IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Altham Pilling, of Anvil Street, Blackburn, in the
County of Lancaster, Mechanic, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SEWING MACHINES."
Sealed the 14th September 1866, and dated the 16th March 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Altham Pilling at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
March 1866.
I, ALTHAM PILLING, of Anvil Street, Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE
MENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," to be as follows:--
The first part of my Invention relates to a peculiar combination of
mechanism for the purpose of producing from a rotary shaft an irregular
motion imparted to the needle bars of sewing machines, in order to enable the
needle to form a loop and various motions suitable to the formation of a lock
stitch in combination with the rotary hook described in another part of this
my Specification. These motions may be used in combination with the
existing ordinary sewing machine shuttle for the formation of the lock stitch;
this can be obtained in two ways as follows:-

page_text: Firstly, at one end of a revolving shaft is fixed an eccentric crank pin,
to which is coupled a connecting rod. The other end of the connecting rod
is coupled to a radius link. The connecting rod is coupled by means of a
pin at a convenient point between the ends of the connecting rod (and in
such a manner as to be able to oscillate) to a cross slide; the cross slide
is made to work on two parallel rods fixed to the body of the machine. The
other end of the aforesaid radius link is coupled to an eccentric crank pin
fixed to one end of a rocking shaft which is carried in the bracket arm of the
machine; at the other end of the said rocking shaft is fixed an eccentric
crank pin which imparts motion to the needle bar by means of a connecting
rod. This combination of mechanism causes the needle to descend to pene-
trate the material then worked on, to rise to form the loop, to rest to enable
the hook to pass the thread from the needle eye round the spool or thread
holder to relieve the thread, and to rise to the top of the stroke in order to
complete the stitch in one revolution of the rotary shaft.
The second arrangement is as follows:-Instead of the aforesaid cross
slide and parallel rods I substitute a radius link, one end of which link is
coupled to the aforesaid connecting rod at a convenient point between the
ends thereof, and the other end of the aforesaid radius link is fitted to a pin
fixed in the body of the machine. In sewing machines where a lever is used
to actuate the needle bar the lever may be coupled to the end of the aforesaid
rocking shaft instead of the eccentric crank pin and connecting rod referred
to above.
The second part of my Invention relates to an improved rotary hook and
spool driver, spool or thread holder, and spool carrier, arranged and com-
bined as to admit of the formation of the lock stitch in combination with
the needle at 'one revolution of the hook and spool, and to obtain an adjustable
tension on the spool or under thread. For this purpose is fixed at the end of
the revolving shaft, referred to in the first part of this my Specification,' what
may be called a spool carrier. or disc. On the front side of the carrier is
fixed or worked out of the solid a thin plate, behind which the needle works.
A cup or disc, which may be called a spool driver, is hinged or fastened with
a set screw to the carrier. The inside of the spool driver, and the thin plate
in front of the carrier are recessed out eccentrically with the axis of the shaft
in order to hold the spool or thread holder. On the inside of the spool driver
is fixed a hook, the point of which hook inclines in the direction of a tangent
to the axis of the revolving shaft, and by this arrangement. takes the thread
from the loop formed by the needle and releases it when the needle commences
to pull in the stitch. In order to facilitate the passage of the thread round

page_text: the spool, a piece of metal may be fixed to the body of the machine in front
of the spool carrier. The spool is made round at right angles, and oval in
section with its axis, and by means of a hinged lid is made to contain either a
cop or bobbin of thread. In order to obtain an adjustable tension on the
spool thread,, a hole is drilled in the centre of the spool, round which hole.are
drilled several other holes through which the thread is passed or repassed, but
always issuing when working from the hole in the centre. By these means,
in combination with the eccentric recess (cut on the inside of the aforesaid.
driver,, and on the face of the aforesaid plate fixed on the aforesaid carrier);..
a perfect and adjustable tension is obtained..
The third part of my Invention relates. to. an. improved feed motion. On
the revolving shaft referred to in the first part of this my Specification, a cam
is fixed behind the spool carrier referred to, before one part of the periphery
of the cam is further from the centre than the other part. To a pin fixed in
the body of the machine in. front of the spool carrier is fitted a link or joint,
and to the other end of the said joint is coupled another. joint or link, on
which are cut the feed teeth. The other end of the joint carrying the feed
teeth is attached to a spiral spring, one end of which spring is fixed to the
body of the machine. When the revolving, shaft revolves it carries round
with it the cam, the eccentric part of which cam lifts the joint carrying the
teeth upwards, and after actuating that joint moves the other, joint forward.
When the cam has. passed from the joint the spiral spring draws back the
two joints into their first position.. The length of the stitch is regulated by
means of a small set screw working against the first joint..
The fourth part of my Invention relates to an improved thread take-up and
tension. On the bracket arm of the machine is cast a horn or bracket which
carries a short shaft. At one end of the short shaft is fixed the tension
barrel, round which the thread. is wrapped. On the other end of the afore-
said shaft is fixed a joint or link coupled with another joint or link. The
other end of the second joint is fixed on the rocking shaft referred to in the
first part of my Specification, and transmits motion from the rocking shaft to
the thread lever through the aforesaid shaft carried in the horn fixed on the
bracket arm of the machine. The thread from the bobbin is then wrapped
round the barrel from the centre thereof.. A small spring is fixed behind the
thread lever so as to press on it and to break the motion of the thread. lever.
By these means a more perfect tension is obtained and no more
is
passed through the eye of the thread lever than is necessary for. the
formation of the stitch, which is thus formed in a new and improved method.
thread

page_text: 1
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Altham Pilling in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
1: September 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALTHAM
'PILLING, of Anvil Street, Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, Mechanic,
'send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, 1
the said Altham Pilling, Her special licence that I, the said Altham Pilling,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Altham Pilling, my exécutors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, 'use, 1
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
'the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SEWING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Altham
Pilling, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under'
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and 2
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 Altham Pilling, do hereby declare the a
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
"formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say :-
The first part of my Invention relates to a peculiar combination of
mechanism for the purpose of producing from a rotary shaft an irregular
motion imparted to the needle bars of sewing machines, in order to enable
the needle to form a loop and various motions suitable to the formation of a
lock stitch in combination with the rotary hook described in another part of
this my Specification. These motions may be used in combination with the
existing ordinary sewing machine shuttle for the formation of the lock stitch; ;
this can be obtained in two ways, as follows:-
Firstly, at one end of a revolving shaft is fixed an eccentric crank pin, to
which is coupled a connecting rod. The other end of the connecting rod is

page_text: coupled to a radius link. The connecting rod is coupled by means of a pin at
a convenient point between the ends of the connecting rod. (and in such a
manner as to be able to oscillate) to a cross slide. The cross slide is made to
work on two parallel rods fixed to the body of the machine. The other end of
the aforesaid radius link is coupled to an eccentric crank pin fixed to one end;
of a rocking shaft which is carried in the bracket arm of the machine. At the
other end of the said rocking shaft is fixed an eccentric crank pin, which
imparts.motion to the needle bar by means of a connecting rod. This com-
bination of mechanism causes the needle to descend, to penetrate the material
then worked on, to rise to form the loop, to rest to enable the hook to pass
the thread from the needle eye round the spool or thread holder, to descend
to relieve the thread, and to rise to the top of the stroke, in order to complete
the stitch in one revolution of the rotary shaft.
The second arrangement is as follows;-Instead of the aforesaid cross slide
and parallel rods I substitute a radius link, one end of which link is coupled
to the aforesaid connecting rod at a convenient point between the ends thereof,
and the other end of the aforesaid radius link is fitted to a pin fixed in the
body of the machine. In sewing machines where a lever is used to actuate
the needle bar the lever may be coupled to the end of the aforesaid rocking
shaft instead of the eccentric crank pin and connecting rod referred to above.
The second part of my Invention relates to an improved rotary hook and
spool driver, spool or thread holder, and spool carrier, so arranged and combined
as to admit of the formation of the lock stitch in combination with the needle
at one revolution of the hook and spool, and to obtain an adjustable tension
on the spool or under thread. For this purpose is fixed at the end of the
revolving shaft referred to in the first part of this my Specification what may,
be called a spool carrier or disc. Qu the front side of the carrier is fixed or
worked out of the solid a thin plate, behind which the needle, works. Acup
or disc, which may be called a spool driver, is hinged or fastened with a set
screw to the carrier. The inside of the spool driver and the thin, plate in
front of the carrier are recessed out eccentrically with the axis of the shaft, in
order to hold the spool or thread holder. On the inside of the spool driver
is fixed a hook, the point of which book inclines in the direction of a tangent
to the axis of the revolving shaft, and by this arrangement takes the thread
from the loop formed by the needle, and releases it when the needle commences
to pull in the stitch. In order to facilitate the passage of the thread round
the spool a piece of metal may be fixed to the body of the machine in front of
the spool carrier. The spool is made of, a lenticular form, that is, round at
right angles, and oval in section with its axis, and by means of a hinged lid

page_text: is made to contain either a cop or bobbin of thread. In order to obtain an
adjustable tension on the spool thread a hole is drilled in the centre of the.
spool, round which hole are drilled several other holes, through which.. the
thread is passed or repassed, but always issuing when working from the hole
in the centre. By these means, in combination with the eccentric recess
(cut on the inside of the aforesaid driver, and on the face of the aforesaid
plate fixed on the aforesaid carrier), a perfect and adjustable tension is
obtained. I may here observe that an ordinary shuttle driven by a crank or
links may be used instead of the aforesaid rotary hook.
The third part of my Invention relates to an improved feed motion. On
the revolving shaft referred to in the first part of this my Specification a cam
is fixed 'behind the spool carrier referred to before, one part of the periphery
of the cam is further from the centre than the other part. To a pin fixed in
the body of the machine in front of the spool carrier is fitted a link or joint,
and to the other end-of-the said joint is coupled another joint or link, on which
are cut-the feed teeth. The other end of the joint carrying the feed-teeth is
attached to a spiral spring, one end of which spring is fixed to the body of the
machine. When the revolving shaft revolves it carries round with it the cam,
the eccentric part of which cam lifts the joint carrying the teeth upwards, and
after actuating that joint moves the other joint forward. When the cam has
passed from the joint the spiral spring draws back the two joints into their
first position. The length of the stitch is regulated by means of a small set
screw working against the first joint.
The fourth part of my Invention relates to an improved thread take-up and
tension. On the bracket arm of the machine is cast a horn or bracket which
carries a short shaft. At one end of the short shaft is fixed the tension barrel,
round which the thread is wrapped. On the other end of the aforesaid shaft
is fixed a joint or link coupled with another joint or link. The other end of
the second joint is fixed on the rocking shaft referred to in the first part of my
Specification, and transmits motion from the rocking shaft to the thread lever
through the aforesaid shaft carried in the horn fixed on the bracket arm of
the machine. The thread from the bobbin is then wrapped round the barrel
from the centre thereof. A small spring is fixed behind the thread lever so
as to press on it and to break the motion of the thread lever. By these
means a more perfect tension is obtained and no more thread is passed through
the eye of the thread lever than is necessary for the formation of the stitch
which is thus formed in a new and improved method.
In order that this Invention may be more fully understood I will proceed to
more particularly describe the same, referring for that purpose to the several

page_text: Figures on the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings. The same reference
letters mark the same or like parts in all Figures, but parts of the machine
which are not new will not be referred to further than is necessary to explain
the present improvements.
Figures 1, 2, 3, Sheet 1, relate to the first modification of the first part of
my Invention.
.
Figures 13, 14, 15, Sheet 2, relate to the second modification of the first
part of my Invention.
Figures 1, 2, Sheet 1, and Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
Sheet 2, relate to the second part of my Invention.
Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, Sheet 1, and Figures 21, 22, Sheet 2, relate to the
third part of my Invention..
my
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Sheet 1; relate to the fourth part
Invention.
of
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) represents a side elevation of the machine; Figure 2,
Sheet 1 represents a front clevation of the same; Figure 3, Sheet 1, represents
a back view of the same; Figure 4, Sheet 1, represents a plan view of the
same.
I will now describe the first modification of the first part of my Invention.
A, A, (Figure 1) is the table of the machine; B, B, is the bracket arm of
the machine, which is screwed to the table A, A. The bearings ¹, b², are
cast on the bottom side of the bracket arm B, B; an oblong hole is made in
the table A, A, so that the bearings 61, 62, can pass through the table; and
in this manner the bearings 6, 63, are central with the bearings of the
bracket a, and horizontal to the face. of the table A, A.. C is a horizontal
rotary shaft carried in the bearing 6', and on one end thereof is fixed a
driving pulley, by which motion may be given to the machine by either hand
or power; D is a horizontal rotary shaft carried in the bearing 6 and
bracket a¹. At the ends of the rotary shafts C, D, are fixed two discs C³, C²,
to which is coupled the connecting rod c by means of the stud c. The other
end of the connecting rod c³ is coupled to the motion link c.
rod is coupled at a convenient point between its two ends
manner as to be able to oscillate) to the cross heads c³, c.
cs, cs, are made to slide vertically on the parallel rods co, co,
to four lugs cast in the inside of the bracket arm B, B.
the motion link is coupled to the eccentric crank pin e¹ which is fixed to
one end of the horizontal rocking shaft E; the horizontal rocking shaft E is
carried in the bearings 63, 6, which are cast in the horizontal part of the
bracket arm B, B. At the other end of the horizontal rocking shaft E is
The connecting
(and in such a
The cross heads
which are fixed
The other end of

page_text: fixed another eccentric crank pin e³, which imparts motion to the needle bar F
by means of the connecting rod e³ coupled to the needle bar F. At one end.
of the needle bar F is placed the needle f¹..
Figures 13, 14, 15, Sheet 2, relate to the second. modification of the first
part of my Invention.
At the ends of the horizontal rotary shafts C, D, are fixed two discs K, K,
to which is coupled the vertical connecting rod ¹ by means of a stud k³, the
other end of the vertical connecting rod k¹ is coupled to a motion link k'. At
a convenient point between the ends of the vertical connecting. rod is coupled
the radius link k.. A stud is fixed into the bracket arm of the machine
The other end of the
which is fixed to one
B, B, on which the other end of the radius link works.
motion link is coupled to the eccentric crank pin k
end of the horizontal rocking shaft E.
Figures 1, 2, Sheet 1, and Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
Sheet 2, relate to the second part of my Invention."
G, Figure 1, is the combined spool or thread holder carrier and feed cam
(see Figures 21, 22, Sheet. 2) fixed to the horizontal rotary shaft D. On the
face of the spool carrier G is fixed or worked out of the solid a thin plate g',
behind which the needle works. On the face of the thin plate g¹ a recess is
cut out eccentrically to the centre of the horizontal rotary shaft D. The
eccentric recess serves to hold the spool or thread holder g³ in order that it
may tighten the bottom or spool thread when the stitch is being drawn in ;
g is the spool or thread-holder (see Figure. 1, Sheet 1); (Figures 24, 25,
Sheet 2) of a lenticular form, so constructed that one side of the spool or
thread holder can be used as a hinged lid so as to be able to fill it with a
bobbin or cop of thread. In order to obtain an adjustable tension on the
spool or under thread a hole is drilled in the centre of the spool or thread
holder g, round which hole other holes are drilled, through which the thread
is passed or repassed, but-always issuing when working from the hole in the
centre; is the spool driver which is attached to the spool carrier G. by
means of a hinged -joint and spring so as to be able to open in order to refill
the spool or thread holder g (see Figures 21, 22, 23, Sheet 2). On the
inner side of the spool driver g³ is fixed the 'hook g (Figure 23, Sheet 2) by
which the thread is taken and passed round the spool or thread holder 9. A
recess is cut in the inner side of the spool driver g³ equal in eccentricity to
the recess in g¹, and answering the same purpose. I may here remark that
sufficient space must be left between the thin plate g' and the spool driver
in order to allow the thread from the needle to pass round the spool or thread

page_text: Figures 1, 2,, 5; 6, 7, Sheet 1, and Figures 21, 22; Sheet 2, relate to the
third part of my Invention; H, Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, Sheet 1, represents
the joint on which the feed teeth are cut. At one end of the joint His
coupled the vertical joint h', the bottom end of which is jointed to the
bracket a. The spiral spring h³ is attached to the front end of the joint. H,
and to the bracket a¹; h³ is the screw for adjusting the length of feed g³.
Figures 1,2,, Sheet 1, and Figures 21, 22, Sheet 2, is the cam, which as
the horizontal rotary shaft D revolves, lifts upwards the joint H, and pushes
forward the joint h¹;. H and .h¹ are afterwards drawn back by the spiral
spring h², and thus a four motion feed is obtained; h* is a thread guide to
: assist the thread in its passage round the spool or thread holder. The thread
guidé h may be fixed either on the joint H or the needle plate a* (Figure 4,
.Sheet 1.)
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, relate to the fourth part of my Inven
tion; I (Figure 1) is a horn or bracket cast on the bracket. arm. of the
machine B, B, supporting the thread take-up and tension; (Figures 1, 2, 3,
. 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 'Sheet, 1,) is a lever carrying the wire in which the thread
eye is made. The boss of the lever is turned at right angles with the
clever, so as to form. a trunnion working in 'the horn or bracket. I. Between
the lever and the horn or bracket I, a groove is turned on the trunnion
in which a spring presses to act as a break for the thread take-up. On
the front side of the boss of the lever, a hole is bored, into which the
<tension barrel ?? is fitted. A hole is bored from the centre to the circumference
of the barrel at one end thereof (see Figures 1, 2, 4, and 12, Sheet 1,)-through
which the thread from the bobbin passes, and is then passed through the
eye of the thread take-up. At the other end of the trunnion is fixed another
lever; at the end of the lever ³ a hole is drilled, in which the spindle i
works. At the bottom end of the spindle
is a ball joint (see Figure 11,
Sheet 1,) which works at the end of rocking crank, which is fixed to the
horizontal rocking 'shaft E.
.
.
:
The combined action is as follows of the parts described above:When
the needle has formed the loop; and the spindle it and the rocking crank
are at their lowest point, then the thread take-up enables the hook g
(Figure 23, Sheet 2), to pass the thread from. the needle fround the spool
5 or thread holder before mentioned. When the rocking shaft. E moves up
the needle bar F, the rocking crank and spindle lift up the thread
take-up, which draws in the stitch at the same time' the needle 'reaches its
highest point.
In order more fully to describe the working. of the peculiar combination

page_text: my Invention in combination with the rotary hook described under the second
part my of Invention, I will refer to Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Sheet 2.
In Figure 15 the motion is shown in five different positions. The arrows shown
on various parts of the Figure denote the direction in which the motion works.
In all the Figures the needle thread is shown in red, and the spool thread. blue.
In position 1 as shown in full lines the needle has descended and penetrated
the material then worked on the rotary hook being in (position 1 Figure 16.)
In position 2 shown thus -
-i
the needle has risen and formed the loop. The rotary hook (position 2,
Figure 17,) having advanced to seize the loop. In position 3 shown thus
the needle is at rest,. during
which time the rotary hook (position 3, Figure 18) has passed the thread
partly round the spool or 'thread holder. In position 4 shown thus
---
--the needle has descendéd a second time to
relieve the thread in its passage round the spool or thread holder. The
rotary hook (position 4; Figure 19,) has advanced to its lowest point previous
'to the thread being drawn off. In position 5 shown thus - - -
--- the needle has risen to highest point drawn
the thread off the hook and finished the stitch, the rotary hook (position 5,
Figure 20,) having passed the thread completely round the spool or thread
'holder and thus: formed a lock stitch.
1
. Having now fully described the nature of this my Invention I would have
it understood that-what I claim is,―
Firstly, the combining in the two different ways herein-before. described of
the rotary shaft, rocking shaft, connecting rods, links, cross heads, and
parallel rods in order to obtain the herein-before described motion, viz., a
descent, rise, rest, second descent, and second rise of the needle.
Secondly, the rotary hook and spool or thread holder arranged substantially
as herein-before described so as to obtain a lock stitch at one revolution of
the said rotary hook and spool or thread holder..
Thirdly, the recess herein-before described cut out of the spool driver and
thin plate èccentrically to the centre of the rotary shaft carrying the hook
and spool driver, by which means a more direct and perfect tension is obtained
on the spool or under thread.
Fourthly, the improved feed motion, or any slight modification of the same,
as berein-before described.
."
Fifthly, the new and improved thread take-up and tension barrel which
are so arranged together that when the take-up is pulling in the stitch, the

page_text: thread from the take-up is perfectly parallel with the needle and that no
more thread shall pass through the thread eye of the take-up than is necessary
for the formation of a stitch, and in this manner the friction on the thread is
greatly reduced.
In witness whereof,. I, the said Altham Pilling, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
above-named Altham Pilling, in
the presence of
ARTHUR J. ROBINSON,
Solicitor,
Blackburn.
A. PILLING. (LS.)