Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 29th July, 1887
Complete Accepted, 15th Nov., 1887
ξ
CHARLES STUART, Bletchley Iron Works Bletchley, in the County of Bucks
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
These improvements may be used in connection with machines of the ordinary size
and price, but the special object of this invention is to provide small and cheap
machines capable of producing equally good work with those of a larger and more
expensive make.
In pursuance of this object a frame of metal or other material is constructed to
carry two shafts working parallel to each other, one of which is used to give the
necessary motion to the needle and needle-bar, and the other gives motion to a shuttle
and shuttle carrier-or-if desired-to a rotating hook with or without spool in
connection therewith. The desired motion is given to these shafts by frictional or
other gearing but preferably by an intermediate wheel having teeth cut on the internal
periphery of its rim or by surface friction working in contact with one or more pinions
arranged so as to give the desired motion to the above shafts.
In order to obtain the feed motion the needle bar is extended above and beyond the
centre of the driving shaft and is arranged in connection with a rocking lever which
gives the bar and needle the angular dip necessary to cause the forward movement
of the material. By this means also better access to the needle and needle bar is
obtained. I arrange the tension for the needle thread by forming an elastic bobbin
or spool holder on which the bobbin or spool is placed. This is formed by means of
a split steel tube which fits tight in the hole of the bobbin or spool and any required
charge of tension is obtained through friction on the internal surface of this steel tube
by a suitable brake.

page_text: I arrange the frame of the machine so that all the principle bearings are bushed
with separate anti-friction material such as anti-friction metals, wood, or like substances
thereby in a great measure dispensing with oil or other lubricants as well as affording
a cheap and ready means of taking up any wear or tear of the machine.
In connection with the construction of such machines as are known as Hand,
Rocket, or other direct-acting machines I arrange a bottom or base covered wholly or
partially with an elastic Diaphram capable of being distended inwardly from the
Table top upon which the machine is placed. This elastic Diaphram is capable of
being drawn upwards or otherwise made to form a cavity between the table-top and
itself, thereby producing a Vacuum which causes the machine to adhere firmly to the
surface of the table without being weighted or held by thumb-screws or clamps and
consequently obviates the necessity for a heavy foot or stand and prevents the injury
often caused by the use of such clamps or screws.
I, CHARLES STUART, of Bletchley Iron Works, Bletchley, in the county of Bucks,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
These improvements may be used in connection with machines of the ordinary size.
and price, but the special object of this invention is to provide small and cheap
machines capable of producing equally good work with those of a larger and more
expensive make.
In pursuance of this object a frame of metal or other material is constructed to
carry two shafts working parallel to each other, one of which is used to give the
necessary motion to the needle and needle-bar; and the other to give motion to a
shuttle and shuttle carrier, or, if desired, to a rotating hook with or without spool in
connection therewith. The desired motion is given to these shafts by frictional or
other gearing but preferably by an intermediate wheel having teeth cut on the internal
periphery of its rim or by surface friction working in contact with one or more pinions
arranged so as to give the desired motion to the above shafts.
In order to obtain the feed motion the needle bar is extended above and beyond
the centre of the driving shaft and is arranged in connection with a rocking lever
which gives the bar and needle the angular dip necessary to cause the forward

page_text: movement of the material. By this means also better access to the needle and needle
har is obtained. I arrange the tension for the needle thread by forming an elastic
bobbin or spool holder on which the bobbin or spool is placed. This holder is formed
by means of a split steel tube which fits tight in the hole of the bobbin or spool and
any required change of tension is obtained through friction on the internal surface of
this steel tube by a suitable brake. I arrange the frame of the machine so that all
the principal bearings are bushed with antifriction material such as antifriction metals,
wood or like substances thereby in a great measure dispensing with oil or other
lubricants as well as affording a cheap and ready means of taking up any wear or
tear of such bearings. In connection with the construction of such machines as are
known as hand, pocket or other direct-acting machines, 1 arrange a bottom or base
covered wholly or partially with an elastic diaphragm or cup which is capable of being
drawn upwards or otherwise made to form a cavity between the table top and itself
thereby producing a vacuum which causes the machine to adhere firmly to the surface
of the table without being weighted or held by thumb screws or clamps and con-
sequently obviates the necessity for a heavy foot or stand and prevents the injury
often caused by the use of such clamps or screws.
In order that my said invention may be fully understood I will describe how it can
be carried into practice by reference to the accompanying drawings in which figure 1,
is a longitudinal section of a complete machine; figure 2 is a plan of the same;
figure 3 is an elevation of the machine at Z; figure 4 is an elevation of the quadrant ;
figure 5 is an elevation of the rocking lever and needle bar the rocking lever works
in the said quadrant; figure 6 is a section of the mechanism for producing the
necessary tension direct from the reel or bobbin and figure 7 is a plan of the same;
figure 8 is an elevation shewing the pitch lines or point of contact of the wheel and
pinions and their arrangement; figure 9 is a cross section of the machine frame
at Y Y of figure 2; figure 11 is a similar section of a modification figures 10
and 12 are plans respectively of figures 9 and 11; figure 13 is a cross section of
another kind of base or stand whereto the machine may be fixed. Similar letters in
all the figures represent similar parts.
Referring now to the respective parts in the respective figures.
Figure 1. Motion is given to the wheel A, and transmitted through the wheel B
and pinions c, c, c, to the spindles D, D, and from thence to the hook E, and needle
bar F. G, is the rocking lever working in the quadrant U and slotted to receive the
pin H fixed to the circular disc K, attached to the spindle D. L, L, is the foot or
base covered with the elastic diaphragmn. This is actuated by the threaded screw M,
which when turned in the one direction engages into the corresponding female
threaded socket N, attached to the metal diaphragm O, inserted within the rubber
diaphragms P, P, which are thus distended inwards and produce a vacuum at Q.
The collar or shoulder on the screw M retains it in its place whilst distending the
diaphragms.
By returning or unscrewing the screw M the machine may be released from the
table. R, R, are bushes made of an antifrictional material, and form the respective
bearings.
In figure 2, S shews the spindle for winding the spools. In figure 6 A¹, is the
conical steel split tube whereon the reel or bobbin B', is placed and the necessary
tension is produced by the threaded spindle and nut C¹, which presses the bobbin on
the said steel tube until the desired tension is produced. Figure 9 is a part section
of the stand showing the arrangement for raising or lowering the table T to or from
the central point X, figure 4, by which means a variable pitch of stitch is produced as
is illustrated by the crossing of the dotted lines at that point X. Figure 11 is a part
section shewing another means of raising or lowering the table T to or from the
central point X, figure 4, and E¹, is a boss cast on the stand and bored to receive
the pin F, to which are attached the levers G', and G'.
Figure 12-the said levers are attached to the table T and the whole is actuated by
the threaded screw.
The radius from the top of the table to the centre of the pin F¹, is equal to the

page_text: radius from the top of the table to the centre of the pin M', figure 3, holding
the presser foot. By this means the presser foot travels proportionately to the table T,
and thus is parallel on it.
Figure 13, H¹, and H¹, are small pieces of india rubber preferably made in the
shape of a cup and by slight pressure they are made to automatically adhere to
the table.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
+
1. The application and combination of the mechanism illustrated by figures 4 and 5
for the purpose of producing a needle feed to sewing machines substantially as
described and setforth.
2. The arrangement for regulating the tension direct from the reel or bobbin
substantially as described and setforth.
3. The combination with and application to sewing machines, of mechanism for
securing them to tables or other supports by producing a vacuum substantially as
herein described and set forth.
4. The combination of the various parts forming the improved sewing machine
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 29th day of July 1887.
G. F. REDFERN,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agent for the Applicant.