IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SEWING MACHINES" which Invention has been communicated to me from
abroad by Joseph Leonard Follett of the City County and State of New York
United States of America to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that class of Sewing machines forming what is known
as the lock stitch by means of two threads one of which is carried by a needle
operating from one side of the material being sewed and the other or interlocking
thread by a device arranged on the opposite side of such material. This Invention
is more particularly directed to that variety of lock stitch sewing machines in
which a rotary device co-operates with the needle in forming the stitches, the object
of my invention being the production of a machine which, while it is simple in
construction and efficient in operation will be capable of running at very high
rates of speed at a minimum expenditure of power at the same time being nearly
noiseless.
To attain this object it is necessary that the moving parts should be as light as
possible consistent with proper strength; that their operation should be positive
and regular and that the use of gears cams and vibrating levers should mainly be
avoided by the nearly direct utilization of uniform rotary movements.
In carrying this Invention into effect the bed-plate of the machine is provided
on its under side with strengthening ribs which are shallow at the front end of the
machine but gradually increase in depth towards the rear end thereof until they
are equal in depth to the shuttle race situated at the front end of the machine.
The rear portions of the ribs will thus form feet or bearings on which the machine
may rest at one end while the shuttle race will form a foot or bearing at the
opposite end. As these feet or bearings extend below any of the moving parts of
the machine they enable the same to stand on a plain surface if desired, without
being let down into the top of the table, the machine being thus raised a sufficient
distance to prevent any of the moving parts from being damaged by coming in
contact with any obstacles. The rear end of the overhanging bracket arm or goose

page_text: neck is provided with a removable plate or cover, and removable caps or plates are
also provided in the front of the head of the arm.
The main or driving shaft is arranged in the upper or horizontal portion of the
bracket arm and provided with a fly and pulley wheel of usual construction.
A transmitting shaft journalled in the vertical portion of the bracket arm serves to
convey motion from the main shaft to a counter shaft which is journalled in
suitable bearings beneath the bed plate, the shafts being connected by universally
jointed links by which they are strongly and positively united thus preventing
rattling or any movement of one independently of the others. To dispense with
surplus weight the shafts are preferably made either partially or entirely hollow
and to provide for proper lubrication they may be pierced with small holes at their
bearings and filled with oil which can be confined by corks, screw plugs, or other
appropriate stoppers, placed in the ends of the shafts."
The needle bar is driven from the.upper shaft which as before stated is the main
or driving shaft and the feed and shuttle (or hook if one be used) are actuated
from the lower or counter shaft. The belt wheel is located on the main shaft at a
point between the needle bar connection and the universal link joint connections.
This arrangement of parts is material for the reason that the driving power is
applied directly to. the needle bar actuating, shaft, and is not transmitted to said
shaft through the universal link joint connections, as it would necessarily be were
the driving pulley or wheel located elsewhere. The power transmitted through the
universal link joint connections is only that comparatively small amount which is
needed to drive the hook and the shuttle; the said connections are therefore
subjected to but very little strain while all the shock and strain and consequent
wear and tear which would come upon them were they required to transmit the
power to drive the needle bar are entirely avoided.
On the forward end of the main shaft is a balanced crank having a crank pin
connected by a pitman to a block or collar secured to the needle bar which latter
reciprocates vertically in bearings formed in head of the bracket arm in a well
known manner. An eye pointed needle of ordinary construction excepting that it
is very much shorter than those generally used in lock stitch machines is secured
in the lower end of the needle bar by a set screw or in any other suitable way.
In order to prevent the needle bar from turning the screw bolt in the head of
the bracket arm which connects the block by which the pitman is attached to the
Baid needle bar arranged to work in a slot in the said head and as the needle bar
is one of the moving parts of a sewing machine which consumes the most power in
its operation it is according to this Invention preferably inade hollow to lessen its
weight and to render it better suited for the high rates of speed for which this
improved machine is especially designed.
To the crank pin which works-the-needle-bar-is-rigidly-secured-a-crank-arm-in-
the outer end of which is arranged a swivelled crank pin-through which passes
· loosely a take up lever which is pivotted on a stationary screw pin that serves* to
secure the upper cap or face plate on the front end of the head of the bracket arm.
The take up lever consists of a single wire which is straight for the greater
portion of its length, its outer or free end being formed into a hook. This wire is
secured by a set screw in a block loosely pivotted on the stationary screw pin before
referred to, a washer being preferably arranged on the pin between the block and
the face of the head. The crank arm is so arranged relatively to the take up lever
and so timed in relation to the movements of the needle bar that the swivelled
crank pin which slides back and forth on the take up lever will be farthest from
the fulcrum of said lever when the needle is in the work and the take up is
moving downward and will be nearest to said fulcrum during the early part of the
downward movement of the needle bar when the take up is moving upward.
The needle thread is carried by a spool mounted on a horizontal spool pin, the
thread passing from said spool into a guide slot in the top face plate on the head;
thence through a perforated and slotted guide pin and around a tension wheel
of ordinary construction, the frictional contact of felt or other suitable washers

page_text: between which said wheel is held being adjusted by a thumb nut. From the
tension wheel the thread passes through a guide eye in a plate adjustably fitted to
the face plate. A light check tension spring is fastened to the edge of the face
plate, the tension of which spring is regulated by an adjusting screw which may
also serve to prevent the thread which passes from the guide eye to beneath the
said spring, from escaping from the end thereof. This spring is preferably curved.
to conform to the path traversed by the hook of the take-up lever so as to enable
the said hook to work in close contact with said spring throughout its entire
movement. From the check tension spring the thread passes through guides on
the lower face plate or cap and in the lower end of the needle bar to the eye of the
needle.
The presser bar carrying at its lower end the presser foot and yieldingly held
against the work by a spiral spring is raised by a cam lever or lifter projecting.
forward towards the operator so as to be conveniently accessible. To prevent the
presser bar from turning, the collar against which the spiral spring bears is provided
with a right angular lug, the vertical portion thereof engaging the driving slot of
the screw on which the cam lever or lifter is pivotted; the lug thereby serving the
double purpose of preventing the presser bar from turning and the pivot screw
from becoming loose.
A rotary shuttle is loosely sustained between a disc and the shuttle race, the disc
being secured to the forward end of the counter shaft by a set screw or otherwise.
The said disc is provided on its face with a segmental flange which constitutes the
shuttle driver, and it is steadied on the counter shaft by an eccentric sleeve which
serves to, operate the feed. The shuttle is circular in outline excepting that a
portion of its periphery corresponding in extent to the length of a flange forming
the shuttle driver is cut away to form a seat for said flange so that the latter may
properly engage the shuttle. The shuttle is provided with a circular recess for the
reception of the bobbin and at the centre of said recess is a pivot pin adapted to
loosely enter a sleeve of the bobbin case on which sleeve the bobbin is loosely
mounted. The length of this sleeve is slightly greater than the depth or thickness
of the bobbin and case so as to leave room for the bobbin to rotate freely between
the case and the inside of the rotary shuttle and to prevent the edge of the
periphery of the case from coming in contact with the inside of the shuttle. To
the outside of the bobbin case is secured a tension spring on which is placed a
small regulating slide. The tension spring is bent to conform to a circle of smaller
radius than that of the periphery of the bobbin case so that when the regulating
slide is at a distance from the free end of said spring the entire stress thereof will
be exerted on the bobbin thread passing between said free end and the bobbin case.
To lessen the tension on the bobbin thread the slide is pushed towards the free end
of the spring thus slightly raising the same from the thread. The bobbin case is
threaded by drawing the bobbin thread into a notch on the inner side of the case,
then beneath the free end of the tension spring into a slot in the bobbin case and
thence around a point into another slot and. through a hole in the end thereof to
the work. The draught on the bobbin thread caused by its tension will be
sufficient to prevent the bobbin case from turning while the shuttle rotates the
bobbin remaining stationary with its case, excepting that the said bobbin will turn
to yield or unwind its thread as the latter is required. This construction admits of
a uniform tension of the thread which is undisturbed by the rotary shuttle, the
bobbin and case being always at the same distance from the work as the latter
passes the needle hole in the cloth plate.
The shuttle race is fastened to the under side of the bed plate of the machine by.
screws so as to permit of a slight adjustment of the shuttle race ás occasion may
require. The shuttle is not intended to be taken from the machine until it is worn
out, and the bobbin case and bobbin are held in position by an adjustable device
secured to a bracket depending in front of the shuttle from a sliding cover fitted in
ways in the bed plate. This bracket is preferably detachably fastened to said
slide and may be rendered adjustable by slotting the hole through which the fixing

page_text: screw passes, or a simple projection or
be substituted for the screw if desired.
bobbin case and bobbin are rendered
examined or removed when necessary.
As hereinbefore stated the shuttle is not intended to be taken from the machine
until worn out and it is therefore necessary to provide means for easily removing
the bobbin case and bobbin from the shuttle so that the bobbin may be rewound
when the thread is exhausted. To this end a bobbin ejector is arranged within
the hollow or partially hollow lower shaft consisting of a simple wire or rod secured
to a small cylindrical block placed within the shaft the block and ejector being
held within said shaft by the stress of a spiral spring also placed within the shaft.
The block is connected by a pin or screw passing through a slot in the shaft to a
sliding sleeve arranged on the exterior of the shaft. To operate the ejector a small
shaft or pin is inserted through the bed plate of the machine, the said pin having
an arm or handle on the upper side of the bed plate and an arm on the lower side
of the bed plate, the latter arm being provided with a pin or projection engaging
the sliding sleeve. When the bobbin case and bobbin are to be removed the
sliding cover herein before described is drawn out thus leaving the bobbin case and
bobbin free. The arm or handle of the ejector is then moved by the operator
thereby pressing the ejector outward against the stress of the spring, the outer end
of the ejector passing through an opening in the rear wall of the shuttle against
the bobbin thus forcing the latter and its case out of the shuttle.
lug formed integral with the bracket may
By drawing the sliding cover outward the
readily accessible and are left free to be
In order to obviate any possibility of the machine skipping stitches owing to
high rates of speed, inaccuracy of adjustment, expansion, or construction of the
metal with varying temperatures, or any other causes, means are provided for
pressing the shuttle slightly outward in a direction at right angles to the path of
its rotation at the moment when its point is approaching the needle to take the
loop of needle thread, thus certainly ensuring the proper engagement of the shuttle
with the needle thread at every stitch. After the point of the shuttle has entered
the loop of needle thread the shuttle is released so that said loop may be carried
around the shuttle, the locking thread running from the bobbin therein without
undue friction. The means for accomplishing this result consist of a small block
arranged in the end of the lower hollow shaft, the end of said block being rounded
to permit the loops of needle thread to pass it easily. This block which may be
termed a shuttle brace is connected by a wire or. rod with another block also
arranged in the said lower shaft at the same distance from the and thereof.
A screw pin the head of which engages a stationary cam surface in a lug
depending from the lower side of the bed plate is inserted in the block last
mentioned the said screw pin passing through a slot in the shaft and held in
contact with said cam surface-by-the-spiral-spring-which-serves-to-retract-the
shuttle ejector, the said spring pressing against the said block. The spring is thus
caused to perform a double function. The stationary cam surface is so formed
that at the moment when the point of the shuttle is advancing to catch the loop of
needle thread the head of the pin herein before referred to has reached a slight
depression in cam surface so that by virtue of the stress of the spring the shuttle
brace will be yieldingly pressed against the shuttle causing the latter to come into
proper engagement with the needle thus ensuring the passage of the point of the
shuttle into the loop of the needle thread; as soon as this result is accomplished
the pin head will have passed the depression in the cam surface and the shuttle
brace will be retracted to admit of the easy passage of the loop of needle thread
around the shuttle as above stated.
The mechanism for feeding forward the material to be sewed consists of a feed
surface secured to or formed integral with an arm projecting from a lever having
a sleeve surrounding the eccentric sleeve of the shuttle driving disc hereinbefore
described. The lever terminates at its lower end in a finger adapted to come in
contact with an adjustable stop secured to the forward end of an adjusting bar or
lever pivotted on a screw by which said bar is secured to one of the lugs beneath

page_text: the bed plate in which the lower or counter shaft has its bearings. The lever is
provided near its upper end with a laterally projecting arm against which bears
a spring arranged within a recess in the bed plate. A block or stop preferably
made of horn or some similar hard non-resonant substance is arranged within the
recess containing the spring to limit the backward movement of the laterally
projecting arm. The first mentioned adjustable stop is also preferably covered by
a ring of similar hard non-resonant substance thereby avoiding the noise incidental
to the striking contact of metallic surfaces.
The position of the adjusting bar is regulated by a small disc (which may be
termed a secondary disc) eccentrically secured to the stem of a larger adjusting
disc arranged in a circular recess in the upper side of the bed plate, the said stem
passing through a hole in said bed plate. The larger disc is embraced by a yoke
fastened to the adjusting bar. To prevent the accidental turning of the discs and
by the action of the feed lever or the jarring of the machine, a spring preferably
in the form of a washer is placed in the recess of the bed plate beneath the larger
disc. This disc is provided with finger holes to facilitate its adjustment and a
graduated scale which in combination with a stationary index finger secured to the
bedplate and entering a segmental slot in the disc assist in determining the proper
adjustment of the feed. In addition to its primary function the feed adjusting bar
serves as a guard for the lower or counter shaft.
It may here be observed that the lever carrying the feed surface lever is a lever
of the third class, the weight being the work engaged by the feed surface, the
power being applied by the eccentric sleeve of the shuttle driver, while the stop on
the forward end of the adjusting lever when engaged by the finger on the lever of
the feed surface serves as a fulcrum for the said lever. If however the stop on the
adjusting lever be so adjusted that it will be out of contact with the-finger during
a portion of the rotation of the eccentric sleeve, the action of the spring. on, the
arin projecting laterally from the upper end of the lever of the feed surface will
hold said upper end and the feed surface stationary until the finger comes in contact
with the stop, when the stress of the spring will be overcome and the eccentric will
cause the lever to swing from its lower end, thus moving the upper end of said
lever and consequently the feed surface and work forward the length of the stitch
to be made. It will thus be apparent that the adjustment of the stop so as to
leave a greater or lesser distance between said stop and the finger during a portion
of the rotation of the eccentric will result in such adjustment of the feed as may
be required. Of course if said stop be so adjusted that there will be no space
between it and the finger during any part of the rotation of the eccentric, the full
throw of the latter will be exerted on the feed lever and the movement of the feed
surface will be correspondingly great.
The operation of the stitch forming mechanism is as follows: The needle
thread being disposed and the needle threaded as herein before described, the needle
descends through the work held beneath the presser foot to its lowest point, which
is a little below the top of the circular path described by the point of the.shuttle.
As the needle begins its ascent it throws out a loop of thread which is caught by
the point of the shuttle. which at this moment has just crossed the vertical path of
the needle as indicated in figure 4, the shuttle being at this time pressed outward
by the shuttle brace operating as hereinbefore described. The needle now continues
to ascend and the shuttle moves forward drawing the needle thread from above
and carrying the loop entirely around the shuttle and its bobbin case and bobbiu
and the locking thread carried thereby, the needle then commences to descend, and
the take up hook, which in the meantime has been moving slowly downward,
commences to rise and moves upward with great rapidity drawing the loop of
needle thread upward away from the advancing point of the shuttle and into the
work, thus tightening and completing the stitch before the point of the needle has
again reached the work.
As the needle again pierces the material the take-up hook moves downward
leaving the needle thread slightly held by the check tension spring which yields

page_text: the thread to the shuttle as the latter requires it in expanding the loop during the
formation of the succeeding stitch. Thus the operation continues indefinitely
while the machine runs.
It is obvious that instead of the rotary shuttle hereinbefore described a rotary
hook may be employed with only such changes as any mechanic skilled in sewing
machines could easily make; the feeding take up and needle operating meclianisms
as well as the means for connecting the upper and lower shaft remaining
unchanged.

page_text: I JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of :47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of the said-Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SEWING MACHINES" which Invention has been communicated to me from abroad
by Joseph Leonard Follett of the City County and State of New York United
States of America and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement':—
This Invention relates to that class of Sewing machines forming what is known
as the "lock stitch" by means of two threads, one of which is carried by a needle.
operating from one side of the material being sewed, and the other or interlocking
thread by a device arranged on the opposite side of such material.
This Invention is more particularly directed to that variety of lock stitch sewing
machines in which a rotary device co-operates with the needle in forming the
stitches the object of my Invention being the production of a machine which while
it is simple in construction and efficient in operation will be capable of running at
very high rates of speed at a minimum expenditure of power at the same time being.
nearly noiseless.
To attain this object it is necessary that the moving parts should be as light as
possible consistent with proper strength; that their operation should be positive and
regular, and that the use of gears cams and vibrating levers should mainly be
avoided by the nearly direct utilization of uniform rotary movements.
The Invention can best be explained and understood by referring to the
accompanying drawing in which I have represented a sewing machine of the rotary
shuttle type embodying my improvements in their preferred form.
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation thereof.
Figure 2 is a detail of the cloth pressing device.
Figure 3. is an elevation of the front of the machine.
Figure 4 is a similar view partly in section, the face plates of the head being.
removed.
Figure 5 is a reverse plan view.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the parts beneath the bed plate.
Figure 6 is a view of the shuttle brace detached.
Figure 7 is a face view of the shuttle.
Figure 8 is a face view of the shuttle carrying disc.
Figure 9 is a detail view of the feed, showing the counter shaft and sleeve of the
shuttle carrier in section on line x-x Figure 6.
Figure 10 is a sectional view of the feed regulating mechanism on line y-y
Figures 1 and 6.
Figure 11 is a top plan view of the bed plate, the bracket arm and vertical shaft
being in section.
Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view of the bobbin and bobbin case and
Figure 13 a perspective view of the bobbin case.
A is the bed or work plate to which is secured in any suitable manner the
bracket-arm B, or, if preferred said bracket-arm may be formed integral with said,

page_text: bed plate. The bed plate is provided on its under side with strengthening ribs A.'
which are shallow at the front end of the machine gradually increasing in depth
towards the rear end thereof until they are equal in. depth to the shuttle race A³.
The rear portions of the ribs A¹ will thus form feet or bearings on which the
machine may rest while the shuttle race will form a foot or bearing at the opposite
end. As these feet or bearings extend below any of the moving parts of the
machine they enable the same to stand on a plain surface if desired without being
let down into the top of the table, the machine being thus raised a sufficient distance
to prevent any of the running parts from being damaged by coming in contact with
any obstacles. B' is a removable plate or cover at the rear end of the bracket arm B,
and B B are removable caps or plates in the front of the head B².
C is the main or driving shaft arranged in the upper or horizontal portion of the
bracket arm and provided with a fly and pulley wheel C¹ of usual construction.
C² is a transmitting shaft journalled in the vertical portion of the bracket arm and
serving to convey motion from the main shaft C to the counter shaft C which
latter is journalled in suitable bearings beneath the bed plate A. The shafts C, C'
and C are connected by universally jointed links C³ by which they are strongly
and positively united thus preventing rattling or any movement of one inde-
pendently of the others. To dispense with surplus weight the shafts C, C and C+
are preferably made either partially or entirely hollow and to provide for proper
lubrication they may be pierced with small holes at their bearings and filled with
oil which can be confined by corks, screw plugs, or other appropriate stoppers
placed in the ends of the shafts.
The needle bar is driven from the upper shaft C which as before said is the main
or driving shaft and the feed and shuttle (or hook if one be used) are actuated from
the lower or counter shaft C. The belt wheel C¹ is, it will be noticed, located on
the main shaft at a point between the needle bar connection and the universal link
joint connections C³. This arrangement of parts is material for the reason that the
driving power is applied directly to the needle bar actuating shaft and is not
transmitted to said shaft through the universal link joint connections as it would
necessarily be were the driving pulley or wheel C₁ located elsewhere. The power
transmitted through the universal link joint connections is only that comparatively
small amount which is needed to drive the hook and the shuttle; said connections
are therefore subjected to but very little strain, while all the shock and strain and
consequent wear and tear, which would come upon them, were they required to
transmit the power to drive the needle bar, are entirely avoided.
On the forward end of the main shaft C is a balanced crank C having a crank
pin c which is connected by a pitman to a block or collar d secured to the needle
bar D which latter reciprocates vertically in bearings-formed-in-hend B2 of the
bracket arm-B-in-a-well-known manner. An eye-pointed needle d² of ordinary
construction, excepting that it is very much shorter than those generally used in
lock-stitch machines is secured in the lower end of the needle-bar D by a set
screw d³ or in any other suitable way.
To prevent the needle bar from turning, the screw bolt d' by which the block d
As the
is fastened to the said needle bar, is arranged in a slot b of the head B2.
needle bar is one of the moving parts of a sewing machine which consumes the most
power in its operation it is preferably made hollow to lessen its weight, this
construction being found much better for the high rates of speed for which the
machine is especially designed.
To the crank pin c is rigidly secured a crank arm E in the outer end of which is
arranged a swivelled crank pin e, through which passes loosely the take-up lever E¹
pivoted on a stationary screw pin E entering a threaded hole in the front end of
the head B of the bracket arm B said screw pin also serving to secure the upper
cap or face plate B³ in place.
The take up lever consists of single wire which is straight for the greater portion
of its length its outer or free end being formed into a hook e¹. This wire is secured
into a block e by a set screw e said block being loosely pivoted on the pin E

page_text: A washer e is preferably arranged on the pin E² between the block e³ and the front
face of the head B. The crank arm E is so arranged relatively to the take up lever
and so timed in relation to the movements of the needle bar that the swivelled
crank pin e, which slides back and forth on the take up lever will be farthest from
the fulcrum of said lever when the needle is in the work and the take up is moving
downward, and will be nearest to said fulcrum during the early part of the
downward movement of the needle bar when the take up is moving upward.
From the relative arrangement of the take up lever and rotating swivelled crank
pin it results that the upward movement of the former (which is the movement by-
which it performs its function of tightening the stitches) will be very rapid being
performed during about one fourth of a revolution of the crank pin, while the time*
occupied by its downward movement will be about three times as long or during
about three fourths of a revolution of said crank pin. The reasons for these move-
ments of the take up will be further explained in connection with the operation of
the needle and shuttle in forming the stitches.
The needle thread is carried by a spool F held on a horizontal spool-pin, said
thread passing from said spool into a small guide slot f in the face plate B³ thence
through a perforated and slotted guide pin f¹ thence around a tension wheel F' of
ordinary construction, the frictional contact of felt or other suitable washers between
which said wheel is held, being adjusted by a thumb nut F2. From the tension
wheel the thread passes through a guide eye f³ carried by a plate f³ which is
slotted to permit it to be adjustably secured to the face plate B³ by a suitable set
screw. A light check tension spring F³ is fastened to the edge of the face plate Ba
preferably by a dowel pin f* and set screw f' as shewn; the tension of said spring
being regulated by an adjusting screw f6 arranged near its upper end, said adjusting
screw also serving to prevent the thread which passes from the guide-eye f beneath
said spring from escaping from the end thereof. The check tension spring F³ is
shown as being curved to conform to the part traversed by the hook e¹ of the take
up lever E and this construction of said spring is deemed preferable as it enables
said hook to work in close contact with said spring throughout its entire movement.
From the check tension spring the thread passes through guides f7 and.d on the
face plate B and in the lower end of the needle bar respectively to the eye of the
needle.
The presser bar G carrying at its lower end the presser foot gland yieldingly
held against the work by a spiral spring g is raised by a cam lever or lifter g
projecting forward towards the operator so as to be conveniently accessible. To
prevent the presser bar from turning, the collar g³ against which the spring g bears
is provided with a right angular lug g' the vertical portion of said lug engaging
the driving slot of the screw g³ on which the cam lever or lifter g² is pivoted. This
construction serves the double purpose of preventing the presser bar from turning
and the pivot screw g³ from becoming loose.
The rotary shuttle H is loosely sustained between a disc I and the shuttle race A³
The disc I is secured to the forward end of the counter-shaft C by a set screw or
in any other suitable manner said disc being provided on its face with a segmental
flange which constitutes the shuttle driver. Said disc is steadied on the counter-
shaft by an eccentric sleeve 12 serving to operate the feed. The shuttle H is
circular in outline excepting that a portion of its periphery corresponding in extent
to the length of the flange i is cut away to form a seat for said flange so that the
latter may properly engage the shuttle. The shuttle is provided with a circular
recess for the reception of the bobbin and at the centre of said recess is a pivot
pin h adapted to loosely enter a sleeve j of the bobbin case J on which sleeve the
bobbin Jis loosely pivoted. The length of the sleeve j is slightly greater than
the depth or thickness of the bobbin and case so as to leave room for the bobbin to
rotate freely between the case and the inside of the rotary shuttle and to prevent
the edge of the periphery of the case from coming in contact with said inside of
the shuttle. To the outside of the bobbin case is secured a tension spring j¹ on
which is placed a small regulating slide j³. The tension spring is bent to conform

page_text: to circle of smaller radius than that of the periphery of the bobbin case so that
when the slide is at a distance from the free end of said spring the entire stress
thereof will be exerted on the bobbin thread passing between said free end and the
bobbin case. To lessen the tension on the bobbin thread the slide is pushed towards
the free end of the spring thus slightly raising the same from the thread. The
bobbin case is threaded by drawing the bobbin thread into a notch on the inner
side of said case then beneath the free end of the tension spring j¹ into the slot j
around the point j and through the slot 6 into the hole 7 through which it issues
to the work. The draught on the bobbin thread caused by its tension will be
sufficient to prevent the bobbin case from turning while the shuttle rotates the
bobbin remaining stationary with its case excepting that the said bobbin will turn
to yield or unwind its thread as the latter is required. This construction admits
of a uniform tension of the thread which is undisturbed by the rotary shuttle, the
bobbin and case being always at the same distance from the work as the latter
passes the needle hole in the cloth-plate. As the bobbin only turns to permit of
the unwinding of its thread it is obvious that there will be no twisting or
untwisting of the bobbin thread as occurs in some rotary shuttle machines
heretofore constructed.
The shuttle race A2 is fastened to the under side of the bed-plate A by screws a
passing through holes in ears formed integral with said shuttle race the holes being
preferably slightly larger than said screws so as to permit of a slight adjustment
of the shuttle race as occasion may require. The shuttle is not intended to be
taken from the machine until it is worn out and the bobbin case and bobbin are
held in position by an adjustable device here shown as a screw a¹ secured to a
bracket a depending from a sliding cover a³ movable in ways arranged longi-
tudinally of the bed-plate A. Said bracket is preferably detachably fastened to
said slide, by a screw a as shown and it is obvious that the bracket may be
rendered adjustable by slotting the hole in the horizontal portion of said bracket
through which the screw a passes. In such case a simple projection or lug formed
integral with the vertical portion of the bracket may be substituted for the screw a'
if desired. By drawing the sliding cover a³ outward or to the left (Figure 1) the
bobbin case and bobbin are rendered readily accessible and are left free to be
examined or removed when necessary.
As above stated the shuttle is not intended to be taken from the machine until
worn out, and it is therefore necessary to provide means for easily removing the
bobbin case and bobbin from the shuttle so that the bobbin may be rewound when
the thread is exhausted. To this end there is arranged a bobbin ejector K within
the hollow or partially hollow lower shaft C. This ejector K- which consists
of a simple wire or rod is secured to a small cylindrical block / placed-within-the
shaft C' and the block and ejector_are_held-within said shaft by the stress of a
spiral spring- also placed within the shaft. The block k is connected by a pin or
screw passing through a slot in the shaft to a sliding sleeve k¹ arranged on the
exterior of the shaft. To operate the ejector a small shaft or pin c³ is inserted
through the bed plate A said pin having an arm or handle k on the upper side of
the bed plate and an arm k on the lower side of the bed plate, the latter arm
being provided with a pin or projection engaging the collar. When the bobbin
case and bobbin are to be removed the sliding cover a³ is drawn out thus leaving
the bobbin case and bobbin free. The arm or handle is then moved to the left
(figures 1, and 11) by the finger of the operator thereby pressing the ejector outward.
against the stress of the spring the outer end of the ejector passing through a
perforation h' in the rear wall of the shuttle against the bobbin thus forcing the
latter and its case out of the shuttle.
In order to obviate any possibility of the machine skipping stitches owing to
high rates of speed, inaccuracy of adjustment, expansion or construction of the
metal with varying temperatures, or any other cause, means are provided for
pressing the shuttle slightly outward in a direction at right angles to the path of
its rotation at the moment when its point is approaching the needle to take the

page_text: loop of needle thread, thus certainly ensuring the proper engagement of the shuttle
with the needle thread at every stitch. After the point of the shuttle has entered
the loop of needle thread the shuttle is released so that said loop may be carried
around the shuttle and the locking thread running from the bobbin therein without
undue friction. The means for accomplishing this result consist of a small block L
arranged in the end of the hollow shaft C', the end of said block being rounded to
permit the loops of needle thread to pass it easily. This block L which may be
termed a shuttle brace is connected by a wire or rod with another block also
arranged in the shaft C as shown. A screw pin 12 the head of which engages a
stationary cam surface 1³ in a lug * depending from the lower side of the bed
plate A is inserted in the block said screw pin passing through a slot in the
shaft C. The said screw pin is held in contact with said cam surface by the spiral
spring which serves to retract the shuttle ejector K the said spring pressing
against the block as shown. The spring is thus caused to perform a double
function. The stationary cam surface is so formed that at the moment when the
point of the shuttle in advancing to catch the loop of needle thread, the head of
the pin has reached a slight depression in said cam surface so that by virtue of
the stress of the spring the shuttle brace L will be yieldingly pressed against the
shuttle causing the latter to come into proper engagement with the needle, thus
ensuring the passage of the point of the shuttle into the loop of the needle thread;
as soon as this result is accomplished the pin 2 will have passed the depression in
the can surface and the shuttle brace will be retracted to admit of the easy
passage of the loop of needle thread around the shuttle as above stated. In actual
practice the machine is constructed so that the cam surface 13 will give a play to
the shuttle brace of only about a thirty second of an inch, which is sufficient for
the purpose in view but for clearness of illustration said cam surface is shown some-
what exaggerated in Figures 1 and 6: The blocks L and are notched on their
edges for the passage of the bobbin ejector K.
The mechanism for feeding forward the material to be sewed consists of a feed
surface M secured to or formed integral with an arm projecting from a lever M'
the latter having a sleeve M² surrounding the eccentric sleeve I of the shuttle
driving disc I. The lever M¹ terminates at its lower end in a finger m adapted to
come in contact with an adjustable stop n secured to the forward end of an
adjusting bar or lever N pivotted on a screw n', by which said bar is secured to
one of the lugs beneath the bed plate on which the counter shaft C has its bearings.
The lever Mis provided .near its upper end with a laterally projecting arm m¹
against which bears a spring m² arranged within a recess m³ in the bed plate A
(see figure 11.) A block or stop m* preferably made of horn or some similar hard
non-resonant substance is arranged within the recess m³ to limit the backward move;
ment of the arm m¹.. The stop n is also preferably covered by a ring of similar
hard non-resonant substance, thereby avoiding the noise incidental to the striking
contact of metallic surfaces.
The position of the adjusting bar N is regulated by a small disc p (which may
be termed a secondary disc) eccentrically secured to the stem of a larger adjusting
disc P. arranged in a circular recess in the upper side of the bed-plate A, said stem
passing through a hole in said bedplate. The disc p is embraced by a yoke N¹
fastened to the adjusting bar N. To prevent the accidental turning of the discs P
and P' by the action of the feed lever A on the stop n, or the jarring of the
machine, a spring p¹ preferably in the form of a washer as shown is placed in the
recess of the bed plate beneath the disc P. Said disc P is provided with finger
holes p³ to facilitate its adjustment and a graduated scale p³, which latter, and the
stationary index finger p* secured to the bed plate A, assist in determining the proper
adjustment of the feed. A segmental slot p³ in the disc P. permits of the proper
movement of said disc relatively to the stationary index finger p. In addition to
its primary function the adjusting bar N serves as a guard for the lower shaft.
It may here be observed that the feed lever M is a lever of the third class the
weight being the work engaged by the feed surface M, the power being applied by

page_text: the eccentric sleeve I while the stop n when engaged by the finger m serves as a
fulcrum for said lever. If however said. stop be so adjusted that it will be out of
contact with said finger during a portion of the rotation of the eccentric sleeve Iª
the action of the spring m2 on the arm m¹ projecting laterally from the upper end
of the lever M¹ will hold said upper end and the feed surface stationary until the
finger m comes in contact with the stop n when the stress of the spring m² will be
overcome and the eccentric will cause the lever to swing from its lower end, thus
moving the upper end of said lever and consequently the feed surface and work
forward the length of the stitch to be made. It will thus be apparent that the
adjustment of the stop n so as to leave a greater or lesser distance between said
stop and the finger m during a portion of the rotation of the eccentric will result
in such adjustment of the feed as may be required. Of course if said stop. be so
adjusted that there will be no space between it and the finger m during any part
of the rotation of the eccentric, the full throw of the latter will be exerted on the
feed lever and the movement of the feed surface will be correspondingly great.
The operation of the stitch forming mechanism is as follows:-The needle thread
being disposed and the needle threaded as herein before described, the needle
descends through the work held beneath the presser foot to its lowest point, which
is a little below the top of the circular path described by the point h² of the
shuttle. As the needle begins its ascent it throws out a loop of thread which is
caught by the point of the shuttle which at this moment has just crossed the
vertical path of the needle, as indicated in figure 4 the shuttle being at this time
pressed outward by the shuttle brace L operating as herein before described. The
needle now continues to ascend and the shuttle moves forward drawing the needle
thread from above and carrying the loop entirely around the shuttle and its bobbin
case and bobbin and the locking thread carried thereby. When the point of the
shuttle has just passed the position indicated by Figure 3 and the needle has again
begun to descend the take-up hook e which in the meantime has been moving
slowly downward and has just begun to rise, moves upward with great rapidity
drawing the loop of needle thread upward away from the advancing point of the
shuttle, and into the work, thus tightening and completing the stitch before the
point of the needle has again reached the work.
As the needle again pierces the goods the take-up hook moves downward leaving
the needle thread slightly held by the check tension spring F³ which yields the
thread to the shuttle as the latter requires it in expanding the loop during the
formation of the succeeding stitch. Thus the operation continues indefinitely
while the machine runs.
.
It is obvious that instead of the rotary shuttle which. I have herein shown and
described a rotary hook might be employed in the machine-with-only-such-changes-
as any mechanic skilled in sewing machines could easily make; the feeding take up
and needle operating mechanisms as well as the means shown for connecting
the upper and lower shaft remaining unchanged.
While in the foregoing description is indicated the preferred construction and
arrangement of the several parts in which the improvements are embodied it is to
be understood that the invention is not restricted to the same specifically; for it is
manifest that the details of construction can be varied considerably in many
particulars without substantially changing the principle or mode of operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First: The combination with a swivelled crank pin bearing, of a vibratory
take up lever pivotted to a stationary part of the machine and extending through
and adapted to slide in said swivelled crank bearing during the rotary movement
of the latter, substantially as herein before set forth.
Second-The combination with a take-up lever consisting of a straight wire,
provided with a hook at one end, and a block to which said wire is secured at its
opposite end, of a stationary pivot pin for said block and a swivelled rotary crank

page_text: pin bearing adapted to slide on said take-up lever and impart positive variable
movements thereto, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
.
Third The combination with the take up lever pivotted to a stationary part of
the machine of the rotating crank pin for operating the needle bar, the rigid arm
secured to said crank pin, and a pin swivelled to said arm and arranged to furnish
a sliding bearing for the take up lever, substantially as and for the purpose herein.
before set forth.
Fourth-The combination with a vibratory take up lever adapted to engage the
thread when moving in one direction only, of means substantially as described for
lightly holding said thread when left by the take up, yielding it only as it is
required by the shuttle as set forth.
Fifth-The combination with a vibratory take up lever, of a curved check
tension spring arranged near the path described by the thread hook of said lever,
substantially as set forth.
Sixth: The combination with a vibratory take up lever adapted to engage the
thread when moving in one direction only, of a check tension spring serving to
gently hold the thread subject to the requirements of the shuttle when said take
up lever is moving in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.
Seventh-The combination with the presser bar and a screw, on which the
lifter for said. bar is pivotted, of a lug secured to said bar and having its vertical
portion arranged to move in a guide slot in said screw, whereby the presser bar and
screw are prevented from turning substantially as set forth.
--
Eighth The combination with a rotating shuttle and shuttle carrier, of
yielding or spring acting shuttle brace, arranged to work through an opening
in the rear of the carrier and normally impelled in the direction of the shuttle by
spring pressure, and means substantially as described for retracting the said carrier
from the shuttle against the stress of its impelling spring, during a predetermined
portion of the rotation of the latter substantially as herein before set forth.
Ninth The combination with a rotary shuttle and a shaft by which said
shuttle is operated of a shuttle-brace arranged within a recess in said shaft and.
means substantially as set forth for causing said shuttle brace to intermittingly
press said shuttle towards the needle as described.
Tenth The combination with a rotary shuttle and a shaft by which said
shuttle is operated, said shaft being provided with a central recess; of a shuttle
brace arranged within said recess, a spring for pressing said shuttle brace outward,
also arranged within said recess, a stationary cam surface, and an intermediate
device connected with said shuttle brace and engaging said cam surface in its
rotation, substantially as set forth.
Eleventh-The combination with a bobbin ejector placed in rear of the shuttle,
of a shuttle provided with an aperture for the passage of said ejector substantially
as set forth.
Twelfth The combination with a bobbin ejector, and a shuttle pierced for the
passage thereof, of a device for projecting the ejector into said shuttle, and a spring
for retracting said ejector, substantially as set forth.
Thirteenth: The combination with a rotary shuttle pierced for the entrance of.
a bobbin ejector, of a shaft for operating said shuttle, a bobbin ejector arranged
within said shaft, and means for projecting and retracting said ejector, substantially
as set forth.
Fourteenth-The combination with a shuttle, its operating shaft and a bobbin
ejector, all arranged beneath the bed plate of the machine, of a device for operating
said ejector, said device passing through said bed plate and having an actuating
handle on the upper side thereof, substantially as described.
Fifteenth-The combination with a shuttle brace and a bobbin ejector, of
a spring adapted to assist in the operation of the former and serving also to retract
the latter after the bobbin has been forced from the shuttle, substantially as set
forth.

page_text: ·
Sixteenth-The combination with a rotary shuttle and a hollow operating shaft
for the same, of a shuttle brace and bobbin ejector, both arranged within said shaft
substantially as set forth.
The combination with a feed adjusting bar provided with a yoke,
of a disc arranged within said yoke and means for adjusting said disc, from the
upper surface on the bed plate, substantially as set forth.
Seventeenth
Eighteenth-The combination with a pivotted feed adjusting, bar carrying a
stop which serves as a fulcrum for the feed lever, of means for changing the position
of said bar whereby said feed lever is caused to come in contact with said stop
sooner or later in the course of its movement as set forth.
Nineteenth-The combination with a rotary shaft arranged beneath the bed
plate, of a feed adjusting bar arranged below said shaft and serving as a guard
therefor substantially as set forth.
Twentieth-The combination with a feed lever, of an eccentric for operating the
same, an adjustable stop, a projection or finger on said lever for engaging said stop,
an adjusting bar by which said stop is carried, and means for changing the position
of said adjusting bar whereby said feed lever is caused to come in contact with said
stop sooner or later in the course of its movement, substantially as set forth.
Twentyfirst: The combination with the feed lever, a stop which serves as a
fulcrum for the same, an adjusting bar to which said stop is secured, a yoke on said
adjusting bar, an adjusting disc arranged within a recess in the bed plate, and a
secondary disc eccentrically secured to said adjusting disc and arranged within the
arms of said yoke substantially as set forth.
Twenty second-The combination with a movable feed regulating disc provided
with a graduated scale and a segmental slot, of a stationary, index finger arranged
within said slot substantially as set forth.
Twenty third:-A bed plate provided on its under side with strengthening ribs,
said ribs being made deeper as they run rearward until they reach a depth equal to
that of the shuttle race secured to the forward end of the said bed plate sub-
stantially as set forth.
Twenty fourth-A bobbin case having a notch in its edge and thread slots
in its face converging to form a point around which the thread is drawn in
combination with a tension spring secured to the periphery of said bobbin case
with its free end between said notch and one of said thread slots substantially as
set forth.
Twenty fifth-The combination with a bobbin ejector, of an ejector actuating
mechanism arranged to be operated by hand from above the bed plate of the
machine for the purpose of ejection the bobbin, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
Twenty sixth-The combination of the upper main or driving shaft for
actuating the needle bar, the lower counter shaft for imparting movement to the
feed and hook or shuttle, intermediate universal joint connections, substantially
as described whereby the two shafts are caused to revolve in unison, and the
driving pulley or wheel located. on said upper shaft at a point intermediate between
the needle bar and universal joint connections, substantially as and for the purposes
herein before set forth.