Improvements in Sewing Machines Suitable for Making Straw Mats.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan, 1897
Complete Specification Left. 21st May, 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sewing Machines Suitable for Making Straw Mats.
We, JOHANN BARDACH and RICHARD VON STERN, both of Knöllgasse, 30, Vienna, X,
Austria, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a sewing-machine for making straw mats of any desired
lengths, and, if desired, with a covering of fibrous material on one or both sides.
This sewing-machine is characterised by the fact that the straw stalks, which-
with, it may be, a covering of fibrous material on one or both sides--are fed, by
means of suitable mechanisin, under a row of sewing-needles, are pressed down upon
the support during the formation of the stitches. The parts which serve to form the
stitches and which operate as in a shuttle sewing-machine, are actuated by means of
peculiar actuating devices which constitute an integral part of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate a sewing-machine constructed in accordance
with this invention.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine.
Fig. 2 is a cross section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine, showing its pressing apparatus and
thread-guiding device.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the machine, the parts situated above the shuttle-guide being
omitted.
Fig. 5 shows the actuating devices in plan.
Figs. 6 and 7 show, in front view and side view respectively, the needle-carrier and
its driving-mechanism.
Figs. 8 and 9 are two views of the straw-pressing device.
Figs. 10, 11, and 12 show in front view, side view, and plan respectively, the
feeding-device and its actuating mechanism.
As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 6, and 7, the sewing of the straw mats A (Fig. 1) is effected
by means of a number of needles a which are arranged side by side at equal distances
apart and which are adjustably secured in a needle-carrier A¹.
This needle-carrier is adapted to move vertically in guides 6 and is connected by
means of rods b¹ with levers 62, which are fixed on a shaft B. For the purpose of
moving the needle-carrier up and down, the shaft B is oscillated by means of a
grooved eccentric c fixed on the main driving shaft C and arranged to act upon a
roller c¹ of an arm c² which is connected to an arm b³ fixed to the shaft B.
In their down stroke the needles enter, in the manner usual in sewing machines,
a sewing plate D (Fig. 4), which constitutes the table of the machine under which the
shuttles are mounted. The shuttles e, which are equal in number to the needles,
slide in guides (shuttle-races) el, and each of them is connected to a shuttle-driver e².
These drivers are all fastened to a carrier E (Figs. 2, 4, and 7) which is capable of
moving on guide bars e³ (Figs. 2 and 4).
The to-and-fro movement of the carrier E and the shuttle-drivers e², is obtained
from the driving-shaft C by means of a grooved eccentric c³ in which works a
roller et (Figs. 2 and 5) of an arın e³ that is connected to one of two levers e carried

page_text: on a shaft e and connected by rods e to the carrier E. The threads for the needles a
are supplied by reels f, which are mounted on vertical or horizontal spindles, the
threads f being carried over a tension-device f2, of known kind to the rollers f" of a
thread drawing off device, over a rod f, and through holes in the needle-carrier A'
to the needles. The threads are drawn off from the bobbins during the up stroke
of the needles by a carrier F, which carries the rollers f3 and is then moved
outwardly, into the position shown in Fig. 2, by means of arms f³ on a rocking
shaft f.
The rocking movement of the shaft f' necessary for that purpose is produced by
means of a connecting rod f* carried on the end of this shaft, and a movable rod f
connected therewith (Figs. 1 and 3) and carrying a roller ƒ 8 that rests on a cain f"
which is rotated from the main driving shaft C through spur wheel gearing c+, f 10.
The roller is kept pressed against the eccentric f" by springs f" (Fig. 3) arranged
on the shaft f', so that the return movement of the thread drawing off device is
ensured.
11
For the purpose of fastening by means of the stitches, the straw stalks (which are
fed in a layer of determined depth) to the covering of fibrous material when such is
employed, the fibrous covering g', which is drawn off from a roller g, is drawn over a
table or plate D, whilst at the same time the straw stalks, which are laid into a feed-
hopper H, are pushed forward towards the needles by arms h of a rotating feeding
device (Figs. 2 and 4).
If a fibrous covering (g) is to be applied also to the upper side of the mat, it is
drawn from a roller mounted on supports g', and is fastened by means of the
stitches at the same time as the lower fibrous covering g¹.
The feeding of the straw stalks takes place only according to requirement. This is
effected by mounting the arms h on rotary rods h', which carry fixed tappets ² on
both ends and slide with the same on segment or sector shaped fixed projections h³.
As long as the latter is the case, the arms h (as shown in Fig. 2) feed the straw stalks,
because they are held in radial positions by the segments h³. But as soon as the
tappets h² slide off the segment or sector shaped projections, the arms are released
and are forced back by the pressure of the straw stalks in front of them, so that they
are rendered inoperative..
The feeding-device is driven from the main driving shaft C by means of chain
gearing h³ (Fig. 4), which transmits the movement first to a friction-coupling h' and
through the latter to a shaft provided with a hand-wheel h", the arrangement
being therefore such that the feeding-device will stop automatically when a sufficient
quantity of straw is being supplied.
In order that the straw stalks shall be as close as possible during the formation of
the stitches, the straw stalks must be forced together by means of a pressing
device.
This device consists of a pressing-beam I (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) arranged close up in
front of the needles and bearing upon the front edge of a hinged flap h of the feeding
device. The pressing-beam is moved down by hydraulic meaus, being connected by
rods with pistons working in cylinders i.
The pressure liquid is forced into the cylinders i (above the piston ¹) through a
pipe, by means of a pump 3 driven from the main driving-shaft by means of a
crank-wheel c!.
The upward movement of the pressing beam is produced during the return stroke
of the pump-piston by means of an accumulator I (Figs. 1 and 3), the pressure-liquid
from which is led through a pipe 25 under the pistons . The upward movement of
the latter, and consequently also that of the pressing-beam, is limited by set screws t
(Figs. 2 and 3).
.
Since the pressure-water is forced back again into the pump 23 by the action of the
accumulator, all that is necessary is a small. reservoir (Figs. 1, 3, and 4) into which
the suction pipe of the pump opens. for the purpose of compensating for any loss.
of pressure-water that may result through leakage past the pistons ¹..
The hydraulic pressing-device may also be replaced by eccentrics operated from the
main driving shaft and acting upon the pressing beam.

page_text: a
For the purpose of aiding the action of the pressing device, there is provided
presser which acts by its own weight and which consists of a carrier J that is adapted
to move on the guides band on which are arranged a number of presser-feet j through
which the needles pass (Figs. 2, 8 and 9). Upon the hinged lower part of each
pressure-feet there acts a spring j' to press it down upon the stalks.
The carrier J is supported by rods that rest on hinged shoulders j³ (Figs. 2
and 7) of the rods 6' of the needle-carrier A¹, so that the carrier J is raised on the
upstroke of the needle-carrier.
When the formation of the stitch is completed, the mat is advanced by a feeding-
device through a distance equal to the length of a stitch.
This feeding-device (Figs. 2, 10, 11, and 12) consists of a carrier K having a
number of arms which project. between the needles almost up to the pressing-beam
and have points that engage in the straw mat as soon as the needles and the
pressing-beam are in their highest position.
The rearward movement of this feeding-device is transmitted from the main
driving-shaftC by means of a cam c' (Figs. 5 and 11) which acts upon an arm of a shaft 1,
and thereby rocks the shaft together with arms which are fixed on the latter and to
which levers 2 of the feeding-device are connected.
The length of stitch that is to say the distance between two successive stitches-
can be increased or decreased as desired by means of an arm (Figs. 1 and 11) keyed
on the shaft Land bearing against an adjustable stop 13,' by shifting which, the arm
can be moved closer to or further away from the cam c' and thereby caused to be
acted upon sooner or later by the latter.
When the mat has been advanced by this feeding-device, the latter rises. As soon
as the points are thus raised off the mat, the feeding-device is moved forwards' by
the action of springs (Figs. 5, 11, and 12), and is then moved down again by
its own weight. The raising of the feeding-device is effected by means of cams coco
on the main driving shaft, which act upon rods m m that are connected to the levers /³
of the feeding device.
In order to enable the feeding-device to be raised by hand, the levers k² are
provided laterally with pins ' (Figs. 10, 11 and 12) which are connected by means
of rods to arins n² (Figs. 2, 10, and 11), which are keyed on a shaft n¹ and are
capable of being rocked by means of a hand-lever 3 on the shaft n¹.
The presser and the feeding device are capable of being adjusted to the thickness of
the mats. For this purpose, the rods of the presser, and the levers k² of the
feeding-device are provided with screw-spindles o (Figs. 8and 10) which work in female
screw threads in bevel-wheels o¹ that are prevented from longitudinal moveinent, but,
when rotated by means of a shaft o³ and bevel-wheels o², raise or depress the rods j²
and levers 12.
The mat issuing from the machine is led over rollers p (Fig. 1) and cut at its
lateral edges by means of rotating cutters or knives p¹.
Dated this 26th day of January 1807
Improvements in Sewing Machines suitable for Making Straw Mats:
We, JOHANN BARDACH, and RICHARD VON STERN, both of Knollgasse 30 Vienna X,
Austria, Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a sewing-machine for making straw mats of any desired
lengths, and, if desired, with a covering of fibrous material on one or both sides.
This sewing-machine is characterised by the fact that the straw stalks,
which--with, it may be, a covering of fibrous material on one or both sides--are fed,
by means of suitable mechanism, under a row of sewing needles, are pressed down
upon the support during the formation of the stitches. The parts which serve to
form the stitches and which operate as in a shuttle sewing-machine, are actuated by
means of peculiar actuating devices which constitute an essential part of the
invention.
The drawings filed with our Provisional Specification illustrate a sewing-machine
constructed in accordance with this invention.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine.
Fig. 2 is a cross section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine, showing its pressing apparatus and
thread-guiding device.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the machine, the parts situated above the shuttle-guide being
oinitted.
Fig. 5 shows the actuating devices in plan.
Figs. 6 and 7 show, in front view and side view respectively, the needle-carrier
and its driving-mechanism.
Figs. 8 and 9 are two views of the straw-pressing device.
Figs. 10, 11, and 12 show in front view, side view and plan respectively, the
feeding-device and its actuating mechanism.
As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 6, and 7, the sewing of the straw mats A (Fig. 1) is effected
by means of a number of needles a which are arranged side by side at equal distances
apart and which are adjustably secured in a needle-carrier A¹
This needle-carrier is adapted to move vertically in guides 6 and is connected by
means of rods b', with levers 62, which are fixed on a shaft B. For the purpose of
moving the needle-carrier up and down, the shaft B is oscillated by means of a
grooved eccentric c, fixed on the main driving shaft C and arranged to act upon a
roller c' of an arm c² which is connected to an arm 63 fixed to the shaft B.
to a
In their down strokes, the needles enter, in the manner usual in sewing-machines,
a sewing-plate D (Fig. 4), which constitutes the table of the machine under which
the shuttles are mounted. The shuttles e, which are equal in number to the needles,
slide in guides (shuttle-races) e', and each of them is connected
shuttle-driver e². These drivers are all fastened to a carrier E (Figs. 2, 3, and 7)
which is capable of moving on guide-bars e¹ (Figs. 2 and 4). The to-and-fro
movement of the carrier E and the shuttle-drivers e², is obtained from the
driving-shaft C by means of a grooved eccentric in which works a roller et
(Figs. 2 and 5) of an arm e that is connected to one of two levers e' carried on a
shaft e and connected by rods e to the carrier E.
The threads for the needles a are supplied by reels f, which are mounted on vertical
or horizontal spindles, the threads f¹ being carried over a tension-device 2 of known
kind to the rollers f³ of a thread-drawing-off device, over a rod f", and through
holes in the needle-carrier A¹ to the needles. The threads are drawn off from the
bobbins during the upstroke of the needles by a carrier F, which carries the
rollers and is then moved outwardly, into the position shown in Fig. 2, by means
of arms f³ on a rocking shaft f.
The rocking movement of the shaft necessary for that purpose is produced by
means of a connecting rod f" carried on the end of this shaft, and a movable rod f
connected therewith (Figs. 1 and 3) and carrying a roller that rests on a
cam which is rotated from the main driving-shaft C through spur-wheel
gearing co. The roller fs is kept pressed against the eccentric" by springs f" (Fig. 3)
arranged on the shaft f, so that the return movement of the thread drawing-off
device is ensured.

page_text: For the purpose of fastening, by means of the stitches, the straw stalks (which are
fed a layer of determined depth) to the covering of fibrous material when such is
employed, the fibrous covering g', which drawn off from a roller g, is drawn over the
table or plate D, whilst at the same time the straw stalks which are laid into a
feed-hopper H, are pushed forward towards the needles by arms h of a rotating
feeding device (Figs. 2 and 4).
If a fibrous covering (g) is to be applied also to the upper side of the mat, it is
drawn from a roller g³ mounted on supports g, and is fastened by means of the
stitches at the same time as the lower fibrous covering g¹.
The feeding of the straw-stalks takes place only according to requirement. This
is effected by mounting the arms on rotary rods h', which carry fixed tappets h² on
both ends and slides with the same on segment or sector shaped fixed projections h³.
As long as the latter is the case, the arins h (as shown in Fig. 2) feed the straw
stalks, because they are held in radial positions by the segments h³. But as soon as
the tappets slide off the segment or sector shaped projections, the arms are released
and are forced back by the pressure of the straw stalks in front of them, so that they
are rendered inoperative.
The feeding-device is driven from the main driving-shaft C by means of
chain-gearing h' (Fig. 4), which transmits the movement first to a friction-coupling h
and through the latter to a shaft h (provided with a hand wheel h) the arrangement
being therefore such that the feeding-device will stop automatically when a sufficient
quantity of straw is being supplied.
In order that the straw stalks shall be as close as possible during the formation of
the stitches, they must be forced together by means of a pressing device.
This device consists of a pressing-beam I (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) arranged close up in
front of the needles and bearing upon the front edge of a hinged flap h³ of the
feeding-device. The pressing-beam is moved down by hydraulic means, being
connected by rods with pistons ¹ working in cylinders i.
The pressure-liquid is forced into the cylinders i (above the pistons ¹) through a
pipe, by means of a pump 3 driven from the main driving-shaft by means of a
crank-wheel c'.
The upward movement of the pressing-beam is produced during the return stroke
of the pump-piston by means of an accumulator I (Figs. 1 and 3), the
pressure-liquid from which is led through a pipe under the pistons . The
upward movement of the latter, and consequently also that of the pressing-beam, is
limited by set-screws 16 (Figs. 2 and 3).
Since the pressure-water is forced back again into the pump 3 by the action of the
accumulator, all that is necessary is a small reservoir (Figs. 1, 3, and 4) into which
the suction-pipe of the pump opens for the purpose of compensating for any
loss of pressure-water that may result through leakage past the pistons i'.
The hydraulic pressing-device might if preferred be replaced by eccentrics
operated from the main driving shaft and acting upon the pressing-beam.
For the purpose of aiding the action of the pressing-device, there is provided a
presser which acts by its own weight and which consists of a carrier J that is adapted
to move on the guides band on which are arranged a number of presser-feet j
through which the needles pass (Figs. 2, 8 and 9). Upon the hinged lower part of
each presser-foot there acts a spring to press it down upon the stalks.
The carrier J is supported by rods j that rest on hinged shoulders j³ (Figs. 2 and 7)
of the rods 6 of the needle-carrier A', so that the carrier J is raised on the upstroke of
the needle-carrier.
When the formation of the stitch is completed, the mat is advanced by a
feeding-device through a distance equal to the length of a stitch.
This feeding-device (Figs. 2, 10, 11 and 12) consists of a carrier K having a
number of arms k which project between the needles almost up to the pressing-beam
and have points that engage in the straw mat as soon as the needles and the
pressing-beam are in their highest position.
The rearward movement of this feeding-device is transmitted from the

page_text: main driving-shaft C by means of a cam c³ (Figs. 5 and 11) which acts upon an
arın of a shaft. L and thereby rocks the shaft together with arms which are fixed
on the latter and to which levers 2 of the feeding-device are connected. The length
of stitch that is to say, the distance between two successive stitches--can be increased
or decreased as desired by means of an arm (Figs. 2 and 11) keyed on the shaft L
and bearing against an adjustable stop ", by shifting which, the arm can be moved
closer to or further away from the cam c³ and thereby caused to be acted upon sooner
or later by the latter.
As soon
When the mat has been advanced by this feeding-device, the latter rises.
as the points ¹ are thus raised off the mat, the feeding-device is moved forwards by
the action of springs (Figs. 5, 11, and 12), and is then moved down again by its own
weight. The raising of the feeding-device is effected by means of cams c c on the
main driving-shaft which act upon rods m m that are connected to the levers ² of
the feeding-device.
In order to enable the feeding-device to be raised by hand, the levers ² are
provided laterally with pins 4 (Figs. 10, 11 and 12) which are connected by means of
rods n to arms n² (Figs. 2, 10, and 11) which are keyed on a shaft n¹ and are capable
of being rocked by means of a hand-lever n³ on the shaft n¹.
The presser and the feeding device are capable of being adjusted to the thickness
of the mats. For this purpose, the rods ³ of the presser, and the levers 2 of the
feeding-device are provided with screw-spindles o (Figs. 8 and 10) which work in
female screw-threads in bevel wheels ol that are prevented from longitudinal
movement, but, when rotated by means of a shaft and bevel-wheels o², raise or
depress the rods j and levers k².
The mat issuing from the machine is led over rollers p (Fig. 1) and cut at its
lateral edges by means of rotating cutters or knives p¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A machine for making straw mats, of any desired length, and provided or not
with a covering of fibrous material on one or both sides, in which the straw stalks,
which are fed forward by means of rotating feeder arms h, are led, (simultaneously
with a fibrous covering or covering if such be required) under a series of
sewing needles a, a presser J, and a carrier K, and are, during the formation of the
stitching, pressed together by means of a mechanically or hydraulically operated
pressing device I, and also against the fibrous covering or coverings if there be such,
whereupon the edges of the finished mat are cut by means of cutting apparatus pl.
2. In a machine of the kind referred to in Claim 1, the arrangement of the
needles a iu a needle holder A¹ which slides along guides b, and which is connected
by means of rods bi with levers 62 that are mounted on the shaft B, and are rocked
by means of a radius rod 63 and a rod c² from a grooved eccentric c, and thereby raise
and depress the needle holder substantially as shewn in and described with reference
to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings.
3. In a machine of the kind referred to in Claim 1, shuttle mechanism comprising
shuttles e sliding in guides e', drivers e arranged on a carrier E which is movable in
guides e³ and which is connected by means of radius rods e' to levers e fixed on the
shaft es, the arrangement being such that the levers e" will be rocked by means of a
rod e from a grooved eccentric c³, on the driving shaft and thereby produce a
simultaneous movement of the shuttles such as shewn in and described with reference
to Figs. 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings.
4. In a machine of the kind referred to thread supplying mechanism comprising a
movable carrier F. which carries the rollers f3 of the thread-drawing device, and
which is shifted in one direction through the lever mechanism f³, f, by an
eccentric so as to thereby draw the sewing thread, whilst the return of the carrier
is effected by means of springs fll substantially as shewn in and described with
reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the drawings.

page_text: 5. In a machine of the kind referred to in Claim 1, mechanism for feeding the
straw stalks, consisting of rods h' which carry arins h, and are arranged concentrically
to a shaft and which are provided at their ends with tappets h² which slide on
segment-shaped projections h³ in such a manner that the straw stalks placed into the
hopper H are carried along until the arms h are automatically thrown out of gear,
whilst for the purpose of throwing the feeding movement entirely out of gear, the
chain-driving gear h' acts upon a friction coupling fixed on the shaft h substantially
as shewn in and described with reference to Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings.
6. In a machine of the kind referred to in Claim 1, a pressing beam
pressed by hydraulic or mechanical means against the straw during the formation of
the stitching substantially as shewn in and described with reference to Fig. 2 of the
drawings.
which is
7. In a machine of the kind referred to in Claim 1, for pressing down the pressing
beam I a pump driven from the main shaft C adapted to deliver the pressure fluid
in the cylinders above the pistons which are connected to the pressing beam,
and which is in communication with an accumulator I' the pressure fluid in which is
led below the pistons and serves to raise the pressing beam substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
8. In a machine of the kind referred to in Claim 1, the presser device for aiding
the action of the pressing piston, consisting of a carrier J Inovable in guides b and
having spring pressure arins ; which allow of the passage of the needles a ann which
through rods i is raised by shoulders j³ of the rods which carry the needle holder A¹
substantially as shewn in and described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9 of the
drawings.
9. In a machine of the kind referred to in Claim 1, mechanism for affecting the
advance of the straw mat through a distance equal to the length of a stitch,
comprising a carrier K provided with arms that are formed with points and which
project between the needles, the said arms k being moved down by eccentrics co
through the rods m, and are moved backwards by means of eccentrics c5 and
levers and forwards by means of springs 3, the length of the stitch being
capable of being varied by means of an arm 1 which is mounted on the lever shaft L
and bears against an adjustable stop 13 substantially as shewn in and described with
reference to Figs. 10, 11 and 12 of the drawings.
10. In a machine of the kind referred to in Claim 1, the arrangement of a lever n³
which serves to raise the carrier K, and the shaft n¹ of which has arms n2 which are
connected by means of radius rods n with the pins of the carrier, substantially as
described.
11. In a machine of the kind referred to in Claim 1, an adjusting device for the
presser and the carrier, consisting of the bevil wheels o² mounted on an
adjusting shaft o³ and which gear with bevil wheels o¹ which are formed as nuts and
are rotatably mounted in the carriers J and K, and through which pass the
screw-threaded spindles o of these carriers, substantially as described.
12. Machinery for making straw mats substantially as shewn in and described with
reference to the drawings.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.