IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT. to Owen Robinson, of Champion Works, Kettering, in the
County of Northampton, Sewing Machine Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
ealed the 7th August 1877, and dated the 17th February 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Owen Robinson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th February 1877.
OWEN ROBINSON, of Champion Works, Kettering, in the County of Northampton,
Sewing Machine Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
This Invention consists,-
Firstly. Of a peculiar combination and arrangement of parts for the more effectual
working of wax thread boot-closing machines. According to this part of my said
Invention I employ a shaft disposed longitudinally to and underneath the bed plate
of the machine, and extending to the front side thereof; upon this shaft there is
fixed an eccentric for working the needle in combination with cams for working the
shuttle and feeder. This eccentric is connected by a link through the trunk of the
fixed arm of the machine to a crank on the rear end of a rocking shaft situate at
the back of the said arm. At the opposite end of this shaft, against the needle bar,
is fixed another crank carrying a stud and roller. This roller is made to work in a
peculiarly shaped cam fixed on the needle bar, the said cam in combination with the
crank and rocking shaft constituting one of the essential features of this Invention.
By turning the lower shaft the eccentric imparts a rocking motion to the upper
shaft through the intervention of the crank, and by the peculiarly shaped cam on
the needle bar gives the proper motion to the needle bar for the required motion of
the other working parts.
Another feature of this part of my Invention consists in the combination there-
with of an improved feeder, which is raised by an independent lever, and is
more effectual in operation for this class of machine, it being more rigid and firm.
This feeder is actuated by a banging lever jointed thereto. At the lower end it rests
against the cam, an intermediate adjustable slide, which is regulated at one end by
a screw, serving to give a positive length of stitch,

page_text: Secondly. Of a combination of three eccentrics on the lower shaft, one as already
described working the rocking shaft and peculiar shaped cam on the needle bar; a
second eccentric working the shuttle by means of a link and rocking lever;
and a
third eccentric for working the feeder, as shown in my former Specification, No.
3774 74, thereby constituting a silent and cheap domestic sewing machine, the
moving parts being eccentrics only.
Thirdly. Of an improved reversible feeder consisting of a piece of steel about
3/4 inch wide and 3/8 inch thick, and of a length to suit the machine from main or
under shaft to the surface of the bed plate. In one end thereof I cut a slot of the
same width as the diameter of the driving shaft, and upon one side I make a pro-
jection to work upon an eccentric for lifting only. Upon the other end of this piece
of steel I cut a number of teeth, so that when it is raised above the bed plate these
teeth slightly penetrate the cloth or fabric ready for feeding. To feed the work
either backward or forward I prepare a second piece of steel about 3/4 inch wide
and, inch in thickness; I cut a slot completely through the end of it to work
upon a second eccentric, and about midway from this slot to the other end of the
piece of steel I fix a stud, making it to work in a hole in the centre of the feeder.
I then cut a slot about 1/4 inch deep full length of the piece of steel, and cause a
stud to slide in this slot from a lever, so that by raising the lever up above the
centre joint it will propel the fabric in one direction, and by lowering it below the
centre joint it will move it in a contrary direction.
Fourthly. Of a peculiar cam motion for driving the shuttle, consisting of a cam
plate having a slot or groove cut therein. At each end of this cam plate I fix a stud
and roller, which run in guides placed parallel with the bed plate of the machine.
From the centre of the cam plate I fix a connecting rod, which is jointed to the
shuttle carrier. A disc is fitted on to the end of the vertical shaft and underneath
the bed plate of the machine, with its face downwards. In this disc I fix a stud
and roller, which work in the cam slot. When the machine is in motion the disc
revolves, and imparts the required movement to the shuttle so as to work in proper
time with the needle, there being the required dwell of the shuttle and pulling tight
of the thread by the needle both at the same instant, thus making firmer and better
work than the common rotary motion and link.
Fifthly. Of a peculiar guard for the shuttle at the rear or outside end of the
shuttle carrier, as in the "Singer" style of family and medium machines. Under
the lip that drives the heel of the shuttle I joint a small lever, employing a spring
on this joint and a slot to hold it at given points. Rising from this joint the lever
comes round the end of the shuttle carrier, over the top, and a certain distance over
the shuttle, so that the shuttle cannot rise up. Running lengthwise from the joint
under the shuttle there is a short arm, set so that when the part which comes over
the shuttle is drawn back to take out the shuttle, it raises the shuttle from its race,
and thus it can be more easily removed. By pressing the shuttle into its place for
working, the guard is brought to its proper place over the shuttle, thereby pre-
venting the shuttle from flying out of the machine when it is in motion with the
shuttle slides open, which defect frequently causes serious injury to the sewing
mechanism.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Owen Robinson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th August
1877.
OWEN ROBINSON, of Champion Works, Kettering, in the County of Northampton.
Sewing Machine Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
My said Invention has for its object various improvements in sewing machines,
and relates,-
First. To a peculiar combination and arrangement of parts for the more effectual

page_text: working of what are commonly known as wax thread, boot closing, or other sewing
machines.
Secondly. To a peculiar combination or arrangement of three eccentrics for working
respectively the needle bar, the shuttle, and the feeder from one shaft.
Thirdly. To a peculiar construction and arrangement of reversible feeder.
Fourthly. To a peculiar cam motion or arrangement of parts for driving or
actuating the shuttle.
Lastly. To a peculiar construction and arrangement of shuttle guard or appliance
for preventing the shuttle from rising from its race, whilst facilitating the removal
of the shuttle when requisite.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the several
Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, the same letters of
reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawings is a back elevation partly in section of a portion of a
sewing machine illustrating my peculiar combination and arrangement of parts for
working the needle, drawn to a scale of about one-half the full size.
Figure 2 is a full sized detail of the peculiarly shaped cam on the needle bar for
actuating the needle.
A is the driving shaft, disposed longitudinally underneath the bed plate B of the
machine, and extending to the front side thereof. Near the rear end of this shaft I
fix an eccentric C for working the needle in combination with the eccentrics D and
E, herein-after referred to, for working respectively the shuttle and feeder. The
eccentric C is connected by a link F through or on one side of the trunk G of the
fixed arm to a lever arm H, carrying a pin on the rear end of the rocking shaft I,
which works in bearings K, K, on the back of the said fixed arm of the machine. At
the front end of this rocking shaft near the needle bar there is fixed another short
lever arm L (see Figure 2), carrying a stud and roller M, which works in the pecu-
liarly shaped cam groove N, formed in a cain plate fixed on to the back of the needle
bar O. By turning the driving shaft A the eccentric C imparts a rocking motion
to the upper shaft I through the intervention of the lever and crank pin H, and by
the peculiarly shaped cam N on the needle bar gives the proper motion to the needle
to suit the motions of the shuttle and feeder. The dotted lines in Figure 2 show the
positions of the lever arm L and the peculiar needle bar cam N when the needle is
in its lowest position.
Figure 1 serves also to illustrate the second head of my Invention, which consists
of a combination of three eccentrics C, D, and E on the lower shaft A. The first
eccentric C, as already described, serves to work the upper rocking shaft I and
peculiar shaped cam N on the needle bar; the second eccentric D actuates the shuttle
driver by means of a link P (see Figure 3) and rocking lever Q in the manner set
forth in the Specification of my Patent, No. 3774, A.D. 1874; and a third eccentric E
serves to actuate the feeder R also in the manner described in my said former Spe-
cification.
I may here observe that I do not claim the eccentrics D and E, nor the arrange-
ments for imparting motion to the shuttle driver and feeder when not combined
together on the same shaft along with the eccentric A for actuating the rocking
shaft I and needle bar through the peculiar shaped cam N, as these two parts have
already been fully set forth separately in my said former Specification. By the
peculiar combination in question I obtain a silent, cheap, and effective domestic
sewing machine.
Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section (drawn to a scale of about half the full
size) of so much of my improved wax thread sewing machine as is requisite to illus-
trate the peculiar feeder which I propose to adopt in that class of machines; and
Figure 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the same machine, showing another view
of the said improved feeder. B is the bed plate; A, the driving shaft, which imparts
a rocking motion to the upper shaft, and thence transmits the vertical motion to the
needle by the peculiar cam plate and rocking lever, as illustrated and described in

page_text: reference to Figures 1 and 2. R is the feed bar, which slides at its rear end, as is
well understood, in a horizontal guiding slot or groover formed in the front side of
the bed plate; this feed bar derives its vertical motion from the independent bell-
crank lever f, worked by a cam or eccentric g of its own on the end of the driving
shaft, whilst the horizontal forward motion is imparted to the said feeder by the
hanging lever h, suspended from the feed bar by a joint at i. The lower end of this
hanging lever bears against the side of a second feed cam or eccentric k. Between
the said eccentric and the joint there is provided an adjustable slide 1, consisting by
preference of the free end of an adjustable lever m, pivotted at n, and raised or
lowered according to the length of stitch required by a regulating screw at o. The
adjustable end of the said lever is slightly rounded on the face next to and in
contact with the hanging lever, to which it forms for the time being a fixed fulcrum,
it being held firmly against such lever so as to avoid any spring or yielding motion
by working against the face of a supporting lug or bracket p, cast on the bed plate.
By this arrangement of feeder the feed bar is maintained more rigid and firm than
heretofore, it being supported vertically by the independent lever immediately
underneath the part where most support is needed: Moreover, by the combination
of this feeder with the peculiar needle motion, herein-before described, I obtain a
more perfect and efficient wax thread machine.
Figures 6 and 7 represent full sized detail views of my improved reversible
feeder, which consists of a short upright steel or other metal bar S, extending from
the lower shaft A to about the surface of the bed plate, and constituting the feeder.
In the lower end thereof I form a slot (shown in dotted lines) of the same width as
the diameter of the corresponding part of the driving shaft, over which it fits and
works easily. The upper end of this bar S has formed upon it or fitted thereto, as
shown, the teeth or serrations for feeding the cloth, so that when raised above the
bed plate these teeth will penetrate slightly the cloth ready for feeding. T is a
vertical lever which works at its lower end upon an eccentric U fast on the shaft A.
About midway between the said eccentric and the upper end of the lever T there is
inserted the end of a stud or fulcrum pin V, which is passed through the feeder
bar S. A slot a is made in the lever T, and within this slot works a stud or roller b,
carried on the free end of a lever arm W, mounted on an adjustable rocking shaft X.
This shaft carries at one end an upright lever Y, within which works a spindle pro-
vided with a knob or handle Z, and with a tooth or catch c engaging into one or
other of the notches d. The spindle is controlled by a spring, so that after it has
been lifted or simply pushed from one notch to another, it will be drawn down
again and maintain the catch in its notch. By moving the adjusting lever and catch
from one notch to another the roller b will be raised more or less above or brought
below the stud or centre pin V in the slot a of the lever T, thereby causing the
feeder to feed either forward or backward, according as the roller is above or below
the pin V.
Figure 8 of my Drawings represents in elevation a portion of a sewing machine
of the "Singer type," showing my peculiar cam motion or arrangement of parts for
driving or actuating the shuttle, the side plate of the bracket arm being removed,
and the bed plate shown in section; Figure 9 is a corresponding plan of the under
side of the said arrangement; and Figure 10 is a full sized detail sectional plan
view, showing the form of the groove of the cam plate for imparting the desired
movements to the shuttle. In these Figures A is a cam plate, having a slot or
groove B cut therein, such cam plate having also a stud and antifriction roller C, C,
fixed to each end thereof, and running in parallel guides D, D, fixed to the under
side of the bed plate E of the machine. To the centre of this cam plate I fix a con-
necting rod F, which is jointed at G to the shuttle driver, as is well understood in
this type of sewing machine. H is a horizontal crank or disc situate underneath
the bed plate and fixed on to the lower end of the vertical shaft I, which derives its
rotary motion from the driving shaft K in the well-known manner. Projecting
from the under surface of this disc there is a stud and antifriction roller L, which
, work in the cam slot B. When the machine is in motion the crank or disc revolves

page_text: and imparts the required movement to the shuttle so as to cause it to work in
proper time with the needle, the required pause or dwell of the shuttle and the
pulling tight of the needle thread by the needle being both effected at the same
instant, thus making firmer and better work than can be obtained by the ordinary
rotary motion and link hitherto employed for actuating or driving the shuttles of
sewing machines of this type.
Figures 11 and 12 represent a full sized elevation and corresponding plan of my
peculiar shuttle guard, which is more especially applicable to sewing machines of the
type of the "Singer" family and medium machines. At the rear end of the shuttle
carrier a and under the lip b that drives the heel of the shuttle c, I joint a small
vertical lever arm d, which is kept pressed towards the heel of the shuttle by a
coiled or other spring, so as to keep the upper end of the lever, which is bent forward
round the end of the shuttle carrier, well over the top of the shuttle at the heel, and
thereby prevent the shuttle from rising. From the boss of the said vertical lever or
shuttle guard there extends beneath the shuttle a longer and horizontal lever arm e,
the two levers forming a bell crank. When the upper end of the vertical arm is
drawn back by the finger so as to set free the shuttle, the lower or horizontal arm
simultaneously rises and lifts the shuttle out of its carrier, the said lever working
against an incline f, which holds it in position by friction until the shuttle is lifted
out, thereby facilitating the removal of the shuttle, the lever being released again
by the act of replacing the shuttle. So long as the vertical lever is maintained
by the spring in its normal position, that is to say, with its curved end over the
heel of the shuttle, the latter will be effectually prevented from accidentally rising
from its carrier.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into.
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The combination of the peculiarly shaped cam N on the needle bar, the
lever L, roller M, and rocking shaft I, substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described and illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of my Drawings.
Secondly. The peculiar arrangement of feeder for wax thread or other sewing
machines wherein the end of the feed bar is held up by an independent lever worked
by a cam or eccentric of its own, as herein-before described and illustrated by
Figures 4 and 5 of my Drawings.
Thirdly. The combination in the said feeder of the feed bar R, the independent
lever f, the hanging lever h, the two cams or eccentrics k, and the adjustable
sliding piece or lever end when arranged to operate together, substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
Fourthly. The combination in a wax thread sewing machine of the peculiar
arrangement of mechanism for working the needle illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of
my Drawings with the peculiar feed motion illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, as
herein-before described.
Fifthly. The combination of one shaft A of the three eccentrics C, D, and E for
imparting the desired motions to the needle bar, shuttle driver, and feeder, sub-
stantially as herein-before described.
Sixthly. The combination of the parts S and T with the eccentric U and stud or
roller b on the adjustable lever arm W when arranged and operating together, so as
to constitute a reversible feed motion for sewing machines, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by Figures 6 and 7 of my Drawings.
Seventhly. The combination of the cam plate A with its slot or groove B, the
guiding studs or rollers C, the guides D, D, and the crank pin or roller L when
arranged to operate together, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described and illustrated by Figures 8, 9, and 10 of my Drawings.
Eighthly. The combination with the shuttle carrier of the peculiar shuttle guard,
consisting of the spring bell-crank lever, having one arm bent over the rear end of

page_text: the shuttle and the other extending beneath the same when arranged to operate,
substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described and illustrated by
Figures 11 and 12 of my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Owen Robinson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
OWEN ROBINSON. (L.S.)