IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Davies, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn,
in the County of Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City
of Glasgow, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."-A communication from abroad
by Abraham Hart, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of
America.
Sealed the 31st January 1865, and dated the 12th August 1864.,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Davies at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th
Angust 1864.
I, GEORGE DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County
of Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," (a communication to me from
abroad by Abraham Hart, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of
America,) to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to mechanism, described hereafter,
for forming on the edges of fabrics a button-hole stitcb.
The second part of the Invention relates to devices, described hereafter,
by means of which the machine can be readily converted into a lock-stitch
sewing machine.

page_text: The third part of the Invention also relates to a sewing machine for forming
the button-hole stitch, but which can be readily converted into a lock-stitch
sewing machine.
In carrying out the first part of this Invention the needle bar of the
machine is actuated, as usual, by a crank on the end of a shaft running
through the stationary arm of the machine, and driven by the main driving
shaft, which is placed beneath the bed.plate of the machine; the needle which
works the upper thread deriving its supply from a spool placed on the sta-
tionary arm. In an orifice in the upper end of the needle bar slides a rod,
below which is a spiral spring, the upper end of the rod passing through a
projection on a standard secured to the stationary arm. A pin projects from
the needle bar into a slot in the said rod, so that although the latter may
slide freely in the bar, it cannot turn round therein or be withdrawn therefrom.
In the rod above and below the projection are openings adapted for the recep-
tion of pins, by which the extent of the vertical movement of the rod is
determined. To a pin projecting from the side of the rod is hung a lever, in
the end of the short arm of which is a slot, and through the latter passes a screw
into the side of the standard above named, the long arm of the lever having a
number of holes therein. To the lower portion of the needle bar is adapted a
sleeve, in which is a spiral opening, a pin projecting from the needle bar into
this opening, and being thus the means of imparting to the sleeve a vibrating
motion as the needle bar reciprocates; the sleeve being prevented from moving
vertically by a plate which fits into an annular groove in the upper end of the
sleeve, and which is secured to the stationary arm. From the sleeve projects
an arm, the lower end of which terminates in a notched projection, the pur-
pose of the latter being rendered apparent hereafter. On the under side of
the base plate is a bracket, to which is hung a bell-crank lever, one arm of
which bears against the side of a cam on the driving shaft, the other arm
projecting forward to a point beneath the work plate, its outer end being
furnished with a needle or loop carrier, which holds a loop of thread, the
supply of the latter being obtained from a spool or reel. A vibrating motion
is imparted to the lever which, with the bracket, is set at such an angle to the
bed plate that the loop carrier shall move in a diagonal direction across the
path of the needle, and shall pass through an opening in the work plate, on
the upper face of which, at one side of the said opening, is a curved guard,
and from the lower side of the plate, near the opening through which the
needle descends, projects a straight guard. On the lower side of the plate is
a staple, and near one edge of the bed plate is a tension spring, through both
of which the lower thread passes. To a bracket on the under side of the bed

page_text: plate is hung a lever, the long arm of which projects over a cam on the
driving shaft. To the other arm of the lever is attached a spring plate,
through a slot in the outer end of which passes a rod, and on the latter turns
the spool which supplies the lower thread; the said spring plate resting on a
collar which turns freely on the rod above the spool. A tension device is
attached to the stationary arm, and a similar tension device to the under side
of the base plate.. The fabric being placed upon the work plate so that the
needle shall penetrate the same a short distance from its edge, the operation
will be as follows:-As the needle begins to rise a loop of thread will be
formed at the side of the same, and this loop will be penetrated by the loop
carrier and its thread. As the needle continues its upward motion the arm
attached to the sleeve, as above described, moves round the needle bar; the
notched projection at the end of the said arm catching the loop of lower
thread at the side of the loop carrier, and conveying it to such a position that
a loop of the said thread shall be spread beneath the point of the needle,
which as it descends penetrates the loop and enters the fabric, after the
latter has been moved by the feed the length of one stitch. When the needle
again rises a loop of upper thread is formed at the side of the same, and this
loop is penetrated by the loop carrier as before; the lower thread being thus
carried back and forth over the edge of the fabric and locked to the upper
and under side of the same by the upper thread, so as to form a binding over
the edge of the fabric, such as is required for button holes. During the
above-described operations it is important that both of the threads should at
certain periods be slack and at other times be retained perfectly tight. The
length of the rod in the upper end of the needle bar, and the manner in which
the lever is secured to the said rod and to the standard is such that when the
needle is at the limit of its downward motion and begins to rise, the lever will
occupy a horizontal position, so that the thread may be slack enough to form
a loop at the side of the needle. When, however, the loop carrier has pene-
trated the loop of thread and the needle begins to ascend, the lever is quickly
raised so as to take up all the slack thread and draw the loop close to the
fabric. The cam is so arranged on the driving shaft that as the loop carrier
ascends through the loop of the upper thread, the only tension on the lower
thread shall be that imparted by the tension devices. When, however, the
carrier begins to descend, after the loop of lower thread has been penetrated
by the needle, the cam raises the long arm of its lever, so that the spring plate
shall bear firmly on the collar and prevent the further revolution of the spool;
the lower thread is therefore drawn tightly between the staple above named
and the fabric by the loop carrier as it descends. It will be seen that such

page_text: a perfect regulation of the tension of both threads as is necessary to insure &
superior quality of work is obtained by the above-described devices. In
order to protect the needle as well as to insure the projection of the loop on
that side of the needle where it can be penetrated by the loop carrier, the
guard on the lower side of the bed plate is arranged on the side of the needle
opposite the said carrier, the guard being sufficiently close to the needle to
prevent the thread from looping to any extent between the two. On the
upper side of the plate the other guard is so arranged that it not only protects
the needle, but prevents the edge of the button hole opposite to that which is
being worked from crowding over the opening through which the loop carrier
rises and entangling the threads, or otherwise interfering with the operation
of the machine. The said guard also acts as a guide in turning the fabric
when the rounded end of the button hole is being worked.
be
It will be apparent that other means than those herein described may
employed for imparting the desired motion to the arm which carries the loop
of the lower thread across the path of the needle. That described is, however,
preferred as being simple, cheap, and efficacious.
In carrying out the second part of this Invention the pin to which the
inclined vibrating arm previously alluded to is hung is secured to a bracket
having an oblong slot, so that the pin may be drawn back and the loop
carrier thereby moved away from the needle when the latter bas to operate
in conjunction with a shuttle. A plate projects from the under side of the
base plate in front of the needle, and to this plate is secured a pin, on which
is hung the shuttle carrier. To the latter is connected one end of a yoke,
through which passes the driving shaft previously alluded to, and on this shaft
is a disc having an eccentric groove, in which fits a pin on the outer end of
the yoke. The shuttle carrier has two arms, to which is secured a curved
ledge for carrying the shuttle, which latter is confined between the two arms
and the plate, these arms being provided with projections so arranged in
respect to the shuttle that the latter will move with the carrier, while there is
a free passage for the loop of thread between the carrier and the shuttle.
The shuttle is made so as to contain at one end a spool, the thread from
which passes through one or more holes in the shuttle case to the fabric. As
the shaft revolves a vibrating motion is imparted to the shuttle carrier and
shuttle, the operation of which in conjunction with the needle for forming the
lock stitch will be readily understood without description.
When the machine is required for forming the button-hole stitch, the yoke
is detached from the carrier and drawn away from the disc to a point where
it may be temporarily attached to the base plate so as to be out of the way.

page_text: The carrier is then permitted to hang down and the shuttle removed, after
which the inclined vibrating lever is advanced to a proper position for its loop
carrier to act in conjunction with the needle in producing a button-hole stitch
in the manner described on reference to the first part of the Invention.
In carrying out the third part of this Invention a driving shaft is mounted
and turns in suitable bearings on the under side of the base plate. To this
shaft is secured a cam, into the curved grooves of which fits a pin on a hori-
zontal lever, the latter having its fulcrum on a pin secured to the base plate.
The outer end of this lever is connected by a ball-and-socket joint to one end
of a rod, the opposite end of which is connected by a similar joint to a projec-
tion on an arm which is hung to a pin. To the end of the arm last named is
secured a curved loop carrier through two eyes, near the end of which passes
the under thread. Another cam is secured to the driving shaft, and into the
groove of this cam projects a pin on a horizonal arm, which is hung to a pin
on the base plate, the forked end of this arm embracing a pin on another
horizontal arm which is hung to a pin on a bracket, and which carries what
is termed the curved loop holder. The loop carrier moves in the arc of a
circle, and conveys a loop of thread from the under side of the fabric and
upwards across the edge of the same; the loop holder with its under thread,
the loop catcher, and the eye-pointed needle with its upper thread; by their
joint action serving to form on the edges of the fabric a button-hole stitch
similar to that formed by the combined action of the needle, hooked arm, and
loop carrier described in reference to the first part of this Invention.
When the machine has to be converted into a lock-stitch sewing machine,
the connecting rod, the plate with its arms, and the loop carrier are removed,
and the second horizontal arm with its loop holder is detached from the plate..
To this plate is now hung an arm having a projection, which is embraced by
the forked end of the first-named horizontal arm. A forked plate or bracket
is then attached to the under side of the base plate, and this bracket carries
the spool-case holder, the latter having two journals or trunnions, which fit
into set screws on the forked ends of the said. bracket, one of these journals
or trunnions being furnished with a cog wheel which gears into a segment,
the latter being secured to or forming a part of the above-mentioned arm.
The spool-case holder consists of a hollow cylinder open at one end and closed
at the other, and has a longitudinal slot extending from end to end. Into
this holder the spool case fits freely, and is retained in its proper position by
a delicate spring. The spool case also consists of a hollow cylinder open at
the rear end for the introduction of the spool, and having at the opposite end
a hooked point. The spool fits freely in the chamber formed within the case,

page_text: one journal of the spool fitting loosely in an orifice in the end of the chamber,
and the other journal into a recess on the inside of the cap which fits into the
open end of the case, and which has two yielding projections, the latter
serving to retain the said cap in its proper position, but permitting it to be
readily withdrawn when required. As the driving shaft revolves a vibrating
motion will be imparted by the cam to the first-named horizontal arm, and
thence to the arm which, through the segment and wheel, causes the spool-
case holder to oscillate on its trunnions and back again. The needle having
penetrated the fabric, and a loop of the needle thread having been formed
beneath the same, the spool-case holder begins to operate, the point of the
spool case moving in the arc of a circle and passing between the needle and
the loop of its thread, thereby distending the loop, which passes the spring
and surrounds the body of the spool case, the portion of the loop above the
case passing through a slot in the holder. The under thread passes from the
spool through a slot in the case, and through one or more holes in a flange
which projects above the case, so that by the time the holder has reached the
position with its point downwards, the under thread will have been carried
through the loop of needle thread, the latter escaping at the rear of the spool
case prior to the return movement of the same and a repetition of the above
operations. Without further description it will be seen that the ordinary
lock stitch is thus produced. On removing the bracket, with the spool-case
holder and its appurtenances, and detaching the arm with its segment, and on
replacing the connecting rod and plate with its loop carrier, as well as the
horizontal arm with its loop catcher, the machine is again converted into a
button-hole sewing machine, and the detachable parts are so constructed and
arranged that this conversion can be promptly accomplished by any expert
operator of sewing machines.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Davies in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th February 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex, and
No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil Engineer and Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of August, in the year of our

page_text: Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth
year of Her reign, did,. for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said George Davies, Her special licence that I, the said
George Davies, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said George Davies, my executors, administrators, and 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," (a communication to me from abroad
by Abraham Hart, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America,)
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Davies, 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 Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Davies, 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 fol-
lowing statement in writing, and on reference being had to the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, that is to say :-
The first part of this Invention relates to mechanism, described hereafter, for.
forming on the edges of fabrics a button-hole stitch..
The second part of the Invention relates to devices, described hereafter, by
means of which the machine can be readily converted into a lock-stitch sewing
machine.
The third part of the Invention also relates to a sewing machine for forming
the button-hole stitch, but which can be readily converted into a lock-stitch
sewing machine.
:
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention for "Improvements
in Sewing Machines," I will now proceed to describe more in detail the
manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect. And in order that the same may be distinctly understood
I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have
marked the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with.
those in the following explanation thereof, that is to say :—
Figure 1 in the annexed Drawing is a side view partly in section of, the.

page_text: improved button-hole sewing machine; Figure 2, a section on the line 1-2,
Figure 1; Figure 3, a section on the line 3-4, Figure 1; Figures 4, 5, 6, 7,
diagrams showing the progressive formation of the stitch; Figures 8 and 9,
sectional views showing devices by which the machine may be readily con-
verted into a lock-stitch sewing machine; Figure 10, an inverted plan view
of a sewing machine as arranged for making the button-hole stitch; Figure 11,
the same as arranged for making the ordinary lock stitch; Figure 12, a
vertical view of part of Figure 11; Figure 18, a transverse section on the
line 5-6 (Figure 12), drawn to an enlarged scale; Figure 14, sectional view
of shuttle holder, showing the shuttle in a different position; Figure 15, an
end view of the shuttle holder and shuttle; Figure 16, a sectional view of the
shuttle; and Figure 17, an end view of the shuttle cap.
On reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, which illustrate the first
part of the Invention, A is the bed plate of the machine, beneath which turns
the driving shaft B; C is the usual stationary arm in which the shaft B is
caused to vibrate, this shaft imparting a vertical reciprocating motion to the
needle bar D, to the lower end of which is secured the needle a, the latter
being supplied with thread a from the spool X. In an orifice in the upper
end of the needle bar slides a rod E, below which is a spiral spring a', the
upper end of the rod passing through a projection 6 on a standard F secured
to the stationary arm C. A pin c projects from the needle bar into a slot
in the rod E, so that although the latter may slide freely in the bar, it
cannot turn round in or be withdrawn therefrom. In the rod E above
and below the projection 6 are openings adapted for the reception of pins d, d',
by which the extent of the vertical movement of the rod is determined. To
a pin projecting from the side of the rod E is hung a lever G, in the end of
the short arm of which is a slot, and through the latter passes a screw into
the side of the standard F, the long arm of the lever having a number of
holes e. To the lower portion of the needle bar is adapted a sleeve H; in
which is a spiral opening i, a pinj projecting from the needle bar into this
opening, and being thus the means of imparting to the sleeve a vibrating
motion as the needle bar reciprocates, the sleeve being prevented from moving
vertically by a plate i which fits into an annular groove in the upper end
of the sleeve, and which is secured to the stationary arm. From the sleeve H
projects an arm I, the lower end of which terminates in a notched projection k
the purpose of the latter being rendered apparent hereafter. On the under
side of the base plate A is a bracket J, to which is hung a bell-crank lever,
one arm K of which bears against the side of a cam on the driving shaft B
the other arm K' projecting forward to a point beneath the work plate L, its

page_text: outer end being furnished with a needle or loop carrier m, which holds a loop
of thread
Y, the supply of the latter being obtained from the spool M. A
vibrating motion is imparted to the lever, which with the bracket J is set at
such an angle to the bed plate that the loop carrier m shall move in a path
coinciding with the line x, x, Figure 3, and shall pass through an opening in
the work plate L, on the upper face of which at one side of the said opening
is a curved guard n, and from the lower side of the plate near the opening
through which the needle a descends projects a straight guard n¹. On the
lower side of the plate L is a staple p, and near one edge of the bed plate is
a tension spring 9 (Figure 1). To a bracket J¹ on the under side of the
bed plate A is hung a lever N (Figure 2), the long arm of which projects
over a cam O on the driving shaft B. To the other arm of the lever is attached
a spring plate r, through a slot in the outer end of which passes a rod P, and
on the latter turns the spool M, the said spring plate 1 resting on a collar o,
which turns freely on the rod above the spool. A tension device R is attached
to the stationary arm C, and a similar tension device R¹ to the under side of
the base plate A. The thread from the spool X is passed round the tension
device R, through the eye in the pin &', through one or more of the holes in
the lever G, and thence through the eye of the needle a to the fabric. The
thread from the under spool Y passes round the tension device R¹, through an
eye at the end of the tension spring q, through the staple p, and thence through
the eye of the loop carrier m, as best observed in Figure 1. The fabric W
being placed upon the work plate L so that the needle a shall penetrate the
same a short distance from its edge, and the needle and loop carrier being
brought to the positions shown in Figure 4, their operation will be as fol-
lows: As the needle a begins to rise, a loop of thread a will be formed at
the side of the same, and this loop will be penetrated by the loop carrier m
and its threads y to the position shown in Figures 4 and 7. As the needle a
continues its upward motion, the arm I moves round the needle bar in the
direction of its arrow, Figure 1, the notched projection K at the end of the
said arm I catching the loop of thread y at the side of the loop carrier m,
and conveying it to the position shown in Figure 6, so that a loop of the said
thread shall be spread beneath the point of the needle a, which as it descends
penetrates the loop, and enters the fabric after the latter has been moved
by the feed the length of one stitch in the direction of the arrow, Figure 7.
When the needle again rises, a loop of thread is formed at the side of the
same, and this loop is penetrated by the carrier m as before, the thread y
being thus carried back and forth over the edge of the fabric, and locked to the

page_text: upper and under side of the same by the thread x,. so as to form a binding
over the edge of the fabric such as is required for button holes..
During the above-described operations it is important that. both of the
threads x and y should at certain periods be slack. and at other times be
retained perfectly tight. The length of the rod E and the manner in which
the lever G is secured to the said rod and to the standard F is such that, when
the needle a is at the limit of its downward motion and begins to rise, the
lever G will occupy a horizontal position, so that the thread a may be slack
enough to form a loop at the side of the needle. When, however, the loop
carrier has penetrated the loop of thread x and the needle a begins to ascend,
the lever G is quickly carried to the position shown in Figure 1, so as to take
up all the slack thread and draw the loop close to the fabric. The cam O is
so arranged on the shaft B that as the loop carrier m ascends through the
loop of thread x, the only tension on the thread y shall be that imparted. by
the tension devices R¹ and q. When, however, the carrier m begins to descend
after the loop of thread y has been penetrated by the needle a, the cam O
raises the long arm of the lever N so that the spring plater shall bear firmly
on the collar o and prevent the further revolution of the spool M, the thread y
is therefore drawn tightly between the staple p and the fabric by the loop
carrier m as it descends. It will be seen that such a perfect regulation of the
tension of both threads as is necessary to insure a superior quality of work is
obtained by the above-described devices. In order to protect the needle a as
well as to insure the projection of the loop on that side of the needle where it
can be penetrated by the carrier m, the guard n' is arranged on the side of the
needle opposite the said carrier, the guard being sufficiently close to the needle
to prevent the thread from looping to any extent between the two. On the
upper side of the plate L the guard n' is so arranged that it not only protects
the needle a, but prevents the edge of the button hole opposite to that which is
being worked from crowding over the opening through which the loop carrier
rises, and entangling the threads or otherwise interfering with the operation of
the machine. The said guard also acts as a guide in turning the fabric when
the rounded end of the button hole is being worked. It will be apparent that
other means than those herein described and illustrated may be employed for
imparting the desired motion to the arm I. That described is, however,
preferred as being simple, cheap, and efficacious.
On reference to Figures 8 and 9, which illustrate the second part of the
Invention, K' represents the inclined vibrating arm previously alluded to; in
the present instance, however, the pin to which the arm or lever is hung is

page_text: secured to a bracket J having an oblong slot. y, so that the pin may be drawn
back and the carrier m thereby moved away from the needle a when the
latter has to operate in conjunction with a shuttle. A plate T projects from
the under side of the base plate A in front of the needle a, and to this plate is
secured a pin T', on which is hung the shuttle carrier U. To the latter is
connected one end of a yoke V', through which passes the shaft B, previously
alluded to in reference to Figure 1, and on this shaft is a disc V, having an
excentric groove, in which fits a pin on the outer end of the yoke. The shuttle
carrier has two arms 9, 9, to which is secured the curved ledge g¹ for carrying
the shuttle W, which is confined between the arms 9, 9, and the plate T, these
arms being provided with projections so arranged in respect to the shuttle that
the latter will move with the carrier U, while there is a free passage for the
loop of thread between the carrier and the shuttle. The shuttle is made of the
form represented in Figure 9, so as to contain at one end a spool, the thread
from which passes through one or more holes in the shuttle case to the fabric.
As the shaft B revolves a vibrating motion is imparted to the shuttle carrier
and shuttle, the operation of which, in conjunction with the needle a for
forming the lock stitch, will be readily understood without description. When
the machine is required for forming the button-hole stitch, the yoke V₁ is
detached from the carrier U and drawn away from the disc V to a point
where it may be temporarily attached to the base plate A, so as to be out of
the .way. The carrier is then permitted to hang down in the position shown
by dotted lines and the shuttle removed, after which the lever K¹ is advanced
to a proper position for its loop carrier m to act in conjunction with the
needle a in producing a button-hole stitch in the manner described on reference.
to the first part of the Invention.
The third part of the Invention is illustrated by Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, and 17. J is a shaft turning in suitable bearings on the under side
of the base plate A. To this shaft secured a cam f, into the curved grooves
of which fits a pin on the horizontal lever K, the latter having its fulcrum on
a pin h secured to the base plate. The outer end of the lever K is connected
by a ball-and-socket joint to one end of a rod L, the opposite end of which is
connected by a similar joint to a projection m on the arm M, which is hung
to a pin i on the plate j. To the end of the arm M is secured a curved loop
carrier N, through two eyes near the end of which passes the under thread.
Another cam g is secured to the shaft J, and into the groove of this cam
projects a pin on the horizontal arm P, which is hung to a pin l on the base
plate, the forked end of this arm embracing a pin on another horizontal
arm P, which is hung to a pin on the bracket Q, and which carries what is

page_text: termed the curved loop holder R. The loop carrier or holder N moves in the
arc of a circle (see Figure 12) and conveys a loop of thread from the under
side of the fabric and upwards across the edge of the same, the loop holder
with its under thread, the loop catcher R, and the eye-pointed needle with its
upper thread, by their joint action, serving to form on the edges of the fabric
a button-hole stitch similar to that formed by the combined action of the
needle a, hooked arm I, and loop carrier m, described in reference to Figures
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. When the machine has to be converted into a lock-
stitch sewing machine, the connecting rod L, the plate j with its arms m and M,
and loop carrier N are removed, and the arm P¹ with its looper R is detached
from the plate A. To this plate is now hung an arm P, having a projec-
tion P, which is embraced by the forked end of the arm P, as best observed on
reference to Figure 11. A forked plate or bracket S is then attached to the
under side of the base plate, and this bracket carries the spool case holder T,
the latter having two journals or trunnions u,.which fit into set screws t on the
forked ends of the said bracket S, one of these journals or trunnions being
furnished with a cog wheel r which gears into a segment q, the latter being
secured to or forming a part of the above-mentioned arm P. The peculiar
construction of the spool case and spool case holder will be best observed on
reference to Figures 14, 15, 16, and 17. The spool case holder T consists of
a hollow cylinder open at one end and closed at the other, and has a longi-
tudinal slot u extending from end to end. Into this holder the spool case V
fits freely, and is retained in its proper position by a delicate spring x. The
case V also consists of a hollow cylinder open at the rear end for the intro-
duction of the spool, and having at the opposite end a hooked point y. The
spool W fits freely in the chamber formed within the case, one journal of the
spool fitting loosely in an orifice in the end of the chamber and the other
journal into a recess on the inside of the cap e¹, which fits into the open end
of the case, and which has two yielding projections z, z, the latter serving to
retain the said cap in its proper position, but permitting it to be readily with-
drawn when required. As the shaft J revolves a vibrating motion will be
imparted by the cam g to the horizontal arm P, and thence to the arm P,
which, through the segment q and wheel r, causes the spool case holder T to
oscillate on its trunnions u, from the position shewn in Figure 3 to that seen
in Figure 7 and back again. The needle 5 (Figure 12) having penetrated
the fabric 7, and a loop of needle thread having been formed beneath the
same, the spool case holder begins to operate, the point y of the spool case
moving in the arc of a circle and passing between the needle 5 and the-loop 6,
thereby distending the loop, which passes the spring x and surrounds the body

page_text: of the spool case, as seen in Figure 18, the portion of the loop above the case
passing through the slot w of the holder. The under thread 8 passes from
the spool W through a slot in the case, and through one or more holes in a
flange which projects above the case, so that by the time the holder has
reached the position seen in Figure 14 the under thread will have been carried
through the loop of needle thread, the latter escaping at the rear of the spool
case prior to the return movement of the same and a repetition of the above
operations.
.
Without further description it will be seen that the ordinary lock stitch
is thus produced. On removing the bracket S with the spool case holder
and its appurtenances, and detaching the arm P¹ with its segment, and on
replacing the connecting rod L and plate with its loop carrier, as well AS the
arm P with its loop catcher R, as seen in Figure 10, the machine is again
converted into a button-hole sewing machine, and the detachable parts are so
constructed and arranged that this conversion can be promptly accomplished
by any expert operator of sewing machines.
.
Having now particularly described the nature and object of the said Inven-
tion for "Improvements in Sewing Machines," together with the manner in
which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect;
I would remark in conclusion, that I claim as the Invention, communicated
the aforesaid Abraham Hart, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United
States of America,-
to me
Firstly, the arm I (Figure 1) with its notched projection k or its equivalent
when arranged to operate on the thread held by the loop carrier m, substan-
tially as described.
'
Secondly, the sleeve H (Figure 1) with its spiral opening i and arm I, in
combination with the needle bar D and pin j, the whole being arranged and
operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Thirdly, the lever N (Figure 2) with its spring plater and the cam O, so
constructed and so arranged in respect to each other and the spool M as to
prevent the revolution of the latter at certain points for the purpose specified.
Fourthly, the guard n (Figure 3) arranged on the plate I, substantially as
set forth for the purpose described.
Fifthly, the guard n' (Figure 3) arranged beneath the work plate, as
described, for the purpose specified.
Sixthly, the rod E and lever G (Figure 1) in combination with the needle
bar D and its spiral spring a¹, the whole being arranged and operating sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
:

page_text: Seventhly, the vibrating shuttle W (Figures 8 and 9), the carrier u, and
ledge g¹, the whole being constructed and operating substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Eighthly, the combination of the disc V (Figures 8 and 9), with its eccentric
groove, the yoke V', and shuttle carrier U.
Ninthly, the spool case holder T (Figure 11) operated by the scroll cam g,
arms P and P, segment q, and wheel r, or other equivalent devices for
communicating an oscillating motion to the said spool case holder.
Tenthly, the spool case holder T (Figure 11) with its journals or trun-
nions u in combination with the detachable bracket S or its equivalent, the
whole being constructed substantially as and for the purpose herein set
forth.
Eleventhly, the detachable arm P
(Figure 11) and its segment q in
combination with the spool case T, and the wheel on one of the trunnions of
the said case.
Twelfthly, the cylindrical spool case holder T (Figures 13, 14, and 15), its
longitudinal slot w, and spring x, the whole being arranged for the reception
and retention of the spool case and for the passage of the loop of needle
thread, substantially as set forth.
Thirteenthly, the cylindrical and pointed spool case V (Figures 13, 14,
and 15), constructed and arranged for the reception of a spool, substantially
as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Davies, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
CROCE DAVIDS
GEORGE DAVIES
(D.S.)