IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Lawrence Bigelow, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES." A communication from abroad by
John Bigelow, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Sealed the 5th August 1879, and dated the 13th May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Lawrence Bigelow at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th May 1879.
WILLIAM LAWRENCE BIGELOW, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES." [A
communication from abroad by John Bigelow, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States of America.]
This Invention of improvements in sewing machines relates more particularly to
that class of sewing machines in which a zig-zag stitch is made, and it is designed
to especially adapt this class of machines for use in sewing and trimming knit
goods. Ordinarily such goods when sewed by hand or machine have the edges of
the seam trimmed by hand, but in some cases trimming devices have been applied
to the ordinary straight stitch sewing machine. In both styles of work however a
large amount of fabric has to be left on the outer edge of the seam, because, fron
the readiness with which knit fabrics unravel when the cloth is cut close to the
seam, the stitching will pull out, but by using the zig-zag stitch the fabric may be
cut very close to the sewing, as this stitch serves to bind the knitted threads
together, forming a kind of selvage, thus preventing the seam from opening even
when cut close to the sewing. When two pieces of knit goods are sewed together
by the zig-zag stitch, and then cut close to the sewing, the effect is to some extent
the same as when the seam is made over the edge of two pieces of salvage goods, as
the stitch binds the edges of the materials and the loose threads, if any, and the
short fibres left by the action of the trimmer will felt together, especially in fulling
or washing, producing an article much superior to any made with a straight line of
sewing, whether cut close to the edge or not. The ordinary trimmers, as usually

page_text: arranged on sewing machines, will not, for reasons hereinafter explained, make a
smooth cut when used on the vibrating plate zig-zag stitch sewing machine.
The Invention may be divided into four main features, as follows :-
First. The combination of a trimming device with a zig-zag sewing mechanism.
The Second. Improvement in the presser foot.
I am aware that heretofore the presser foot has been attached to the sliding plate,
from which it takes motion, receiving its pressure from the presser bar of the
machine. In such cases the presser foot does not take a flat bearing on the work,
but rides on one side of the foot or the other as the work is thick or thin.
By the arrangement of this Invention the reciprocating motion is obtained from
the sliding plate, but the foot and its accompaniments are attached to the presser
bar of the machine, by which alone its pressure on the work is adjusted; also it
does not matter whether the work is thick or thin, whether the foot is high or low,
its surface bearing is always parallel with the plate of the machine.
The third improvement consists in combining a cutting or edge trimming
.apparatus with the device used in the Blanchard overseaming and other similar
machines for imparting to the fabric being sewed a lateral motion at an angle to
the usual direction of the line of feed, the two being so connected together as to
cause the cloth and trimmer to move simultaneously, whereby an important advan-
tage is gained in trimming the edges, as without such combined movement the cut
made by the trimmer would be irregular, or jagged, because the alternate cut of the
trimming device would be made at different distances from the centre of the line of
sewing.
The fourth improvement consists in a device for uniting fabrics by sewing a line
of zig-zag stitching a short distance from the edge, then cutting off the surplus
material close to the stitching during the process of sewing, thus forming a seam
from cut fabrics analogous to one formed over the edges of selvaged goods.
The feed dog is made like an ordinary feed dog, except that the teeth are left
off, and the part on which the teeth are usually formed is made into a male dovetail,
which fits into a corresponding female dovetail cut into the under surface of a cap
provided with feeding teeth, the two dovetails being so fitted together as to allow
the cap to slide freely on and move independently of the feed dog at an angle to
the usual motion with the dog in the same direction as the dog moves.
The cap is so proportioned to the aperture in the vibrating plate as to allow of
the usual endwise to and fro motion of the ordinary feed; but the plate closely
embraces the side of the cap, so that any motion given to the slide is always trans-
ferred to the cap, by which means the slide and cap move simultaneously and
transversely to the usual line of the feed without effecting the feeding dog
beneath.
The improved presser foot acts on the work being sewed exactly like the presser
foot of a straight sewing machine, but it is quite different in its construction and
operation, so as to allow it to follow the lateral reciprocations of the vibrating plate
of an irregular stitch sewing machine, such as the Blanchard overseam machine.
The regular presser bar of the machine has fitted to its lower end a support for
the reciprocating bar. At one end of the bar is an angle piece, adapted to slide up
and down freely in the standard, which is securely attached to the sliding plate of
the machine. At the opposite end of the bar, and secured to the same by a set
screw, is the presser foot support, to which is attached the presser foot. The
standard conveys to the bar, which is prevented from rocking by an angle piece, the
laterally reciprocating motion of the plate of the machine. The bar, which slides
freely in the support, carries with it in its reciprocating movements the presser
foot support and presser foot; consequently, whatever may be the movements of
the bed or work plate of the machine, those of the presser foot are similar, and
since it only receives a lateral reciprocating movement from the standard, the
pressure which it exerts upon the work is adjusted in the usual way, and can be
made as heavy or light as may be desired.

page_text: The principle of the cutting of the trimmer is practically that of a pair of scissors
when two comparatively dull or blunt edges are made to cut by the manner in
which they are drawn across each other. The side pressure which in using scissors
the hand gives the blades is here produced by a spring, and the opening and shutting
scissor motion is caused in this instance by the positive action of a cam. By this
arrangement the cutting blades open and shut with each revolution of the main
shaft of the machine, but of course they can easily be arranged to work less often
if desired.
The actuating cam is attached securely to the driving shaft of the machine. A
yoke embraces the cam, but is made to receive from it only a vertically recipro-
cating motion, and is steadied in its movements by a rod projecting from its lower
side, and working in a support which is screwed to the back of the neck of the
machine. By means of a screw stud the motions of the yoke are conveyed to a
rocking lever.
The lever is pivotted near its centre to the side of the neck of the machine, and
the motion it receives at one end it delivers inversely at the other to a vertically
reciprocating rod at a point, which point should be made adjustable. The vertically
reciprocating rod is held to its proper position by screws passing through slots and.
into the side of the machine head, also by a pin passing through the bed plate of
the machine. The motion which the rod receives it conveys through a pin to the
upper trimmer blade. The blade as its receives its motion rocks on its pivot screw,
which pivot screw is set in the lower trimmer blade support.
The lower blade support is attached to the plate of the machine by screws passing
through slots, and has a set off to furnish a hold for the screw which secures the
lower trimmer blade.
A guide embraces the edge of the support plate, and since said guide is secured
firmly to the bed plate of the machine it receives all the strain on the plate of the
trimmer when in action, but does not check its lateral reciprocation should such be
desired.
A spring bears against the back end and inner side of the upper blade, and in a
yielding manner keeps its cutting edge pressed against the cutting edge of the
lower blade, acting in this respect similar to the hand of a person using a pair of
scissors.
The cutting edges of the blades are smooth, but slightly acute, and hollowing a
little toward each other, so that when the blades are opened the point and edge of
the upper blade projects over the lower blade, and as the blades close or are shut
together their cutting edges draw across each other in a manner similar to a pair of
scissors.
A guard and guide attached to the support plate is made removable and adjustable
for different thicknesses of work. Its projecting neck extends along and over
the edge of the lower blade, and beyond the side line of the needle, but suffi-
ciently high above the plate to allow the work being sewed to slide under it freely.
It serves the purpose of a guard to prevent the material to be trimmed from curling
over and interfering with the cutter, and as a guide for the clearance from the
machine of the clippings.
The closeness of the trimmer to the needle depends upon whether a long straight
seam is to be trimmed or an irregular one. It is advisable that it should trim or
cut as close up to the needle, or along the side of same, as is possible, first,
to allow irregular seams to be made; second, so that the feed shall not get free from
the work until the work has been completely trimmed. Of course the trimmer can
be set either close or at a distance from the seam or line of sewing, as may be
desired.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-Place the work under the presser
foot, as is customary with all machines, and stitch together the fabric placed over
each other at a small or great distance from their edges by either zig-zag or straight
sewing. As the material thus sewed is drawn away by the feed from the needle, its
;

page_text: edge to be trimmed passes between the two blades of the scissors or trimmer which,
by the action of the cam on the driving shaft and intermediate parts before described,
open and close with each stitch, and consequently cut or trim the length of the
goods equivalent to the length of the feed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Lawrence Bigelow in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th November 1879.
"
WILLIAM LAWRENCE BIGELOW, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES. (A
communication from abroad by John Bigelow, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United
States of America.)
This Invention has for its object improvements in seaming hosiery goods, and in
sewing machines suitable to be used for this purpose.
The improvements in sewing machines relate more particularly to that class of
sewing machines in which a zig zag stitch is made, and it is designed to especially
adapt this class of machines for use in sewing and trimming knit goods. Ordinarily
such goods when sewn by hand or machine have the edges of the seam trimmed by
hand, but in some cases trimming devices have been applied to the ordinary straight-
stitch sewing machine. In both styles of work however a large amount of fabric
has to be left on the outer edge of the seam, because from the readiness with which
knit fabrics unravel when the cloth is cut close to the seam the stitching will pull
out; but by using the zig zag stitch the fabric may be cut very close to the sewing,
as this stitch serves to bind the knitted threads together, forming a kind of selvage,
thus preventing the seam from opening even when cut close to the sewing. When
two pieces of knit goods are sewed together by the zig zag stitch and then cut close
to the sewing, the effect is to some extent the same as when the seam is made over
the edge of two pieces of selvage goods, as the stitch binds the edges of the materials
and the loose threads, if any, and the short fibres left by the action of the trimmer
will felt together, especially in fulling or washing, producing an article much
superior to any made with a straight line of sewing, whether cut close to the edge
The trimmers, as sometimes heretofore arranged on sewing machines, will
not, for reasons hereinafter explained, make a smooth cut when used on the vibrating
plate zig zag stitch sewing machine.
or not.
I have therefore combined with the zig zag sewing machine, to better fit it for
use on knit goods, an improved trimming device, so arranged that a smooth cut may
be made at any desired degree of contiguity to the line of stitching without danger
of destroying the seam, whereby the usefulness of the zig zag stitch sewing
machines is very much increased, which practically inaugurates a new departure in
the manufacture of hosiery, as the Invention permits the use of cut knit goods
without the bulky seams heretofore necessary in articles made therefrom, thus

page_text: "
making a cheap article of hosiery that will be as comfortable to the wearer as
regular "fashioned or selvage goods. In addition to this valuable point in the
Invention, its use will enable the manufacturer employing it to effect a considerable
saving in material, as much of the fabric now left on the finished articles will be
retained in the factory in the form of clippings, to be again used in making new cloth.
For convenience of description the Invention may be divided into five main
features, as follows:-
First. The improved seam for hosiery goods formed with a zig zag stitch and
trimmed close up to the sewing.
Second. The combination of a trimming device with a zig zag sewing
mechanism.
Third. An improvement in the presser foot.
I am aware that heretofore the presser foot has been attached to the sliding plate
from which it takes motion, receiving its pressure from the presser bar of the machine.
In such cases the presser foot does not take a flat bearing on the work but rides on
one side of the foot or the other as the work is thick or thin.
By the arrangement of this Invention the reciprocating motion is obtained from
the sliding plate, but the foot and its accompaniments are attached to the presser
bar of the machine, by which alone its pressure on the work is adjusted; also it
does not matter whether the work is thick or thin, whether the foot is high or low,
its surface bearing is always parallel with the plate of the machine.
Fourth. The combination of a cutting or edge trimming apparatus with the
device used in the Blanchard overseaming and other similar machines for imparting
to the fabric being sewed a lateral motion at an angle to the usual direction of the
line of feed, the two being so connected together as to cause the cloth and trimmer
to move simultaneously, whereby an important advantage is gained in trimming
the edges, as without such combined movement the cut made by the trimmer would
be irregular or jagged, because the alternate cut of the trimming device would be
made at different distances from the centre of the line of sewing.
Fifth. A device for uniting fabrics by sewing a line of zig zag stitching a short
distance from the edge, then cutting off the surplus material close to the stitching
during the process of sewing, thus forming a seam from cut fabrics analogous
to one formed over the edges of selvaged goods.
Having thus set forth the nature and objects of the improvements, I will now
proceed to describe them in detail :
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows the trimmer and presser foot attachments as applied to a sewing
machine; Figures 2 and 3 are front and end views of the presser foot attachment;
Figure 4 shows another method of applying the lifting device to the presser foot.
Figures 5 and 6 are side and top views of the improved feed dog; Figures 7 and 8,
side and top views of the feed dog slide; Figure 9 shows the rocking lever by
which the actuating motion is conveyed from the motive cam to the trimming
device; Figures 10 and 11, side and front views of an upright vertically recipro-
cating lever, which receives its motion from the rocking lever, Figure 9, and
conveys the same to the upper cutting blade of the trimmer proper; Figures 12
and 13, front and side views of the collar, which embraces the actuating trimmer-
cam and receives from it motion, which it conveys to one end of the rocking lever,
Figure 9; Figure 14 is the rest and guide for the collar, shown in Figures 12
and 13; Figure 15 shows the trimmer cam on the driving wheel; Figures 16
and 17 show top and end views of the support for the lower blade of the trimmer
on which the upper blade rocks; Figures 18, 19, and 20 show top, side and end
views of the trimmer guard and work guide; Figure 21, side view of upper
trimmer blade; Figure 22, side view of lower trimmer blade; Figures 23 and 24
show top and side views of the guide for the support plate shown in Figures 16
and 17; Figure 25 show work sewed with the zig zag, stitch and closely trimmed;
'

page_text: Figure 26 shows work sewed with straight stitch and trimmed; Figure 27 is a
detail view of the guide and trimmer.
Figure A is a side view of the machine drawn to the actual size; Figure B is an
end view; and Figure C is an underside view. .
The feed dog H, Figures 5 and 6, is made like an ordinary feed dog, except that
the teeth are left off, and the part on which the teeth are usually formed is made
into a male dovetail H', which fits into a corresponding female dovetail Jº cut into
the under surface of a cap J provided with feeding teeth J', the two dovetails
being so fitted together as to allow the cap to slide freely on and move
independently of the feed dog at an angle to the usual motion with the dog in the
same direction as the dog moves.
The cap J is so proportioned to the aperture in the vibrating plate as to allow
of the usual end wise to and fro motion of the ordinary feed; but the plate closely
embraces the side of the cap, so that any motion given to the slide is always
transferred to the cap, by which means the slide and cap move simultaneously and
transversely to the usual line of the feed without affecting the feeding dog
beneath.
The improved presser foot acts on the work being sewed exactly like the presser
foot of a straight sewing machine; but it is quite different in its construction and
operation so as to allow it to follow the lateral reciprocations of the vibrating plate
of an irregular stitch sewing machine, such as the Blauchard overseam machine.
The regular presser bar of the machine has fitted to its lower end the support B,
Figures 2, 3, and 4 for the reciprocating bar C. At one end of the bar is the
angle piece c¹ adapted to slide up and down freely in the standard D, which is
securely attached to the sliding plate of the machine. At the opposite end of the
bar C, and secured to the same by a set screw is the presser foot support E, to
which is attached at E¹ the presser foot F. The standard D conveys to bar C,
which is prevented from rocking by the angle piece c', the laterally reciprocating
motion of the plate of the machine. The bar C which slides freely in the support
B carries with it in its reciprocating movements the presser foot support E, and
presser foot F; consequently, whatever may be the movements of the bed or work
plate of the machine, those of the presser foot are similar, and since it only receives
a lateral reciprocating movement from the standard D the pressure which it exerts
upon the work is adjusted in the usual way, and can be made as heavy or light as
may be desired.
The principle of the cutting of the trimmer is practically that of a pair of
scissors when two comparatively dull or blunt edges are made to cut by the
manner in which they are drawn across each other. The side pressure, which in
using scissors, the hand gives the blades is bere produced by a spring N5, and the
opening and shutting scissor motion is caused in this instance by the positive
action of a cam K. By this arrangement the cutting apparatus opens and shuts
with each revolution of the main shaft of the machine; but of course it can easily
be arranged to work less often if desired.
The actuating cam K, Figure 15, is attached securely to the driving shaft of the
machine. The yoke L, Figures 12 and 1, embraces the cam K but is made to receive
from it only a vertically reciprocating motion and is steadied in its movements by
the rod L2 projecting from its lower side and working in the support V which is
screwed to the back of the neck of the machine. By means of the screw stud L',
Figures 12 and 13, the motions of yoke L are conveyed to the rocking lever M,
Figure 9, at M²:
The lever M is pivoted near its centre at M' to the side of the neck of the
"machine, and the motion it receives at M2 it delivers inversely at M³ to the
vertically reciprocating rod N, Figures 1, 10, and 11, at N', which point should be
made adjustable (see Figure 10). The vertically reciprocating rod N is held to its
proper position by screws passing through the slots N2 and into the side of the
machine head, also the pin N³ passing through the bed plate of the machine. The
motion which the rod N receives it conveys through the pin N to the upper

page_text: trimmer blade O, Figures 1 and 21, at 0%. The blade O as it receives its motion
rocks on its pivot screw at o', which pivot screw is set in the lower trimmer blade
support R at R³, Figure 16.
The lower blade support R is attached to the plate of the machine by screws
passing through the slots at R', R¹, Figure 16, and has a set off at R2 to furnish a
hold for the screw which secures the lower trimmer blade P, Figure 22, to it on its
end Rs, also for the guard and gauge W, Figures 18, 19, and 20, which is secured to
its upper side R². The guide S embraces the edge of the support plate R, and since
said guide S is secured firmly to the bed plate of the machine it receives all the
strain on the plate of the trimmer when in action, but does not check its lateral
reciprocation should such be desired.
The spring N5, Figures 10 and 11, bears against the back end and inner side of
the upper blade O, and in a yielding manner keeps its cutting edge 03 pressed
against the cutting edge P¹ of the lower blade P, acting in this respect similar to
the hand of a person using a pair of scissors. By this arrangement of the spring N³
the rod N serves as a guard to prevent the loose threads and ends of the fabric
being sewed from catching on the spring, and thus hindering the proper motion of
the material.
The cutting edges of the blades O, Figure 21, and P', Figure 22, are smooth, but
slightly acute and hollowing a little toward each other, so that when the blades are
opened the point and edge of the upper blade O projects over the lower blade P, and
as the blades close or are shut together their cutting edges draw across each other
in a manner similar to a pair of scissors.
The guard and guide W, Figures 18, 19, and 20, now shown attached to the
support plate R, is made removeable and adjustable for different thicknesses of work.
Its projecting neck extends along and over the edge of the lower blade P and
beyond the side line of the needle, but sufficiently high above the plate to allow the
work being sewed to slide under it freely. It serves the purpose of a guard W¹
to prevent the material to be trimmed from curling over and interfering with
the cutter, and as a guide W2 for the clearance from the machine of the
clippings.
The closeness of the trimmer to the needle depends upon whether a long straight
scam is to be trimmed or an irregular one. It is advisable that it should trim or
cut closely up to the needle or along the side of the same, first, to allow irregular
seams to be made'; second, so that the feed shall not get free from the work until
the work has been completely trimmed. Of course the trimmer can be set either
close or at a distance from the seam or line of sewing as may be desired.
1 is a driving pulley upon the main shaft 2, it has upon its end a disc carrying
the eccentric pin 3. The pin 3 enters into the cam groove 4 upon the needle slide,
and so when the main shaft rotates the requisite vertical movement is communicated
to the needle slide; 5 is the needle, it is clamped in the usual way to the needle
slide. The main shaft 2 drives the vertical shaft 6 by means of bevilled wheels,
and this shaft has at its lower end the toothed wheel 7, the cams 8 and 9, and the
arm 10. The arm 10 has a crank pin upon it actuating the sliding shuttle box 11
in which is contained the usual sewing machine shuttle 12. The canis 8 and 9 are
contained in a fraine formed for them at the end of the lever 13 and as the shaft 6
revolves they impart to the lever, the one a longitudinal and the other a
transverse movement. The lever 13 passes through the swivelling fork 14 carried
upon the slide 15. The slide 15 is moveable, and when it is desired to adjust the
Olength of the stitch it is set to a suitable position, and then fastened by means of a
binding screw so as to suit the stitch desired. The feed dog detached from the
machine is shown by the Figures D; the end of the lever 13 passes through the
notch on the under side of the feed dog so that it is compelled to partake of the
transverse motion of the end of the lever 13 which operates upon it. Thus the
5 'feed dog is made to slide in its transverse guide groove in the frame. The spring 15*,
seen in Figure C, aids the forward movement of the feed dog. 13* is a screw
passing through a slotted hole in the lever 13, and clamping to the upper surface of

page_text: the lever a wedge or incline, which, at suitable times, when the endwise motion of
the lever 13 takes place, raises the feed dog, and with it the feed teeth on the
cap J so as to cause them to engage with the work .to impart the forward move-
ment. As already explained the cap J with the feed teeth is free to slide a short
distance upon the end of the feed dog; the cap J is received into the opening 16 in
the work plate, which is shown separately by the Figures E. The work plate is
caused to slide to and fro in a longitudinal direction upon the main frame of the
machine for the purpose of giving the amount of zig zag required to the stitches,
and in this movement the work plate carries the cap J and feed teeth with it.
The work plate, Figures E, receives its movement in the following manner :-The
toothed wheel 7 drives the wheel 17, and in the face of the wheel there is a cam
course operating upon a bowl carried upon the bent lever 18, which thus receives a
rocking movement. 19 is a slide having a T head, in which there is a transverse
groove, and a stud 20 is able to traverse along the groove. This stud is moved in
the groove when it is desired to vary the amount of zig zag which is increased by
shifting it away from the fulcrum of the lever 18; 20* is a stem passing up
from the stud 20 through a slot in the lever 18, and receiving a nut by which the
stem is clamped to the lever; after that the position of the stud has been suitably
adjusted. The work plate is connected with the T headed slide 19 by a screw
at 21; 22 is a moveable piece let into the work plate, and in it there is a slotted
hole through which the needle sinks; 23, 23, are holes in the work plate receiving
screws by which the cutting device is attached to it. The cutting device without
the moveable jaw is shown separately by the Figures F. N³ is a spring stud
serving to keep the cutting edges of the clipping device in contact; it corresponds
to the spring N5 in the other Figures, of which it is a slight variation. Figure G
shows the cam K and the slide L which it operates. The needle thread is
marked 24, it passes from its reel through the fixed eye at 25, then between two
friction discs 26, next through the eye upon the lever 27, whence it descends to the
eye at 28 upon the needle slide, and so it passes to and through the eye of the
needle and to the fabrics which are being sewn together; these fabrics are seen
at 29. The lever 27 has a spring connected with it which sustains it in the
position in which it is shown. The lever 27 passes through the needle slide in a
slot, into which the adjusting screw 30 descends, and at each motion of this slide
the end of the screw depresses the lever. The outer one of the two friction
discs 26 is carried upon a blade spring, which the screw 31, to adjust the friction,
acts.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-Place the work under the presser
foot, as is customary with all machines, and stitch together the fabrics placed over
each other at a small or great distance from their edges. As the material thus
sewn is drawn away by the feed from the needle its edge to be trimmed passes
between the two blades of the scissors or trimmer, which, by the action of the cam
on the driving shaft and intermediate parts before described, open and close with
each stitch, and consequently cut or trim the length of the goods equivalent to the
length of the feed or stitch.
I am aware that it is not new to combine a trimming device with a sewing
machine, and that many different styles of trimmers have been invented; but I
have found the above described peculiar construction and arrangement to have
many advantages over any with which I am acquainted, and particularly so when
used with overseaming machines or on hosiery or knit goods, but it is evident so
far as that part of the Invention is concerned that it is immaterial how the zig zag
stitch be made, whether by or through the means of a vibrating cloth plate or
by a vibrating needle; in the latter case the shears might be made fixed and
stationary.
I am also aware that a machine has been made with a reciprocating feed dog,
having a feeding surface moving at right angles thereto, but both the feed dog and
feeding surface differ in construction and operation from the corresponding parts
used by me, and which I do not herein claim.

page_text: Having thus described the Invention, what I consider new and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is,―
First. The improved seam for hosiery goods formed with a zig zag stitch, and
trimmed close up to the sewing, substantially as described.
Second. The combination of a trimming device with a zig zag sewing machine,
substantially as described.
Third. The presser foot actuated by the presser bar of the machine, but receiving
lateral movement from the sliding plate, substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination of a trimming device with a zig zag sewing machine
in such manner that the said trimming device and the cloth or work have a lateral
motion imparted to them simultaneously, substantially as described.
Fifth. The trimming device constructed and actuated substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Lawrence Bigelow, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
117M
r
רזADDIC
DIANTON
TIZM
LAWRENCE BIGELOW.
(L.S.)