Improved Means for Driving Sewing and other Machines by Electricity.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 31st Jan., 1900-Accepted, 5th May, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Driving Sewing and other Machines by
Electricity.
We, THEODORE HAROLD JOSEPH and JAMES JACOB EHRENREICH, Engineers,
respectively residing at 32 E. 74th Street, and 48 E. 74th Street, in New York,
County and State of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of our invention is to provide simple but effective means for
enabling an operator to run a sewing machine by means of the electrical current,
but of course the invention is applicable to the operation of any machine but
it is especially desirable in connection with small machines.
Accordingly, the organization comprising our invention consists of the com-
bination with the machine to be driven by an electric motor, of a brake for the
motor, a rheostat or similar device for regulating the current of the motor, a
starting pedal connected up with the said pedal and said regulating device, a
second pedal adapted to hold the first pedal in any position within predetermined
limits, and to release said pedal, and thereby cutting off the current and applying
the brake. We provide further details, the more important being as follows,
while the others are brought out by reference to the accompanying drawings
here-in-after. There are a retractile spring for returning the handle of the
regulator to its original position, a crank provided with a finger which bears
upon the brake to apply it against the action of a second spring, a connecting
rod having a hook, engaging with said crank and adapted to actuate said crank
at one portion of its throw only, the said second spring serving to return the
brake from pressing upon the pulley of the motor. The stopping pedal has a
ratchet to hold the starting pedal in different positions.
The mechanisms are first described in their complete construction, while such
a description is followed by the preferred manner of mechanical construction
of the certain features.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1, shows a plan of the whole combination, the outer dotted lines re-
presenting the outline of the table for supporting the machine, such as a sewing
machine, and the inner dotted rectangle, representing the outline of the base
of the sewing machine itself. The view is the same as if the said table were
transparent, our apparatus being located under the table. In order to get the
whole within the limits of the sheet of drawing, the parts of the device are on
a rather small scale, but the details are mostly shown in other figures, by them-
selves, on a much larger scale. The phase of the mechanism in this figure is
that of the normal condition.
Figure 2, is a similar view as that in Figure 1, except that the same is a side
elevation, and that the phase is that in which the current is turned on full
and the brake is released, and that the handle is on the opposite side of the
thonstat c

page_text: Figure 3, is a similar view to that shown in Figures 2 and 1, except that
the same is an end elevation of the essential elements in so far as they do not
cause confusion, some of the rear parts being omitted. The phase, is, normal,
ready for starting.
Figure 4, is an enlarged view of the brake by itself, showing it pivoted to a
block.
Figure 5, is an enlarged view of the stopping pedal, showing also the spring.
The device is in section partly
Figure 6, is a different view of that which is shown in Figure 4.
Figure 7, is a half of one of the bearings of the stopping pedal, showing
especially the lug for holding one end of the spring
Figure 8, is a side view of part of the main of starting pedal, shown hinged
at one end to a support.
rigure 9, is a side view, and Figure 10, a section at a different angle of the
crank for applying the brake.
Figure 11, is the connecting rod for joining the handle of the rheostat to the
said crank for purposes hereinafter stated.
SH Ag
.9 17
Figure 12, is a plan of a modification of the parts relating particularly to the
brake.
Figure 13, is an elevation of a modified construction of the mechanism for
releasing the pedal.
a, is the motor, for driving the sewing machine, and b, is its pulley, grooved to
receive the usual driving cord or belt. ", is the rheostat for turning on and
regulating the current for propelling the motor a, and d, is its handle. When
the handle d, is turned to the left, the current is increased, and when turned to
the right, it is diminished. e, is a chain connected to the handle d, over the
pulley f, to the free end of the starting pedal g, the other end being hinged by
a hinge h, to the foundation ȧ. A spring, is connected to the handle to
resist the action of the pedal g, the other end of the spring being connected to
the post k. A ratchet 7, is so located that its teeth may catch the pedal gas
it is pushed downward, being pivoted upon the bearings m, so as to turn to and
from the pedal, the spring n, bearing against the ratchet to hold the latter
against the pedal. The ratchet carries at right angles to the same, a stopping
pedal o, which on being pressed overcomes the action of the spring and
releases the pedal g, from the said ratchet. One end of the spring n, bears, against
the back of the ratchet, as stated, and the other end bears againgst the lug p,
which is mounted upon the bearing m, the spring coiling around the shaft q,
of the ratchet /.
•
*
The braker, is also connected up with the handle d, of the rheostat, the said
braker, being pivoted by the pin s, to the block s¹, which is stationary. The
brake is carried upon a fork t, the tines, spreading to opposite sides of the
block s¹. Abnormally, the brake, is held away from the pulley b, by a
spring u, which is fixed at one end by staples 1. The spring., is also forked,
so that the respective tines may press upon the tines of the fork t, which
carries the brake r. Normally, the finger, on the rod el, bears against and
holds the brake r, against the pulley b, through the action of the crank,
which is connected to the handle d, of the rheostat, and to the spring j, by the
connecting rod w. The rod, is adapted to rotate on its own axis, in view of
the bearings, which are attached to the under side of the table y, which is
shown in Figures 2 and 3. The form of connection between the crank, and
the rod w; is a hook joint, the hook w¹, being on the end of the rod, and the
rod w, being adapted to slide along and over the crank, so that the latter will
be operated by one motion of the rod w, and not by the other or opposite
motion. In Figure 1, the hook is retaining the crank, and hence the brake is
in a fixed position, while in Figure 2, the hook is shown as removed to the left
by which means the crank y, has been allowed to turn to the left and the
finger v, has turned over through an angle and released the brake
2", from the

page_text: pulley b. To permit of adjustment, the rod w, is made in two parts which are
connected by a screw clamp w¹¹.
As the handle d, carries a current, the same is insulated from the rod w, and
from the spring j, and chain e, by means of insulation z.
We will now describe the modus operandi of our invention.
To start the machine or motor a, having the driving pulley b, the starting
pulley 9,
is pressed downward by the.operator's foot until, by the sound, or other-
wise, she knows that the machine is running at the desired speed. The
ratchet 1, catches and holds the pedal g, and hence the handie d, of the rheostat
at approximately the proper position to maintain this speed, and the operator's
foot may be removed, so as to be ready to stop the operation by pressing upon
the other pedal o. The pressure of the pedal g, pulls upon the chain e, which
pulls upon the handle d, and the spring ), is extended as seen in Figure 2, and
thereby put under tension..
The movement of the handle d, to the left by the said action of the pedal y,
throws the hook w; to the left to free the crank 1, and consequently the
spring, presses the brake r, upward which turns the finger t, upward and
turns the crank vll, downward ready to be again acted upon by the hook near
its finish when the handle d, turns back to its. normal position, which happens
by pressing with the foot upon the stopping pedal o.. This last action releases
the pedal y, from the ratchet 1, and, the spring j, pulls the pedal upward, and
These operations
pulls the handle d, and rod for the purpose already stated.
may be repeated indefinitely.
In Figure 12, the rod v, and the brake r, are mounted upon one and the
same frame A, instead of being held by separate supports x, and s¹, which in
other figures are secured to the table y, thereby involving considerable time in
equipping the machine. However, as before, the arm t, for holding the brake r,
is pivoted at one end, the pivot or spindle s, being. in this case carried by the
frame A. The spring u, for normally holding the brake away from the pulley b,
is a helical spring B, connecting the arm t, to the frame A, at the point .C.
The frame A, has two lugs D and E, which form bearings for the crank F,,which
in this case is a ring through which passes the hook w¹. In order to mount, the rod v
the lug E, is removeable, being fastened to the frame A, by a screw G., and auto-
matically adjusted in line by a lug H. By means of screws, inserted through
the holes I, in the frame A, the whole frame A, with its full equipment may
'quickly be secured on the under side of the table y.
Referring particularly to Figure 13, the releasing pedal o, is modified by
having a stop J, to strike against the frame A, when the spring may force the
ratchet, too far. L, is another stop to prevent the starting pedal from being
pushed down too far by the foot, the starting pedal being mounted by a spindle
in lugs M, mounted upon the same frame N, with the starting pedal o, whose
An important modification
spindle P, is mounted in. lugs 0, on said frame N.
is the construction of the spring n, which passes under the table, o, and extends
on both sides of said pedal and around the spindle P, on both sides of
said pedal, the two ends of the spring terminating on the lugs, formed upon
the frame N. Only one half of the spring is shown the other half being
similarly arranged directly upon the opposite side from that which is seen in
Figure 13.

page_text: Improved Means for Driving Sewing and other Machines by
Electricity.
We, THEODORE HAROLD JOSEPH and JAMES JACOB EHRENREICH, respectively
residing at 32, E. 74th Street, and 48, E. 74th Street, in New York, County and
State of New York, United States of America, Engineers, 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 our invention is to provide simple but effective means for
enabling an operator to run a sewing machine by means of the electrical current,
but of course the invention is applicable to the operation of any machine but
it is especially desirable in connection with small machines.
Accordingly, the organization comprising our invention ccnsists of the, com-
bination with the machine to be driven by an electric motor, of a brake for the
motor, a rheostat or similar device for regulating the current of the motor, an
operating pedal connected up with the said brake and said regulating device,
a second pedal adapted to hold the first pedal in any position within predeter-
mined limits, and to release said pedal, and thereby cutting off the current and
applying the brake. We provide further details, the more important being as
follows, while the others are brought out by reference to the drawings accom-
panying the Provisional Specification. There are a retractile spring for return-
ing the handle of the regulator to its original position, a crank provided with a
finger which bears upon the brake to apply it against the action of a second
spring, a connecting rod having a hook, engaging with said crank and adapted
to actuate said crank at one portion of its throw only, the second spring serving
to return the brake from pressing upon the pulley of the motor. The stopping
pedal has a ratchet to hold the starting pedal in different positions.
The mechanisms are first described in their complete construction, while such
a description is followed by the preferred manner of mechanical construction of
certain features.
Referring to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification:-
Figure 1, shows a plan of the whole combination, the outer dotted lines re-
presenting the outline of the table for supporting the machine, such as a sewing
machine, and the upper dotted rectangle representing the outline of the base
of the sewing machine itself. The view is the same as if the said table were
transparent, our apparatus being located under the table. In order to get the
whole within the limits of the sheet of drawing, the parts of the device are on
a rather small scale, but the details are mostly shown in other figures, by them-
selves, on a much larger scale. The phase of the mechanism in this figure is
that of the normal condition.
Figure 2, is a similar view as that in Figure 1, except that the same is a side
elevation, and that the phase is that in which the current is turned on full
and the brake is released, and that the handle is on the opposite side of the
rheostat c.
Figure 3, is a similar view to that shown in Figure 1 and 2, except that
the same is an end elevation of the essential elements in so far as they do not
cause confusion, some of the rear parts being omitted. The phase is normal,
ready for starting.
Figure 4, is an enlarged view of the brake by itself, showing it pivoted to a
block

page_text: The device is in section, partly.
Figure 6, is a different view of that which is shown in Figure 4.
Figure 7, is a half of one of the bearings of the stopping pedal, showing
especially the lug for holding one end of the spring.
Figure 8, is a side view of part of the main or starting pedal, shown hinged
at one end to a support.
Figure 9, is a side view, and Figure 10, a section at a different angle of the
crank for applying the brake.
Figure 11, is the connecting rod for joining the handle of the rheostat to the
said crank for purposes hereinafter stated.
Figure 12, is a plan of a modification of the parts relating particularly to the
brake.
Figure 13, is an elevation of a modified construction of the mechanism for
releasing the pedal.
a, is the motor for driving the sewing machine, and b, is its pulley, grooved to
receive the usual driving cord or belt. c, is the rheostat for turning on and
regulating the current for propelling the motor a, and d, is its handle. When
the handle d, is turned to the left, the current is increased, and when turned to
the right, it is diminished. e, is a chain connected to the handle d, over the
pulley f, to the free end of the starting pedal g, the other end being hinged by
a hinge h, to the foundation i. A spring j, is connected to the handle. to
resist the action of the pedal g, the other end of the spring being connected to
the post . A ratchet 1, is so located that its teeth may catch the pedal g, as
it is pushed downward, being pivoted upon the bearings m, so as to turn to and
from the pedal g, the spring n, bearing against the ratchet to hold the latter
against the pedal. The ratchet carries at right angles to the same, a stopping
pedalo, which on being pressed, overcomes the action of the spring and
releases the pedal g, from the said ratchet. One end of the spring n, bears against
the back of the ratchet, as stated, and the other end bears againgst the lug p,
which is mounted upon the bearing m, the spring coiling around the shaft q,
of the ratchet 1.
The braker, is also connected up with the handle d, of the rheostat, the said
braker, being pivoted by the pins, to the block s¹, which is stationary. The
brake is carried upon a fork t, the tines t, spreading to opposite sides of the
blocks. Abnormally, the brake, is held away from the pulley b, by a
spring u, which is fixed at one end by staples . The spring u, is also forked,
so that the respective tines may press upon the tines of the fork t, which
carries the brake r. Normally, the finger v, on the rod ¹, bears against and
holds the brake r, against the pulley b, through the action of the crank vll,
which is connected to the handle d, of the rheostat, and to the spring j, by the
connecting rod w. The rod, is adapted to rotate on its own axis, in view of
the bearings x, which are attached to the under side of the table which is
shown in Figures 2 and 3. The form of connection between the crank 1, and
the rod w, is a hook joint, the hook w¹, being on the end of the rod w, and the
rod w, being adapted to slide along and over the crank, so that the latter will
be operated by one motion of the rod w, and not by the other or opposite
motion. In Figure 1, the hook is retaining the crank, and hence the brake is
in a fixed position, while in Figure 2, the hook is shown as removed to the left
by which means the crank ¹¹, has been allowed to turn to the left, and the
finger v, has turned over through an angle and released the brake r, from the
pulley b. To permit of adjustment, the rod w, is made in two parts which are
connected by a screw clamp wll.
Y,
As the handle d, carries a current, the same is insulated from the rod w, and
5 from the spring j, and the chain e, by means of insulation z.
We will now describe the modus operandi of our invention.

page_text: To start the machine or motor a, having the driving pulley b, the starting
pedal g, is pressed downward by the operator's.foot. until, by the sound or other
wise, she knows that the machine is running at the desired speed.
The
ratchet 1, catches and holds the pedal g, and hence the handle d, of the rheostat
at approximately the proper position to maintain this speed, and the operator's
foot may be removed, so as to be ready to stop the operation by pressing upon
the other pedal o. The pressure of the pedal g, pulls upon the chain e, which
pulls upon the handle d, and the spring j, is extended as seen in Figure 2, and
thereby put under tension.
'
"
The movement of the handle d, to the left by the said action of the pedal g,
throws the hook w¹, to the left to free the crank, and consequently the
spring u, presses the brake r; upward. which turns the finger t, upward and
turns the crank v", downward, ready to be again acted upon by the hook near
its finish, when the handle d, turns back to its normal position, which happens
by pressing with the foot upon the stopping pedal o. This last action releases
the pedal g, from the ratchet 1, and the spring, pulls the pedal upward, and
pulls the handle d, and rod, for the purpose already stated. These operations
may be repeated indefinitely. ·
in Figure 12, the rod e, and the brake r, are mounted upon one and the
same frame A, instead of being held by separate supports and s', which in
other figures are secured to the table y, thereby involving considerable time in
equipping the machine. However, as before, the arm t, for holding the brake r,
is pivoted at one end, the pivot or spindle s, being in this case, carried by the
frame A. The spring u, for normally holding the brake away from the pulley b,
is a helical spring .B, connecting the arm t, to the frame A, at the point C.
The frame A, has two lugs D and E, which form bearings for the crank F', which
in this case is a ring through which passes the hook w. In order to mount the rod v
the lug E, is removable, being fastened to the frame A, by a screw G, and auto-
matically adjusted in line by a lug H. By means of screws inserted through
the holes I, in the frame A, the whole frame A, with its full equipment may
quickly be secured on the inner side of the table y.
Referring particularly to Figure 13, the releasing pedal o, is modified by
having a stop J, to strike against the frame A, when the spring may force the
ratchet, too far. L, is another stop to prevent the starting pedal from being
pushed down too far by the foot, the starting pedal being mounted by a spindle
in. lugs M, mounted upon the same frame N, with the stopping pedal o, whose
spindle P, is mounted in lugs O, on said frame N. An important modification
is the construction of the spring, which passes under the table y, and
extends on both sides of said pedal, and around the spindle P, on both sides of
said pedal, the two ends of the spring terminating on the lugs q, formed upon
the frame N. Only one half of the spring is shown, the other half being
.similarly arranged directly upon the opposite side from that which is seen in
Figure 13.
"
.'
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
:
看
1. The combination with a machine to be driven by a motor, of a brake for
the motor, a rheostat for regulating the current of the motor, a starting pedal
connected up with both the said brake and said rheostat, a retractile spring for
returning the, pedal, rheostat and brake to their normal phases, and means for
causing the brake to be held permanently out of action said means. consisting
of a rod adjustable in length forming a connecting rod between the said brake
and the said rheostat.,
.11
2. The combination with a machine to be driven by a motor, of a brake, a
rheostat for respectively stopping and operating the motor in the usual manner,

page_text: a pedal for operating the rheostat against the action of a retractile spring, and
means for applying and releasing the said brake actuated by the rheostat
mechanically, said means consisting of a crank for applying the brake against
the action of a retractile spring, and a rod adjustable in length, connecting said
rheostat to said crank.
3. The combination with a machine to be driven by a motor, of a pedal con-
nected up with the brake and mechanically with the rheostat, for respectively
releasing the brake, and operating the rheostat, and a second pedal adapted to
hold the first pedal in any position within predetermined limits, and to release
said pedal, as and for the purpose stated, and means for returning the rheostat,
brake and first pedal to the original positions upon release of the first pedal, the
pedals being hinged respectively to different stationary supports.
4. The combination with a machine to be driven by a motor, a rheostat for
regulating the current of this motor, a brake for stopping the pulley of the motor,
a starting pedal, a chain connecting the pedal to the handle of the rheostat, a
spring j, acting as a retractile spring to return the said handle to its original
position, a crank provided with a finger which bears upon the brake to apply it
against the action of a spring u, a connecting rod, having a hook, engaging with
the said crank, and adapted to actuate said crank at one portion of its throw
only, the second spring u, being for returning the brake from pressing upon the
said pulley, and a second or stopping pedal, having a ratchet to held the starting
pedal in different positions, and adapted to release the said starting pedal, and
means for adjusting the length of said rod.
5. The combination with a motor for driving a machine, of a rheostat for
regulating the current for the motor, a brake for stopping the pulley of the
motor, a pedal, a chain connecting the pedal to the handle of the rheostat, a
spring j, acting as a retractile spring to return the said handle and the said
pedal to their original positions, a crank provided with a finger which bears
upon the brake, to apply it against the action of a given spring u, a connecting
10d having a hook, which engages with said crank, and adapted to actuate said
crank at one portion of its throw only, the second spring u, being for returning
the brake from pressing upon said pulley.
6. The combination with the table of a machine, of a rheostat secured on the
under side thereof, and having a handle, a retractile spring having one end
secured to said handle and the other to a post k, projecting downward from the
said table, a rod extending from the said handle parallel to the under surface of
the table, a second rod vl, having a crank at one end, and a finger at the other,
and lying parallel to the said 'surface and at an angle to the first rod which is
provided with a hook which engages with the said crank, a motor secured under
the table, with its driving pulley located beneath the said finger, a brake for
said pulley, a spring, normally tending to hold the brake away from the
said pulley, said brake being normally held against the pulley against the action
of the spring u. and cleats for holding the rod ¹, to the under side of the table.
7. The combination with a machine to be driven by a motor, of a rheostat for
5 regulating the current of the motor, a starting pedal connected up with the
said rheostat and hinged to a given stationary support, and a second pedal acting
as a locking lever for the first pedal and also hinged to a stationary support,
and springs for returning the elements to their normal positions.
8. The combination with a machine to be driven by a motor, of a rheostat for
O regulating the current of the motor, a starting pedal connected up with the
said rheostat, and hinged to a given stationary support, a second pedal acting as
a locking lever for the first pedal and also hinged to said support, and a spring
coiled around the spindle of said second pedal passing under said pedal and ter-
minating against lugs which are formed upon said support.
9. The combination with a machine to be driven by a motor, of a frame attach-
able to the table of said motor, a brake hinged thereto and having a spring con-

page_text: nected to said frame for holding the brake away from the pulley of said motor,
lugs forming bearings and extending from said frame, and a rocking shaft v,
mounted in said bearings and having a crank adapted to be connected up with
mechanism for applying and releasing said brake.
Dated this Nineteenth day of January 1900.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.