IMPROVEMENTS IN DARNING MACHINES, AND IN NEEDLES FOR THE SAME.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Hill, of Hornsey Rise, in the County of Middlesex,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DARNING MACHINES, AND IN NEEDLES
FOR THE SAME.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Hill at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th May 1877.
ROBERT HILL, of Hornsey Rise, in the County of Middlesex.
IN DARNING MACHINES, AND IN NEEDLES FOR THE SAME."
"IMPROVEMENTS
The objects of my Invention is to construct darning machines in such manner that
darning can be effected by a single needle and with a continuous or unbroken
thread or yarn, and at the same time to lock the loops of the thread and thereby
prevent its unravelling or being pulled out; also to make the supply of the thread
to the needle self acting.
In my improved machine the stocking or other article is placed, with the hole
which is to be darned, over a wheel with a number (say 5, more or less), of circum-
ferential grooves in its periphery, and formed all round its periphery with trans-
verse grooves, spaced to correspond with the space between the stitches to be formed.
When the stocking has been placed upon this wheel, the axis of which is horizontal,
a frame of wires corresponding in number to the circumferential grooves is brought
down upon the stocking so as to press it into the said grooves. The wheel has an
intermittent rotary motion imparted to it by a paul and ratchet, or other suitable
mechanism, each motion being equal to the space between the stitches, and the
needle has a to-and-fro motion through the transverse grooves of the wheel timed
to correspond to the motions of the wheel, so that at each forward motion the
needle passes through a fresh groove, returning through the same groove before the
wheel makes its next motion.
The needle is made in a particular and novel manner, so as to receive and hold
the thread during its backward movement, and to release it in its forward
movement.
The form of the needle resembles that of what is called the knitting pin in

page_text: knitting machines, except that my darning needle is pointed. The eye is formed by
a barb or hook near the point, upon which barb or hook a piece joined to the shank
or body of the needle falls so as to close in or complete the eye at the desired time.
Behind the wheel is a loop catcher, in the form of a pin with a threaded eye near
its head, which loop catcher every time the needle recommences to move forward
receives the loop then formed by the needle, and when the darning (in one direction)
is completed, the thread in the loop catcher, which then holds all the loops, is drawn
through the loops and locks theu, whereby they cannot get pulled out. In front of
the wheel is a thread guide, which receives an up-and-down motion from a lever or
otherwise, so as to feed the thread to the needle at the proper time. On com-
mencing to work, the stocking being in place on the wheel, the needle is first passed
through in the forward direction empty. In this movement the hinged piece on
the needle by coming against the work or against a disc fitted for the purpose, is
moved back so as to leave the needle eye open. As the needle retires the thread
guide comes down so as to feed the thread to the needle, and the needle therefore
carries the thread through the work, the said hinged piece being in this motion
moved over the needle eye by coming against the work or against another disc, and
it thus prevents the barb catching in the work. Before the needle again advances
the wheel with the work moves forward the distance of one stitch, so that the
needle in its next movement passes through another portion of the work, while as
the thread is held by the loop catcher, and the hinged piece moves back to release
it, the needle advances empty to again receive the thread from the thread guide
before again retiring. The operation proceeds in this manner until sufficient of the
stocking has been darned; the thread of the loop catcher is then drawn through the
loops, the stocking is removed and replaced on the wheel at right angles to its first
position, and the operation is then recommenced, so as to produce the cross stitches.
and thereby complete the darning operation.
In order to permit of accommodating the width of the wheel to the size of the hole
to be darned, I prefer to make it of a series of discs held together by a nut or other-
wise, the number of discs used being regulated according to the size of the hole. I
also make the length of stroke or motion of the needle adjustable by slots and set
ścrews, or otherwise, in accordance with the width of the wheel.
Also, to regulate the fineness of the stitch or work, I have wheels or wheel discs,
with the transverse grooves at varying distances apart, and ratchet wheels corre-
sponding thereto, so as to adjust the motion of the wheel accordingly.
I also regulate the tension of the thread as required by any suitable means, such
as those adopted in sewing machines for example.
Sometimes instead of the grooved wheel and set of wires before described, I
employ two sets of wires, which are respectively above and below the hole to be
darned, the upper set being passed through the stocking at each side of the hole;
the stocking is thus held between the two sets of wires, which are then made to
pass between each other, so that the material of the stocking takes what I may call
a corrugated form; the stitches are then passed through the corrugations.
The two sets of wires have an intermittent rectilinear motion imparted to them
in place of the intermittent rotary motion given to the wheel, as hercin-before
described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Hill in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th November
1877.
ROBERT HILL, of Hornsey Rise, in the County of Middlesex.
IN DARNING MACHINES, AND IN NEEDLES FOR THE SAME."
"IMPROVEMENTS
The objects of my Invention are to construct darning machines in such manner
that darning can be effected expeditiously by a single needle and with a continuous
or unbroken thread or yarn; also to make the supply of the thread to the needle
self acting.
In my improved machine the stocking or other article is placed, with the hole
which is to be darned, over a wheel or sector with a number (say 5, more or less),
of circumferential grooves in its periphery, and having transverse grooves spaced
to correspond with the space between the stitches to be formed. When the stocking
has been placed upon this, wheel or sector, the axis of which is horizontal, a frame
of wires or blades corresponding in number to the circumferential grooves is brought
down upon the stocking so as to press it into the said grooves. The wheel or sector
has an intermittent rotary motion imparted to it by a paul and ratchet or other
suitable mechanism, each motion being equal to the space between the stitches, and
the needle has a to-and-fro motion through the transverse grooves of the wheel timed
to correspond to the motions of the wheel, so that at each forward motion the needle
passes through a fresh groove, returning through the same groove before the wheel
imakes its next motion.
The needle is made in a particular and novel manner, so as to receive and hold
the thread during its backward movement, and to release it in its forward
movement.
:
The form of the needle resembles that of what is called the knitting pin in
knitting machines, except that my darning needle is pointed. The eye is formed
by a barb or hook near the point, upon which barb or hook a piece jointed to the
shank or body of the needle falls so as to open and close in or complete the cyc at
the required times. In front of the wheel is a thread guide or carrier, which receives
a to-and-fro (or, it may be, an up-and-down) motion from an adjustable lever, or
otherwise, so as to feed the thread to the needle at the proper time and in the proper
quantity. On commencing to work, the stocking being in place on the wheel or sector,
the needle is first passed through in the forward direction empty. In this movement
the hinged piece on the needle by coming against the work or against a projection
fitted for the purpose is moved back so as to leave the needle eye open. As the
needle retires the thread carrier feeds the thread to it, and the needle therefore
carries the thread through the work, the said hinged piece being in this motion
moved over the needle barb by coming against the work or against another pro-
jection, and the barb is thus prevented catching in the work. Before the needle again
advances the wheel or sector with the work moves forward the distance of one stitch,
so that the needle in its next movement passes through another portion of the work,
and as the binged piece moves back to release the thread the needle advances empty
to again receive the thread from the thread carrier before again retiring. The
operation proceeds in this manner until sufficient of the stocking has been darned,
the thread is then cut and the end drawn through the loops, the stocking is removed
and replaced on the wheel at an angle of 45° or thereabouts, to its first position,
and the operation is then recommenced, so as to produce the cross stitches, and
thereby complete the darning operation.
In order to permit of accommodating the width of the sector or wheel to the size
of the hole to be damned, it may be made of a series of sectors or discs held together
by a nut, or otherwise, the number of discs being regulated according to the
size of the hole. I also make the length of stroke or motion of the needle and of
the thread lever adjustable, in accordance with the width of the wheel.

page_text: Also, to regulate the fineness of the stitch or work, I have wheels or wheel discs
with the transverse grooves at varying distances apart, and ratchet wheels corres-
ponding thereto, so as to adjust the motion of the wheel accordingly.
I also regulate the tension of the thread if required by any suitable caus, such
as those adopted in sewing machines for example, but in practice I have not found
that any such regulation is necessary.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing is a side elevation, Figure 2 a plan, and
Figures 3 and 4 elevations respectively of the front and back of a darning machine,
constructed according to my Invention.
Figures 5 to 12 are detail views, and are herein-after referred to. A is the base
or bed plate, and B the frame of the machine; C is a bearing for a shaft D, which
is provided with a handle E, for imparting rotation thereto; F is a disc or
wheel on the inner end of the shaft D; this disc, (shewn separately in Figure 5,
which is a view of the opposite face to that seen in Figure 1,) is formed with a slot
or hole G, through which passes a pin H; a roller J, on this pin, works in a vertical
slot I, in a bracket K, so that as rotation is imparted to the disc F, a to-and-fro
motion is imparted to the bracket K. Through this bracket, (several views of which
are shewn in Figures 6, 7, and 8,) and through guides or bearings L, L, the needle
rod M passes, being fixed in the bracket K by means of a set screw N.
In order to adjust the length of stroke of the needle rod M (and of the rod x,
herein-after described,) I fix the pin H on a spring plate O, one end of which is
screwed to the disc Fat P, while the other end carries a pin Q, the disc F being
formed with two or more holes R, R, (there are two in the machine represented in
the Drawings) at different distances from the centre, so that by shifting the pin Q
by means of the button Q¹ from one hole R to another, the distance of the pin H
from the centre of the disc is regulated, and therefore the length of travel of the
bracket K and of the needle rod M (and of the rod c) is altered. But to allow of this
adjustment being properly effected, the needle rod should be at the rear end of its
stroke, and previous to such adjustment the screw N (and the screw, herein-after
referred to,) should be temporarily slacked. The needle rod has two recesses for the
screw N, such recesses corresponding to the two holes R, R, in the disc. S is a
longitudinal shaft, turning in bearings T, T; upon one end of this shaft is fixed a
sector U, which, as herein-before explained, is formed in its periphery with circum-
ferential grooves and also with transverse grooves. On the opposite end of the shaft
S is a ratchet-toothed sector V, the teeth of which correspond with the distance
between the transverse grooves in the sector U. Into the ratchet V a paul W takes,
and this paul is carried by a bar X, which is centred loosely on the shaft S. Near
the upper end of the bar X is an antifriction roller Y, and on the rear of the needle
rod M is an incline Z (see the detail views, Figure 9), which at the end of every
return motion of such rod comes against the antifriction roller and thereby pushes
aside the bar X, the result of this movement being that the paul W causes the ratchet
V to advance the distance of one tooth, and as this ratchet and the sector U are both
fixed on the shaft S, this rod and the sector U advance the same distance, such
distance corresponding with the distance between the stitches to be formed.
When the needle rod again advances, the bar X is returned to its normal position
by means of a spring a (Figure 4). b, b, are a series of blades (or they may be wires)
set at such distance apart as to correspond with the circumferential grooves in the
sector U, into which they take; these blades are fixed in a block which is fixed
to a frame e, c. The frame e, e, is free to be lifted (as indicated in dotted lines in
Figure 1) upon studs or centres f, f, the spring catches g, g, being first released (the
arrangement of these catches will be understood by Figure 10), and this frame is
slotted as seen at h to allow of its position being adjusted to correspond with the
length of stroke of the needle bar, and for this purpose the frame is formed at each
side with two notches i, i, one or other of which takes on to a pin on the fixed
frame B, and holds the frame c, e, in place; j is the reel on a fixed standard . From
this reel the thread j¹ is carried through one or more eyes m; n is a thread carrier
secured by a screw o to a block p, on which screw it can turn within certain limits

page_text: (see Figure 11, which is a view of the inner or back face of the block > and other
parts).
The block has a to-and-fro motion on fixed transverse rods r, r, in a box 8,
which is carried by the frame e, c. The to-and-fro motion is imparted to the block.
p by means of a rod t, one end of which is jointed thereto, the opposite end being
jointed to one arm of a bell crank u, which is centred at v. The other arm of the
bell crank is connected by a link at w to one end of a rod x, which passes through
an army fixed to the bracket K, the rod x being secured by a set screw (see the
sectional plan, Figure 12). This rod has two notches a, a, corresponding with the two
positions of the pin Q in the disc F, and the screw should be slacked at the same
time as the screw N when the position of the pin Qhas to be altered. The carrier
n has fixed to its base a double inclined piece n¹ of vulcanized india-rubber or other
suitable yielding material, to produce a friction or drag when the carrier is travelling
with the block p, and thus cause the carrier to shift at once from one to the other
of its two inclined positions, as herein-after described. 1 is the needle, it is pointed
and has a barb or hook 2; 3 is a piece jointed to the shank, so that it can either lio
upon the barb 2, and thus close or form the needle eye, or it can lie upon the shank,
and thus open the eye or barb. The rear of the needle is inserted into a hole in the
end of the rod M, which has a longitudinal slit or slot therein, and also a transverse
slot, and is also screw-threaded, as shewn; the nut 5 is then screwed along the rod
M so as to compress it, and thereby fix or clamp the needle in place. The rear end
of the needle may be square or have a feather thereon, or have any sectional form
other than circular, and the hole in the needle rod be of corresponding form so as to
ensure that the needle may always be inserted in the correct position, with its barb
uppermost.
In
Having described the construction of the various parts of the machine, as repre-
sented in the Drawings, I will proceed to describe the operation of darning a
stocking or other garment therein. The sector U and ratchet V if not in their
extreme position at the right-hand side of the machine should be shifted to that
position, and for that purpose the paul W should be temporarily turned over.
order to put the stocking in position for darning, the frame e, e, is lifted into tho
position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1, and the stocking is then placed over the
sector U, so that the hole to be darned comes over the grooves therein. The frame
c, c, is then returned to position, when the blades b will enter the circumferential
grooves of the sector and press upon those parts of the stocking which are imme-
diately around the hole. (If desired before the frame e, e, is returned to position
the parts of the stocking around the hole may be pushed into the grooves by a
suitable detached frame of wires.) Motion is now imparted to the machine by
means of the handle E, and the needle advances and passes empty through the
work and through the first transverse groove of the sector U. In this movement
the hinged piece 3 of the needle coming against the work is thrown back and leaves the
needle eye open. As the needle retires its barb takes hold of the thread previously laid
along the box by the thread carrier, and the thread carrier comes forward to take hold
of a fresh portion of the thread at the eye m. Before the barb reaches the work the
piece 3 by coming against the work is thrown forward so as to close the eye and
secure the thread, which is therefore carried through the work with the needle. As
this return stroke of the needle is being completed the incline Z by coming against.
the roller Y on the bar X causes the paul W to move the ratchet V one tooth, and
consequently the sector U with the stocking, a distance equal to one transverse
groove. The needle then again advances, but through the next groove and a fresh
portion of the work, and as the hinged piece 3 of the needle is again thrown back
by coming against the work the needle eye is opened, and the thread being released
is not carried through the work. As the needle advances the thread carrier n
returns from the eye m, drawing a fresh portion of thread with it, and laying it
along the box. When the needle again begins to retire it again takes hold of the
thread and draws it through the fresh portion of the work. The operation proceeds

page_text: in this manner until a sufficient portion of the stocking has been darned, the frame
e, e, with the blade b is lifted, the stocking is removed and replaced on the sector U
to receive the cross stitches, which are produced in the same manner; the thread
is then cut, leaving enough free end to be pushed through the loops which have
been formed on two sides of the darn at the rear of the work, and the darning is
thus completed by a continuous thread, locked by the end being drawn through
the loops.
Although I have stated that the carrier n feeds the thread to the needle as the
latter retires I must remark that for the first stitch the thread should be fed to the
needle by hand. The thread carrier when it begins its return movement from
the eye m turns over into the position (relatively to the block p), seen in full lines
in Figures 3 and 11, owing to the friction of its base on the bottom of the box 8,
and in this position it returns with the block to the other end of the said box,
carrying the thread with it. Immediately it recommences its forward movement
the friction of its base makes it return to the position (relatively to the block)
shewn in dotted lines in Figure 11, whereby the thread is freed just as the needle
recommences its return stroke and has taken hold of it.
The sector U, shewn in the Drawings, is wide enough for darning the largest
ordinary hole in a stocking. When the hole to be darned is a small one the front
portion of the sector, comprising, say, three of the circumferential grooves, may be
removed by simply unscrewing the screw b which secures it to the permanent
portion. Then the length of travel of the needle, and the amount of thread fed by
the guide n, must be shortened by shifting the pin Q into that hole R of the disc F
which is nearer the centre of such disc. The frame e, e, must also be slipped back
until its front pair of notches i, i, take on to the pins .
To darn holes of larger size the shaft S may be of greater length, fitted to carry
inore sectors, the frame and other adjustable parts being fitted to correspond.
If it be required to make the machine capable of darning with different degrees
of fineness in the stitch various sectors U, having their transverse grooves at
different distances apart, must be provided, and corresponding ratchet sectors V,
that sector and that ratchet which correspond with the stitch required being placed
upon the shaft S, and secured by pins or screws.
Instead of the sector U and ratchet toothed sector V a grooved wheel and a
ratchet wheel mounted on the shaft (S), situated at a sufficient height to give room
for the said wheels, may be employed, and in that case it will not be necessary to
run back the wheels to any particular position, as described for the sectors before
commencing to darn, but I prefer the arrangement with the sectors as shown in the
Drawings.
Many other obvious modifications in the machine may also be made without
departing from its essential features.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The construction of darning machines to darn with a single needle and
with a continuous or unbroken thread or yarn, substantially as herein-before
described and represented in the annexed Drawings.
Second. The employment in darning machines of a circumferentially and trans-
versely grooved sector or wheel, upon which the article to be darned is held by
blades or wires, substantially as herein-before described and represented in the
'annexed Drawings.
:
Third. The combination with such grooved sector or wheel of a paul and ratchet
toothed sector or ratchet wheel for imparting an intermittent motion thereto, sub-
stantially as herein-before described and represented in the annexed Drawings.
Fourth. The employment in darning machines of a thread carrier, actuated and
working substantially as herein-before described, and represented in the annexed
Drawings, for feeding the thread to the needle.
"
Fifth. The combined arrangement of the needle rod and needle of the grooved
sector or wheel and of the thread carrier, all working together in unison, sub-

page_text: stantially in the manner herein-before described, and represented in the annexed
Drawings.
Sixth. Constructing needles for darning_machines, substantially as heroin-before
described, and represented in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Hill, have hereunto set my hand and
scal, this Fourteenth day of November, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven.
ROBERT HILL. (L.S.\