Improvements in or relating to Sewing Machines,
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 12th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in or relating to Sewing Machines,
I, ALFRED BIRCH, of Alpha Machine Works, Worcester Street, Higher
Broughton, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of sewing machines in which a ring feeds
the cloth to be sewn past the needle, and which is principally used for connecting
the ends of pieces of cloth for printing and other purposes.
In such machines a hook is used in combination with the sewing needle for
forming the stitch, and this hook is provided with a boss through which the hook
spindle passes and to which it is fixed by a set screw, the said spindle passing
through bearings in a bracket or hook box and being provided with a spring at
one end thereof.
If the hook breaks (which not unfrequently occurs) a large number of parts,
the rim, screws, and ring, hook-spindle, spring, and others, have to be displaced
before another hook can be fitted on the spindle.
The first part of my invention is intended to obviate this trouble in replacing
a hook, and it consists in forming in the boss of the hook a slot, and preferably
reducing the hook also, so that the latter can simply be slipped on sideways and
upwardly into place. The set screw passes through the hook above the centre
of the spindle and locks the hook securely thereto.
The second part of my invention relates to the feed ring and presser foot, and
is intended to prevent damage done by the joined edges of the cloth to calender
and other bowls, owing to imperfections in the joints of the ends of the pieces of
fabric caused by the first pin on which the fabrics are engaged crumpling up
the loose ends thereof, and perhaps leaving an inch or more at the entering edge
of the fabrics unsewn and crimped up by passing under the pressure foot.
To keep the fabrics quite flat, and to commence the sewing at the very edge
thereof, I dispense with the pins on the feed ring and merely roughen its surface,
or apply a rough material strip or band thereto, and I so form the presser foot
that it will follow the curve of the ring and will move with the cloth and the feed
ring. I so form the rod or spindle which carries the foot that its lower end is
provided with two brackets or arms each carrying a bowl pulley or roller capable
of revolving freely, and around these two bowls, pulleys, or rollers, I pass an
endless band made of or faced with a suitable material to press on and travel
with the fabric on the feed ring for a suitable distance before and after it passes
the needle.
In cases however where the pins are still used on the feed ring I prolong the
end of the usual fixed and inclined or curved stripping plate to a point coinciding
with or
slightly beyond the needle, so that the fabric is placed over the end of
the said stripping plate before the sewing commences and can not get under it.
Dated this 11th day of November 1898.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Sewing Machines,
I, ALFRED BIRCH, of Alpha Machine Works, Worcester Street, Higher
Broughton, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to that class of sewing machines in which a ring feeds
the cloth to be sewn past the needle and which is principally used for connecting
the end of pieces of cloth together for printing and other purposes.
The manner in which my said invention is to be performed or carried into
practical effect will be readily understood on reference to the three sheets of
drawings hereunto annexed and the following explanation thereof.
In the class of sewing machines above mentioned a hook is used in combination
with the sewing needle for forming the stitch, and the hook is provided with a
boss through which the hook spindle passes, and to which it is fixed by a set
screw the said spindle passing through bearings in a bracket or hook box and
being provided with a spring at one end thereof. If the hook breaks, which not
unfrequently occurs a large number of parts. the rim screws and ring. hook-
spindle spring and other portions of the machine have to be displaced before
another look can be fitted on the spindle.
The first part of my invention (which is illustrated on Sheet 1 of the drawings
in front view at Fig. 1 and end view at Fig. 2,) is intended to obviate this
trouble in replacing a hook, and it consists in cutting away a portion of the boss
of the hook (represented by the dotted curved line 6 on Fig. 2,) so as to form a
slot, and preferably reducing the hook also, so that the latter can simply be
slipped direct on to the hook-spindle c sideways and upwards into place without
removing any of the parts.
The set screw d which has a conical point (see Fig. 2) passes through the
hook a above the centre of the spindle c into a notch formed therein for that
purpose, and locks the hook a securely thereto.
The second part of my invention (a modification of which is shown in front
view at Fig. 3 Sheet 2 and side elevation at Fig. 4) relates to the feed ring and
presser foot and is intended to prevent damage done by the joined edges of the
cloth to calender and other bowls owing to the imperfections in the joints of the
ends of the pieces of fabric, caused by the first pin on which the fabrics are
engaged, crumpling up the loose ends thereof and perhaps leaving an inch or
more at the entering edge of the fabrics uneven, and crimped up by passing under
the presser foot. To keep the fabrics quite flat and to commence the sewing at
the very edges thereof I dispense with the usual pins on the feed ring e and merely
roughen its surface, or apply a strip or band of rough material thereto, and I so
form the presser foot that it will follow the curve of the ring e (see Fig. 3) and
will move forward with the cloth and the feed ring e. I dispense with the presser
rod or spindle and I fix to the needle slide a curved bracket g with two arms
each carrying a bowl pulley or roller capable of revolving freely, and around
these two bowls, pulleys or rollers I pass an endless band i made of, or faced with
suitable material to press on and travel with the fabric on the feed ring e for a
suitable distance before and after it passes the needle. is a hand lever for raising
up this improved presser foot off the needle plate 7 for introducing the work or
when otherwise required.
In cases however where the pins are still used on the feed ring e to prevent
the liability of the entering edge of the fabric coming against the front edge of
the stripping plate I may prolong the front end of the usual stripping plate to

page_text: a point coinciding with or slightly beyond the needle so that the fabric can be
placed over the end of the stripping plate before the sewing commences and
cannot get under it; or I may with the same object arrange the same as shown
in front elevation at Fig. 5 and side view Fig. 6 on Sheet 3 of the drawings. In
this case the feed ring e being provided with pins I employ the ordinary presser
foot and I carry a portion of the needle plate m forward beyond the needle to
a point at or near the back of the presser foot and I pass the upper end of the
stripping plate n underneath the needle plate m and connect it thereto by a screw o
cranking the stripping plate slightly at this point so as to bring the surface level
with that of the needle plate so that the fabric can be passed over the edge onto
the said stripping plate before the sewing commences and therefore cannot get
underneath it or become crumpled against the meeting edge thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that
what I claim is:
First the adaptation to sewing machines of the class herein before indicated of
the improved method of attaching and detaching the sewing hook on to and from
the hook spindle, and secondly the improvements in or applicable to the feeding
mechanism substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the draw-
ings annexed.
uay or August 1999.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
Agents for the Applicant, 4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.