IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC SEWING MACHINES." A communication from
abroad by Theodore Carmagnolle, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 4th May 1880, and dated the 13th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th November 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC SEWING
MACHINES." [A communication from abroad by Theodore Carmagnolle, of Paris,
France.]
This Invention relates to sewing machines which are operated automatically by
means of a spring-motor.
The chief novel feature of the said Invention consists in the direct application of
the spring-motor, having one or several barrels, to the operating or working parts
of the machine, whatever may be the precise arrangements of the motor or of the
working parts.
In order that the description may be clearly understood I have represented in the
accompanying Drawings, simply as specimens, different views of a machine
constructed according to the said Invention.
Figure 1 shews a transverse section of the machine taken through the axis of the
needle holder.
Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement for transmitting the
movement.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken through the axis of the machine.
The driving portion or motor of the machine comprises a barrel B, whose
diameter is such as to be suitable for the strength of the spring which it contains;
its rotatory motion is communicated to a pinion P placed above the barrel. The
wheel R keyed upon the shaft or spindle of the pinion P gears with the pinion D,
and the wheel G keyed upon the shaft or spindle of the pinion D gears with the
two pinions F and F, one of which is placed above, and the other below it. The

page_text: pinion F extends in a horizontal direction, and forms the shaft or spindle A, upon
the end of which is keyed a crank M which engages with the needle carrier or
holder L, and imparts to the latter its vertical to and fro motion. The upper
end or head of the needle-carrier, as shewn in Figure 1, is heart-shaped; this
arrangement allows the needle to stop when in the cloth or other material being
sewn the necessary time to permit the shuttle to pass entirely into the loop formed
by the thread. Moreover, this arrangement of the needle holder guide permits the
thread to close the loop into which the shuttle enters every time it passes in front
of the needle.
The pinion F carries also a fly wheel V, which serves to regulate the motion of
the machine. The pinion F¹ extends and forms the shaft or spindle A', which
carries at one end a rod or piece T and an excentric E, and at the other end a
wheel Q; the rod or piece T actuates the shuttle carrier. When the shaft A¹
revolves the rod or piece T encounters alternately the rods or studs T' and T¹, and
pushes them in a horizontal direction to the right and left hand. The excentric E
revolves with the shaft, and encounters in its rotation the feed bar G, which it
raises and pushes. The wheel Q operates the flyer V through the small pinion N
(see Figure 2); the said flyer V₁ is only necessary in the larger machines designed
for sewing heavy and resisting materials.
The shuttle carrier H is formed of a plate of steel oscillating upon two turned
bearing pieces; it has on one side a plate on which the shuttle rests, and on the
other side the two rods or studs T¹ and T" above mentioned. The shaft A¹ passes
through it, and for this purpose it is provided with a horizontal groove, as shewn
in Figure 1.
The shuttle of oblong and twisted form oscillates in a ring which is about four
centimetres in diameter; its path or travel is limited by the length of the rods or
studs T and T.
The feed-bar G slides in two grooves R¹ (Figure 1), and abuts against the
screw U. As shewn in Figure 1 it is provided with a spur or projection, with
which the excentric comes in contact. The screw U is designed to regulate the
stitcb. The excentric E raises and pushes the feed bar at each revolution the same
distance, and the spring K pushes back the feed-bar immediately the excentric
releases it. It will therefore be understood that according as the screw U is moved
farther in or out the feed bar will be caused to recede more or less, and in this
manner the length of the stitch may be regulated at will.
All the parts just above described rest or oscillate upon cast iron plates united
by pillars or screws.
The diameters of the wheels and pinions are calculated in such a manner as to
enable the maker to provide for speed and power as he may desire.
The spring is wound by means of an ordinary key, and in order to facilitate the
winding I provide an intermediate wheel S between the wheel J keyed upon the
barrel spindle and the pinion O, which is actuated by the winding key.
In order to stop the machine when in operation I provide upon the case which
covers all the driving mechanism a stud which slides vertically, and has upon its inner
end a wooden shoe or block, whose inner face is turned cylindrically. This shoe may
be applied to the fly wheel V according to the position in which it is placed; if
the stud X, Figure 1, is raised the shoe or block Z comes into frictional contact
with the fly-wheel and stops it, and if the said stud is depressed the fly-wheel
becomes released from the shoe Z, and is again free to rotate. The stud, shoe, or
brake, is caused to act more gently and smoothly than would otherwise be the case
by means of a small spring placed between the wood Z and the piece Y, and
designed to lessen the shock produced by the shoe or block coming into contact
with the fly wheel; the latter is arranged in such a manner that its upper portion
is uncovered to permit the attendant to stop or slacken the movement, or even to
give an impetus to the machine. The presser-foot bar is simply a round rod hell
between the plates I and I¹ by a spiral spring, which pushes it down. The presser
foot is attached to this rod or bar by a screw (see Figure 1); the presser-foot bar

page_text: or rod is raised by means of a projecting piece R¹, which serves also to fasten the
said bar or rod to prevent it from oscillating when it has descended. This effect is
obtained by means of a groove formed in the plate I, and in which the said
piece R¹¹ engages. When the presser-foot bar is raised the piece R¹ becomes
disengaged from the said groove, and the bar is itself free to oscillate; this simple
combination permits the material to be removed from the presser foot.
The machine rests on cast metal feet B¹ secured to the base plate K. Between
the latter and the feet I place an india-rubber washer to prevent the noise which
the working of the machines would otherwise cause.
The said improved machine possesses a combination of advantages not possessed
by any sewing machine heretofore known, that is to say, it works automatically, is
easy to manipulate, is within reach of everyone, has a gentle, rapid, and silent
motion, and may be readily conveyed from place to place; as if desired the table of
the machine, which is only used as a support, may be dispensed with.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
May 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC SEWING
MACHINES." A communication from abroad by Theodore Carmagnolle, of
Paris, France.
This Invention relates to sewing machines which are operated automatically by
means of a spring-motor.
The chief novel feature of the said Invention consists in the direct application of
the spring-motor having one or more barrels to the operating or working parts
of the machine, whatever may be the precise arrangements of the said motor, or of
the working parts.
To enable the said Invention to be more clearly understood I have represented
in the accompanying Drawing different views of a machine, shewing one method of
carrying the said Invention into practice.
Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section of the said machine through the axis of
the needle bar or holder.
Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the transmission of movement.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the axis of the machine.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
The driving portion or motor of the machine comprises a barrel B, whose
diameter is such as to be suitable for the strength of the spring which it encloses,
and whose rotatory motion is cominunicated to a pinion P arranged above the same.
The wheel R keyed upon the shaft or spindle of the pinion P gears with the
pinion D, and the wheel C keyed upon the shaft or spindle of the pinion D gears
with the two pinions F and F, one of which is placed above and the other below it.
The pinion F extends in a horizontal direction, and constitutes the shaft or spindle A,
upon the end of which is keyed a crank M, this crank engages with the needle
bar L, and imparts to the latter a vertical reciprocating motion. The upper part
or head of the needle bar, as shewn in Figure 1, is heart-shaped; this arrangement
allows the needle to stop when inserted in the cloth or other material being
sewn the necessary time to permit the shuttle to pass into the loop formed
by the thread. Moreover this arrangement of the needle bar permits the thread
to form the loop into which the shuttle enters every time it passes in front of the
needle.
The pinion F carries a fly wheel V, which regulates the motion of the machine.
The pinion F¹ is prolonged, and forms the shaft or spindle A¹, which carries at one
end a rod or piece T and an excentric E, and at the other end a wheel Q. The
rod or piece T actuates the shuttle carrier. When the shaft A' revolves the rod or
piece T encounters alternately the rods or studs T" and T", and pushes them in a
horizontal direction, first to the right, and then to the left. The excentric E
revolves with the shaft, and encounters in its rotation the feed-bar G, which it
raises and pushes in the direction to carry the work forward. The wheel Q
operates the flyer V₁ through the small pinion N (see Figure 2). The said flyer V¹
is only necessary in large machines designed for sewing heavy and resisting
materials.
The shuttle carrier H is formed of a plate of steel oscillating upon two turned
journals; it has on one side a plate, on which the shuttle rests, and on the other
side the two rods or studs T and T", hereinbefore referred to. The shaft A¹
passes through the said steel plate, and for this purpose the said plate is provided
with a horizontal slot or opening, as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1.
The shuttle of oblong and helical form oscillates in a ring which is about four

page_text: centimetres in diameter; its travel is limited by the length of the rods or
studs T¹ and T¹¹.
The feed-bar G slides in two slots or grooves at R, R', and abuts against the
screw U. This feed-bar, as shewn in Figure 1, is provided with a spur or
projection, against which the excentric abuts. The screw U is designed to regulate
the stitch. The excentric E raises and pushes the feed bar at each revolution the
same distance, and the spring K forces back the said feed-bar immediately the
excentric releases it. It will therefore be understood that according as the screw U
is adjusted farther in or out, the feed bar will be caused to recede more or less, and
in this manner the length of the stitch may be regulated at will.
All the parts just above described rest or oscillate upon cast iron plates united
by pillars or screws.
The diameters of the wheels and pinions are calculated in such a manner as to
enable the maker to provide for speed and power, as he may desire.
The spring is wound up by means of an ordinary key, and in order to facilitate
such winding up I provide an intermediate wheel S between the wheel J keyed
upon the barrel spindle and the pinion O, which is actuated by the winding key.
In order to stop the machine when in operation I provide upon the case which
covers all the driving mechanism a small stud or knob X, which slides vertically,
and has upon its inner end a small wooden shoe or block Z, whose inner face is
turned cylindrically. This shoe may be applied to the fly wheel V according to the
position in which it is placed; if the stud X, Figure 1, is raised the shoe or block. Z
comes into frictional contact with the fly wheel and stops it, and if the said stud is
depressed the shoe Z is disengaged from the fly wheel, and the latter is again free
to rotate; the said shoe or brake is caused to act more gently and smoothly than
would otherwise be the case by means of a small spring placed between the wood Z
and the piece Y, and designed to lessen the shock produced by the shoe or block
coming into contact with the fly wheel; the latter is arranged in such a manner
that its upper portion is uncovered to permit the attendant to stop or slacken the
movement, or even to give an impetus to or start the machine. The presser-foot
rod or bar is simply a round rod held between the plates I and I' by a spiral
spring, which forces it downwards. The presser foot is attached to this rod or bar
by a screw, as shewn in Figure 1, and retains the work in position whilst the
needle descends. The presser-foot bar or rod is raised by means of a projecting
piece R2, which serves also to retain the said bar or rod and prevent it from
oscillating when lowered. This effect is obtained by means of a slot formed in the
plate I, and in which the said piece R engages. When the presser foot bar is
raised the piece R2 becomes disengaged from the said slot, and the bar is free to
oscillate; this simple combination permits the material to be easily removed.
The machine rests on cast metal feet B' screwed to the base plate K; between
the latter and the feet I place an india-rubber ring or washer to prevent the noise
which the working of the machine would otherwise cause.
The said improved machine possesses a combination of advantages not possessed
by any sewing machine heretofore known, that is to say, it works automatically, is
easy to manipulate, its cost is within reach of everyone, it has a gentle, rapid, and
silent motion, and may be readily conveyed from place to place; as, if desired,
the table of the machine, which is only useful as a support, may be dispensed
with.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I do not limit myself to the precise details of construction above described, as
the said Invention comprises the direct application of the power transmitting part
to the sewing part of the machine, whatever the construction and arrangement of
the parts may be, and I claim,-
First. The application to the stitching parts of a sewing machine without any
intermediate agency of a spring or clockwork motor, with one or more barrels for
the purpose of directly actuating such parts, as above set forth.

page_text: .Second. In an automatic, sewing machine the arrangement of spring motor
consisting of the barrel and the wheels P, R, D, C, and provided with a fly wheel
and a flyer, which motor directly actuates the stitching or sewing parts by means
of the pinions F and F¹ formed or fixed upon the shafts A and A', as above set
forth and for the purpose specified.
Third. In a spring motor for sewing machines the shoe or brake acting upon the
fly wheel, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. In a sewing machine the needle bar provided with a heart-shaped slot,
as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. In a sewing machine the feed bar for moving the work operated by the
excentric, and forced, back by the spring against the screw which serves as a stop,
and regulates the length of the stitch, as above set forth.
Sixth. In a sewing machine the needle bar provided with a heart-shaped slot,
and the shuttle carrying plate provided with the studs T, T", actuated by the
piece T on the shaft A, in combination with the excentric E and feed bar, all
operating as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
WM RORT ΤΑΚΕ