IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Caleb Phillips, of the City of Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, and Edward Marshall, of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
Sealed the 2nd March 1880, and dated the 12th December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Caleb Phillips and
Edward Marshall at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th
December 1879.
EDWARD CALEB PHILLIPS, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer, and EDWARD MARSHALL, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Mechanical Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
Our improvements consist, first, of the improvements in and additions to sewing
machines of the kind commonly called Willcox and Gibbs machines, whereby the
said machines are made to sew with a locked elastic stitch.
To an ordinary Willcox and Gibbs sewing machine we add a horizontal rocking
lever below the level of the cloth plate of the machine. We connect the short arm
of this lever to the short arm of the needle arm of the machine by means of an
adjustable link or connecting rod, the said horizontal rocking lever having a motion
similar or nearly similar to that of the needle arm. The long arm of the rocking
lever engages with a helix or spiral on a vertical spindle carrying a circular needle,
and by the reciprocating motion of the said rocking lever the requisite motion is
given to the circular needle to produce a lock stitch of the kind commonly known
as the Grover-and Baker elastic lock stitch. A bracket or frame is attached to the
front of the machine to carry the spindle of the circular needle.
As in producing the said lock stitch a longer stroke of the ordinary straight
needle is required than when the lock stitch mechanism is not employed we use on
the axis of the driving wheel an eccentric of longer throw than that ordinarily
employed.
The cloth plate is divided so that when it is necessary to gain access to the circular
needle part of the cloth plate can be removed.

page_text: Our improvements consist, secondly, of the following arrangement or combination
of parts for winding cotton, silk, or other thread upon spools or bobbins used in
sewing machines:-
On the axis of the driving wheel we place a toothed wheel of smaller diameter
than the driving wheel, the said toothed wheel turning loosely upon the said axis,
and being furnished with a handle for turning it. On the base of the machine is a
spring horizontal bolt, which bears against the inner face of the driving wheel, and
which snaps into a hole in the driving wheel when the said hole is brought opposite
to it, and thereby locks the driving wheel. By means of a thumb plate carrying
an incline the bolt can be turned on its axis, when the said incline acting on a
fixed incline on the frame of the machine withdraws the spring bolt out of
action.
The axis of the spool carrier terminates in a pinion, which when the spool is
placed in the said carrier is made to gear with the toothed wheel described, and by
turning the said toothed wheel the winding of the thread upon the spool may be
effected. The position of the locking bolt is such that its thumb plate must be
depressed to permit of the introduction of the spool into the spool carrier, and when
the thumb plate is in its depressed position the locking bolt is thrown into action
and locks the driving wheel. When the spool has been filled and removed the
raising of the thumb plate of the locking bolt throws the said bolt out of action, so
that the sewing machine may be worked, and at the same time shields the spool
carrier from injury. This part of our Invention may be applied to sewing machines
of various kinds.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Caleb Phillips and Edward Marshall in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 1st June 1880.
EDWARD CALEB PHILLIPS, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer, and EDWARD MARSHALL, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Mechanical Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
"
Our improvements consists, first, of the improvements in and additions to sewing
machines of the kind commonly called Willcox and Gibbs machines, whereby the
said machines are made to sew with a locked elastic stitch.
To an ordinary Willcox and Gibbs or other like sewing machine we add a
horizontal lever below the level of the cloth plate of the machine. We connect the
short arm of this lever to the short arm of the needle arm of the machine by means
of a link or connecting rod, the said horizontal rocking lever having a motion
similar or nearly similar to that of the needle arm. The long arm of the rocking
lever engages with a helix or spiral on a vertical spindle carrying a circular needle,
and by the reciprocating motion of the said rocking lever the requisite motion is
given to the circular needle to produce a lock stitch of the kind commonly known
as the Grover and Baker elastic lock stitch. A bracket or frame is attached to the
front of the machine to carry the spindle of the circular needle.
As in producing the said lock stitch a longer stroke of the ordinary straight
needle is required than when the lock stitch mechanism is not employed, we use on
the axis of the driving wheel an eccentric of longer throw than that ordinarily
employed.
The cloth plate is divided, so that when it is necessary to gain access to the
circular needle part of the cloth plate can be removed.
Our improvements consist, secondly, of the following arrangement or combination
of parts for winding cotton, silk, or other thread upon shuttle spools or bobbins
used in sewing machines:-
On the axis of the driving wheel wo place a toothed wheel of smaller diameter
than the driving wheel, the said toothed wheel turning loosely upon the said axis,
and being furnished with a handle for turning it. On the base of the machine is a
spring horizontal bolt, which bears against the inner face of the driving wheel, and
which snaps into a hole in the driving wheel when the said hole is brought opposite
to it, and thereby locks the driving wheel and through it the other working parts
of the sewing machine.
By means of a thumb plate carrying an incline the bolt can be turned on its
axis, when the said incline acting on a fixed incline or part on the frame of the
machine withdraws the spring bolt out of action. The axis of the spool carrier
terminates in a pinion, which when the spool is placed in the said carrier is made
to gear with the toothed wheel, and by turning the said toothed wheel the winding
of the thread upon the spool may be effected. The position of the locking bolt is
such that its thumb plate must be depressed to permit of the introduction of the
spool into the spool carrier, and when the thumb plate is in its depressed position
the locking bolt is thrown into action and locks the driving wheel and the other
working parts of the sewing machine.
When the spool has been filled and removed the raising of the thumb plate of
the locking bolt throws the said bolt out of action, so that the sewing machine
may be worked, and at the same time shields the spool carrier from injury.
This part of our Invention may be applied to sewing machines of various
kinds.
We will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings
the manner in which our Invention is to be performed.

page_text: Figure 1 represents in side elevation, partly in vertical iongitudinal section, a
Willcox and Gibbs or other like sewing machine, to which the first part of our
Invention is applied, and Figure 2 is a plan of a part of the machine; Figure 3
represents a plan of the cloth plate of the machine; and Figure 3ª a modified lever
for working the straight and circular needles.
a is the driving pulley on the driving shaft of the machine; b is the arm or lever
for working the needle bar c and straight needle d of the machine in the ordinary
way through the eccentric clip and rod at e, but the said eccentric is of longer
throw than that ordinarily used for the purpose of giving a longer stroke to the
straight needle d, and the framing of the machine is cut away at the head for
obtaining the necessary room for the action of the needle bar c. Below the level
of the cloth plate of the machine is the horizontal rocking lever f for driving or
working the circular needle of the machine for producing the elastic lock stitch,
known as the Grover and Baker lock stitch. The said lever ƒ has motion in a
vertical plane on the centre f³, and is worked from the ordinary needle arm b by
the link or connecting rod g, the said rocking leverf having a motion nearly
similar to that of the said needle arm b. The driving end of the long arm of the
rocking lever fis provided with a slot f³, which slot works closely upon and drives
the helix or spiral h on the vertical spindle i, carrying at its top the circular needle
k. The spindle i turns at bottom in the bearing on the base of the machine, and
at top in a bearing carried by the bracket m. The slot f³ in the end of the
rocking leverf engages with the helix or spiral h in the manner best seen in the
separate view, Figure 2, that is, the slot f³ engages with the helix in its shorter
direction, the length of the slot permitting of the rising and falling motion of the
lever f.
By the motion of the horizontal rocking lever fa reciprocating rotary motion
through nearly a circle is given to the spindle i and to the circular needle k on its
top. The thread from the reel n passes between the spring gripping plates p on
its way to the circular needle k, the said gripping plates maintaining the required
tension on the thread.
As the needle arm b working the straight needle & descends the long arm of the
rocking lever falso descends, and gives a partial backward rotation to the spindle ¿
and circular needle /c by its action on the spiral h, and by the time the ordinary
straight needle & has reached the end of its descending stroke the back motion
given to the said circular needle brings it into the position represented in Figure 2,
and as the needle bar c and straight neodle & rise after the formation of a stitch a
forward rotatory motion is given to the spindle i and circular needle k, and the
said circular needle passes through the loop made by the straight needle and
thereby produces an elastic lock stitch of the kind known as the Grover and Baker
elastic lock stitch.
The cloth plate of the machine is divided into two (or more) parts marked q, r,
for facilitating the threading of the circular needle k and for convenience in gaining
access to the circular needle for adjusting the same. The part q of the divided
cloth plate is fixed to the frame of the machine, and the other part is either
made capable of removal from the machine or is hinged or centred to the machine
at 8, so that it may be turned aside horizontally on the said centre at 8, ás indicated
in dotted lines in Figure 3, when it is wished to obtain access to the circular needle
k. For fastening the moveable part of the cloth plate when closed against the
fixed part q a spring with a curved nose at t is fixed at the end of the part 7, the
said spring, when the two parts 7, 8, are brought together, bearing on the under-
side of the fixed part 9 of the cloth plate. When the moveable has been
completely closed upon the fixed part q a hole in the said part snaps upon a
stud u on the fixed part r; the two parts of the cloth plate are thereby held
securely together. Other means however may be used for fastening the two parts
of the divided cloth plate together, and although generally we make the cloth plate
in two parts it may be made in more than two parts,

page_text: Instead of working the spiral driver h, i, by an independent rocking lever con-
nected by a link or connecting rod to the ordinary needle arm of the machine a
single lever may be used both for working the ordinary straight needle, and the
circular needle.
Figure 3 represents in side elevation and plan a lever of the kind described
detached from the machine drawn to a smaller scale. The said lever is marked
w, x, and turns on the centre y, and is worked by the eccentric and eccentric rod
as in the machine Figure 1. The upper arm w is connected to the ordinary needle
bar, and the lower arm a is slotted at its end and works the reciprocating rotary
spindle h, i, carrying the circular needle in the same way as the rocking lever f,
represented in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 3B represents in side elevation (partly in section) with the side plate
removed another sewing machine containing a modified arrangement for working
the two needles, and Figure 3 Crepresents a portion of the same.
In this machine the two needle levers and other parts are enclosed in a case, and
the connecting rod g, Figure 1, is dispensed with, so as to simplify the working
parts of the machine; b is the lever for working the ordinary straight needle, and
is the lever for working the circular needle. The two levers b and fare actuated
from the driving shaft a through the rising and falling cam rod e, e², a cam a³
(see Figure 3 C) on the driving shaft working in the loop es on the said rod. The
upper part e of the cam rod is connected to the short arm of the ordinary needle
lever b, and the lower part es of the said rod is connected to the short arm of the
lever for working the circular needle.
The reciprocating rotary spindle and its circular needle, and the ordinary straight
needle are not represented in the machine Figure 3B, but they are the same in
construction as the corresponding parts in Figure 1, and are actuated in a like
manner.
Or the single lever represented in side elevation and plan, in Figure 3 D, may
be used in place of the two levers b, f, represented in Figure 3 B. The said lever
h, i, Figure 3 D, turns on the centre at k, the upper arm h working the ordinary
straight needle, and the lower arm i the circular needle. The lever h, i, is furnished
with a fork l, which is connected to the cam rod m represented in Figure 3 E, to
which rod a rising and falling motion is given by a cam on the driving shaft of the
machine (similar to the cam a³, Figure 3 C) working in the loop n. The upper
and lower ends of the cam rod m work in guides in the case of the machine. The
lever h, i, is connected to the sliding rod m by engaging the flat part m² of the
said rod between the fork L, and securing the said fork between the fixed collar m³
and the adjustable collar m³, the latter being fixed in its place by the screw nut m³
screwed on the screwed part of the cam rod.
Figures 4 and 5 represent longitudinal vertical sections of a sewing machine
provided with our improvements for winding cotton, silk, or other thread upon
shuttle spools or bobbins used in sewing machines, and Figure 6 represents an end
elevation of the same; Figure 7 represents in horizontal section the locking bolt
together with its case and thumb plate. In Figure 4 the driving wheel is
represented locked and the spool carrier in position for work, and in Figure 5 the
driving wheel is represented unlocked, and the spool carrier thrown out of gear
with its driving toothed wheel.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7.
a is the ordinary driving wheel on the axis b, an inside toothed wheel con
the said axis transmitting the motion to the working parts of the machine in
the ordinary way; a³ is the handle of the driving wheel a. On the said axis b is
a toothed wheel c of smaller diameter than the driving wheel a, the said toothed
wheel e turning loosely on the said axis, and being worked by the handle e; fis
the shuttle spool, and h is the spool carrier by which it is rotated; one end of the
said spool carrier h has the form of a hollow cone, into which one end or flange of
the spool passes, the pivot on the other end of the said spool turning in the

page_text: When
bearing i. A coiled spring acting against the conical end of the spool carrier h
presses it outwards when at liberty to move, and causes the said spool carrier to
bear forcibly against the flange of the spool f, so that the said spool carrier and
spool rotate together. On the other end of the said spool carrier h is a pinion k,
which can be made to gear with the toothed wheel e, as represented in Figure 4,
or ungeared from the said toothed wheel e, as represented in Figure 5.
geared with the wheel e the motion of the said wheel c may be transmitted to the
spool carrier and spool for winding the silk or other thread upon the spool; is a
spring horizontal bolt for locking the driving wheel a when the winding mechanism
is in use. The said bolt Z works in a case on the upright m of the machine, and
the said bolt is pressed outwards, or into its locking position by the coiled spring
represented. When the bolt is at liberty to move it snaps into a hole at p in the
driving wheel a, when the said hole p is brought opposite it, as represented in
Figure 4. The driving wheel a is thereby locked and through it the working parts
of the sewing machine.
On the end of the bolt is a thumb platen having a cam or incline at q, for with-
drawing the bolt when the said thumb plate is raised into the position represented
in Figure 5. The withdrawing of the bolt is effected by the cam or incline q on
the thumb platen bearing against the straight face of the upright m, as will be
understood by comparing the positions of the thumb plate in Figures 5 and 7. In
Figure 7 the thumb plate is represented in its depressed position and the bolt shot,
and in Figure 5 in its withdrawn position and its spring compressed. When the
thumb plate n is in its raised position Figure 5, it shiolds or protects the spool
carrier h.
When it is wished to use the machine for winding thread on the shuttle spool,
the thumb plate n is turned down into the position represented in Figures 4 and 7,
the bolt is thereby permitted to take its locking position and lock the driving
wheel a, and through the said wheel the working parts of the sewing machine and
the spool carrier is uncovered. The spool is next placed in the spool carrier / by
pressing the latter inwards, so as to compress its coiled spring. The pressing back
of the spool carrier causes its pinion to gear with the toothed wheel e, as repre-
sented in Figure 4, and by now turning the said toothed wheel e by its handle c²,
the winding of the thread upon the spool may be effected.
Figure 8 represents a side elevation of a portion of a sewing machine containing
a modification of the winding mechanism last described. The winding mechanism
represented in Figure 8 is especially fitted for use with sewing machines to be driven
by a treadle or by steam, or by other power other than manual. In this arrange-
ment the spool carrier h and locking bolt & work in cases h³, 1, respectively made
on the outside of the upright m of the machine, and the bearing i for the spool is
carried by the said cases h³, 1, instead of by the base plate of the machine. The
cam or incline q for taking the bolt out of its locking position when the thumb
plate n is raised is made on the case ² containing the bolt l, a short arm n³ on the
said thumb plate n bearing against the cain or incline q as represented. The action
of the parts of this arrangement is the same as corresponding parts of the arrange-
ment represented in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves
to the precise details herein described and illustrated, as the same may be varied
without departing from the nature of our Invention,
But we claim as our said Invention of "Improvements in Sewing Machines,"-
First. The adaptation to or combination with sewing machines of the kind
called Willcox and Gibbs, or similar sewing machines having straight threaded
needles of a circular needle for producing an elastic lock stitch in the sewing effected
by the said machines, the said circular needle being driven by a spiral or helix and
lever, substantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 3^,
3º, 3º, 3º, and 3%, of the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Secondly. Dividing the cloth plate of sewing machines of the kind referred to
in the previous claim into two or more parts, one or more of the said parts being
removeable or separable from the fixed part for gaining access to the circular needle
of the machine, as described and illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Thirdly. The arrangements or combinations of parts herein before described and
illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the accompanying Drawings for winding
cotton, silk, or other thread upon shuttle spools or bobbins used in sewing machines,
that is to say, the combination of the spool carrier h and its pinion k with the
toothed wheel e, e², turning loosely upon the axis of the driving wheel of the sewing
machine, substantially as described and illustrated.
Fourthly. The combination with the winding parts or mechanism claimed in the
previous claim of the spring bolt and parts connected with it for locking the
driving wheel and through it the other working parts of the sowing machine when
the winding mechanism is in use.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Marshall, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.
EDWARD MARSHALL. (L.S.)