Improvements in Sewing Machine Treadles.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 22nd May, 1889-Accepted, 6th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sewing Machine Treadles.
I, JOHN ALCOCK of Cheadle in the County of Stafford Auctioneer do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a more rapid and powerful method of
driving treadle Sewing machines by foot power than by the ordinary sewing machine
treadle, and at the same time to obviate and do away with the physical disadvantages
inherent in the form of treadle at present in use.
The invention consists in substituting for the treadle bar and foot plate in the
ordinary machine a pedal bar bent into the shape of a double crank. This pedal bar
may be constructed either T shaped, or round, or other suitable section and solid or
hollow as bicycle back bones for lightness and strength as may be found most
convenient and may be cast or wrought.
From the extremity of one of these crank shaped projections proceeds a bar which
is joined to the pitman in the same manner as in the ordinary treadle.
On these crank shaped projections of the pedal bar are placed two pedals of the
same character as bicycle pedals, either furnished with rubber treads or flat treadle
plates as preferred. The pedals can also if desired be constructed so as to be detach-
able at will or may be cast or constructed in one piece along with the pedal Bar. In
order to prevent the pedals from assuming a vertical position the pedal bar at the
point where the pedals are attached may be furnished with a small strip of iron or
other metal which is fixed to it by a screw passed through a hole in the strip of metal
and entering the pedal bar or by any other suitable connection.
The ends of this strip of metal are then bent downwards on each side of the pedal
bar, and finally turned outwards horizontally so as to form a pair of rests leaving
between such rests and the pedal sufficient room on each side to provide for an casy
play of the pedals when in work, but so that the play of the pedal should be limited
by the rests.
In the place of this strip of metal or rests limiting the action of the pedals may be
substituted circular discs placed at the extremity of each pedal through the centre of
which passes the pedal bar and to which bar the discs are firmly attached. In these
discs are cut slots on either side answering to the ends of the pedals with which slot
pins engage projecting from the ends of the pedals themselves, allowing a certain play
in the pedals limited by the length of the slot in the discs.
This crank shaped treadle is so contrived that in the place of the ordinary rocking
action of the feet of the operator (the toes of the foot operating the down stroke, and
the heels the return stroke having the treadle bar or axle immediately under the
instep) the feet of the operator are placed one in advance of the other the down stroke
being operated by the foot in advance by direct pressure free from all rocking action
and the return stroke by the foot which is nearest the body also free from rocking
action. In constructing the bent or shaped pedal bar it may be made so that either
the right or left foot of the operator shall be in advance as required.
As a modification of this action, the bent or crank shaped pedal Bar, may have
attached to it or be covered by a detachable treadle plate so constructed as to substitute
for the action herein before described the ordinary treadle action now in use if it should
be desired by the operator as a rest or change of motion. I can also construct the
pedal bar in the shape of a square frame open in the centre and pivotted by means of
ball and socket, or other suitable bearings to the supports or legs of the sewing
machine table. On one side of such a frame I construct a bar which is connected
with the pitman in the usual manner.

page_text: This spare treadle frame may have on both sides bearings constructed to take
detachable pedals or may be made with foot rests shaped on the bar itself as may be
found most desirable. It may also have attached to it or be covered by a moveable
treadle plate, so fitted as to drop into its place by means of a square rebate round two
or more of the inside edges of the outer treadle frame.
This moveable treadle plate may be cast in one piece or it may have a wrought or
cast frame and the body of the same interlaced with round or flat wire or the inside
edges of treadle plate may be so constructed as to receive a sheet of India Rubber or
other suitable material so as to prevent the slipping of the feet as on the ordinary iron
treadle, such rubber being laid upon a solid or perforated bed of iron or other metal
connected with the frame of the moveable treadle plate.
By this means either of the motions hereinbefore described may be used at pleasure,
either pedal or treadle action.
33
1
L
1000
6
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sewing Machine Treadles.
I, JOHN ALCOCK, of Cheadle in the County of Stafford, Auctioneer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The object of this invention is to provide a more rapid and powerful method of
driving treadle sewing machines by foot power than by the ordinary sewing machine
treadle, and at the same time to obviate and do away with the physical disadvantages
inherent in the form of treadle at present in use.
The invention cousists in substituting for the treadle bar and foot plate in the
ordinary machine a pedal bar bent into the shape of a double crank. This pedal bar
may be constructed either T shaped or round or other suitable section, and hollow
for lightness and strength as may be found most convenient and may be cast.or
wrought. From the extremity of one or more of these crank shaped projections
proceeds a bar or bars which is or are joined to the pitman in the same manner as in
the ordinary treadle. On these crank shaped projections of the pedal bar may be
placed pedals of the same character as bicycle pedals either furnished with rubber
treads or flat treadle plates as preferred. The plates can also if desired, be constructed
so as to be detachable at will or may be cast or constructed in one piece along with
the pedal bars.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which similar letters indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a simple form of treadle constructed according to my invention :
Figure 2 is a section on the line X X Figure 1: Figures 3 to 11 shew modifications
and details of my invention.
The extremities A of the treadle or pedal bar are formed into sockets fitting loosely
over pins on the inside of the legs of the Sewing Machine Stand Bas shewn in Figure 1
or conversely, the extremities A may be formed into pins taking into sockets formed on
the inside of the legs of the stand B as shewn in Figure 5. The bar C forming an
extension of one of the cranks of the treadle or pedal bar carries at its extremity a
pin D on to which the end of the connecting rod or pitinan is attached in the ordinary
manner.
In the forms shewn in Figures 1 and 2, each foot part of the treadle is constructed
of a hoop or similar shape in cross section as shewn at M Figure 2, and india-rubber

page_text: or other suitable material L is affixed therein in any well known manner, thus forming
a tread over which the foot of the operator will not easily slip. If desired however
and to produce a still cheaper form of treadle, the rubber tread may be dispensed with
and the foot part of the treadle cast or made tubular or of solid metal of any suitable
section as found convenient.
Figure 3 is a plan of the foot part of pedal bar as already described, provided
with a rocking foot pedal, compensating for the rocking of the treadle. Figure 4 is a
section on line A A Figure 3, and Figure 4a is a section on line B B Figure 3.
In Figure 3 the space between the dotted lines at G¹ shews the centre bearing of
pedal, which is constructed in a piece with the main bar G G.
The letters N N indicate rubber or other suitable treads as at Figures 4 and 4u.
The under piece or socket F (see Figure 4) has a slot at about the centre, to contain
or receive the buffer stud piece D Figure 4a and as shewn by dotted lines at D D
Figure 3.
•
In Figure 4a the pedal P describing the arc S when in motion will descend upon
each side of the upper portion of stud D alternately and so be prevented from assuming
a vertical position and at the same time will be in readiness for the foot of the
operator.
A
Figure 5 shews another double cranked treadle with a modified form of compensating
pedal, which is constructed in the usual form of an ordinary tricycle pedal, and
Figure 6 is an end view of the pedal. These pedals rock on the foot part of the
treadle in the same manner as herein before described with reference to Figures 3 and 4,
and half discs J are affixed to the outer extremity of each pedal through the centre of
which said dises pass the foot part of the treadle. A narrow stop or buffer piece K
Figure 6 is cast or attached to the main bar under the half disc J as shewn.
sufficient space R R Figure 6 is left between the said half disc J and the buffer
piece K corresponding to the amount of oscillation required. The same result may
also be attained by casting or attaching to the underside of the main treadle bar as
at Q Figure 5 a knob or stud see Q Figures 5a and 56. A vertical slot is then cut
in the underside socket piece F to allow of an easy play of stud within said slot.
The oscillation of the pedal may thus be limited or increased according to the length of
said slot.
Figure 7 shews another form of compensating pedal for use with my invention, and
Figure 8 is a section on the line 2 Z Figure 7. This form of pedal differs from those
previously described in the method adopted for limiting the vertical play and also that
that it may be detached from the treadle if desired. The foot part of the treadle is
not entirely cut away but is provided with a longitudinal connecting piece P attached
to or formed in one with the foot part of the treadle. This connecting piece Pas
sbewn in Figure 8 is approximately flat in cross section with a slightly rounded top,
and serves to limit the vertical play of the pedal. The spindle G rocks in bearings
one or both of which are provided with a detachable top covering plate or cap Q' in
the form of a plummer-block.
Figure 9 shews a flat or concave top metal pedal plate carried in the foot part of
the treadle by gudgeons in the plummer block bearings Q. Figure 10 shews a
section of Figure 9 on line XX. In constructing the bent or crank shaped treadle
bar it may be so made that either the right or left foot of the operator shall be in
advance as required, and this may be effected either by constructing the treadles to
the shape shewn in Figures 1, la and 5, or, as a modification thereof, by forming the
treadle to the shape shewn in Figure 11. By using the crank shaped form of treadle
the ordinary rocking action of the feet of the operator (the toes of the feet operating
the down stroke, and the heels the return stroke, having the treadle bar or axle
immediately under the instep) is dispensed with, the feet of the operator being placed
one in advance of the other the down stroke being operated by the foot in advance by
direct pressure free from all rocking action of the foot, and the return stroke by the
foot which is nearest the body also free from the rocking action of the foot. By this
method whilst the weight of the legs is utilized in driving the machine the feet of
the operator swing at an easy and natural angle.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be under-
stood that I do not confine myself to any particular shape of pedal, but I declare that
what I claim is :-
(1) The construction of a double crank rocking treadle or pedal bar with an
extension bar for attachment to the pitman or connecting rod substantially as
described.
(2) The double crank rocking treadle with extension bar and rubber or similar
tread L substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2.
(3) The double crank rocking treadle or pedal bar with extension bar C and pedals
constructed as illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 4a, having buffer stud formed or affixed
on the main bearing bar, serving as rests D to limit the motion of the compensating
pedals N substantially as and for the purpose herein before set forth and illustrated in
Figures 3, 4 and 4a of the accompanying drawings.
(4) The double crank rocking treadle or pedal bar with extension bar (pedals
provided with half discs J which engage pins or studs K fixed on pedal bar
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in Figures 5
and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
(5) The double crank rocking treadle or pedal bar with extension bar and carrying
detachable compensating pedals substantially as described.
(6) The construction of a double pedal bar with extension bar substantially as shewn
in Figure 11.
th: 30-11
1000
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.