Improvements in Apparatus or Means for Transmitting Motion to Sewing Machines and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 5th May, 1897-Accepted, 26th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus or Means for Transmitting Motion to
Sewing Machines and the like.
I, JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of
London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has
been communicated to me from abroad by The Willcox and Gibbs Sewing Machine
Company of New York City in the United States of America, a corporation
organised and existing under the laws of the State of New York, and having its
principal place of business at New York City) to be as follows:-
Sewing machines when used in factories and driven by power are sometimes
connected with the counter shafts by belts through the usual fast and loose pulleys,
and are started and stopped by means of a belt shipper. On account of the oil
thrown by the loose pulley this is objected to, and other means of starting and
stopping such machines are desired, and for this purpose devices operating like
friction clutches have been employed to connect with and disconnect from the
sewing machine shaft the continuously running counter shaft or driving shaft.
The present invention has for its object to produce a simple and easily operated
mechanism, whereby a sewing or like machine may be quickly connected with a
constantly running driving shaft and quickly disconnected therefrom and stopped;
and whereby the machine may be driven at any desired speed within practical
limits.
According to the present invention the machine receives its motion from a wheel!
or pulley mounted loosely on a shaft carried by a swinging arm or frame. From
this loose wheel or pulley a belt runs to a pulley on the sewing machine shaft.
The loose pulley on the swinging frame is connected by another belt with
a pulley on the constantly running shaft, and is itself in constant rotation. It is,
however, normally kept out of operative contact with the belt of the sewing
machine, by means of a spring or equivalent device acting upon the swinging frame.
The swinging frame is connected to a treadle, so that, when the treadle is depressed,
the swinging frame is moved in the direction to bring the loosely mounted pulley
into operative contact with the belt leading to the pulley on sewing machine shaft,
thus instantly starting the latter. The belt from the loose pulley to the sewing
machine, is tight when the pressure of the operator's foot is on the treadle, and is
slackened when this pressure is removed, and the machine allowed to come
to rest.
When pressure is removed from the treadle the swinging frame is moved by the
spring or other device above mentioned into its non-operative position, this
movement also causing the operation of a brake to arrest the movement of the
sewing machine.
This brake acts by gripping the belt, instead of by applying pressure to the
pulley.
The movement of the swinging frame is preferably in such direction that it
relaxes the tension on the belt leading to the constantly running power shaft at the
same time that it releases its hold on the belt leading to the sewing machine,
though it need not move so far as to stop running. The advantage of this is that
it saves wear on the belt the strain thereon being only at the time when the machine
is actually running.

page_text: By the arrangement described it is possible to drive the machine at any desired
rate of speed up to the maximum, the speed being regulated by the pressure exerted
on the treadle. By a light pressure sufficient slip may be allowed to run the
machine at a very low speed, and by increasing the pressure the slip is diminished,
and the rate of speed increased proportionately. Preferably an adjustable stop is
provided whereby the movement of the swinging frame in the direction to tighten
the belts may be limited, thus permitting any uniform rate of speed appropriate to
the particular kind of work. This stop may conveniently be in the form of an
adjustable screw set in the treadle the end of which screw comes into contact with
the floor when the treadle is pressed down to the desired limit.
The loose pulley may be provided with means for protecting the clothing of the
operator, and preventing the escape of oil from the bearings while effectively oiling
the hub of the pulley. For this purpose a guard may be provided on the frame
adjacent to one side of the pulley, and oil cups enclosing the ends of the hub of the
pulley, the latter being provided with a device for raising the oil from the cup to
the hub and the spindle on which the hub turns. The hub of the pulley may also
be provided with a groove to stop the spread of oil, and to make an angle from
which the oil will be thrown.
The oil cups have each a lateral extension with an inlet, the mouth thereof being
below the level of the edge of the cup.
Dated this 11th day of November 1896.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Apparatus or Means for Transmitting Motion to
Sewing Machines and the like.
1, JAMES YATE JOHNSON, of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by The Willcox and Gibbs Sewing Machine Company
of New York City in the United States of America, a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York and having its principal place of
business at New York City) and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Sewing-machines or the like, when used in factories and driven by power, are
sometimes connected with the counter shafts by belts through the usual fast and
loose pulleys, and are started and stopped by means of a belt shipper. This is
objectionable on account of the oil thrown by the loose pulley, and other means of
starting and stopping such machines are desired, and for this purpose devices
operating like friction clutches, have been employed to connect with, and disconnect
from, the shaft of the machine to be operated the continuously running counter shaft
or driving shaft.
The present invention has for its object to produce a simple and easily operated
mechanism, whereby a sewing machine or like machine can be quickly connected
with a constantly running driving shaft and quickly disconnected therefrom, and
stopped; and whereby the machine may be driven at any desired speed within
practical limits.
According to the present invention the machine receives its motion from a wheel
or pulley mounted loosely on a shaft carried by a swinging arm or frame.
From this loose wheel or pulley. a belt runs to a pulley on the shaft of the sewing
or like machine (I will refer to it as a sewing machine).

page_text: The loose pulley carried by the swinging frame is connected by another belt with
a pulley on the constantly running shaft, and is itself in constant rotation. It is,
however, normally kept out of operative contact with the belt of the sewing machine,
by means of a spring, or equivalent device, acting upon the swinging frame which
is connected to a treadle, so that, when the said treadle is depressed the swinging
frame is moved in the direction to bring the loosely mounted pulley into operative
contact with the belt leading to the pulley on the sewing-machine shaft, thus
instantly starting the latter. The belt, from the loose pulley to the sewing-machine,
is tight when the pressure of the operator's foot is on the treadle, and is slackene:1
when this pressure is removed, and the machine allowed to come to rest.
When pressure is removed from the treadle the swinging frame is moved by the
spring, or other device, above mentioned, into its non-operative position, this move-
ment also causing the operation of a brake to arrest the movement of the sewing
machine. This brake acts by gripping or bearing on the belt, instead of by
applying pressure to the pulley.
The movement of the swinging frame is preferably in such direction that it
relaxes the tension on the belt leading to the constantly running power shaft at
the same time that it releases its hold on the belt leading to the sewing-machine,
though it need not move so far as to stop running. The advantage of this is that
it saves wear on the belt the strain being thereon only at the time when the machine
is actually running.
By the arrangement described it is possible to drive the machine at any
desired rate of speed up to the maximum, the speed being regulated by the
pressure exerted on the treadle. By a light pressure sufficient slip may be
allowed, to run the machine at a very low speed, and by increasing the pressure
the slip is diminished, and the rate of speed increased, proportionately.
Preferably an adjustable stop is provided whereby the movement of the swinging
frame in the direction to tighten the belts may be limited, thus permitting any
uniform rate of speed appropriate to any particular kind of work. This stop
may conveniently be in the form of an adjustable screw set in the treadle, the
end of which screw comes into contact with the floor or other suitable stop when
the treadle is pressed down to the desired limit.
The loose pulley may be provided with means for effectively oiling the hub of
the pulley, whilst protecting the clothing of the operator, and preventing the escape
of oil from the bearings. For this purpose a guard is provided on the frame
adjacent to one side of the pulley, oil cups enclosing the ends of the hub of the
pulley, which is provided with a device for raising the oil from the cups to the
hub and the spindle on which the hub turns. The hub of the pulley may also be
provided with groove to stop the spread of oil, and to make an angle from
which the oil will be thrown. The oil cups have each a lateral extension with an
inlet, the mouth thereof being below the level of the edge of the cup.
In order that the invention may be well understood, I will describe with reference
to the accompanying drawings the manner in which it may be performed.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a power transmitter constructed in accordance
with this invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section, the section being taken on the
line 2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.
Figure 3 is a vertical section through the axis of the pulley shaft, and Figure 4
is a sectional detail drawn to a larger scale.
A represents a stand, or table, for supporting the sewing, or other, machine to
be driven, of which a part of the shaft B and the driving pulley B' only are
shewn.
Crepresents a bifurcated frame, pivoted at c to a bracket C¹ secured to the
underside of the table A. In the branches of this frame C secured a spindle d,
upon which is loosely mounted a pulley D, having a series of grooves of different
diameters. The pulley D is driven by the driving belt d¹ from the pulley & on

page_text: the counter shaft D₁ and the said pulley D transmits, motion by means of the
belt d³ to the pulley B¹. A leaf spring E secured at one end to the bracket C¹
presses against a lug e on the frame C tending to tilt the said frame in a direction
to slacken both the belts and d³. The bracket C' has an arm C provided with
a projection c which acts as a stop to limit the movement of the frame C when
acted upon by the spring E. The belt passes between the lug e and the
projection 2, and consequently, when the spring E is free to act, the belt will be
gripped and the motion of the machine will be stopped. A comparatively light
spring is interposed between the lug e aud the belt, in order to secure a yielding,
and gradually increasing, pressure upon the belt in stopping the machine.
The lower end of the tilting frame C is connected by a link g with a treadle G,
pivoted at gl. In the normal position of the device, the frame C is pressed forward
by the spring E, which raises the pulley D to such an extent that the belt d³ is
slack on the said pulley, as seen in Figure 2. The belt d³ moreover is clamped
between the spring on the lug e and the projection c³, and the shaft Bis
consequently stationary. To start the machine the foot of the operator is placed
on the treadle G so as to swing the pulley D downward. This movement has for
its first effect to release the belt ds, and for its second to tighten both belts d' an'l d³
on their respective pulleys, thus starting the machine.
The downward movement of the treadle G is limited by a stop, shewn as a set-
screw g², engaging in a threaded socket in the treadle, the end of this screw coming
into contact with the floor or other surface when the treadle is depressed. This
screw is adjustable so that the movement of the treadle can be varied. Such
adjustment is useful because the rate of speed at which it is desired to drive the
machine will depend upon the character of the work in hand, and the speed may
be regulated by the tightness of the driving belts, allowing a greater, or lesser
amount of slip. Thus by adjusting the screw 92 up or down, the rate of speed at
which the machine will be driven when the treadle is depressed, can be increased
or diminished.
Provision is thus made for instantly starting and stopping the machine, and for
driving it at the desired rate of speed within practical limits.
From the position of the loose pulley D it is of great importance to prevent
the escape of oil from the bearing and to protect the clothing of the operator
from being soiled or injured by the mechanism. To the inside of each of the arms
of the frame C is attached an oil-cup h, best seen in Figure 4. The hole in which
the end of the spindle d is inserted extends through the frame C and is covered by
a disc or cap h³ preferably seated in a recess, and held in place by screws h² whose
ends extend into the cup h and secure it to the frame. The plate / prevents the
escape of oil that might spread along the spindle d. The construction is the same
at both ends of the spindle d.
The cup is provided with an extension ³ to one side of the end of the frame C,
in which extension is the oil inlet, normally closed by a cap (Figures 2 and 4).
The mouth of this inlet is slightly below the lowest level of the edge of the oil cup,
so that in filling the cup, the oil will be seen at the inlet before it overflows
the cup.
The pulley D has a long hub k which projects at each end into one of the oil
cups. To each end is attached an eccentric disc which acts as a spoon to take
up oil from the lower part of the cup, the oil running from the end of the said
eccentric disc when it is above the spindle and then between it and the rear of the
oil cup, thus finding its way to the spindle. In this manner the pulley will be
kept constantly lubricated. The hub k has a groove k³, preferably undercut at
one side to make an angle or oil throwing flange k³. The object of this is to
prevent oil from working along the hub of the pulley and getting outside the oil
cup. Oil which may spread from the disc k' towards the right hand of Figure 4,
will, on reaching the angle 3, be thrown off by centrifugal force, if the pulley be
in rotation, or if it be stationary the said oil will drop from this angle to the
bottom of the cup.

page_text: On the side of the pulley D towards the operator is a guard L, in the form of a.
disc of about the same diameter as the pulley, and it may be cast in one piece
with the oil cup h. This guard prevents the clothing of the operator from being.
caught by the pulley.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A power transmitter for sewing machines, or other machines, comprising, in
combination a loose-pulley adapted to be connected by belts with the driving shaft
and driven shaft respectively, a moveable frame in which the said pulley is.
mounted, means for moving the said frame in the direction to tighten the belt.
between said pulley and the driven shaft for the purpose of starting the machine,
and means for normally pressing the frame in the opposite direction thereby
slackening the said belt, substantially as herein before described.
2. The combination with a driven shaft, and a constantly rotating power shaft,
of an intermediate transmitter, comprising a pulley connected by belts with the
two shafts respectively, a pivoted frame, a spring for normally holding the said
frame in position to slacken both said belts, and a treadle or equivalent means, for
moving the frame in the opposite direction so as to tighten the said belts,.
substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The combination with driven and driving shafts, of a loose-pulley connected
by belts with the said shafts respectively, a swinging frame in which the said
pulley is carried, a spring normally holding the frame in such position that the
pulley is not in operative contact with the driving belt, and means, operated by
said spring, for gripping the belt, substantially as herein before described.
4. The combination with driven and driving shafts, of a pulley connected by
belts with the said shafts respectively, a moveable frame carrying the said pulley,.
a spring for which when free to act throws the said frame into position to slacken
the belt, between the said pulley and the driven shaft, and gripping devices between
which the said belt moves, one of the said devices being carried by the said frame,.
substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. The combination with driven and driving shafts, of a pulley connected by
belts with the said shafts respectively the moveable frame carrying the said pulley,
a spring which, when free to act, throws the said frame into position to slacken
the driving belt, and gripping devices between which the said belt moves, one of
the said devices being carried by the said frame and having au elastic, or yielding
surface, for making contact with the belt, substantially as herein before described.
6. The combination with a driven shaft, and a constantly rotating power shaft,
of an intermediate transmitter, comprising a pulley connected by belts with the
two shafts respectively, a pivoted frame, a spring for normally holding said frame
in position to slacken the said belts, a treadle or the like for moving the frame in
the opposite direction, and an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of the
treadle or the like, substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. In a power transmitter for communicating motion to a sewing or other
machine, the combination with a supporting frame having a spindle, of a pulley
mounted loosely on the said spindle, an oil cup surrounding the said spindle and.
enclosing the end of the hub of the said pulley, the latter being provided with an
oil throwing flange, and a device carried by the hub of the said pulley for raising.
oil from the bottom of the said cup, substantially as hereinbefore described.
8. In a power transmitter for communicating motion to a sewing or other
machine, the combination with a supporting frame having a spindle, of a pulley
loosely mounted on the said spindle, an oil cup surrounding the said spindle, and.
enclosing the end of the hub of the said pulley, the latter being provided with an
oil throwing flange, the said oil cup having a lateral extension containing an oil
inlet the mouth thereof being below the level of the edge of the said cup,
substantially as hereinbefore described.

page_text: 9. The combination with a bifurcated supporting frame, of a spindle supported
at its ends in the arms of the said frame, an oil cup on the inside of each of the
said arms fitting closely around the said spindle, the shaft holes in the said arms
being closed on the outside, and a loose pulley on said spindle, its hub at each end
extending into one of the said cups and having a groove on one side and an oil
raising device, substantially as herein before described.
10. A power transmitter for sewing or other machines comprising a frame
pivoted to the underside of the table of the said machine, a loose pulley carried
by the said frame and connected by a belt with the shaft of the said machine,
means for moving the pulley in one direction to tighten the said belt and in the
other to slacken it, and a plate or guard carried by the said frame adjacent to the
said pulley, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 5th day of May 1897.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.