IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Julius Boult, of 323 High Holborn in the County
of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
A communication from James Henry Whitney, of Brooklyn, New York,
United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Julius Boult at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th April 1883.
"
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Engineer IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES" [a communication from
James Henry Whitney, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America] :
The object of this invention is to provide improvements in sewing machines,
whereby elasticity and evenness of motion shall be obtained, thereby facilitating
the running of such machines and greatly reducing the wear of the shafts, etc, and
the strain on the operator, and whereby access may be conveniently gained to oil
and fix the working parts situated under the bed plate, without unscrewing and
lifting the machine from the table, and whereby the putting on of the belt is
facilitated and the same is prevented from getting off the fly-wheel, when the
machine is tilted in position to get access underneath the bed-plate. The
invention consists in the construction and combination of the various parts, as
will be hereinafter described.
End-frames of the sewing-machine-stand are provided and an angular brace
having three flanges two of which are secured by screws to the end-frames, and
the third one to the underside of the table-top mid-way between the two end-
frames. Through the table-top is an oblong opening in which the machine proper
is inserted and pivoted in bearings underneath the table-top in such a manner,
that, when placed in the working position, the underside of its bed-plate is flush
with the upper surface of the table. The ordinary treadle, connecting-rod, and fly
wheel, are employed.
A stud, upon which the fly-wheel turns, and which, in sewing machines as
heretofore.constructed, is rigidly secured to the frame, is secured to a block bored

page_text: and fitted to slide upon two vertical bolts, which latter are fastened one at each
side of the stud to lugs, or flanges, projecting from the inside of the frame above
and below the said stud and slide block. The slide-block is supported upon spiral
springs, which surround the bolt and are inserted between the block and the lug
or flange beneath it. In order to allow of tightening the stud from the outside of
the frame and to maintain the smooth appearance of the latter, an opening is formed
in the frame, and the block is made just thick enough, and of proper width of its
outer portion, to fit the width of the said opening and to be flush on the outside
with the adjacent outer surfaces of the frame. The opening is as much higher
than the block as, the distance intended for the slide-movement of the latter. In
order to relieve the guide-bolts from the extra friction and wear due to the
preponderance of the fly-wheel the block is provided with a projection which
extends upward through an opening in the upper lug and is fitted to bear and slide
with its inner surface in working contact with the inner side-surface of the said
opening.
By thus securing the fly-wheel-stud, to a spring-supported slide-block, elasticity,
and consequent evenness of motion, is obtained, and the strain reduced on the
muscles of the operator, and thus the same result as purported to be obtained by
the use of elastic treadles is better and more cheaply accomplished. In order to
prevent the belt from accidentally getting off the wheel when the said belt is
slackened by the raising of the head-end of the machine, for oiling, or cleaning,
purposes, (as will presently appear) I secure by a screw to the inner surface of the
brace the vertical slotted inner end of a belt-guard which is bent to the required
shape so that its outer end partly encircles the fly wheel rim in sufficiently close
proximity to insure the belt remaining in, or re-entering, its groove when again
tightened. The vertical slot, in the downward projecting inner end of the guard,
through which slot a screw is inserted into the brace is sufficiently long to allow
of vertical adjustment of the guard in proper position, relative to the rim of the
wheel, before being fastened by tightening the screw.
The frame of the machine proper is provided, across its lower edge with lugs,
or a continuous hub, which is bored through, and a rod is inserted through the
bore, the ends of said rod projecting beyond the ends of the hubs in which the rod is
fastened and acting as pivots by which the machine is supported in spring-bearings
attached underneath the table-top, one on each side of the opening.
Instead of the rod the pivots may be formed in the casting upon the ends of the
hub; but as that would necessitate a disfiguration of the table-top, by making
slots through it for the lowering of the pivots upon the bearings,
The construction just described is preferred by which the rod is inserted through
the bearings and the hub, after lowering the machine in place with its bed plate
flush, or nearly. so, with the top of the table, and then securing the rod in place
by a set-screw through the hub. The greater portion of the entire bed-plate is
cast in one piece with the frame and the head-arm, and is of proper width to fill
the width of the opening. The ordinary removable bed-plate through which the
feed and needle pass is then secured in line with the permanent bed-plate by
suitable screws, or other fastening. The pivot of the machine is so located that
the right end, or that at which the small fly-and-band-wheel, is situated, will
preponderate and keep the head-end of the machine elevated from the table, unless
depressed and fastened thereto. This avoids the danger of the operator's fingers
being hurt by the falling back of the head-end of the machine when the same has
been raised for oiling, or fixing, the machinery under the bed-plate.
The machine is held in working position upon the table-top by a spring-button,
which is pivotted to the underside of the plate and has a downward projecting
knob or handle accessible underneath the table. The button is bent on a strip of
steel, or other elastic metal in the required shape and its contact surface with the
underside of the table-top is covered with a piece of leather or other packing, to
insure a tight fit and prevent the noise of vibration. For the same purpose a
piece of leather, or other packing is inserted between each of the spring-bearings

page_text: and the points of the table at which they are fastened. Each bearing is made of a
strip of steel-plate which is straight, except at the point where the pivot rests,
where it is bent into semicircular shape to exactly fit the pivot, and the distance
from the pivot to the fastening screws is sufficiently large to give the desired spring
or elasticity, to the bearing. When the machine is in working position there is
thus, in the button plate and spring-bearings as well as in the bearing of the fly-
wheel, an elastic yielding which moderates and obviates unevenness of motion and
prevents the rapid and excessive wear of the shaft and its bearings prevalent in
machines as heretofore constructed.
There is an eccentric-rod on a shaft, by which motion is communicated to the
needle arm, which latter is pivoted to the frame in the usual manner.
The weight,
of the needle-bar, which is attached to the forward end of the needle-arm, and the
weight also of the latter, being greater than that of the other end, produces a
difference in the resistance between its down-stroke and its up-stroke which has a
tendency to disturb the evenness of the motion.
To equalize the resistance there is provided, on that end of the needle-arm to
which the eccentric-rod is attached,. a weight formed by an enlargement in the
casting which, when of proper size, obviates this difficulty. It will be seen that
the putting on of the belt is greatly facilitated by this construction; as it is only
necessary to turn the button and allow the machine to tilt back, then adjusting the
belt while slack (instead of taut as heretofore); then depressing the bed-plate and
again fastening it with the button. The belt, when once applied, will be kept by
the guard from getting off the wheel when the belt is slackened by the raising of
the machine, as before stated. On opposite edges of the bed-plate are stops
which, by contact with the upper surface of the table at opposite sides of the
opening prevent the machine from tilting too far when the button is turned off.
The elastic slide-bearing tends to take up the slack due to wear of the belt.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Julius Boult in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th October 1883.
! .
"
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES a communication from James Henry
Whitney of Brooklyn, New York United States of America
The object of this invention is to provide improvements in sewing machines,
whereby elasticity and evenness of motion shall be obtained, thereby facilating [sic]
the running of such machines, and greatly reducing the wear of the shafts etc, and
the strain of the operator, and whereby access may be conveniently gained to oil
and fix the working parts situated under the bed-plate, without unscrewing and
lifting the machine from the table, and whereby the putting on of the belt is
facilitated and the same is prevented from getting of the fly-wheel, when the
machine is tilted in position to get access underneath the bed-plate. The invention
consists in the construction and combination of the various parts, as will be
hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings in which
Fig 1. is a front elevation of a sewing machine, constructed according to the
present invention, the table or top of the stand being shown in section.
Fig 2. is an end elevation of the same, partly in section through the line x x of
fig 1, as seen in the direction of arrow.
Fig 3. is a detail end view of the elastic bearing of the fly wheel shaft.
Fig 4. is a horizontal section of the same taken on the line y. y of fig 3.
Fig 5. is a vertical section of the same taken on the line of fig 3.
Fig 6. is a detail section, taken on the line u. u. of fig 1 and 2, showing the
position of the belt-guard.
Fig 7. is a detail section on the line v. v. of fig 2 showing an edge view of the
elastic bearing of the machine proper.
Fig 8. is a detail section showing the construction of the elastic button by which
the bed plate of the machine is held down upon the table.
Fig 9. is a front view of the machine frame proper, and the counter-balanced
needle-arm or needle-bar carrier pivotted thereto.
Fig 10. is a horizontal section of the same taken on the line u. u of fig 9.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures.
A are the end frames of the sewing machine stand and A¹ an angular brace
having three flanges a', two of which are secured by screws to the end frames A,
and the third one to the underside of the table top B, midway between the
two end frames. Through the table top B is an oblong opening b, in which the
machine proper is inserted and pivotted in bearings underneath the table top in
such a manner that when placed in the working position, the underside of its bed-
plate is flush with the upper surface of the table, The ordinary treadle, pitman
and fly wheel are designated by letters a'-a' and C respectively.
The stud c upon which the fly-wheel C turns, and which in sewing machines as
heretofore constructed is rigidly secured to the frame A, I secure to a block D,
bored and fitted to slide upon two vertical bolts d, which latter I fasten one at each
side of the stud c to lugs or flanges E projecting from the inside of the frame above
and below the said stud and slide block.
The slide block D is supported upon spiral springs e which surround the bolt d
and are inserted between the block D and the lug or flange E beneath it. In order
to allow of tightening the stud c from the outside of the frame A and to maintain
0

page_text: the smooth appearance of the latter, an opening o³ is formed in the frame, and the
block D is made just thick enough, and of proper width of its outer portion to fit
the width of the said opening c¹ and to be flush on the outside with the adjacent
outer surfaces of the frame A. The opening c¹ is as much higher than the block D
as the distance intended for the slide movement of the latter. In order to relieve
the guide bolts d from the extra friction and wear due to the preponderance of the
fly wheel C, the block D is provided with a projection. d which extends upward
through an opening e¹ in the upper lug E and is fitted to bear and slide with its
inner surface in working contact with the inner side surface of the said opening e¹
as seen in fig 5. By thus securing the fly wheel stud to a spring-supported slide
block, elasticity and consequent evenness of motion is obtained, and the strain
reduced on the muscles of the operator, and thus the same result as purported to
be obtained by the use of the elastic treadle, is better and more cheaply accom-
plished. In order to prevent the belt b¹ from accidentally getting of the wheel C,
when the said belt is slackened by the raising of the head-end of the machine for
oiling or cleaning purposes (as will presently appear) The vertical slotted inner
end of the belt-guard F (shown in figs 1. 2 & 6) which is bent as shewn in fig. 6,
is secured by a screw f¹ to the inner surface of the brace A¹, so that its outer
end f partly encircles the fly wheel rim in sufficiently close proximity at the
points and z to insure the belt remaining in or re-entering its groove when again
tightened. The vertical slot in the downward projecting inner end f of the
guard F, through which slot the screw f¹ is inserted into the brace A¹ is sufficiently
long to allow of vertical adjustment of the guard F in proper position, relative to
the rim of the wheel, before being fastened by tightening the screw f¹. G is the
frame of the machine proper, this is provided across its lower edge with lugs or a
continuous hub g which is bored through and a rod i is inserted through the bore,
the end of the said rod projecting beyond the ends of the hub in which the rod is
fastened and acting as pivotts, by which the machine is supported in spring-
bearings I attached underneath the table top, one on each side of the opening b
Instead of the rod i, the pivotts may be formed in the casting upon the ends of the
hub g, but as that would necessitate a disfiguration of the table top, by making
slots through it for the lowering of the pivotts upon the bearings, the construction
just described is preferred, by which the rod i is inserted through the bearings and
the hub, after lowering the machine in place with the bedplate g¹ flush or nearly so
with the top of the table, and then securing the rod in place by a set screw through
the hub as shewn in Fig 2.
The greater portion g₁ of the entire bed-plate g¹ g' is cast in one piece with the
frame G and head-arm g³ and is of proper width to fill the width of the opening b.
The ordinary removable bed-plate 92, through which the feed and needle pass, is
secured in line with the permanent bed-plate g by suitable screws or other fastening
at y.
The pivot ¹ of the machine is so located, that the right end or that at which
the small fly and band wheel j is situated will preponderate and keep the head
end of the machine elevated from the table unless depressed and fastened thereto.
This avoids the danger of the operator's fingers being hurt by the falling back of
the head end of the machine when the same has been raised for oiling or fixing
the machinery under the bed-plate. The machine is held in working position upon
the table top B by a spring button M which is pivotted to the underside of the
plate g and has a downward projecting knob or handle m accessible underneath
the table, the button M is bent of a strip of steel or other elastic metal in the
shape shewn in Fig 8, and its contact surface with the underside of the table top
is covered with a piece of leather or other packing m' to insure a tight fit and
prevent the noise of vibration. For the same purpose a piece of leather or other
packing i is inserted between each of the spring-bearings I and those points of the
table at which they are fastened by screws i as shewn in Fig 7. Each bearing I
is made of a strip of steel plate which is straight except at the point where the
pivot-rests, where it is bent into semi-circular shape to exactly fit the pivot and

page_text: the distance from the pivot to the fastening screws 19 is sufficiently large to give
the desired spring or elasticity to the bearing.
When the machine is in working position, there is thus in the button M, plate g
and the spring-bearing I, as well as in the bearing of the flywheel C, an elastic
yielding, which moderates and obviates unevenness of motion and prevents the
rapid and excessive wear of the shaft K and its bearings prevalent in machines as
heretofore constructed.
J. is the eccentric rod on the shaft K by which motion is communicated to the
needle-arm H which latter is pivoted at h¹ to the frame G in the usual manner.
The weight of the needle-bar which is attached to the forward end of the
needle-arm, and the weight also of the latter, being greater than that of the other
end produces a difference in the resistance between its down stroke and its
up stroke which has a tendency to disturb the eveness of the motion.
To equalize the resistance a weight h, formed by enlargement in the casting, as
shewn in Fig 1 and 9, is provided on that end of the needle-arm H to which
the eccentric rod J is attached, which when of proper size obviates this
difficulty.
It will be seen that the putting on of the belt b¹ is greatly facilitated by this
construction, as it is only necessary to turn the button M and allow the machine to
tilt into the position shewn in Fig 1. then adjusting the belt while slack (instead of
taut as heretofore) then depressing the bed plate and again fastening it with the
button.
The belt when once applied, will be kept by the guard F from getting off the
wheel, when the belt is slackened by the raising of the machine as before stated.
On opposite edges of the bed-plate g' are stops N which by contact with the upper
Burface of the table B at opposite sides of the opening 6 prevent the machine from
tilting too far; when the button M is turned off.*
b
The elastic slide bearing tends to take up the slack due to wear of the
belt.
Having thus described the invention as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent and the method of performing the same I claim and desire to
secure by
Letters-Patent
1st In a sewing machine the combination of the fly wheel C frame A and means
providing for an elastic vibratory movement of the bearing of the said wheel, for
the purpose herein before set forth.
2nd In a sewing machine the combination of the frame A having stationary
upright guides, the movable block D held by said guides, the wheel C pivoted to
the block D, and an elastic rest e supporting the said block, substantially as set
forth.
3rd In a sewing machine the combination of the frame A provided with the
opening c', lugs or flanges E, and guide bolts d in the said flanges, the block D,
arranged to slide upon the said guide bolts, and provided with an upward projec-
tion d' working against a guide surface in the upper lug, the block supporting
springs e and the wheel C pivoted to the slide block D, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
4th The combination with a sewing machine stand and with the machine
frame G having fulcrum pins or projections i, of elastic or yielding machine
supports I, having fulcra or bearings to receive the said projections for the purpose
Bet forth.
5th The combination with a sewing machine stand and with the machine
frame G having pivoting pins it, of the elastic supports I made of metallic springs
having their free ends bent to form semi-circular bearings for the said pins
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6th In combination with a sewing machine table B having the opening b, and
spring bearings I underneath at opposite sides of the said opening, the machine
frame having stops N upon the bed-plate gl and bored hub g and the rod i
I
:

page_text: inserted through the said hub and in the said bearings I simultaneously for the
purpose set forth.
7th In a sewing machine the combination with the table B wheels j, C and
belt 6 of the machine frame G supporting spring bearings I, the bed-plate g² and
the elastic button M pivoted thereto, for the purpose of producing elasticity
and eveness of motion and reducing the wear of the shaft K and its bearings,
substantially as specified.
8th In combination with the frame G and table top B of a sewing machine,
the cushioned spring button M pivoted to the underside of the bed-plate g' and
locking against the underside of the table top substantially as herein shewn and
described and for the purpose set forth.
9th In a sewing machine the pivoted needle-arm H having a counter-weight h
upon that end thereof to which the eccentric rod J is attached for the purpose
specified.
10th In combination with the wheel C and belt b', the slotted belt-guard F
secured by the screws f to the brace A² the same being bent as shewn and described
for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Alfred Julius Boult have hereunto set my hand
and seal this sixteenth day of October in the year of Our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
ALFRED J. BOULI (LS.)