IMPROVEMENTS IN WAX-Thread Sewing MACHINES
Year: 1882

page_text: The decision of the Comptroller-General, of the 11th day of April 1894,
allowed, under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883, an Amendment
of this Specification.
[LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
and Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WAX-Thread Sewing MACHINES." A.communi-
cation from abroad by Duncan Hector Campbell, of Pawtucket, Rhode
Island. United States of America.]
[PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th January 1882.]
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents;
Southampton Buildings London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WAX-THREAD SEWING MACHINES," [A communication
from abroad by Duncan Hector Campbell, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United
States of America] to be as follows:
This Invention relates to wax thread sewing machinery and comprises various
improvements hereinafter described.
For adapting my machine to a wide range of service I have provided therefor
an arch work plate which is convex laterally and longitudinally, and have also so
elevated and located the same with reference to the bed and other portions of the
frame, as to attain 'many of the advantages incident to the prior so called "post
machines," together with such as accompany a flat work plate, which can, if
desired, be interchangeably employed on my machine as an attachment to the arch
plate.
For securing an unusual thread carrying capacity in my shuttle, attaining an
easy and effective motion therefor, and effectually heating the shuttle and its
thread, I have provided a shuttle having a lance shaped point and longitudinal webs
on its underside, as described in the Specifications of former Letters Patent dated
A.D. 1878 No. 1795; A.D. 1881 No. 2145; and A.D. 1881 No. 2146 but instead
of being straight like all prior shuttles for wax thread machines of which I have
cognizance, my present shuttle is curved, so as to resemble a segment of a tubular

page_text: ring within which I can lodge upwards of fifty yards of heavy thread, as 4 cord
No. 16, and of smaller sizes, a much greater quantity without an excessive cross
sectional area of shuttle.
This shuttle may be made with comparatively light walls, and yet be reliably
stiff and strong because of its form, and although carrying a heavy load of thread
it is moved easily and effectively, because its path is in the arc of a circle in a
vertical plane and therefore, when operated at reasonable speed, it is lifted
centrifugally from its rail and its driver. The race for the shuttle being arched
and open below at each side, and also at the crown of the arch at the needle hole
in the work plate, I utilize said race as a pair of heating flues up which, on each side,
a current of heated air passes, the two currents meeting at the apex, and passing
outward through the needle hole, thus not only properly heating the shuttle and
its contents as it traverses the race, but also heating the needle, and the upper
waxed thread which stands alone and adjacent to the work plate and this, too,
without appreciably heating the needle slide or bar, and its bearings which are
located centrally and below the apex of the arch. The race employed in this
machine consists of a central rail, occupied by the space between the webs of the
shuttle and top guides, substantially in these respects, as is shewn and described in
said prior Specifications, but my present race, as before herein indicated, differs from
any other known to me in this class of machines, in that it is segmental in form.
For securing a smooth and easy action of the shuttle in its race and providing for
any undue pressure of the top of the shuttle against the top guides incident to
centrifugal force, I have clad the top guides with non metallic bearings, preferably
of cork, or such other suitable material as will not be impaired by heat in the race,.
and which will be capable of cushioning the shuttle without undue friction
therewith. For properly controlling the slack shuttle-thread as the shuttle passes
rearward, I have provided therefor a longitudinal recess or score on the upper side
of the shuttle, and so proportioned a portion of the top guides of the race they they
cause the slack shuttle-thread to house itself effectually within said top score.
I have provided a shuttle driver and operating mechanism which enables the driver
to halt and retire slightly, while the loop is being drawn up, and then to advance
for tightening the shuttle thread. Said driver has two arms radiating upwardly
from a rock shaft located below, and in line with, the path of the needle, and in
line with the standing thread when drawn upon by the take up. Above the
work plate, in my present machine, I have provided many novel features pertaining
to the obviation of undue abrasion of the upper thread, well heating the same, its
proper presentation to the needle, and the self adjustment of devices for measuring
off the thread requisite for a stitch, and also pertaining to the awl-operating
mechanism, the feed graduation, and the automatic lifting of the presser foot
during the feeding motion. My Invention comprises numerous other improve-
ments, all of which are conducive to the attainment of desirable and valuable
results.
In carrying the said Invention into practice the bed frame is cast solidly;
including the end plate but the race plates are detachable. Between the upper
ends of the race-plates is the needle plate which, with the adjacent ends of the
race-plates, constitutes an arched work-plate, convex longitudinally and laterally,
and at the rear side of this work-plate there is a deep wide recess or space for the
reception of depending portions of material, while other portions thereof are being
stitched.
"
The arch work-plate with the deep recess at its side, enables the execution of
much work not heretofore possible except on horn or post machines, and, as arranged,
it constitutes a "post of novel construction, well adapted for stitching long
lines of narrow flexible work, or wider work, which, while being stitched, should
depend from the work plate at both sides. The work-plate being convex as
described enables me to turn as sharp corners in heavy stitching of leather as are
now possible in domestic machines on light fabrics, because, while I have a good
central bearing for the work in line with the needle, the face of the work-plate

page_text: gradually recedes from the underside of the work, and permits a tree swivelling of
the latter, around the awl or the needle as the case may be, and the recess permits
the workman to place one hand, whenever desirable, beneath the work adjacent
to the needle for easing it up while guiding it from side to side with the other hand.
In executing light flat work, the ordinary flat work plate is desirable, and I have
therefore provided a plate. I provide the usual needle opening, and also a con-
cavity at its underside adjacent thereto, for proper seating upon the crown of the
arch work-plate and it is also provided with depending lugs through which screws
are passed into tapped holes in the side of the upper rear portion of the bed-frame.
I am aware that single and double thread machines for sewing hat linings have
heretofore been provided with arched work-plates, and that in chain-stitch wax-
thread machines, posts have been employed having bearing surfaces more or less
rounded; and also that similar posts have been employed. in lock stitch wax-thread
machines, wherein the shuttle is located above the post; but according to my present
Invention Iso organise a waxed thread lock-stitch machine having a shuttle below
the work plate, that an arch work-plate is rendered possible in that class of
machines.
I am also aware that dry thread sewing machines have heretofore embodied eye-
pointed needles, arched shuttle-races, and either straight or curved shuttles, but
this is the first machine known to me, which has been devised for operating with
waxed thread, wherein a hook needle, an arched race, and a curved or even a
straight shuttle has been combined.
The shuttle-race embodies an arch rail and top guides which in this instance
are portions of the race plates which are readily detached and replaced, but are
held in position by buttons at their lower ends. This rail and the top guides
are novel in that they constitute a vertically arched race, but otherwise they are
substantially as shewn in the Specification of former Letters Patent A.D. 1881
No. 2145, hereinbefore referred to. At intervals the top guides are provided with
cushioning bearings against which the upper sides of the shuttle bear when
influenced by centrifugal force incident to high speed, which enables me to rapidly
operate a large heavy shuttle, carrying a heavy load of waxed thread, much more
easily and smoothly, than if reciprocated in a straight line. One of the detachable
race-plates has projecting splines which serve as continuations of the upper guides
for the shuttle, beneath the needle-plate, but said splines are partially housed in
said plate. The arch-rail is preferably formed integrally upon the top edge of
a segmental plate which is secured to the inner side of the end plate. This
segmental plate affords centrally a vertical bearing for the bar of the hook needle
which is operated substantially as heretofore, with the following movements-from
below it rises to its full height, descends to a point wholly below the path of the
shuttle, and while the shuttle is passing it rises slightly allowing the loop to be
released from the hook, and then descends to its original position. The release of
the loop is effected by the shuttle web and its forward movement, and the loop is
prevented from moving unduly forward, by the surface of the shuttle rail adjacent
to the needle-path as in the prior machines. It is to be understood that I do not
limit myself to the particular construction of rail and top guides now described by
me, in the formation of a vertically arched race for either of the forms shewn in
the aforesaid former Specifications and many others may be employed on the
vertical arch principle with more or less desirable results. The channel or groove
between the top guides varies in its width at different portions of this race for
purposes hereinafter to be explained in connection with the shuttle and its
operation. The arch race also serves as two heating flues.
The shuttle has a lance-shaped point, centrally located, and a longitudinal recess
on its underside and is curved longitudinally in the plane of its lance-shaped point,
so as to be in substance the segment of a tubular ring, and it conforms to the
curved line of the arch rail. It has also a longitudinal recess on its upper side
within which, near the point of the shuttle, is an aperture for the outward passage
of the thread, and cross bar, and also a flat spring the free end of which bears

page_text: against the thread and forces it against one side of the recess.
rendered adjustable as to pressure by means of a lateral screw.
Said spring is
The portion of a recess extending from a bar or pin to the heel of the shuttle,
receives the thread after the shuttle has passed- through a loop, and during the
tightening of the stitch, but during its backward movement the slack thread is
housed in said recess in front of the pin, it being properly guided so as to thus
house itself, by the narrow portion of the groove or channel between the top guides
of the race, said narrow portion extending for a short distance from a point directly
in the rear of the needle or toward the left hand.
At the heel of the shuttle I provide a non-resonant pad to deaden the sound and
ease the forcible contact of the driver with the shuttle when run at high speed.
This pad may be made of soft tough metal, like copper for instance, although I
prefer to use raw hide. At each side of the shuttle is a longitudinal clearance web
projecting laterally a short distance in order to limit the area of contact of the
loop with the shuttle; the rear end of the shuttle on which the pad is located is
readily removable for the insertion of the cop and is provided with a securing
latch and pin. The ease with which a shuttle can be thrown in a vertical arch
race enables me to make it of unusual length, and without its being unduly large in
sectional area, to provide for the reception of a greater quantity of thread than
any prior wax thread shuttle of which I have knowledge, as for instance, I work
at high speed a shuttle of this character which, as before herein stated, receives a
cop containing upwards of 50 yards of 4 cord No. 16 thread, and a proportionally
greater quantity of smaller sizes. I find it desirable for securing smooth and easy
action of the shuttle, to deliver thread therefrom from an aperture at or near its
nose, and on its upper side, instead of delivering it from or near the heel as generally
heretofore in machines having straight shuttles. The delivery of the thread from
the nose of the shuttle (instead of from the heel) enables me to apply the cushion
.pad at the heel, and also to better control the shuttle thread during the operation
of the take-up and during the flight of the shuttle.
The shuttle-driver is triangular in its outline and in no manner supports the
shuttle this driver requires no slide for controlling its movement with reference to
the shuttle and race, and it is therefore frictionless in its operation save at its rock
shaft on which it is mounted. The front arm of the carrier has a head which is
bifurcated so as to properly engage with the nose of the shuttle, and the rear arm
is provided with a convex knob preferably adjustable for contact with the pad at the
heel of the shuttle. The driver is vibrated by a cam operating through a rock-
shaft provided with an arm and a pin occupying a cam-groove, a lever and link
connecting with an arm projecting from the rear arm of the carrier. After the
shuttle has been fully forced through the loop the driver retires slightly to permit
the loop to be freely drawn upward, and then moves forward forcing the shuttle to
contribute to the tightening of the stitch, because of the heavy draft on the shuttle
.thread.
The hook needle is operated as before herein described by a cam acting through
an arm at the right of the cam, the rock-shaft, an arm thereon, and the link
connecting said arm with the base of the needle-bar.
The awl bar is reciprocated and serves as a portion of the feeding mechanism (in
those respects) substantially as hereto fore, and is operated by a cam acting through
a link, a sleeve rock shaft and arm but the flexible connection between the arm
and the awl-bar is novel in this combination. Instead of using a crank or arm
and a link as is common, I have circularly recessed the awl bar and fitted thereto a
bearing disc which is slotted diametrically for the reception of the vibrating end of
the, arm, said disc being held in place in its recess by a cap plate and screws which
occupy tapped holes in the side of the awl-bar. With this construction the awl-
bar is vertically reciprocated smoothly and with ease, and during the reciprocation
of the feed slide, the awl-bar is readily varied in its position longitudinally upon
the arm or lever. The cam is so formed that during the movement of the feed
slide, the awl is constantly rising in order to contribute by its lifting action to an

page_text: asy forward movement of the work upon the work-plate. This lifting action by an
wl during its forward or feeding movement, has heretofore been provided for in
machines having a pivoted pendant frame containing the awl-bar, by causing the
wl to fully descend in an inclined position and then to move forward in the arc
of a circle, with a slight upward swing.
The feeding slide is reciprocated to and fro by a cam groove in the inner face of
the driving wheel acting through a link connected to a sleeved arm or lever, a rock
shaft (within the sleeve) and a slotted arm on the outer end of the said rock shaft
substantially as heretofore, but I have devised means whereby the feed may be
readily varied while the machine is in motion, and have also provided for its ready
graduation to a predetermined scale. I have also improved upon the construction
of the parts pertaining to the feeding operation. According to one of the said
prior Specifications I provided for an adjustment of the feed slide for varying the
length of stitch by means of a slotted arm on a rock shaft, and a sliding block
which coupled said arm to the slide vertically slotted to receive one portion of said
block, and the latter was made adjustable in said slide slot by means of a clamp
screw or nut having a finger-lever projecting therefrom. While thoroughly effective
for the purpose intended, it could not be changed while the machine was in motion
and could only be manipulated slowly even by an expert, but as now devised and
constructed, any person of ordinary skill and capable of properly guiding the work,
may readily change the feed to any desired degree without stopping the machine,
which is a feature of great practical importance in various ways, but specially
obvious for instance in stitching across previously formed seams, in which case the
old seam may be spanned by one or more long stitches and yet these latter can be
immediately preceded and succeeded by shorter stitches of a uniform character. In
my former machine the feed-slide slot was vertical, and therefore the feeding
motion was always performed on one side of the centre of the rock-shaft, but now
I have provided an inclined block slot for the feed slide so that in the feeding
motion the block has less vertical movement in the slide, resulting in much smoother
action and with less friction than before, and requiring a lesser movement of the
block to provide for a given change in the length of stitch.
Upon a stationary plate I provide a feed graduating lever provided with a
thumb-latch having a pin for entering any desired hole in a graduated scale bar.
These holes are so located with reference to each other, that, for instance, when the
graduating lever is set at the lowest hole, a maximum number of stitches to the
inch will be produced, and this number may be decreased in whole stitches or in
fraction of a stitch, by locating the outer end of the lever in some higher position,
the graduations having been accurately predetermined, each hole may be respec-
tively marked to indicate the dimensions of stitch resulting. The graduating lever
is connected by a link to a coupled block which occupies an inclined slot in the
feed slide, its fellow block occupying a groove or slot in a slotted arm on a rock-
shaft before referred to. These blocks, connected as described constitute the
coupling mechanism by which the slide and its vibrating mechanism are connected.
Heretofore the block-slot in the feed-slide has been vertical and the block which
occupied the slot in the crank or arm of the rock-shaft was provided with a pin
which projected through the vertical slot in the feed-slide, and was locked to said
slide by a nut having a lever, thus requiring considerable sliding movement of the
block during the swinging movements of the rock-shaft arm, and causing most of
the work of feeding to be performed on one side of the centre of the rock-shaft as
hereinbefore partially set forth.
As now constructed, according to this Invention the two blocks are rotatively
pivotted to each other by a screw stud so that the block may freely move axially
to correspond with the various angular positions assumed by the slot in the rock-
shaft-arm. The inclination of the slot is an important improvement as compared
to the prior straight slot, for with this inclined slot a much less movement of the
block is requisite for attaining desired variations, and the feeding mechanism is
more easily and smoothly operated than with the straight slot in the feed slide.

page_text: While I have preferred to employ a lever as a part of the controlling mechanism
for moving and adjusting the blocks, I do not wholly limit myself thereto, for it is
obvious that various other means may be employed for varying the position of said
blocks, and as an instance of such other mechanism I will state that a vertical
screw on the face plate may be relied upon if said screw have tapped thereto a
nut block horizontally slotted to receive a finger or stud projecting from, or
constituting a part of, the stud, in which case it is obvious that the turning of the
screw would raise or lower the nut block, and that in turn would raise or lower
the coupling blocks, the horizontal slot in the nut block permitting the free sliding
to and fro of the coupling blocks moving with the feed slide. It is also obvious
that the coupling mechanism may be varied in its construction as for instance
closely resembling a "link-motion" in valve gear of locomotive. It is also obvious
that the advantages due to the inclined slot would be at least in part available
even if the matter of its adjustment was possible only while the machine was at
rest. In stitching across junctions with other seams it is frequently desirable that
the stitches should be lengthened so as not to unduly cut or tear the leather with
the awl or needle adjacent to such seams, and as will be seen I am enabled to
accomplish, the end even at high speed without in any manner otherwise affecting
the operation of the machine. It having been predetermined what length of stitch
is best for crossing a prior seam, a stop-pin can be placed in the proper holes of the
scale so that the workman will have only to carry the graduating lever against
said pin and then when the seam is passed replace it in its former position, and
in view of the rapidity required for assuring accuracy, a second detachable stop
pin may be used, so that the range of movement possible by the lever between the
two will provide for the maximum and minimum length of stitch required in each
case. It is also obvious that whether an awl or a. needle be relied upon as an
element in the feeding mechanism, my improvements are equally applicable, no
changes being requisite save in such variations in mechanical arrangement as
might be necessarily involved according to whether the needle operated from above
or below the work-plate or to other peculiarities common to each particular class of
machines. The latch arrangement on the graduating lever may also be varied,
as for instance the outer end of said lever may serve as a pointer, traversing the
face of a marked graduating scale and a swivelled quick screw, tapped to a block
swivelled to said lever, relied upon for effecting the adjustments and also locking or
maintaining the coupling blocks in any required position. I am well aware that
it is not new to provide in ordinary sewing machines for variable variations of a
serrated feed bar by means of levers set screws, and a graduated scale, but I provide
in combination with a slide carrying an awl or a needle for feeding, means for
controlling coupling blocks, whereby accurately measured variations in the move-
ments of the feed-slide can be promptly effected whether the machine be in active
operation or at rest.
I will next describe the mechanism which controls the upper thread and delivers
it to the hook needle. The spool is mounted as usual on a vertical spindle and
the thread passes thence through the wax-cup and thence to and over a tension-
wheel. The thread-wheel is operated substantially as before by a rock-shaft, levers,
and links actuated by the cam in the side of the drive wheel and these with the
brake wheel and shielded pulley constitute the take-up substantially as heretofore.
I also now employ a cushioned abutment which limits the downward stroke of the
thread-wheel, as in my prior machine, but instead of having the thread-wheel levers
outside as before, I now house them within the frame and provide an abutment on
the upper end of a screw which is tapped upward through the frame. From a
shielded pulley in my former machine, the thread passed downward through a
vertical tube but when the take up operated the line of draft on the thread
from the stitch to the periphery of the shielded pulley was not sufficiently direct
to obviate contact of the thread with the lower end of the tube. 1 have now
provided an inclined tube which is in line with the path of the needle and sub-
stantially in line with the point at which the stitch is formed, so that when the

page_text: take-up operates, the thread, on being tightened, occupies a straight direct line from
the stitch-hole to the periphery of the pulley.. In attaining this result, the
inclination of the thread-tube is important because it enables me to set my thread-
pulley somewhat back of the front of the head and obtain a direct line to the
stitch line without interference with any of the mechanism contained within the
head.
For delivering the thread to the hook needle I employ a vibrating thread-eye
and a vibrating thread-arm.
The thread-eye is horizontally mounted from the lower end of a vertical branch
of a lever which is crank-shaped and has at the end of its horizontal branch
a vertical pin or stud pivotally connected to a sliding block which is actuated
through a rod by a cam, and suitable intermediate mechanism, which in this
instance embraces a bell-crank-lever and a pendant link. The sliding block of
itself would impart movement to the thread eye in a straight line only, but the
curved line path requisite for the eye in enabling it to pass partially around
the needle for delivering the thread to the hook thereof in a horizontal bight, is
obtained by an irregular cam-slot in a stationary plate, said slot being so formed
as to cause the eye to traverse the desired path, said slot being occupied by the
vertical branch of a crank-lever; the eye is moved in a straight line (inclined to
the path of a sliding.block) to a point abreast of the needle, thence in a curved
line partially around the needle, and then partially back again while the needle is
descending and resting so as not to deflect the standing thread during the operation
of the take up.
The thread-arm has simply a movement in the are of a circle, and therefore it is
mounted in the lower end of a vertical rotative spindle, having at its upper end a
horizontal lever which at its outer end is pivotted to a reciprocating rod which is
actuated at its opposite end through a bell-crank lever and pendant link
operatively connected with a cam. The thread-eye and arm and their respective
operative mechanism were so organized that their movements result in the
delivery and control of the thread as follows:-
In my prior machine the thread arın traversed the line of the standing thread in
a right line, and therefore was provided with a latch tip.
In
My present arm has no latch and needs none, for it relies upon the thread-eye to
deliver thread to it, instead of helping itself to the standing thread as before.
drawing down the thread in my prior machine, the arm and eye both being engaged
with the thread moved simultaneously from each other, and therefore the thread
was dragged through the eye and also over the arm but now as before stated, it is
drawn through the eye only, and when a sufficient quantity of thread is thus
provided, it is absolutely free for its downward course with the needle. This
combination of a thread eye which delivers thread to an arm which only moves
for the purpose of securely holding the thread thus delivered to it by the eye,
said eye then proceeding to deliver thread to the needle, is a novel feature and
valuable because of the non-abrasion of the thread by the arm, and it is also novel
to combine these elements as described so that the arm is always not only at, one
side of the needle but also at one side of the presser-foot and never above it for
reasons as follows viz.-When an arm is used which does not occupy at any time
any space above the presser-foot, thicker work can be sewed with a needle of a
given length, because no obstacle is presented to the complete elevation of the
presser-foot, except the eye which obviously must traverse the path of the needle
and above the presser-foot. Again greater certainty of operation is attained with
an arm to which the thread is delivered by the eye, as compared with a latch-arm
which proceeds to the standing thread and engages therewith, because fine hard
twisted thread is liable to erratic vibrations during which the latch arm may or
may not get a proper hold thereon, whereas with my present arm no vibration of
the thread can possibly occur adjacent to the eye, at which point the delivery of
thread to the arm occurs.
It is not new to employ a swinging thread-arm with a swinging eye, but as

page_text: heretofore organized, and operated, the arm helped itself to thread during the
movement of the eye, and by continuing onward said arm carried the thread in a
direction away from the eye and over the presser-foot, so that the thread slipped
over the arm, and it is the abrasion incident to this slipping action at the
arm, which I have obviated by having the eye carry the thread to the arm
which merely holds it while the eye next proceeds to and around the needles ;
and instead of delivering the thread to the needle in a straight line between
eye and arm as heretofore, the thread is delivered to the hook in a horizontal
bight thereby greatly contributing to an unfailing and accurate engagement. of the
thread by the hook. In said prior organizations of swinging thread eye and arm
the latter swung over the presser-foot and in order that the latter could never-
theless be lifted, said foot, eye and arm were connected together so that all were
raised or lowered together, involving a complication in the operative mechanism of
the eye and arm, which I obviate by locating my arm wholly at one side of the
presser-foot.
It will be readily understood that according to the rearward location of the
thread arm, the quantity of thread measured off by the arm and eye for delivery
to the needle, will be varied, and as thus far described, it will be seen that no
provision has been referred to for varying the measurement of thread to
substantially correspond with the thickness of work to be stitched.
In the Specification of the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 1795 I described means
for automatically varying the measurement of thread to the needle, proportioned
to the elevation of the presser-foot above the work plate, or, in other words, the
thickness of the materials to be stitched. In my prior machine the extent of
movement by the thread-eye was varied, but it is obvious that either the arm or
the eye, or both of them, may be thus variably moved for attaining the variable
delivery of thread to the needle.
In my present machine I provide for variation in the position of the thread arm,
and the particular means employed therefore are with slight modification applicable
for variably moving the thread eye. The thread arm as now used by me has a
thread seat near its outer end which will enable it to maintain a good control over
the thread even if it should be swung almost fully rearward, so that variation to
some extent could be provided for by swinging the arm from say 90 degrees to
nearly 180 degrees, but I prefer that the swinging movement be uniform, and that
the arm be bodily changed in position for attaining the variable measurement of
the thread.
The novel mechanism for attaining this end is constructed and arranged as
follows The thread arm in this case is vibrated on its axis which, instead of
occupying a fixed position, is rendered movable by being mounted at the outer end
of a pivotted lever having a stationary axis and an inclined lug or web on one side
of said lever, which is held by means of a spring, in constant engagement with the
edge of a lug projecting from the coincident side of the presser foot bar. A lug or
web inclines outwardly from bottom to top thereof and therefore when the presser
foot is at its lowest position, on thin work, the axis of the arm occupies the nearest
possible position to the needle, or to the outermost limit of the path of the thread
eye, but as the presser foot is raised said axis is thrown rearward thus causing the
thread arm to hold the thread proportionably farther to the rear, and nearer the
rear end of the path traversed by the thread eye. The movement of the thread
eye is uniform, and its path is always sufficiently extended rearward to enable the
arm to engage with the thread wherever said arm may be located.
The previously described reciprocating rod is here employed which as before
described is reciprocated by the same cam and the bell crank lever. The circular
or swinging movement of the thread arm on account of its variable axis, requires a
more complex connection of said arm with the reciprocating rod which instead of
being directly pivotted to the lever in which the arm is mounted (as before
described) is pivotted to the long arm of the bell crank lever the short arm of
which is connected by a link with the projecting rear end of the thread arm itself,

page_text: so that as the rod is reciprocated, the arm will be properly swung on its axis
regardless of the position the latter may occupy. The thread arm and eye
constructed and co-operating as organized according to my Invention are so positive
and reliable in their delivery of thread to the hook of the needle, and in gradually
giving off the thread by the arm as the needle descends, that I am enabled to rely
upon a very small hook, and a smaller sized needle and awl may therefore be used
with thread of a given size or number, than in my prior machine. The eye and
arm, if not variable in action as described, always provide ample thread for the
passage of the shuttle, and the variable arrangement operates in like manner, but
in addition thereto also provides for more or less thread according to the thickness
of the work. As a result of the feature last named I am with this machine as
with my prior machine, enabled to fill the awl-hole tightly with thread without
chafing the thread or disturbing the wax, and especially so far as relates to the
stripping action by the hook needle incident to machines wherein no variable
measurement of thread has been duly provided for.
The presser foot as heretofore is depressed by a spring and lifted during the
movement of the feed slide, by means of a lever and cam. In my former machine
a similar combination of devices was employed, but I have now improved the same
so far as to locate the lever within the frame of the machine, and also to provide for
a more convenient and desirable variable lift of the presser foot than in my former
machine. The outer end of the lever is provided with a vertical adjusting screw
the top of which engages with the underside of a lifting finger on the presser foot
bar and affords an adjustable seat so that on raising or lowering the screw, the
degree of lift may be varied. I have also provided as heretofore for lifting the
presser foot by means of a treadle which, by a suitable link, cord, or wire, is con-
nected with the rear end of a separate lifting lever so that when the machine
is in operation the workman may employ both hands at the work-plate, and control
the presser foot with his foot.
In heating my machine I provide certain novel features of practical value, some
of which are applicable to wax-thread machines as heretofore organized.
I have already described the arched shuttle-race and referred to its value in
connection with heating. It will be seen that each side portion of the race may be
utilized as a heating flue. The race plates are occasionally perforated near the
upper portions thereof to afford a vent for the heated air which also partially
ascends vertically through the hole in the needle plate in favorable contact with
the standing thread. Two gas jets are employed (although one may sometimes
be relied upon) and the heat from both ascends upwardly and merges at the central
upper portion of the race, which serves as to heating flues within which the
shuttle is continuously moving to and fro, so that it is exposed to heating currents
applied longitudinally thereto, and in a manner most favorable to a proper degree
of heat without liability of an injurious excess thereof. This combination of an
arched race with one or more heaters located at the lower ends thereof I deem of
great practical value for the purposes intended.
In my prior machine and in others of the same general class, thread tubes have
been employed in connected with burners which directly heated the tubes. The
overheating of said tubes is therefore quite frequent, resulting either in damage to
the thread, or such a burning of the wax as to render it unsuitable to effect the
purposes desired. I have obviated this liability of overheating thread tubes, by
what, as I believe, is a novel application of the well known principle of heating by
metallic conduction. The inclined thread tube before herein described is made of
copper and has at its upper end an elbow the top of which is open in line with the
tube to admit of access by the thread thereto. Inserted in the outer end of the elbow
is a copper rod which at its opposite end is bent downward and there connected
with a flat heating plate also of copper (or other good heat conducting metal)
beneath which is the burner so that the flame of the latter heats the plate, and
through the rod and elbow, heats the thread tube. I deem this feature of heating
thread tubes by metallic conduction from a burner so remotely located as to in no
13

page_text: manner interfere with or be disturbed by the mechanism within the head, of great
practical importance. With this method of heating I am also easily enabled to
keep the tension and take-up mechanism well heated, by attaching a bracket (which
sustains the rod and heating plate) directly to the rear of a frame plate on which a
tension wheel, is mounted, so that heat is conducted thereto and thence to the waxed
thread in contact therewith. The thread arm and the thread eye may also be kept
well heated by extending branches of a similar heat conducting rod to the sleeves
or bearings in which those devices are mounted. .
°
When employed without the novel waxing apparatus hereinafter described the
wax cup is located above the heating plate, which is slotted or perforated, and may be
mounted, if desired, upon a vertical branch of the conducting rod, and because of
the provisions made for heating the thread in transit, the wax in the cup need never
be exposed to such heat as would be liable to injure the wax.
When arranged for waxing as thus far described the several burners are connected
with gas-pipes within the frame, each branch thereof being provided with cocks
separately graduating the burners.
My novel waxing apparatus may be varied in its organization and mode of
application, and may be used with a machine as hereinbefore described, or with
machines more or less differing therefrom in construction. This waxing apparatus
is constructed and arranged as follows-
I provide a thread-tube which is an important portion of my waxing apparatus,
and it is of value that it be so located with reference to the front portion of the
take-up mechanism, and to the path of the needle, that it will occupy the path of
the thread in a straight line from the take-up mechanism to said needle-path-
Considered solely as a thread-tube within which waxed thread is maintained in a
soft and pliable condition just prior to its delivery to a needle, and located in the
front portion of the head of the machine and in the direct path of the thread
between the take-up and needle path, this tube constitutes a novel feature,
described in connection with the other tube. As now used, however, it serves as an
auxiliary wax-cup, and is provided at its top with a slitted and perforated plug
and at its bottom with a compressible conical plug perforated centrally, a fixed
plug also perforated centrally and threaded externally, and an internally threaded
sleeve by means of which the conical plug which serves as a compressible packing
around the thread may be more or less compressed for securing good packing
contact with the thread, which extends from the front end of the take-up
mechanism on a straight line, through the plugs and the centre of the tube to the
needle path. The plug should be composed of cork, felt .or other compressible
material which will resist the impairing effect of heat and the destructive effects of
the wax.
The upper plug need not always be in close contact with the thread for its
function is mainly to serve as the close top of the tube used as a wax cup for
preventing the escape of heat, and obviating undue evaporation of the hot wax, but
said upper plug may also be relied upon as a stripper of hot wax from the thread,
as well as thereby working the wax into the body of the thread. The lower plug
serves as a stripper a worker of wax into the thread, and also as the bottom of the
tube serving as an auxiliary wax cup.
The main wax cup is located without reference to the path of the thread, and is
accessibly mounted upon some convenient portion of the machine, but it is
essentially so located with reference to the auxiliary cup, that heated wax will
flow from the main, to the auxiliary cup, through a suitable pipe. Said main cup
is also supplied with a suitable heating medium, either steam pipes, a lamp, or a
gas burner. It is preferable that the heat be applied at or near the bottom of the
main cup, and adjacent to the conduit pipe, so that the danger of overheating may
be well guarded against, and also so that said conduit may be well heated, and it
is best that the main and auxiliary cups, as well as the connecting pipe, be
composed of copper or other good conductor of heat, and in some cases the heating
medium may also be applied directly to the auxiliary cup. Broadly stated, the

page_text: main feature of one branch of my Invention consists in the combination with
a main wax-cup, of an auxiliary wax-cup connected with, and supplied, from, the
main cup, and located within the path of the thread, whereby the latter may be
drawn to and fro into, through, and from the auxiliary cup in a direct line, my
object being not only to properly wax the thread immediately before forming a
stitch, but to do it in such a manner that the liability of breakage of the thread
within the wax-cup will be reduced to a minimum, and this, as I believe, can only
be practically accomplished by the employment of an auxiliary wax-cup, which,
according to the particular type of machine with which it may be desired, can
always be located in the path of the thread so that the latter will be drawn to and
fro therein in a practically straight line between the point where it last bears,
after leaving the take up, and the device, by which it is drawn downward.
Heretofore a wax-cup has been mounted upon the front of the head, provided
with heating devices and with a perforated india-rubber plug in its bottom, and
compressing devices for closing said plug around the thread, but in drawing the
thread downward through the cup it was drawn from the plug at an angle, thereby
causing a liability of breakage at said plug, which liability can be wholly obviated
by the employment of an auxiliary cup, because the latter can be located in the
straight path of the thread, and serve in part as a guide tube, and permit the
thread to enter and leave the tubular cup, above and below, in a straight line.
The horn may be of that particular kind used in machines having a shuttle above
the work-bed, but so far as my Invention is concerned it might be such a horn
or post as is used in single thread machines. The main wax-cup, the heating burner,
and the connecting pipe are mainly as before described, differing therefrom only so
far as is desirable or requisite for their employment in this particular connection.
The auxiliary cup in this case, has a compressible plug at both ends, is located
within the horn, and its centre is in line with the direct path of the thread between
the angle roll and the usual exit aperture at the top of the horn. As here applied,
the auxiliary cup is wholly housed within the horn, and the main cup is outside
thereof, but it presents no obstruction to the complete use of the horn for the
purposes intended.
Considered with reference to its operation with the wax my apparatus differs
from the prior waxing apparatus hereinbefore referred to in several important
particulars. In said prior apparatus the thread was reciprocated up and down into
and out of the mass of melted wax, so that the thread was continually lifting the
wax from the mass, upward into the air, after the manner of dipping a candle, and
the main body of wax was therefore kept in a more or less turbulent condition,
which with the lifting and comparative cooling of the wax in the air, by the thread,
was specially conductive to the evaporation of the valuable volatile matters contained
therein, causing it to become grainy or flakey, and thereby impairing its value in
In my main wax-cup no such movement of the wax occurs, and the wax
in the auxiliary cup is wholly enclosed and guarded against evaporating or cooling
influences. In the aforesaid prior apparatus, the mass of wax was of necessity
kept in a uniform and highly heated condition, because the thread passed through
the main body of the wax, and under those circumstances as well as with wax-cups
as heretofore commonly used, the wax is liable to frequent injury from overheating.
In my main cup, only the lower portion of the wax need be kept well heated leaving
it always sufficiently cool at the top as to obviate evaporation, and at the same time
to so modify the heat below as to render it practicably impossible for the wax to be
overheated and thereby injured.
the seam.
As arranged in each of the instances illustrated the level of the wax in the
auxiliary cups will be determined by the quantity of wax in the main cups. For
passing the thread through the auxiliary cup, a long slender eye pointed needle is
used, and said needle may be entered from above or below, as may be most
convenient in each case. The fixed plugs are bell-mouthed or funnel-shaped at
their inner ends which renders it an easy matter for the point of the threading
needle to be passed into and through the thread holes. With my improvements as

page_text: described I am enabled to employ hard wax with better results than have heretofore
been obtained with soft or liquid wax, which is well known to be objectionable, and
the thread as waxed by me is so soon thereafter embodied in stitches, that no
requirement exists for heating the thread after waxing it.
As thus far described I have only shewn how I wax threads to be delivered to
looping mechanism, or delivered so as to lock with a second thread carried by a
shuttle, whether the latter be above a work-plate, post or horn, or below a work
plate, and I will next describe how I wax, or preferably rewax, a previously waxed
shuttle thread just prior to forming a stitch. Heretofore mechanism has been
devised for this purpose which in general terms may be described as involving a
brush, or pad, or arm which is at intervals vibrated from a supply of heated wax to
the thread, between the shuttle and the throat plate of the machine, whereby the
surface of the thread is intermittingly charged or annointed with wax. I however
embody within the shuttle a waxing device whereby as the thread passes therefrom,
it is waxed or rewaxed.
The shuttle is internally divided by a partition in a thread chamber and wax
chamber. As preferred by me the wax chamber is located at the front or nose of
the shuttle and the thread passes through the centre of flexible packing which is
secured in a tapered hole by a clamping plate and set screw having its seat in the
wall of the shuttle. The packing is rendered adjustable by aid of a compressible
screw which enters from the underside of the shuttle through its solid nose. A
solidly wound cop of waxed thread is located in the chamber, the internal end
drawn out, passed through a central aperture in the partition, and thence through
the packing in the nose of the shuttle, and thereafter suitable tension bars on the
exterior of the shuttle engage therewith. The shuttle may be straight and centrally
pointed, and provided with a recessed web on its upper side, but these features are
not essential in connection with my present Invention. The shuttle thus provided
with a wax chamber will require a good heating arrangement, many of those
heretofore devised being suitable for the purpose. The aperture need not be tightly
occupied by the thread for it will be in no manner disadvantageous if some of the
wax passes into the thread chamber, because the thread cannot become so charged
with wax that the packing will not properly strip the thread as it passes from the
shuttle. In charging the shuttle with wax and thread, the previously heated
shuttle is held nose downward, the end of the thread from the cop passed through
the wax chamber and through the packing, a charge of wax poured in from the
heel, and the cop inserted. Or the cop may be first put into position, and the melted
wax poured through the hole which contains the packing, the latter being readily
removable, and as readily replaced while on the thread. The rapid reciprocating
motions of the shuttle, as in use, will so agitate and throw the enclosed body of wax
as to cause it to be properly applied to the thread, even if the wax chamber be
only partially filled."

page_text: [SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th July 1882.]
TO ALL TO WHOм these Presents shall come, I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the
Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters Patent
bearing date the Nineteenth day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty-two in the Forty-fifth year of Her reign did for Herself
Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me the said Henry Harris Lake Her
special licence that I the said Henry Harris Lake my executors administrators and
assigns or such others as I the said Henry Harris Lake 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 WAX-
THREAD SEWING MACHINES" (a communication to me from abroad by Duncan
Hector Campbell, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States of America), upon
the condition (amongst others) that I the said Henry Harris Lake 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 Henry Harris Lake do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement reference
being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this Specification
This invention relates to wax thread sewing machines and comprises various
improvements as hereinafter described.
For adapting my machine to a wide range of service I have provided therefor
an arch work-plate which is convex laterally and longitudinally, and have also
so elevated and located the same with reference to the bed and other portions
of the frame, as to attain many of the advantages incident to the prior so called
post machines," together with such as accompany a flat work-plate, which can, if
desired, be interchangeably employed on my machine, as an attachment to the
arch-plate.
56
For securing an unusual thread carrying capacity in my shuttle, attaining an
easy and effective motion therefor, and effectually heating the shuttle and its thread,
I have provided a shuttle having a lance shaped point and longitudinal webs on
its underside, as described in the specifications of former Letters Patent dated
A.D. 1878 N° 1795; A.D. 1881 N° 2145 and A.D. 1881 N° 2146, but instead of
being straight like all prior shuttles for wax-thread machines of which I have
cognizance, my present shuttle is curved, so as to resemble a segment of a tubular
ring within which I can lodge upwards of fifty yards of heavy thread, as 4 cord
N° 16, and of smaller sizes, a much greater quantity, without an excessive cross
sectional area of shuttle.
This shuttle may be made with comparatively light walls, and yet be reliably
stiff and strong because of its form, and although carrying a heavy load of thread
it is moved easily and effectively, because its path is in the arc of a circle in a

page_text: vertical plane, and therefore when operated at reasonable speed it is lifted centri-
fugally from its rail and its driver.-The race for the shuttle being arched and open
below at each side, and also at the crown of the arch at the needle hole in the work
plate, I utilize the said race as a pair of heating flues, through which, on each side,
a current of heated air passes; these two currents meet at the apex, passing out-
wards through the needle hole, thus not only properly heating the shuttle and its
contents as it traverses the race, but also heating the needle, and the upper waxed
thread which stands alone and adjacent to the work-plate, and this too without
appreciably heating the needle slide or bar, and its bearings which are located
centrally and below the apex of the arch. The race employed in this machine
consists of a central rail, occupying the space between the webs of the shuttle, and
the top guides, substantially in these respects, as is shown and described in the said
prior specifications; my present race, as herein indicated, differs from any other
known to me in this class of machines, in that it is segmental in form. For securing
a smooth and easy action of the shuttle in its race and providing for any undue
pressure of the top of the shuttle against the top guides, incident to centrifugal
force, I have covered the top guides with non metallic bearings preferably of cork, or
some other suitable material, as will not be impaired by heat in the race and which
will be capable of cushioning the shuttle without undue friction therewith. For
properly controlling the slack shuttle thread as the shuttle passes rearward, I have
provided therefor a longitudinal recess or groove on the upper side of the shuttle,
and so proportioned a portion of the top guides of the race, that they cause the
slack shuttle thread to house itself effectually within the said recess. I have
provided a shuttle-driver, and operating mechanism which enables it to halt and
retire slightly, whilst the loop is being drawn up, and then to advance for tightening
the shuttle thread. The said driver has two arms radiating upwards from a rocking
shaft, located below and in line with the path of the needle, and also with the
standing thread when drawn upon by the take up. Above the work plate in my
present machine I have provided many novel features tending to obviate the undue
abrasion of the upper thread; well heating the same; its proper presentation to the
needle, and the self adjustment of devices for measuring off the thread requisite for
a stitch, and also pertaining to the awl-operating mechanism, the feed graduation;
and the automatic lifting of the presser-foot during the feeding motion. My
invention comprises numerous other improvements all of which are conducive to
the attainment of desirable and valuable results.
; My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same but with the bed frame in section.
Figure 3 is an end view of the lower portion of the machine with the arch
work plate in section, and illustrates a flat work plate applied, as indicated in
.dotted lines.
Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views of different portions of the race with shuttle
in position.
Figure 6 is a plan of the front portion of the shuttle, and one arm of the
.driver.
Figure 7 is a plan of one end of one of the race plates detached.
Figures 8 to 12 inclusive are detail views of the mechanism for delivering thread
to the hook needle.
Figures 13 to 15 inclusive, are detail views of the mechanism for graduating the
feed while the machine is in motion.
Figures 16 to 19 inclusive are detail views of the mechanism for automatically
measuring the thread according to the thickness of the work and the variation in
position of the presser foot with relation to the work plate.
Figures 20 to 23 inclusive, are detail views of the shuttle which is shown in
about size.
Figure 24 is an enlarged sectional view of the top guide of the shuttle race.
Figures 25 and 26 are detail views of the awl bar and its operative lever.

page_text: Figure 27 is a section and plan of a flat work plate arranged for ready application:
to the arch plate.
Figures 28 to 35 inclusive illustrate novel waxing apparatus.
In Figures 1, 2 and 3 the peculiar construction of the bed-frame A is clearly
illustrated; this bed frame is cast solidly, including the end plate a, but the race-
plates a' are detachable. Between the upper ends of the race-plates is the needle-
plate a², which, with the adjacent ends of the race plates, constitute an arched work
plate, convex longitudinally and laterally, and at the rear side of this work-plate
there is a deep wide recess or space A¹ for the reception of depending portions of
material, while other portions thereof are being stitched.
The arch-work plate with the deep recess at its side, enables the execution of
much work not heretofore possible, except on horn or post machines, and as.
arranged it constitutes a "post" of novel construction, well adapted for stitching
long lines of narrow flexible work, or wider work, which, while being stitched,.
should depend from the work-plate at both sides. The work-plate being convex.
as described enables me to turn as sharp corners in heavy stitching of leather as
are now possible in domestic machines on light fabrics, because while I have a
good central bearing for the work in line with the needle, the face of the work-
plate gradually recedes from the under side of the work, and permits a free
swivelling of the latter around the awl or the needle as the case may be, and the
recess A permits the workman to place one hand, whenever desirable, beneath
the work adjacent to the needle for easing it. up while guiding it from side to side.
with the other hand. In executing light flat work, the ordinary flat work-plate
is desirable, and I have therefore provided the plate a³ as shown in dotted lines.
in Figures 2 and 3, and in section and top view in Figure 27 wherein will be seen
the usual needle opening, and also a cavity at its under side adjacent thereto, as-
at a', for proper seating upon the crown of the arch work plate; it is also provided.
with depending lugs as a³, through which screws are passed into the tapped
holes as a shown in Figure 1, in the side of the upper rear portion of the bed.
frame.
I am aware that single and double thread machines for sewing hat linings have
heretofore been provided with arched work-plates, and that in chain-stitch wax-
thread machines posts have been employed having bearing surfaces more or less
rounded; and also that similar posts have been employed in lock-stitch wax-thread.
machines, wherein the shuttle is located above the post; but according to my
present invention I so organize a waxed-thread lock-stitch machine, having a.
shuttle below the work-plate, that an arch work plate is rendered possible in that
class of machines.
I am also aware that dry thread sewing machines have heretofore embodied eye
pointed needles, arched shuttle-races, and either straight or curved shuttles, but.
this is the first machine which has been devised for operating with waxed thread.
wherein a hook needle, an arched race, and a curved or even a straight shuttle-
have been combined.
The shuttle-race embodies the arch-rail B and top guides bb, Figures 4 and 3,
which in this instance are portions of the race-plates a' a', which are readily
detached and replaced, being held in position by buttons at their lower ends as-
shown on one side in Figure 1. This rail and the top guides are novel in that they
constitute a vertically arched race, but otherwise they are substantially as shown.
in the specification of former Letters Patent A.D. 1881 No 2145 hereinbefore
referred to. At intervals the top guides are provided with cushioning bearings b¹ 61
clearly shown in Figure 24 against which the upper sides of the shuttle bear when.
influenced by centrifugal force incident to high speed, which enables me to rapidly
operate a large heavy shuttle, carrying a heavy load of waxed thread, much more
As seen in Figure 7,.
easily and smoothly, than if reciprocated in a straight line.
one of the detachable race plates has projecting splines which serve as continuations
of the upper guides for the shuttle beneath the needle plate, but the said splines
are partially housed in the said plate. The arch rail B is preferably formed

page_text: integrally upon the top edge of a segmental plate 63, Figures 2 and 3, which is
secured to the inner side of the end plate a. This segmental plate affords centrally
a. vertical bearing for the bar of the hook needle C, which is operated substantially
as heretofore, with the following movements; from below it rises to its full height,
and then descends to a point wholly below the path of the shuttle, and while the
shuttle is passing it rises slightly allowing the loop to be released from the hook,
and then descends to its original position. The release of the loop is effected by
the shuttle web and its forward movement, and the loop is prevented from moving
unduly forward, by the surface of the shuttle rail adjacent to the needle path, as
in prior machines. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the
particular construction of rail and top guides now described by me, in the formation
of a vertically arched race, for either of the forms shown in the aforesaid former
specifications, and many others may be employed on the vertical arch principle
with more or less desirable results. As seen in Figures 4 and 5, the channel or
groove between the top guides varies in its width at different portions of this race
for purposes hereinafter to be explained in connection with the shuttle and its
operation. The arch race also serves as two heating flues to be hereinafter more
fully described.
The shuttle D is not shown in Figure 2 but is clearly illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5
and 6, also in Figures 20 to 23 inclusive. It has a lance shaped point, centrally
located, and a longitudinal recess on its underside, substantially like the shuttle
shown in one of the aforesaid specifications, but differs therefrom, and from all
other wax-thread shuttles, in that the present shuttle is curved longitudinally in
the plane of its lance-shaped point, so as to be in substance the segment of a
tubular ring, and it conforms to the curved line of the arch rail B. It has also a
longitudinal recess c on its upper side, within. which, near the point of the shuttle,
in the aperture e for the outward passage of the thread, the cross bar c², and also
a flat spring c³, the free end of which bears against the thread and forces it against
one side of the recess. The said spring is rendered adjustable, as to pressure, by
means of a lateral screw c' as shown in Figures 20 and 22.
The portion of the recess c extending from the bar or pin c² to the heel of the
shuttle, receives the thread after the shuttle has passed through a loop, and during
the tightening of the stitch, but during its backward movement the slack thread is
laid in the said recess in front of the pin c²; it being properly guided, so as thus
to place itself by the narrow portion of the groove or channel between the top
guides of the race as illustrated in Figure 5, this narrow portion extends for a
short distance from a point directly in the rear of the needle towards the left hand
as seen in Figure 3.
At the heel of the shuttle I provide a pad e¹ to deaden the sound and ease the
forcible contact of the driver with the shuttle when running at high speed-This
pad may be made of copper or some other soft tough metal, or suitable material,
although I prefer to use raw hide-At each side of the shuttle is a longitudinal
clearance web co. Figures 20, 22, 23 projecting laterally a short distance, in order
to limit the area of contact of the loop with the shuttle as illustrated in dotted
lines in Figure 23. The rear end of the shuttle on which the pad c is located is
readily removable for the insertion of the cop c Figure 21, and is provided with a
securing latch and pin. The ease with which a shuttle can be thrown in a vertical
arch race enables me to make it of unusual length, and without its being unduly
large in sectional area, to provide for the reception of a greater quantity of thread
than any prior wax-thread shuttle, as for instance, I work at high speed a shuttle
of this character which, as herein before stated, receives a cop containing upwards
of 50 yards of 4 cord No. 16 thread, and a proportionally greater quantity of
smaller sizes I find it desirable for securing smooth and easy action of the shuttle,
to deliver thread therefrom through an aperture at or near its nose, and on its
upper side, instead of delivering it from or near the heel as is general in machines
having straight shuttles. The delivery of the thread from the nose of the shuttle
. (instead of from the heel) enables me to apply the cushion pad at the heel, and also

page_text: to better control the shuttle thread during the operation of the take up and during
the flight of the shuttle..
The shuttle-driver E is triangular in its outline, but in no manner supports the
shuttle, which latter feature is found in the shuttle-drivers in former specifications ;
unlike them this driver requires no slide for controlling its movement with
reference to the shuttle and race, and it is therefore frictionless in its operation
save at its rocking shaft de on which it is mounted as shown in Figure 2. The
front arm of the carrier as seen in Figure 6, has a head d' which is bifurcated so as
to properly engage with the nose of the shuttle and the rear arm d² is provided
with a convex knob, preferably adjustable for contact with the pad ct at the heel of
the shuttle-The driver is vibrated by a cam E¹ operating through rocking shaft d
provided with an arm d³ and a pin occupying a cam-groove, a lever d and
link d connecting with an arm projecting from the rear arm of the carrier.
After the shuttle has been forced through the loop, the driver retires slightly to
permit the loop to be freely drawn upwards, and then moves forward forcing the
shuttle to contribute to the tightening of the stitch, because of the heavy draught
on the shuttle thread.
The hook needle is operated as herein before described by a cam C₁ acting through
the arm partially shown at the right of the cam the rocking shaft Figure 3, the
arm d' thereon, and the link d connecting the arm with the base of the needle bar
all clearly shown.
The awl bar F, Figures 1 and 2, is reciprocating and serves as a portion of the
feeding mechanism substantially as heretofore; it is operated by the cam F' acting
through the link e Figure 2, a sleeve rocking shaft e and the arm e¹ Figures 25 and
26, but the flexible connection between. arm e¹ and the awl bar F is novel in this
combination-Instead of using a crank, or an arm and link as is common, I have
circularly recessed the awl-bar and fitted thereto a bearing disc e, which is slotted
diametrically for the reception of the end of the vibrating arm e¹; the said disc is
held in place in this recess by the cap-plate e³ secured to the awl-bar by screws.
With this construction the awl bar is vertically reciprocated smoothly, and with
case, and during the movement of the feed-slide, the awl-bar is readily varied in its
position longitudinally upon the arm or lever e¹.
The cam F is so formed that during the movement of the feed-slide, the awl is
constantly rising in order to contribute by its lifting action to an easy forward
movement of the work upon the work-plate. This lifting action by an awl during
its forward or feeding movement, has heretofore been provided for in machines
having a pivoted pendant frame containing the awl bar, by causing the awl to
fully descend in an inclined position, and then to move forward in the arc of a
circle, with a slight upward swing.
The feeding slide G is moved to and fro by a cam-groove in the inner face of
the driving wheel G¹ acting through the link which connects it to a sleeved arm
or lever a, rocking.sbaft f' (within the sleeve e¹) and a slotted arm f3 on the outer
end of said rocking shaft, substantially as heretofore, but I have devised means
whereby the feed may be readily varied while the machine is in motion, and
have also provided for its ready graduation to a predetermined scale. I have
also improved upon the construction of the parts pertaining to the feeding
operation. According to one of the said prior specifications I provided for an
adjustment of the feed slide for varying the length of stitch, by means of a slotted
arm on a rocking shaft, and a sliding block which coupled the said arm to the
slide, vertically slotted to receive one portion of the said block, and the latter was
made adjustable in the said slide slot by means of a clamp screw or nut having a
finger-lever projecting therefrom-While thoroughly effective for the purpose
intended, it could not be changed while the machine was in motion, and could only
be manipulated slowly even by an expert, but as now devised and constructed, any
person, of ordinary skill and capable of properly guiding the work, may readily
change the feed to any desired degree without stopping the machine, which is a
feature of great practical importance in various ways, but especially for instance in
с

page_text: stitching across previously formed seams, in which case the old seam may be
spanned by one or more long stitches, and yet these latter can be immediately
preceded and succeeded by shorter stitches of a uniform character. In my former
machine the feed slide slot. was vertical, and therefore the feeding motion was
always performed on one side of the centre of the rocking shaft, but now I have
provided an inclined block slot for the feed slide so that in the feeding motion the
block has less vertical movement in the slide, resulting in much smoother action
and with less friction than before, and requiring a lesser movement of the block to
provide for a given change in the length of stitch.
The details of this portion of my invention are shown in Figures 13 to 15
inclusive. In Figure 13 the usual stationary head plate g is broken away at the
left hand side to disclose the feed-slide Gat the rear thereof-Upon this stationary
plate is the feed graduating lever 9' pivoted at 92 and provided with a thumb-
latch go, having a pin for entering any desired hole in the graduated scale bar g*.
These holes are so located with reference to each other that, for instance, when
the graduating lever is set at the lowest hole a maximum number of stitches to the
inch will be produced, and this number may be decreased in whole stitches or in
fractions of a stitch, by locating the outer end of the lever in some higher position.
The graduations having been accurately predetermined, each hole may be respectively
marked to indicate the dimensions of stitch resulting. The graduating lever g¹ is
connected by the link f³ to the coupled block f which occupies an inclined slot g
in the feed-slide, its fellow block f Figure 14 occupying the groove or slot f* in
the slotted arm f2 on the rocking shaft f1 before referred to. These blocks
connected as described constitute the means by which the slide and its vibrating
mechanism are connected. Heretofore the block slot in the feed slide has been
vertical, and the block which occupied the slot in the crank or arm of the rocking
shaft was provided with a pin which projected through the vertical slot in the feed
slide, and was locked to the said slide by a nut having a lever, thus requiring
considerable sliding movement of the block during the swinging movements of the
rocking shaft arm, and causing most of the work of feeding to be performed on one
side of the centre of the rocking shaft, as hereinbefore partially set forth.
As now constructed the two blocks are pivoted to each other by the screw
stud so that the block f³ may freely move axially to correspond with the
various angular positions assumed by the slot in the rock shaft arm fall as
indicated in Figures 13, 14, and 15. The inclination of the slot g is an important
improvement as compared to the prior straight slot, for with this inclined slot a
much less movement of the blocks is requisite to obtain the desired variations, and
the feeding mechanism is more easily and smoothly operated than with the straight
slot in the feed slide-While I have preferred to employ a lever as a part of the
controlling mechanism for moving and adjusting the blocks, I do not wholly limit
myself thereto, for it is obvious that various other means may be employed for
altering the position of the said blocks, and as an instance of such other mechanism,
I will state that a vertical screw on the face plate g may be relied upon, if the said
screw has attached thereto a nut block, horizontally slotted to receive a finger or
stud projecting from or constituting a part of the stud f'; in which case it is
obvious that the turning of the screw would raise or lower the nut block, and that
in turn would raise or lower the coupling blocks, the horizontal slot in the nut
block permitting the free sliding to and fro of the coupling blocks with the feed
slide. It is also obvious that the coupling mechanism may be varied in its con-
struction as,
for instance, closely resembling a "link motion" in the valve gear of
locomotives, and therefore I do not limit myself to the coupled blocks, except as
indicated by my claims, although the coupled blocks are deemed preferable. It is
also obvious that the advantages due to the inclined slot g would be at least in
part available, even if the matter of its adjustment was possible only while the
machine was at rest. In stitching across junctions with other seams, it is
frequently desirable that the stitches should be lengthened so as not to unduly cut
or tear the leather with the awl or needle adjacent to such seams, and as will be

page_text: seen I am enabled to accomplish this end even at high speed without in any
manner otherwise affecting the operation of the machine-It having been pre-
determined what length of stitch is best for crossing a prior seam, a stop pin can
be placed in the proper holes of the scale, so that the workman will have only to
carry the graduating lever against the said pin and then when the seam is passed,
replace it in its former position, and in view of the rapidity required for assuring
accuracy, a second detachable stop pin may be used, so that the range of move-
ment possible by the lever between the two, will provide for the maximum and
minimum length of stitch required in each case. It is also obvious that whether
an awl or a needle be relied upon as an element in the feeding mechanism, my
improvements are equally applicable, no changes being requisite save in such
variations in mechanical arrangement, as might be necessarily involved, according
to whether the needle operated from above, or below the work plate, or to other
pecularities common to each particular class of machines. The latch arrangement
on the graduating lever may also be varied, as for instance the outer end of
the said lever may serve as a pointer, traversing the face of a marked graduated
scale, and a swivelled quick screw fitted to a block swivelled to the said lever,
relied upon for effecting the adjustments and also locking or maintaining the
coupling blocks in any required position.
and
I will next describe the mechanism which controls the upper thread and deliveres
it to the hook needle. The spool is mounted as usual on a vertical spindle, and
the thread passes from it through the wax cup L Figure 1 and thence to and over
a tension wheel h substantially as in my first machine. The thread wheel is
operated substantially as before by a rocking shaft, levers, and links, actuated by
the cam in the side of the driving wheel G and these with the brake wheel
shielded pulley constitute the take up substantially as heretofore.
I also employ
a cushioned abutment which limits the downward stroke of the thread wheel, as
in my prior machine, but instead of having the thread wheel levers outside as
before I now place them within the frame, and provide an abutment on the upper
end of a screw i³, which is tapped upward through the frame as shewn in Figure 1.
From the shielded pulley in my former machine, the thread passed downward
through a vertical tube, but when the take-up operated, the line of draught on the
thread from the stitch to the periphery of the shielded pulley was not sufficiently
direct, to obviate contact of the thread with the lower end of the tube. I have
now provided an inclined tube k which, is in line with the path of the needle and
practically in line with the point at which the stitch is formed, so that when the
take-up operates, the thread on being tightened occupies a straight direct line from
the stitch hole to the periphery of the pulley. In attaining this result, the incli-
nation of the thread tube is important because it enables me to set my thread
pulley somewhat back from the front of the head and obtain a direct line to the
stitch without interfering with any of the mechanism contained within the head.
As now
For delivering the thread to the hook needle C I employ a vibrating thread eye
and thread-arm, but these devices broadly considered are not new.
arranged by me they differ in construction and arrangement, and also in their
method of co-operation with each other, and with the needle from which accrue
certain advantageous results, às will be hereinafter indicated.
The thread eye land thread arm m and their immediate operating mechanism
are illustrated in Figures 8 to 12 and are so arranged that the thread drawn down
for forming a loop is not variably measured automatically according to the thickness
of the work on the work plate, but such variation is provided for in the arrange-
ment illustrated in Figures 16 to 19 inclusive.
As shewn in Figures 8 and 9 the thread eye lis horizontally mounted from the
lower end of a vertical branch of lever which is crank shaped, and has at
the end of its horizontal branch a vertical pin or stud 12 pivotally connected to the
sliding block ³, which is actuated through a rod by the cam 15 and suitable inter-
mediate mechanism, which in this instance embraces a bell crank lever and a
pendant link as shewn in Figure 2: The sliding block of itself would impart

page_text: movement to the thread eye in a straight line only, but the curved path requisite
for the eye, in enabling it to pass partially around the needle for delivering the
thread to the hook thereof in a horizontal bight is obtained by an irregular cam
slot in the stationary plate 1, the slot is so formed as to cause the eye to traverse
the desired path and is occupied by the vertical branch 12 of the crank lever l', as
shewn in Figures 8 and 9. As will be readily indicated by the form of the cam
slot in plate 16 the eye is moved in a straight line (inclined to the path of the
sliding block 3) to a point abreast of the needle, thence in a curved line partially
around it, then partially back again while the needle is descending, and lastly
resting so as not to deflect the standing thread during the operation of the take up.
The thread arm m requires simply a movement in the arc of a circle, and therefore
it is mounted on the lower end of a partially rotative vertical spindle m', having
at its upper end a horizontal lever m², pivoted to a reciprocating rod m³, which is
actuated through a bell crank lever, and pendant link operatively connected with
the cam m Figure 2. The thread eye and arm, and their respective operative
mechanism are so arranged that their movements result in the delivery and control
of the thread as follows.
A stitch having just been completed, the thread eye passes from the line of the
standing thread (occupied during the operation of the take-up) to the rear and
within the sweep of the thread arm m which then points toward the needle, as
indicated in Figure 10. The thread arm then swings round closely beneath the
eye, and engages laterally with the thread occupying the position indicated in
Figure 11, then after the arm has swung to the rear merely for the purpose of
securely retaining the thread delivered to it, the eye then moves forward, around
the needle, pulling down thread and delivering it to the needle in a horizontal
bight, at a point between the arm and eye, as clearly seen in Figures 8 and 9,
whereupon the needle descends, the thread eye retires to a point in line with the
axis of the inclined thread tube, the thread arm meantime swinging to the front
for dropping or releasing the thread to the needle, in the position as indicated in
Figure 12. In operation these devices differ from prior combinations of thread eye
and thread arm, in that the thread does not slip or drag over the arm, and is
gradually freed therefrom bodily as the needle descends the eye doing all the
service of drawing down sufficient thread, while the take-up is elevated, the thread
is therefore perfectly free to be readily drawn down, without undue abrasion by
the thread eye.
In my prior machine the thread arm traversed the line of the
standing thread in a right line, and was provided with a latch tip, so that it could
yield in passing by the thread, prior to engaging therewith, and although in a
prior Specification I suggested the movement of that arm in the arc of a circle, the
said arm would nevertheless be necessarily provided with the latch tip, because the
standing thread would as now occupy a position, within the circle to be partially
travelled by said arm. My present arm has no latch and does not require one, for
it relies upon the thread eye to deliver thread to it, instead of providing itself with
thread as before. In drawing down the thread in my prior machine, the arm and
eye, both being engaged with the thread moved simultaneously from each other,
and therefore the thread was drawn through the eye and also over the arm, but
now as before stated, it is drawn through the eye only, and when a sufficient
quantity is thus provided, it is absolutely free for its downward course with the
needle. This combination of a thread eye, which delivers thread to an arm, which
only moves for the purpose of securely holding the thread thus delivered to it by
the eye, the said eye then proceeding to deliver thread to the needle is a novel
feature and valuable because of the non-abrasion of the thread by the arm, and it
is also novel to combine these elements as described, so that the arm is always, not
only at one side of the needle, but also at one side of the presser foot, and never
above it for reasons as follows riz-when an arm is used which does not occupy at
any time any space above the presser foot, thicker work can be sewed with a needle
of a given length, because no obstacle is presented to the complete elevation of the
presser foot except the eye which obviously must traverse the path of the needle

page_text: and above the presser foot. Again greater certainty of operation is attained with
an arm, to which the thread is delivered by the eye, as compared with a latch arm
which proceeds to the standing thread and engages therewith, because fine hard
twisted threal is liable to erratic vibrations, during which the latch arm may or
may not get a proper hold thereon, whereas, with my present arm no vibration of
of the thread can possibly occur adjacent to the eye at the point where the delivery
of thread to the arm occurs.
It is not new to employ a swinging thread arm with a swinging eye, but as
heretofore organized and operated, the arm helped itself to thread during the
movement of the eye, and by continuing onward the said arm carried the thread in
a direction away from the eye, and over the presser foot, so that the thread slipped
over the arm, and it is the abrasion incident to this slipping action at the arm
which I have obviated by having the eye carry the thread to the arm which
merely holds it while the eye next proceeds to and around the needle; and instead
of delivering the thread to the needle in a straight line between the eye and arm
as heretofore, the thread is delivered to the hook in a horizontal bight, as shewn in
Figure 9 thereby greatly contributing to an unfailing and accurate engagement of
the thread by the hook. In the said prior arrangements of swinging the thread eye
and arm, the latter swung over the presser foot, and in order that it could nevertheless
be lifted, the said foot, eye, and arm, were connected together so that all were
raised or lowered together, involving a complication in the operative mechanism of
the eye and arm, which I obviate by locating my arm wholly at one side of the
presser foot.
It will be readily understood that according to the rearward location of the
thread arm, the quantity of thread measured off by the arm and eye for delivery
to the needle, will be varied, and as thus far described, it will be seen that no
provision has been referred to for varying the measurement of thread to
substantially correspond with the thickness of the work to be stitched.
In a prior specification I described means for automatically varying the measure-
ment of thread to the needle, proportioned to the elevation of the presser foot above
the work plate, or, in other words, the thickness of the materials to be stitched.
In my prior machine the extent of movement by the the thread eye was varied,
but it is obvious that either the arm or the eye or both of them may be thus
variably moved for attaining the variable delivery of thread to the needle.
In my present machine I provide for variation in the position of the thread arm,
and the particular means employed therefor are with a slight modification applicable
for variably moving the thread eye. The thread arm as now used by me has a
thread seat near its outer end which will enable it to maintain a good control over
the thread, even if it should be swung almost fully rearward, so that variation to
some extent could be provided for by swinging the arm from say 90 degrees to
nearly 180 degrees, but I prefer that the swinging movement should be uniform,
and that the arm be bodily changed in position for attaining the variable measure-
ment of the thread.
The novel mechanism for attaining this end is illustrated in detail in Figures 16
to 19 inclusive. The thread arm m in this case is vibrated on its axis n which,
instead of occupying a fixed position, is rendered movable, by being mounted at
the outer end of a pivoted lever n', having a stationary axis n² and an inclined lug
or web n³ on one side of the said lever, which is held by means of a spring in
constant engagement with the edge of a lug n*, projecting from the coincident side
of the presser foot bar o. The lug or web n³ inclines outwardly from bottom to
top, and therefore when the presser foot is at its lowest position on thin work, the
axis n of the arm m occupies the nearest possible position to the needle, or to the
outermost limit of the path of the thread eye, but as the presser foot is raised,
the said axis n is thrown rearward thus causing the thread arm to hold the thread
proportionately farther to the rear and nearer the rear end of the path traversed by
the thread eye. The presser foot is shown at its lowest position in Figures 16 and
17 and in Figures 18 and 19 at its highest, and with the thread arm in each.case

page_text: correspondingly varied in its location. The movement of the thread eye is uniform,
.and its path is always sufficiently extended rear ward, to enable the arm to engage
with the thread wherever the said arm may be located.
The previously described rod m³ is here employed, which as before described is
reciprocated by the same cam m', and the bell crank lever. The circular or swinging
**movement of the thread arm on account of its variable axis, requires a more complex
-connection of the said arm with the reciprocating rod m³, which instead of being
directly pivoted to the lever in which the arm is mounted (as before described) is
pivoted to the long arm of the bell crank lever a³, the short arm of which is connected
by a link n' with the projecting rear end of the thread arm itself so that as the rod m
is reciprocated the arin will be properly swung on its axis regardless of the position
the latter may occupy the thread arm and eye constructed and co-operating as
arranged are so positive and reliable in their delivery of thread to the hook of th
needle, and in gradually giving off the thread by the arm as the needle descends,
that I am enabled to rely upon a very small hook, and a smaller sized needle and
awl may therefore be used with thread of a given size or number, than in my prior
machine. The eye and arm, if not variable in action as described, always provide
ample thread for the passage of the shuttle, and the variable arrangement operates
in like manner, but in addition thereto also provides for more or less thread according
to the thickness of the work. As a result of the feature last named I am with
this machine as with my prior machine, enabled to fill the awl hole tightly with
thread without chafing the thread or disturbing the wax, and especially so far as
relates to the stripping action by the hook needle, incident to machines wherein no
variable measurement of thread has been duly provided for.
The presser foot o as heretofore, is depressed by a spring and lifted during the
movement of the feed slide, by means of the lever o' and cam o², Figure 2-In my
former machine a similar combination of devices was employed, but I have now
improved the same so far as to locate the lever within the frame of the machine,
and also to provide for a more convenient and desirable variable lift of the presser
foot, than in my former machine. The outer end of the lever ol is provided with a
vertical adjusting screw o³ the top of which engages with the under side of the
lifting finger of on the presser foot bar and affords an adjustable seat, so that on
raising or lowering the screw, the degree of lift may be varied. I have also provided
as heretofore for lifting the presser foot by means of a treadle o³ which by a
suitable link, cord or wire, is connected with the rear end of the separate lifting
lever o, so that when the machine is in operation the workman may employ both
hands at the work plate, and control the presser foot with his foot.
In heating my machine I provide certain novel features of practical value, some
of which are applicable to wax thread machines as heretofore organized.
I have already described the arched shuttle race and referred to its value in
connection with heating. It will be seen that each side portion of the race may be
utilized as a heating flue. The race plates a¹ are occasionally perforated near the
upper portions thereof to afford a vent for the heated air which also partially
ascends vertically through the hole in the needle plate, in favorable contact with
the standing thread.
Two gas jets p are employed (although one may sometimes be relied upon) and
the heat from both ascends upwardly and merge at the central upper portion of the
race, within which the shuttle is continuously moving to and fro, so that it
- exposed to heating currents applied longitudinally thereto, and in a manner most
favorable to a proper degree of heat without liability of an injurious excess
thereof. This combination of an arched race with one or more heaters located at
the lower ends thereof I deem of great practical value for the purposes
:intended.
In my prior machine and in others of the same general class, thread tubes have
been employed in connection with burners which directly heated the tubes. The
over-heating of the said tubes is therefore quite frequent, resulting either in
damage to the thread, or such a burning of the wax as to render it unsuitable to

page_text: effect the purposes desired. I have obviated this liability of overheating threat
tubes, by what, as I believe, is a novel application of the well-known principle of
heating by metallic conduction. The inclined thread tube k herein before describe 1,
is made of copper and has at its upper end an elbow k' the top of which is open in
line with the tube, to admit of access by the thread thereto. Inserted into the
outer end of the elbow is a copper rod 2 which at its opposite end is bent.
downward and there connected with a flap heating plate k³ also of copper (or other
good heat conducting metal) beneath which is the burner p' so that the flame of
the latter heats the plate, and through the rod and elbow heats the thread tube-I
deem this feature of beating thread tubes by metallic conduction from a burner so
reinotely located, as to in no manner interfere with or be disturbed by the
mechanism within the head, of great practical importance. With this method of
heating I am also easily enabled to keep the tension and take up mechanism well
heated by attaching the bracket (which sustains the rod and heating plate)
directly to the rear of the frame plate on which the tension wheel is mounted,
so that heat is conducted thereto and thence to the waxed thread in contact.
therewith. The thread arm and the thread eye may also be kept well heated by
extending branches of a similar heat conducting rod to the sleeves or bearings in
which those devices are mounted.
When employed without the novel waxing apparatus hereinafter described the
wax cup is located above the heating plate, which is slotted or perforated and may
be mounted if desired upon a vertical branch of the conducting rod, and because
of the provisions made for heating the thread in transit, the wax in the cup need.
never be exposed to such heat as would be liable to injure it.
When arranged for waxing as thus far described, it will be seen that the severali
burners are connected with gas pipes within the frame as at på each branch
thereof being provided with cocks as at p³, for separately graduating the burners.
My novel waxing apparatus may be varied in its construction and mode of
application, and may be used with a machine as hereinbefore described or with
machines more or less differing therefrom.
The said waxing apparatus is illustrated in Figures 28 to 35 inclusive.
Figure 28 is a view of so much of a sewing machine with my improvements:
applied, as is deemed necessary for illustration.
Figure 29 is a vertical sectional view of the waxing apparatus detached.
for
Figure 30 is a vertical and partially sectional view of the waxing apparatus.
shown in Figure 2 so far modified in form and arrangement as to adapt
use in a post or horn which is also shown.
Figure 31 is a horizontal section on line a Figure 30.
Figures 32 and 33 are respectively a longitudinal section and plan of a shuttle
embodying portions of my invention.
Figures 34 and 35 are sectional views, respectively on lines y and z Figure 32.
Referring to Figures 28 and 29 it will be understood that A' denotes the head'
of one type of wax thread machine, and H the tension and take-up mechanism as
heretofore constructed-Below the head is a work plate I of any desired form
These parts in no manner involve any portion of my invention and may be almost.
indefinitely varied in their construction and arrangement.
The thread tube K is an important portion of my waxing apparatus, and it is
preferable that it be so located with reference to the front portion of the take-up
mechanism, and to the path of the needle 9 that it will occupy the path of the
thread in a straight line from the take-up mechanism to the said needle path..
Considered solely as a thread tube within which waxed thread is maintained in a
soft and pliable condition just prior to its delivery to a needle, and located in the
front portion of the head of the machine as shewn in Figure 28 and in the direct
path of the thread between the take-up and needle path, this tube constitutes a
novel feature, described in connection with the tube K. As now used, however, it.
serves as an auxiliary wax cup, and is provided at its top with a slotted and
perforated plug Figure 29 and at its bottom with a compressible conical plug

page_text: perforated centrally, a fixed plug t also perforated centrally and threaded externally,
and an internally threaded sleeve u by means of which the conical plugs which
serves as a compressible packing around the thread v may be more or less com-
pressed for securing good packing contact with the thread, which as shown extends
from the front end of the take-up mechanism on a straight line through the
plugs and the centre of the tube K to the needle path. The plugs should be
composed of cork felt, or other compressible material which will resist the imparing.
effect of heat and the destructive effects of the wax.
The upper plug 7 need not always be in close contact with the thread, for its
function is mainly to serve as the close top of the tube used as a wax cup for
preventing the escape of heat, and obviating undue evaporation of the hot wax,
but the said upper plug may also be relied upon as a stripper of hot wax from the
thread, as well as thereby working the wax into the body of the thread. The
lower plugs serves as a stripper, a worker of wax into the thread, and also at the
bottom of the tube serving as an auxiliary wax cup.
The
The main wax cup L is located without reference to the path of the thread, and
is accessibly mounted upon some convenient portion of the machine, but it is
essentially so located with reference to the auxiliary cup K, that heated wax will
flow from the main to the auxiliary cup through a suitable pipe as at w.
said main cup is also supplied with a suitable beating medium, either steam pipes,
a lamp or a gas burner. It is preferable that the heat be applied at or near the
bottom of the main cup, and adjacent to the conduit pipe w, so that the danger of
over-heating may be well guarded against, and also so that the said conduit may
be well heated, and it is best that the main and auxiliary cups, as well as the
connecting pipe, be composed of copper or other good conductor of heat, in some
cases the heating medium may be applied directly to the auxiliary cup. Broadly
stated, the main feature of one branch of my Invention consists in the combination
with the main wax cup of an auxiliary wax cup, connected with and supplied
from the main cup, and located within the path of the thread, whereby the latter
may be drawn to and fro into, through, and from the auxiliary cup in a direct
line, my object being not only to properly wax the thread immediately before
forming a stitch, but to do it in such a manner that the liability of breakage of the
thread within the wax cup will be reduced to a minimum, and this, as I believe, can
only be practically accomplished by the employment of an auxiliary wax cup,
which according to the particular type of the machine with which it may be
desired, can always be located in the path of the thread, so that the latter will be
drawn to and fro therein, in a practically straight line, between the point where it
last bears, after leaving the take-up, and the device, by which it is drawn
downward.
Heretofore a wax cup has been mounted upon the front of the head, provided
with heating devices and with a perforated india rubber plug in its bottom, and
'compressing devices for closing the said plug around the thread, but in drawing the
thread downward through the cup it was drawn from the plug at an angle, thereby
causing a liability to breakage at the said plug, which liability can be wholly
obviated by the employment of an auxiliary cup, because the latter can be located
in the straight path of the thread, and serve in part as a guide tube, and permit
the thread to enter and leave the tubular cup, above and below, in a straight
line.
The value of the auxiliary cup k is well demonstrated when the problem of
waxing thread within a post or horn is considered.
As illustrated in Figures 30 and 31 the horn M is of that particular kind used
in machines having a shuttle above the work bed, but so far as my invention is
.concerned it might be such a horn or post as is used in single thread machines.
As here shown, the main wax cup L, the heating burner w², and the connecting
pipe w are mainly as before described, differing therefrom only so far as is desirable
or requisite for their employment in this particular connection. The auxiliary cup
in this case, has a compressible plug at both ends, and is located within the horn,

page_text: its centre is in line with the direct path of the thread between the angle roll q³,
and the usual exit aperture at the top of the horn. As here applied, the auxiliary
cup is wholly placed within the 'horn, and the main cup is outside thereof, but it
presents no obstruction to the complete use of the horn for the purposes
intended.
Considered with reference to its operation with the wax, my apparatus differs
from the prior waxing apparatus herein before referred to, in several important
particulars In said prior apparatus, the thread was reciprocated up and down,
into and out of the mass of melted wax, so that it was continually lifting the wax
from the mass, upward into the air, after the manner of dipping a candle, and the
main body of wax was therefore kept in a more or less turbulent condition, which
with the lifting and comparative cooling of the wax in the air by the thread, was
specially conducive to the evaporation of the valuable volatile matters contained
therein, causing it to become grainy or flakey, and thereby impairing its value in
the seam In my main wax cup no such movement of the wax occurs, and the
wax in the auxiliary cup is wholly enclosed and guarded against evaporating or
cooling influences-In the aforesaid prior apparatus, the mass of wax was of
necessity kept in a uniform and highly heated condition, because the thread passed
through the main body of the wax, and under those circumstances as well as with
wax cups as heretofore commonly used, the wax is liable to frequent injury from
overheating. In my main cup, only the lower portion of the wax need be kept
well heated, leaving it always sufficiently cool at the top as to obviate evaporation,
and at the same time to so modify the heat below as to render it practically
impossible for the wax to be over heated and thereby injured.
As arranged in each of the instances illustrated, the level of the wax in the
auxiliary cups will be determined by the quantity of wax in the main cups-For
passing the thread through the auxiliary cup, a long slender eye pointed needle is
used, and the said needle may be entered from above or below, as may be most
convenient in each case. The fixed plugs are bell mouthed or funnel shaped at
their inner ends, which renders it an easy matter for the point of the threading
needle to be passed into and through the thread holes. With my improvements
as described, I am enabled to employ hard wax with better results than have
heretofore been obtained with soft or liquid wax, which is well known to be
objectionable, and the thread as waxed by me is so soon thereafter embodied in
stitches, that no requirement exists for heating the thread after waxing it.
As thus far described I have only shown how 1 wax threads to be delivered to
looping mechanism, or delivered so as to lock with a second thread carried by a
shuttle, whether the latter be above a work plate, post or horn, or below a work
plate. I will next describe how I wax, or preferably re-wax a previously waxed
shuttle thread just prior to forming a stitch. Heretofore mechanism has been
devised for this purpose which in general terms may be described as involving a
brush, pad, or arm which is at intervals vibrated from a supply of heated wax to
the thread, between the shuttle and the throat plate of the machine, whereby the
surface of the thread is intermittingly charged or anointed with wax. According
to my present invention I place within the shuttle, a waxing device, whereby as
the thread passes therefrom, it is waxed or re-waxed.
As shown in Figure 32 the shuttle N is internally divided by a partition into a
thread chamber N₁ and wax chamber N2. I prefer the wax chamber to be located
at the front or nose of the shuttle aud the thread passes through the centre of the
flexible packing N3 which is secured in a tapered hole by the clamping plate N₁
and set screw N having its seat in the wall of the shuttle, as shown. The packing N³
is rendered adjustable by aid of the compressible s screw N which enters from
the underside of the shuttle through its solid nose. The solidly wound cop N' of
waxed thread is located in the chamber N¹ the internal end drawn out passed
through the central aperture N8 in the partition, and thence through the packing
in the nose of the shuttle, and thereafter suitable tension bars on the exterior of
the shuttle engage therewith. The shuttle shown is straight and centrally pointed,
D

page_text: - and provided with a recessed web on its upper side, but these features are not
essential in connection with my present invention. The shuttle thus provided
with a wax chamber will require a good heating arrangement, many of those
heretofore devised being suitable for the purpose. The aperture N° need not be
tightly occupied by the thread for it will be in no manner disadvantageous if some
of the wax passes into the thread chamber, because the thread cannot become so
charged with wax that the packing will not properly strip the thread as it passes
from the shuttle-In charging the shuttle with wax and thread, the previously heated
shuttle is held nose downward, the end of the thread from the cop passed through the
wax chamber and through the packing, a charge of wax poured in from the heel, and
the cop inserted. Or the cop may be first put into position, and the melted wax
poured through the hole which contains the packing, the latter being readily
removable, and as readily replaced while on the thread. The rapid reciprocating
motions of the shuttle, as in use, will so agitate and throw the enclosed body of
wax as to cause it to be properly applied to the thread, even if the wax chamber
be only partially filled.
+
The operation of the machine as a whole will be readily understood in view of
the fact that I have fully set forth in each case, the operation of the several parts
in connection with the detailed description thereof.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim.
:-
First The combination, of a hook-needle, thread delivering and controlling
mechanism, a curved shuttle, and an arched shuttle-race, substantially as described.
Second-The combination, of a hook-needle, thread delivering and controlling
mechanism, a curved shuttle, an arched shuttle race, and an arched work-plate,
substantially as described.
Third The combination, of the hook-needle, the work-plate convex laterally
and longitudinally, and the shuttle beneath the work-plate, substantially as
described.
Fourth-The combination, of a hook needle, a curved shuttle, an arched shuttle-
race which supports the shuttle in its course therein, and a shuttle-drivér mounted
on a rocking shaft below the centre of the race, substantially as described.
Fifth The combination, with a shuttle having a longitudinally recessed web or
groove on its upper side, of a race plate grooved on its underside for cooperating
with the shuttle to cause the slack shuttle thread to occupy the recess in-the-top
of the shuttle during its backward movement, substantially as described.
Sixth In-an-arched or curved shuttle race, upper bearings for the shuttle,
composed of cork or similar yielding material, substantially-as-described.
Seventh Fifth-A curved shuttle provided with a longitudinal thread recess
extending from nose to heel on its upper side, substantially as described.
Eighth A-curved shuttle provided-with-a-longitudinal thread recess on its
upper side, and a thread-delivery aperture near the-nose of the shuttle, substantially
as described.
Ninth Siath: A curved shuttle having a thread groove or recess on its upper
side extending from nose to heel, and a spring for bearing upon the thread within
the recess, substantially as described.
Tenth Seventh-A segmental plate forming an arched shuttle-rail, and bearings
for a needle-bar, substantially as described.
Eleventh Eighth-The combination, with the awl-bar, its operating rocking
shaft, and the arm or lever thereon, of the bearing disc on the awl-bar, slotted to
receive the said arm, substantially as described.
Twelfth The combination of the feed-slide, the presser foot lifted during the
forward-movement of the slide, and the awl, actuated by mechanism which causes
it to be bodily lifted during the entire forward movement of the slide, substantially
as described.

page_text: Thirteenth Ninth :-In a sewing machine involving a feeding motion by aid of
an awl or a needle, the combination, substantially as herein before described, of a
feed slide, its vibrating mechanism, coupling mechanism for operatively connecting
the slide to its vibrating mechanism, and feed controlling mechanism, which enables
a variable adjustment of the coupling mechanism, to be made whilst the slide is in
operation, as set forth.
Fourteenth The combination, substantially as herein before described, of the
feed slide, carrying an awl or a needle-for feeding, its vibrating mechanism and
coupling mechanism, and a feed graduating lever, for varying the position of the
caid-coupling mechanism, whether the feed slide is in motion or at rest, as set.
forth.
Fifteenth The combination, substantially as herein-before described, of the:
slide vibrating mechanism, the feed slide having an inclined slot, and the coupling
blocks capable of a sliding movement, for varying the vibrations of the feed slide
while-in operation, as set forth.
Sixteenth Tenth :-The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of
the slide vibrating mechanism, the feed slide having the inclined slot, the coupling
blocks, and means for adjusting the said blocks and thereby varying the vibration
of the feed-slide, as set forth.
Seventeenth-The-combination, with mechanism for varying the vibrations of
a feed slide carrying an awl or a needle for feeding, of a graduated seale, substantially.
as described.
Eighteenth Eleventh :-The combination, substantially as herein before described,
of the vibrating slotted arm, the slotted feed-slide, the coupling blocks, the lever
for moving said blocks in their slots, and the graduated scale.
Nineteenth Twelfth :-The combination substantially as hereinbefore described,.
of the feed-slide carrying an awl or a needle, the feed-graduating lever, the
graduated scale, and a locking device for maintaining the said lever in any desired.
position.
Twentieth-The combination, with a hook needle below a work plate, and
take-up mechanism including a pulley over-which the thread passes just prior to
approaching the needle, of an inclined thread-tube-which occupies a direct line
from the periphery of the said pulley-to the path of the needle, substantially as
described:
Twenty-first Thirteenth :-The combination, with a hook needle and a presser
foot, of a thread-eye for carrying the thread across the path of the needle and
above the presser-foot, and a thread-arm vibrating in the arc of a circle wholly at.
one side of the presser-foot and the path of the needle, substantially as described,.
whereby the space above the presser-foot, less that required by the thread-eye, is..
rendered available for the complete elevation of the presser-foot.
Twenty-second Fourteenth :-The combination, substantially as hereinbefore
described, of a hook-needle, a thread-arm, a thread-eye, and operating mechanism.
for the arm and eye, which causes the said eye to first carry and deliver the
thread to the arm, and thence deliver the thread to the needle, and also causes the
arm to merely retain, and. release the thread delivered to it by the eye, whereby
the said arm is prevented from abrading the thread, as set forth.
Twenty-third The combination, substantially as hereinbefore-described, of a
hook needle, take-up mechanism, a thread tube in line with the path of the needle,
and a thread-eye, which, when it has delivered the thread to the needle, rests in
line with the thread tube during the operation of the take up for obviating
deflection and the consequent abrasion of the thread by the eye, as set forth:
Twenty-fourth Fifteenth :-The combination, of the hook-needle, the thread-eye,
its lever and reciprocating slide, and the stationary slotted plate, substantially as
described, whereby the path traversed by the eye toward and from the needle
is laid in a straight line, and in a curved line in delivering the thread thereto, as
set forth.
Twenty-fifth-The combination, substantially-as-hereinbefore-described, of a

page_text: hook needle, apresser foot, a vibrating thread eye, and a thread-measuring arm
which is variably adjusted for measuring off-the-thread by the vertical movement of
the presser foot.
Twenty-sixth Sixteenth-The combination, of the preser-foot, and the thread-
arm pivoted upon an axis which is varied in its location by raising or lowering the
presser-foot, substantially as described.
Twenty-seventh: The combination, with the presser foot provided with
rounded projection on its bar, of a thread arm rotatively mounted on a lever, a
vertically inclined lug or web on the said lever, and a spring for maintaining the
surface of the inclined lug in contuet with the projection on the presser bar,
substantially as described,-whereby the position-of-the-onid-thread arm is varied by
the vertical adjustment of the presser foot, as set forth.
Twenty-eighth Seventeenth-The combination, of the thread-arm, mounted on a
movable axis, the presser-foot controlling the position of the said axis, the
reciprocating rod, and the bell-crank-lever and link connecting the said rod with
the thread arm, substantially as described.
Twenty-ninth Eighteenth-The combination, with the presser-foot, its bar, and
lifting finger, of the vibrating lever which lifts the foot during the feeding
operation, and an adjustable seat for the lifting finger on the said lever, sub-
stantially as described.
Thirtieth The combination of an arched shuttle race, a wax thread shuttle,
and one or more heating burners located near the lower ends of the race, substan-
tially as described, for heating the shuttle and its contents, as set forth.
Thirty-first-The-combination substantially-as hereinbefore-described, with the
parts to be heated ina wax-thread machine, of a burner or burners remotely
located from the said parts, and intermediate metallic connections for conducting
heat from the said barners to the said parts, us-set forth.
Thirty-second Nineteenth :-The combination, with a thread tube for heating
the thread in its passage through the said tube and a heating, burner remote from
the said tube, of a heating rod or plate connected with the said tube at one end,
and exposed to the flame of the burner at its opposite end, substantially as
described.
Thirty-third Twentieth-The combination, of a main wax-cup, and an auxiliary
wax-cup connected with the main cup, and located between the take-up mechanism
and the work-plate, and in the straight path of the thread, substantially as
described, whereby the thread enters and leaves the auxiliary cup in a direct line,
as set forth.
Thirty-fourth-A tubular wax cup traversed longitudinally by the thread-on
its way to the work plate, and provided at top and bottom with perforated plugs,
substantially as described, whereby the wax is enclosed and guarded against
injurious exposure, as set forth.
Thirty-fifth-A-wax thread shuttle having a thread-chamber, a wax-chamber,
and an aperture provided with packing for stripping the surplus wax from the
thread as it leaves the shuttle, substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Nineteenth day of July in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
HENRY H. LAKE. (L.s.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
and Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WAX-THREAD SEWING MACHINES." A communication
from abroad by Duncan Hector Campbell, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island,
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th January 1882.
"
HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London. IMPROVEMENTS IN WAX-THREAD SEWING
MACHINES." [A communication from abroad by Duncan Hector Campbell, of
Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to wax thread sewing machinery and comprises various
improvements hereinafter described.
For adapting my machine to a wide range of service I have provided therefor
an arch work plate which is convex laterally and longitudinally and have also so
elevated and located the same with reference to the bed and other portions of the
frame as to attain many of the advantages incident to the prior so called "post
machines together with such as accompany a flat work plate which can if
desired be interchangeably employed on my machine as an attachment to the arch
plate.
"
For securing an unusual thread carrying capacity in my shuttle, attaining an
easy and effective motion therefor, and effectually heating the shuttle and its
thread I have provided a shuttle having a lance shaped point and longitudinal webs
on its underside, as described in the Specifications of former Letters Patent dated
A.D. 1878 No. 1795; A.D. 1881 No. 2145; and A.D. 1881 No. 2146 but instead of
being straight like all prior shuttles for wax thread machines of which I have
cognizance, my present shuttle is curved, so as to resemble a segment of a tubular

page_text: ring within which I can lodge upwards of fifty yards of heavy thread, as 4 cord
No. 16, and of smaller sizes a much greater quantity without an excessive cross
sectional area of shuttle.
This shuttle may be made with comparatively light walls, and yet be reliably
stiff and strong because of its form and although carrying a heavy load of thread
it is moved easily and effectively, because its path is in the arc of a circle in a
vertical plane and therefore when operated at reasonable speed, it is lifted
centrifugally from its rail and its driver. The race for the shuttle being arched
and open below at each side, and also at the crown of the arch at the needle hole
in the work plate I utilize said race as a pair of heating flues up which, on each side,
a current of heated air passes, the two currents meeting at the apex, and passing
outward through the needle hole, thus not only properly heating the shuttle and
its contents as it traverses the race, but also heating the needle and the upper
waxed thread which stands alone and adjacent to the work plate, and this, too,
without appreciably heating the needle slide or bar, and its bearings which are
located centrally and below the apex of the arch. The race employed in this
machine consists of a central rail, occupied by the space between the webs of the
shuttle and top guides substantially in these respects, as is shewn and described in
said prior Specifications, but my present race, as before herein indicated differs from
any other known to me in this class of machines in that it is segmental in form.
For securing a smooth and easy action of the shuttle in its race and providing for
any undue pressure of the top of the shuttle against the top guides incident to
centrifugal force, I have clad the top guides with non metallic bearings, preferably
of cork, or such other suitable material as will not be impaired by heat in the race,
and which will be capable of cushioning the shuttle without undue friction
therewith. For properly controlling the slack shuttle thread as the shuttle passes
rearward, I have provided therefor a longitudinal recess or score on the upper side
of the shuttle, and so proportioned a portion of the top guides of the race they they
cause the slack shuttle thread to house itself effectually within said top score.
I have provided a shuttle driver and operating mechanism which enables the driver
to halt and retire slightly, while the loop is being drawn up, and then to advance
for tightening the shuttle thread. Said driver has two arms radiating upwardly
from a rock shaft located below, and in line with, the path of the needle, and in
line with the standing thread when drawn upon by the take up. Above the
work plate, in my present machine, I have provided many novel features pertaining
to the obviation of undue abrasion of the upper thread, well heating the same, its
proper presentation to the needle, and the self adjustment of devices for measuring
off the thread requisite for a stitch, and also pertaining to the awl operating
mechanism, the feed graduation, and the automatic lifting of the presser foot during
the feeding motion. My Invention comprises numerous other improvements all of
which are conductive to the attainment of desirable and valuable results.
In carrying the said Invention into practice the bed frame is cast solidly,
including the end plate but the race plates are detachable.
Between the upper
ends of the race plates is the needle plate which, with the adjacent ends of the
race plates, constitutes an arched work plate, convex longitudinally and laterally,
and at the rear side of this work plate there is a deep wide recess or space for the
reception of depending portions of material, while other portions thereof are being
stitched.
<<
The arch work plate with the deep recess at its side, enables the execution of
much work not heretofore possible except on horn or post machines, and, as arranged,
it constitutes a post" of novel construction, well adapted for stitching long
lines of narrow flexible work, or wider work, which, while being stitched, should
depend from the work plate at both sides. The work plate being convex as
described enables me to turn as sharp corners in heavy stitching of leather as are
now possible in domestic machines on light fabrics, because, while I have a good
central bearing for the work in line with the needle the face of the work plate
gradually recedes from the underside of the work and permits a free swivelling of

page_text: the latter, around the awl or needle as the case may be, and the recess permits the
workman to, place one hand, whenever desirable, beneath the work adjacent to
the needle for easing it up while guiding it from side to side with the other hand.
In executing light flat work, the ordinary flat work plate is desirable, and I have
therefore provided a plate. I provide the usual needle opening and also a con-
cavity at its underside adjacent thereto, for proper seating upon the crown of the
arch. work plate and it is also provided with depending lugs through which screws
are passed into tapped holes in the side of the upper rear portion of the bed'
frame.
I am aware that single and double thread machines for sewing hat linings have
heretofore been provided with arched work plates, and that in chain stitch wax
thread machines, posts have been employed having bearing surfaces more or less
rounded; and also that similar posts have been employed in lock stitch wax thread
machines, wherein the shuttle is located above the post; but according to my present
Invention I so organize a waxed thread lock stitch machine having a shuttle below
the work plate, that an arch work plate is rendered possible in that class of
machines.
I am also aware that dry thread sewing machines have heretofore embodied eye
pointed needles, arched shuttle races, and either straight or curved shuttles, but
this is the first machine known to me which has been devised for operating with
waxed thread, wherein a hook needle, an arched race, and a curved or even a
straight shuttle has been combined.
The shuttle race embodies an arch rail and top guides which in this instance
are portions of the race plates which are readily detached and replaced, but are
held in position by buttons at their lower ends. This rail and the top guides are
novel in that they constitute a vertically arched race but otherwise they are
substantially as shewn in the Specification of former Letters Patent A.D. 1881
No. 2145, hereinbefore referred to. At intervals the top guides are provided with
cushioning bearings against which the upper sides of the shuttle bear when
influenced by centrifugal force incident to high speed, which enables me to rapidly
operate a large heavy shuttle carrying a heavy load of waxed thread, much more
easily and smoothly, than if reciprocated in a straight line. One of the detachable
race plates has projecting splines which serve as continuations of the upper guides
for the shuttle, beneath the needle plate, but said splines are partially housed in
said plate. The arch rail is preferably formed integrally upon the top edge of a
segmental plate which is secured to the inner side of the end plate. This
segmental plate affords centrally a vertical bearing for the bar of the hook needle
which is operated substantially as heretofore, with the following movements from
below it rises to its full height, descends to a point wholly below the path of the
shuttle, and while the shuttle is passing it rises slightly allowing the loop to be
released from the hook, and then descends to its original position. The release of
the loop is effected by the shuttle web and its forward movement, and the loop is
prevented from moving unduly forward, by the surface of the shuttle rail adjacent
to the needle path as in the prior machines. It is to be understood that I do not
limit myself to the particular construction of rail and top guides now described by
me, in the formation of a vertically arched race for either of the forms shewn in
the aforesaid former Specifications and many others may be employed on the
vertical arch principle with more or less desirable results.
The channel or groove
between the top guides varies in its width at different portions of this race for
purposes hereinafter to be explained in connection with the shuttle and its
operation. The arch race also serves as two heating flues.
The shuttle has a lance shaped point, centrally located, and a longitudinal recess
on its underside and is curved longitudinally in the plane of its lance shaped point,
so as to be in substance the segment of a tubular ring and it conforms to the
curved line of the arch rail. It has also a longitudinal recess on its upper side
within which near the point of the shuttle, is an aperture for the outward passage
of the thread, and cross bar, and also a flat spring the free end of which bears

page_text: .
against the thread and forces it against one side of the recess.
rendered adjustable as to pressure by means of a lateral screw.
Said spring is
The portion of a recess extending from a bar or pin to the heel of the shuttle,
receives the thread after the shuttle has passed through a loop and during the
tightening of the stitch, but during its backward movement the slack thread is
housed in said recess in front of the pin, it being properly guided so as to thus
house itself by the narrow portion of the groove or channel between the top guides
of the race said narrow portion extending for a short distance from a point directly.
in the rear of the needle or toward the left hand.
At the heel of the shuttle I provide a non-resonant pad to deaden the sound and
ease the forcible contact of the driver with the shuttle when run at high speed.
This pad may be made of soft tough metal, like copper for instance, although I
prefer to use raw hide. At each side of the shuttle is a longitudinal clearance web
projecting laterally a short distance in order to limit the area of contact of the
loop with the shuttle; the rear end of the shuttle on which the pad is located is
readily removable for the insertion of the cop and is provided with a securing
latch and pin. The ease with which a shuttle can be thrown in a vertical arch
race enables me to make it of unusual length, and without its being unduly large in
sectional area, to provide for the reception of a greater quantity of thread than
any prior wax thread shuttle of which I have knowledge, as for instance, I work
at high speed a shuttle of this character which as before herein stated, receives a
cop containing upwards of 50 yards of 4 cord No. 16 thread, and a proportionally
greater quantity of smaller sizes. I find it desirable for securing smooth and easy
action of the shuttle, to deliver thread therefrom from an aperture at or near its
nose, and on its upper side, instead of delivering it from or near the heel as generally
heretofore in machines having straight shuttles. The delivery of the thread from
the nose of the shuttle (instead of from the heel) enables me to apply the cushion
pad at the heel, and also to better control the shuttle thread during the operation
of the take up and during the flight of the shuttle.
The shuttle driver is triangular in its outline and in no manner supports the
shuttle; this driver requires no slide for controlling its movement with reference to
the shuttle and race and it is therefore frictionless in its operation save at its rock
shaft on which it is mounted. The front arm of the carrier has a head which is
bifurcated so as to properly engage with the nose of the shuttle, and the rear arm
is provided with a convex knob preferably adjustable for contact with the pad at the
heel of the shuttle. The driver is vibrated by a cam operating through a rock-shaft
provided with an arm and a pin occupying a cam groove, a lever and link connecting
with an arm projecting from the rear arm of the carrier. After the shuttle has been
fully forced through the loop the driver retires slightly to permit the loop to be
freely drawn upward, and then moves forward forcing the shuttle to contribute to
the tightening of the stitch, because of the heavy draft on the shuttle thread.
The hook needle is operated as before herein described by a cam acting through
an arm at the right of the cam the rock shaft, an arm thereon, and the link
connecting said arm with the base of the needle har.
The awl bar is reciprocated and serves as a portion of the feeding mechanism (in
those respects) substantially as hereto fore and is operated by a cam acting through
a link, a sleeve rock shaft and arm but the flexible connection between the arm
and the awl bar is novel in this combination. Instead of using a crank or arm
and a link as is common, I have circularly recessed the awl bar and fitted thereto a
bearing disc which is slotted diametrically for the reception of the vibrating end of
the arm, said disc being held in place in its recess by à cap plate and screws which
occupy tapped holes in the side of the awl bar. With this construction the awl
bar is vertically reciprocated smoothly and with ease, and during the reciprocation
of the feed slide, the awl bar is readily varied in its position longitudinally upon
the arm or lever. The cam is so formed that during the movement of the feed
slide, the awl is constantly rising in order to contribute by its lifting action to an easy
forward movement of the work upon the work plate. This lifting action by an

page_text: awl during its forward or feeding movement, has heretofore been provided for in
machines having a pivoted pendant frame containing the awl bar, by causing the
awl to fully descend in an inclined position and then to move forward in the are
of a circle, with a slight upward swing.
The feeding slide is reciprocated to and fro by a cam groove in the inner face of
the driving wheel acting through a link connected to a sleeved arm or lever, a rock
shaft (within the sleeve) and a slotted arm on the outer end of the said rock shaft
substantially as heretofore, but I have devised means whereby the feed may be
readily varied while the machine is in motion, and have also provided for its ready.
graduation to a predetermined scale. I have also improved upon the construction
of the parts pertaining to the feeding operation. According to one of the said
prior Specifications I provided for an adjustment of the feed slide for varying the
length of stitch by means of a slotted arm on a rock shaft, and a sliding block
which coupled said arm to the slide vertically slotted to receive one portion of said
block and the latter was made adjustable in said slide slot by means of a clamp
screw or nut having a finger lever projecting therefrom. While thoroughly effective
for the purpose intended, it could not be changed while the machine was in motion
and could only be manipulated slowly even by an expert, but as now devised and
constructed, any person of ordinary skill and capable of properly guiding the work,
may readily change the feed to any desired degree without stopping the machine,
which is a feature of great practical importance in various ways, but specially
obvious for instance in stitching across previously formed seams, in which case the
old seam may be spanned by one or more long stitches and yet these latter can be
immediately preceded and succeeded by shorter stitches of a uniform character. In
my former machine the feed slide slot was vertical, and therefore the feeding
motion was always performed on one side of the centre of the rock shaft, but now
I have provided an inclined block slot for the feed slide so that in the feeding
motion the block has less vertical movement in the slide, resulting in much smoother
action and with less friction than before, and requiring a lesser movement of the
block to provide for a given change in the length of stitch.
Upon a stationary plate I provide a feed graduating lever provided with a
thumb-latch having a pin for entering any desired hole in a graduated scale bar.
These holes are so located with reference to each other, that, for instance, when the
graduating lever is set at the lowest hole, a maximum number of stitches to the
inch will be produced, and this number may be decreased in whole stitches or in
fraction of a stitch, by locating the outer end of the lever in some higher position,
the graduations having been accurately predetermined, each hole may be respec-
tively marked to indicate the dimensions of stitch resulting. The graduating lever
is connected by a link to a coupled block which occupies an inclined slot in the
feed slide, its fellow block occupying a groove or slot in a slotted arm on a rock
shaft before referred to. These blocks connected as described constitute the
coupling mechanism by which the slide and its vibrating mechanism are connected.
Heretofore the block slot in the feed slide has been vertical and the block which
occupied the slot in the crank or arm of the rock shaft was provided with a pin
which projected through the vertical slot in the feed slide and was locked to said
slide by a nut having a lever, thus requiring considerable sliding movement of the
block during the swinging movements of the rock shaft arm, and causing most of
the work of feeding to be performed on one side of the centre of the rock shaft as
herein before partially set forth.
As now constructed according to this Invention the two blocks are rotatively
pivotted to each other by a screw stud so that the block may freely move axially
to correspond with the various angular positions assumed by the slot in the rock
shaft arm.
The inclination of the slot is an important improvement as compared
to the prior straight slot, for with this inclined slot a much less movement of the
block is requisite for attaining desired variations, and the feeding mechanism is
more easily and smoothly operated than with the straight slot in the feed slide.
While I have preferred to employ a lever as a part of the controlling mechanism

page_text: .
for moving and adjusting the blocks, I do not wholly limit myself thereto, for it is
obvious that various other means may be employed for varying the position of said
blocks and as an instance of such other mechanism I will state that a vertical
screw on the face plate may be relied upon if said screw have tapped thereto a
nut block horizontally slotted to receive a finger or stud projecting from, or
constituting a part of, the stud, in which case it is obvious that the turning of the
screw would raise or lower the nut block, and that in turn would raise or lower
the coupling blocks, the horizontal slot in the nut block permitting the free sliding
to and fro of the coupling blocks moving with the feed slide. It is also obvious
that the coupling mechanism may be varied in its construction as for instance
closely resembling a "link motion" in valve gear of locomotive. It is also obvious
that the advantages due to the inclined slot would be at least in part available
even if the matter of its adjustment was possible only, while the machine was at
rest. In stitching across junctions with other seams it is frequently desirable that
the stitches should be lengthened so as not to unduly cut or tear the leather with
the awl or needle adjacent to such seams and as will be seen I am enabled to
accomplish the end even at high speed without in any manner otherwise affecting
the operation of the machine. It having been predetermined what length of stitch
is best for crossing a prior seam, a stop pin can be placed in the proper holes of the
scale so that the workman will have only to carry the graduating lever against
said pin and then when the seam is passed replace it in its former position, and
in view of the rapidity required for assuring accuracy, a second detachable stop
pin may be used, so that the range of movement possible by the lever between the
two will provide for the maximum and minimum length of stitch required in each
case. It is also obvious that whether an awl or a needle be relied upon as an
element in the feeding mechanism, my improvements are equally applicable, no
changes being requisite save in such variations in mechanical arrangement as
might be necessarily involved according to whether the needle operated from above
or below the work plate or to other peculiarities common to each particular class of
machines. The latch arrangement on the graduating lever may also be varied
as for instance the outer end of said lever may serve as a pointer, traversing the
face of a marked graduating scale and a swivelled quick screw, tapped to a block
swivelled to said lever relied upon for effecting the adjustments and also locking or
maintaining the coupling blocks in any required position. I am well aware that
it is not new to provide in ordinary sewing machines for variable variations of a
serrated feed bar by means of levers set screws, and a graduated scale, but I provide
in combination with a slide carrying an awl or a needle for feeding, means for
controlling coupling blocks, whereby accurately measured variations in the movė-
ments of the feed slide can be promptly effected whether the machine be in active
operation or at rest.
I will next describe the mechanism which controls the upper thread and delivers
it to the hook needle. The spool is mounted as usual on a vertical spindle and
the thread passes thence through the wax cup and thence to and over a tension
wheel the thread wheel is operated substantially as before by a rock shaft, levers,
and links actuated by the cam in the side of the drive wheel and these with the
brake wheel and shielded pulley constitute the take up substantially as heretofore.
I also now employ a cushioned abutment which limits the downward stroke of the
thread wheel, as in my prior machine, but instead of having the thread wheel levers
outside as before I now house them within the frame and provide an abutment on
the upper end of a screw which is tapped upward through the frame. From a
shielded pulley in my former machine, the thread passed downward through a
vertical tube but when the take up operated, the line of draft on the thread
from the stitch to the periphery of the shielded pulley was not sufficiently direct
to obviate contact of the thread with the lower end of the tube. I have now
provided an inclined tube which is in line with the path of the needle and sub-
stantially in line with the point at which the stitch is formed, so that when the
take-up operates the thread on being tightened, occupies a straight direct line from

page_text: the stitch hole to the periphery of the pulley. In attaining this result, the
inclination of the thread tube important because it enables me to set my thread
pulley somewhat back of the front of the head and obtain a direct line to the
stitch line without interference with any of the mechanism contained within the
head.
.
For delivering the thread to the hook needle I employ a vibrating thread eye
and a vibrating thread arm.
'
The thread eye is horizontally mounted from the lower end of a vertical branch
of a lever which is crank shaped and has at the end of its horizontal branch a
vertical pin or stud pivotally connected to a sliding block which is actuated through
a rod by a cam, and suitable intermediate mechanism, which in this instance
embraces a bell crank lever and a pendant link. The sliding block of itself would
inpart movement to the thread eye in a straight line only, but the curved line
path requisite for the eye in enabling it to pass partially around the needle for
delivering the thread to the hook thereof in a horizontal bight, is obtained by an
irregular cam slot in a stationary plate said slot being so formed as to cause the
eye to traverse the desired path, said slot being occupied by the vertical branch of
a crank lever; the eye is moved in a straight line (inclined to the path of a sliding
block) to a point abreast of the needle, thence in a curved line partially around the
needle, and then partially back again while the needle is descending and resting so
as not to deflect the standing thread during the operation of the take up.
The thread arm has simply a movement in the arc of a circle, and therefore it is
mounted in the lower end of a vertical rotative spindle, having at its upper end a
horizontal lever which at its outer end is pivotted to a reciprocating rod which is
actuated at its opposite end through a bell crank lever and pendant link
operatively connected with a çam. The thread eye and arm and their respective
operative mechanism were so organized that their movements result in the
delivery and control of the thread as follows:-
In my prior machine the thread arm traversed the line of the standing thread in
a right line, and therefore was provided with a latch tip.
My present arm has no latch and needs none, for it relies upon the thread eye to
deliver thread to it instead of helping itself to the standing thread as before. In
drawing down the thread in my prior machine, the arm and eye both being
engaged with the thread simultaneously from each other and therefore the thread
was dragged through the eye and also over the arm but now as before stated it is
drawn through the eye only, and when a sufficient quantity of thread is thus
provided, it is absolutely free for its downward course with the needle. This
combination of a thread to an arm which only moves for the purpose of securely
holding the thread thus delivered to it by the eye, said eye then proceeding to
deliver thread to the needle is a novel feature and valuable because of the non
abrasion of the thread by the arm, and it is also novel to combine these elements as
described so that the arm is always not only at one side of the needle but also at
one side of the presser foot and never above it for reasons as follows viz.-When
an arm is used which does not occupy at any time any space above the presser
foot, thicker work can be sewed with a needle of a given length, because no
obstacle is presented to the complete elevation of the presser foot, except the eye
which obviously must traverse the path of the needle and above the presser foot.
Again greater certainty of operation is attained with an arm to which the thread
is delivered by the eye, as compared with a latch arm which proceeds to the
standing thread and engages therewith, because fine hard twisted thread is liable
to erratic vibrations during which the latch arm may or may not get a proper hold
thereon, whereas with my present arm no vibration of the thread can possibly
occur adjacent to the eye, at which point the delivery of thread to the arm
occurs.
It is not new to employ a swinging thread arm with a swinging eye, but as
heretofore organized, and operated, the arm helped itself to thread during the
movement of the eye and by continuing onward said arm carried the thread in

page_text: a direction away from the eye and over the presser foot, so that the thread slipped
over the arm, and it is the abrasion incident to this slipping action at the arm,
which I have obviated by having the eye carry the thread to the arm which
merely holds it while the eye next proceeds to and around the needles; and
instead of delivering the thread to the needle in a straight line between eye and
arm as heretofore, the thread is delivered to the hook in a horizontal bight thereby
greatly contributing to an unfailing and accurate engagement of the thread by the
hook. In said prior organizations of swinging thread eye and arm the latter
swung over the presser foot and in order that the latter could nevertheless be
lifted, said foot, eye and arm were connected together so that all were raised or
lowered together, involving a complication in the operative mechanism of the eye
and arm, which I obviate by locating my arm wholly at one side of the presser foot.
It will be readily understood that according to the rearward location of the
thread arm, the quantity of thread measured off by the arm and eye for delivery
to the needle, will be varied, and as thus far described, it will be seen that no
provision has been referred to for varying the measurement of thread to
substantially correspond with the thickness of work to be stitched.
In the Specification of the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 1795 I described means
for automatically varying the measurement of thread to the needle, proportioned to
the elevation of the presser foot above the work plate, or, in other words the
thickness of the materials to be stitched. In my prior machine the extent of
movement by the thread eye was varied, but it is obvious that either the arm or
the eye or both of them, may be thus variably moved for attaining the variable
delivery of thread to the needle.
"
In my present machine I provide for variation in the position of the thread arm,
and the particular means employed therefore are with slight modification applicable
for variably moving the thread eye. The thread arm as now used by me has a
thread seat near its outer end which will enable it to maintain a good control over
the thread even if it should be swung almost fully rearward, so that variation to
some extent could be provided for by swinging the arm from say 90 degrees to
nearly 180 degrees, but I prefer that the swinging movement be uniform, and
that the arm be bodily changed in position for attaining the variable measurement
of the thread.
The novel mechanism for attaining this end is constructed and arranged as
follows The thread arm in this case is vibrated on its axis which, instead of
occupying a fixed. position, is rendered movable by being mounted at the outer end
of a pivotted lever having a stationary axis and an inclined lug or web on one side
of said lever which is held by means of a spring, in constant engagement with the
edge of a lug projecting from the coincident side of the presser foot bar. A lug or
web inclines outwardly from bottom to top thereof and therefore when the presser
foot is at its lowest position, on thin work, the axis of the arm occupies the nearest
possible position to the needle, or to the outermost limit of the path of the thread
eye, but as the presser foot is raised said axis is thrown rearward thus causing the
thread arın to hold the thread proportionably farther to the rear, and nearer the rear
end of the path traversed by the thread eye. The movement of the thread eye is
uniform, and its path is always sufficiently extended rearward to enable the arm to
engage with the thread wherever said arm may be located.
The previously described reciprocating rod is here employed which as before
described is reciprocated by the same cam and the bell crank lever. The circular or
swinging movement of the thread arm on account of its variable axis, requires a more
complex connection of said arm with the reciprocating rod which instead of being
directly pivotted to the lever in which the arm is mounted (as before described) is
pivotted to the long arm of the bell crank lever the short arm of which is connected
by a link with the projecting rear end of the thread arm itself, so that as the rod is
reciprocated, the arm will be properly swung on its axis regardless of the position
the latter may occupy.
The thread arm and eye constructed and co-operating as
organized according to my Invention are so positive and reliable in their delivery

page_text: of thread to the hook of the needle, and in gradually giving off the thread by the
arm as the needle descends, that I am enabled to rely upon a very small hook, and
a smaller sized needle and awl may therefore be used with thread of a given size or
number, than in my prior machine. The eye and arm, if not variable in action as
described, always provide ample thread for the passage of the shuttle, and the
variable arrangement operates in like manner, but in addition thereto also provides
for more or less thread according to the thickness of the work. As a result of the
feature last named I am with this machine as with my prior machine, enabled to
fill the awl hole tightly with thread without chafing the thread or disturbing the
wax, and especially so far as relates to the stripping action by the hook needle
incident to machines wherein no variable measurement of thread has been duly
provided for.
The presser foot as heretofore is depressed by a spring and lifted during the
movement of the feed slide, by means of a lever and cam. In my former machine
a similar combination of devices was employed, but I have now improved the same
so far as to locate the lever within the frame of the machine, and also to provide for
a more convenient and desirable variable lift of the presser foot than in my former
machine. The outer end of the lever is provided with a vertical adjusting screw
the top of which engages with the underside of a lifting finger on the presser foot
bar and affords an adjustable seat so that on raising or lowering the screw, the
degree of lift may be varied. I have also provided as heretofore for lifting the
presser foot by means of a treadle which, by a suitable link, cord, or wire, is con-
nected with the rear end of a separate lifting lever so that when the machine
is in operation the workman may employ both hands at the work plate, and control
the presser foot with his foot.
In heating my machine I provide certain novel features of practical value, some
of which are applicable to wax thread machines as heretofore organized.
I have already described the arched shuttle race and referred to its value in
connection with heating. It will be seen that each side portion of the race may be
utilized as a heating Bue. The race plates are occasionally perforated near the
upper portions thereof to afford a vent for the heated air which also partially
ascends vertically through the hole in the needle plate in favorable contact with
the standing thread. Two gas jets are employed (although one may sometimes.
be relied upon) and the heat from both ascends upwardly and merges at the central
upper portion of the race, which serves as to heating flues within which the
shuttle is continuously moving to and fro, so that it is exposed to heating currents
applied longitudinally thereto, and in a manner most favorable to a proper degree
of heat without liability of an injurious excess thereof. This combination of an
arched race with one or more heaters located at the lower ends thereof I deem of
great practical value for the purposes intended.
In my prior machine and in others of the same general class, thread tubes have
been employed in connected with burners which directly heated the tubes. The
overheating of said tubes is therefore quite frequent, resulting either in damage to
the thread, or such a burning of the wax as to render it unsuitable to effect the
purposes desired. I have obviated this liability of overheating thread tubes, by
what, as I believe, is a novel application of the well known principle of heating by
metallic conduction. The inclined thread tube before herein described is made of
copper and has at its upper end an elbow the top of which is open in line with the
tube to admit of access by the thread thereto. Inserted in the outer end of the elbow
is a copper rod which at its opposite end is bent downward and there connected
with a flat heating plate also of copper (or other good heat conducting metal) beneath
which is the burner so that the flame of the latter heats the plate, and through the
rod and elbow heats the thread tube. I deem this feature of heating thread tubes by
metallic conduction from a burner so remotely located as to in no manner interfere
with or be disturbed by the mechanism within the head, of great practical impor-
tance. With this method of heating I am also easily enabled to keep the tension
and take up mechanism well heated, by attaching a bracket (which sustains the

page_text: rod and heating plate) directly to the rear of a frame plate on which a tension'
wheel is mounted, so that heat is conducted thereto and then to the waxed thread
in contact therewith. The thread arm and the thread eye may also be kept well
heated by extending branches of a similar heat conducting rod to the sleeves or
bearings in which those devices are mounted.
When employed without the novel waxing apparatus hereinafter described the wax
cup is located above the heating plate, which is slotted or perforated and may be
mounted if desired upon a vertical branch of the conducting rod, and because of the
provisions made for heating the thread in transit the wax in the cup need never
be exposed to such heat as would be liable to injure the wax.
When arranged for waxing as thus far described the several burners are connected
with gas pipes within the frame, each branch thereof being provided with cocks
separately graduating the burners.
My novel waxing apparatus may be varied in its organization and mode of
application, and may be used with a machine as herein before described, or with
machines more or less differing therefrom in construction. This waxing apparatus
is constructed and arranged as follows-
I provide a thread tube which is an important portion of my waxing apparatus,
and it is of value that it be so located with reference to the front portion of the
take-up mechanism, and to the path of the needle, that it will occupy the path of
the thread in a straight line from the take-up mechanism to said needle path.
Considered solely as a thread tube within which waxed thread is maintained in a
soft and pliable condition just prior to its delivery to a needle, and located in the
front portion of the head of the machine and in the direct path of the thread
between the take-up and needle. path, this tube constitutes a novel feature,
described in connection with the other tube. As now used, however, it serves as an
auxiliary wax cup, and is provided at its top with a slitted and perforated plug
and at its bottom with a compressible conical plug perforated centrally, a fixed
plug also perforated centrally and threaded externally, and an internally threaded
sleeve by means of which the conical plug which serves as a compressible packing
around the thread may be more or less compressed for securing good packing
contact with the thread, which extends from the front end of the take-up
mechanism on a straight line, through the plugs and the centre of the tube to the
needle path. The plug should be composed of cork, felt, or other compressible
material which will resist the impairing effect of heat and the destructive effects of
the wax.
The upper plug need not always be in close contact with the thread for its
function is mainly to serve as the close top of the tube used as a wax cup for
preventing the escape of heat, and obviating undue evaporation of the hot wax, but
said upper plug may also be relied upon as a stripper of hot wax from the thread,
as well as thereby working the wax into the body of the thread. The lower plug
serves as a stripper a worker of wax into the thread, and also as the bottom of the
tube serving as an auxiliary wax cup.
The main wax cup is located without reference to the path of the thread, and is
occasionally mounted upon some convenient portion of the machine, but it is
essentially so located with reference to the auxiliary cup, that heated wax will
flow from the main, to the auxiliary cup, through a suitable pipe. Said main cup
is also supplied with a suitable heating medium, either steam pipes, a lamp, or a
gas burner.
It is preferable that the heat be applied at or near the bottom of the
main cup, and adjacent to the conduit pipe, so that the danger of overheating may
be well guarded against, and also so that said conduit may be well heated, and it
is best that the main and auxiliary cups, and well as the connecting pipe, be
composed of copper or other good conductor of heat, and in some cases the heating
medium may also be applied directly to the auxiliary cup. Broadly stated, the
main feature of one branch of my Invention consists in the combination with
a main wax cup, of an auxiliary wax cup connected with, and supplied from the
main
cup, and located within the path of the thread, whereby the latter may be

page_text: drawn to and fro into, through, and from the auxiliary cup in a direct line, my
object being not only to properly wax the thread immediately before forming a
stitch, but to do it in such a manner that the liability of breakage of the thread.
within the wax cup will be reduced to a minimum, and this, as I believe, can only
be practically accomplished by the employment of an auxiliary wax cup, which
according to the particular type of machine with which it may be desired, can
always be located in the path of the thread so that the latter will be drawn to and
fro therein in a practically straight line between the point where it last bears,
after leaving the take up, and the device, by which it is drawn downward.
Heretofore a wax cup has been mounted upon the front of the head provided
with heating devices and with a perforated india-rubber, plug in its bottom, and
compressing devices for closing said plug around the thread, but in drawing the
thread downward through the cup it was drawn from the plug at an angle, thereby
causing a liability of breakage of said, plug, which liability can be wholly obviated
by the employment of an auxiliary cup, because the latter can be located in the
straight path of the thread, and serve in part as a guide tube, and permit the
thread to enter and leave the tubular cup, above and below, in a straight line.
The horn may be of that particular kind used in machines having a shuttle
above the work bed, but so far as my Invention is concerned it might be such a
horn or post as is used in single thread machines. The main wax cup, the heating
burner, and the connecting pipe are mainly as before described differing therefrom
only so far as is desirable or requisite for their employment in this particular
connection. The auxiliary cup in this case, has a compressible plug at both ends, is
located within the horn, and its centre is in line with the direct path of the thread
between the angle roll and the usual exit aperture at the top of the horn. As here
applied, the auxiliary cup is wholly housed within the horn, and the main cup is
outside thereof, but it presents no obstruction to the complete use of the horn for
the purposes intended.
Considered with reference to its operation with the wax my apparatus differs
from the prior waxing apparatus hereinbefore referred to in several important
particulars. In said prior apparatus the thread was reciprocated up and down into
and out of the mass of melted wax, so that the thread was continually lifting the
wax from the mass, upward into the air, after the manner of dipping a candle,
and the main body of wax was therefore kept in a more or less turbulent
condition, which with the lifting and comparative cooling of the wax in the air, by
the thread, was specially conducive to the evaporation of the valuable volatile
matters contained therein, causing it to become grainy or flakey, and thereby
impairing its value in the seam. In my main wax cup no such movement of the
wax occurs, and the wax in the auxiliary cup is wholly enclosed and guarded
against evaporating or cooling influences. In the aforesaid prior apparatus, the
mass of wax was of necessity kept in a uniform and highly heated condition,
because the thread passed through the main body of the wax, and under those
circumstances as well as with wax cups as heretofore commonly used, the wax is
liable to frequent injury from overheating. In my main cup, only the lower portion
of the wax need be kept well heated leaving it always sufficiently cool at the top
as to obviate evaporation, and at the same time to so modify the heat below as
to render it practicably impossible for the wax to be overheated and thereby
injured.
As arranged in each of the instances illustrated the level of the wax in the
auxiliary cups will be determined by the quantity of wax in the main cups. For
passing the thread through the auxiliary cup, a long slender eye pointed needle is
used and said needle may be entered from above or below, as may be most
convenient in each case. The fixed plugs are bell mouthed or funnel shaped at
their inner ends which renders it an easy matter for the point of the threading
needle to be passed into and through the thread holes. With usy improvements as
described I am enabled to employ hard wax with better results than have hereto-
fore been obtained with soft or liquid wax, which is well known to be objectionable,

page_text: and the thread as waxed by me is so soon thereafter embodied in stitches, that no
requirement exists for heating the thread after waxing it.
As thus far described I have only shewn how I wax threads to be delivered to
looping mechanism, or delivered so as to lock with a second thread carried by a
shuttle, whether the latter be above a work plate, post or horn, or below a work
plate, and I will next describe how I wax, or preferably rewax, a previously waxed
shuttle thread just prior to forming a stitch. Heretofore mechanism has been
devised for this purpose which in general terms may be described as involving a
brush, or pad, or arm which is at intervals vibrated from a supply of heated wax
to the thread, between the shuttle and the throat plate of the machine, whereby the
surface of the thread is intermittingly charged or annointed with wax. I however
embody within the shuttle a waxing device whereby as the thread passes there-
from, it is waxed or rewaxed.
•
The shuttle is internally divided by a partition in a thread chamber and wax
chamber. As preferred by me the wax chamber is located at the front or nose of
the shuttle and the thread passes through the centre of flexible packing which is
secured in a tapered hole by a clamping plate and set screw having its seat in the
wall of the shuttle. The packing is rendered adjustable by aid of a compressible
screw which enters from the underside of the shuttle through its solid nose. A solidly
wound cop of waxed thread is located in the chamber, the internal end drawn out,
passed through a central aperture in the partition, and thence through the packing
in the nose of the shuttle, and thereafter suitable tension bars on the exterior of the
shuttle engage therewith. The shuttle may be straight and centrally pointed, and
provided with a recessed web on its upper side, but these features are not essential
in connection with my present Invention. The shuttle thus provided with a wax
chamber will require a good heating arrangement, many of those heretofore devised
being suitable for the purpose. The aperture need not be tightly occupied by the
thread for it will be in no manner disadvantageous if some of the wax passes in
the thread chamber, because the thread cannot become so charged with wax that
the packing will not properly strip the thread as it passes from the shuttle. In
charging the shuttle with wax and thread, the previously heated shuttle is held
nose downward, the end of the thread from the cop passed through the wax
chamber and through the packing, a charge of wax poured in from the heel, and the
cop inserted. Or the cop may be first put into position, and the melted wax poured
through the hole which contains the packing, the latter being readily removable,
and as readily replaced while on the thread. The rapid reciprocating motions of
the shuttle, as in use, will so agitate and throw the enclosed body of wax as to
cause it to be properly applied to the thread, even if the wax chamber be only
partially filled.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th July 1882.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WAX-THREAD SEWING
MACHINES." A communication from abroad by Duncan Hector Campbell, of
Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States of America.
This invention relates to wax thread sewing machines and comprises various
improvements as hereinafter described.
For adapting my machine to a wide range of service I have provided therefor an
arch work plate which is convex laterally and longitudinally, and have also so
elevated and located the same with reference to the bed and other portions of the
frame, as to attain many of the advantages incident to the prior so called "post
machines," together with such as accompany a flat work plate, which can, if desired,
be interchangeably employed on my machine, as an attachment to the arch plate.
For securing an unusual thread carrying capacity in my shuttle, attaining an
easy and effective motion therefor, and effectually heating the shuttle and its thread,
I have provided a shuttle having a lance shaped point and longitudinal webs on
its underside as described in the specifications of former Letters Patent dated
A.D. 1878 N° 1795; A.D. 1881 N° 2145 and A.D. 1881 N° 2146, but instead of
being straight like all prior shuttles for wax thread machines of which I have
cognizance, my present shuttle is curved, so as to resemble a segment of a tubular
ring within which I can lodge upwards of fifty yards of heavy thread, as 4 cord
No 16, and of smaller sizes a much greater quantity, without an excessive cross
sectional area of shuttle.
This shuttle may be made with comparatively light walls, and yet be reliably
stiff and strong because of its form, and although carrying a heavy load of thread
it is moved easily and effectively, because its path is in the are of a circle in a
vertical plane, and therefore when operated at reasonable speed it is lifted centri-
fugally from its rail and its driver.-The race for the shuttle being arched and open
below at each side, and also at the crown of the arch at the needle hole in the work
plate, I utilize the said race as a pair of heating flues, through which, on each side,
a current of heated air passes; these two currents meet at the apex, passing out-
wards through the needle hole, thus not only properly heating the shuttle and its
contents as it traverses the race, but also heating the needle, and the upper waxed
thread which stands alone and adjacent to the work plate, and this too without
appreciably beating the needle slide or bar, and its bearings which are located
centrally and below the apex of the arch. The race employed in this machine
consists of a central rail, occupying the space between the webs of the shuttle, and
the top guides, substantially in these respects, as is shown and described in the said
prior specifications; my present race as herein indicated differs from any other
known to me in this class of machines, in that it is segmental in form. For securing
a smooth and easy action of the shuttle in its race and providing for any undue
pressure of the top of the shuttle against the top guides, incident to centrifugal
force, I have covered the top guides with non metallic bearings preferably of cork, or
some other suitable material, as will not be impaired by heat in the race and which
will be capable of cushioning the shuttle without undue friction therewith. For
properly controlling the slack shuttle thread as the shuttle passes rearward, I have
provided therefor a longitudinal recess or groove on the upper side of the shuttle,
and so proportioned a portion of the top guides of the race, that they cause the

page_text: slack shuttle thread to house itself effectually within the said recess. I have
provided a shuttle driver, and operating mechanism which enables it to halt and
retire slightly, whilst the loop is being drawn up, and then to advance for tightening
the shuttle thread. The said driver has two arms radiating upwards from a rocking
shaft, located below and in line with the path of the needle, and also with the
standing thread when drawn upon by the take up. Above the work plate in my
present machine I have provided many novel features tending to obviate the undue
abrasion of the upper thread; well heating the same; its proper presentation to the
needle, and the self adjustment of devices for measuring off the thread requisite for
a stitch, and also pertaining to the awl operating mechanism, the feed graduation,
and the automatic lifting of the presser foot during the feeding motion. My
invention comprises numerous other improvements all of which are conducive to
the attainment of desirable and valuable results.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same but with the bed frame in section.
Figure 3 is an end view of the lower portion of the machine with the arch
work plate in section, and illustrates a flat work plate applied, as indicated in
dotted lines.
Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views of different portions of the race with shuttle
in position.
Figure 6 is a plan of the front portion of the shuttle, and one arm of the
driver.
Figure 7 is a plan of one end of one of the race plates detached.
Figures 8 to 12 inclusive, are detail views of the mechanism for delivering thread
to the hook needle.
Figures 13 to 15 inclusive, are detail views of the mechanism for graduating the
feed while the machine is in motion.
Figures 16 to 19 inclusive, are detail views of the mechanism for automatically
measuring the thread according to the thickness of the work and the variation in
position of the presser foot with, relation to the work plate.
Figures 20 to 23 inclusive, are detail views of the shuttle which is shown in
about size.
Figure 24 is an enlarged sectional view of the top guide of the shuttle race.
Figures 25 and 26 are detail views of the awl bar and its operative lever.
Figure 27 is a section and plan of a flat work plate arranged for ready application
to the arch plate.
Figures 28 to 35 inclusive illustrate novel waxing apparatus.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3 the peculiar construction of the bed frame A is clearly
illustrated; this bed frame is cast solidly, including the end plate a, but the race
plates a are detachable. Between the upper ends of the race plates is the needle
plate a², which, with the adjacent ends of the race plates, constitute an arched work
plate, convex longitudinally and laterally, and at the rear side of this work plate
there is a deep wide recess or space A¹ for the reception of depending portions of
material, while other portions thereof are being stitched.
The arch work plate with the deep recess at its side, enables the execution of
much work not heretofore possible, except on horn or post machines, and as
arranged it constitutes a "post" of novel construction, well adapted for stitching
long lines of narrow flexible work, or wider work, which, while being stitched,
should depend from the work plate at both sides. The work plate being convex
as described enables me to turn as sharp corners in heavy stitching of leather as
are now possible in domestic machines on light fabrics, because while I have a
good central bearing for the work in line with the needle, the face of the work
plate gradually recedes from the under side of the work, and permits a free
swivelling of the latter around the awl or the needle as the case may be, and the
recess A permits the workman. to place one hand, whenever desirable, beneath
the work adjacent to the needle for easing it up while guiding it from side to side

page_text: with the other band. In executing light flat work, the ordinary flat work plate
is desirable, and I have therefore provided the plate a³, as shown in dotted lines
in Figures 2 and 3, and in section and top view in Figure 27 wherein will be seen
the usual needle opening, and also a cavity at its under side adjacent thereto, as-
at a', for proper seating upon the crown of the arch work plate; it is also provided
with depending lugs as as, through which screws are passed into the tapped
holes as a shown in Figure 1, in the side of the upper rear portion of the bed
frame.
I am aware that single and double thread machines for sewing hat linings have
heretofore been provided with arched work plates, and that in chain stitch wax
thread machines posts have been employed having bearing surfaces more or less
rounded; and also that similar posts have been employed in lock stitch wax thread
machines; wherein the shuttle is located above the post; but according to my
present invention I so organize a waxed thread lock stitch machine, having a
shuttle below the work plate, that an arch work plate is rendered possible in that
class of machines.
I am also aware that dry thread sewing machines have heretofore embodied eye
pointed needles, arched shuttle races, and either straight or curved shuttles, but
this is the first machine, which has been devised for operating with waxed thread,
wherein a hook needle, an arched race, and a curved or even a straight shuttle
have been combined.
The shuttle race embodies the arch rail B and top guides bb, Figures 4 and 3,
which in this instance are portions of the race plates a¹ a¹, which are readily
detached and replaced, being held in position by buttons at their lower ends as
shown on one side in Figure 1. This rail and the top guides are novel in that they
constitute a vertically arched race, but otherwise they are substantially as shown
in the specification of former Letters Patent A.D. 1881 No 2145 hereinbefore
referred to. At intervals the top guides are provided with cushioning bearing b' b
clearly shown in Figure 24 against which the upper sides of the shuttle bear when
influenced by centrifugal force incident to high speed, which enables me to rapidly
operate a large heavy shuttle, carrying a heavy load of waxed thread, much inore
easily and smoothly, than if reciprocated in a straight line. As seen in Figure 7
one of the detachable race plates has projecting splines which serve as continuations
of the upper guides for the shuttle beneath the needle plate, but the said splines
are partially housed in the said plate. The arch rail B is preferably formed
integrally upon the top edge of a segmental plate 62 Figures 2 and 3 which is
secured to the inner side of the end plate a. This segmental plate affords centrally
a vertical bearing for the bar of the hook needle C which is operated substantially
as heretofore, with the following movements; from below it rises to its full height,
and then descends to a point wholly below the path of the shuttle, and while the
shuttle is passing it rises slightly allowing the loop to be released from the hook,
and then descends to its original position. The release of the loop is effected by
the shuttle web and its forward movement, and the loop is prevented from moving
unduly forward, by the surface of the shuttle rail adjacent to the needle path, as
in prior machines. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the
particular construction of rail and top guides now described by me, in the formation
of a vertically arched race, for either of the forms shown in the aforesaid former
specifications, and many others may be employed on the vertical arch principle
with more or less desirable results. As seen in Figures 4 and 5, the channel or
groove between the top guides varies in its width at different portions of this race
for purposes hereinafter to be explained in connection with the shuttle and its
operation. The arch race also serves as two heating flues to be hereinafter more
fully described.
The shuttle D is not shown in Figure 2, but is clearly illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5
and 6, also in Figures 20 to 23 inclusive. It has a lance shaped point, centrally
located, and a longitudinal recess on its underside, substantially like the shuttle
shown in one of the aforesaid specifications, but differs therefrom and from all

page_text: other wax thread shuttles, in that the present shuttle is curved longitudinally in
the plane of its Jance shaped point, so as to be in substance the segment of a
tubular ring, and it conforms to the curved line of .the arch rail B. It has also a
longitudinal recess c on its upper side, within which, near the point of the shuttle
in the aperture c¹ for the outward passage of the thread, the cross bar c² and also
a flat spring c³, the free end of which bears against the thread and forces it against
one side of the recess. The said spring is rendered adjustable as to pressure, by
means of a lateral screw c' as shown in Figures 20 and 22.
The portion of the recess c extending from the bar or pin c² to the heel of the
shuttle, receives the thread after the shuttle has passed through a loop, and during
the tightening of the stitch, but during its backward movement the slack thread is
laid in the said recess in front of the pin c²; it being properly guided, so as thus
to place itself by the narrow portion of the groove or channel between the top
guides of the race as illustrated in Figure 5, this narrow portion extends for a
short distance from a point directly in the rear of the needle towards the left hand
as seen in Figure 3.
At the heel of the shuttle I provide a pad c to deaden the sound and ease the
forcible contact of the driver with the shuttle when running at high speed-This
pad may be made of copper or some other soft tough metal, or suitable material,
although I prefer to use raw hide-At each side of the shuttle is a longitudinal
clearance web co Figures 20, 22, 23 projecting laterally a short distance, in order
to limit the area of contact of the loop with the shuttle as illustrated in dotted
lines in Figure 23. The rear end of the shuttle on which the pad c* is located is
readily removable for the insertion of. the cop ce Figure 21, and is provided with a
securing latch and pin. The ease with which a shuttle can be thrown in a vertical
arch race enables me to make it of unusual length, and without its being unduly
large in sectional area, to provide for the reception of a greater quantity of thread
than any prior wax thread shuttle, as for instance, I work at high speed a shuttle
of this character which, as herein before stated, receives a cop containing upwards
of 50 yards of 4 cord No. 16 thread, and a proportionally greater quantity of
smaller sizes I find it desirable for securing smooth and easy action of the shuttle,
to deliver thread therefrom through an aperture at or near its nose, and on its
upper side, instead of delivering it from or near the heel as is general in machines
having straight shuttles. The delivery of the thread from the nose of the shuttle
(instead of from the heel) enables me to apply the cushion pad at the heel, and also
to better control the shuttle thread during the operation of the take up and during
the flight of the shuttle.
The shuttle driver E is triangular in its outline, but in no manner supports the
shuttle, which latter feature is found in the shuttle drivers in former specifications ;
unlike them this driver requires no slide for controlling its movement with
reference to the shuttle and race, and it is therefore frictionless in its operation
save at its rocking shaft de on which it is mounted, as shown in Figure 2. The
front arm of the carrier as seen in Figure 6, has a head d' which is bifurcated so as
to properly engage with the nose of the shuttle, and the rear arm d² is provided
with a convex knob, preferably adjustable for contact with the pad c* at the heel of
the shuttle The driver is vibrated by a cam E¹ operating through rocking shaft d
provided with an arm d³ and a pin occupying a cam groove, a lever d' and
link d connecting with an arm projecting from the rear arm of the carrier.
After the shuttle has been forced through the loop, the driver retires slightly to
permit the loop to be freely drawn upwards, and then moves forward forcing the
shuttle to contribute to the tightening of the stitch; because of the heavy draught
on the shuttle thread.
The hook needle is operated as herein before described by a cam C¹ acting through
the arm partially shown at the right of the cam the rocking shaft de Figure 3, the
arm 7 thereon, and the link do connecting the arm with the base of the needle bar,
all clearly shown.
The awl bar F, Figures 1 and 2, is reciprocating and serves as a portion of the

page_text: feeding mechanism substantially a sheretofore; it is operated by the cam F¹ acting
through the link e Figure 2, a sleeve rocking shaft e and the arm e¹ Figures 25 and
26, but the flexible connection between arm e¹ and the awl bar F is novel in this
combination-Instead of using a crank, or an arm and link as is common, I have
circularly recessed the awl .bar and fitted thereto a bearing disc e², which is slotted
diametrically for the reception of the end of the vibrating arm e¹; the said disc is
held in place in this recess by the cap plate e secured to the awl bar by screws.
With this construction the awl bar is vertically reciprocated smoothly and with
ease, and during the movement of the feed slide, the awl bar is readily varied in its
position longitudinally upon the arm or lever e¹.
The cam F is so formed that during the movement of the feed slide, the awl is
constantly rising in order to contribute by its lifting action to an easy forward
movement of the work upon the work plate. This lifting action by an awl during
its forward or feeding movement, has heretofore been provided for in machines
having a pivoted pendant frame containing the awl bar, by causing the awl to
fully descend in an inclined position, and then to move forward in the arc of a
circle, with a slight upward swing.
The feeding slide G is moved to and fro by a cam groove in the inner face of
the driving wheel G¹ acting through the link f which connects it to a sleeved arm
or lever a rocking shaft f' (within the sleeve e) and a slotted arm f2 on the outer
end of said rocking shaft, substantially as heretofore, but I have devised means
whereby the feed may be readily varied while the machine is in motion, and
have also provided for its ready graduation to a predetermined scale. I have
also improved upon the construction of the parts pertaining to the feeding
operation. According to one of the said prior specifications I provided for an
adjustment of the feed slide for varying the length of stitch, by means of a slotted
arm on a rocking shaft, and a sliding block which coupled the said arm to the
slide, vertically slotted to receive one portion of the said block; and the latter was
made adjustable in the said slide slot by means of a clamp screw or nut having a
finger lever projecting therefrom-While thoroughly effective for the purpose
intended, it could not be changed while the machine was in motion, and could only
be manipulated slowly even by an expert, but as now devised and constructed, any
person of ordinary skill and capable of properly guiding the work, may readily
change the feed to any desired degree without stopping the machine, which is a
feature of great practical importance in various ways, but especially for instance in
stitching across previously formed seams, in which case the old seam may be
spanned by one or more long stitches, and yet these latter can be immediately
preceded and succeeded by shorter stitches of a uniform character. In my former
machine the feed slide slot was vertical, and therefore the feeding motion was
always performed on one side of the centre of the rocking shaft, but now I have
provided an inclined block slot for the feed slide so that in the feeding motion the
block has less vertical movement in the slide, resulting in much smoother action
and with less friction than before, and requiring a lesser movement of the block to
provide for a given change in the length of stitch.
The details of this portion of my invention are shown in Figures 13 to 15
inclusive. In Figure 13 the usual stationary head plate g is broken away at the
left hand side to disclose the feed-slide G at the rear thereof-Upon this stationary
plate is the feed graduating lever g' pivoted at g² and provided with a thumb-
latch g3, having a pin for entering any desired hole in the graduated scale bar g
These holes are so located with reference to each other that, for instance, when
the graduating lever is set at the lowest hole, a maximum number of stitches to the
inch will be produced, and this number may be decreased in whole stitches or in
fractions of a stitch, by locating the outer end of the lever in some higher position.
The graduations having been accurately predetermined, each hole may be respectively
marked to indicate the dimensions of stitch resulting. The graduating lever g¹ is
connected by the link f³ to the coupled block f' which occupies an inclined slot g³
in the feed slide, its fellow block f³ Figure 14 occupying the groove or slot f³ in

page_text: the slotted arm f2 on the rocking shaft f¹ before referred to. These blocks
connected as described constitute the means by which the slide and its vibrating
mechanism are connected. Heretofore the block slot in the feed slide has been
vertical, and the block which occupied the slot in the crank or arm of the rocking
shaft was provided with a pin which projected through the vertical slot in the feed
slide, and was locked to the said slide by a nut having a lever, thus requiring
considerable sliding movement of the block during the swinging movements of the
rocking shaft arm, and causing most of the work of feeding to be performed on one
side of the centre of the rocking shaft, as hereinbefore partially set forth.
As now constructed the two blocks are pivoted to each other by the screw
stud so that the block f³ may freely move axially to correspond with the
various angular positions assumed by the slot f in the rock shaft arm f2 all as
indicated in Figures 13, 14 and 15. The inclination of the slot g is an important
improvement as compared to the prior straight slot, for with this inclined slot a
much less movement of the blocks is requisite to obtain the desired variations, and
the feeding mechanism is more easily and smoothly operated than with the straight
slot in the feed slide-While I have preferred to employ a lever as a part of the
controlling mechanism for moving and adjusting the blocks, I do not wholly limit
myself thereto, for it is obvious that various other means may be employed for
altering the position of the said blocks, and as an instance of such other mechanism,
I will state that a vertical screw on the face plate g may be relied upon, if the said
screw has attached thereto a nut block, horizontally slotted to receive a finger or
stud projecting from or constituting a part of the stud f7; in which case it is.
obvious that the turning of the screw would raise or lower the nut block, and that
-in turn would raise or lower the coupling blocks, the horizontal slot in the nut
block permitting the free sliding to and fro of the coupling blocks with the feed
slide. It is also obvious that the coupling mechanism may be varied in its con-
struction as for instance, closely resembling a "link motion" in the valve gear of
locomotives, and therefore I do not limit myself to the coupled blocks except as
indicated by my claims, although the coupled blocks are deemed preferable. It is
also obvious that the advantages due to the inclined slot g5 would be at least in
part available, even if the matter of its adjustment was possible only while the
machine was at rest. In stitching across junctions with other seams, it is
frequently desirable that the stitches should be lengthened so as not to unduly cut
or tear the leather with the awl or needle adjacent to such seams, and as will be
seen I am enabled to accomplish this end even at high speed without in any
manner otherwise affecting the operation of the machine-It having been pre-
determined what length of stitch is best for crossing a prior seam, a stop pin can
be placed in the proper holes of the scale, so that the workman will have only to
carry the graduating lever against the said pin, and then when the seam is passed,
replace it in its former position, and in view of the rapidity required for assuring
accuracy, a second detachable stop pin may be used, so that the range of move-
ment possible by the lever between the two, will provide for the maximum and
minimum length of stitch required in each case. It is also obvious that whether
an awl or a needle be relied upon as an element in the feeding mechanism, my
improvements are equally applicable, no changes being requisite save in such
variations in mechanical arrangement, as might be necessarily involved, according
to whether the needle operated from above, or below the work plate, or to other
pecularities common to each particular class of machines. The latch arrangement
on the graduating lever may also be varied, as for instance the outer end of
the said lever may serve as a pointer, traversing the face of a marked graduated
scale, and a swivelled quick screw fitted to a block swivelled to the said lever,
relied upon for effecting the adjustments and also locking or maintaining the
coupling blocks in any required position.
c
I will next describe the mechanism which controls the upper thread and deliveres
it to the hook needle. The spool is mounted as usual on a vertical spindle, and
the thread passes from it through the wax cup L Figure 1 and thence to and over

page_text: a tension wheel h substantially as in my first machine. The thread wheel i is
operated substantially as before by a rocking shaft, levers, and links, actuated by
the cam in the side of the driving wheel G' and these with the brake wheel i¹ and
shielded pulley 2 constitute the take up substantially as heretofore. I also employ
5.a cushioned abutment which limits the downward stroke of the thread wheel, as
in my prior machine, but instead of having the thread wheel levers outside as
before I now place them within the frame, and provide an abutment on the upper
end of a screws, which is tapped upward through the frame as shewn in Figure 1.
From the shielded pulley 2 in my former machine, the thread passed downward
through a vertical tube, but when the take-up operated, the line of draught on the
thread from the stitch to the periphery of the shielded pulley was not sufficiently
direct, to obviate contact of the thread with the lower end of the tube. I have
now provided an inclined tube k which is in line with the path of the needle and
practically in line with the point at which the stitch is formed, so that when the
take-up operates, the thread on being tightened occupies a straight direct line from
the stitch hole to the periphery of the pulley. In attaining this result, the incli-
nation of the thread tube is important because it enables me to set my thread
pulley somewhat back from the front of the head and obtain a direct line to the
stitch without interfering with any of the mechanisın contained within the head.
For delivering the thread to the hook needle C I employ a vibrating thread eye
and thread arm, but these devices broadly considered are not new.
As now
arranged by me they differ in construction and arrangement, and also in their
method of co-operation with each other, and with the needle from which accrue
certain advantageous results, as will be hereinafter indicated.
The thread eye and thread arm me and their immediate operating mechanism
are illustrated in Figures 8 to 12 and are so arranged that the thread drawn down
for forming a loop is not variably measured automatically according to the thickness
of the work on the work plate, but such variation is provided for in the arrange-
ment illustrated in Figures 16 to 19 inclusive.
As shewn in Figures 8 and 9 the thread eye lis horizontally mounted from the
lower end of a vertical branch of lever ¹ which is crank shaped, and has at the.
end of its horizontal branch a vertical pin or stud 12 pivotally connected to the
sliding block 3, which is actuated through a rod by the cam 15 and suitable inter-
mediate mechanism, which in this instance embraces a bell crank lever and a
pendant link as shewn in Figure 2. The sliding block of itself would impart
movement to the thread eye in a straight line only, but the curved path requisite
for the eye, in enabling it to pass partially around the needle for delivering the
thread to the hook thereof in a horizontal bight, is obtained by an irregular cam
slot in the stationary plate 16, the slot is so formed as to cause the eye to traverse
the desired path and is occupied by the vertical branch 12 of the crank lever l', as
shewn in Figures 8 and 9. As will be readily indicated by the form of the cam
slot in plate the eye is moved in a straight line (inclined to the path of the
sliding block 13), to a point abreast of the needle, thence in a curved line partially
around it then partially back again while the needle is descending, and lastly
resting so as not to deflect the standing thread during the operation of the take up.
The thread arm m requires simply a movement in the arc of a circle and therefore
it is mounted on the lower end of a partially rotative vertical spindle m', having
at its upper end a horizontal lever m², pivoted to a reciprocating rod m³, which is
actuated through a bell crank lever, and pendant link operatively connected with
the cam m¹ Figure 2. The thread eye and arm, and their respective operative
mechanism are so arranged that their movements result in the delivery and control
of the thread as follows.
A stitch having just been completed, the thread eye passes from the line of the
standing thread (occupied during the operation of the take-up) to the rear and
within the sweep of the thread arm m which then points toward the needle, as
indicated in Figure 10. The thread arm then swings round closely beneath the

page_text: eye, and engages laterally with the thread occupying the position indicated in
Figure 11, then after the arm has swung to the rear merely for the purpose of
securely retaining the thread delivered to it, the eye then moves forward around
the needle, pulling down thread and delivering it to the needle in a horizontal
bight, at a point between the arm and eye, as clearly seen in Figures 8 and 9,
whereupon the needle descends, the thread eye retires to a point in line with the
axis of the inclined thread tube, the thread arm meantime swinging to the front
for dropping or releasing the thread to the needle in the position as indicated in
Figure 12. In operation these devices differ from prior combinations of thread eye
and thread arm, in that the thread does not slip or drag over the arm, and is
gradually freed therefrom bodily as the needle descends the eye doing all the
service of drawing down sufficient thread, while the take-up is elevated, the thread
is therefore perfectly free to be readily drawn down, without undue abrasion by
the thread eye. In my prior machine the thread arm traversed the line of the
standing thread in a right line, and was provided with a latch tip, so that it could
yield in passing by the thread, prior to engaging therewith, and although in a
prior Specification I suggested the movement of that arm in the arc of a circle, the
said arm would nevertheless be necessarily provided with the latch tip, because the
standing thread would as now occupy a position, within the circle to be partially
travelled by said arm. My present arm has no latch and does not require one, for
it relies upon the thread eye to deliver thread to it, instead of providing itself with
thread as before. In drawing down the thread in my prior machine, the arm and
eye, both being engaged with the thread moved simultaneously from each other,
and therefore the thread was drawn through the eye and also over the arm, but
now as before stated it is drawn through the eye only, and when a sufficient
quantity is thus provided, it is absolutely free for its downward course with the
needle. This combination of a thread eye, which delivers thread to an arm, which
only moves for the purpose of securely holding the thread thus delivered to it by
the eye, the said eye then proceeding to deliver thread to the needle is a novel
feature and valuable because of the non-abrasion of the thread by the arm, and it
is also novel to combine these elements as described, so that the arm is always, not
only at one side of the needle, but also at one side of the presser foot, and never
above it for reasons as follows viz-when an arm is used which does not occupy at
any time any space above the presser foot, thicker work can be sewed with a needle
of a given length, because no obstacle is presented to the complete elevation of the
presser foot except the eye which obviously must traverse the path of the needle
and above the presser foot. Again greater certainty of operation is attained with
an arm, to which the thread is delivered by the eye, as compared with a latch_arm
which proceeds to the standing thread and engages there with, because fine hard
twisted thread is liable to erratic vibrations, during which the latch arm may or
may not get a proper hold thereon, whereas, with my present arm no vibration of
of the thread can possibly occur adjacent to the eye at the point where the delivery
of thread to the arm occurs.
It is not new to employ a swinging thread arm with a swinging eye, but as
heretofore organized and operated, the arm helped itself to thread during the
movement of the eye, and by continuing onward the said arm carried the thread in
a direction away from the eye, and over the presser foot, so that the thread slipped
over the arm, and it is the abrasion incident to this slipping action at the arm
which I have obviated by having the eye carry the thread to the arm which
merely holds it while the eye next proceeds to and around the needle; and instead
of delivering the thread to the needle in a straight line between the eye and arm
as heretofore, the thread is delivered to the hook in a horizontal bight, as shewn in
Figure 9 thereby greatly contributing to an unfailing and accurate engagement of
the thread by the hook. In the said prior arrangements of swinging the thread eye and
arm, the latter swung over the presser foot, and in order that it could nevertheless
be lifted, the said foot, eye, and arın, were connected together so that all were
raised or lowered together, involving a complication in the operative mechanism of

page_text: the eye and arm, which I obviate by locating my arm wholly at one side of the
presser foot.
It will be readily understood that according to the rearward location of the
thread arm,
the quantity of thread measured off by the arm and eye for delivery
to the needle, will be varied, and as thus far described, it will be seen that no
provision has been referred to for varying the measurement of thread to
substantially correspond with the thickness of the work to be stitched.
In a prior specification I described means for automatically varying the measure-
ment of thread to the needle, proportioned to the elevation of the presser foot above
the work plate, or, in other words, the thickness of the materials to be stitched.
In my prior machine the extent of movement by the thread eye was varied, but it
is obvious that either the arm or the eye or both of them may be thus variably
moved for attaining the variable delivery of thread to the needle.
In my present machine I provide for variation in the position of the thread arm,
and the particular means employed therefor are with a slight modification applicable
for variably moving the thread eye. The thread arm as now used by me has a
thread seat near its outer end which will enable it to maintain a good control over
the thread, even if it should be swung almost fully rearward, so that variation to
some extent could be provided for by swinging the arm from say 90 degrees to
nearly 180 degrees, but I prefer that the swinging movement should be uniform,
and that the arm be bodily changed in position for attaining the variable measure-
ment of the thread.
"
The novel mechanism for attaining this end is illustrated in detail in Figures 16
to 19 inclusive. The thread arm m in this case is vibrated on its axis n which,
instead of occupying a fixed position, is rendered movable by being mounted at
the outer end of a pivoted lever n¹, having a stationary axis n² and an inclined lug
or web n³ on one side of the said lever, which is held by means of a spring in
constant engagement with the edge of a lug n¹, projecting from the coincident side
of the presser foot bar o. The lug or web n³ inclines outwardly from bottom to
top, and therefore when the presser foot is at its lowest position on thin work, the
axis n of the arm m occupies the nearest possible position to the needle, or to the
outermost limit of the path of the thread eye, but as the presser foot is raised, the
said axis n is thrown rearward thus causing the thread arm to hold the thread
proportionately farther to the rear and nearer the rear end of the path traversed by
the thread eye.
The presser foot is shown at its lowest position in Figures 16 and
17 and in Figures 18 and 19 at its highest, and with the thread arm in each case
correspondingly varied in its location. The movement of the thread eye is uniform,
and its path is always sufficiently extended rear ward, to enable the arm to engage
with the thread wherever the said arm may be located.
The previously described rod m³ is here employed, which as before described is
reciprocated by the same cam m³, and the bell crank lever. The circular or swinging
movement of the thread arm on account of its variable axis, requires a more complex
connection of the said arm with the reciprocating rod m³, which instead of being
directly pivoted to the lever in which the arm is mounted (as before described) is
pivoted to the long arm of the bell crank lever n³, the short arm of which is connected
by a link no with the projecting rear end of the thread arm itself so that as the rod m³
is reciprocated the arm will be properly swung on its axis regardless of the position
the latter may occupy the thread arm and eye constructed and co-operating as
arranged are so positive and reliable in their delivery of thread to the hook of the
needle, and in gradually giving off the thread by the arm as the needle descends,
that I am enabled to rely upon a very small hook, and a smaller sized needle and
awl may therefore be used with thread of a given size or number, than in my prior
machine. The eye and arm, if not variable in action as described always provide
ample thread for the passage of the shuttle, and the variable arrangement operates
in like manner, but in addition thereto also provides for more or less thread according
to the thickness of the work. As a result of the feature last named I am with
this machine as with my prior machine, enabled to fill the awl hole tightly with

page_text: thread without chafing the thread or disturbing the wax, and especially so far as
relates to the stripping action by the hook needle, incident to machines wherein no
variable measurement of thread has been duly provided for.
The presser foot o as heretofore, is depressed by a spring and lifted during the
movement of the feed slide, by means of the lever o' and cam o², Figure 2-In my
former machine a similar combination of devices was employed, but I have now
improved the same so far as to locate the lever within the frame of the machine,
and also to provide for a more convenient and desirable variable lift of the presser
foot, than in my former machine. The outer end of the lever o¹ is provided with a
vertical adjusting screw o² the top of which engages with the under side of the
lifting finger o¹ on the presser foot bar and affords an adjustable seat, so that on
raising or lowering the screw, the degree of lift may be varied. I have also provided
as heretofore for lifting the presser foot by means of a treadle of which by a
suitable link, cord or wire, is connected with the rear end of the separate lifting
lever o, so that when the machine is in operation the workman may employ both
hands at the work plate, and control the presser foot with his foot.
In heating my machine I provide certain novel features of practical value, some
of which are applicable to wax thread machines as heretofore organized.
I have already described the arched shuttle race and referred to its value in
connection with heating. It will be seen that each side portion of the race may be
utilized as a heating flue. The race plates a¹ are occasionally perforated near the
upper portions thereof to afford a vent for the heated air which also partially
ascends vertically through the hole in the needle plate, in favorable contact with
the standing thread.
Two gas jets p are employed (although one may sometimes be relied upon) and
the heat from both ascends upwardly and merge at the central upper portion of the
race, within which the shuttle is continuously moving to and fro, so that it is
exposed to heating currents applied longitudinally thereto, and in a manner most
favorable to a proper degree of heat without liability of an injurious excess
thereof. This combination of an arched race with one or more heaters located at
the lower ends thereof I deem of great practical value for the purposes
intended.
In my prior machine and in others of the same general class, thread tubes have
been employed in connection with burners which directly heated the tubes. The
over-heating of the said tubes is therefore quite frequent, resulting either in
damage to the thread, or such a burning of the wax as to render it unsuitable to
effect the purposes desired. I have obviated this liability of overheating thread
tubes, by what, as I believe, is a novel application of the well known principle of
heating by metallic conduction. The inclined thread tube & herein before described,
is made of copper and has at its upper end an elbow k¹ the top of which is open in
line with the tube, to admit of access by the thread thereto. Inserted into the
outer end of the elbow is a copper rod 2 which at its opposite end is bent
downward and there connected with a flap heating plate also of copper (or other
good heat conducting metal) beneath which is the burner p¹ so that the flame of
the latter heats the plate; and through the rod and elbow heats the thread tube-I
deem this feature of heating thread tubes by metallic conduction from a burner so
remotely located, as to in no manner interfere with or be disturded by the
mechanism within the head, of great practical importance. With this method of
heating I am also easily enabled to keep the tension and take up mechanism well
heated by attaching the bracket (which sustains the rod and heating plate)
directly to the rear of the frame plate on which the tension wheel h, is mounted
so that heat is conducted thereto and thence to the waxed thread in contact
therewith. The thread arm and the thread eye may also be kept well heated by.
extending branches of a similar heat conducting rod to the sleeves or bearings in
which those devices are mounted.
When employed without the novel waxing apparatus hereinafter described, the
wax cup is located above the heating plate, which is slotted or perforated and may

page_text: be mounted if desired upon a vertical branch of the conducting rod, and because
of the provisions made for beating the thread in transit, the wax in the cup need
never be exposed to such heat as would be liable to injure it.
When arranged for waxing as thus far described, it will be seen that the several
burners are connected with gas pipes within the frame as at p², each branch
thereof being provided with cocks as at p³, for separately graduating the burners.
My novel waxing apparatus may be varied in its construction and mode of
application, and may be used with a machine as hereinbefore described or with
machines more or less differing therefrom.
The said waxing apparatus is illustrated in Figures 28 to 35 inclusive.
Figure 28 is a view of so much of a sewing machine with my improvements
applied, as is deemed necessary for illustration.
Figure 29 is a vertical sectional view of the waxing apparatus detached.
Figure 30 is a vertical and partially sectional view of the waxing apparatus
shown in Figure 2 so far modified in form and arrangement as to adapt it for
use in a post or horn which is also shown.
Figure 31 is a horizontal section on line x Figure 30.
Figures 32 and 33 are respectively a longitudinal section and plan of a shuttle
embodying portions of my invention.
Figures 34 and 35 are sectional views, respectively on lines y and z Figure 32.
Referring to Figures 28 and 29 it will be understood that A' denotes the head
of one type of wax thread machine, and H. the tension and take-up mechanism as
heretofore constructed-Below the head is a work plate I of any desired form
These parts in no manner involve any portion of my invention and may be almost
indefinitely varied in their construction and arrangement.
The thread tube K is an important portion of my waxing apparatus, and it is
preferable that it be so located with reference to the front portion of the take-up
mechanism, and to the path of the needle q that it will occupy the path of the
thread in a straight line from the take-up mechanism to the said needle path.
Considered solely as a thread tube within which waxed thread is maintained in a
soft and pliable condition just prior to its delivery to a needle, and located in the
front portion of the head of the machine as shewn in Figure 28 and in the direct
path of the thread between the take-up and needle path, this tube constitutes a
novel feature, described in connection with the tube K. As now used, however, it
serves as an auxiliary wax cup, and is provided, at its top with a slotted and
perforated plug Figure 29 and at its bottom with a compressible conical plug s
perforated centrally, a fixed plug t also perforated centrally and threaded externally,
and an internally threaded sleeve u by means of which the conical plugs which
serves as a compressible packing around the thread v may be more or less com-
pressed for securing good packing contact with the thread, which as shown extends
from the front end of the take-up mechanism on a straight line through the
plugs, and the centre of the tube K to the needle path. The plugs should be
composed of cork felt or other compressible material which will resist the imparing
effect of heat and the distructive effects of the wax.
The upper plug r need not always be in close contact with the thread, for its
function is mainly to serve as the close top of the tube used as a wax cup for
preventing the escape of heat, and obviating undue evaporation of the hot wax,
but the said upper plug may also be relied upon as a stripper of hot wax from the
thread, as well as thereby working the wax into the body of the thread. The
lower plug 8 serves as a stripper, a worker of wax into the thread, and also at the
bottom of the tube serving as an auxiliary wax cup.
The main wax cup L is located without reference to the path of the thread, and
is accessibly mounted upon some convenient portion of the machine, but it is
essentially so located with reference to the auxiliary cup K, that heated wax will
flow from the main to the auxiliary cup through a suitable pipe as at w. The
said main cup is also supplied with a suitable beating medium, either steam pipes,
a lamp or a gas burner. It is preferable that the heat be applied at or near the

page_text: bottom of the main cup, and adjacent to the conduit pipe w, so that the danger of
over-heating may be well guarded against, and also so that the said conduit may
be well heated, and it is best that the main and auxiliary cups, as well as the
connecting pipe, be composed of copper or other good conductor of heat, in some
cases the heating medium may be applied directly to the auxiliary cup. Broadly
stated, the main feature of one branch of my Invention consists in the combination
with the main wax cup, of an auxiliary wax cup, connected with and supplied
from the main cup, and located within the path of the thread, whereby the latter
may be drawn to and fro, into, through, and from the auxiliary cup in a direct
line, my object being not only to properly wax the thread immediately before
forming a stitch, but to do it in such a manner that the liability of breakage of the
thread within the wax cup will be reduced to a minimum, and this, as I believe, can
only be practically accomplished by the employment of an auxiliary wax cup,
which according to the particular type of the machine with which it may be
desired, can always be located in the path of the thread, so that the latter will be
drawn to and fro therein, in a practically straight line, between the point where it
last bears, after leaving the take-up, and the device, by which it is drawn
downward.
Heretofore a wax cup has been mounted upon the front of the head, provided
with heating devices and with a perforated india rubber plug in its bottom, and
compressing devices for closing the said plug around the thread, but in drawing the
thread downward through the cup it was drawn from the plug at an angle, thereby
causing a liability to breakage at the said plug which liability can be wholly
obviated by the employment of an auxiliary cup, because the latter can be located
in the straight path of the thread and serve in part as a guide tube, and permit
the thread to enter and leave the tubular cup, above and below, in a straight
line.
The value of the auxiliary cup k is well demonstrated when the problem of
waxing thread within a post or horn is considered.
As illustrated in Figures 30 and 31, the horn M is of that particular kind used
in machines having a shuttle above the work bed, but so far as my invention is
concerned it might be such a horn or post as is used in single thread machines.
As here shown, the main wax cup, L', the heating burner w³, and the connecting
pipe w are mainly as before described, differing therefrom only so far as is desirable
or requisite for their employment in this particular connection. The auxiliary cup,
in this case,
has a compressible plug at both ends, and is located within the horn,
its center is in line with the direct path of the thread between the angle roll q³,
and the usual exit aperture at the top of the horn. As here applied, the auxiliary
cup is wholly placed within the horn and the main cup is outside thereof, but it
presents no obstruction to the complete use of the horn for the purposes
intended.
Considered with reference to its operation with the wax, my apparatus differs
from the prior waxing apparatus herein before referred to, in several important
particulars In said prior apparatus, the thread was reciprocated up and down,
into and out of the mass of melted wax, so that it was continually lifting the wax
from the mass, upward into the air, after the manner of dipping a candle, and the
main body of wax was therefore kept in a more or less turbulent condition, which
with the lifting and comparative cooling of the wax in the air by the thread, was
specially conducive to the evaporation of the valuable volatile matters contained
therein, causing it to become grainy or flakey, and thereby impairing its value in
the seam-In my main wax cup no such movement of the wax occurs, and the
wax in the auxiliary cup is wholly enclosed and guarded against evaporating or
cooling influences-In the aforesaid prior apparatus, the mass of wax was of
necessity kept in a uniform and highly heated condition, because the thread passed
through the main body of the wax, and under those circumstances as well as with
wax cups as heretofore commonly used, the wax is liable to frequent injury from
overheating. In my main cup only the lower portion of the wax need be kept

page_text: well heated, leaving it always sufficiently cool at the top as to obviate evaporation,
and at the same time to so modify the heat below as to render it practically
impossible for the wax to be overheated and thereby injured.
As arranged in each of the instances illustrated, the level of the wax in the
auxiliary cups will be determined by the quantity of wax in the main cups-For
passing the thread through the auxiliary cup, a long slender eye pointed needle is
used, and the said needle may be entered from above or below, as may be most
convenient in each case. The fixed plugs are bell mouthed or funnel shaped at
their inner ends, which renders it an easy matter for the point of the threading
needle to be passed into and through the thread holes. With my improvements
as described, I am enabled to employ hard wax with better results than have
heretofore been obtained with soft or liquid wax, which is well known to be
objectionable, and the thread as waxed by me is so soon thereafter embodied in
stitches, that no requirement exists for heating the thread after waxing it.
As thus far described I have only shown how I wax threads to be delivered to
looping mechanism, or delivered so as to lock with a second thread carried by a
shuttle, whether the latter be above a work plate, post or horn, or below & work.
plate. I will next describe how wax, or preferably re-wax a previously waxed
shuttle thread just prior to forming a stitch. Heretofore mechanism has been
devised for this purpose which in general terms may be described as involving a
brush, pad, or arm which is at intervals vibrated from a supply of heated wax to
the thread, between the shuttle and the throat plate of the machine, whereby the
surface of the thread is intermittingly, charged or annointed with wax. According
to my present invention I place within the shuttle, a waxing device, whereby as
the thread passes therefrom, it is waxed or re-waxed.
As shown in Figure 32, the shuttle N is internally divided by a partition into a
thread chamber N₁ and wax chamber N². I prefer the wax chamber to be located
at the front or nose of the shuttle and the thread passes through the centre of the
flexible packing N³ which is secured in a tapered hole by the clamping plate N
and set screw N5 having its seat in the wall of the shuttle, as shown. The packing N³
is rendered adjustable by aid of the compressible screw N° which enters from
the underside of the shuttle through its solid nose. The solidly wound cop N' of
waxed thread is located in the chamber N¹ the internal end drawn out, passed
through the central aperture N8 in the partition, and thence through the packing
in the nose of the shuttle, and thereafter suitable tension bars on the exterior of
the shuttle engage therewith. The shuttle shown is straight and centrally pointed,
and provided with a recessed web on its upper side, but these features are not
essential in connection with my present invention. The shuttle thus provided
with a wax chamber will require a good heating arrangement, many of those
heretofore devised being suitable for the purpose. The aperture N8 need not be
tightly occupied by the thread for it will be in no manner disadvantageous if some
of the wax passes into the thread chamber, because the thread cannot become so
charged with wax that the packing will not properly strip the thread as it passes
from the shuttle-In charging the shuttle with wax and thread, the previously heated
shuttle is held nose downward, the end of the thread from the cop passed through the
wax chamber and through the packing, a charge of wax poured in from the heel, and
the cop inserted. Or the cop may be first put into position, and the melted wax
poured through the hole which contains the packing, the latter being readily
removable, and as readily replaced while on the thread. The rapid reciprocating
motions of the shuttle, as in use, will so agitate and throw the enclosed body of
wax as to cause it to be properly applied to the thread, even if the wax chamber
be only partially filled.
The operation of the machine as a whole will be readily understood in view of
the fact that I have fully set forth in each case, the operation of the several parts
in connection with the detailed description thereof.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my

page_text: foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim.
First: The combination of a hook needle, thread delivering and controlling
mechanism, a curved-shuttle and an arched shuttle race, substantially as described.
Second: The combination of a hook needle, thread delivering and controlling
mechanism, a curved shuttle, an arched shuttle race, and an arched work plate,
substantially as described.
Third The combination of the hook needle, the work plate convex laterally
and longitudinally, and the shuttle beneath the work plate, substantially as
described.
Fourth-The combination of a hook needle, a curved shuttle, an arched shuttle
race which supports the shuttle in its course therein, and a shuttle driver mounted
on a rocking shaft below the centre of the race, substantially as described.
Fifth The combination; with a shuttle having a longitudinally recessed web or
groove on its upper side, of a race plate grooved on its underside for cooperating
with the shuttle to cause the slack shuttle thread to occupy the recess in the top
of the shuttle during its backward movement, substantially as described.
Sixth In an arched or curved shuttle race, upper bearings for the shuttle,
composed of cork or similar yielding material, substantially as described.
Seventh-A curved shuttle provided with a longitudinal thread recess extending
from nose to heel on its upper side, substantially as described.
Eighth A curved shuttle provided with a longitudinal thread recess on its
upper side, and a thread delivery aperture near the nose of the shuttle, substantially
aš described.
Ninth A curved shuttle having a thread groove or recess on its upper side
extending from nose to heel, and a spring for bearing upon the thread within the
recess, substantially as described.
Tenth-A segmental plate forming an arched shuttle rail, and bearings for a
needle-bar, substantially as described:
Eleventh The combination with the awl-bar, it's operating rocking shaft, and
the arm or lever thereon, of the bearing disc on the awl-bar, slotted to receive the
said arm, substantially as described.
Twelfth The combination of the feed-slide, the presser-foot lifted during the
forward movement of the slide, and the awl, actuated by mechanism which causes
it to be bodily lifted during the entire forward movement of the slide, substantially
as described.
Thirteenth-In a sewing machine involving a feeding motion by aid of an awl
or a needle, the combination, substantially as herein before described, of a feed
slide, its vibrating mechanism, coupling mechanism for operatively connecting the
slide to its vibrating mechanism, and feed controlling mechanism, which enables a
variable adjustment of the coupling mechanism, to be made whilst the slide is in
operation, as set forth.
Fourteenth The combination substantially as herein before described, of the
feed-slide, carrying an awl or a needle for feeding, its vibrating mechanism and
coupling mechanism, and a feed graduating lever, for varying the position of the
said coupling mechanism, whether the feed slide is in motion or at rest, as set
forth.
Fifteenth-The combination substantially as herein-before described, of the
slide vibrating mechanism, the feed slide having an inclined slot, and the coupling
blocks capable of a sliding movement, for varying the vibrations of the feed slide
while in operation, as set forth.
.
Sixteenth-The combination substantially as hereinbefore described, of the slide
vibrating mechanism, the feed slide having the inclined slot, the coupling blocks,
and means for adjusting the said blocks and thereby varying the vibration of the
feed-slide, as set forth.
Seventeenth-The combination, with mechanism for varying the vibrations of

page_text: a feed slide carrying an awl or a needle for feeding, of a graduated scale, substantially
as described.
Eighteenth-The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of the
vibrating slotted arm, the slotted feed-slide, the coupling blocks, the lever for
moving said blocks in their slots, and the graduated scale.
Nineteenth: The combination substantially as herein before described, of the
feed-slide carrying an awl or a needle, the feed graduating lever, the graduated
scale, and a lock g device for maintaining the said lever in any desired position.
Twentieth-The combination, with a hook needle below a work plate, and
take-up mechanism including a pulley over which the thread passes just prior to
approaching the needle, of an inclined thread-tube which occupies a direct line.
from the periphery of the said pulley to the path of the needle, substantially as
described.
Twenty-first:-The combination, with a hook needle and a presser foot, of a
thread eye for carrying the thread across the path of the needle and above the
presser foot, and a thread arm vibrating in the arc of a circle wholly at one side of
the presser foot and the path of the needle, substantially as described, whereby the
space above the presser foot, less that required by the thread eye, is rendered
available for the complete elevation of the presser foot.
Twenty-second-The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of a
hook needle, a thread arm; a thread eye, and operating mechanism for the arm and
eye, which causes the said eye to first carry and deliver the thread to the
arm, and
thence deliver the thread to the needle, and also causes the arm to merely retain
and release the thread delivered to it by the eye, whereby the said arm is
prevented from abrading the thread, as set forth.
Twenty-third:-The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of a
hook needle, take-up mechanism, a thread tube in line with the path of the needle,
and a thread eye, which, when it has delivered the thread to the needle rests in
line with the thread tube during the operation of the take-up for obviating
deflection and the consequent abrasion of the thread by the eye, as set forth.
Twenty-fourth-The combination of the hook needle, the thread eye, its lever
and reciprocating slide, and the stationary slotted plate, substantially as described,
whereby the path traversed by the eye toward and from the needle is laid in a
straight line, and in a curved line in delivering the thread thereto, as set forth.
Twenty-fifth-The combination, substantially as herein before described, of a
hook needle, a presser foot, a vibrating thread eye, and a thread measuring arm
which is variably adjusted for measuring off the the thread by the vertical
movement of the presser foot.
Twenty-sixth-The combination of the presser foot, and the thread arm pivoted
upon an axis which is varied in its location by raising or lowering the presser foot,
substantially as described.
Twenty-seventh-The combination, with the presser foot provided with a
rounded projection on its bar, of a thread arm rotatively mounted on a lever, a
vertically inclined lug or web on the said lever, and a spring for maintaining the
surface of the inclined lug in contact with the projection on the presser-bar,
substantially as described, whereby the position of the said thread arm is varied by
the vertical adjustment of the presser-foot, as set forth.
Twenty-eighth-The combination of the thread arm, mounted on a movable
axis, the presser-foot controlling the position of the said axis, the reciprocating rod,
and the bell-crank lever and link connecting the said rod with the thread arm,
substantially as described.
Twenty-ninth-The combination, with the presser foot, its bar, and lifting
finger, of the vibrating lever which lifts the foot during the feeding operation, and
an adjustable seat for the lifting finger on the said lever, substantially as
described.
Thirtieth-The combination of an arched shuttle race, a wax-thread shuttle,

page_text: and one or more heating burners located near the lower ends of the race, substan-
tially as described, for heating the shuttle and its contents, as set forth.
Thirty-first: The combination substantially as hereinbefore described with the
parts to be heated in a wax-thread machine, of a burner or burners remotely
located from the said parts, and intermediate metallic connections for conducting
heat from the said burners, to the said parts, as set forth.
Thirty-second:-The combination with a thread tube for heating the thread in
its passage through the said tube and a heating burner remote from the said tube,
of a heating rod or plate connected with the said tube at one end, and exposed to
the flame of the burner at its opposite end, substantially as described.
Thirty-third The combination of a main wax cup, and an auxiliary wax cup
connected with the main cup, and located between the take-up mechanism and the
work plate, and in the straight path of the thread, substantially as described,
whereby the thread enters and leaves the auxiliary cup in a direct line, as set
forth.
Thirty-fourth-A tubular wax cup traversed longitudinally by the thread on
its way to the work plate, and provided at top and bottom with perforated plugs,
substantially as described, whereby the wax is enclosed and guarded against
injurious exposure, as set forth..
Thirty-fifth-A wax-thread shuttle having a thread chamber, a wax chamber
and an aperture provided with packing for stripping the surplus wax from the
thread as it leaves the shuttle, substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Nineteenth day of July in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
HENRY H. LAKE. (L.S.)