IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Weatherby Bartlett, of the City, County,
and State of New York, United States of America, now of No. 8,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex;
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES."
Sealed the 20th July 1866, and dated the 16th May 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Weatherby Bartlett
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition on
the 16th May 1866.
I, JOSEPH WEATHERBY BARTLETT, of the City, County, and State of New
York, United States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," to be as
follows:-
The nature of the said Invention consists chiefly, first, in the novel con-
struction and arrangement of the feeding mechanism employed in both single
and double loop-stitch machines.
Second, in the peculiar means employed in the double thread machines for
giving the rocking shaft_a longitudinal reciprocating motion for extending the
thread loop.

page_text: Third, in the mode of supporting the table, whereby it can be swung back
from over the looper and other parts, which are thus left uncovered and
readily accessible for threading the looper and for other purposes.
Fourth, operating the rocking shaft by an excentric in such a manner that
the driving shaft can be turned in either direction without affecting the motion
of the other parts of the machine.
Fifth, in the general combination and arrangement of parts.
In the single thread machine the feed bar is supported on the under side of
the plate, and is operated by a cam fixed on the rocking shaft. A projection
is formed on the under surface of the feed bar for the cam to act upon to
produce the forward movement of the said bar, the distance it travels each
time being regulated by an adjusting screw which works through an arm of
the bar. This cam is provided with a disc or collar on the outer side, which
forms a second cam for producing the upward movement of the feed bar;
the said disc is of such a shape and size that it remains in contact with the
surface of the feed bar throughout its entire movement, and thereby prevents
any knocking of the latter occasioned by its dropping suddenly on the surface
of the cam in its back motion. In some cases the feed bar is extended at
its forward end in which a slot is formed, and this slot fits over a pin or stud
secured in the plate; the said pin acts as a guide to the bar and causes it to
work steadily.
".
In the machines which operate with a double thread, and which form the
stitch known as the double loop-stitch, the feed bar and cam are also arranged
to work under the plate, but are modified in form to produce the required
variations in the motion. In this case the end of the feed bar as it drops is
supported by a collar or head formed on the end of the pin which guides the
bar, washers of leather or other soft material being placed on each side of the
said bar to prevent the knocking which would otherwise be occasioned by the
rapid working of the machine. The feed bar is provided with a curved arm
on its under side, against which the projection of the cam acts when forcing
the bar forward. Another projection is also formed on the said cam to give
the required upward motion to the bar, sufficient space being left between the
under side of the plate and the collar on the guide pin to allow the said bar
to move freely up and down thereon. The feed is regulated by an adjusting screw
in the same manner as in the single thread machines. A recess is formed on
the inner side of the cam to allow the needle to pass when descending with
the thread to form the loop. In this arrangement of parts the extension of
the loop is produced by a longitudinal reciprocating movement of the rocking
shaft. This longitudinal movement is imparted to the said shaft in a

page_text: forward direction by means of a cam in the form of a spiral thread or blade;
the spiral thread bears against a projection fixed or formed on the frame of the
machine and is kept in contact therewith by a spring. The cam is so arranged
that as the needle rises the rocking shaft is thrown forward and extends
the loop for the needle to pass through as it descends, the shaft being drawn
back again at each vibration by the force of the spring. The rocking shaft is
operated by means of an excentric fixed on the driving shaft, the said excentric
having a strap and rod, the latter of which takes hold upon a pin or stud fixed
in a crank or disc or equivalent device on the end of the said rocking shaft.
With this arrangement of parts the driving shaft may be turned in either
direction without varying the motion of the other parts of the machine, which
is thereby rendered much less liable to injury from ignorant and. unskilful
operators.
The frame of the machine is cast all in one piece, and is of a circular or
oblong form, so as to allow the greatest possible space for the fabric being
sewn with a given weight of metal in the frame. The plate is secured at one
end to a pin or stud fixed in one end of the plate bearing, the other end of
the plate being provided with a screw or other device by which it can be
connected or disconnected at pleasure. The plate turns upon the pin or stud,
and when required can be turned around thereon and away from the looper
and other parts of the mechanism, which are thus left exposed and easy of
access for threading the looper when required, or in case of any derangement
of the said said parts. The looper thread spool is supported upon a rod fixed
in a socket cast on the frame of the machine; this enables the said spool to be
placed in close proximity to the looper. The looper employed in forming the
double loop-stitch is somewhat of the form of those ordinarily used, but the
point thereof is curved slightly to one side to pass directly alongside the needle
as the latter ascends and descends. The said looper is recessed or cut away
on the side towards the needle between the two eyes of the looper near the
point thereof; this recess allows the needle to pass freely in descending
inside the loop of needle thread, which is thereby drawn from the looper upon.
the needle over the looper thread. This form of looper combined with the
excentric motion for operating the rocking shaft enables the double thread
machine to be operated equally well by turning the driving shaft in either
direction.

page_text: o
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
•
by the said Joseph Weatherby Bartlett in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th November 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
WEATHERBY BARTLETT, of the City, County, and State of New York, United
States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Weatherby Bartlett, Her special licence that I, the said
Joseph Weatherby Bartlett, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Joseph Weatherby Bartlett, 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
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Joseph Weatherby Bartlett, my executors or admistrators,
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 Joseph Weatherby Bartlett, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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,
making a part of this Specification.
The nature of the said Invention consists chiefly, first, in the novel con-
struction and arrangement of the feeding mechanism employed in both single
and double loop-stitch sewing machines.
Second, in the peculiar means employed in the double thread machines for
giving to the rocking shaft a longitudinal reciprocating motion for extending
the thread loop.
Third, in the mode of supporting the plate or table whereby it can be swung
back from over the looper and other parts of the mechanism, which are thus

page_text: purposes.
Fourth, in operating the rocking shaft by an excentric in such a manner
that the driving shaft can be turned in either direction without affecting the
motion of the other parts of the machine.
Fifth, in the general combination and arrangement of parts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a plan of the top of a single thread machine; Figure 2 is a
side elevation; Figure 8, an end elevation; and Figures 4 and 5 detached
portions of the same; Figure 6 is a plan of the top of a double loop-stitch
machine; Figure 7 is a side elevation thereof; Figure 8 is an end elevation;
and Figures 9, 10, and 11 are detached portions of the said machine;
Figures 12 and 13 represent parts of the feeding mechanism of modified
construction. Like letters refer to corresponding parts in each of the Figures.
A is the bed plate, which may be secured upon a stand in any ordinary
and convenient manner; B is the frame for supporting the working parts of
the machine, the said frame and bed plate being by preference cast all in one
piece; C is the plate or table upon which the cloth or other material is sup-
ported while being sewn; D is the feed bar; E is the cam for operating the
same, which is fixed upon the rocking shaft F; G is the needle bar; H, the
disc; I, the driving shaft; and J, the driving pulley.
In the single thread machine represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the
feed bar D is supported on the under side of the plate C, and is operated by
the cam E. A projection a is formed on the feed bar D for the cam E to
act upon to produce the forward movement of the said bar D, the distance the
latter travels each time being regulated by an adjusting screw b, which works
through the arm c of the feed bar; the cam E is provided with a disc or
collar E on its outer side which forms a second cam for imparting the
required upward movement to the bar D. The said disc is of such a size and
shape that it remains throughout its entire movement in contact with the sur-
face of the feed bar D, and thereby prevents any knocking of the latter which
would otherwise be occasioned by its dropping suddenly in its back motion
upon the surface of the cam E. The feed bar D may be extended at its
forward end as represented at d, Figure 8. A slot e is formed in this extended
portion, and this slot fits over a pin or stud f which is recessed in the plate C, and
which acts as a guide to the bar D, and insures the said bar working steadily.
In the machine represented in Figures 6, 7, and 8, which operates with a
double thread, and which forms the stitch known as the double loop-stitch, the

page_text: feed bar D and cam E are also arranged to work under the plate C, but
are modified in form to produce the required variations in their motion. In
this case the end of the feed bar D as it drops is supported by a collar or
head f¹ formed on the end of the guide pin f, washers 9 of leather or other
soft material being placed on each side of the said bar to prevent the knocking
which would otherwise be occasioned by the rapid working of the machine.
The bar D is provided on its under side with a curved arm h, against which
the projection of the cam E acts when forcing the said bar forward.
Another projection i is also formed on the said cam to give the required
upward motion to the bar D, sufficient space being left between the under
side of the plate C and the collar fl of the guide pin f to allow the said bar to
move freely up and down thereon. The feed is regulated by an adjusting
screw b, in the same manner as in the single thread machines. A recess j
is formed in the cam E to allow the needle G³ to pass when descending with
the thread to form the loop. In the arrangement of parts shewn in Figures 6
7, and 8, the extension of the thread loop is produced by a longitudinal
reciprocating movement of the rocking shaft F. This longitudiual movement
is imparted to the said shaft in the direction indicated by the arrow, Figure 7,
by means of a cam provided with a spiral thread or blade l. This spiral
blade bears against a projection m fixed or formed on the frame B, and is
kept in contact therewith by a spring n. This cam K is so formed and
arranged that as the needle G¹ rises, the rocking shaft F, carrying the looper
o is thrown forward longitudinally and the thread loop is thereby extended
for the needle G¹ to pass through as it descends. The shaft F is drawn back
at each vibration thereof by the spring n. The rocking shaft F is operated by
means of the excentric p fixed on the driving shaft I, the said excentric
having a strap 9 and rod r, the latter of which takes hold upon the pin or
stud s or other equivalent device fixed in the disc t on the end of the rocking
shaft F. With this arrangement of parts the driving shaft I may be turned
in either direction without varying the motion of the other working parts;
the machine is thereby rendered much less liable to injury from inexperienced
and unskilful operators. The plate C in both the machines illustrated in the
Drawings is secured at one end to a pin or stud u, fixed in the plate bearing
B', the other end of the said plate being provided with a screw or other
device by which it can be easily connected or disconnected at pleasure. The
pin or stud forms a pivot upon which the plate C turns freely and allows
the said plate to be thrown back when required out of the way of the looper o
and other parts of the mechanism, which are thus rendered easy of access;
this greatly facilitates the threading of the looper o, and is also very con-

page_text: venient in case of any derangement of the said looper and other parts. The
looper thread spool L is supported upon a rod V, fixed in a socket B³ cast
on the frame B; this allows the said spool to be placed in close proximity
to the looper o.
The looper employed in in connection with the machine represented in
Figures 6, 7, and 8 for forming the double loop stitch is represented in
Figure 11. The said looper is somewhat of the form of those ordinarily used,
but the point o¹ is curved slightly to one side so that it shall pass directly
alongside the needle G' as the latter ascends and descends. The said looper
is also recessed or cut away on the side on which the needle passes between
the two eyes o². The employment of a looper formed as above described
combined with the excentric motion for operating the rocking shaft F in the
double loop-stitch machine shewn in Figures 6 to 11 allows the driving
shaft I to be turned in either direction without interfering with the proper
working of the machine.
The operation of this machine is as follows:-The cloth or other material
to be sewn being placed upon the plate or table C, the machine is set in
motion. The needle descends through the cloth, and in rising throws off
a loop of its thread, through which the point of the looper vibrating with the
shaft F enters, the said looper being at the same time carried forward lon-
gitudinally in the direction of the arrow Figure 7. This longitudinal move-
ment of the looper, combined with its peculiar formation, allows the needle in
descending to pass between the said looper and the looper thread, which is
drawn around the said needle. At this movement the looper being carried
back by the rocking motion of the shaft F, clear of the loop of needle thread
the latter is slipped off and is caught upon the looper thread, the two threads
being thus interlocked and drawn up into the cloth by the action of the feeding
mechanism and the tension upon the thread. While the needle is descending
the rocking shaft is drawn backward longitudinally by the spring n, and the
looper is thereby returned into the proper position for the needle again to
enter between the looper and its thread, the several operations being repeated.
To enable the driving shaft I to be driven at a high velocity, the driving
wheel or pulley J, instead of being placed upon the said shaft, may be fitted
to turn upon a pin or stud M; the said wheel is arranged with the inner
surface of its rim to run in contact with a small wheel fixed upon the shaft I,
and provided on its periphery with a band of india-rubber or other material
by which the necessary friction between the two wheels is obtained; or the
wheel J may be provided with teeth on the inner surface of its rim and geared
thereby into a pinion N fixed on the driving shaft as shewn in Figures 1, 2 8.

page_text: Having thus fully described my improvements, and shown how the same
may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice I claim,―
First, the combination of the cam 'E, with the feed bar D, and the other
parts of the feeding mechanism to impart the required motions to the said
feed bar for either single or double loop-stitch machines, substantially as
berein described.
Second, the cam K and projection m for imparting the longitudinal recipro-
cating motion to the rocking shaft F, in the double loop-stitch machine, com-
bined and operating substantially in the manner described.
Third, supporting the plate or table C-upon its bearing to allow the said
plate to be turned back when required clear of the looping mechanism for
the purposes and substantially in the manner described.
Fourth, the excentric p when arranged and operating substantially in the
manner described.
Fifth, the general arrangement and combination of parts in the construction
of either the single or double loop-stitch sewing machines, substantially as
herein set forth and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Weatherby Bartlett, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
JOSEPH WEATHERBY BARTLETT. (L.S.)