Improvements in Apparatus applicable for, or to Facilitate the Operation of, Basting Cotton Cloth or other Fabrics.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 10th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 16th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus applicable for, or to Facilitate the
Operation of, Basting Cotton Cloth or other Fabrics.
I, JOHN KAYSER, of Kaiserslautern, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Sewing
Machine Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
Material to be sewn on sewing machines requires, almost all through, a certain
amount of preparation, namely, basting. This is usually performed in such a manner
that the person doing it crosses the legs and pins the work to be basted on the upper
knee, bastes a piece, and then again pins a further piece of the material on the knee
and bastes that and so forth. This mode of fastening work, requiring stitching,
demands an extremely unhealthy stooping position of the upper part of the body,
and, in addition, the raised position of the knee when long continued is very
inconvenient and tiring.
The object of this invention is to remove these inconveniences by providing a
device, adapted to so hold the fabric as to render easy the operation of basting or
the making of a running stitch. The device is preferably affixed to the table of the
sewing machine, beneath the table, in such a way that it can be drawn forward in
order to be used, and after use can be again pushed back under the table, so that it
in no way causes a hindrance during the working of the sewing machine.
I have designed numerous patterns of the device. In the simplest form, a turning
round of the holder is alone possible. The attaching arrangement consists of two
disc-shaped clamp plates, one of which is fastened on a horizontal axle moveably
mounted in a bracket fastened on the under side of the sewing machine table. The
clamp plate rests on a sleeve through which a vertical spindle bearing the opposing
plate passes. A pin is attached to the said spindle which projects into a slit
provided in the sleeve. The vertical spindle has at its lower end an operating
disc; between this disc and the lower end of the sleeve a spring is inserted
which presses together the two clamp plates aforesaid, which are provided with
flutings.
The upper clamp plate is preferably provided with a pin-cushion.
The horizontal axle has two depressions opposed about 90 degrees to one another,
within the bracket on which the said spindle is mounted.
When the device is in position ready for use, a pin which is pressed against the
axle by means of a spring engages one of the said depressions and secures it in this
position. In order to fix the material between the clamp discs, one knee is pressed
somewhat raised above the
against the operating disc, so that one clamp disc
other, the material is then placed between the discs and the knee is withdrawn, so
that the material is firmly held between the discs.
When the device is not in use, it is turned round, the pin aforesaid engaging in
the second depression in the horizontal axle. The point of the said pin and the
depressions in the axle are tapered, so that, when the axle is revolved with
sufficient force, the pin comes out of engagement with the depression by reason
of its wedge shape, whilst the spring constantly presses the pin against the axle.
In certain modifications of the invention I have designed, the device after use can
be pushed under the table. At the back end of the horizontal axle, a spring is
situated, which constantly tends to draw the axle back. On the same axle, a square
block is fastened, which, when the device (with its vertical spindle turned round so
as to lic approximately horizontal) is drawn forward, drags one of its faces against
the bracket in which the device is mounted. In this forward movement the said
square block with its other face which lies nearer to the centre of the axle than the
face first mentioned passes close to a projection which has an upper sloping face.

page_text: As soon as the square block has arrived opposite the said projection, the horizontal
axle is revolved about 90 degrees, so that the material clamping discs with the pin-
cushion and the spindle on which they are mounted assume a vertical position.
This done, the spring tends to draw the same backwards, and the square block
presses firmly on the upper sloping surface of the projection aforesaid, by means of
the face which now is underneath and stands further from the centre of the axle and
thereby secures the device in position for use. If the same be no longer required
for use, it is then drawn so far forward that the square block again lies in front of
the projection, the device is once more turned back about 90 degrees and released
when the spring draws it back underneath the table.
In a third variety, a pin is fastened on the horizontal axle, both ends of which
slide along guiding surfaces, which communicate to the axle, towards the end of its
forward movement, a revolution of about 90 degrees so that the fabric clamping
discs which lay horizontal when not in use are now erected. On the axle, a boss is
mounted having a shoulder which, when the device is drawn forward, passes a spring
pawl or catch, whereby the device is retained in the desired position. The said
pawl can be disengaged by depressing a pin whereupon the spring on the horizontal
shaft comes into action and draws back the device from a vertical position into a
horizontal one, and underneath the table.
The operating disc, against which the knee is pressed when the material clip is to
be opened, can be adjusted up or down. It is attached to a pin which is capable of
being pushed in to the tubular spindle, and fixed at any required height by means
of the screw.
In a fourth variation the two diametrically opposed guiding surfaces are replaced
by a groove or thread cut out in a sleeve, in which the pin, attached to the
horizontal axle, slides. The sleeve is fastened to the bracket between the supports
of the axle. It is self evident, that this groove must be cut in such a manner that
the device, during the revolution necessary for erecting it, does not strike its
pin-cushion against the lower face of the table.
It is already apparent from the variation described above, that the mode of
construction described above can be altered in various ways. The important part
in no way consists of the special modes of construction described, but in the fact
that the clamp-plates can be easily opened, the whole arrangement is supported on
the one axle, so that a folding up of the device is rendered possible, and finally a
sliding back of the same under the table.
The arrangement can naturally be fitted to any table at which sewing or other
work is to be done.
The variation first described, in which the device can only be turned from a
vertical position to a horizontal one and cannot be pushed under the table, can also
be altered, in that a pin is fixed on the horizontal axle and a head-piece with two
grooves opposed to one another at 90 degrees is arranged in proximity to the
bracket.
Between a washer, fastened on the horizontal axle and the bracket, a spring is
compressed which secures the position of the aforesaid pin in one or the other of the
two grooves. These latter are arranged in such a manner, that, if the said pin fall
into one groove, the device stands in a vertical position, and, if the said pin fall into
the other groove, the device rests in a horizontal one. In order to facilitate the
movement of the device from one position into another, the edges of the said grooves,
which are turned to each other, are rounded off so that a thrust edge is formed
which, when the pin slides over them, permits each time a slight forward movement
of the horizontal axle with a corresponding tension of the spring, so that when the
pin has passed the foremost point of the curve, its entrance into the second groove
is automatically brought about by means of the extended spring.
Dated this 9th day of July 1890.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus applicable for, or to Facilitate the
Operation of, Basting Cotton Cloth or other Fabrics.
I, JOHN KAYSER of Kaiserslautern in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Sewing
Machine Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
Material to be sewn on sewing machines requires, almost all through, a certain
amount of preparation, namely, basting. This is usually performed in such a
manner that the person doing it crosses the legs and pins the work, to be basted, on
the upper knee, bastes a piece, and then again pins a further piece of the material
on the knee, and bastes that, and so on. This mode of fastening work, requiring
stitching, necessitates an extremely unhealthy stooping position of the upper part
of the body, and, in addition, the raised position of the knee, when long continued,
is very inconvenient and tiring.
The object of this invention is to do away with these inconveniences by providing
a device adapted to so hold the fabric as to render easy the operation of basting or
the making of a running stitch. The device is preferably affixed to the table of the
sewing machine beneath it, in such a way that it can be drawn forward in order to
be used, and, after use, can be again pushed back under the table, so that it in no
way becomes a hindrance during the working of the sewing machine.
Numerous patterns of the device have been designed by me as shown on the
annexed drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a sewing machine, with the work holder
attached thereto when not in use.
In the simplest form of construction, shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the holder is
only capable of being turned round. The attaching arrangement consists of two disc-
shaped clamp plates a and b, one of which, a, is fastened on a horizontal axle c
movably mounted in a bracket d fastened on the underside of the sewing machine
table. The clamp plate a rests on a sleeve e through which vical spindle e',
bearing the opposing plate passes.
A pin is atached to the said spindle which pro a slot g, provided in
the sleeve e. The vertical spindle e' has, at its lo end, an operating disc h;
between this disc and the lower end of the sleeve, a spring is inserted, which
presses together the two clamp plates a and b, which are provided with flutings.
The upper clamp plate bis preferably provided with a pincushion.
The horizontal axle e has, within the bracket d', two notches, opposed at about 90°
to one another.
When the device is in position, and ready for use (see Figure 2), a pin 1, which
is pressed against the axle by means of a spring K, engages one of the said notches,
and secures it in this position. In order to fix the material between the clamp
discs a and b, one knee is pressed against the operating disc h, so that the clamp
disc b is somewhat raised above the other; the material is then placed between
the discs, and the knee is withdrawn, so that the material is firmly held between the
discs a and b.
When the device is not in use, it is turned round and folded back into the
position shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which the pin l engages in the second notch
in the horizontal axle c. The end of the said pin and the notches in the axle are
tapered, so that, when the axle is revolved with sufficient force, the pin comes out
of engagement with the notch by reason of its wedge shape, whilst the spring k
constantly presses the pin against the axle.
In Figures 5 to 8 of the drawings, the device has been designed so that, after use,
the holder can be pushed under the table. At the back end of the horizontal
axle c, there is a spring m, which constantly tends to draw the axle back. On the
same axle, a square block n is fastened, which, when the device, (with its vertical

page_text: spindle turned round so as to lie approximately horizontal) is drawn forward,
(Figures 7 and 8) slides with its face n¹ (Figure 8) on the holder o (Figure 8). In
this forward movement, the said square block n, with its other face n³ (Figure 8)..
which lies nearer to the centre of the axle than the face n', passes close to a
projection p. As soon as the square block has arrived in front of the said pro-
jection p, the horizontal axle c is revolved about 90°, so that the clamping discs,.
with the pincushion and the spindle on which they are mounted, assume a vertical.
position.
If the material clamp be now released, the spring tends to draw the same back-
wards. The square block n thereupon catches fast with its surface n¹ (which is
now underneath, and in such position is further from the centre of the axle) on the
sloping upper surface of the piece p, see Figure 5, and thereby secures the clamp
in the position for use.
If the same be no longer required for use, it is then drawn so far forward that
the square block n again lies in front of the projection p, the device is once more
turned back about 90° and released when the spring m draws it back underneath
the table.
In a third variety, as represented in Figures 9 to 11, a pin q is fastened on the
horizontal axle c, both ends of which pin slide along guiding surfaces r, which
communicate, to the axle c, towards the end of its forward movement, a revolution
of about 90°, so that the fabric clamping device, which lays horizontal when not in
use, is now erected. On the axle, a boss s is mounted, having a shoulder, which,
when the device is drawn forward, passes a spring catch t, whereby the device is
retained in the desired position, Figure 9. The said catch t can be disengaged by
depressing a pin u, whereupon the spring m on the horizontal shaft comes into
action and draws back the device from a vertical position into a horizontal one,
and underneath the table.
The operating disc h, against which the knee is pressed when the material clip is
to be opened, can, as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 9, be adjusted up or down. It is
attached to a spindle v, which is capable of being pushed in to the tubular spindle e¹,
and fixed at any required height by means of the screw w:
Figure 12 represents a fourth variation, in which the two diametrically opposed
surfaces are replaced by a groove or thread z, cut out in a sleeve, in which the
ping, attached to the horizontal axle c, slides. The sleeve is fastened to the
bracket, between the supports of the axle. It is self evident that this groove must
be cut in such a manner that the device, during the revolution necessary for
erecting it, does not strike its pincushion against the lower face of the table.
It is already apparent, from the variations described above, that the mode of
construction therein described can be altered in various ways. The important part
in no way consists of the special modes of construction described and illustrated,
but in the fact that the holder, formed by both clamp plates, can be easily opened;
and that the whole appliance is arranged on the one axle, so that the device can be
turned up, and then, finally, slid back under the table.
The appliance can naturally be fitted to any table at which sewing or other work
is to be done.
The variation shown in Figures 2 to 4, in which the device can only be turned
from a vertical position to a horizontal one and cannot be pushed under the table,
may also be altered, as shown in Figures 13 to 16, in that a pin s' is fixed on the
horizontal axle c, and, at the part d', a head-piece is arranged with two grooves n¹n²
opposed to one another at 90°
Between a washer b₁, fastened on the horizontal axle c, and the bracket, a
spring is compressed, which secures the position of the aforesaid pin s¹ in one or
the other of the two grooves n' n². These latter are arranged in such a manner
that, if the said pin s fall into one groove n', the device stands in a vertical
position, and, if the said pins fall into the other groove n², the device rests in a
horizontal one. In order to facilitate the movement of the device from one position
into another, the edges of the said grooves n¹ n², which are turned to each other, are

page_text: rounded off so that a thrust edge is formed, which, when the pin s slides over them,
permit, each time, a slight forward movement of the horizontal axle c with a
corresponding tension of the spring f' so that, when the pin & has passed the
foremost point of the curve, its entrance into the second groove is automatically
brought about by means of the extended spring.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved fabric holding device, consisting of a clip formed of two holding
plates a b, which is opened by means of pressure against a disc such as connected
with the clamp plate 6, and which clip is mounted on an axle e so that it can be
turned back from its vertical position (when in use) to a horizontal position (when
at rest).
2. The combination, with a fabric holding device such as described in Claim 1,
of means whereby the device may be pushed under the table after it has been
turned back into a horizontal position, substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
3. In an improved fabric holding device consisting of a combination such as
described in Claim 2; the adjustable bearing for the axle c in combination with a
catch or retaining device, which retains the holder when drawn forward and
elevated, whilst, on the disengaging of the catch or retaining device and the turning
up of the fabric holder in a horizontal position, the whole device is drawn back
under the table by means of the spring m, which is expanded when the holder is
drawn forward.
4. In a fabric holding device such as described in Claim 3, the application of a
guide surface or a guide groovez, which, in combination with the pin q, effect an
automatic erection and turning back of the fabric holder on the drawing forward or
pushing back of the same, respectively.
Dated thin 9th dow of Anril 1891
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.