Improvements in Sewing Machine Rufflers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1899
[Communicated from abroad by THE SINGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, of New
York, United States of America, Sewing Machine Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Sewing Machine Rufflers.
I, Joux KING MACDONALD, Manager of The Singer Manufacturing Company,
Kilbowie, Dumbartonshire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to that class of sewing machine rufflers in which the
ruling or crimping blades are operated from the needle-bars of the sewing
machines, and the object of the invention is to provide a ruller, of the class
referred to, which will be simple in construction and positive in operation, and
in which the ruffling blade will be caused to perform its forward or ruffling stroke
during the first part of the downward movement of the needle-bar and while the
needle is out of the work, so that the needle will puncture the crimp or plait which
has just been formed and hold the same until secured by the sewing thread or
threads.
In the accompanying drawings Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevations of the improved
ruffler in operative relation to the needle and presser-bars of a sewing machine,
Fig. 1 showing the needle-bar down and the ruffling-blade in its forward position,
and Fig. 2 showing the needle-bar elevated and the ruffling-blade retracted. Fig. 3
is a front view of the attachment removed from the machine, and Figs. 4 and 5,
are rear and top views, respectively, of the same. Fig. 6 is a view of the attach-
ment showing the side opposite that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 7 is a bottom
view of the presser-foot, and Fig. 8 a detail sectional view of the same on line 8-8,
Fig. 7.
A denotes the frame of the ruffler, said frame being adapted for attachment,
in any suitable manner, to the presser-bar A' of the sewing machine. In the form
of the invention herein illustrated the frame A is shown as having an arm or
portion a provided at its end with a concave seat a¹, and a similar seat is
formed at the upper end of the shank 6 which carries the presser-foot 2, and by
means of these seats or sockets a, b, and the screws a², the attachment frame
is clamped to the presser-bar A¹.
C is the operating lever fulcrumed at its upper end, at , to the frame A and
provided with a grooved or slotted portion to receive a suitable stud or roller
with which the needle-bar is provided. The grooved or slotted portion of the
lever C is formed with a somewhat abrupt curve at its upper part, while the
middle and lower parts thereof are straight, so that the needle-bar stud will cause
the said lever to perform its downward movement, to move the ruffling blade
forward, during the first part of the downward movement of the needle-bar, said
lever and the ruffling-blade then remaining stationary while the needle-bar con-
tinues its descent and while it is performing the greater part of its upward move-
ment: the operating lever being lifted and the ruffling-blade retracted during

page_text: the latter part of the upward movement of the needle-bar. This grooved por-
tion of the operating lever is, in the present instance, formed by the flanges c
embracing the needle-bar roller-stud.
D is a bell-crank ruffling lever pivoted at the apex or junction of its arms on
the screw tapped in the trame A, the ruffling blade being pivotally attached
to the lower end of the longer or lower arm of said lever and said blade being
pressed downward, to cause it to engage the work, by a spring . Beneath the
blade is an auxiliary ruffling blade d between which and the blade the
work will be passed when two. strips or ribbons are to be simultaneously ruffled
or plaited; but when a single strip or ribbon is being ruffled or 'plaited it will
be passed beneath the auxiliary blade The ruffling blades are of the usual
construction in that they are serrated or toothed at their forward ends and are
notched for, the reception of the needle carried by. the needle-bar-E. Attached
to the threat-plate F is a plate f the forward end of which is serrated or toothed.
This plate is preferably employed to prevent any retraction of the work by the
ruffling blade or blades.
with
The shorter or upper arm of the ruffling lever D is connected by a link
the slotted upper portion of the operating lever C; the study, by which the upper
end of said link is pivotally attached to said lever C, being adjustably secured in
the slot in any suitable or well-known manner. By adjusting said stud g
farther from or nearer to the fulcrum of the lever C the throw of. the ruffling
lever D and of the ruffling blade or blades carried thereby will be lengthened or
shortened as will be readily understood,
The presser foot is preferably formed in two parts one of which consists of the
portion 63 pivotally attached to the shank b by a pin 3, a small coil-spring b
pressing on the said portion be to hold it down against the work, the said spring
yielding, when necessary, to permit the toe portion of said foot to rise slightly
when the ruffling blade forces a crimp or plait beneath it. The other part of
the presser-foot is rigid with the shank b, the said part 65 serving as a stop to limit
the downward movement of the part 2 by virtue of the bridge-piece 6 and which
extends over the part b, and on which bridge-piece the spring 6 presses. This
construction is particularly advantageous with thick goods, but for thin goods
a foot rigid with its shank might be employed. ---
+ + .
Owing to the fact that the ruffling lever is connected with the operating lever
between the pivot or fulcrum of the latter and the free end, or the part engaged
by the needle-bar stud, a very compact, strong and simple ruffling attachment
is provided and as, in the operation of the improved ruffler, the crimps or plaits
are formed during the first part of the downward movements of the needle-bar,
and before the needle reaches the work, each crimp or plait thus formed will be
pierced by the needle and will consequently be held until secured by the sewing
thread or threads, as heretofore stated. It will also be noted that the connection
of the operating lever C with the needle-bar stud or roller is a positive one owing
to the fact that the said stud or roller is always between, and therefore is always
embraced by, the flanges c¹ on the said operating lever.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1.
af
1. In a sewing machine ruffler, the combination with a suitable frame, of an
operating lever pivoted to said frame and provided with means for connection with
the needle-bar of the machine, a bell-crank ruffling-lever also pivoted to said
frame at the apex or junction of its two arms and the lower arm of which is pro-
vided with a ruffling blade, and a link connecting the upper arm of said bell-
crank ruffling lever with the said operating lever between the fulcrum of the
latter and its free end.
2. In a sewing machine ruffler, the combination with a suitable frame, of an I

page_text: operating lever pivoted to said frame and having a groove or slot the walls of
which are adapted to embrace a stud or roller on the needle-bar of the machine
and which walls are formed with an abrupt curve at their upper portions and
straight below, a bell-crank ruffling-lever also pivoted to said frame at the
apex or junction of its arms and the lower arm of which is provided with a
ruffling blade, and a link connecting the upper arm of said bell-crank ruffling-
lever with the said operating lever between the fulcrum of the latter and its free
end.
3. In a sewing machine ruffler, the combination with the suitable frame pro-
vided with a presser-foot one portion of which is rigid with said frame and the
other portion of which is hinged or pivoted SO as to have an up-
wardly yielding toc, a spring serving to press said hinged portion down-
ward, a stop to limit the downward movement of said hinged portion under the
stress of said spring, an operating lever adapted for connection with the needle-
bar of the machine, and a bell-crank ruffling lever connected with said operating
lever and provided with a ruffling, blade which, in its forward throw, forces the
goods beneath said yielding toe.
4. In a sewing machine ruffler, the combination with the frame A provided with
a suitable presser-foot, of the operating lever Ċ pivoted to said frame and pro-
vided with means whereby it may be connected with the needle-bar of the sewing
machine, the bell-crank lever D also pivoted to said frame at the apex or junction
of its arms and the lower arm of which is provided with a ruffling blade, and
the link adjustably connecting the upper arm of said ruffling lever with the
said operating lever.
5. In a sewing machine ruffler, the combination with the frame A, of the opera-
ting lever pivoted to said frame and provided with means whereby it may be
connected with the needle bar of a sewing machine, the bell-crank lever D also
pivoted to said frame, and the lower arm of which is provided with a ruffling
blade, the link g adjustably connecting the upper arm of said ruffling lever with
the said operating lever the shank & rigidly attached to said frame A, the presser-
foot 2, hinged to said shank, and the spring for yieldingly holding the toe
portion of said presser foot downward.
6. In a sewing machine ruffler, the combination with a suitable frame, pro-
vided with a presser-foot one portion of which is rigid with said frame and the
other portion of which is hinged or pivoted so as to have an upwardly yielding
toe, of a spring serving to press said hinged portion downward, a stop to limit
the downward movement of said hinged portion under the stress of said spring,
an operating lever pivoted to said frame and having a groove or slot the walls
of which are adapted to embrace a stud or roller on the needle-bar of the machine
and which walls are formed with an abrupt curve at their upper portions and
straight below, a bell-crank ruffling-lever also pivoted to said frame and the
lower arm of which is provided with a ruffling blade, and a link connecting the
upper arm of said bell-crank ruffling-lever with the said operating lever between
the fulcrum of the latter and its free end.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Of the Firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather,
Chartered Patent Agents,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agent for the Applicant.