IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick William Brind, of 14, Devonshire Street,
Bishopsgate, in the City of London, Wine Merchant, for the Invention
of IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."-A communication.
Sealed the 1st March 1859, and dated the 7th September 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick William Brind
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th September 1858.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM BRIND, of 14, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate, in
the City of London, Wine Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," a communication from
abroad, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the general construction, arrangement, and
combination of the various working parts of that class of sewing machines
wherein the stitch is produced by the conjoint action of a needle and vibrating
shuttle.
According to this Invention, the needle is carried by a vibrating needle arm
actuated from the main driving shaft through the intervention of a link and
revolving crank pin. The spool or bobbin which supplies the thread to the
needle is carried on an arm projecting from the back end of the needle arm,
and the proper drag or tension of the needle thread is maintained by passing
it two or more times through a series of holes or notches formed for that
purpose on the upper edge of the vibrating needle arm. The shuttle is
[Pi Q7

page_text: carried in a suitable case or recess formed in the upper end of a vibrating
arın, which receives its proper motion from a hanging lever actuated by the
same crank pin which imparts motion to the needle arm, such lever working
on a centre in a bracket projecting downwards beneath the table or bed plate.
The shuttic case vibrates in a curved rail, so formed as to close the upper
side
and back of the case, which is notched at one end to admit of the shuttle
being readily withdrawn and replaced, whilst the other end is entire for the
purpose of driving the shuttle.
The feed motion, according to one of two modifications, consists of a bar
placed on the inner side of the bracket last referred to, and retained in position
by a guide pin passed through a slot so formed in the bracket as to allow the
feed bar to rise and fall; this pin also serves as the pivot upon which the
feed bar moves. On one face of this feed bar is an incline actuated by a cam,
which thus elevates the bar, and causes it to bear against the under side of the
cloth to be sewn. The actual feed motion of the bar is then produced by a
revolving stud pin which strikes the side of the lower end of the bar, and
consequently moves the upper end laterally, thereby feeding the cloth. The
length of the stitch is regulated by an adjustable step in the ordinary manner,
and a spring serves to return the feed bar to its place after each forward
chisel stroke. The upper surface of the feed bar may be provided with a single
edge, a series of notches, or an elastic friction pad, composed of india-rubber
or other suitable elastic or adhesive material so as to move the cloth along.
The second modification of feed motion consists of a vertical vibrating lever.
the upper end of which carries two inclines, so that one shall elevate the feed
bar, and the other impart the feed motion thereto through the intervention of
a stud pin, projecting from the under side of the feed bar. A sliding spring
foot, carried by the front end of an overhanging bracket, which is placed side
by side with the vibrating needle arm, presses upon the surface of the cloth,
and serves to hold it down upon the table. The overhanging bracket carries
also a spring lever which actuates a catch, the object of which is to take the
needle thread on the rise of the needle, and draw out the slack when the
needle descends again; the requisite motions being derived from the front
end of the needle arm, which, as it rises, forces back the spring lever, and
consequently bring forward the catch.
The entire machine is mounted on a stand or table of its own, and is
actuated by a treaddle, a fly wheel on the driving shaft serving to regulate its

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Frederick William Brind in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 7th March 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
WILLIAM BRIND, of 14, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate, in the City of London,
Wine Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Frederick William Brind, Her special license that I, the said Frederick
William Brind, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Frederick William Brind, my executors, administrators, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, 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," a communication, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Frederick William Brind by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and 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 1, the said Frederick Willian Brind, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The said Invention relates to the general construction, arrangement, and
combination of the various working parts of that class of sewing machines
wherein the stitch is produced by the conjoint action of a needle and a
vibrating shuttle. According to this Invention, the needle is carried by a
vibrating needle arm, actuated from the main driving shaft, through the
intervention of a link and revolving crank pin. The spool or bobbin which
supplies the thread to the needle is carried on an arm projecting from the
back end of the needle arm, and the proper drag or tension of the needle thread
is maintained by passing it two or more times through a series of holes or

page_text: notches formed for that purpose on the upper edge of the vibrating needle
arm. The shuttle is carried in a suitable case or recess formed in the upper
end of a vibrating arm or driver, which receives its proper motion from a
hanging lever actuated by the same crank pin which imparts motion to the
needle arm, such lever working on a centre in a bracket projecting downwards
beneath the table or bed plate. The shuttle case vibrates in a curved race, so
formed as to close the upper side and back of the case, which is notched at
one end to admit of the shuttle being readily withdrawn and replaced, whilst
the other end is entire for the purpose of driving the shuttle.
The feed motion, according to one of two modifications, consists of a bar
placed on the inner side of the bracket last referred to, and retained in position
by a guide pin passed through a slot, so formed in the bracket as to allow the
feed bar to rise and fall;. this pin also serves as the pivot upon which the feed
bar moves.
On one face of this feed bar is an incline actuated by a cane,
which thus elevates the bar, and causes it to bear against the under side of the
cloth to be sewn. The actual feed motion of the bar is then produced by a
revolving stud pin, which strikes the side of the lower end of the bar, and con-
sequently moves the upper end laterally, thereby feeding the cloth. The
length of the stitch is regulated by an adjustable stop in the ordinary manner,
and a spring serves to return the feed bar to its place after each forward
stroke. The upper surface of the feed bar may be provided with a single
chisel edge, a series of notches, or an elastic friction pad composed of india-
rubber or other suitable elastic and frictional material, so as to move the
cloth along.
The second modification of feed motion consists of a vertical vibrating lever,
the upper end of which carries two inclines, so disposed that one shall elevate
the feed bar, and the other impart the feed motion thereto, through the
intervention of a stud pin projecting from the under side of the feed bar. A
sliding spring foot, carried by the front end of an overhanging bracket which
is placed side by side with the vibrating needle arm, presses upon the surface
of the cloth, and serves to hold it down upon the table. The overhanging
bracket carries also a spring lever, which actuates a catch, the object of which
is to take the needle thread on the rise of the needle and draw out the slack;
when the needle descends again, the requisite motions being derived from the
front end of the needle arm, which as it rises forces back the spring lever,and
consequently brings forward the catch. The entire machine is mounted on a
stand or table of its own, and is actuated by a treaddle, a fly wheel on the
driving shaft serving to regulate its motions.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now

page_text: proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I shall
refer to the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings her eunto annexed, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts throughout all the
corresponding Figures.
Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a machine embracing my improvements;
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same, omitting the stand or table upon which the
machine proper is placed; Fig. 3 is an end elevation, with a fragment of the
table in section; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the feed mechanism detached,
to show its general construction and arrangement more fully; Fig. 5 is a
perspective view of a modified form of the feed mechanism, also detached and
separated. This machine is of the variety in which the stitch is made by the
interlacing of two threads, of which one is carried by a shuttle, and the other
by a needle.
The machine, as represented, consists of a strong table (A), supported on
legs (B). On a rod (a) connecting the front legs of the table a treaddle (C)
is arranged, through which motion is communicated to the machine in the
usual manner. The needle (D) is carried on the front extremity of a vibrating
arm (E), and the shuttle F is carried on the up per extremity of another
vibrating arm (G). The needle arm (E) is of an irregular form, represented
in Figures 1 and 2, und turns on points (H) near the opposite end at
which the needle is carried. The extremity of the arm near the pivot, I
shall for convenience call the lower end, and that to which the needle is
affixed the upper end. The lower end of this arm is connected by a link
rod (1) and wrist pin (d) to another wrist pin (e) on the shaft of a revolving
wheel (J), which wheel as it rotates communicates through the connecting
rod (I) a vibratory motion to the needle bar (E). Care should be taken to
place the wrist pin (d) at the proper distance from the points (H), so as to
give the required amount of vibration to the needle arm to form sufficient loop
for the free passage of the shuttle. Immediately above or nearly on a parallel
with the points (H) the needle arm has an offset (K) formed upon it, from the
centre of which projects a stem (c), upon which a spool is placed supplying the
needle thread. On the upper side of the needle arm E is (see Figures land 2)
arranged a series of holes u³, for the purpose of governing the tensionoftheneedle
thread to correspond with the tension of the shuttle thread; this is effected
by lacing the needle thread through a greater or less number of the holes, as
may be required.
The arm (G) which carries the shuttle turns on a pivot (g)
affixed to a bracket (N),which projects down from the lower side of the table.
This shuttle arm derives its motion from a slot (4) in or abcut the middle of a
vibrating lever (P) through the medium of a driving pin (0), which projects

page_text: laterally from the said lever (P). The upper end of this shuttle arm carries a
shuttle case (T) of the required size and form to receive the shuttle and drive
it. This shuttle case being oblong and at right angles to the arm which
carries it, should be notched at one end to admit the shuttle and permit it to
be easily withdrawn, the rear end of the case remaining entire to drive the
shuttle forward. The shuttle case vibrates in a curved race (s), which closes
the upper side and back of the case to keep the shuttle in. The front end (u)
of the race (s) is removeable (Figure 2) for inserting, confining, and with-
drawing the shuttle.
The feed mechanism consists of a single bar (M) placed in the inner side of
the bracket (N), and retained in position by a guide pin (/) passing through
a slot formed in the bracket (N), which guide pin (f) also forms the pivot
upon which said feed bar turns. On the face of the feed bar (M) next the
wheel (J) is an inclined plane (7) (see dotted lines), against the lower side of
which the can (g) on the face of the wheel (J) operates, raising the bar
perpendicularly sufficient to bring its upper end in contact with the material
being sewed on its lower side. On the face of the wheel (J), in the proper
relative position (see Figure 4), projects a pin (), which, when the feed bar
is elevated, as represented by Figure 4 by the cam (7) against the incline (r),
in contact with the cloth, engages with the feed bar below the pivot (f),
turning it upon its axis, moving its upper end forward, and carrying the cloth
therewith the distance required for the length of a stitch. After the upper
end of the feed bar (M), which may be provided with a single chisel edge, a
series of notches or elastic friction pad, composed of india-rubber or other
adhesive substance to move the cloth along, has made its full motion forward
by the advance of the pin () to a point (2) parallel with its axis, the cam
(g) passes from beneath the incline plane (), permitting said bar to descend,
freeing its upper end from the cloth, and as the pin () continues to rotate,
the spiral spring (w) attached to the upper end returns it in position against
the end of the guage rod in readiness for the next succeeding stitch.
То govern the stitches and vary them to any desired length, a rod (n) pro-
vided with a screw thread, and passing through a female screw formed in the
table, Figuro 2, projects against the upper end of the feed bar, Figure (4),
and dotted lines, Figure 2, and as the motion of this feed bar in the direction
desired to move the cloth is positive, by means of the pin (), the spring (w)
returns it against the end of the guage rodin whatever position it be setby means
of the thumb nut (7). In the modified form of the feed mechanism the upper
end of the vibrating lever (L) carries two inclined planes (i and e), the incline
(i) raises the end of the feeding paw! (L'), and the feeding is performed by

page_text: the incline (e) striking against the pin (e) on the under side of said feeding
pawl, deflecting the same the distance required for the length of the stitch.
A spring (V) constantly retains the pin (el) of the pawl (L) against the
incline (e), and the weight of the pawl is sufficient, it being pivoted to its
opposite end (y) to the table, to cause it to descend, freeing the feeding points,
edge, or friction pad from the cloth.
The length of the stitches may be governed and varied by a thumbnut and
screw, as in Figure (4), or in any other convenient manner. The feeding of
the cloth should take place after the preceding stitch is completed, during the
descent of the needle, and before the needle enters the cloth.
To hold the material being sewed upon the table, a bar (B) of the same
general form as the needle bar is secured at its rear end to a standard in
juxtaposition with the neelle bar. On the front end of the bar (B) is a
head (B), to which is fitted a sliding spring foot, the shank (1) of which
passes through said head (B), and is provided on its upper end with a thumb
nut (a), with which to raise said foot to place the cloth beneath it. The lower
end of the sliding spring bar is formed into a foot (m), which may be split,
and the prongs (s') projecting on either side of the needle (see Figure 1),
will retain the cloth firmly upon the table as near the needle as possible, and
at the same time allow the feed mechanism to move it, the material being
sewed along.
To raise and retain the sliding foot (m) so as to have free use of both hands
in the arrangement of the work, a cain (l') with a handle (P) is pivoted to
the front side of the head (B), and acts against a projecting collar (a) placed
beneath the thumb nut (a), and around the shank (u') of the sliding foot.
Directly in the rear of this head (B) upon the bar (B) is arranged a spring
looper (a), pivoted to a bracket (a) projecting downwards. The lower end of
this looper is formed into a spring fork, see Figure 1, which as the needle
rises is moved forward by the pin (c) on the side of the needle bar striking
against its upper curved end (3), throwing the forked end forward, which
takes the needle thread between its prongs (t, t,), and as the needle descends
carries the slack thread back, by which means a smooth and pertect seam is
mnade. A spring (m), secured at its upper end to the bar (B), its lower end
bearing against a pin (1) on the inner side of the loop bar (a), throws its
lower end back in the descent of the needle, carrying the slack thread
therewith, the motion forward being positive through the pin (c') upon
the needle bar.
The range of motion of the forked end ofthelooper is governed by a pin ()

page_text: projecting from the bracket (a) against which the loop bar, above its
pivot, strikes.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as variations may be made therefrom without deviating
from the principles or main features of the said Invention; but I consider to
be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general construction, arrangement, and combination of machinery
or apparatus for stitching or uniting fabrics, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of actuating the vibratory arm or shuttle
driver, as herein-before described.
Third, the application and use of the shuttle case T, having a notch at one
end to admit of the introduction and withdrawal of the shuttle, whilst its
opposite end remains entire, for the purpose of driving the shuttle forward, as
herein-before described.
Fourth, the peculiar form of curved shuttle race se constructed as to close
the upper side and back of the shuttle case, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the peculiar constructions and arrangements of feed mechanism for
moving forward the cloth, and the mode of operating the same, in the manner
herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
Sixth, the application of an elastic friction pad of india-rubber, or other
material of a like nature, to the upper surface of the feed bar, for the purpose
of feeding the cloth along, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick William Brind, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of March, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-nine.
F. W. BRIND. (L.S.)