IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREADLE PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Pasfield of Sedgley in the County of Stafford,
Colliery Agent for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREADLE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Pasfield at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th September 1883.
«IM-
JOHN PASFIELD, of Sedgley in the County of Stafford, colliery agent,
PROVEMENTS IN THE TREADLE MECHANISM OF SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES."
This invention refers to the treadle mechanism of sewing machines and other
machines, and has for its object the construction of a treadle movement which,
while retaining the ordinary heel-and-toe motion of the foot, shall avoid all dead
points, and render the operation of treadling less constrained and tiring than is the
case with the ordinary treadle mechanism.
According to this invention, the treadplate is mounted upon a reeling, sliding or
rolling centre or axis, or is made capable of sliding upon a fixed centre or axis, so
that, in addition to the usual heel-and-toe motion, the operator also exerts the
pressure of the foot to produce a reciprocating horizontal motion of the treadplate.
For this purpose the treadplate may be conveniently mounted upon the lower part
of a light iron swinging frame, the upper part of which is carried in bearings in
either side of the machine framing.
The treadplate, mounted in any manner before described, (or any suitable part
formed with or rigidly fixed thereto) may, under certain circumstances, be pivoted
direct to the crank-pin connected with the shaft or wheel to be driven, and in such
case of course such connected part of the treadplate (or part thereon, as aforesaid,)
travels in the circle of such crank-pin's rotation, the treadplate itself reciprocating
with the centre or axis upon which it is mounted, or reciprocating upon such centre
or axis.
Instead of the treadplate, mounted in any manner as before described, being
pivoted direct to the crank-pin, it may usually be more conveniently connected
thereto by means of a connecting-rod (or equivalent means) as in the ordinary
manner, but in such case the rod must be connected to a reeling or equivalent
Price Rd 1

page_text: centre or axis at an intermediate point between its ends (preferably about midway)
in order that the horizontal reciprocatory motion of the treadplate may be
imparted, through the leverage thus formed, to the crank-pin end of the rod. A
convenient adaptation of this latter described arrangement consists in connecting
a radius rod to a pin at or near the centre of the connecting rod and also to a
bearing in the machine framing, such radius rod passing in a direction approximately
at right angles to the axis of the connecting-rod, and being in a position to vibrate
in the same plane as the connecting-rod or in a plane parallel thereto.
It will be observed that the foot rests continuously firmly on the treadplate, as
in the ordinary description of treadle mechanism operated by a heel-and-toe
motion, as the centre or axis of such treadplate remains in a uniform position
vertically or approximately so.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Pasfield in the Patent Office on the 1st March 1884.
JOHN PASFIELD, of Sedgley, in the county of Stafford, colliery agent,
MENTS IN THE TREADLE MECHANISM OF SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES "
"IMPROVE-
This invention refers to the treadle mechanism of sewing machines and other
machines, and has for its object the construction of a treadle movement which,
while retaining the ordinary heel-and-toe motion of the foot, shall avoid all dead
points and render the operation of treadling less constrained and tiring than is the
case with the ordinary treadle mechanism.
According to this invention the tread-plate is mounted on a reeling, sliding or
rolling centre or axis, or is made capable of sliding upon a fixed centre or axis, so
that, in addition to the usual heel-and-toe motion, the operator also exerts the
pressure of the foot to produce a reciprocating horizontal motion of the tread-plate.
For this purpose the tread-plate may be conveniently mounted upon the lower part
of a light iron swinging frame the upper part of which is carried in bearings in
either side of the machine framing.
The tread-plate mounted in any manner before described (or any suitable part
formed with or rigidly fixed thereto) may, in cases where convenient, be pivoted
direct to the crank-pin connected with the shaft or wheel to be driven, and in such
case of course such pivoted part of the tread-plate (or part thereon, as aforesaid)
travels in the circle of such crank-pin's rotation, the tread-plate itself reciprocating
with the centre or axis upon which it is mounted or reciprocating upon such centre
or axis.
Instead of the tread-plate, mounted in any manner as before described, being
pivoted direct to the crank-pin, it may usually be more conveniently connected
thereto by means of a connecting-rod as in the ordinary manner, but in such case
the rod must be connected to a reeling or sliding centre or axis at an intermediate
point between its ends in order that the horizontal reciprocating motion of the
tread-plate may be imparted, through the leverage thus formed, to the crank-pin
end of the rod. A convenient adaptation of this latter described arrangement
consists in connecting a radius rod to a pin at or near the centre of the connecting-
rod (but preferably at a point about one third of the length of the rod from its.
connection with the tread-plate) and also to a bearing in the machine framing,"
such radius rod passing in a direction approximately at right angles to the axis of
the connecting-rod and being in a position to vibrate in the same plane as the
connecting-rod or in a plane parallel thereto.
Having thus stated the nature of my said invention, I will now proceed more
particularly to describe and ascertain the manner of performing the same with
reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a back view of a
sewing-machine stand fitted with a modification of my improved treadle mechanism,
and figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line x x of figure 1. The same letters of
reference occurring on both these views indicate corresponding parts.
A is the top of the frame, and B B standards carrying such top and also the
treadle mechanism. CC is a swinging bar or frame, pivoted at a a to the
standards, and having a horizontal part D, upon which the tread-plate E is pivoted
at the points F and G. H is the connecting-rod, which is connected in the usual
manner to a pin J, at the back end of the tread-plate, at its lower end, and at its
upper end to the crank-pin K. L is a guide or radius rod, one end of which is
pivoted at M to one of the standards, and the other end is pivoted to the
connecting-rod at the point N, as shewn, O is the ordinary driving-wheel, carried
in the usual manner.

page_text: The swinging frame or bar C C forms, as will be seen, a reeling-centre for the
tread-plate E, and the guide or radius rod L forms a reeling centre to the
connecting-rod H. It will be seen that thus a horizontal (approximately) recipro-
cating motion is imparted to the tread-plate from the crank through the medium
of the leverage formed by the connecting-rod, this horizontal reciprocating motion
of the tread-plate being provided for by the swinging frame C C which carries the
tread-plate.
Figure 3 is a front view, to a reduced scale, of a sewing machine stand fitted
with another modification of my improved treadle-mechanism, and figure 4 is a
vertical section taken on line y y of figure 3. In these views only so much of the
mechanism is shewn as is necessary to make this modification clear-The same
letters of reference occurring upon both these views indicate corresponding parts.
B is part of the framing as before, C a swinging bar or frame corresponding to
that similarly lettered figures 1 and 2. E is the tread-plate. It is pivoted to the
O is the driving wheel,
frame C as described with reference to figures 1 and 2.
R is a part formed solid with or fixed rigidly to the tread-plate. The upper end of
this part R is bored to fit around the crank-pin K so as to operate such crank-pin
direct without the intervention of a rod.
· In treadling by the improved mechanism above described, according to either
modification thereof, the operator exerts the pressure of the foot to produce (in
addition to the ordinary heel-and-toe motion) a horizontal reciprocating motion of
the tread-plate, and the pressure which is exerted to produce this motion is
imparted to the crank through the medium of the leverage formed by the
connecting-rod (first modification) or directly from the part formed solid with or
rigidly fixed to the tread-plate (second modification) and thus in all positions of
the crank's revolution pressure is brought to bear upon it in a favourable direction
in relation to such revolution.
Figures 5 and 6, which are respectively a plan and side elevation of the tread-
plate illustrated by figures 1 and 2, shew means designed to give the foot a firmer
hold on the tread-plate and prevent it from slipping, and these or equivalent
means are preferably employed with either modification of my improved treadle
mechanism.
The same letters of reference occurring upon both the figures 5 and 6 indicate
corresponding parts. P P are two blocks of wood forming toe-and-heel guards
upon the plate. These blocks are fixed upon the plate by means of pins bb,
having thumb-nuts cc thereon, and such pins pass through slotted holes d d in
the plate, as shewn, in order that the position of the blocks may be adjusted as
required.
It will be observed that in working the treadle mechanism above described,
according to either modification thereof, the foot rests continuously firmly upon
the tread-plate as in the ordinary description of treadle mechanism operated by a
heel-and-toe motion, as the centre or axis of such tread-plate remains in a uniform
position vertically or approximately so. It will now readily be seen that in lieu of
the swinging frame CC the axis of the tread-plate may be carried in bearings
capable of a sliding or rolling movement to-and-fro in a horizontal direction, or the
tread-plate may be carried in any manner which will permit of a horizontal
movement in addition to the ordinary vertical vibration.
Having now stated the nature of my said invention, and particularly described
and ascertained the manner of performing the same, I declare that I do not limit
myself to the exact details described and shewn, but what I claim as my invention
and desire to secure by the herein before in-part-recited Letters Patent, is. :-
1. In a sewing or other machine worked by treadle mechanism, the means for
permitting of a horizontal (or approximately horizontal) reciprocating movement
of the tread-plate in combination with the ordinary vibratory movement of the
tread-plate with means for imparting to the crank the pressure exerted in the
direction of such horizontal reciprocating movement of the tread-plate, substantially
as described and shewn and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 2. The treadle mechanism comprising a swinging bar or frame, a tread-plate
mounted to vibrate thereon, and means substantially as described for connecting
said tread-plate to the crank, all arranged to operate substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
3. The treadle mechanism comprising the horizontally (or approximately
horizontally) reciprocating tread-plate, the rod which connects said tread-plate
with the crank and the radius or guide rod, all constructed and arranged to
operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The treadle mechanism comprising the swinging frame C C, the tread-plate
mounted to vibrate thereon, the connecting rod H and the guide or radius bar L,
all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
5. The treadle mechanism comprising the horizontally (or approximately
horizontally) reciprocating tread-plate and the part R thereon connecting the
tread-plate to the crank-pin, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
6. The treadle mechanism comprising the swinging frame C C, the tread-plate
mounted to vibrate thereon, and the part R connecting the tread-plate to the
crank-pin, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
In witness whereof I the said John Pasfield have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twenty seventh day of February in the year of Our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty four,
JOHN PASFIELD (L.S.)
Witness
R. M. LISTER,
Clerk to Stephen Watkins Assoc: M. Inst C.E.
Office for Patents,
Wolverhampton,