IMPROVE- MENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Thomas Jones, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
Sealed the 8th April 1859, and dated the 15th February 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Thomas Jones at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 15th February 1859.
I, JOHN THOMAS JONES, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of machinery or
apparatus for sewing, stitching, or operating upon threads for the purpose of
joining various fabrics or materials, or for embroidering; the sewing or stitching
action being effected by the combined operation of a needle and, a shuttle.
The machine consists, under one modification, of an open frame, having a plat-
form top upon which the sewing or stitching operations are carried on.
Beneath this platform, and near one end of it, is a short transverse horizontal
first motion shaft running in bearings in the framing and carrying a long
crank, a connecting rod from which is jointed at its opposite end, directly to
the shuttle driver or slide piece, working in a horizontal guide recess beneath
the opposite or front end of the platform or table. The first motion shaft has
also another and shorter crank upon it, the stud pin of which is connected to
the pin of the longer crank by an overhanging link piece, provision being
made for the adjustment of the relative positions of the two cranks as.regards

page_text: their sequence of revolution. It is this shorter crank which actuates the
needle movement, the pin being entered into a differentially slotted or operated
cam piece, forming the pendant lower end of a bent lever working on a stud
centre in the interior of the overhead bracket or pillar arm of the framing.
The centre on which this lever works is in the horizontal part of the overhead
bracket arm, and its opposite or free working end has a rectangular slot in it
to embrace a rectangular block of metal working freely upon a lateral centre
stud upon the vertical needle-carrying bar. In this way the needle has
imparted to it a differential reciproctory vertical movement, the peculiar
connection of the needle bar with the actuating lever having the effect of
marking the needle in the most accurate manner, and preventing jarring and
wear. These are tho whole of the primary movements for working the
stitches, which may be of various kinds, as made up from the combined action
of the needle and shuttle, or thread-carrier; the form of the slotted piece or
operated cam in the end of the needle lever, being variable to suit any
required peculiarity of needle movement, the main elements of which are a
direct up and down motion without a stop or rest, until at the termination of
the down stroke, when a short rise takes place, succeeded by a rest to allow of
the due looping and stitching of the thread. The feed of the fabric to be
sewed is effected by the operation of a short vertical lever piece with a cranked
and slotted lower end, where it is set on a fixed sut in the framing. This
feed lever has a roughened or toothed upper end, the teeth or asperities being
set or inclined in the direction of the fabrics traverse. After each stitching
action, the feed lever being lowered just beneath the operating level, is raised
up so as to press firmly against the under side of the fabric, and nip it between
the stationary spring pressed above. This elevation of the roughened face is
effected by the transverse of the shuttle-carrier, which at its back stroke comes
against the inclined tail of a short horizontal lever set on a stud in the
framing, and having its opposite bent end bearing against the lower end of the
feed lever, at the part where it is carried by its slot upon the holding stud.
At the commencement of the return of the shuttle, an inclined piece upon the
shuttle carrier bears against a lateral stud upon one end of a short rocking or
oscillatory shaft set in bearings in the framing, the other end of the shaft
having a lever arm bearing against the side of the feed lever. In this way
the feed lever is traversed forward in its elevated position, carrying forward
the fabric for the succeeding stitch. The adjustment of the spring presser is
effected by an upper screw in the end of the bracket arm of the framing, the
lower end of the screw bearing upon a lateral pressing piece which rests or
abuts on the top end of a flattened helical spring upon the presser bar. The

page_text: Jatter can be set up clear out of work by means of a small cam lever set on a
stud in the stationary guide of the presser bar, the cam bearing against a
lateral stud in the bar, so that by setting the lever up or down, the cam is
correspondingly turned, and the lever set up or down, as required. The
actual pressing or resisting foot of the bar is a bent piece of metal screwed on
to the bar, and being thus removable to allow of various forms of feet guides,
or presser surface pieces being put on to suit varieties of forms of stitching.
This machine, or modifications of it, is available for working a duplex, or
other stitching action without involving further modification of the prime
movers. In working a duplex arrangement, two needles and two shuttles are
used, each needle and shuttle working independently, so as to allow of sewing
in two different and independent lines with one set of actuating parts. To aid
the shuttle action there is attached to its side a flat curved blade spring, one
end of which is free, but hooked into a hole in the body of the shuttle. Thus,
as the shuttle traverses forward, the sewing thread is drawn beneath the
hooked end portion of the spring, so as to be nipped against the shuttle. The
thread is thus beld, and the proper loop is secured at the part immediately
outside the nipped portion. With this arrangement the needle can never
work on the wrong side of the shuttle thread. Provision is also made for
securing an independent shuttle thread controller. This is a nipper or retainer
worked from any convenient part of the mechanism, but entirely independant
of the shuttle movement. This may be arranged in various ways, the object
being the variable and efficient control or retention of the thread, without
interfering in any way with the fixed and determined action of the shuttle.
Instead of fixing a horizontal shuttle race or guide track in the framing, the
shuttle driver is itself made the race or carrier, so as to secure both offices in
one detail or arrangement. A book or finger, actuated by any convenient
part of the movement, is also used for retaining the needle thread for any
lesired time after being passed through the fabric; this facilitates the move-
ment or action of the needle bar. The shuttle race, when one is used, is made
quite independant of the machine, so that it can be changed at any time to
uit various sized shuttles by merely slipping in or taking out the part. The
portion of the framing carrying the shuttle race is cast in one piece with the
nain body of the platform, but the table or plate on which the stitching takes
lace is a loose piece slotted down the middle for the working movements, and
itted into its position by pins cast upon it, and entered into corresponding,
ecesses in the main base.

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Thomas Jones in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 15th August 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, Jonn
THOMAS JONES, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Machinist,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Thomas Jones, Her special license that I, the said John
Thomas Jones, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said John Thomas Jones, my executors, administrators, or 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 John Thomas Jones, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, 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 John Thomas Jones, 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 accompanying Drawings and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
. My said Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of machinery
or apparatus for sewing, stitching, or operating upon threads for the purpose
⚫ of joining various fabrics or materials, or for embroidering; the sewing or
stitching action being effected by the combined operation of a needle and a
shuttle. The machine consists, under one modification, of an open frame
having a platform top, upon which the sewing or stitching operations are
carried on; beneath this platform and near one end of it is a short transverse
horizontal first motion shaft running in bearings in the framing; and carrying
a long crank; a connecting rod from which is jointed at its opposite end
directly to the shuttle driver or slide piece working in a horizontal guide

page_text: recess beneath the opposite or front end of the platform or table. The first
motion shaft has also another and shorter crank upon it, the stud pin of which
is connected to the pin of the longer crank by an overhanging link piece;
provision being made for the adjustment of the relative positions of the two-
cranks, as regards their sequence of revolution; it is this shorter crank which
actuates the needle movement, the pin being entered into a differentially
slotted or operated cam piece, forming the pendant lower end of a bent lever
working on a stud centre in the interior of the overhead bracket or pillow arm
of the framing. The centre on which this lever works is in the horizontal
part of the overhead bracket arm and its opposite or free working end has a
rectangular slot in it to embrace a rectangular block of metal working freely.
upon a lateral centre stud upon the vertical needle-carrying bar; in this way
the needle has imparted to it a differential reciprocatory vertical movement,
the peculiar connection of the needle bar with the actuating lever, having the
effect of working the needle in the most accurate manner, and preventing
jarring and wear. These are the whole of the primary movements for
working the stitches, which may be of various kinds as made up from the
combined action of the needle and shuttle or thread carrier, the form of the
slotted piece or operated cam in the end of the needle lever being variable to
suit any required peculiarity of needle movement, the main elements of which
are, a direct up and down motion without a stop or rest, until at the termi-
nation of the down stroke when a short rise takes place, succeeded by a rest,
to allow of the due looping and stitching of the thread. The feed of the
fabric to be sewn is effected by the operation of a short vertical lever piece,
with a cranked and slotted lower end where it is set on a fixed stud in the
framing. This feed lever has a roughened or toothed upper end, the teeth or
asperities being set or inclined in the direction of the fabrics traverse. After
cach stitching action, the feed lever being lowered just beneath the operating
level is raised up so as to press firmly against the under side of the fabric and
nip it between the stationary spring presser above; this elevation of the roughened
face is affected by the traverse of the shuttle carrier which at its back stroke
comes against the inclined tail of a short horizontal-lever set on a stud in the
framing and having its opposite bent end bearing against the lower end. of
the feed lever at the part where it is carried by its slot upon the holding stud.
At the commencement of the return of the shuttle, an inclined piece upon the
shuttle carrier bears against a lateral stud upon one end of a short rocking on
oscillatory shaft set in bearings in the framing, the other end of the shaft
having a lever arm bearing against the side of the feed lever. In this way
the feed lever is traversed forward in its elevated position, carrying forward, the

page_text: fabric for the succeeding stitch. The adjustment of the spring presser is
effected by an upper screw in the end of the bracket arm of the framing, the
lower end of the screw bearing upon a lateral pressing piece which rests or
abuts on the top end of a flattened helical spring upon the presser bar. The
latter can be set up clear out of work by means of a small cam lever set on a stud
in the stationary guide of the presser bar, the cam bearing against a lateral stud
in the bar, so that by setting the lever up or down the cam is correspondingly
turned, and the bar set up or down as required. The actual pressing or
resisting foot of the bar is a bent piece of metal screwed on to the bar, and
being thus removable to allow of various forms of feet guides or presser
surface pieces being put on to suit varieties of forms of stitching. This
machine, or modifications of it, is available for working a duplex or other
stitching action, without involving further multiplication of the prime movers.
In working a duplex arrangement two needles and two shuttles are used, each
needle and shuttle working independently, so as to allow of sewing in two
different and independent lines, with one set of actuating parts. To aid the
shuttle action there is attached to its side a flat curved blade spring, one end of
which is free, but hooked into a hole in the body of the shuttle. Thus as the
shuttle traverses forward the sewing thread is drawn beneath the hooked end
portion of the spring so as to be nipped against the shuttle. The thread is
thus held and the proper loop is secured at the part immediately outside the
nipped portion. With this arrangement the needle can never work on the
wrong side of the shuttle thread. Provision is also made for securing an
independent shuttle thread controller. This is a uipper or retainer worked
from any convenient part of the mechanism, but entirely independent of the
shuttle movement. This may be arranged in various ways, the object being
the variable and efficient control or retention of the thread without interfering
in any way with the fixed and determined action of the shuttle. Instead of
fixing a horizontal shuttle race or guide track in the framing, the shuttle
driver is itself made the race or carrier, so as to secure both offices in one
detail or arrangement. A hook or finger actuated by any convenient part of
the movement, is also used for retaining the needle thread for any desired
time, after being passed through the fabric; this facilitates the movement or
action of the needle bar. The shuttle race, when one is used, is made quite
independent of the machine, so that it can be changed at any time to suit
various sized shuttles, by merely shipping in or taking out the part. The
portion of the framing carrying the shuttle race is cast in one piece with the
main body of the platform, but the table or plate on which the stitching
takes place is a loose piece slotted down the middle for the working move-

page_text: ments, and fitted into its position by pins cast upon it and entered into corre-
sponding recesses in the main base.
And in order that my said Invention may he properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of
Drawings which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing certain
modifications under which my improvements may be judiciously carried out in
practice, that is to say :-
Figure 1 on the accompanying illustrative Sheet of Drawings is a longi-
tudinal elevation partially in section of one modification of my improved sewing
machine; in this Figure is also shown the second or opposite side of the
extremity of the overhanging arm, with the mechanical arrangement for regu-
lating the pressure of the foot or presser on the material to be sewn. Figure 2
is a transverse vertical section of the forc part of the machine, taken through
the shuttle and shuttle race. Figure 3 is an under side view or plan looking
upon the machine in an inverted position. As arranged in the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, the framing A of the machine is in part similar to that of
the ordinary needle and shuttle machines; it consists of a table or platform
supported on four standards. To the backward end of this platform is bolted
an overhanging arm B; the front part of the platform is curved inwards and
from the centre of this part a curved projecting piece C is cast with the
platform. The configuration of this curved part of the framing is shown in
Figure 3 on my Drawing, its segmental figure enables the operator of the
machine to sew round the curved or hollow parts of garments, as, for example,
sewing in the sleeves of coats, round the bottoms of trousers, closing boot legs
and so forth; but to do work that may be more conveniently sewn upon a
flat surface, there is provided a moveable piece D, the under side of which has
a pin cast on it at the front end, this pin falls into a slot made in the snug on
the front of the curved part C of the framing. The back end of the moveable
piece D has upon it two projecting pins which enter corresponding holes in the
front part of the platform, so that the movable piece is very readily removed
or fixed in its place when either a round or flat surface is required to work
upon. The moving parts of the machine are actuated from the horizontal
shaft E, which is carried in bearings that are cast on the under side of the
table A; this main or first motion shaft E is formed in two parts which are
connected by cranks, as will be presently described. The shaft E has fast to it
a pulley F, round which an endless band passes; this band is carried round.a
wheel fast to a crank shaft fitted below the table on which the machine is
placed, motion being communicated to the crank shaft from a treadle actuated
by the foot of the operator. One extremity of the shaft E projects out beyond

page_text: the table A, and to the end is fast a small fly wheel G, which serves to equalisé
the movements of the machine. Advantage is taken of this fly wheel to make
it form the driving wheel for filling the shuttle pirns or spools. For this
purpose a groove H is formed on the periphery of the wheel, a small winding
apparatus is secured to the table on which the machine stands, the spindle of
this winder carries a small pulley which is driven by an endless cord that is
passed round the pulley and the wheel G. A small knob projects from the
face of the wheel G, which serves as a handle to put the wheel in motion
when the spools are to be filled; in this way the silk or cotton to be used
in the sewing may be wound upon the shuttle spools with ease and regularity.
One of the inner extremities of the shaft E has formed upon it the crank I,
the pin of which serves to connect it to the connecting rod J and the link K.
The backward extremity of the link K is fast to the pin L of the crank M,
this pin is entered into the curved slot N of the cam piece which forms the
lower extremity of the bent lever O, so that the eccentric motion of the crank
M causes the stud pin L to traverse the curved slot N, and lift the lever O,
with a differential or variable reciprocatory movement. The bent lever O
works within the hollow arm B of the machine, and it is centred on a stud at
P, the arm B being made sufficiently deep to admit of the vertical movement
of the lever. The front extremity of the lever O has a rectangular slot formed
in it, in which is fitted a correspondingly shaped piece of metal which works
freely on a stud that projects laterally from the inner face of the sliding
needle bar Q. The needlo bar is made to fit easily within the recess which is
formed for the purpose in the front plate Q', that is screwed to the lateral face
of the arm B. To the lower extremity of the needle bar Q, a small metal
plate R is fastened by two screws, this plate serves as a clip to hold the
needle S in a vertical position, so that it moves up and down with the bar Q.
The needle used with this machine is of the kind ordinarily fitted in sewing
machines of this class, that is to say, it has a longitudinal groove down one
face and an eye near the point. The upper end of the needle is made flat
and left rough, so that when this part is placed between the plate R and the
bar Q, the tightening of the screws holds the needle firmly, and its removal or
replacement is very easily effected. The bobbin or spool T from which the
thread or silk U for supplying the needle is drawn runs loosely upon a small
vertical spindle that is carried in a bracket projecting laterally from the face
of the arm B. From the spool T the thread U is carried forward to an
arrangement that is fixed at the side of the arm B. This little apparatus
regulates the tension or drag upon the thread as it is unwound from the
spool. It consists of a short horizontal spindle V, which fits closely to the

page_text: small bracket piece projecting from the face of the arm, so that it turns
somewhat tightly therein. To the backward end of the spindle V is
fitted a milled-edged head W, in which is made a small hole, through
which the thread or silk is passed, the thread is carried forward and
passed through an eye at the front end of the spindle V, and thence out at the
tubular end of the spindle; in this position, by turning the milled head W, the
thread is wound more or less on the spindle V, and thus requires more or less
force to draw it off the reel T. From the extremity of the spindle V, the
thread is carried forward to the centre of the needle bar Q; where it is passed
through the eye of a stud ✗ fast on the face plate of the needle arrangement.
The thread passes up through this stud eye from below, and then through the
eye of a wire lever arm X', the backward end of which turns on a stud
projecting from the lateral face of the arm B. After passing through the eye
of the lever, the thread again descends through the stud eye X on its way to
the needle. The lever arm X is passed through a guide Y that is fast to the
bent lever O, and works out through a slot cut in the side of the arm B, which
guide serves to control the extent of the spring's traverse in a vertica!
direction, as well as to keep it in its proper position. The lever arm X' is
connected to the free end of the volute spring Z, one end of which is passed
through a hole made for the purpose in the rim of the arm B; the other
extremity of the spring is curved to form an eye, that encircles the backward
part of the lever arm X'. There are two holes made in the rim of the arin B,
so that by inserting the end of the spring Z in the hole nearest to the lever
arm X, its upward pressure thereon is increased, so that it springs up with
greater force. This arrangement of the lever arm X' and the spring Z draws
up the slack of the thread when the needle bar Qrises, and by adjusting the
spring Z in one or other of the holes in the rim of the arm B, more or less
jerk may be put on the thread, according to the thickness of the material that
is being sewn. The fabric to be sewn is held down upon the curved surface
of the part C by means of a spring presser a; this spring presser is fitted at
the extremity of the arm B, and parallel to the needle bar Q. The Figure to
the left of the arm B in Figure 1, shows an elevation of the spring presser
and extremity of the arm B, opposite to that shown in Figure 1. The spring
presser consists of the narrow sliding bar a, the lower end of which is curved
and bent at right angles, so as to rest fairly upon the fabric. The presser
bar a slides vertically in a recess cut in the plate b, which is secured to the
arm B by screws, and corresponds in all respects to the plate Q¹ on the other
side. A rectangular opening is made through the upper part of the plate b,
through which a stud c projects; this stud is fast to the bar a, which is

page_text: d
pressed in a downward direction by the flattened spiral spring d, which
surrounds the sliding bar a. The lower part of the spring & rests upon the
stud c, whilst its upper part is secured to a narrow plate e; the back of this
plate has a nut formed on it, through which the screw f works, so that by
turning the milled head on the upper extremity of the screw, the plate e and
the spring & may be depressed so as to increase the pressure of the foot at the
lower end of the bar a on the fabric at pleasure. The spring presser is raised
from the fabric by means of the cam lever g, which is centred upon a stud
screwed into the plate b. The tail of this lever extends outwards, and forms a
handle, the raising of which lifts the presser off the fabric. As delineated in
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, the needle is represented in its lowest
position, and the pin of the crank M is just commencing its descent down the
curved slot N, in the lower end of the bent lever O. During this downward
traverse of the crank pin the needle only receives a very slight reciprocatory
movement, which, however, is sufficient to slightly ease the thread to admit
the point of the shuttle, as will be presently described. When the crank
pin L reaches the lower part of the curved slot N, the crank M then passes
the lowest point and turns towards the front part of the machine; as the crank
pin passes over the swell at the front part of the curved slot, it carries with it
the lower end of the lever O, which thus raises the needle to the limit of its
upward traverse. Meanwhile the guide Y draws up the lever arm X, which
carries with it the thread U, the slack of which is drawn tight by the spring Z.
When the crank pin L has passed the central part or swell of the curved
slot L, the needle begins to descend, and continues to do so whilst the pin
travels round the upper part of the curved slot N until it reaches the point in
which it is shown in the Drawing, where it is at the limit of its downward
traverse. As the needle only passes a series of loops through the fabric, it is
essential to secure these by means of a secondary thread or silk; and this is
done by causing a shuttle carrying a thread or silk to pass through each loop
formed by the needle S, and in this manner prevent the withdrawal of the
loops. The shuttle and parts connected therewith are actuated by the
connecting rod J, which is driven by the
front extremity of the rod J is fast to a slide h,
and fro along. the vertical face of the web i screwed
of the curved projecting part C. This web i has a slot j formed in
it throughout its. length, and at the upper part is a curved trough k,
which serves as a race for the traverse of the shuttle. A portion of
the part C of the stand, immediately over the shuttle race k, is. cut
away to afford access to the shuttle, during the working of the machine;
crank I on the shaft E. The
which traverses to
on the under side

page_text: this longitudinal opening is closed by sliding brass plates 1, as shown in
Figure 4. The slide h, is connected by screws which pass through the slot j,
of the web i, to a small frame m, which forms a holder and driver for the
shuttle. The frame m, bas two arms which extend upwards round the race k;
the points of these arms are bent over and within the race so that when the
shuttle is placed within or between these arms its pointed extremity projects
beyond the backward arm so that it cannot escape therefrom, and must
partake of the motion of the frame or shuttle driver. m. Thus when rotatory
motion is communicated to the shaft E, the rod J, draws the slide i, and
frame m, to and fro the relative positions of the cranks I and M, being so
arranged that when the needle is at the lowest point, the slide i, and the
shuttle n, are at the limit of their forward traverse, as shown in the accom-
panying Drawing. The needle in its descent passes down a groove made for
the purpose in the face of the web, and the shuttle n lies with its flat or open
part closely against the planed surface of the web. Thus when the needle
begins to rise the shuttle also commences its backward traverse, so that the
point of the shuttle is interposed between the needle and the thread, just as
the former begins its upward movement. Before the needle has risen clear
of the working platform the shuttle has passed entirely through the loop, and
is upon its forward traverse which is completed simultaneously with the needle
reaching its highest elevation. The shuttle n is by preference made of steel,
the hollow part being made to receive the small spool or bobbin o, on which
the silk or thread is wound. It is for the purpose of filling these spools in an
evan and regular manner that the winding apparatus in connection with the
fly wheel G is arranged. The spool is retained within the cavity of the
shuttle by the pressure of a spring fitted in the nozzle or fore end, this spring
presses upon the small projecting stud p, into which the pointed end of the
bobbin spindle enters. When the bobbin is put in, the stud p is pushed back
by the front extremity of the spindle, the backward end is then pressed down
a shallow groove at the heel of the shuttle and the point of the spindle sinks
into a hole made for the purpose in the part 9, at the backward end of the
shuttle. A curved blade spring r, is riveted at one end to the fore part of the
shuttle, this spring extends backwards to the heel of the shuttle where its.free
extremity, which is bent to a right angle, enters a small hole made through the
side of the shuttle. The silk or thread from the bobbin or spool o.is passed
through one or more of a series of holes made along the edge of the shuttle
and through a slot made parallel to these holes, thence under the spring r,
and up through the hole in the working platform. The arrangement of the
spring 1, in conjunction with the slot and holos admits of any amount of drag

page_text: or tension being put upon the shuttle, silk, or thread as it is unwound from the
bobbin o. Near the fore end of the shuttle and on its upper side is a small
cavity against the backward end of which the curved point of the front arm of
the frame m comes in contact as the shuttle is moved forward. Thus whilst
the pointed extremity of the shuttle projects beyond the arm of the frame so
as to readily enter the loop formed by the partial rise or slightly jerking
action of the needle, the shuttle is at the same time wholly free so as to pass
readily through the loop. The horizontal reciprocatory movement of the
connecting rod J, and the slide h, is made use of to actuate the feed motion
by which the fabric is carried forward as the stitches are put in. The needle
passes down through a small hole made in the steel plate t' which is let into
the curved surface of the part C of the platform, the needle aperture is
immediately contiguous to the sliding plates ; and there is also made in the
guide plate t a rectangular aperture s, Figures 2 and 4, up through which
the feed lever works. The feed levert consists of a bent piece of metal
arranged in a vertical position and centred at its lower end on a stud that
projects from the face of the transverse web u, that is cast on the part C.
The upper extremity or horizontal face of the feed lever t is serrated as shown
in Figure 2, and the aperture through which the retaining stud passes at its
lower end, being somewhat elongated, admits of a certain amount of vertical
as well as rocking motion being imparted to it. When. free the feed lever t
is retained in a position level with the working platform by a spring v.
one end of which is fast to the under side of the working platform, whilst
the other extremity is entered into a hole made in the side of the feed
lever. The rising motion of the feed lever t is effected by means of the bent
lever w, which is centred upon a stud that is screwed into the lower
part of the longitudinal web i. The frout end of this lever wis bent
downwards and rests against the lower end of the fced lever t, whilst
its other and longer arm projects somewhat above the face of the web i,
along which the slide h moves. It follows, therefore, that as the slide h
traverses forward, and the needle is rising, the backward end of the slide
depresses the free end of the lever w, thus causing the fore end to raise
the feed lever t. Immediately following or almost simultaneously with this
vertical action a forward movement is imparted to the feed lever, and this is
done by means of an inclined piece a upon the side of the connecting rod J.
This inclined piece a at the forward traverse of the slide comes in contact
with the projecting arm or nib y, which projects laterally from the horizontal
rocking shaft z. One end of the rocking shaft z is carried in the transverse
web u, and the other in a pendent bracket 1 that is screwed up to the under

page_text: there is a small vertical
Thus, as the inclined
side of the table A. At the front part of the shaft
nib or arm 2, which rests against the feed lever t.
piece passes over and depresses the projecting nib y, the shaft z is partially
turned upon its axis, so that the vertical nib 2 presses against the upper end of
the feed levert and causes it to move forward. The upward motion of the
feed lever tips the fabric firmly between it and the spring presser, whilst the
forward movement carries the fabric onwards preparatory to making another
stitch. The two forces thus acting upon the feed levert impart to it a com-
pound or elliptical movement in the guide plate t', which carries the fabric
forward in a highly effectual and satisfactory manner. According as more or
less motion is imparted to the rocking shaft z, the fabric is moved in a corre-
sponding ratie, so that by limiting this motion, the length of the stitch is
regulated. This adjustment is obtained by means of the screw 3, which passes
through an angularly projecting arm 4 on the shaft ; this screw presses
against the side of the web i; the upper extremity of the screw is furnished
with duplex milled-edged heads, so that the screw may be firmly fixed in the
required position. The partially rotatory motion of the shaft is regulated by
lengthening or shortening the screw; by unscrewing it so as to make the part
within or beyond the arm 4 shorter, the play of the shaft is increased, and with
it the motion of the feed lever t, and by screwing the screw 3 inwards to its
full extent, all lateral motion of the feed lever may be stopped, so that the
fabric will not move at all in a lateral or progressive direction. With these
improvements the operation of sewing by machinery is greatly simplified, and
rendered very easy, whilst the work produced is strong and beautifully uniform
and regular.
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 novel and
original, and therefore claim as the. Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery for sewing or
uniting fabrics as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings..
Second, the system or mode of sewing or uniting fabrics by means of
machinery or apparatus arranged and constructed as herein-before described
and shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
Third, the system or mode of giving combined or concerted motion to the
shuttle and needle of sewing machines by means of a crank or stud, over-

page_text: hanging link and stud, and differentially slotted or grooved cam piece, as
herein-before described.
Fourth, the application and use of a differentially slotted or grooved cam
piece, for giving differential motion to the sewing needle, as herein-before
described.
Fifth, the system or mode of adjusting the sequence of action of the needle
and shuttle movements by means of the overhanging link and stud as herein-
before described.
Sixth, the system or mode of actuating the sewing needle from its vibrating
lever arm by means of a jointed or loosely centred stud piece on the needle-
carrying bar.
Seventh, the system or mode of elevating and traversing forward, or giving.
the feed motion to the fabric or material being sewn by means of the shuttle-
carrier, as herein-before described.
Eighth, the system or mode. of adjusting the amount of feed motion by
means of an adjustable set screw spindle, as herein-before described.
Ninth, the system or mode of adjusting the action of the spring presser, and
setting it in or out of gear by means of the screw and cam lever, as herein-
before described.
.
Tenth, the system or mode of preventing the needle from working on the
wrong side of the shuttle thread by means of a hooked blade spring, as herein-
before described.
Eleventh, the system or mode of controlling the shuttle thread by means
independent of the shuttle movement, as herein-before described.
Twelfth, the system or mode of arranging and constructing, sewing machines
wherein the shuttle driver itself is made to operate as the race or shuttle-
carrier.
Thirteenth, the application and use in sewing machines of independent
or moveable and adjustable shuttle races.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Thomas Jones, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of August, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-nine.