CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINERY
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughts-
man, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINERY."
--A communication from abroad by Isaac Merritt Singer, of the City of
New York, in the United States of America.
Sealed the 29th September 1865, and dated the 26th July 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th July 1865.
24
1, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66. Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex; Mechanical Draughtsman. do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINERY."
to be as follows:-
Thus Invention relates to certain improvements upon the Patents grunted
to me as a communication from the present. Inventor, and bearing date
respectively Dec. 16th, 1863, (No. 3181,) and September 8th, 1864,
(No. 2196). In these Patents improved arrangements of oscillating shuttles,
improved modes of adjusting the feed motions, and improved means of holding
the fabric under operation are (amongst other things) described, and it is
to these points that the present Invention refers.
The first part of this Invention relates to a novel construction of vibrating
needle sewing machine with the oscillating shuttle arranged on the end of

page_text: the oscillating shaft. This shaft extends through the shuttle disc or face, over
which the shuttle works, and allows of the shuttle being taken out and replaced
with facility; this necessitates the adaptation of the other parts of the machine
to the novel arrangement of the oscillating shuttle. In this machine the
needle and shuttle are operated from the same crank; the oscillating shuttle
is placed on the end of the oscillating shaft with its mer face against the
shuttle disc, and is held in working position by a set screw in a slot, leaving
space enough between the driver and shuttle for the thread, whether coarse
or fine, to pass; the driver or oscillator carries a small flat spring holding the
shuttle up to the face of the disc. The length of the stitches is determined
by an adjustable stop on the reversing lever of the circular guide plate, a stop
pin coming against a V-shaped guide attached to the under side of the table of
the machine, so that the stitch is of the same length when feeding in either
direction; the guide plate of this reversible feed is held in position on the
under side of the table of the machine with suflicient friction by a holding
clasp. A thread slackener attached to the vibrating needle arm draws from
the spool at every forward movement of the arm sufficient thread for one
stitch, and presents it free to the tension apparatus. The foot of the presser
is applied to the bat by means of a double forked fastening and pin, which can
be changed or removed with facility. The shuttle tension, which is similar to
the one shewn in the last of the before-mentioned Patents, may be improved
by fastening the paper hoop surrounding the bobbin of the shuttle by means
of a small pin nipping the paper in a small hole drilled in the shuttle and
slotted into the bobbin ways. The needle thread tension may be improved by
a regulating screw for more exactly determining the amount of pressure given
to the needle thread by the springs of the tension apparatus. The improved
shuttle driver is made semicircular and cup-shaped to receive the shuttle, and
has a prong extending in front of the shuttle nearly to the lip. With this
form of driver the shuttle can be oscillated against the flat disc or race. no
curb or flange being required to keep it in its place A hip on the inner face
of the driver laps over a projection on the shuttle. and serves to keep it to the
centre of motion, and prevents its escape from the prongs of the driver;
the opening between the lip on the driver and the projection on the shuttle is
adjustable for the passage of fine or coarse thread by setting the driver back
on the rocking shaft.
Another part of the Invention relates to improvements in the reversible feed
mechanism of sewing machines, and consists in a new form of guide plate, by
which the direction of feed and length of stitch is determined The ordinary
sliding or traversing bar which operates the feed bar carries a stud pin at its

page_text: under side, which pin enters a slot cut in the guide plate: this slot may have
either a single or double incline. The guide plate is secured to the under side
of the table by a set screw, and can be moved endways parallel with the bar
and secured in such position that the stud attached to the traversing or sliding
bar will work on more or less of the inclined slot cut in the guide plate, and
thus make a longer or shorter stitch. By shifting the guide plate endways so
that the stud will work on the opposite incline, the feed bar will be traversed
in an opposite direction. The sliding bar that moves the feed har is so con-
structed that the pressure on the stud attached to the sliding bar, and working
in the guide plate, and the pressure on the fork at the end of the sliding bar
on the stud attached to the feed bar is brought into a direct line, so that there
is no inclination to twist the sliding bar and cause it to wear, as it would if
The pressure on the fork were above or below the stud in the guide plate.
The Invention further relates to improvements in the throat piales of sewing
machines, the object being to enable the operator to move and turn the work
with increased facility. The improved throat plate has on its upper face two
concentric rings that surround the needle: the inner ring or raised edge is
made a little lower than the outer onc, and a portion of the ring is cut away
on the line of the seam. so as to make a round edge or corner to the throat
on which the shuttle throad rests after the feeding operation and before the
stitch is drawn up. By having the throat rounded in this manner the needle
thread passes up between the shuttle thread and the rounded edge with much
less wear, and being at less tension is less liable to break; or a throat with
one ring may be made to answer a similar purpose, by leaving the flat surface
of the metal inside the ring a trifle lower than the top of the ring, and cutting
a notch with rounded corners or edges in the line of the seam on the metal
inside the ring.
Another improvement in the throat plate for sewing machines consists in
applying thereto a loose ring set in an annular groove in the metal of the
throat through which the needle works; this ring is secured by being slightly
countersunk. Its upper edge is roughened and raised slightly above the
throat plate. The edge of the hole in the throat plate, through which the
needle works, is rounded on a line with the seam to be sewn, for the purpose
described above. When the feed bar has released the work it is held on the
ring by the presser foot, and when the work is turned the ring turns also, the
roughened surface of the ring adhering to the under surface of the work. By
cutting a groove in the under side of the presser foot on a line with the seam,
the seam will be allowed to pass freely under the foot, and the stitches will
not be disfigured or disturbed by pressure.

page_text: This part of the Invention also relates to a method of constructing a frame
or stand for receiving the sewing machine, the legs of which frame can be
firmly attached to the top without screws or pins. The upper ends of the
vertical standards or legs of the frame are made of a beak or hook shape. and
hooked into a recess formed in a projection cast on the under side of the stand.
This projection extends a short distance down the legs on the inside, and
forms a fulcrum, so that when the legs are brought to their proper places and
held by tie rods near the bottom, the heak or point of the standards is forced
out and presses with force against the outer face of the recess, thereby securely
clamping the stand to the legs or standards To absorb the vibration made
in working the machine pieces of rubber may be inserted in the bottom of the
legs of the said frame.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 26th January 1866
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, T. ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTOx of the Office for Patents, 66. Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex. Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria. by Ifer Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thon-and eight hundred and sixty-five. in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special licence thai I. the said Alfred Vincent
Newton, my excentors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I.
the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors. administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all umes 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 "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINERY," being a communication
from Isaac Merritt Singer, of New York. in the United States of America.
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton.
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent

page_text: Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton. do hereby
declare the nature of the 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 Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to certain improvements upon the sewing machinery
described in the Specifications of the Patents granted to me as communica-
tions from the present Inventor. and bearing date respectively December
Sixteenth. One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three. (No. 3181.) and
September Eighth. One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four. (No. 2196).
In these Specifications improved arrangements of oscillating shuttles, improved
modes of adjusting the feed motions, and improved means for holding the
fabric under operation are (amongst other things) described. and it is to these
points that the present Invention mainly refers.
The first head of this Invention relates, firstly. to improvements in oscillating
shuttle machines. The shaft which carries the driver for operating the shuttle
is so arranged and the driver so constructed and mounted on its rock shaft as
to allow of the shuttle being taken out and replaced with facility. Secondly
to an improved reversing feed whereby an uniform length of stitch is ensured
throughout all the changes in the direction of the feed
In Sheet T. of the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1 shews in side elevation.
parily in section, the novel arrangement. of parts in connection with the
oscillating shuttle as applied to a sewing machine in which the needle is
operated by a rock lever: Fig. 2 is a plan view shewing the machine inverted;
Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken in the line 1, 2. of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4
is a partial side elevation showing more clearly the connection of some of the
driving parts with the driving shaft.
In this machine I have also shewn an improved reversing feed. The
A is the rock
needle and shuttle are both operated from the same crank.
lever which carries the needle a: it has its fulcrum at B, and is forked at
its lower end to embrace the crank c of the driving shaft C, which turns in
bearings below the table. The forked arm of the rock lever is split, and the
split portion is tapped to receive a screw b (see Fig. 4), for tightening it up
as the rubbing surfaces wear away. An excentric rod D, connected at one end
by a strap to the crank c is connected at its other end to the crank pin of a trans-
verse shaft E. The opposite end of this shaft projects through the side framing
of the machine at a part where it is provided with a circular flat faced recess

page_text: which forms the shuttle race. Against this race the shuttle F is held by
the driver G, which is shown detached ai Figures 5: it consists of a kind
of shoe which receives the shuttle and forms a bearing for its rounded end.
while it extends upwards to near the beak of the shuttle The driver carries a
small flat spring g for holding the shuttle F up in the face of the rare:
this driver is fitted to the shaft E by cutting away a portion of the end of the
shaft that it may bed against the back of the driver, and slotting it longitudi-
nally to receive a milled head screw g'. which enters a tappet hole in the driver
and secures it firmly to the rock shaft E. By means of this set screw g' the
shuttle is readily adjusted to and held in working position, care being taken
when adjusting the driver that sufficient space is left between it and the
shuttle for the thread, whether coarse or fine, to pass freely. Figs 6 shew the
kind of shuttle preferred to be employed, and which will be hereafter more par-
ticularly referred to. In this arrangement the shuttle, it will be seen, oscillates
in a plane at right angles to the direction of the feed.
For ensuring an equable length of stitch throughout the successive changes
of direction of the reversible feed a novel arrangement is adopted, which
forms the second head of the Invention but it will be well to describe it here.
as it is shewn as an integral part of the above in part described machine.
The improvement will be best explained by reference in Figures 2 and 3,
where H is the reversing lever for changing the direction of the feed motion
of the reciprocating slide bar i. whereby the feed plate is actuated. This
slide bar receives an endway motion from a crank lever I', actuated by a
cam on the driving shaft C. which cam is shewn in side and end views at
Figures 7. The slide bar I imparts the forward and backward motion to the
feed plate K. by its forked end embracing a pin on the feed plate, the plate
being free to move in guides, as is well understood. The lifting motion is
given to the plate K by a cam, shewn detached at Figures 8, and mounted on the
rock shaft E. The reversing lever H (which turns the grooved guide plate I,
by which the amount of lateral motion of the slide bar I as well as the
direction of the feed is determined, as fully described in the before-mentioned
Specifications.) carries an adjustable stop plate h. which is secured thereio in
any desired position by a binding screw. This plate carries a stop pin h³,
which projects through a slot in the lever H. and bears against a V-shaped
guide II. attached to the under side of the table of the machine, and thus
regulates and equalizes the amount of throw of the lever, and consequently of
axial motion of the grooved plate 1. whether to the right or left. and thereby
ensures that the stitch shall be of the same length when feeding forward or
backward. The guide plate L of this reversible feed is held is position on

page_text: the under side of the table of the machine with sufficient friction by a holding
clasp.
In Sheet II. the improvements above described are shewn as applied to a
well-known construction of sewing machine in which the driving shaft has
its bearings in the bracket arm. Fig. is a side elevation of the machine,
partly in section; Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view; and Fig. 3 is a partial
back end view of the same. In this arrangement it will be seen that the rock
shaft E carrying the shuttle driver, is placed longitudinally instead of trans-
versely of the machine as above shewn, and that consequently the shuttle will
oscillate in a plane parallel with the line of direction of the feed instead of at
right angles thereto, and that the shaft does not in this case project through
but stops short of the shuttle race. The driver G is constructed and fitted
to the slotted shaft E as before explained, and it thus allows of the shuttle
being readily released by merely slackening the screw g'. and sliding back the
driver on the rock shaft. This shaft receives its motion from the driving
shaft C through a coupling rod, which connects with a crank pin carried by
the shaft E and a similar pin projecting from the boss of the fly wheel on the
driving shaft, as shown at Fig. 3. The shuttle race is formed by a recessed pro-
jection cast on the under side of the table, as shewn best at Fig. 4 If thought
desirable the rock shaft may project through the race, as shown at Fig. 5,
when the shuttle will work over the outer instead of the inner face thereof.
This will perhaps slightly increase the facility of access to the shuttle. The
action of the improved reversing feed apparatus will be readily understood by
reference to Fig. 2 with the assistance of the foregoing description, it being
premised that the reciprocating bar I is in this case actuated by, an arm I on
the transverse rock shaft l' which receives motion through the action of a
vertical rock lever 1. the upper end of which is acted upon by a face cam on
the driving shaft C, and which transmits its motion through an arm to the
rock shaft. The reversing lever H. Fig. 2. is shown in its intermediate
position; but so soon as it is turned to bring the bearing point of its adjustable
plate in contact with either incline 11°, the slotted guide plate 1. will be
rocked into a position for determining the length and the direction of the
forward traverse of the feed plate K. The arm of the rock shaft 1',
which receives the thrust of the vertical rock lever 1 above named, may be
prolonged through the table of the machine, and receive a sliding stud, on
which the rock lever may be caused to act, and thus by moving the sliding
stud nearer to or further from the fulcrum of the rock lever I the motion
transmitted to the traversing bar I can be greatly varied, and by this means
great variation in the length of the stitches will be obtained. Fig. 6

page_text: Sheet 1. shews this modification in the above described reversing feed,
where is the stud which slides upon the elongated arm i'. The shuttle race
may be conveniently lubricated by having a hole made in its rim or curb to
insert some lubricating matter therein, as shewn as shewn at 1, Fig. 4, Fig. 2.
The second head of the Invention relates to certain improvements in minor
details, which will now proceed to explain
In Sheet . the improved adjustable shuttle driver is shewn with a slight
modification. which will admit of the shuttle being oscillated against a flat
disc or race, which has no curb or flange for keeping it in its place
Fig. 1 shows the driver in side view, and Fig. 2 m plan view, carrying the
shuttle: Fig. 3 is a section taken through the driver and shuttle at the
line a. a Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section taken at the line b. b, of the same Figure;
and Fig 5, a longitudinal section of the driver. A lip on the inner face of
the driver laps over a projection 2 on the back of the shuttle, and serves to
keep it to the centre of motion, and prevents its escape from the prongs 3. 4,
of the driver. The contact surfaces of the lip 1 and projection 2 are flat and
inclined, and the space allowed between the lip on the driver and the pro-
jection on the shuttle is adjustable to allow of the free passage of the thread,
whether fine or coarse. between them, the adjustment being effected as
described with respect to the fir-t-mentioned driver, viz. by setting the driver
back on the rocking shaft.
In constructing the adjustable shuttle driver it is important to take care that
the span of the horns 3, 4, so far exceeds the axial measurement of the shuttle
(see Fig. 5) as to provide ample space for the escape of the loop of the needle
thrend from between the shuttle and the driver.
As an improvement in the construction of the presser for keeping the work
down upon the table. the foot of the presser is applied to the bar by means of
a double-forked fastening, as shewn at Figs. 9. Sheet 1. (that is to say) the
presser bar is forked or slotted at its lower end to receive the flat stem of the
presser foot, and that stem is forked to allow its prongs to embrace the bar.
The two are then secured together by a pin. which can be removed with
facility to change the presser foot when required. By cutting a groove in the
under side of the presser foot on a line with the seam, as shown at Fig. 10,
the seam will be allowed to pass freely under the foot, and the stitches will not
be disfigured or disturbed by pressure.
The shuttle tension, which is similar to the one shewn in the Specification
of the before-mentioned Patent, it is now proposed to improve by fastening
the paper hoop surrounding the bobbin of the shuttle by means of a small pin,
which nips the paper in a small hole drilled in the shuttle, and slotted into

page_text: the bobbin ways.
This improvement is shewn clearly at Fig. 6, Sheet I.,
where is the pin for securing the paper hoop in the recess for the bobbin.
As an improvement in the needle thread tension described in the Specifi-
cation of the Patent of September. One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
four, it is proposed to apply thereto a regulating screw, as shewn at Fig. 6,
Sheet for the purpose of more exactly determining the amount of
pressure given to the needle thread in its course from the bobbin to the
needle by the springs of the tension apparatus. This screw it will be seen
bears against the back of the plate which carries the pressure springs, and
thus serves to increase or diminish their pressure on the thread as may be
required.
1 will now describe an improvement in the reversible feed mechanism of
sewing machines in which the grooved disc is not used. This improvement
consists in a new form of guide plate for determining the direction of feed
and length of stitch. The ordinary sliding or traversing bar, shewn in edge
view at Fig. 6. Shect J., and plan view at Fig. 7. and employed for
operating the feed bar, carries a stud pin at its under side, which pin enters a
slot cut in the guide plate K', and having a double incline. The guide
plate K is secured to the under side of the table by a set screw ¹. and is
free to be moved endways parallel with the bar. 1. and secured in such
position that the stud attached to the traversing or sliding bar will work at
pleasure over either of the inclines.
By modifying the form of the slot as shewn at Fig. 8, the stud of the
sliding bar may be made to work on more or less of the inclined slot. and
thus make a longer or shorter stitch. By shifting the guide plate endways, so
that the stud will work on the opposite incline to that over which it was
formerly working, the feed bar will be traversed in an opposite direction.
The sliding bar that moves the feed bar K is so constructed that the
pressure on the stud k, which it carries, and the pressure of the fork at its end
on the stud attached to the feed bar K is brought into a direct line. so that
there is no inclination to twist the sliding bar and cause it to wear, as it
would if the pressure on the fork were above or below the stud in the guide
plate.
The Invention further relates to improvements in the circular throat plates
of sewing machines, their use being, as is well known. to enable the operator
to move and turn the work with increased facility. Figs 9 shew in plan
and longitudinal section an improved throat plate, having on its upper face
Iwo concentric rings that surround the needle, the inner ring or raised edge
is made a little lower than the outer one, and portions of this ring are cut

page_text: away on the line of the seam, so as to make a round edge or corner to the
throat, on which the shuttle thread rests after the feeding operation and
before the stitch is drawn up. By having the throat rounded in this manner
the needle thread. whether the feed be backward or forward, passes up
between the shuttle thread and the rounded edge with much less wear than
heretofore. and being at less tension is less liable to break.
Figures 10 shew in plan and longitudinal section a throat plate with one
ring, which may be made to answer a similar purpose, the flat surface of the
metal inside the ing being a trifle lower than the top of the ring, a trans-
verse cut, with rounded ends, is made on the metal inside the ring in the hnu
the seam will travel to prevent injurious strain on the shuttle thread.
Figures 11 shew in plan and longitudinal section another improvement in
the throat plates of sewing machines; it consists in applying thereto a loose ring
set in an annular groove in the metal of the throat, through which the needle
works. This ring is secured to the throat plate by means of a slight counter-
sunk coupling produced by pressure. Its upper edge is roughened and raised
slightly above the throat plate. The edge of the hole in the throat plate,
through which the needle works. is rounded on a line with the seam to be sewn
for the purpose described above. When the feed bar has released the work it
is held on the ring by the presser foot, and when the work is turned the ring
turns also, the roughened surface of the ring adhering to the under surface of
the work.
The third head of the Invention relates to a method of constructing a
frame or stand for receiving the sewing machine, the legs or standards of
which frame can be firmly attached to the top without screws or pins This
improvement is illustrated at Figures 12 and 13, Sheet III. The upper ends a
of the vertical standards or end frames A are made of a beak or hook shape,
and enter recesses formed below the stand top B by projections or ribs c
cast on the under side of the stand top. These ribs torm fulcrums so that
when the frames are brought to their proper places and held by a tie rod C
near the bottom. the beaks or hooks of the standards will be forced out and
press with force against the outer face of the recesses, thereby securely clamping
the stand top to the standards. In order to absorb the vibration produced in
working the machine pieces of rubber may be inserted in the bottom of the
standards of the said frame.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of " Improvements in
Sewing Machinery," as communicated to me from abroad, and explained the
manner of carrying the same into effect. I wish it to be understood that
under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,-

page_text: First, constructing oscillating shuttle drivers, and mounting the same on
their rock shafts, in the manner and for the purpose above described.
Second, the improvements above described in the construction of oscillating
shuttles.
Third, the improvements above described in relation to reversible feeds.
Fourth, the improvements above described in the means for obtaining
tension on the shuttle and needle threads.
Fifth, the improvements in the construction of pressers above described.
Sixth. the improvements in circular throat plates above described.
Seventh. constructing the stands of sewing machines as above described.
In witness whereof, 1. the said Alfred Vincent Newton have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-sixth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Witness.
J. W. MOFFATT,
66. Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)