IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES FOR SEWING CARPETS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Hesse, of San Francisco, in the County of San
Francisco, State of California, one of the United States of America, Engineer,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES FOR SEWING
CARPETS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES."
Sealed the 12th August 1879, and dated the 6th Juno 1879.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Joseph Hesse at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 6th June 1879.
JOSEPH HESSE, of San Francisco, in the County of San Francisco, State of
California, one of the United States of America, Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN
SEWING MACHINES FOR SEWING CARPETS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to a machine for sewing the seams of carpets in making
them up from the piece, and its object is to produce a machine that is readily
managed and easily operated by hand, and that performs the work required of it in
a more rapid and uniform manner than is at the present time possible by the hand
process. In this machine the frame that carries all the working parts is made of a
plate bent or formed into a saddle or an inverted U shape to rest astride of and
travel upon the edges of the material to be united, an intermittent feed acts
against the surface of the material held stationary, and in a vertical position, and
moves the machine progressively forward to space the stitches. The needle is
reciprocated in a horizontal path from one side of the machine, and its loops of
threads are engaged and interlocked by a rotary reciprocating hook operating on
the opposite side.
Referring to the accompanying Drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of my im-
proved sewing machine, taken from the left hand side of the view, Figure 2;
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the machine; Figure 3 is a detail view of the
saddle-frame that supports and carries all the working parts, and the standard that
is fastened thereto to hold and guido the needle-bar; Figure 4 is an elevation of
the machine taken from the left hand side of Figure 1, and showing the con-
struction at the rear side of the frame; Figure 5 is a detail view of the .saddle-
frame in vertical section, taken through the line x, x, Figure 1; Figure 6 is an
enlarged detail view of the upper part of the frame and machine, showing the
feeding mechanism; this view is taken from the right hand side of Figure 2;

page_text: Figure 7 is a view of Figure 6, from the left hand side thereof, and as seen from
the front of Figure 2; Figure 8 is a detail view of the means for actuating the
looper of the stitch forming mechanism; Figure 9 is an elevation of the same; and
Figure 10 is a view of the looper.
As shown in the Drawing and hereinafter described my Invention consists in the
novel construction of a frame for holding and carrying the working mechanism by
which the machine is placed astride of, and is moved intermittently forward over
the edges to be united as they are held stationary; its front limb is of much greater
length than the rear one for the purpose of bringing the balance-wheel as low
down as possible below the point of suspension of the frame, and of affording greater
vertical bearing surface against the face or side of the carpet upon that side of the
frame carrying the greater weight; it consists also in the combination with this
saddle frame constructed to rest astride of and travel over the edges of the material
to be united, of a means for moving said frame automatically and intermittently
forward step by step to space the stitches, said mechanism being capable of adjust-
ment to regulate the length of the intermittent progressive movements; it consists
also in a novel construction and combination with the said saddle frame of an
automatic intermittently acting feed-mechanism acting positively on the two sidos
of the material to be sewed; it consists also in the combination with the saddle-
frame of a means for adjusting and regulating the distance of the line of sewing
from the edge of the material, so that the machine shall be self-guiding; it consists
also in the combination with the saddle-frame constructed to rest astride of and
travel over the edges of the material to be united of an automatic intermittent feed-
mechanism for moving the frame progressively forward step by step, and a stich
forming mechanism consisting of an eye-pointed reciprocating needle actuated in a
horizontal path, and a rotary reciprocating looper situated at the side of the frame
opposite to where the needle is located.
It consists also in the combination with the saddle-frame of a spring pressure
plate situated within the space between the sides of the frame to bear against and
compress the two thicknesses of the material to be sewod; it consists also in the
means for producing the horizontal rotary reciprocation, and the vertical movements
of the vibrating thread carrying looper, and for keeping the needle always in
proper position therewith to engage the loops of thread. It consists also in a novel
means for turning out and straightening the edges of the carpet whenever they
curl up or turn inward in front of the needle, and for presenting the two edges of
the carpet in a smooth and even state to the action of the needle.
I make the frame of this machine of a saddle-shape, or of the form of an in-
verted U with the two limbs extending from the bend in parellel lines, or nearly so,
with sufficient space between them to readily receive the two thicknesses of the
material to be sewed.
One of these limbs A' is of much greater length than the other, and is provided
with a stud or bearing 6 for the balance-wheel B near the lower end, and as low
down as practicable beneath the point of suspension of the frame, where it rests
astride of and upon the carpet. This construction of the front limb A¹ affords
greater extent of surface to bear against the vertical side of the carpet to keep the
saddle-frame in a proper upright position as it moves along, and it also insures a
steady movement and operation of the machine by bringing the weight of the
balance-wheel much lower down below the point of suspension of the frame; it is
provided also with a stud or bearing c to hold the hand-wheel C.
The other limb A supports a bracket A, on the end of which is a standard or
support I for the reciprocating needle-bar I; the bracket As has also a rigid bar
or handle A, which is placed at the side of the frame opposite to the driving-
wheel, for the purpose of holding and steadying the machine in an upright position
as the hand-wheel is revolved.
The frame A within its bend or loop formed by the junction of its two limbs is
furnished with a spring presser-plate D, which is secured at its lower end to the
side of one of the limbs of the saddle-frame, and is adjusted by means of the set

page_text: screw d, both towards and away from the inside of the opposite limb, so that the
two thicknesses of carpet are compressed with the required pressure between these
two surfaces. The upper edge of the plate D has an angular bearing surface d' at
an angle of forty-five degrees, or thereabouts, and the opposite corner in the bend
of the saddle-fraine is filled in or provided with a similar angular surface d³ ;
between these two surfaces the edges of the carpet are introduced when the machine
is placed in position, and as the top edges bear and run against these inclined
gauge surfaces, and one of the surfaces d' is adjustable, it will be seen and readily
understood from examination of Figures 1, 3, 6, that when these two angular faces
are brought closer together the carpet edges inserted between them cannot approach
so near to the horizontal plano in which the needle reciprocates, and thorefore in
such adjustment the line of the stitches will be made nearer to the edge of the
carpet. The reverse will take place when the two angular surfaces are adjusted
farther apart.
By this means the two edges of the carpet, whatever thoir thickness, are smoothly
pressed together immediately about the needle, and the distance of the seam below
the edge is at the same time readily regulated. Upon the top of the saddle-frame and
in a slot therein is placed a guiding lip or blade with a bevelled or inclined under
surface which I provide for the purpose of turning in out of the way of the needle
any raveled or frayed edges of the right side of the carpet that may be produced in
the cutting, and in connection with this blade; I also construct a turning beak or
horn m which projects from the front end of the saddle-frame a short distance to
act upon the carpet before the edges reach the needle.
This horn projects downward to rest between and separate the two edges of the
breadths or pieces of carpet to be sewed, and as the machine moves forward, this
part m passes between the two edges and turns upward and outward any folds or
portions that may have curled inward and together as the carpet hangs suspended.
These two parts l, m, are secured to or are formed upon a plate K, Figure 5,
which is held on the frame by a screw n.
The frame thus constructed is placed astride of the edges of the material
suspended vertically, and it is moved forward intermittently by an automatic feed-
mechanism acting through the sides of the frame and against both sides of the
material. This feed I construct of two horizontally rotating roughened or serrated
wheels or rollers a, a, and a means for actuating them intermittently and uniformly
at the same time. But any other suitable feed mechanism can be employed
instead, such as the kind well known to machinists under the name of the "four-
motion feed."
A horizontal rock-bar or shaft L held in bearings at the back of the standard I'
carries on its downwardly extending arms two pawls L', L', one for each roller.
These pawls are pivoted independently of each other and work beneath, and engage
with pins or ratchet teeth on the under side of the feed-rollers; either one of these
pawls may be thrown out of action by turning it down away from the ratchet, and
at such time it will be held back by the spring e; this is to be done whenever it is
desired to stop the feeding action of either one of the rollers, in order to move
or adjust the sides or breadths of the carpet with each other to properly match the
pattern.
The motions of the rocking-bar L I produce by a fixed cam or projection f on the
upright rotating shaft G, which bears against or is in contact with an upright arm
projecting from the bar, the two being kept in contact by a spring f², the joint
action of this rocking-bar cam and the spring f produces an intermittent pro-
gressing movement of the pawls that act upon the feed-rollers; I employ a straight
eye-pointed needle, and move it in a horizontal path by the reciprocation of a
needle-bar I; this bar slides in bearings in the stationary arm or standard A³, and
it is moved by means of a top crank on the driving shaft G and a connecting rod
Gattached thereto, and to the rear end of the needle-bar.
Upon this bar I and carried by it are also the spool-spindle thread tension and
slack-take-up, as shown in Figures 1 and 4,

page_text: The reciprocating hook or looper M is actuated by the vertical rod g, and is fixed
to the lower end to work in required proximity to the needle-point at the farther
side of the machine.
This rod has a rotary reciprocating movement and also a short intermittent
vertical movement in a guiding tube g¹ fixed to the needle-bar support I.
The rotary reciprocating movement of the looper is produced by the horizontal
plate g² secured upon the end of the vertical rod g, and having cam-grooves or slots
into which the studs or fixed projections g' on the under side of the connecting
rod Gare caused to enter and work during the reciprocations of the needle-bar the
forward and backward movements of the rod G¹ produced by the crank causes the
studs to move in an elliptical path, and as they enter and pass through the cam
slots in the horizontal plate g² they produce an oscillating movement of the
plate and move the rod and its looper in a rotary path, and with an intermittent
reciprocating movement. The short vertical motion of the book M is produced by
means of a pin on the rod which projects through an aperture in the standard,
and works in a slot k made in the reciprocating slide or needle-bar I, and the shape
of this slot is such that as the bar moves back and forth the looper rod g will be
raised and dropped at the proper times. Above the looper and the needle, and in
line with the latter, I place a fixed rod J with a flattened beak. This rod is held
directly over the path of the needle, and at a sufficient distance above the point of
the looper to allow the needle to pass freely between the two, and this constitutes
a means for keeping the point of the needle always in a direct path, and preventing
its being accidentally sprung or raised too far above the hook of the looper, by
which no interlooping of the thread could take place. This rod J passes through a
socket in the bracket A2, where it is held by a clamping-screw.
Above this
standard A², and fixed to and carried by the needle-bar I, is a slotted guide plate p,
Figure 8, into which a guide pin on the under side of the oscillating plate g² is
caused to work; this guide holds the plate and its rod g at rest when the studs g
of the connecting rod G are not passing through the grooves in the plate g³. In the
operation of my machine the carpet to be sewed is suspended by means of hooks
or clamps after the manner employed in hand sewing; the needle is drawn back, the
spring presser-plate is held back by its handle, and the machine placed astrido of the
two thicknesses of carpet across the edges to be united; the gauge plate is adjusted
to regulate the distance between the edge of the carpet resting against the under side
of the plate, and the path traveled by the needle through the sides of the frame
the handle A is then grasped by the left hand to steady the machine, while with
the right hand the operator turns the crank-wheel C. By this means the edges of
carpet can be united in a rapid, casy, and uniform manner with an equal tension
and size of stitch through the entire length of seam. Carpets sewed by this machine
can be laid more expeditiously and evenly, and the tedious work of making up
carpets by hand is lightened in a great degree by the use of machinery as herein
described.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
;
First. In a sewing-machine a saddle-shape frame adapted to carry all the working
mechanism and to rest astride of and upon the edges of the material to be sewed,
having downwardly extending limbs A, A', in combination with a feed mechanism
to move the said frame intermittently and regularly forward over the edges of the
material, substantially as described.
-
Second. The saddle-frame of a carpet sewing-machine adapted to rest astride of
and travel upon the edges to be sewed, having its front limb A¹ of much greater
length than the rear one A; and with a bearing or stud for the driving-wheel C
thereon, and a bearing or stud for the balance-wheel B placed below said driving
wheel, and at or near the lower end of the said limb A¹, substantially as herein
described for the purposes set forth.
Third. The combination with the saddle-frame A, A³, of the fixed angular gauge
piece within the bend of the frame, and the like gauge piece d adjustable toward

page_text: and away from the said fixed piece, substantially in the manner described for the
purposes set forth.
Fourth. In a sewing machine adapted to rest astride of and travel upon the edges
of the material to be sewed the double-feed-mechanism to act against both sides of
the material, consisting of the two independently rotating feed rollers a, a, supported
in bearings on opposite sides of the frame, in combination with mechanism substan-
tially as described, to rotate them simultaneously and intermittently forward and
with a regular movement.
Fifth. In a sewing-machine a saddle-frame adapted to rest astride of and upon
the edges of the material to be sewed, an automatic feed to move the said frame
intermittently forward over the edges of the material, an eye-pointed needle recipro-
cated in a horizontal path, and through slots on apertures in both limbs of the
frame, and a rotary reciprocating hook or looper situated and operating upon that
side of the frame opposite to whore the needle enters its apertures, all combined
substantially as described for the purposes set forth.
Sixth. The beak or horn m and the beveled blade in combination with tho
saddle-frame A, A², of a sewing machine, substantially as described for the purpose
set forth.
Seventh. In combination with the horizontally rotating looper the means herein
described for producing the vertical movements of the looper shaft, consisting of the
cam slot in the reciprocating needle-bar I and the projecting pin or stud on the
looper shaft, substantially as described and specified.
Eighth. In combination with the reciprocating eye-pointed needle and the rotary
reciprocating looper of a sewing machine, both moving in horizontal paths or direc-
tions, the stationary rod or bar J arranged to operate as described for the purposo
set forth.
Ninth. The combination together of the upright driving shaft G with its cam f,
for actuating the feed rock-bar L, the top crank with its connection rod G' attached
to the rear end of the needle-bar I with its studs or projections g', the vertical
looper carrying rod g, and the grooved horizontally oscillating plate g² on the upper
ond of said rod, and in working position with the studs g, all substantially as
described and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Hesse, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year-of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and soventy-nine.