IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Newton Wilson, Sewing Machine Manu-
facturer, of 144, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
Sealed the 10th August 1866, and dated the 14th February 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Newton Wilson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th February 1866.
I, WILLIAM NEWTON WILSON, Sewing Machine Manufacturer, of 144, High
Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
The first part of my Invention consists of a new arrangement of parts
for a sewing machine making the chain or tambour stitch, and intended to be
turned by the hand. The machine is driven by spur gearing, and a
revolving looper is attached to the lower shaft, which turns in a direction
opposite to the action of the feed. The feed and the needle are operated by
cams from the upper shaft. For some classes of work the direction of the
looper may be advantageously reversed either by the addition of a carrier
wheel between the main driving wheel and the lower shaft, or by making the
main wheel in a compound form, giving motion to the upper shaft from its
periphery, and to the lower by an internal wheel on its flange, or by making
the internal wheel of sufficient size to operate both shafts within the circle of

page_text: its revolution. In this way the speed is increased from two stitches in the
first mode of driving to from three to five in the latter to each revolution. As
a mode of driving it is applicable to various descriptions of sewing machines.
To either variety of the machine an under feed may be applied, if desired, by
means of a cam on the lower shaft. To these two varieties I give the name
of the Queen Mab machine.
The second part of my Invention applies to the class of machines known
as the elliptic lock stitch, and comprises a novel arrangement of winding
apparatus consisting as follows:-To the outer extremity of the pin or stud
which gives the vibrating action to the needle arm is attached a crank,
corresponding in length with the distance of the pin before named from the
centre of the driving shaft; to the other end of this crank is screwed or
riveted a taper shaft or spindle, which thus receives a rotary motion, the axis
corresponding with that of the driving shaft. The bobbins are placed on this
spindle for winding. An improved cording apparatus for this machine consists
of a spring so attached to a metallic presser foot as to always retain the cord
tight and in its right position for the needle.
The third part of my Invention consists in an improved form of knotted
stitch machine. In this arrangement of machine the working parts are
connected with a transverse shaft, and a cam is introduced giving a horizontal
reciprocating motion to a rack communicating with a small pinion giving
reciprocating motion to a curvilinear looper attached to the same spindle.
The vibrating arm is connected by a rod or lever to a pin receiving a crank
motion from the main shaft. This mode of operation ensures great certainty
combined with freedom from noise.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in a new arrangement of parts
in a machine using a shuttle having a reciprocating action in a circular race.
The feed, which is an upper one, having the presser and mover combined,
is made to move at pleasure in three different directions, viz., to the right
hand, up the arm of the machine at right angles with the operator, and
thirdly to the left hand directly from the arm of the machine. A stop or
catch is introduced at each point, which gives the same certainty and firmness
to the action of the feed as though it possessed but one motion, and makes
the machine applicable to all ordinary work, and capable of stitching in new
elastic springs into old boots without once removing the boot or even changing
its position. This machine I call the triplex machine.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Newton Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 14th August 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
NEWTON WILSON, Sewing Machine Manufacturer, of 144, High Holborn, in
the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Newton Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said William
Newton Wilson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said William Newton Wilson, my executors, administrators, and
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," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Newton Wilson, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 I, the said William Newton Wilson, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 two Sheets of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say):
:-
The first part of my Invention consists of a new arrangement of parts for a
sewing machine making the chain or tambour stitch, and intended to be
turned by the hand. The machine is driven by spur gearing, and a revolving
looper is attached to the lower shaft which turns in a direction opposite to the
action of the feed. The feed and the needle are operated by cams from the
upper shaft. For some classes of work the direction of the looper may be
advantageously reversed either by the addition of a an intermediate stud or

page_text: carrier wheel between the main driving wheel and the lower shaft, or by making
the main wheel in a compound form giving motion to the upper shaft from its
periphery, and to the lower by an internal wheel or ring of teeth on its flange,
or by making the internal wheel of sufficient size to operate both shafts within
its diameter. In this latter way the speed is increased from two stitches in
the first mode of driving to four or five in the latter to each revolution. As
a mode of driving this is applicable to various other descriptions of sewing
machines. To either variety of machine an under feed may be applied if
desired from a cam on the lower shaft; to these varieties I give the name of
the Queen Mab machines.
The second part of my Invention applies to the class of machines known as
the elliptic lock-stitch machine, and comprises a novel arrangement of winding
apparatus consisting as follows:-To the outer extremity of the pin or stud
which gives the vibrating action to the needle arm is attached a crank corre-
sponding in length with the distance of the pin before named; from the centre
of the driving shaft to the other end of this crank is screwed or rivetted a taper
shaft or spindle, which thus receives a rotary motion, the axis corresponding
with that of the driving shaft. The bobbins are placed on this spindle for
winding. An improved cording apparatus for this machine consists of a spring
so attached to a metallic presser foot as to always retain the cord tight and in
its right position for the needle.
The third part of my Invention consists of an improved form of knotted
stitch machine. In this arrangement of machine the working parts are con-
nected with a transverse shaft, and a cam is introduced giving a horizontal
reciprocating motion to a rack communicating with a small pinion giving
reciprocating motion to a curvilinear looper attached to the same spindle. The
vibrating arm is connected by a rod or lever to a pin receiving motion from a
crank on the main shaft. This mode of operation ensures great certainty
combined with freedom from noise.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in a new arrangement and com-
bination of parts in a machine using a shuttle having a reciprocating motion
in a curvilinear race. The feed, which is an upper one, having the presser
and mover combined, is made to move at pleasure in three different directions;
viz., to the right hand up the arm of the machine, at right angles with the
operator, and thirdly, to the left hand directly from or off the arm of the
machine. A stop or catch is introduced at each point, which gives the same
certainty and firmness to the action of the feed as though it possessed but one
motion, and makes the machine applicable to all ordinary work, and capable of
stitching in new elastic springs into old boots without once removing the boot,

page_text: or even changing its position; that is to say, to perform the operation of
sewing in three different directions, while the arm is inserted in a tube or cul
de sac without withdrawing the arm of the machine, or detaching the thread.
This machine I call the triplex machine.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
In reference to the arrangement of machine, first herein mentioned, which
I have denominated the Queen Mab, it is represented in end elevation at
Figure 1, while Figure 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the same,
and Figure 3 a transverse vertical section, which shows an upper feed action
as applied to this machine.
In general arrangement this machine consists of two parallel shafts, an
upper and a lower one, the lower one being placed below the bed or table of
the machine, while the upper is continued in or carried by bearings on the
arm supporting the needle carrier and needle, to which said shaft com-
municates motion, the lower shaft being furnished with a looper immediately
under the position of the needle. The two shafts receive motion at their
opposite ends through two equal spur pinions gearing with a spur wheel of
double the size at points diametrically opposite said spur wheel, being fixed to a
small hand wheel by which the wheel is driven.
a, a is the bed or stand of the machine, having cast or fixed to it the
upright plate b, and hollow arm c, c, which carries the upper shaft d in suitable
bearings e, e, formed therein; f is the lower shaft mounted in bearings g. In
this arrangement the office of the shaft is simply to carry the looper h, which is
of the ordinary kind used in forming the chain stitch. On the end of the shafts
d and fare fitted toothed pinions i, k, of exactly equal numbers of teeth, these
pinions gear with a spur wheel 1 fixed on the boss of the hand wheel B, which
is mounted on a stud m fixed in upright b. The wheel B being somewhat
weighty forms a small fly wheel and is herein represented as a box wheel
having a rim enclosing the toothed gearing. If the wheel be of double the
diameter and with double the number of teeth there is in either of the pinions
i, k, it follows they will make two revolutions for each revolution of the hand
wheel, and consequently the needle p and looper h will operate twice and form
two stitches in said revolution of hand wheel.
I have represented this machine with an upper feed, operated by the foot
presser seen in the cross section Figure 3; this also shows the made of operating
the needle carrier t, which is fitted in the ordinary manner, and moved up and
down by a crank pin q projecting from cam disc r fixed on the end of the
shaft d and taking into a horizontal slot plate 3 fixed to the needle carrier t,

page_text: as will be readily understood. D is the presser mounted in a groove in the
frame and free to slide up and down, and to oscillate on a pin u towards and
from the needle the extent of its oscillatory motion (which regulates the
feed) can be regulated by a set screw v, which limits the return movement
of the foot presser D. The foot presser is pressed constantly downwards and in
a direction towards the needle by a spring E, and is operated by two cams as
follows: On the periphery of disc r is formed a cam 1, and behind disc r
another cam 2; two arms 3, 4, are extended from the foot presser, that shown
at 3 being operated on and lifted by 1, and imparting the lifting action to the
foot presser, while 4 is operated laterally by cam 2 and imparts the feed motion
as will be readily understood. This machine has the usual accessories of
bobbin carrier, tension, and other parts which it is unnecessary to enumerate.
In the machine as thus arranged the looper will revolve in a direction con-
trary to the direction of motion of feed of the fabric being sewn, which in
some respects and for some purposes may be objectionable.
In Figure 4 I have represented an arrangement of the gearing of the two
shafts d and with the wheel 1, such that the motion of the looper will be in
the same direction as the feed; this is effected simply by gearing the one
wheel i directly with wheel 1, while the motion is communicated from said
wheel to pinion k through an intermediate or idle stud wheel j, mounted on
a stud fixed in the upright stud plate b, (this plate I make of same diameter
as the hand wheel B) which communicates motion to the pinions as indicated
by the arrows.
In Figures 5 and 6 I have represented an arrangement of the driving gear
by which I obtain the required direction of motion of the shafts d and fat
once and without the intervention of any intermediate or idle wheel, and
whereby, moreover, I am enabled to readily obtain a rapid revolution of the
shafts d and f. To effect this I dispense with the central wheel 1, before
mentioned, and form a ring of teeth wo, w, on the interior of the rim of the fly
or hand wheel B, as seen in lateral section, Figure 5, and in transverse
section, in Figure 6. In order to cause the toothed gearing to work as
silently as possible I form a rim of teeth to of tin or other soft metal cast in
a recess undercut or jagged in the casting in the inner surface of the rim of
wheel B, as seen in the cross section, Figure 6, with suitable moulds; the
teeth of said rim are cast ready for work, and require no dressing or prepa-
ration; the other toothed gear I prefer to make of brass. The arrows
indicate the direction of motion of the pinions, which is such as required for
the motion of the looper to be in accord with the direction of the feed; and it
may be observed also that with the proportions of the gearing exhibited in

page_text: the Drawings the shafts d and will make four revolutions for each revolution
of the hand wheel B; the machine will therefore sew at a very rapid rate.
Figure 7 represents a cross section of this machine with an arrangement for
feeding from below the table a; it consists simply of a traversing piece x,
having a forked end mounted on a stud pin y. Two arms extend from part x,
one z having a slot opening which encircles an eccentric formed on the end of
shaft (the looper is mounted concentrically on shaft f, as before) which
imparts a to-and-fro lateral motion, and also an up-and-down motion to said
arm z; the other arm o being also fixed to x, participates in said motion.
This arm o operates the feed, being furnished with a serrated surface or
claw n, which passes up through the bed or table a, and effects contact with
the fabric under operation and between said claw n and the foot presser D.
above. I would further observe, that by the change of the hooked looper to
an eye-pointed looper carrying a second thread from an ordinary spool the
machine will make a knotted stitch instead of the chain stitch, as before
described; or by substituting a revolving hook in combination with a metallic
bobbin and bobbin holder, or by the application of the ordinary shuttle and
driver it may be converted into a lock-stitch machine, to which modifications
I also reserve the exclusive right.
Figure 8 represents as much of an elliptic lock-stitch machine as is necessary
to illustrate my Invention, which consists in furnishing said machine with a
part or parts whereby the winding on of the thread on the bobbin may be
readily and quickly accomplished without the necessity of any change in the
machine. F is the shaft which receives motion from the band wheel actuated
by the treadle, being furnished with cams and other parts all exactly as usual
for operating the different parts of the machine; G is the band pulley
receiving motion from band wheel aforesaid, and H the crank pin taking into
slot in and imparting motion to the oscillating arm fixed to the rock shaft
carrying the needle arm, as well understood. Heretofore this crank pin H has
been the terminal point carried by the shaft F; now, according to my Invention,
I fix or form on the crank pin H a return arm or crank I, forming, in fact,
what is known as a double-armed crank; from crank I, I extend part K in the
line of the axis F, forming it slightly tapered, as seen. Part K is adapted
to receive the eye of the bobbin on which the thread is to be wound, the
part K participating in the rotary motion of shaft F; the bobbin when placed
thereon rotates therewith, when the thread may be readily and speedily wound
on the bobbin as required.
.
Figure 9 represents what may be termed a back elevation of a machine
exhibiting the arrangement and application of the last part of my improvements,

page_text: viz., the triplex action of the feed in combination with a circular oscillating motion
of a shuttle and shuttle thread across the lower arm of the machine, the object
and advantage of which is that I am enabled to produce a feed in three different
directions while working with a needle and a shuttle machine in combination
with an arm or support carrying the shuttle, which projects but little in front
of the position of the needle. This machine in general appearance and
arrangement is very similar to ordinary sewing machines sewing with a needle
and a shuttle, and used for leather and other heavy work.
Figure 10 is a front view of the needle carrier and foot carrier frames, being
an end view of the arms of the machine, while Figure 11 represents a plan of
the same. L is the cam, and L' the lever for operating the needle slide M,
which is cranked, as seen in Figure 10, while N is the cam, and N₁ the rod
receiving a to-and-fro motion, all as usual, and communicating motion to the
shuttle. The shuttle in this case (see plan of lower arm Figure 12) is fitted
in an oscillating circular carrier P, and occupies a space in carrier P prescribed
by an arc of the circular recess in the arm which receives P and a chord to such
arc, a corresponding portion of the carrier P being removed for its reception.
A rack on the end of rod N¹ takes into teeth on the periphery of the oscillating
carrier P, and imparts to it a to-and-fro movement in the circular direction,
and so communicates motion to the shuttle and causing it to pass and carry its
thread through the loop of the needle thread and lock therewith, as well
understood. The foot presser R is mounted between the cheeks of a small
cranked frame R¹ fitted on a bolt R' forming an axis on which the whole can
be moved in a circular direction on an axis in line with the needle S, the
carrier of which is cranked at bottom, as before mentioned, to bring it
under said bolt R. The top of the foot presser has an arm T and central pin
passing through the end of the lever U with a nut or collar 5, by which
upward movement of the foot presser is operated by the action of the cam U¹ on
the main axis as usual, the lever U is constantly drawn down by a spring U.
The foot presser and claw feeder is constantly pressed towards the needle by
the action of a spring V supported between two small cranked levers V', V*,
pivotted in frame R', as seen; the tension of the spring drawing levers V',
together causes the tail ends to bear on the back of foot presser R; W is the
rock shaft which communicates the feed motion to the foot presser, and so far
as regards the rocking motion of the lateral feed (from right to left) produced a
thereby, is much as usual, the rocking motion of the shaft W inducing the
lateral motion of the arm W¹, and its action from right to left on the foot
presser as usual, and while it is in the position shown in line in the plan
Figure 11. In addition to this motion the rock shaft W has motion imparted

page_text: to it in the direction of its length, with this object in view it is free to slide in
its bearings, its position being controlled by two levers X, X', mounted on a
fixed axis at X', the free ends of said levers bearing against (one on each side)
the cam arm that produces the oscillating or rock motion before referred to.
The opposite ends of levers X, X', have set screws, the points of which bear
on cams X³, X', fixed on the main axis, and which impart the required
longitudinal motion to shaft W, and with it the arm W' to produce the feed
motion, either from front to back or vice versa. To produce these motions I
turn the foot presser with its frame on the axis R³, either into the dotted
position or into the position shown in red lines. The end 6, 6, 6, of the
arm W is of a form, see plan Figure 11, to take effect on the foot presser in
either of the three positions and the feed in the three different directions, that
is to say, laterally by the rocking motion of shaft W from front to back, by
the pulling longitudinal motion of shaft W and lever arm W', 6, 6, 6, or in
the opposite direction from back to front by the thrusting action of lever
arm W, 6, 66, produced also by the longitudinal motion of shaft W. The
foot presser R and frame R' are fixed in the three several positions by means
of a semicircular guard piece Y fixed to the upper arm of the machine having
three notches 7 in suitable positions, into which the upper crank lever V¹
takes in the manner of a latch, a thumb-piece being extended from said lever
to lift and move it round according to the direction in which it is desired
to feed.
The other parts of this machine being common to similar machines, it will
be unnecessary to describe in detail.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Newton Wilson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
W. N. WILSON. (L.S.)