IMPROVE- MENTS IN AND RELATING TO SEWING MACHINES AND IN ELECTRICAL DEVICES FOR WORKING THE SAME
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of the Liverpool and London Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster,
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO SEWING MACHINES AND IN ELECTRICAL DEVICES FOR
WORKING THE SAME," (a communication from abroad by Monsieur Henri Emile
Vigneron of Paris in the republic of France) to be as follows:-
The following is the description of the invention as communicated to me.
The new system of sewing machine forming the object of the present application
for a patent consists in the combination with the said machine of an electric motor
which works it and which forms part of it.
To this end all the important parts of the machine have been disposed so as to
decrease friction and thus diminish loss of power and at the same time increase
the speed at which the machine works.
The motor forming part of the machine has been disposed or constructed as is
hereafter described and set forth.
Another improvement is relative to the shape of the revolving hook, which
permits of diminishing the stroke of the needle holder and of employing a short
needle, and the invention also comprises a method of holding the loop so as to
prevent the revolving hook from catching it twice.
I will now describe the improvements which characterize this new system of
sewing machine, referring to the annexed drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front
view and Fig. 2 an end view of the improved type of machine as seen at the side'
bearing the needle holder.
Fig 3. is a cross-section showing the manner in which the rocking lever is
suspended from its pivot.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the shuttle as placed against the crochet disc and also of
its carrier.
Fig. 5 shows a view in profile and a front view of the revolving hook.

page_text: Fig. 6 is
plan of the under side of the table showing the arrangement of the
electro magnetic motor as adapted to the sewing machine.
In the following description I shall deal only with the new arrangements which
constitute the improvements, as these improvements may be applied to almost any
sewing machine.
As may be seen on referring to the drawings the rocking lever a shown by
dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in cross section Fig. 3 has its centre of oscillation
situated midway of its length; it is thus placed in equilibrium and consequently
a less amount of force is requisite to cause it to oscillate than if it were articulated
at either of its extremities. It is supported by two points b terminating two
screws c which traverse the frame A of the machine, aud which may be tightened
at will so as to compensate for the wear of the rocking lever at the place where it
bears against the points. Friction is thus almost entirely neutralized and the
loss of power reduced to a minimum.
In order to be able to use a short needle, which is less liable to be broken than
a long one, the revolving hook is arranged in such a manner that it can catch the
thread although the needle descends only slightly below the table of the machine.
This arrangement of the revolving book is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5.
It consists in cutting the disc d in such a manner that the revolving hook e
is placed on the circumference of the disc instead of being inflected towards the
centre.
The needle holder or needle bar f is connected to the rocking lever a by means
of a knee-joint g which is free to move lengthwise up and down the socket h. The
needle holder is subjected to no strain whatever perpendicularly which might be
liable to put it out of shape and consequently it moves perfectly evenly. This
disposition has the advantage of greatly diminishing friction and therefore allows
of a proportionate reduction of motive power.
In order to still more diminish the friction of the machine the roller moving in a
cam groove on the main shaft (which roller governs the movement of the rocking
shaft) is replaced by a rod i articulated to a crank ; keyed to a properly concen-
trated point of the fly wheel k and also to the rocking lever a at the extremity
opposite the needle holder. This articulation is effected preferably by means of a
knee joint as already described with reference to the articulation of the needle-
holder.
All detrimental friction is thus obviated and besides a uniform movement of the
needle-holder is obtained without any loss of time such as results from the use of
the cam and which necessitates the use of a thread stretcher; by this invention
this thread stretcher may be dispensed with.
I will now describe a very simple arrangement invented for preventing the
revolving book from catching the loop twice before the latter is drawn tight. This
arrangement consists of a small nipple mounted on a spring m fixed to the slide n
The thread brought
which serves to regulate the position of the shuttle carrier o.
forward by the revolving hook e is held by the small nipple which keeps the loop
tight and lets it slip only when the needle holder rises to draw the stitch.
The electro-magnetic inotor which completes and actuates this system of sewing
machine is as has been already said carried on the machine itself. In Fig. 6 of
the accompanying drawings it is placed underneath the table of the machine and
consequently hidden from view.
On the shaft X, whose rotation produces all the necessary movements, is keyed
a wheel B provided with soft iron armatures which are successively attracted by
the electro-magnets C placed underneath the sewing table. K is the fly-wheel
keyed on to the shaft X and which by means of a crank pin j and the rod i
produces the oscillations of the rocking shaft a.
To this mechanism is added a brake which serves to moderate the speed of the
machine and even to stop it altogether.
This brake is nothing else than a spring F adapted to an axis G which traverses
the sewing table, and which is terminated below the latter by a handle. By

page_text: turning this handle in a proper direction the spring F bears against the flywheel K
and by its friction stops instantaneously and without any shock the rotation of
the latter.
Finally the machine is completed by an organ of "repartition" or commutator
which permits of varying within the limits which may be determined at will the
force of the electric current.
This commutator is composed of a disc G divided into a certain number of
sectors electrically insulated from each other and each communicating with a
greater or less number of cells of a battery.
A brush H is fixed on the shaft which bears the spring F in such a manner that
by turning the handle of said shaft in a direction contrary to that necessary for
stopping the machine, the brush H is brought into contact with one or other of the
sectors, that is to say with a greater or less number of cells, which contact has
the effect of augmenting or diminishing the force of the motor and consequently
the speed of the machine.
The same result might be obtained by introducing variable resistances into the
circuit.
The brake already alluded to may be placed in any part of the machine pro-
vided that it forms like the other organs an integral part of the said machine. The
movement may be governed by means of a pedal and the general dispositions may
be varied at will, provided they conform to the principles above indicated.
An interrupter D is carried on the shaft X at a point chosen so as not to interfere
with the working parts of the machine.
I have represented in Fig. 7 a disposition showing how the motor acts as applied
to a sewing machine conformably to the above principles.
C represents the electro-magnets fixed in any convenient position preferably
beneath the sewing table, so as to be out of sight.
On the shaft X is keyed a wheel B formed of a certain number of arms (four for
instance) each of which is terminated by an armature composed of soft iron. On
the same shaft X is keyed a wheel D in such a position that it does not interfere
with the working of the various parts of the machine. The armatures of the
wheel D which is similar to the wheel B correspond to the bisectors of the angles
formed by the armatures of the latter. The wheel D might be carried by an
auxiliary shaft having the same speed as the shaft X provided that the relative
positions of the armatures of the wheels B and D be such as we have described.
The diametrically opposite armatures of the wheel D are connected together by a
good conducting material, but they are insulated from all the others. A brush I
communicating with a wire J which joins the two bobbins C is put into contact
by the rotation of the wheel D successively with an armature and with the
insulating material which separates two neighbouring arinatures. Another brush L
is in constant communication with the wire M, which terminates in a brush H
which is put in contact with one or other of the mutually insulated sectors of
a commutator G, communicating respectively one with the positive pole of an
element, the second with the positive pole of a second element, and so on.
these elements are joined together (the positive pole of one to the negative pole
of another) and besides one of the bobbins of the electro magnet is joined con-
stantly by a wire N with the negative pole of one of the elements 1¹ of the
battery (11 21 31 4¹).
All
The different parts being thus disposed and the brush H being in contact with
the sector of the commutator G which communicates with the positive pole of the
element 1 and the wire N emanating from the negative pole of this element
communicating with one of the bobbins, if the brush L touch one of the armatures
of the wheel D the current passes through the diametrically opposite armature of
the same wheel and thence by the brush I and the wire J into the electro-magnet.
The circuit being thus closed, the armatures B are attracted by the electro
magnets and come into contact with the latter. At this moment the armatures D
cease to be in contact with the brushes I and L, so that the circuit is interrupted

page_text: and the armatures B cease to be retained by the electro-magnets and continue their
movement of rotation through the force of the speed acquired by the wheel which
carries them. When they have thus travelled an arc of 45 degrees two other
armatures D coming into contact with the brushes I and L, a new current is sent
through the electro-magnets and the wheel B continues its rotation in consequence
of the attraction exercised on the two following armatures.
The rotation of the wheel B and consequently of the shaft X which carries, will
thus be uniform and continuous as long as the force of the current remains constant.
The intensity of the current and consequently the speed of the machine may
be
varied by putting the brush H on one or other of the sectors which communicate
by the wires 1, 2, 3 4, with the cells 1 21 31 or 4¹. The current is thus formed
by one two three or four cells.
The dispositions above indicated may be varied, provided that the arrangements
adopted be such as to obtain the electrical effects substantially in the manner
described.

page_text: I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Liverpool and London Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO SEWING MACHINES AND IN ELECTRICAL DEVICES FOR
WORKING THE SAME," (a communication from abroad by Monsieur Henri Emile
Vigneron of Paris in the republic of France) and in what manner the saine is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
--
The following is the description of the invention as communicated to me.
The new system of sewing machine forming the object of the present application
for a patent consists in the combination with the said machine of an electric motor
which works it and which forms part of it.
To this end all the important parts of the machine have been disposed so as to
decrease friction and thus diminish loss of power and at the same time increase the
speed at which the machine works.
Another improvement is relative to the shape of the revolving hook which
permits of diminishing the stroke of the needle holder, and of employing a short
needle, and the invention also comprises a method of holding the loop so as to
prevent the revolving hook from catching it twice.
I will now describe the improvements which characterize this new system of
sewing machine, referring to the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front
view and Figure 2 an end view of the improved type of machine as seen at the side
bearing the needle-holder.
Figure 3 is a cross-section showing the manner in which the rocking lever is
suspended from its pivot.
Figure 4 is a side view of the shuttle as placed against the revolving hook and
also of its carrier.
Figure 5 shows a view in profile and a front view of the revolving hook.
Figure 6 is a plan of the under side of the table showing the arrangement of the
electro-magnetic motor as adapted to the sewing machine.
In the following description I shall deal only with the new arrangements which
constitute the improvements, as these improvements may be applied to almost any
sewing machine.
As may be seen on referring to the drawings, the rocking lever a shown by
dotted lines in Figure 1 and in cross section Figure 3 has its centre of oscillation
situated midway of its length; it is thus placed in equilibrium and consequently a
less amount of force is requisite to cause it to oscillate than if it were articulated
at either of its extremities. It is supported by two points b terminating two
screws c which traverse the frame A of the machine, and which may be tightened
at will so as to compensate for the wear of the rocking lever at the place where it
bears against the points. Friction is thus almost entirely neutralized and the loss
of power reduced to a minimum.
In order to be able to use a short needle, which is less liable to be broken than a
long one, the revolving hook is arranged in such a manner that it can catch the
thread although the needle descends only alightly below the table of the machine.
This arrangement of the revolving hook is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5.
→
It consists in cutting the disc d in such a manner that the revolving hook e is
placed on the circumference of the disc instead of being inflected towards the centre

page_text: The needle holder or needle-bar f is connected to the rocking lever a by means
of a knee joint g which is free to move lengthwise up and down the socket h. The
needle holder is subjected to no strain whatever perpendicularly which might be
liable to put it out of shape and consequently it moves perfectly evenly. This
disposition has the advantage of greatly diminishing friction, and therefore allows
of a proportionate reduction of motive power.
In order to still more diminish the friction of the machine the roller moving in a
cam groove on the main shaft (which roller governs the movement of the rocking
shaft) is replaced by a rod i articulated to a crank j keyed to a properly concen-
trated point of the fly-wheel k, and also to the rocking lever a at the extremity
opposite the needle holder. This articulation is effected preferably by means of a
knee joint as already described with reference to the articulation of the needle-
holder.
All detrimental friction is thus obviated and besides a uniform movement of the
needle-holder is obtained without any loss of time such as results from the use of
the cam and which necessitates the use of a thread stretcher; by this invention this
thread stretcher may be dispensed with.
I will now describe a very simple arrangement invented. for preventing the
revolving hook from catching the loop twice before the latter is drawn tight. This
arrangement consists of a small nipple 7 mounted on a spring m fixed to the slide n
which serves to regulate the position of the shuttle carrier d. The thread brought
forward by the revolving hook c is held by the small nipple 7 which keeps the loop
tight and lets it slip only when the needle holder rises to draw the stitch.
The electro-magnetic motor which completes and actuates this system of sewing
machine is as has been already said carried on the machine itself. In Figure 6 of
the accompanying drawings it is placed underneath the table of the machine and
consequently hidden from view.
On the shaft X, whose rotation produces all the necessary movements, is keyed a
wheel B provided with soft iron armatures which are successively attracted by the
electro-magnets C, placed underneath the sewing table. K is the fly-wheel keyed
on to the shaft X and which by means of a crank pin ; and the rod i produces the
oscillations of the rocking shaft a.
To this mechanism is added a brake which serves to moderate the speed of the
machine and even to stop it altogether.
This brake is nothing else than a spring F adapted to an axis G which traverses
the sewing table, and which is terminated below the latter by a handle. By
turning this handle in a proper direction, the spring F bears against the fly
wheel, K and by its friction stops instantaneously and without any shock the
rotation of the latter.
Finally the machine is completed by an organ of "repartition" or commutator
which permits of varying within the limits which may be determined at will the
force of the electric current.
This commutator is composed of a disc G divided into a certain number of sectors
electrically insulated from each other and each communicating with a greater or less
number of cells of a battery.
A brush H is fixed on the shaft which bears the spring F in such a manner that
by turning the handle of said shaft in a direction contrary to that necessary for
stopping the machine, the brush H is brought into contact with one or other of the
sectors, that is to say with a greater or less number of cells, which contact has the
effect of augmenting or diminishing the force of the motor and consequently
the speed of the machine."
The same result might be obtained by introducing variable resistances into the
circuit.
The brake already alluded to may be placed in any part of the machine provided
that it forms like the other organs an integral part of the said machine. The
movement may be governed by means of a pedal and the general dispositions may
be varied at will, provided they conform to the principles above indicated,

page_text: An interrupter D is carried on the shaft X at a point chosen so as not to
interfere with the working parts of the machine.
I have represented in Figure 7 a disposition showing how the motor acts as
applied to a sewing machine conformably to the above principles.
}
C represents the electro-magnets fixed in any convenient position preferably
beneath the sewing table, so as to be out of sight.
On the shaft X is keyed a wheel B formed of a certain number of arms (four for
instance) each of which is terminated by an armature composed of soft iron. On
the same shaft X is keyed a wheel D in such a position that it does not interfere
with the working of the various parts of the machine. The armatures of the
wheel D which is similar to the wheel B correspond to the bi-sectors of the angles
formed by the armatures of the latter. The wheel D might be carried by an
auxiliary shaft having the same speed as the shaft X provided that the relative
positions of the armatures of the wheels B and D be such as we have described.
The diametrically opposite armatures of the wheel D are connected together by a
good conducting material, but they are insulated from all the others. A brush I
communicating with a wire J which joins the two bobbins C is put into contact
by the rotation of the wheel D successively with an armature and with the
Another brush L
insulating material which separates two neighbouring armatures.
All
is in constant communication with the wire M, which terminates in a brush H
which is put in contact with one or other of the mutually insulated sectors of a
commutator G¹, communicating respectively one with the positive pole of an
element, the second with the positive pole of a second element, and so on.
these elements are joined together (the positive pole of one to the negative pole of
another) and besides one of the bobbins of the electro magnet is joined constantly
by a wire N with the negative pole of one of the elements 11 of the battery
(11, 21, 31, 4¹).
The different parts being thus disposed and the brush H being in contact with
the sector of the commutator G¹ which communicates with the positive pole of the
element 1¹ and the wire N emanating from the negative pole of this element
communicating with one of the bobbins, if the brush L touch one of the armatures
of the wheel D the current passes through the diametrically opposite armature of
the same wheel, and thence by the brush I and the wire J into the electro-magnet.
The circuit being thus closed, the armatures B are attracted by the electro-magnets
and come into contact with the latter. At this moment the armatures D cease to
be in contact with the brushes I and L, so that the circuit is interrupted and
the armatures B cease to be retained by the electro-magnets, and continue their
movement of rotation through the force of the speed acquired by the wheel which
carries them. When they have thus travelled an arc of 45 degrees, two other
armatures D coming into contact with the brushes I and L, a new current is sent
through the electro-magnets and the wheel B continues its rotation in consequence
of the attraction exercised on the two following armatures.
The rotation of the wheel B and consequently of the shaft X which carries it,
will thus be uniform and continuous as long as the force of the current remains
constant. The intensity of the current and consequently the speed of the machine
may be varied by putting the brush H on one or other of the sectors which
communicate by the wires 1, 2, 3, 4, with the cells 11 21 3¹ or 4¹. The current is
thus formed by one two three or four cells.
The dispositions above indicated may be varied, provided that the arrangements
adopted be such as to obtain the electrical effects substantially in the manner
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1st. The driving of the machine by an electro-magnetic motor forming an integral
part of the machine and constructed substantially as described and represented in
Fios 6 and 7.

page_text: •
2nd. A balanced rocking lever pivoted at the centre between two points which
may be adjusted at will to compensate for the wear of the lever.
3rd. The articulation of the rocking lever and needle holder substantially as
described.
4th. The actuating of the rocking lever by a rod and crank instead of by a cam.
5th. The arrangement of the revolving hook so as to allow of a short needle
being used, as has been described and shewn.
6th. The arrangement of a shuttle carrier on which is placed a small nipple
mounted on a spring which retains the-loop and only lets it slip through the force
produced by the needle holder, as it rises to tighten the stitch.
7tb. The application in a sewing machine of any one of these improvements
employed independently or of some or all of these improvements combined in the
same machine.
J..