Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1887.
Complete Left, 1st Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 3rd May, 1887.
I, SIMON W. WARDWELL Jr. of Providence in the State of Rhode Island, United
States of America, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has for its object to provide a take up device, especially adapted for
use with machines running at high rates of speed, and my invention consists of a
take up device in which the take up function is performed by a rotary travelling
shoulder on which the needle thread is held by a retaining bar until the bobbin loop
has been drawn up, the stitch tightened and sufficient thread drawn from the spool for
a new stitch, and in which when the device is used for machines running at very high
speeds, a preliminary drawing of the thread is effected, all as fully set forth hereinafter,
and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a face view illustrating one construction in which my invention may be
embodied.
Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1 illustrating the parts in a different position.
Fig. 3 is an edge view of my device.
Figs. 4 and 5 detached plan views, and
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 detached face views illustrating the operation of the device.
Fig. 9 is a slide elevation of a sewing machine with my improved take up device
combined with the balance wheel thereof.
Fig. 10 a view illustrating a modification.
In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 there is a wheel A, mounted upon a
shaft a, the said wheel being arranged upon the sewing machine in any suitable
position. I prefer, however, to arrange it as shown in Fig. 9, so that the wheel A,
serves not only as the take up wheel, but as the driving and balance wheel of the
machine.
Upon the wheel, preferably at the periphery thereof, is a flange, or as shown, there
are two flanges B, B, forming annular ribs which ribs are of uniform height, except
between the points 2-3, where they are higher than elsewhere, forming on each a
shoulder c, and an inclined face d, extending from the point 2, to the curved edge 4,
of the more elevated portion of the ribs adjacent to the shoulder c.
At a point above the channel, between the ribs is arranged in a fixed position a

page_text: plate or bar E, which I term a retaining bar, the lower or inner edge w, of which is
curved to correspond to the curve of the edges of the flanges B, but is arranged at a
slight distance therefrom sufficient to permit the passage of a thread, as set forth
hereinafter.
An extension from the rear end of the retaining bar E, projects inwards below the
edges of the flanges, and is formed to constitute what I term a slacking toe h, having
an inclined edge 6, leading upward to a point 7, on the heel of the bar E, and at the
forward end of the said bar a projection extends inward forming a cast off toe f, having
an inclined edge 8, leading upward into a notch e forming a shoulder 9.
.
A plate I, is suspended in a fixed position outside of the outer flange B, and against
this plate bears a tension spring plate K, held in position by a screw L, extending
into the tension plate I, and by a spring m, coiled around the screw and bearing upon
a shoulder thereof and upon the tension spring plate K, these parts as well as the
retaining bar E, being, in the constructions shown, all supported by an arm Q
extending from the bed W of the sewing machine over the top of the wheel A, a
distance plate M, separating the retaining bar E, and the tension plate I.
The thread is conducted from a spool or bobbin R, arranged in any suitable position,
through a guide or eye p, over the flanges B, adjacent to the heel of the retaining
bar E, through a slot in the plate I, between said tension plate I, and tension
spring plate K, above the screw L, and across the forward edge of the plate I,
between the contiguous edges of the retaining bar and the flanges B, and then through
an eye or guide p¹, forward to the needle.
The screw L, is turned so as to secure such a pressure of the spring plate K, upon
the tension plate I, as will impart the proper tension to the thread, and the parts being
in the position shown in Fig. 1, the needle is threaded and sufficient thread is drawn by
hand through the tension device and thread guides to form the first loop that passes
over the bobbin. Rotation then being imparted to the wheel A, in the direction of its
arrow, the operations will be as follows
-
The shoulder c, will first be brought against the thread where it crosses the flanges
adjacent to the heel of the retaining bar E, drawing a portion from the spool and
carrying it forward and over the inclined edge 6, of the slacking toe h, until the said
inclined edge lifts the thread from the shoulder to a position above the projecting
portion of the flanges, leaving it slack between the spool and tension device, as shown
in Fig. 4.
This preliminary slacking of the thread between the spool and tension device is of
great importance when running at a high rate of speed, as the sudden resistance of the
inertia of the spool, if added to the tensional friction would be sufficient to draw the
locks to the top of the material (making a bad seam) and at a very high rate of speed
(as from three to four thousand revolutions per minute) to frequently break the thread.
After the shoulder c, has passed from contact with that portion of the thread
between the spool and tension device, it is brought against the other transverse portion
of the thread extending between the tension device and needle over the flanges and
beneath the retaining bar, as shown in Fig. 5, and carries it forward until the
shoulder c, is opposite the notch in the retaining bar, as shown in Fig. 6, thus
drawing up the bobbin loop and tightening the stitch. The transverse portion of the
thread will then ride over the inclined shoulder 8, of the cast off toe, and being
thrown off the shoulder c, will be caught upon the shoulder g, of the notch v, as shown
in Fig. 7, and held temporarily.
The loop of thread will be retained within the notch until the needle is ready to enter
the cloth, the object being to prevent the thread from being thrown out of the guides
by the elastic rebound from the sudden release from strain. When the projecting
portion of the flanges has passed the notch, and there is an open space between the
flanges and the edge of the retaining bar E, the thread will be carried into said space,
as shown in Fig. 8, and will be drawn back by the hook in the forming of the
bobbin loop to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, drawing out sufficient thread
from the slack between the spool and tension for a new stitch, after which the above
described operations will be repeated in the same order.

page_text: It will be seen that all the parts above described operate positively, to slacken,
draw out and release the thread, that there are no reflex motions except of the thread
itself, so that the parts can be operated with great rapidity, that there is but little
friction upon the thread by the take up devices, the only frictional action resulting
from the passage of the thread across the shoulder c, where a roller may be inserted if
desired, and that the operation is noiseless, there being no loose or moving parts,
except the wheel A, and consequently no contacting devices.
which
Instead of two flanges there may be but one and the flanges may be upon the
periphery or at the side of the wheel, the form of the retaining bar being corre-
spondingly varied, and I do not limit myself to the use of the shoulder c, for imparting
the initial movement to the portion of thread between the spool and tension device
and for preliminarily slacking the said portion and for drawing the thread from the
spool, as a separate shoulder or arm q³ Fig. 1, shewn in dotted lines, may be arranged
to strike this portion of the thread, and the thread instead of being disengaged from
the said shoulder or arm, or from the shoulder c, by raising the thread outward, may
be disconnected by drawing the shoulder inward, in which case the part upon
the shoulder is formed must be movable. For instance, in Fig. 10, the portion of the
flange B, between the points 2-3, is pivoted at t, so that it may be drawn down to the
position shown in dotted lines (same Fig.) by a cam S, arranged to strike the pin ",
upon the side of the movable portion, a spring throwing said portion outward, the
retaining bar preventing the thread from being thrown outward from the retaining
shoulder, by the centrifugal action resulting from the high speed at which the shoulder
travels. It will be evident that other forms of cast off or detaching means may be
employed.
Any suitable tension device may be substituted for that shown, and instead of pro-
viding the flanges B, with a projecting or elevated portion behind the shoulder c, they
may be of uniform height, in which case the bar E, instead of being fixed should be
pivoted at 3, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8 so as to normally occupy an inward position
with its lower edge below the outer edge of the flanges, and be lifted whenever the thread
is to escape from the shoulder and move back to the position shown in Fig. 8.
Dated this 9th day of February 1887.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: forward end of the said bar a projection extends inward forming a cast off toe f,
having an inclined edge 8, leading upward into a notch », forming a shoulder 9.
A plate I, is suspended in a fixed position outside of the outer flange B, and against
this plate bears a tension spring plate K, held in position by a screw L, extending into
the tension plate I and, by a spring m, coiled around the screw and bearing upon a
shoulder thereof and upon the tension spring plate K, these parts as well as the
retaining bar E, being in the constructions shown, all supported by an arm Q
extending from the bed W, of the sewing machine over the top of the wheel A,
a distance plate M, separating the retaining bar E, and the tension plate I.
The thread is conducted from a spool or bobbin R, arranged in any suitable position,
through a guide or eye p, over the flanges B, adjacent to the heel of the retaining
bar E, through a slot in the plates I, between said tension plate I, and tension spring
plate K, above the screw L, and across the forward edge of the plate I, between the
contiguous edges of the retaining bar and the flanges B, and then through an eye or
guide p forward to the needle.
The screw L is turned so as to secure such a pressure of the spring plate K, upon
the tension plate I, as will impart the proper tension to the thread, and the parts being
in the position shown in Fig. 1, the needle is threaded and sufficient thread is drawn
by hand through the tension device and thread guides to form the first loop that
passes over the bobbin, Rotation then being imparted to the wheel A in the direction
of its arrow, the operations will be as follows:-
The shoulder c will first be brought against the thread where it crosses the flanges
adjacent to the heel of the retaining bar E, drawing a portion from the spool and
carrying it forward and over the inclined edge 6 of the slacking toe h, until the said
inclined edge lifts the thread from the shoulder to a position above the projecting
portion of the flanges, leaving it slack between the spool and tension device as shown
in Fig. 4.
This preliminary slacking of the thread between the spool and tension device is
of great importance when running at a high rate of speed, as the sudden resistance
of the inertia of the spool, if added to the tensional friction would be sufficient to
draw the locks to the top of the material (making a bad seam) and at a very high
rate of speed (as from three to four thousand revolutions per minute) to frequently
break the thread.
is
After the shoulder c, has passed from contact with that portion of the thread between
the spool and tension.device it is brought against the other transverse portion of the
thread extending between the tension device and needle over the flanges and beneath
the retaining bar, as shown in Fig. 5, and carries it forward until the shoulder
opposite the notch, in the retaining bar, as shown in Fig. 6, thus drawing up the
bobbin loop and tightening the stitch. The transverse portion of the thread will then
ride over the inclined shoulder S, of the cast off toe, and being thrown off the
shoulder will be caught upon the shoulder g, of the notch e, as shown in Fig. 7, and
held temporarily.
The loop of the thread will be retained within the notch until the needle is ready to
enter the cloth, the object being to prevent the thread from being thrown out of the
guides by the elastic rebound from the sudden release from strain.
When the pro-
jecting portion of the flanges has passed the notch, and there is an open space between
the flanges and the edge of the retaining bar E, the thread will be carried into said
space, as shown in Fig. 8, and will be drawn back by the hook in the forming of the
bobbin loop to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, drawing out sufficient thread from
the slack between the spool and tension for a new stitch, after which the above
described operations will be repeated in the same order.
It will be seen that all the parts above described operate positively, to slacken, draw
out and release the thread, that there are no reflex motions except of the thread itself,
so that the parts can be operated with great rapidity, that there is but little friction
upon the thread by the take up devices, the only frictional action resulting from the
passage of the thread across the shoulder c, where a roller may be inserted if desired,

page_text: and that the operation is noiseless, there being no loose or moving parts except the
wheel A, and consequently no contacting devices.
Instead of two flanges there may be but one and the flanges may be upon the
periphery or at the side of the wheel, the form of the retaining bar being corre-
spondingly varied, and I do not limit myself to the use of the shoulder c for imparting
the initial movement to the portion of thread between the spool and tension device and
for preliminarily slacking the said portion and for drawing the thread from the
spool, as a separate shoulder or arm 3 Fig. 1, shewn in dotted lines, may be arranged
to strike this portion of the thread, and the thread instead of being disengaged from
the said shoulder or arm, or from the shoulder e by raising the thread outward, may
be disconnected by drawing the shoulder inward, in which case the part upon which
the shoulder is formed must be movable. For instance, in Fig. 10, the portion of the
flange B, between the points 2-3, is pivoted at t, so that it may be drawn down to the
position shown in dotted lines (same Fig.) by a cam S, arranged to strike the pin r,
upon the side of the movable portion, a spring 7 throwing said portion outward, the
retaining bar preventing the thread from being thrown outward from the retaining
shoulder by the centrifugal action resulting from the high speed at which the shoulder
travels. It will be evident that other forms of cast off or detaching means may be
employed.
Any suitable tension device may be substituted for that shown, and instead of pro-
viding the flanges B, with a projecting or elevated portion behind the shoulder c, they
may be of uniform height, in which case the bar E, instead of being fixed should be
pivoted at w³, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8 so as to normally occupy an inward position
with its lower edge below the outer edge of the flanges, and be lifted whenever the
thread is to escape from the shoulder g, and move back to the position shown in
Fig. 8.
I do not limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown,
but-
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A take up device for sewing machines, consisting of a rotating wheel provided
with a shoulder, guides arranged to conduct the thread from the spool to a position to
be struck by the said shoulder, that it may be carried therewith, means substantially
as described for detaching the thread from the shoulder, and a bar arranged to hold
the thread in position upon the shoulder until it is detached therefrom, all substantially
as set forth.
2. The combination of the rotating wheel provided with a shoulder for catching the
thread, a thread slackening device and a bar arranged adjacent to the path of the
shoulder so that its edge will be traversed by the thread carried by the shoulder, a
detaching device whereby the thread is disengaged from the said shoulder, and a
retaining shoulder
for holding the thread temporarily after it has been detached,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination of a rotating wheel, a shoulder thereon, a tension device, and
guides arranged as described at opposite sides of the path of the shoulder and one
forward of the other to conduct a thread across the path of the shoulder at separate
points from a spool to said tension device, and from the latter to a needle, and releasing
means substantially as described to detach the thread from the shoulder after it is
caught thereby at opposite ends of the tension device, as and for the purpose set
forth.
4. The combination in a thread take up, of a thread supporting spool, a tension
device, and a travelling shoulder between said spool and tension device with guides to
place a thread in the track of and in contact with said shoulder, and a releasing device
to disconnect said thread from said shoulder whereby the thread is left slack between
the spool and tension device prior to the drawing up of the bobbin loop by said take up,
as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 5. In combination in a rotating take up, a thread supply, a travelling shoulder, a
tension device and thread supporting guides on opposite sides of the path of the
shoulder, the said travelling shoulder engaging the thread intermediate the supply and
tension device, as set forth.
6. The combination with a travelling shoulder, thread conducting guides and means
to conduct a thread back and forth in the path of said shoulder, of means for
disconnecting one portion of said thread from the shoulder before the other portion is
caught thereby, and a second means for disconnecting said latter portion from the
shoulder, substantially as described.
7. The combination of the travelling shoulder, a tension device, guides conducting
the thread to and from the tension device across the path of the shoulder, and
disconnecting means at opposite sides of the tension device, substantially as set forth.
8. The combination of a travelling shoulder, tension device, guides conducting the
thread to and from the tension device in the path of the shoulder, and a bar
arranged to hold the thread to the shoulder, and cast off devices at opposite ends of the
bar, substantially as described.
9. The combination in a take up device, of a wheel provided with one or more
flanges, with projecting portions, and with shoulders, a bar arranged to leave a slight
space between its inner edge and the edges of the flanges, a tension device and guides
directing the thread across the flanges to and from the tension device, and detaching
devices arranged to disconnect the thread from the shoulders at each side of the tension
device, substantially as set forth.
10. The combination of the wheel having flanges with projections and shoulders, a
tension device and guides, a retaining bar, and detaching devices consisting of toes
with inclined edges, and a shoulder g, substantially as described.
and
11. The combination of the wheel having flanges with projections and shoulders,
tension device and guides, and retaining bar having a shoulder g, and notch
detaching toes with inclined edges, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination with the balance wheel of a sewing machine, of a tension
device and thread guides, a shoulder upon said wheel arranged to make contact with
the thread, and detaching devices whereby said thread is detached from the shoulder
at opposite sides of the tension device, substantially as set forth
13. The combination in a sewing machine, of a balance wheel, tension device carried
by an arm extending above the wheel, thread guides directing the thread to and from
the tension across the face of the wheel, a shoulder on the wheel adapted to catch the
thread on each side of the tension device, and means for detaching the thread upon
each side of the tension device, substantially as set forth.
14. The combination of the wheel having parallel shouldered flanges, a retaining bar
arranged adjacent to the said flanges and provided with a notch, shoulder and cast off
toes extending between the flanges, and a tension device arranged between the cast off
toes, substantially as set forth.
15. A travelling shoulder, thread guides arranged adjacent to the path of said
shoulders upon opposite sides thereof at two different points, to support a thread
crossing said path, and means substantially as described to cause said shoulder to
successively engage and release the two cross portions of the thread, substantially as
set forth.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Applicant's Agent.