A NEW AND IMPROVED OVERHEAD SEWING MACHINE
Year: 1874

page_text: Filed 13 June 1877.
In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to JAMES LAING, of Dundee, in the
County of Forfar, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "A NEW
AND IMPROVED OVERHEAD SEWING MACHINE," bearing date at West-
minster the 12th day of October, 1874, No. 3493.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered by LAING'S PATENT OVERHEAD HANDSTITCH SEWING MACHINE
COMPANY, LIMITED, of Dundee, Scotland, Assignees of the said Letters Patent
pursuant to the Statutes in that case made and provided.
WHEREAS Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent under the
Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at
Westminster the 12th day of October, 1874, in the Thirty-eighth year of Her reign,
did give and grant unto the said James Laing, his executors, administrators, and
assigns, the sole privilege of making, using, exercising, and vending the said Inven-
tion of "A NEW AND IMPROVED OVERHEAD SEWING MACHINE" within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, for
and during the term of fourteen years thence next ensuing:
And whereas in pursuance of a proviso in the said Letters Patent contained the
said James Laing did, within six calendar months next after the date of the said
Letters Patent, cause a Specification, in writing, under his hand and seal, purporting
to describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, to be duly filed in the Great Seal Patent Office:
And whereas since the filing of the said Specification it has been considered
doubtful whether the title and portions of the Specification define the said
Invention with sufficient precision, and it has been discovered that part of the
Invention claimed in the sixth claiming clause was not altogether new at the date
of the said Letters Patent, and that other parts described in the said Specification
and claimed in the first, fourth, and fifth claiming clauses thereof are not of such
utility or importance that it is desirable to retain in respect of them the exclusive
privilege conferred by the said Letters Patent:
And whereas certain clerical errors have been discovered in the said Specification,
which it is desirable to have corrected:

page_text: And whereas we, the said Laing's Patent Overhead Handstitch Sewing Machine
Company, Limited, are desirous of expunging the first, fourth, fifth, and sixthi
claiming clauses, and of correcting the clerical errors above referred to, and of
disclaiming, altering, and amending the said title and Specification in manner
following, and without extending the exclusive right granted by the said Letters
Patent.
ני
For these reasons for the title of the said Letters Patent we substitute "Im-
provements in Overhead Sewing Machines," and in the said Specification, referring
to the Queen's Printers' copy thereof, in page 5, at the beginning of line 3, we
insert the words "According to," and in the same line for the words "which con-
stitutes a new and improved" we substitute the word "an." At page 5, line 4, we
expunge all the words after "machine," and we also expunge lines 5 and 6, and at
the beginning of line 7 for the word "a" we substitute "has on its;'
» we expunge
all the words after "shaft" in line 7, and all the words before "two" in line 8.
In page 5, line 26, we omit the words "on one of the above-mentioned columns or
tandards;" and in page 5, line 27, for the word "and" we substitute "on." In
page 6, lines 26 and 27, we omit the sentence beginning with "and the speed," and
ending with "gearing." In page 6, line 31, for the word "is" we substitute the
words "may be." In page 7, line 17, for "the" we substitute "an." In page 7,
lines 19 and 20, for "the mechanism or apparatus consists of" we substitute "there
is." In page 9, line 29, for "punching" we substitute "set." In page 10, line 9,
for the reference letter "go" we substitute "." In page 10, line 25, for "is" we
substitute "may be." In page 10, line 27, after the word "work" we insert the
following sentence, "but it is to be understood that the automatic threading
mechanism, herein-after described, is not claimed as part of this Invention." In
page 11, line 23, after a "plate 5" we insert "as shown in Fig. 6." In page 11,
Line 38, for the word "thus" we substitute "having been." In page 12, line 31,
for the words "during such movement is" we substitute the word "being." In
page 12, lines 32 and 33, for the clause "by the automatic threader, as herein-before
described, and continues the seam from the position of the next stitch," we sub-
stitute "the operation is repeated." In page 12, line 36, we omit the words " the
needle a being made," and we omit line 37. In page 14, line 34, after the word
arrangement" we insert "to which no claim is made." In page 14, line 35, for
the word "is" we substitute "may be." In page 15, line 1, between the words
"that" and "what" we insert the following sentence, "Although I have herein-
"before described two kinds of mechanism by which the needle may be auto-
matically threaded I make no claim to either of them as part of my Invention,
"the sewing mechanism operating as described whether the needle be threaded
"automatically or by hand, nor do I claim the use of a spiked pitch chain for
" feeding the fabric but." In page 15, lines 4 and 5, for the words "First. The 4
general arrangement and combination of mechanism constituting the
"J we substitute
"
66
וי
33
A
we omit
and in line &, page 15, wo insert the word "as" between "machine" and "borcin-before,"
the words "In an," and in page 15, lines 6 and 7, we omit "or any mere modi-
fication thereof." In page 15, line 8, for "Second" we substitute "First," and in
line 13 for "Third" we substitute "Second." Also in page 15, the fourth, fifth,
and sixth claiming clauses, being lines 16 to 28 inclusive, and the said Specification
when disclaimed, altered, and amended, will read as follows:-
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I, JAMES LAING,
of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent
bearing date the Twelth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-four, in the 38th year of Her reign, did for Herself, her heirs,
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James Laing, Her special license
that I, the said James Laing, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others that I, the said James Laing, my executors, administrators, or assigns,
5:4

page_text: should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OVERHEAD
SEWING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James
Laing, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed and cause the same to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office, within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Laing, do hereby declare the nature
of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference
being had to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say,-
According to my said Invention an "overhead" sewing machine has on its driving
shaft two pullies, the largest of which gives motion by means of a belt to a cylin-
drical spiral book or needle pointed at one end of the spiral so as to pierce the cloth,
whilst the other end is provided with a hooked eye by which the thread or string
is held, as hereafter particularly set forth.
Immediately in front of the said hooked eye the spiral needle is slightly enlarged
so as to clear or widen the hole through the fabric and thus prevent the hooked eye
from catching thereon. The said spiral hook or needle is actuated as aforesaid by a
belt from the larger pulley passing round part of its periphery and also round a
series of flanched idler pullies, the flanches of which also serve to confine the spiral
hook or needle and prevent lateral movement thereof.
The smaller of the two fixed pullies on the driving shaft is also provided with a
belt by means of which it actuates a cylinder which passes through and serves to
retain in its position the aforesaid cylindrical spiral hook or needle, which is thus
caused to rotate by the united action of the driving belt on part of its outer and
the cylinder on part of its inner periphery. The said cylinder (supported at one
end in bearings, and at that end nearest the needle on friction rollers) is bored to
fit a cylindrical thread or string barrel, upon which is coiled the thread or string
necessary to form a seam, and which is capable of a horizontal sliding motion in
and out of the hollow cylinder, the rotatory motion of which it also partakes of.
The horizontal sliding motion of the thread or string barrel is gained by the
employment of two differential belt cones, the larger of which is fixed to the herein-
before described driving shaft, while the other runs loose upon a spindle situate
above the thread or string barrel. This spindle has its outer end screwed for a
certain length corresponding to the required travel of the thread or string barrel,
and that end of the cone through which the screwed portion of the spindle passes is
provided with a moveable catch which gears with the screw.
The action of the machine itself throws the catch in and out of gear with the
screw accordingly as the stage of sewing operations requires that the string or
thread barrel should recede slowly into the hollow cylinder or emerge suddenly
therefrom to resume its normal position, which latter motion is obtained by the
employment of a weight or spring, or both acting upon the spindle or upon the
shaft carrying the thread or string barrel, the said spindle and shaft being
connected at their extremities by a link so that their horizontal movements are
simultaneous.
That end of the spindle opposite from the screwed portion is provided with a
thread catch or drag, the duty of which is to catch the thread thrown from the end
of the barrel and hold it against the periphery thereof. The barrel in revolving
carries round with it the thread thus held or jambed against it, and pulls tight the
stitch last made, the slack of the thread being transferred to the barrel by the
action of the said thread, catch, or drag.
The fabric to be sewn is fed through the machine in a direction parallel to the

page_text: axis of the spiral hook or needle, the distance of the selvedges from the axis of the
spiral hook or needle, and consequently the amount of "grip" embraced by the
stitches being regulated by a fence at the feeding end of the machine.
As it is fed past the fence the fabric is caught and carried forward by a spiked
endless chain which passes over two chain pullies, one at each end of and situate
below the feeding table. One of the said chain pullies is fixed upon a countershaft,
which is driven by gearing from the driving shaft of the machine. The fabric is
held down to the feeding table by a presser whose tension may be regulated by a
screw.
When the thread or string coiled upon the barrel has been exhausted the spiral
hook or needle may be re-threaded by an automatic threader, which places a fresh
thread in the hook or eye of the needle without stopping the machine, or inter-
rupting the progress of the work, and the string or thread barrel being again moved
out of the cylinder (by the action of a weight or spring, or both) at the same
time, a new supply of thread or string is coiled thereon, and the work proceeds as
before.
The thread or string may be supplied to the machine in hanks of such a length
as to fill the thread or string barrel, or otherwise a reel may be employed actuated
by the machine, and alternately measuring from a bobbin, and transferring its
measured contents to the exhausted thread or string barrel; the re-threading of the
needle being effected by a tube, which after feeding the thread or string to the reel
catches it into the hook or eye of the needle, and thereafter severs the thread or
string by bringing it into contact with a knife edge.
The arms of the reel are made so that they may be shifted towards or from the
axis of the reel, so as to regulate the amount of thread or string coiled thereon from
the full bobbin.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to the
annexed Sheets of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say,
On Sheet I. of the Drawings hereunto appended, Figure 1 is a side elevation;
Figure 2, a plan; and Figure 3, an end elevation of an "overhead" sewing machine,
as constructed in accordance with my said Invention.
As shewn by these Figures there is a rectangular framework or base A, on
which the standards B supporting the mechanism are fixed. On the standards at
one side of the machine a driving shaft C is carried, this shaft C being provided
with fast and loose pullies, D and E respectively, at one end thereof. The shaft C
is driven by a belt or band passed round the fast pulley D and communicating with
a prime mover; or in lieu of this arrangement a wheel may be situate at the
position of the fast and loose pulleys D and E, through which the machine may be
driven by hand or by treadle.
On the driving shaft C other pullies F and G are also fixed, from the larger
one F of which motion is communicated by a band H to cylindrical spiral hook or
needle a, seen at Figures 1 and 3, and more particularly by the detailed views,
Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 1, of the Drawings.
The spiral hook or needle a is that by which the sewing is effected, and for
that purpose it is pointed at that end marked b, Figure 4, which first pierces
through the cloth or fabric; and at the opposite end c it is formed with a hooked
eye, by which the thread, cord, or string used in the sewing is held. Immediately
in front of the hooked eye the spiral needle a is slightly enlarged, as shewn at
Figure 1, Sheet 2, so as to clear or widen the hole through the cloth or fabric, and
so prevent the hook with the thread from catching in the hole. Within the circle
formed by the spiral needle a a tube I is situate, and which is supported at one
end by the pillar B¹, and at the other end by frictional rollers & placed on studs or
shafts e fixed in the projecting or bracketted upper portions of the middle pillar B²
at the front side of the machine, as more particularly seen at Figure 3, Sheet I.

page_text: The band H, which rotates the needle a, is, besides being passed round a portion
of the pulley F and of the needle, also passed round and against stenting pulleys f,
arranged round the spiral needle, as shewn more particularly at Figure 5, Sheet I.,
which pullies being provided with flanches also serve to prevent lateral motion of
the needle. The pullies fare situate on the same shafts or studs E with the fric-
tional rollers & herein-before mentioned. The belt presses the needle a against
the periphery of the cylinder or tube I, as shewn at Figure 5, Sheet I, and besides
the motion which the needle derives from the said belt H uniform motion is com-
municated thereto by the revolution of the cylinder or tube I, which revolution is
effected by a cross belt g passed round the cylinder or tube, and also round the
pulley G situate on the driving shaft C.
The cylinder or tube I is bored to receive and fit a cylindrical barrel J, as shewn
in detail at Figure 6, Sheet I. of the Drawings, on which is coiled the thread, cord,
or string necessary to form a seam, the said thread, cord, or string being wound on
the barrel J by the hook or needle a after being passed through the portions of the
cloth or fabric to be joined or sewn together by "overhead" sewing, as illustrated
by the detailed view of the barrel J and needle a, at Figure 1, Sheet 2 of the
Drawings. The thread barrel J, which partakes of the rotatory motion of the
cylinder or tube I, has also a horizontal sliding or reciprocatory motion into and
out from the cylinder or tube I, and which is effected by the employment of two
differential belt cones K and L, the larger one K of which is fixed on the driving
shaft C, and communicates motion to the other cone L by means of a belt i, as
shewn by Figure 2, Sheet 1.
From the cone L sliding motion is transmitted to the thread barrel J by means
of a screw k passing through the hollow bearing of the cone L, and geared there-
with by an adjustable catch 7, which is attached to the cone L by a pin or stud
passed through an oblong hole in the catch 1, as shown at Figure 6, Sheet 1 of the
Drawings. The outer end of the screw k is attached to the outer end of the thread
barrel spindle M by a cross head or link N, so that when the cone L is rotated by
the belt i, and the screw moved outwards in the direction of the arrow, Figure 6,
by the catch (which is carried round with the cone L) gearing with the screw
thread, the thread barrel J is correspondingly moved until the part thereof marked m
is brought up to or within the end of the tube or cylinder I, at which time a
curved or inclined heel n formed at the inner end of the screw k raises the catch l
out of gear with the screw. The screw k and thread barrel J being thus thrown
out of gear with the cone L are drawn backwards to their normal position (that is
to say, those parts of the mechanism are moved sufficiently backwards to bring the
outer end o of the screw k under the catch 1) by the weights p, Figures 1 and 3,
attached to the cross head N, the instantaneous action of which weights is accelerated
or assisted by the spring 9 placed on the continuation of the screw shaft k pressing
at one end against the end of the cone L, and at its other end against a collar s
formed on the shaft r, as shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 6, Sheet 1, of the Drawings.
In lieu of this combined arrangement of a weight and spring, a spring or a
weight or weights only may be employed for the purpose herein-before described.
As shewn at Figure 6 (Sheet 1), the spindle M of the thread barrel J is slotted
or grooved, and into the said groove a feather formed on the interior of the cylinder
or tube I enters, whereby the barrel is keyed to the cylinder or tube, and is carried
round with it, whilst at the same time the length of the slot or groove permits of
the horizontal movement of the barrel J.
In lieu of forming the feather on the cylinder or tube it may be formed on the
be
spindle, or instead of a feather a set screw or other equivalent means may
employed to key the barrel J and cylinder or tube I together. On the end of the
shaft opposite to that at which the screw k is formed a drag or catch t is situated,
the construction of which is more particularly seen at Figure 6a, Sheet I., of the
Drawings. The thread, cord, or string, as it unwinds from the barrel J passes in
between the periphery of the barrel, and the drag or catch t, as seen at Figure 2,

page_text: Sheet 2, whereby each succeeding stitch is pulled tight as herein-after more
particularly referred to.
A feeding table P is placed along the front of the machine and supported on the
columns or pillars B, and through a groove or slot formed in the said table a pitch
chain R or its equivalent provided with spikes u passes. The chain R.is passed
round guide pullies S and T, and also under a stenting pulley U, and it is driven
from the driving shaft C by the bevil pinions V, one of which is situate on the said
shaft, and the other on a shaft or stud v supported in an arm or bracket formed on
the upper end of the pillar B', as more particularly seen at Figure 2 (Sheet 1). On
the shaft or stud va spur pinion w is also fixed which gears into a corresponding
spur wheel situate ona shaft V₁ whereupon the chain pulley S is also fixed. The
cloth or fabric to be sewn is fed to the machine at the end of the feeding table
marked X, whereat an incline is made, above which the cloth is passed on to the
spikes u of the pitch chain R, and as the said chain is traversed the cloth or fabric
is drawn along parallel to the axis of the spiral hook or needle a, and after being
sewn by the said needle it passes up another inclined plane at the opposite end of
the table P, whereby it is released from the teeth of the chain R, and is thereafter
delivered from the machine.
or
▲
The amount of breadth of "grip" embraced by the stitches in sewing the fabric
is regulated by an adjustable fence placed at the feeding end of the table P, as
shewn at Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 1) of the Drawings, and the fabric is held down to
the table by a presser 7 whose tension is regulated by a screw or spring not shewn
in the Drawings.
In operating with the sewing machine herein-before described the needle may
be threaded by an automatic threader which places a new thread in the hook or
eye of the needle a without stopping the machine or interrupting the progress of
the work, but it is to be understood that the automatic threading mechanism
herein-after described is not claimed as part of this Invention.
The automatic threader which is shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3 (Sheet 1), and
more particularly in detail at Figures 6 and 7 (Sheet 2) of the Drawings consists of
a thread arm 1 centred on one end of an upright shaft 2, which is supported by a
sleeve 3 formed on or attached to the stud e. At the opposite end the thread arm 1
is formed with a bent or curved eye, as shewn at Figure 8 (Sheet 2) of the Drawings,
over which the thread, cord, or string to be delivered to the needle is placed, as
shewn.
At the upper end of the shaft 2 and opposite to the thread arm 1 a lever 4 is
centred, whose outer end is bent at right angles, as shewn at Figure 1 (Sheet 1),
and on the shaft r a plate 5, the configuration of which in plan is shewn at Figure 2
(Sheet 1), and at Figures 6 and 7 (Sheet 2) is fixed by means of a pinching screw
or by other equivalent means. The plate 5 is so arranged as at the proper instant
to deliver the bight or loop of thread, cord, or string from the bent eye of the arm 1
to the eye or hook of the needle a, as herein-after particularly set forth.
Thread or cord is cut into any desired lengths, and these are doubled and placed
in the receptacle 6, Figures 1 and 3 (Sheet 1), with the doubled portion hanging
over the side of the said receptacle, and in preparing to thread the needle a the
doubled portion of one length of thread or cord is passed between the tension wire 7,
and thence over the eye formed on the automatic threader 1.
Whilst in its normal position (that is to say, whilst the needle a is sewing with
a thread formerly supplied to it, and whilst the screw spindler and thread barrel J
are being moved towards the feeding end of the machine) the automatic threader
is in the position shewn in dotted lines at Fig 7, Sheet 2, being drawn thereunto
against the action of the spring 8 by the tension of the cord or thread passed over
the eye of the arm 1. When the screw spindle has nearly completed its stroke
towards X (Figure 1) the inclined side 9 of the plate 5 comes in contact with the
end of the lever 4, which is thereby caused to move through an arc outwards

page_text: against the tension of the thread until the tail thereof bears against the side 10 of
the plate 5, as shewn in Figure 6. Immediately on the completion of the said
outward or backward stroke of the spindler and thread barrel (at which time all
the thread previously supplied to the needle a and coiled on the barrel J is
exhausted) the lever 4 returns to its normal position, but at that part of the plate 5
marked 11, the inclined side of which immediately on the revulsion of the barrel J
and spindle being effected by the weights p and spring 9, as herein-before
described, causes the lever 4 to assume the position shewn at Figure 7, Sheet 2, of
the Drawings, in which position it is retained a length of time sufficient to enable
the revolving spiral needle a to hook the bight or loop of thread off from the bent
eye of the thread arm 1, which being effected the arm falls over the end of the
side 12, and is pushed back by the spring 8 into the position shewn in dotted lines
at Figure 7 (Sheet 2), and another bight or loop of thread is by the operator placed
over the eye thereof ready for the next threading of the needle a, without stopping
the action of the machine.
The needle having been threaded pierces the cloth or fabric, carries the thread
through the same round the barrel J, which is filled with thread, as shewn in dotted
lines at Figure 1 (Sheet 2) by the continuous revolution of the needle a, and the
progressive movement of the fabric and pitch chain R. Each coil of thread on reaching
the forward end of the thread barrel J is by the progressive movement of the fabric
and by the receding movement of the barrel J thrown off therefrom and caught between
the thread drag t and the rounded edge of the barrel J. The thread passes in between
the barrel and the drag t at the position shewn on Figure 2 (Sheet 2), and by the
rotatory motion of the barrel J the point of contact of the thread or cord with
the barrel is carried round to the position shewn at Figure 3 (Sheet 2), whereby
the stitch 16, Figure 1 (Sheet 2), next preceding that passing round between the
barrel and the drag is tightened and completed. After so pulling the preceding
stitch tight, the thread or cord is by the revolution of the barrel J passed into the
position shewn at Figure 4 (Sheet 2), after which that portion of the thread or cord
leaves the barrel, and the slack stitch 17 so produced on the thread or cord is drawn
tight over the barrel J, by which means the stitch 17 is partly tightened or drawn
up, the completion of the said stitch being effected by the receding of the barrel J,
whereby the part 18 of the thread is thrown off, and passing in between the barrel
and the thread drag performs the completion of the stitch 17, as herein-before
described in reference to the stitch 16. A similar succession of operations takes
place in reference to each succeeding stitch until all the thread on the barrel J has
been exhausted, at which time a knife edge 19, Figure 1 (Sheet 1), secured on the
screw spindle », cuts or severs the portion of thread remaining between the eye of
the needle a and the seam, such severance being effected against the end of the tube
or cylinder I, and close to the eye of the needle. The needle being then free from
thread, the barrel J and spindler are immediately thrown forward to the opposite
end of their stroke, and the needle being rethreaded, the operation is repeated.
In sewing with the machine now under reference, the width between each stitch
is regulated by the speed at which the pitch chain R draws the cloth or fabric along
the feeding table P. The speed of the chain R is adjusted by changing the spur
pinion won the shaft N, Figures 1 and 2, Sheet I. The speed of movement of the
thread barrel J towards the feeding end X of the machine is adjusted according to
the breadth or "grip" of cloth through which the seam is made (that is to say, the
barrel is caused to unwind the thread or cord faster or slower, according as a broader
or narrower "grip" is required) by shifting the driving belt i on the cones K and
L by means of the belt shifter 20, operated by the screw and hand wheel 21, Figures
1 and 2 (Sheet 1).
In lieu of supplying the thread or cord to the needle a and thread barrel J from
a receptacle 6 by means of the automatic threader herein-before described, the thread
or cord may be supplied to the needle and thread barrel by means of the arrange-
ment illustrated in front elevation at Figure 9, and in end elevation at Figure 10
(Sheet 2) of the Drawings, and which arrangement consists of a bobbin A placed

page_text: loosely on a rod and supported on the central column at the front of the machine by
menus of a vertical rod, to which the rod B is attached by a pinching screw or
equivalent means. On the vertical rod a tube C is similarly supported, which
tube is capable of moving backwards and forwards through an arc round the
joint a.
On the aforesaid vertical rod one end of the spindle D of a reel E is also supported,
the opposite end of the spindle D being supported on another vertical rod fixed to
the front pillar at the delivery end of the machine. Thread or cord is conducted
from the bobbin A through the pendulous tube C to the reel E, whereat the end of
thread or cord is secured between one end of the reel and the spring b, as shewn
at Figures 9 and 10, Sheet 2. The reel E is then rotated by means of a belt or band
passed round a pulley situate on the axis thereof, and also round a pulley situate on
the cross shaft V, Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 1, and the rotation of the reel is
continued until half the amount of thread or cord required to fill the thread barrel J
has been wound thereon, the other half of the thread or cord being supplied to the
barrel direct from the bobbin A through the "pendulous tube C. The reel E is
placed loosely on its spindle D, but at the required intervals it is kept in gear
therewith whilst the winding of the thread is being effected by the pin c fixed
in the collar or disc d fixed to the spindle D entering holes or perforations formed in
the collar of the reel, as shewn at Figure 9, Sheet 2.
The reel is so arranged relatively with the thread barrel J that when the latter
has reached the extremity of its stroke towards the feeding end of the machine,
and has therefore unwound all the thread previously supplied to it, half the thread
required for again supplying the barrel has been wound on the barrel reel, which
is then thrown out of gear with the disc d by the striker F fixed on the screw
spindle coming in contact with the end G thereof, as illustrated in dotted lines at
Figure 9 (Sheet 2). An arm on the striker F during the rearward motion of the
screw spindle bears against the lower end of the pendulous tube C, and carries it
backwards until at the end of the rearward stroke of the spindle and thread
barrel J, the tube is in the position shewn in dotted lines at Figure 9 (Sheet 2).
Another striker G is placed on the screw shaft 7, which when the shaft is at the
extreme limit of its rearward stroke occupies the position shewn by the diagrain
plan, Figure 11 (Sheet 2), of the Drawings. When the said spindle again begins
to move forward, the striker G¹ acting in the notch in the disc H causes the
pendulous tube C to be further moved backwards from the position a to the position
at Figure 13 (Sheet 2), whereby the eye or hook of the needle is caused to catch
the thread or cord, which after passing through the fabric it winds round the thread
barrel J, as herein-before described in reference to the other arrangement of
threading the needle. The disc H, which is supported on the machine at any
suitable fixed part of the mechanism, acts on the tube C through the intervention of
the curved rod or lever . The reel E in being thrown out of gear acts on a lever
m which is formed with an inclined plane, as shewn, and a striker o is placed on
the spindler, which acts on the inclined plane, and pushes the reel into gear with
the disc d.
When the spindle again assumes the position shewn on the Drawings the
pendulous tube C is brought back to the position shewn at Figure 9, Sheet 2 of the
Drawings, after the thread barrel has been filled by the progressive movement of
the fabric being sewn, and on obtaining the said position the end of the thread hold
between the bobbin A and the spring b is released, and the connecting thread
between the pendulous tube C and the fabric is during the next revolution of the
reel E caught by the spring and held, the thread between the spring and the fabric
being thus severed by the reel on cominencing to rewind, drawing it across a sharp
or knife edge. By means of this arrangement, to which no claim is made, the
supplying of thread to the thread barrel may be effected without the interference or
assistance of the operator.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may be

page_text: used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that although
I have herein-before described two kinds of mechanism by which the needle may
be automatically threaded I make no claim to either of them as part of my Inven-
tion, the sewing mechanism operating as described, whether the needle be threaded
automatically or by hand; nor do I claim the use of a spiked pitch chain for
feeding the fabric; but what I consider to be novel and original and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is in an overhead sewing machine herein-before described and illustrated on
the appended Sheets of Drawings,-
First. The solid cylindrical spiral hook or needle a, and the mechanism for
supporting, confining, and driving the same, substantially as herein-before described
and inore particularly illustrated at Figures 4 and 5, Sheet I. of the appended
Drawings.
Second. The thread barrel J and drag or tension apparatus t, and mechanism
connected with the same, whereby together with the needle a they are caused to
make the "overhead" stitch or sean by operating substantially as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jaines Laing, have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Twenty-seventh day of October One thousand eight bundred and
seventy-four.
JAMES LAING. (LS.)
In witness whereof, we, William Martin, Junior, and Thomas Hunter Cox,
Directors, and David Russel Dawson, Secretary, for and on behalf of the said
Laing's Patent Overhead Handstitch Sewing Machine Company, Limited,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this First day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
and the seal of the said Company,
W. MARTIN, J*., Director,
THOMAS H. COX, Director,
D. R. DAWSON, Secretary,
of Laing's Patent Overhead (L.S.)
Handstitch Sewing Machine (LS.)
Company, Limited.
(L.S.)
hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above-named Laing's Patent Overhead
Handstitch Sewing Machine Company, Limited, the assignees of the above in part
recited Letters Patent which were granted to the herein-before named James Laing,
to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which the same
relates, the above written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
JOHN HOLKER,

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Laing, of Dundee, in the County of
Forfar, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "A NEW
AND IMPROVED OVERHEAD SEWING MACHINE."
Sealed the 21st December 1874, and dated the 12th October 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Laing at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th October 1874.
I, JAMES LAING, of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"A NEW AND IMPROVED OVERHEAD SEWING MACHINE," to be as follows,
that is to say :-
This Invention, which constitutes a new and improved overhead
sewing machine, consists of a rectangular or other suitably shaped
framework or base, upon which are situate standards or columns
supporting the moving parts of the mechanism. The machine is actuated
through a driving shaft, which may be driven by hand or power, and -

page_text: upon which are fixed two pullies, the larger of which gives motion by
means of a belt to a cylindrical spiral hook or needle pointed at one end
of the spiral so as to pierce the cloth, whilst the other end is provided
with a hooked eye, by which the thread or string is held.
Immediately in front of the said hooked eye the spiral needle is t
slightly enlarged so as to clear or widen the hole through the fabric, and
thus prevent the hooked eye from catching thereon. The said spiral
hook or needle is actuated as aforesaid by a belt from the larger pulley
passing around part of its periphery, and also round a number of
flanched idler pullies, the flanches of which also serve to confine the 1
spiral hook or needle and prevent lateral movement thereof.
The smaller of the two fixed pullies on the driving shaft is also pro-
vided with a belt, by means of which it actuates a cylinder, which
passes through and serves to retain in its position the aforesaid cylin-
drical spiral hook or needle, which is thus caused to rotate by the united 1
action of the driving belt on part of its outer, and the cylinder on part
of its inner periphery. The said cylinder (supported at one end in
bearings on one of the above-mentioned columns or standards, and at
that end nearest the needle on friction rollers) is bored to fit a cylin-
drical thread or string barrel, upon which is coiled the thread or string
necessary to form a seam, and which is capable of a horizontal sliding
motion in and out of the hollow cylinder, the rotatory motion of which
it also partakes.
The horizontal sliding motion of the thread or string barrel is gained
by the employment of two differential belt cones, the larger of which is
fixed to the herein-before described driving shaft, while the other runs
loose upon a spindle situate above the thread or string barrel. This
spindle has its outer end screwed for a certain length corresponding to
the required travel of the thread or string barrel; and that end of the
cone through which the screwed portion of the spindle passes is pro-
vided with a movable catch, which gears with the screw, the action of
the machine itself throws the catch in and out of gear with the screw,
accordingly as the stage of sewing operations requires that the string or
thread barrel should recede slowly into the hollow cylinder, or emerge
suddenly therefrom to resume its normal position, which latter motion
is obtained by the employment of a weight or spring, or both, acting
upon the spindle, or upon the shaft carrying the thread or string barrel,

page_text: the said spindle and shaft being connected at their extremities by a link,
so that their horizontal movements are simultaneous.
That end of the spindle opposite from the screwed portion is provided
with a thread catch or drag, the duty of which is to catch the thread
thrown from the end of the barrel and hold it against the periphery
thereof. The barrel in revolving carries round with it the thread thus
held or jambed against it, and pulls tight the stitch last made, the slack
of the thread being transferred to the barrel by the action of the said.
thread catch or drag.
The fabric to be sewn is fed through the machine in a direction
parallel to the axis of the spiral hook or needle, the distance of the
selvages from the axis of the spiral hook or needle, and consequently
the amount of "grip" embraced by the stitches, being regulated by a
fence at the feeding end of the machine.
As it is fed past the fence the fabric is caught and carried forward by
a spiked endless chain, which passes over two chain pullies, one at each
end of and situated below the feeding table. One of the said chain
pullies is fixed upon a countershaft, which is driven by gearing from
the driving shaft of the machine, and the speed of the feed may be
regulated by the use of change wheels in the said intermediate gearing.
The fabric is held down to the feeding table by a pressure, whose tension
may be regulated by a screw.
When the thread or string coiled upon the barrel has been exhausted
the spiral hook or needle is rethreaded by an automatic threader, which
places a fresh thread in the hook or eye of the needle without stopping
the machine or interrupting the progress of the work, and the string or
thread barrel being again moved out of the cylinder (by the action of a
weight or spring, or both), at the same time a new supply of thread or
string is coiled thereon, and the work proceeds as before. The thread
or string may be supplied to the machine in hanks of such a length as
to fill the thread or string barrel; or otherwise a reel may be employed
actuated by the machine, and alternately measuring from a bobbin and
transferring its measured contents to the exhausted thread or string
barrel, the rethreading of the needle being effected by a tube, which
after feeding the thread or string to the reel catches it into the hook or
eye of the needle, and thereafter severs the thread or string by bringing
it into contact with a knife edge.

page_text: The arms of the reel are made so that they may be shifted towards or
from the axis of the reel so as to regulate the amount of thread or string
coiled thereon from the full bobbin.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Laing in the Great Seal Patent Office 5
on the 5th April 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
LAING, of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her 1
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
88th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said James Laing, Her special license
that I, the said James Laing, my executors, administrators, and 1
assigns, or such others as I, the said James Laing, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "A NEW AND IM.
PROVED OVERHEAD SEWING MACHINE," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said James Laing, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Laing, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying

page_text: Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:-
"
My said Invention, which constitutes a new and improved "overhead
sewing machine, consists of a rectangular or other suitably shaped frame-
work or base, upon which are situate standards or columns supporting
the moving parts of the mechanism. The machine is actuated through
a driving shaft, which may be driven by hand or foot power, or from an
engine or other prime mover, and upon which are fixed two pullies, the
larger of which gives motion by means of a belt to a cylindrical spiral
hook or needle, pointed at one end of the spiral so as to pierce the cloth,
whilst the other end is provided with a hooked eye by which the thread
or string is held, as hereafter particularly set forth.
Immediately in front of the said hooked eye the spiral needle is
slightly enlarged, so as to clear or widen the hole through the fabric,
and thus prevent the hooked eye from catching thereon. The said spiral
hook or needle is actuated, as aforesaid, by a belt from the larger pulley
passing round part of its periphery, and also round a series of flanched
idler pullies, the flanches of which also serve to confine the spiral hook
or needle, and prevent lateral movement thereof.
The smaller of the two fixed pullics on the driving shaft is also
provided with a belt, by means of which it actuates a cylinder which
passes through and serves to retain in its position the aforesaid cylin-
drical spiral hook or needle, which is thus caused to rotate by the united
action of the driving belt on part of its outer and the cylinder on part of
its inner periphery. The said cylinder (supported at one end in bearings
on one of the above-mentioned columns or standards, and at that end
nearest the needle and friction rollers) is bored to fit a cylindrical thread or
string barrel, upon which is coiled the thread or string necessary to form
a seam, and which is capable of a horizontal sliding motion in and out of
the hollow cylinder, the rotatory motion of which it also partakes of.
•
The horizontal sliding motion of the thread or string barrel is gained
by the employment of two differential belt cones, the larger of which is
fixed to the herein-before described driving shaft, while the other runs
loose upon a spindle situate above the thread or string barrel. This
spindle has its outer end screwed for a certain length corresponding to
the required travel of the thread or string barrel, and that end of the
cone through which the screwed portion of the spindle passes is provided

page_text: with a moveable catch, which gears with the screw. The action of the
machine itself throws the catch in and out of gear with the screw
accordingly as the stage of sewing operations requires that the string or
thread barrel should recede slowly into the hollow cylinder, or emerge
suddenly therefrom to resume its normal position, which latter motion &
is obtained by the employment of a weight or spring, or both, acting
upon the spindle or upon the shaft carrying the thread or string barrel,
the said spindle and shaft being connected at their extremities by a link
so that their horizontal movements are simultaneous.
That end of the spindle opposite from the screwed portion is provided ]
with a thread catch or drag, the duty of which is to catch the thread
thrown from the end of the barrel, and hold it against the periphery
.thereof. The barrel in revolving carries round with it the thread thus
held or jambed against it, and pulls tight the stitch last made, the slack
of the thread being transferred to the barrel by the action of the said ]
thread catch or drag.
The fabric to be sewn is fed through the machine in a direction
parallel to the axis of the spiral hook or needle, the distance of the
selvedges from the axis of the spiral hook or needle, and consequently
the amount of "grip " embraced by the stitches being regulated by a έ
fence at the feeding end of the machine.
As it is fed past the fence the fabric is caught and carried forward by
a spiked endless chain, which passes over two chain pullies, one at each
end of and situated below the feeding table. One of the said chain
pullies is fixed upon a countershaft, which is driven by gearing from the a
driving shaft of the machine, and the speed of the feed may be regulated
by the use of change wheels in the said intermediate gearing. The
fabric is held down to the feeding table by a presser, whose tension may
be regulated by a screw.
When the thread or string coiled upon the barrel has been exhausted a
the spiral hook or needle is rethreaded by an automatic threader, which
places a fresh thread in the hook or eye of the needle without stopping
the machine or interrupting the progress of the work, and the string or
thread barrel being again moved out of the cylinder (by the action of a
weight or spring or both) at the same time a new supply of thread or
string is coiled thereon, and the work proceeds as before. The thread
or string may be supplied to the machine in hanks of such a length as

page_text: to fill the thread or string barrel, or otherwise a reel may be employed
actuated by the machine, and alternately measuring from a bobbin, and
transferring its measured contents to the exhausted thread or string
barrel, the rethreading of the needle being effected by a tube, which
after feeding the thread or string to the reel catches it into the hook or
eye of the needle, and thereafter severs the thread or string by bringing
it into contact with a knife edge.
The arms of the reel are made so that they may be shifted towards or
from the axis of the reel, so as to regulate the amount of thread or string
coiled thereon from the full bobbin.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I
now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner
in or under which the same is or may be used or practically carried into
effect, reference being had to the annexed Sheets of Drawings and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
On Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto appended Figure 1 is a side
elevation; Figure 2, a plan; and Figure 3, an end clevation of the
"overhead” sewing machine as constructed in accordance with my said
Invention. As shewn by these Figures the mechanism or apparatus
consists of a rectangular framework or base A, on which the standards B
supporting the mechanism are fixed. On the standards at one side of
the machine a driving shaft O is carried, this shaft O being provided
with fast and loose pullies D and E respectively at one end thereof. The
shaft C is driven by a belt or band passed round the fast pulley D, and
communicating with a prime mover, or in lieu of this arrangement &
wheel may be situate at the position of the fast and loose pulleys D and
E, through which the machine may be driven by hand or by a treadle.
On the driving shaft C other pullies F and G are also fixed, from the
larger one F of which motion is communicated by a band H to a
cylindrical spiral hook or needle a, seen at Figures 1 and 3, and more
particularly by the detailed views, Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 1 of the
Drawings.
The spiral hook or needle a is that by which the sewing is effected,
and for that purpose it is pointed at that end marked 6, Figure 4, which
first pierces through the cloth or fabric, and at the opposite end c it is
formed with a hooked eye by which the thread, cord, or string used in
the sewing is held. Immediately in front of the hooked eye the spiral

page_text: needle a is slightly enlarged, as shewn at Figure 1, Sheet 2, so as to
clear or widen the hole through the cloth or fabric, and so prevent the
hook with the thread from catching in the hole. Within the circle
formed by the spiral needle a a tube I is situate, and which is supported
at one end by the pillar B', and at the other end by frictional rollers d
placed on studs or shafts e fixed in the projecting or bracketted upper
portions of the middle pillar B² at the front side of the machine, as
more particularly seen at Figure 3, Sheet 1. The band H which rotates
the needle a is, besides being passed round a portion of the pulley F
and of the needle, also passed round and against stenting pulleys ƒ
arranged round the spiral needle, as shewn more particularly at Figure 5,
Sheet 1, which pullies being provided with flanches also serve to prevent
lateral motion of the needle. The pullies f are situato on the same
shafts or studs E with the frictional rollers d herein-before mentioned.
The belt H presses the needle a against the periphery of the cylinder or
tube I, as shewn at Figure 5, Sheet 1, and besides the motion which the
needle derives from the said belt H, uniform motion is communicated
thereto by the revolution of the cylinder or tube I, which revolution is
effected by a cross belt g passed round the cylinder or tube, and also
round the pulley G situate on the driving shaft C.
The cylinder or tube I is bored to receive and fit a cylindrical barrel J,
as shewn in detail at Figure 6, Sheet 1 of the Drawings, on which is
coiled the thread, cord, or string necessary to form a seam, the said
thread, cord, or string being wound on the barrel J by the hook or
needle a after being passed through the portions of the cloth or fabric
to be joined or sewn together by "overhead" sewing, as illustrated by
the detailed view of the barrel J and needle a at Figure 1, Sheet 2 of
the Drawings. The thread barrel J which partakes of the rotatory
motion of the cylinder or tube I has also a horizontal sliding or recipro-
catory motion into and out from the cylinder or tube I, and which is
effected by the employment of two differential belt cones K and L, the
larger one, K, of which is fixed on the driving shaft C, and communi-
cates motion to the other cone L by means of the belt i, as shewn by
Figure 2, Sheet 1. From the cone L sliding motion is transmitted to
the thread barrel J by means of a screw k passing through the hollow
bearing of the cone L, and geared therewith by an adjustable catch /
which is attached to the cone L by a pin or stud passed through an
oblong hole in the catch 1, as shown at Figure 6, Sheet 1 of the

page_text: Drawings. The outer end of the screw k is attached to the outer end
of the thread barrel spindle M by a cross head or link N, so that when
the cone L is rotated by the belt i, and the screw moved outwards in the
direction of the arrow, Figure 6, by the catch 7 (which is carried round
with the cone L) gearing with the screw thread, the thread barrel J is
correspondingly moved until the part thereof marked m is brought up
to or within the end of the tube or cylinder I, at which time a curved
or inclined heel n formed at the inner end of the screw k raises the
catch out of gear with the screw. The screw and thread barrel J
being thus thrown out of gear with the cone L are drawn backwards to
their normal position (that is to say, those parts of the mechanism are
moved sufficiently backwards to bring the outer end o of the screw k
under the catch 2) by the weights p, Figures 1 and 3, attached to the
cross head N, the instantaneous action of which weights is accelerated
or assisted by the spring a placed on the continuation of the screw
shaft k, pressing at one end against the end of the cone L, and at its
other end against a collar & formed on the shaft r, as shewn at Figures
1, 2, and 6, Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
In lieu of this combined arrangement of a weight and spring a spring
or a weight or weights only may be employed for the purposo heroin-
before described.
As shewn at Figuro 6 (Sheet 1) the spindle M of the thread barrel J
is slotted or grooved, and into the said groove a feather formed on the
interior of the cylinder or tubo I enters, whereby the barrel is keyed to
the cylinder or tube, and is carried round with it, whilst at the same
time the length of the slot or groove permits of the horizontal movement
of the barrel J.
In lieu of forming the feather on the cylinder or tube it may be
formed on the spindle, or instead of a feather a pinching screw or other
) equivalent means may be employed to key the barrel J and cylinder or
tube I together. On the end of the shaft r opposite to that at which
the screw kis formed a drag or catch t is situated, the construction of
which is more particularly seen at Figure 6", Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
The thread, cord, or string as it unwinds from the barrel J passes in
between the periphery of the barrel and the drag or catch t, as seen at
Figure 2, Sheet 2, whereby each succeeding stitch is pulled tight, as
herein-after more particularly referred to.

page_text: A feeding table P is placed along the front of the machine and sup-
ported on the columns or pillars B, and through a groove or slot formed
in the said table a pitch chain R or its equivalent provided with spikes u
passes. The chain R is passed round guide pulleys S and T, and also
under a stenting pulley U, and it is driven from the driving shaft O by
the bevil pinions V, one of which is situate on the said shaft and the
other on a shaft or stud v, supported in an arm or bracket formed on the
upper end of the pillar B', as more particularly seen at Figure 2
(Sheet 1). On the shaft or stud a spur pinion w is also fixed, which
gears into a corresponding spur wheel w¹ situate on a shaft V, whereon 1
the chain pulley S is also fixed. The cloth or fabric to be sewn is fed to
the machine at the end of the feeding table marked X, whereat an
incline is made, above which the cloth is passed on to the spikes u of
the pitch chain R, and as the said chain is traversed the cloth or fabric
is drawn along parallel to the axis of the spiral hook or needle a, and ]
after being sewn by the said needle it passes up another inclined plane
at the opposite end of the table P, whereby it is released from the teeth
of the chain R, and is thereafter delivered from the machine.
The amount or breadth of "grip" embraced by the stitches in sewing
the fabric is regulated by an adjustable fence placed at the feeding end 2
of the table P, as shewn at Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 1) of the Drawings,
and the fabric is held down to the table by a presser g, whose tension is
regulated by a screw or spring, not shewn in the Drawings.
In operating with the sewing machine herein-before described the
needle is threaded by an automatic threader, which places a new thread 2
in the hook or eye of the needle a without stopping the machine or
interrupting the progress of the work. The automatic threader, which
is shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3 (Sheet 1), and more particularly in
detail at Figures 6 and 7 (Sheet 2) of the Drawings, consists of a thread
arm 1 centred on one end of an upright shaft 2, which is supported by 8
a sleeve 3 formed on or attached to the stud e. At the opposite end the
thread arm 1 is formed with a bent or curved eye, as shewn at Figure 8
(Sheet 2) of the Drawings, over which the thread, cord, or string to be
delivered to the needle is placed, as shewn.
At the upper end of the shaft 2, and opposite to the thread arm 1, a 3
lever 4 is centred, whose outer end is bent at right angles, as shewn at
Figure 1 (Sheet 1), and on the shaft r a plate 5, the configuration of

page_text: which in plan is shewn at Figure 2 (Sheet 1) and at Figures 6 and 7
(Sheet 2) is fixed by means of a pinching screw or by other equivalent
means. The plate 5 is so arranged as at the proper instant to deliver
the bight or loop of thread, cord, or string from the bent eye of the
arm 1 to the eye or hook of the needle a, as herein-after particularly set
forth.
Thread or cord is cut into any desired lengths, and these are doubled
and placed in the receptacle 6, Figures 1 and 3 (Sheet 1) with the
doubled portion hanging over the side of the said receptacle, and in
preparing to thread the needle a the doubled portion of one length of
thread or cord is passed between the tension wires 7, and thence over
the eye formed on the automatic threader 1.
Whilst in its normal position (that is to say, whilst the needle a is
serving with a thread formerly supplied to it, and whilst the screw
spindler and thread barrel J are being moved towards the feeding end
of the machine) the automatic threader is in the position shewn in
dotted lines at Figure 7, Sheet 2, being drawn thereunto against the
action of the spring 8 by the tension of the cord or thread passed over
the eye
of the arm 1. When the screw spindle 7 has nearly completed
its stroke towards X (Figure 1) the inclined side 9 of the plate 5 comes
in contact with the end of the lever 4, which is thereby caused to move
through an arc outwards against the tension of the thread until the
tail thereof bears against the side 10 of the plate 5. Immediately on
the completion of the said outward or backward stroke of the spindle r
and thread barrel J (at which time all the thread previously supplied to
the needle a, and coiled on the barrel J is exhausted) the lever 4 returns
to its normal position, but at that part of the plate 5 marked 11, the
inclined side of which immediately on the revulsion of the barrel J and
spindle being effected by the weights p and spring q, as herein-before
described, causes the lever 4 to assume the position shewn at Figure 7,
Sheet 2, of the Drawings, in which position it is retained a length of
time sufficient to enable the revolving spiral needle a to hook the bight
or loop of thread off from the bent eye of the thread arm 1, which being
effected the arm falls over the end of the side 12, and is pushed back by
the spring 8 into the position shewn in dotted lines at Figure 7 (Sheet 2),
and another bight or loop of thread is by the operator placed over the
eye thereof ready for the next threading of the needle a without stop-
ping the action of the machine. The needle thus threaded pierces the

page_text: cloth or fabric, carries the thread through the same, and round the
barrel J, which is filled with thread, as shewn in dotted lines at Figuro 1,
(Sheet 2) by the continuous revolution of the needle a and the pro-
gressive movement of the fabric and pitch chain R. Each coil of thread
on reaching the forward end of the thread barrel J is by the progressive
movement of the fabric and by the receding movement of the barrel J
thrown off therefrom, and caught between the thread drag t and the
rounded edge of the barrel J. The thread passes.in between the barrel
and the drag t at the position shewn on Figure 2 (Sheet 2), and by the
rotatory motion of the barrel' J the point of contact of the thread or
cord with the barrel is carried round to the position shewn at Figure 3
(Sheet 2), whereby the stitch 16, Figure 1 (Sheet 2), next preceding
that passing round between the barrel and the drag is tightened and
completed. After so pulling the preceding stitch tight the thread or
cord is by the revolution of the barrel J passed into the position shewn
at Figure 4 (Sheet 2), after which that portion of the thread or cord
leaves the barrel and the slack stitch 17 so produced on the thread or cord
is drawn tight over the barrel J, by which means the stitch 17 is partly
tightened or drawn up, the completion of the said stitch being effected
by the receding of the barrel J, whereby the part 18 of the thread is
thrown off, and passing in between the barrel and the thread drag per-
forms the completion of the stitch 17, as herein-before described in
reference to the stitch 16. A similar succession of operations takes
place in reference to each succeeding stitch until all the thread on the
barrel J has been exhausted, at which time a knife edge 19, Figure 1
(Sheet 1), secured on the screw spindler cuts or severs the portion of
thread remaining between the eye of the needle a and the seam, such
severance being effected against the end of the tube or cylinder I, and
close to the eye of the needle. The needle being then free from thread
the barrel J and spindle are immediately thrown forward to the
opposite end of their stroke, and the needle during such movement is
rethreaded by the automatic threader, as hercin-before described, and
continues the seam from the position of the next stitch.
In sowing with the machine now under reference the width between
each stitch is regulated by the speed at which the pitch chain R draws
the cloth or fabric along the feeding table P, the needle a being made
sufficiently elastic to accommodate itself to any desired width of stitch.
The speed of the chain R is adjusted by changing the spur pinion t on

page_text: the shaft N, Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1. The speed of movement of the
thread barrel J towards the feeding end X of the machine is adjusted
according to the breadth or "grip" of cloth through which the seam is
made (that is to say, the barrel is caused to unwind the thread or cord
faster or slower, according as a broader or narrower "grip" is required),
by shifting the driving belt i on the cones K and L by means of the
belt shifter 20 operated by the screw and hand wheel 21, Figures 1
and 2 (Sheet 1).
In lieu of supplying the thread or cord to the needle a and thread
barrel J from a receptacle 6 by means of the automatic threader herein-
before described, the thread or cord may be supplied to the needle and
thread barrel by means of the arrangement illustrated in front elevation
at Figure 9, and in end elevation at Figure 10 (Sheet 2) of the Drawings,
and which arrangement consists of a bobbin A placed loosely on a rod
and supported on the central column at the front of the machine by
means of a vertical rod, to which the rod B is attached by a pinching
screw or equivalent means. On the vertical rod a tube O is similarly
supported, which tube is capable of moving backwards and forwards
through an arc round the joint a. On the aforesaid vertical rod one end
of the spindle D of a reel E is also supported, the opposite end of the
spindle D being supported on another vertical rod fixed to the front
pillar at the delivery end of the machine. Thread or cord is conducted
from. the bobbin A through the pendulous tube C to the reel E, whereat
the end of the thread or cord is secured between one end of the reel and
the spring b, as shewn at Figures 9 and 10, Sheet 2. The reel E is then
rotated by means of a belt or band passed round a pulley situate on the
axis thereof, and also round a pulley situate on the cross shaft V,
Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 1, and the rotation of the reel is continued
until half the amount of thread or cord required to fill the thread
barrel J has been wound thereon, the other half of the thread or cord
being supplied to the barrel direct from the bobbin A through the
pendulous tube C. The reel E is placed loosely on its spindle D, but at
the required intervals it is kept in gear therewith whilst the winding of
the thread is being effected by the pin c fixed in the collar or disc d
fixed to the spindle D entering holes or perforations formed in the
collar of the reel, as shewn at Figure 9, Sheet 2. The reel is so
arranged relatively with the thread barrel J that when the latter has
reached the extremity of its stroke towards the feeding end of the
machine, and has therefore unwound all the thread previously supplied

page_text: to it, half the thread required for again supplying the barrel has been
wound on the reel, which is then thrown out of gear with the disc d by
the striker F fixed on the screw spindle coming in contact with the
end G thereof, as illustrated in dotted lines at Figure 9 (Sheet 2). An
arm on the striker F during the rearward motion of the screw spindle
bears against the lower end of the pendulous tube C and carries it
backwards until at the end of the rearward stroke of the spindler and
thread barrel J the tube is in the position shewn in dotted lines at
Figure 9 (Sheet 2). Another striker G¹ is placed on the screw shaft r,
which when the shaft is at the extreme limit of its rearward stroke
occupies the position shewn by the diagram plan Figure 11, Sheet 2, of
the Drawings. When the said spindler again begins to move forward
the striker G¹ acting in the notch in the disc H causes the pendulous
tube C to be further moved backwards from the position a to the position
b at Figure 18 (Sheet 2), whereby the eye or hook of the needle is
caused to catch the thread or cord, which after passing through the
fabric it winds round the thread barrel J, as herein-before described in
reference to the other arrangement of threading the needle. The disc H,
which is supported on the machine at any suitable fixed part of the
mechanism, acts on the tube C through the intervention of the curved
rod or lever k. The reel E in being thrown out of gear acts on a lever m,
which is formed with an inclined plane n, as shewn, and a striker o is
placed on the spindle ", which acts on the inclined plane and pushes the
reel into gear with the disc d. When the spindle again assumes the
position shewn on the Drawings the pendulous tube O is brought back
to the position shewn at Figure 9, Sheet 2, of the Drawings after the
thread barrel has been filled by the progressive movement of the fabric
being sewn, and on obtaining the said position the end of the thread
held between the bobbin A, and the spring 6 is released, and the con-
necting thread between the pendulous tube C and the fabric is during :
the next revolution of the reel E caught by the spring and held, the
thread between the spring and the fabric being thus severed by the reel
on commencing to rewind drawing it across a sharp or knife edge.
By means of this arrangement the supplying of thread to the thread
barrel is effected without the interference or assistance of the operator.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe

page_text: in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The general arrangement and combination of mechanism
constituting the "overhead" sewing machine, herein-before described
and illustrated on the appended Sheets of Drawings, or any mere
modification thereof.
Second. The solid cylindrical spiral hook or needle a, and the
mechanism for supporting, confining, and driving the same, substantially
as herein-before described, and more particularly illustrated at Figures 4
and 5, Sheet 1, of the appended Drawings.
Third. The thread barrel J and drag or tension apparatus t, and
mechanism connected with the same, whereby, together with the
needle a, they are caused to make the "overhead" stitch or seam by
operating substantially as herein-before described.
Fourth. The arrangement and construction of apparatus consisting of
the receptacle 6, tension 7, thread arm 1, lever 4, plate 5, and spring 8,
whereby the attendant is enabled to thread the needle a, substantially
as herein-before set forth and illustrated at Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 1,
and at Figures 6, 7, and 8, Sheet 2, of the Drawings.
Fifth. The arrangement of thread reel E and pendulous tube O, and
apparatus in connection therewith, whereby the feeding or supplying of
thread, cord, or string to the needle and thread barrel is rendered self-
acting, as herein-before described in reference to Figures 9, 10, 11, 12,
and 18, Sheet 2, of the Drawings.
Sixth. The spiked pitch chain R in combination with the mechanism
constituting the improved "overhead" sewing machine, as and for the
purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Laing, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of October, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.