in coming forward to the work, while the other

page_text: set is tightening this up in passing back from the work, and this set of hooks
tightens up the top of the last stitch in approaching its extreme back stroke, while
the other set is letting off the loose loop of the previous stitch by its curved ends
coming down below the line of the horizontal needles and of the work, and between
these remaining there until the double stitch of the needles is effected, as already
described, and then these hooks take up the slack loops of the new or last stitched
sheet, and traverse back with them, so as to tighten up the threads while the other
set of hooks and loops are traversing forward to the work, giving off the slack by
the arrangement of driving mechanism at nearly the same rate as the other set of
hooks are tightening up the threads, the momentum of the last backward part of
the traverse tightening up the stitches until the next sheet is placed in the machine
and stitched, all as herein before described.
Several arrangements of mechanism or gearing might be employed for actuating
these two sets of hooks for so tightening up the long loops or slack of the threads
between the needles and the work, and compensating also for the difference of
traverse length of these threads, shortening as the sowing and work proceeds.
One mode of effecting the said traverse of these thrend tightening hook frames
consists in carrying two endless wire cords or light chains from the opposite sido
of each frame round pulleys on the corresponding opposito ends of two light
horizontal shafts (proferably over intermediate guide pulleys) ranged in bearings
close to each other at the lower part of the side frames below the first motion
shaft. These shafts are driven in reverso directions to wind up the one set of
cords and wind off the other alternately through bands on loose pulleys on the first
motion shaft, or it may be on the lower shafts, put into or out of action
instantaneously by clutch boxes and reversing spindles and levers automatically
actuated at the proper sequential time by a motion takon preferably from the
motion of the hook frames, or the shafts which actuate them through a tilting
reversing spindle and weighted lever, or from the reciprocating levers and rods
of the cain at the one side of the machine to determine the reversing action, and
be instantly released by an adjustable pawl or tappet on tho cain shaft, which
works the Interal and vertical frames, while another automatic lever arrangement,
raised or lowered by the cam which works the needlo frames, puts the one shaft
out of or into action with the other shinft, which takes up and gives off the cords
of the hook frame, and so stops its outward motion earlier or later (the one being
driven by the other by friction or india-rubber surface pulleys) as the threads get
shorter and the tightening looks require to traverse outwards a shorter distance to
tighten them.
Another improvement has reference to the mode and means of forming the outer
transverse rows of sewing across the back of the book to the folded sheets only
when there are no binding cords or tapes there, that is, to form the kittle stitch
complete by passing the outer needle and thread through oach sheet at the outor
extremity of the long stitch, and then interlacing the thread in the loop of these
at each alternate stitch and opposite end of each corresponding sheet, so as to
secure them to the former sheets alternately. This is effected while the sheets aro
being sewn by a sinall vertical plate secured on a stud or bracket in the line of the
back edges of the sheets, and which is capable of being shifted and set with a short
lateral slot through it in a line with the outer needles. In the front of each of tho
stationary slotted plates a vertical sliding plate is fitted with an angled prong at
the top which crosses the slot when moved upwards to press aside each alternate
loop and stitch, and hold it in front of the slot until the next lateral shift of the
sheet and stitch is formed by passing the needle and thread through the slot
in the plate and loop formed and hold by the prong on the sliding plate in
front, when this sliding plate is lowered by the front end of a lever connected
to its lower end, and the prong releases the interlaced loop or stitch, which thus
secures each sheet alternately at opposite ends to the former sheets, as at present
effected by hand without a binding cord or tape. A motion is taken through
the back arm of the lever of the pronged slide for actuating it by a short

page_text: lever or tappet on the rocking shaft lever which actuates the needle frames
from the cam at one side of the machine, which cam also through a tappet and two
armod lever frees the one set of needles from their grippers while freeing the
springs and levers of the other set of needles, so as to grip them before moving
the needle frames or carriages all during one revolution of the cam shaft. The
cam for moving the transverse and vertical frames laterally with the work on it,
and the receiving plate with the sheet being stitched is of a duplex character with
an inner and outer cam groove on one side or face of the cam, each eccentric for
the greater part of its revolution, and each with a 'cam-acting spring tongue or
switch which moves the anti-friction roller of the lever or levers of the frames
from the end of the one groove to the entrance of the other each alternate revo-
lution of the cam shaft, thus moving the frames to one side or the other for the
long stitch, and the short stitch when that is required, and giving nearly the whole
revolution of the cam shaft as a pause, while the cam or cams on the other end are
giving all the motions to the needle frames and prong plates of the end stitched
to the sheets without binding cords. After completing the stitching of each sheet
to the former sheets, as hereinbefore described, the front needle framo without the
ncedles in it is drawn forwards, and by hook catches at each end, or other equi-
valent, draws out the angled receiving plate sufliciently far for the attendant to
fced in a new sheet, which is carried forward and pressed up to the binding cords
or tapes and held there to be sewn, all as before described. In some cases it might
be possible to make the loop tightening hooks work vertically between the back
set of needles and the work, either upwards or downwards therefrom, for taking
up the slack and tightening the threads after, and complete the stitching of each
sheet, instead of backwards, as described, over the back needle frame, which
itself might by giving it a longer or greater back motion be made to tighten up
the stitches without the use of the two sets of hooks described for that purpose.
It will be quite understood that the first motion revolving shaft of this machine
(from which all the other motions are primarily taken to ensure sequential action)
may be driven by motive power through fast and loose belt pulleys, and a strap
or haud from any adjacent motive shaft. Or otherwise the lighter class of
machines might have a fly wheel and be driven by hand through a crank handle,
or by the feet through a trendle and connecting rods to cranks on the first motion
shaft.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended for that purpose two
Sheets of explanatory Drawings, representing a modification of my improved
book sewing machine which I shall now proceed to describe. In these Drawings
the same reference lotters are used to mark the same or liko parts where
repeated.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 of the Drawings is a side elevation of the improved
machine, and Figure 2 is a plan of the same; Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical
section of the machino on a larger scale and taken as at the line 1-1 in Figure 2.
The remaining Figures, 4 to 13, are views of various parts of the machine in detail,
and which will be referred to in describing the parts of the machine to which they
relate.
Referring to these Drawings, the improved machine comprises two strong
vertical side frames or standards A, A', which carry the various working parts,
and which are stayed together by tie rods or bars a. The main driving shaft B
of the machine is carried in bearings in these standards A, A', and is fitted with a
spur pinion b gearing into a spur-wheel b' on a second motion shaft B', also carried
in bearings in the standards A, A', and fitted at either end with cams C and C¹,
from which are derived the motions of the framing D¹ carrying the books or sheets
being sewn, and of the grippers E, EL, with the needles c. The sheets to be sewn
are opened out on their backfold as a hinge and laid with the one part of the fold
on an angled rest F, and the lower ply or part of the shoot lying horizontally on
the framing D¹ below the rest F, so that the sheets can be stitched at the fold

page_text: through a slot f at the intersection of the plates forming the angled rest F, and
attached by such stitching to tapes or bands & stretched vertically on the frame D',
on which the sheets rest as they are formed into books. The frame or plate D'
is secured by oyes to vertical rods d' fixed on a vertical moving frame D, by which
the plate D with the books or sheets placed on it is lowered as the work progresses
to make way for the new sheets being stitched.
This vertical frame D is of an open rectangular construction, having the back
cords or bands d of the book (to which the sheets are successively stitched), secured
to and stretched between the lower transverse bar D which carries the sheets after
they are stitched, and an upper bar or rail D³ to which they are all tightened and
held by gripping or tightening clips d, d, fixed on the lower sliding framo D' and
upper bar D. The upper carrying part of the lower bar D' may be bevilled
downwards at the front, to allow the lower part of each sheet, and the folded back
edge to be brought forward by the angled edge of its carrying rest F close up to
the cords or bands d at the angle formed by them with each previous stitched sheet
of the book, to be secured thereto in a tight manner. The open frame D which is
connected together by vertical rods D is mounted in vertical slides D³ in a
transverse frame D, and counter-balanced by weights De bung on wires ³, which
are carried over small pulleys d', and attached to the lower ends of the frame D,
to enable it to be moved freely and held in proper position vertically to suit the
needles and sewing, and to be lowered as the work proceeds and the book gets
thicker. The transverse frame D' is mounted as a slido carriage in V guides d³ on
a strong cross plate or rail Do bolted to the standards A, A, and this frame D' is
free to traverse laterally to the extent of the length of the stitches of the thread
within the folds of each sheet to suit the different cords or bands to which they
are secured, or to suit the outer end transverse row of stitching (termed the
"Kittle stitch"), where there is usually no band or cord. The set of needles c are
carried longitudinally and horizontally by their points by means of two rows of
plier-like grippers E, E¹, secured so as to be adjustable transversely on two
shafts E, E, which are carried in eyes at the ends of long levers E', E³, jointed on
the main standards A, A', and connected together by a link E, so that they move
with the needles simultaneously apart or towards each other. The lever E which
acts on the needle shaft E through a connecting link E, is fitted on a transverso
rocking shaft E, on the end of which is fixed a lever arm E fitted with a roller c"
at its end, working in a groove c in the cam C on the end of the second motion
shaft B', and which is shown in detail in Figure 4. The cam groove is so formed
as to act on the rocking shaft E³, and through the lever E' on the needle shaft Eª
in the proper time to bring the needles e towards the sheets to be stitched, or from
them as required. This lever E is fitted on the rocking shaft Es, as a bell-crank
with a lower arm E, to which is jointed the connecting link E, which transmits
motion to the lever E5 with its needle shaft E. The needle gripper shaft E* is
carried by a bent lever E at each end jointed to the main standards A, A', by
studs or pins eo, and the path of the needles is an arc of a circle, whose centro
coincides with these studs elo. The other needle gripper shaft E is carried by the
long levers E at each end, jointed to the standards A, A, by pins c which form
the centres on which the needle grippers and needles oscillate when drawn through
that side of the work. This lever E is formed with a slot where the connecting
link E is fitted to it, so that the position of this link can be adjusted to give a
greater or less sweep of the lever E with the grippers E'. The needle gripper
shaft E is also fitted with loose rollers e³ at its end, which fit into curved slots in
bent lever arms E" which carry the angled rest F, and which are jointed at their
outer ends to long brackets De Bixed to the transverse sliding frame D', and moving
with it. When the lever E is moved outwards with the needlo shaft E, this shinft
forces up the slotted rest levers E" to a vertical or nearly vertical position, thereby
bringing the angled rest F out from the last stitched sheet into a couvenient position
for laying on the new sheet to be stitched.
The angled rest F, which is shown to a larger scale fitted on its carrying slotted

page_text: lever arm E¹¹ in elevation and plan in Figures 7 and 8 on Sheet 2 of the Drawings,
consists of an angled sheet metal plate, with a slit fat the angle formed by the
sides for the needles to pass through, and the sheet which is placed over the rest F
is laid with the back fold opposite this slit f, and is gripped in this position to be
brought up against the bands or tapes & for stitching by means of transverse lever
bars or grippers F, F2, on working centres F3, F', above and below, and which are
held against the sheets by means of springs f¹ƒ³, fitted on the rest lever Ell.
When the needlo gripper shaft ES with the needles e moves to its inward position
for stitching, it presses against short levers F³ on the rocking centres forming bell
cranks with the gripper bars F1, F2, and thereby lifts the grippers F', F³, off the
sheet against the action of the springs f¹, f², to free the sheet and leave it on the
return of the needle shaft E³. The front set El of the needle grippers E, E', of
which one is shown full sizo in Figures 5 and 6 on Sheet 1, enter between the
plates of the angled rest F, and pass the needles e through the slit fand through
the sheet of paper to the corresponding needle grippers E on the other sido of the
tapes or bands d, which are fixed in a line with the front set. The needle
grippers E, E', on each shaft E², Es, are formed with eyes which embrace their
shafts and are capable of being adjusted laterally on the shafts, and fixed by keys
at the desired distances apart to suit the length of stitch to be made and the
distance apart of the tapes or bands d, and the grippers E, EL, are also set before
commencing work, so that each one of a set shall meet exactly opposite the corre-
The needles e are
sponding one of the other set to give or take its needle c.
received into grooves on the grippers E, E', and held by lateral jaws Ex with a
pushing socket behind jointed to them by pins e*, and they are held closed by
means of spiral springs e¹³ acting on long arms e¹ of the jaw pieces Ex. Through
eyes on the arms e¹ screw spindles E¹s are passed fitted with adjustable screw
nuts e, by which the jaws Ex of a set of grippers E or E' are opened all at one
time when the spindles E¹³ are pushed from the end to compress the springs. All
these holdings jaws Ex of one set of grippers E or E' are released at once by the
transverse spindles E3, while the other set of grippers E or E' are receiving and
gripping the needles e after being passed through the sheet being stitched, when
both sets of grippers E, E', are in the nearest position of their stroke or motion,
and close up to the vertical open frame D and to the sheet or work.
The releasing spindles E¹³ are acted on for this purpose by an oscillating double
plane or cam surface G jointed on a pin g over the standard A, and which according
as the plane G is oscillated to one side or other bears against rollers e¹ on the end
of the spindles E¹³. This double cam or plane G is oscillated by means of a bell
crank Gand link G2 connected to a lever arm G³ at its side, the bell crank G'
being fitted with a pin g, and thereby in turn actuated by a cam groove c² formed
in the cam C, which gives motion to the needle gripper shafts, the cam groove c
being so formed that the oscillation of the plane surfaco G will be timed to act on
the transverse spindles of the needle grippers E, E¹, in the proper sequence. As
soon and as fast as the attendant puts each folded sheet onto its receiving rest plate F
under its grippers F, F, it is carried forward along with the front row of needle
grippers E to meet the advancing row of back needle grippers E with the needles c
in them. The vertical frame D, D', moves to form the outside stitch before the
back needle grippers E with the needles e have advanced or met at the cord or
bands d. After the vertical frame D, D', with the previously sewn sheets has been
brought close up to them the needles are forced through the sheet to sew it to the
last stitched sheet and to the back binding cords or bands d, as the case may be,
right into the front row of grippers E', which then grip and carry them forward
through the sheet as they are released from the back grippers E. The front carriage
or shaft with the needle grippers E' then takes its outward stroke sufficient to allow
the vertical frame D, D', with the sheet now left on it, to be shifted laterally with the
transverse frame D', so as to form the long stitch within the fold of the sheet, and
also with a short or long stitch at the back through or outside the binding tape,
when the front needle grippers E' then take their second stroke forward, and pass

page_text: the needles e and threads through the sheet at the other end of their stitch and
opposite side of the binding cord or edge of the strap, when the back grippers E
then grasp the needles e and carry them to the extremo of their outward stroke,
thus completing the stitching of this sheet to the others previously finished. In
order to form the stitches while the needles c have only a longitudinal notion or
traverse through the sheets and binding tapes d, the frame D' carrying the sheets
is reciprocated transversely with the vertical frame Daud sliding carriage D', as
already mentioned, during the interval that elapses while the needles leave the
sheet and return to pass through it again. The requisite motion of these frames
with the sheets is derived from the cam C¹ on the second motion shaft B' through
a suitable arrangement of rods and levers. In the arrangement shown tho sliding
frame D is connected to one arm H of a bell crank centred on the standard A¹,
and to the other arm H' of which is attached a long connecting link / jointed to
a lever arm h with a roller entering the grooves of the cam C This cam C is of
a duplex character, with an inner and outer cam groove C³, C', on one side or faco
of the cam, each concentric for the greater part of its revolution, and each with a
cain acting spring tongue or switch c³, c, which moves the anti-friction
roller h,, of the lovers h', h³, from the end of the one groove CS, C', to the
entrance of the other C or C³ cach alternato revolution of tho cam shaft, thereby
through the levers 1, 3, and bell crank H, HI, moving the frames D, D', to one
side or the other for the long stitch and the short stitch when that is required,
and giving nearly the whole revolution of the cam shaft B¹ as a pause while the
cam C on the other end is giving all the motions to the needle grippers and levers.
The short transverse movement of the frame D, D', for the short stitch is given to
it at the requisite time by means of the cam C' through a connecting rod he fixed
adjustably to the bell crank H¹, and to the arm of a weighted bell crank lever h³,
the other arm of which is fitted with an anti-friction roller in the groove
of the cam C'.
When the first stitches are made a length of thread for each needle sufficient for
sewing or stitching the whole of the sheets of a book or of a part of a book, or
even a number of books, is carried through from a reel R in front in the form of a
loop by means of hooks I, I', traversed longitudinally on carriages 18, 1³, sliding on
a rail framing 1' at the back of the machine, and as cach stitch is effected one set
or the other of the hooks I, I', catch on to and form such loops with the thread,
the loops becoming shorter as the thread is used up in forming the stitches in tho
book.
Two sets of hooks I and I' aro employed for drawing up the slack or loop of
the long threads between the needlo and the work for tightening up the stitchies
after each sheet has been sewn by the needles, as described. The hooks of each
series I, I, are set and fixed by their back ends at the same distance apart,
corresponding to the needles on transverse bars or frames J, J¹, mounted over each
other to slide longitudinally in long parallel guide rails K fitted on a bracket
extension A of the main standards A, A', and secured at their front ends by
swivel joints above the needle frames in the lateral shifting frame D, D*, carrying
the vertical frame D, D', with the work, so as to shift therewith, as shown in
Figure 3. The back ends of these guide rails K recede preferably at an upward
angle, and are secured by joint pins on the bracket A². One set of these
books I or I¹ gives off the slack of the loop of thread in coming forward to the
work, while the other set is tightening this up in passing back from the work,
and this last set of hooks in turn tightens up the loop of the last stitch in
approaching its extreme back stroke, while the other set is letting off the loose
loop of the previous stitch by its curved ends i coming down below the line of the
horizontal needles. In Figures 1 and 2 only one set of the hooks I is shown, the
other set I, which would be in the position indicated in Figure 3, being removed
for convenience of showing the working parts of the machine below. One set of
the hooks I or I' is in the inward end of its traverse, while the other set may be
at the outward end or coming inwards, and in changing from end to end the

page_text: frames or carriages J, J', carrying the respective hooks I, I, pass the one below
the other, the one frame J being fitted to slide on the outside of the guide rails K,
while the other frame J' slides on the inside of the rails.
The set of hooks I or 1' which happen to be at the inward end of the traverse
for the time being remain there until the double stitch of the needles is effected as
already described, and then those hooks take up the slack loops of the new or last
stitched sheet and traverse back with them so as to tighten up the threads, while
the other set of hooks and loops are traversing forward to the work, giving off the
slack by an arrangement of driving mechanism to be presently described at nearly
the same rate as the other set of hooks are tightening up the threads; the
momentum of the last backward part of the traverse tightening up the stitches
until the next sheet is placed in the machine and stitched. The traverse of these
thread tightening hook frames J, J', is effected by means of two endless wire
cords from the opposite side of each frame J, J', passed round guide
pulleys,, and the ends of the guide rails and round driving pulleys L, L', on
the corresponding opposite ends of two light horizontal shafts L*, L³, arranged in
bearings close to each other at the lower part of the side frames A, A¹, of the
machine below the first motion shaft B, small intermediate guide pulleys 12, 1³,
being provided to direct the wires clear of the other working parts. The
shafts L², L³, carrying the pulleys L, L', are driven in reverse directions to wind
up the one set of cords j or j³, and wind off the other alternately, and are put into
and out of action instantaneously to traverse the hook frames J, J¹, and stop
them at the ends of their traverse with the requisite pause while the needles are
effecting the stitches. For this purpose the shafts L, L³, are fitted with spur
pinions L, L, which are fixed in different planes, the one to the side of the other,
and are driven by a spur wheel L on the first motion shaft B, this wheel L being
fitted intermediately between the pinions L, L, and free to slide on its shaft, so
that it may be put into gear with either of the pinions at a time. The two
shafts L, L, are driven in opposite directions to act on the wires j, j', when the
spur wheel L is thrown into gear with either pinion L' or L by means of friction
wheels on each of the shafts L³, Is, one being fitted eccentrically on its shaft L³,
which are kept in contact with each other by means of a weighted lever L', which
is raised to throw the friction wheels out of genr to stop the outward traverse of
the hook frames J or J¹ at each action a little earlier than on the previous traverse
to make allowance for the shortening of the loops of the thread as the sheets are
stitched. This action of throwing the friction wheels out of genr is effected by a
cam or wyper L³ on the second motion shaft 13, striking against the arm of a bell
crank L, which is connected by a link or rod is to the weighted lever L7 which
keeps the wheels in gear.
The loose wheel L is thrown into gear with either of the pinions Lt, L³, as
required by the action of a cam M on the second motion shaft B', which strikes
and presses to one side or other a V pointed lever M' embracing the boss of the
wheel Lo, this V point M¹ being moved a little to either side of the centre of tho
bath of the cain M by means of a connecting link m attached to the lever M', and
to a rocking or bell crank lever M³, the outer arm of which is acted on by pins m¹
on the lever h³, which receives its motion from the cam C. The lever M¹ is then
made to slide in its shaft B by means of knots formed on a cord or wire m³ pussed
round the shafts L, L³, and over guide pulleys m³, and through a small hole in the
lever M. The action of the wires må is such as to traverse the lever M to the
required extent to one side or the other to put the wheel L into gear with the
pinions or L³. The transverse rows of sewing across the back of the book to
the folded sheets only, termed the "kittle stitch," is formed by passing the outer
needle and thread through cach sheet at the outer extremity of the long stitch,
and then interlacing the thread in the loop of these at each alternate stitch, and
opposite end of each corresponding sheet, so as to secure them to the former sheets
alternately. This is effected while the sheets are being sewn by a small vertical
plate N, shown particularly in Figure 10, secured on a stud or bracket N' in the

page_text: line of the back edges of the sheets, and which is capable of being shifted
and set with a short lateral slot through it in a line with the outer needles of
the set.
In front of each of the stationary slotted plates N a vertical sliding plate N' is
fitted with an angled prong n at the top, which crosses the slot when moved
upwards to press aside cach alternate loop and stitch, and hold it in front of the
slot until the next lateral shift of the sheet and stitch is formed by passing the
needle and thread through the slot in the plate N, and through the loop formed
and held by the prong in the sliding plate in front, when this sliding plate is
lowered by the front end of a lever N³ connected by a forked arm to its lower
end, and the prong n releases the interlaced loop or stitch, which thus secures cach
sheet alternately at opposite ends to the former sheets, as at present effected by
hand without a binding cord or tape. A motion is taken through the back arm N³
of the lever of the pronged slide N, n, for actuating it by a short lever N' weighted
at its opposite end, and which is tilted at the proper time by a cam Ns on the
second motion shaft B'. The levers N³ are in duplicate and fitted on separato rods
or contres n³, one at each side of the machine, and the one acting on its slotted:
prong lever N, n, when the other is stationary to suit the stitching. Instead of
forming this "kittle stitch" narrow bands may be stretched, and the sheets stitched
to them also by the outer needles where the kittle stitch would otherwise be
formed.
Figures 10 and 11 also show an arrangement for holding down the sheets as they
are stitched, which consists of a spring blade p fittted on a small bracket P free to
slide in the cross bar P'. A bracket P and spring p are fitted at cach side of the
work or sheets being stitched, the spring p resting on the lower half of the sheet,
through which the needles are passing, while an upwardly bent spring p' hold up'
the upper half of the sheet to allow the threads to pass through with the least
possible friction. The brackets P are caused to slide out on the cross bar P¹ when
the stitching of each sheet is completed, and to return and bring the springs p, p',
into their position, holding the new sheet open by means of a connecting link
P2, P3, one for each bracket P actuated by a double bell crank P' connected by a
link P³ with a lever P, a lower arm of which is struck or pressed by a cam P7 on
the second motion shaft. Figures 12 and 13 aro side and front views of the
clips D, on which the tapes or bands are stretched, the tapes passing over a roller
10 on a joint piece d" at the lower or upper end, and this roller do is formed with
a groove in the middle so that it may be used with cords instead of tapes.
Having thus particularly described the nature of my said Invention and the
manner of perforining the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not restrict
myself to the precise details, and particularly to the mechanical arrangements for
producing the requisite motions, which may be greatly varied, but what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by
the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The construction and use in book sewing machines of an angled or V
shaped sheet holder for shifting and setting each sheet up to the securing back
bands or cords for being sewn, substantially as herein described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
Second. The general construction or combination of the parts of a book sewing
machine, in which each sheet is sewn or stitched to the back bands or cords, either
with or without the ordinary edge "kittle stitch" and parts for forming this, all
in the manner of hand sewn books, with all the motions primarily taken from one
first motion shaft of the machine, so as to produce all the motions in the sequential
and intermittent manner required, all substantially as herein described in reference
to and shown in the accompanying Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
Third. The combination and mechanical motion in book sewing machines of two
traversing frames of needle grippers traversed longitudinally to and from and on
opposite sides of each sheet to be sewn placed between them, and for passing one
set of double pointed needles, with their eyes and thread secured in the middle

page_text: of them, simultaneously through the sheets from side to side to form the stitches
and grip the back bands or passed round cords, substantially as herein described
and shown in the accompanying Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
Fourth. The carrying of the sheets being sewn and those previously stitched in
book sewing machines on a frame traversed laterally and intermittently to the
length of, and to form the stitches on opposite sides of the sheets and back bands
or cords, substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying
drawings or any mere modification thereof.
Fifth. The stitching or sewing together and to the tapes or bands of the sheets
of books by means of a series or row of double pointed needles held by grippers
which are traversed longitudinally towards and from the back fold of the sheets,
these sheets being carried on a transverse frame having an intermittent reciprocating
motion to shift the sheets to the requisite position for the needles passing through
to form the long and short stitches, the motions of the needle grippers and needles
and of the transverse frame being derived through lovers from revolving cams or
from other suitable equivalent mechanical devices, substantially as herein described
in reference to and shown in the accompanying Drawings or any mere modification
thereof.
Sixth. The arrangement of two sets of hooks and hook frames carried and
traversed on rails to draw out the loops or slack of the thread from the needles,
the one set traversing outwards while the other set is moving inwards, and the
outward traverse of either set being controlled and regulated by the inward
traverse of the other to tighten the stitches and compensate for the shortening of
the thread used in forming the previous stitches, all substantially as herein described
and shown in the accompanying Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Gavin Brown, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
DDAUZAY
Witness,
W. R. M. THOMSON,
Patent Agent,
GAVIN BROWN. (2.8.)
Glasgow.