IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWING MACHINES, TOGETHER WITH THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1860

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Farmerley Dickson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th
January 1860.
I, JOHN FARMERLEY DICKSON, of No. 6, Russell Street, Litchurch; near
Derby, in the County of Derby, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWING MACHINES,
TOGETHER WITH THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, to be as follows:-
The first part of my improvements relates to that class of sewing machines
in which a vibrating needle and shuttle are the principal parts. In this part
of my Invention I construct a machine which will sew either the common
and well known lock stitch, and also the double chain or Lancashire stitch, at
the will of the operator, which I effect by removing the shuttle and a portion
of the shuttle driver, when required to sew the Lancashire stitch, and substi-
tuting a straight needle in its place, which carries the under thread. By
means of this part of my Invention I am enabled to sew the Lancashire stitch"
with any existing shuttle machine.
The second part of my Invention also relates to such machines, and consists
in a simple and economical mode of constructing the shuttles used in such
machines, and in giving regular tension to the lock thread as it is unwound
from the bobbin contained therein; this I effect by forming the shuttle in two
parts pointed in the direction of its length, and fastened by a spring clasp
bearing upon a pad of india-rubber or other elastic or suitable material laid
upon the projecting wire of the bobbin, such wire being placed in the centre
of the shuttle, and also in confining the bobbins of the shuttle by a wire

page_text: extending longitudinally along the front of the shuttle on that side nearest the
vertical needle.
The third part of my Invention consists in a simple and economical device,
whereby the working parts of sewing machines are rendered more durable and
capable of adjustment; this I effect by making the pins and bearings of sewing
machines conical instead of cylindrical, the pins being fitted with a screw and
nut.
The fourth part of my, Invention consists in sewing the shuttle or lock stitch
with a stationery shuttle placed beneath the bed of the machine, and confined
in a suitable shuttle holder by a spring; the shuttle holder is mounted on a
shaft to which an oscillating motion is given from a cam or other suitable
contrivance on the main shaft of the machine. By the application of this
part of my Invention I am enabled to sew a back stitch with any machine
now used to sew the now almost exploded common chain stitch at a trifling
expense.
The fifth part of my Invention relates to the shuttle to be used in machines
I wind the thread,
constructed according to the fourth part of my Invention.
whether of silk, cotton, or other fibrous material, on a bobbin having only one
flange, such flange forming the cap or cover to the said shuttle.
The sixth part of my Invention consists in diminishing the noise of machines
which contain a reciprocating shuttle, and this I effect by placing a pad of
india-rubber or other elastic or suitable material between the ends of the
shuttle and shuttle driver.
The seventh part of my
Invention consists in an improved feed motion for
moving the cloth and regulating the length of the stitches, which I effect by a
single stud placed upon the vertical needle carrier.
The eighth part of my Invention relates to apparatus for doubling braid
binding, and which is used in covering the edges of garments, boots, shoes,
and other articles. This improvement I effect by passing the braid around a
wheel capable of adjustment to any width, and through a series of guides, and
finally delivering the braid at right angles to the direction of the seam, whereby
I ensure perfect correctness, and also place the apparatus in such a manner
that it shall not interfere with the working arrangements of the machines to
which it may be applied, and it may be applied to any machine of ordinary
construction.