US285417A - leavitt - Google Patents

Description

{Sheets-Sheet 1 (Model.) R, LEAVITT- I SEWING MACHINE. N0. 285,417.

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R. LEAVITT.

SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 25, 1883.

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B. LEAVITT.

SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Sept.- 25, 1888.

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R. LBAVI T. SEWING MACHINE. No. 285,417. Patented Sept. 25, 1883.

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RUFUS LEAVITT,

Unrrn STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO'THE HOW'E MACHINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

SEWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,417, dated. September 25, 1883,

To all whom 211; may concern:

Be it known that I, Burns LEAVITT, a citi Zen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sewing-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which. form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of sewing-machines in which the movement of a vibrating shuttle-lever is derived through an oscillating lever from a driving-shaft journaled in the goose-neck, or upper part of the arm which actuates the needle-bar.

The object of my invention is to adjustably connect the feeding and lifting mechanism by means of which the proper relation with each other may at all times be maintained; to provide, also, a simple contrivance to raise the presser-foot a short distance, or half lift, when required; to provide a take-up capable of being adjusted; to provide a guidebar to engage with and guide the needle-bar cam and the means for adjusting the same; to provide a simple and efficient needle-clamp to be used in combination with a self-setting needle; and, also, an elastic vibrating tongue attachedto the shuttle-carrier on which the shuttle rests, and which operates to deaden the noise caused by the shuttle striking the carrier.

To more clearly understand my invention, reference is had to the drawings accompanying this specification, and forming part of the same, in which- Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section through the center of the goose-neck or arm and a section of the bed through the dotted line 1 of Fig. 2; Fig, 2, a plan view of the bottom of the bed Fig. 3, a sectional view of the goose-neck or arm through the dotted line 2 of Fig. 1 and of the bed through the dotted line 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a broken side elevation of the goose-neck or arm and bed, showing the operation'of the indicator; Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, detail views; Fig. 19, an interior view of the face-plate; Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23, 2'11, and 25, detail views; Fig. 26, a transverse sectional view of the faceplate, taken through the dotted line 4 of Fig. 19; Fig. 27, a broken edge view of the lower portion of the face-plate and the flange of the goose-neck or arm; Figs. 28, 29,

30, and 31, detail views; Fig. 32, a view of the needle-clamp and a portion of the needlebar; Fig. 33, a longitudinal section of the needleclamp and needlebar; Fig. 31, an end view of the ncedleclamp and needle-bar; Fig. 35, an end View of the needle-bar; Fig. 36, a plan view of the needle-bar, showing the needlelatch attached therein for holding the needle; Fig. 37, an end view of the needle-clamp; Fig. 38, a side view of the bar and latch. Fig. 39 is a plan view of the upper side of the shuttle-carrier, with the vibratingtongue attached, showing also a portion of the shuttle-lever; Fig. 10, a side view of the shuttle-carrier and tongue; Fig. 41, a perspective view of the vi brating tongue.

Referring to the figures above mentioned, the'letter A indicates the bed; 13, the goose neclo or arm; C, the face-plate; D, the front flange of the arm to which the face-plate is attached; E, the driving-shaft; F, the eccentriclever; G, the eccentric-strap attached thereto; H, the 1ift-rod; I, the yoke connection attached to the same; J, the feed-cam lever; K, the feedlink connected therewith; L, the cam for operating the feed, lift-rod, and eccentric levers; M, the shuttle-lever; N, the feed-lever; O, the adj usting-lever; a, a right-angular lug or arm secured in the end thereof; P, the stitch-regulating screw; 12, the stitch-regulating screwnut; Q, the stitch-indicator; R, the stitch-indicator rod; 0, the indicator-swivel; S, the needle-bar cam; (Z, the needle-bar-cam guide; 6 e, adjusting-screws; f f set-screws to secure the same; T, the presser-bar guide; U, the presser-bar lifter; V, the presser-bar; \V, the needle-bar; X, the take-up; Y, the take-up rocker; g, the take-up rocker-pin; Z, the take up rocker-stud; A, the needle-clamp; B, the needle-clamp screw; C, the needle-latch; D, the slot in the needlebar for the latch; E, the pin on which the latch swings; F, the shuttle carrier; G, the vibrating tongue.

The levers F and J, Fig. 1, operatein the usual manner on the stud h, which oscillates freely on the center screws, i j, the eccentric IOO lever F being attached thereto by the setscrew K, while the feed-cam lever J works freely thereon.

The levers F J and rod H (see Fig. 13) are all connected with and operated by the cam L, a detached view of which may be seen at Fig. 17 attached to a section of shaft E by the setserew Z, also an end view of the same, Fig. 18.

One end of the cam L, Fig. 17 is provided with the eccentric I, which engages with the eccentric-strap G, Fig. 11, for controlling and operating the lever F. The cam L and eccentric are formed integral from the same casting, and that part extending from the shoulder on to the end it constitutes the cam L, and is adapted, from its peculiar construction, to 0p crate within a square hole or forked lever having its sides parallel. It controls and operates the liftrod H and feed-cam lever J, as seen at Figs. 15 and 1c.

Fig. 13 represents a view of the oscillating levers F and J, lift-rod H, and cam L, attached to the shaft E, properly grouped and arranged for operation, but detached from the arm. On the end of the shaft E is the needle-bar-cam flange J, having the needle-cam roll K, which engages with the needle-bar cam S, Fig. 12, which represents a view of a section of the face-plate, needle-bar, needle-bar cam, and flange J.

Fig. 11 represents a side view of the oscillating or eccentric lever, at the lower end of which is the ball 0, which engages with the forked end of the shuttle-lever M in the usual manner, the other end, 19, being j ointcd to the eccentric-strap G by the screw g, on which the strap G can freely swing. This strap is attached, as before stated, to the eccentric I of the cam L, and works freely thereon, the strap being separated by the cut r, and by means of the adjusting-screw s the proper tension is maintained. When the shuttle has passed through the loop, the point t of the eccentric, as it approaches the point a of the strap, will give a slow motion to the shuttle as it nears its extreme throw, and between the points a and t the shuttle will have ceased its movements, and the needle-bar will beca-rried to its highest position, as indicated at Fig. 12. In passing over this upper center it is essential that the lever F, which operates the shuttle-lever, should remain stationary until the needle-bar is ready to begin its downward movement. The time occupied in passi ngtho center is short, i t is true,

but long enough to allow movement to the cocentric-lever, so that the shuttle will let go, and will have made considerable progress in its backward movement before the needle-bar begins its descent. Now, as there a deadpoint when the needle-bar has reached its highest position, there should also be a corresponding dead-point on the eccentric-lever, and this is successfully accomplished by means of the eccentric-strap G. The highest point t of the eccentric I, in traveling from the point u of the strap to the point t of the same, Fig. 11, merely lifts the strap G, which swings on connection-screw q, while the lever F remains stationary. This gives the time required for the needle-bar to pass the dead-center. When this is passed, the highest point t of the eccentrio 1, approaching in the direction of the arrow toward the point a of the strap, imparts motion to the lever F and carries it to the other extremity of its throw, as indicated by the dotted position F Thus the shuttle and needle pull together and the stitch is fully completed, leaving no slack threads, the upper and lower threads being drawn firmly onto the fabric and the loop or look formed in the center of the same. This is what is called the Howe stitch.

The feed-lever N, Fig. 2, works on the uni versal joint L, and its end M is connected to the feed-bar N, which carries the feed-surface O. The other end, 1), of lever N is provided with the adjusting screw P, as seen more clearly at Fig. 18, which rep resents a sectional View of the adjustingscrew P and end '0 of the feed-lever through the dotted line 5, Fig. 14.

The screw P has the hole 20, preferably rounding at the bottom to receive the ball-shaped end so of the lift-rod H. The screw P and lift-rod H are kept in contact by the spring The connection of the lift-rod H with the feedlever N would be a difficult thing to accomplish were it not for the adj Listing-screw P, by means of which they are readily brought in contact. The other end of the rod H is loosely connected with the yokel by the screw 2, and the yoke is opera-ted by the cam L, Fig. 15, which shows that portion of rod H above the dotted line 6, Fig. 13. The yokelis provided with the adjusting-screw a to compensate for wear. Said yoke I is also connected with and swings freely on the screw b, Fig. 3, which shows the small portion 0 of the rear of the arm in full. The end of this screw or pin 1) enters the hole (1 of the yoke, Fig. 15. This connection is necessary, as the yoke is loosely connected to the lift-rod H, and it operates to keep it in proper position in relation to the cam L. The central portion of lift-rod H is not intended to fit the stud h,- but the hole 6 of the rod is made sufficiently large to clear the stud h as it rises and falls with the'feed. The feed cam L also operates in the forked end of the lever J against the perpendicular sides a a Fig. 16, which represents that portion above the dotted line 6 of Fig. 13. The forked end is adjusted to compensate for wear by adjusting-screw g, and the lower end, 71, is forked to receive the feedlink K, which works freely on the screw i.

lVhen the eccentric-lever F is in the position as shown in full lines, Fig. 11, the needlebar, as before stated, is at its highest point, and the feed-surface 0, Fig. 1, is raised to its highest position. WVhen the lever F begins its backward movement, the cam L will lift the rod H, and as the feed-lever N is attached to the rod H by the spring y, it will raise the end of the lever N back of the universal joint L, Figs. 1 and 2, and cause the feed-surface 0 to drop. Then the cam L will occupy the position in relation to the yoke I as seen at Fig. 15. The distance from the point j to the point Z of the cam, Fig. 15, represents the highest part of the same, and the cam, in traveling the distance between these two points will hold the lift-rod H up and the feed-surbeen carried back to its starting-point by the lever J. The point I of camL will then engage the lower surface, on, of the yoke-depressing rod H and lover N, raising the feed-surface above the bed in a position to feed forward, which is effected by-cain L coming in contact with the fork of lever J, when the cam will occupy the position as represented at Fig. 3,

the point I engaging with the face a and can I gages with the roll q of the feed-lever N, (see Fig. 3,) a better view of which roll is seen at Fig. 14, where the roll q is attached to the lever N, said lever engaging with feed-bar N, Fig. 2, which carries the teed-surface O, and by such action of the link K said feed-surface is moved forward. The object of the roll g on the lever N is to enable it to travel up and down on the face 1) of the link K when the leverN rises and falls with the lift-rod H, thereby reducing the friction of these surfaces.

WVhen the cam L is in the position in relation to the lever J indicated by Fig. 16, the feed-surface will have traveled its full limit, and will be held in that position until after the point Z of the cam L leaves the perpendicular face a of the fork. In the meantime the point jof the cam engages with the yoke,

Fig. 15, raising the same, causing the feed-dog or surface to drop by the operation, as before stated. The point j will then engage with the opposite face, a", of the fork of lever J and carry the feed -surface back to its startingpoint. NVhile the feed-surface is below the bed, and on its return movement, the needle will have descended and withdrawn from the fabric in time for the levers, by the operation as stated, to raise and carry the surface forward. A decided advantage is thus obtained by having the actuating-levers operated by the same cam, as they can more readily be adjusted and accurately timed in their respective movements in relation to each other than could be accomplished if they were operated by independent cams. All that is required in setting a cam such as described is to place it in a position so that any one of the levers will be correctly timed, and all the rest will operate in perfect harmony with it.

A hole is provided inthe end of the adjusting-lever O to receive the shank r of the lug a, (see side elevation, Fig. 5,) which is secured therein by the set-screw s. The lug a is arranged to be adjusted to the circle 0 of link K. (See Fig. 6.) The lever O is operated by the stitch-screw P, Fig. '3, the lower end, t face below the bed until the feed-surface has of which is threaded and fits a corresponding threaded hole, i in the nut b, a top view of which is seen at Fig. 7 and a perspeetiveview at Fig. 8. adjusting-lever, Fig. 5, and oscillates freely therein. The lever O, swinging freely on the screw m of the lug Z of the bed, is raised and lowered by means of the stitch-screw P, and varies the length of the stitch by changing the position of the lug a on the circle 0 of the link K. The spring situated between the lever O and the bottom of the bed A, operates to carry the lever down when the screw P is turned back. The lever 0 describes in its and down the link K. Therefore the elongated hole a is provided in lever 0, Fig. 6, extending through the same, to allow free play to the screw P in the oscillating movement of the lever. The length of the stitch is shown on the plate Q, by the pointer b of the indicator Q, Fig. 4, which latter swings on the. screw 0*, situated in the arm' 13, the short arm d of the indicator connecting with the rod R, which passes through the hole 0- of piston-1e ver 0, Fig. 6, and has attached to it by the set-screw If the round swivel c. Said swivel oscillates freely in the hole of lever 0, Fig. 5, similar in its operation to the nut Z). A section of rod R, with the set-serew, is shown at Fig. 9. By turning the screw 1? to the right or left, the position of the lever 0 will be altercd, and by means of the indicator the length of stitch indicated on the plate Q. To prevent the lever 0 from being carried down so low as to drop from the link K, the pointj of the lever will engage with the shoulder m in the lug Z Fig.3, and arrest its progress, the projection a of the lever engaging with the bottom of the bed to limit the travel upward.

Fig. 19represents a view of the interior of the face-plate C, (1 indicating the needle-cam guide bar, resting on the supports a" and n of the plate. A view of bar (1 may be seen at Fig. 21, having the threaded holes p p to receive the threaded bushings c c, a view of one of which is shown at Fig. 23.

Fig. 22 is a section of bar (1 through the (lotted line 7, Fig. 21.

Fig. 24 1s a top view of the bushing provided with the hole f for the set-screw f, Fig. 25, which screws into the supports a n of the plate. a

On the needle-bar cam S, Fig. 20, is the guide g", which fits the guide-bar (Z and travels on the same, operating to keep the cam level and prevent cramping. Any llllPQl'fGO tion in theconstruction of the cam or change of position of the needle-bar to which the cam is attached, or any difference in the height of The nut I) enters the hole 10 of the the supports a a which would interfere with the travel of the cam, may be counteracted by the adjustment provided at each end of the bar d.

The bottoms h of the bushings, Fig. 23, rest on the supports it" it, and each end of the bar (I is adjusted independently until the proper level is obtained in relation to the cam, when the bar is secured firmly down by the setscrewsfj".

(f, Figs. 19 and 26, is a central bearing projecting from the inner surface of the faceplate O, to support the needle-bar and counteract'any tendency of the same to spring laterally or be deflected from a straight line, which would cause it to stick and bind in the bearings in the ends B and S of the faceplate; but it does not operate in any manner to prevent the bar turning on its axis.

The mechanism which controls the take-up is similar in construction and operation to others of this class, except that an adjustment is provided on the take-up for the purpose of placing the same in the proper position in relation to the thread, and also to compensate for wear. The roll T operates against the camshaped periphery WV of the flange J, Fi l2, and is connected by the pin .9 to the arm 10* of the rocker Y. To the arm 10" is attached the retractile spring 12 and to the arm 12" is secured the take-up X. The rocker Y oscillates on the stud Z. A perspective view of the rocker and roll is seen at Fig. 31. The take up, Fig. 30, has the elongated hole to for the screw 51 and the pin-hole a for the pin on the arm c of the rocker. By means of the elongated hole 10" of the take-up, it may be adj usted and placed in its proper position in relation to the thread; also, in case of wear by constant motion of the roll T on the flange J, which will reduce their surfaces and give a different time to the take-up, it can be adjusted to its original position.

Fig. 28 represents a perspective view of the presser-bar guide T, having the hole T for presser-bar and transverse slots t t" to admit the guide-pin c of the presser-bar, Fig.29. The guide T, Fig. 28, has the flange m, which enters the slot m" of the face-plate C, Fig. 27.

The screw 0" in the flange D of the arm B retains the flange m" of the guide against the side of theslot m The screw 0 supports the lifter, which also operates in the slot m.

Fig. 19 represents the guide T on the pressen bar V, and immediately below the guide is the spring a, which operates to keep the guide up to the pin a" of the bar V, said pin resting in the slots tand t of the guide, which prevents the bar from turning when the presser-foot is on the work. hen necessary to swing the foot A around, the bar V is raised, lifting the pin a out of the slots of the guide T, the pin resting on top of same. (See dotted position of foot A, showing also the position of pin a In fancy stitching, embroidering, &c., it is necessary at certain points to turn the work with as little delay as possible, and to do so it is usual to raise the foot from the fabric sufficient to relieve the pressure, and when the direction of the stitching has been changed the foot is permitted to drop. In machines of the ordinary construction it is inconvenient to reach and operate the lifter, situated as it is at the back of the face-plate, as both hands of the operator are required to guide the work; but by means of. the push-rod, provided as shown at Fig. 19, the operator has perfect control of the lift without removing the hands from the work.

B is the push-rod, operating in a transverse slot of the face-plate O. and having thebutton or head 2 projecting from the plate nearest the operator, the other end, (1, of the rod engaging with the handle of the lifter U. Vhen necessary to lift the foot, the operator can reach the button or head i with the thumb and push it in until the cut or not-chf of the rod B coincides with the side wall, Z*, of the plate 0, when the pressure of the spring D*, acting through the medium of the guide T and lifter U, will cause it to engage therewith. By pressing downward on the button i the notch f will be disengaged and the foot lowcred, thereby carrying the push-rod back to its original position.

Fig. '32 is a section of the needlebar \V and needle-clamp A attached to the same.

Fig. 37 is an end view of the clamp. The hole B represents the size of the needle-bar proper.

Fig. 35 represents-an end view of the nee dle-bar, showing the groove D to receive the needle and its latch. One side of the needle shank is flattened, and such flat side of the same rests on the bottom 1) of the groove D, said groove being cut in the needle-bar a dis tance sufficient for the latch O to operate on the pin E, the latter extending transversely through the bar, Fig. 38.

The clamp A (Fig. 33, which represents a view taken through the dotted line 8, Fig. 34) is placed on the small or reduced end E of the needle-bar, the inner surface of the clamp A resting 011 top ofthe latch C, the screw B holding it firmly thereon, thus securing the needle. The point of the set-screw B is re duced in size, and enters the hole G provided in the bar WV. opposite the latch, Figs. 33 and 34L, thus serving to prevent the clamp A from dropping off.

The shoulder H of the latch 0, Figs. 38 and 33, is intended as a stop for the needleshank I and determines the height of the needle.

J is a thread-slot in clamp, and K wirethread guide.

The vibrating tongue G, Fig. 39, is constructed of thin metal, and is secured to the shuttle-carrier F by the screw L", the shank M of the tongue resting 011 the shank N of the carrier. The tongue G is raised above the surface a of the carrier, Fig. 40, leaving an open space between them for vibration of the former. The shuttle will rest on the surface 2 of the tongue, and the end .2 of the tongue, which is bent upward, will support the point or'nose of the shuttle. In machines of the ordinary construction, when the shuttle-thread is pulling up, the shuttle is raised from the surface of the carrier, and as it lets :go suddenly the shuttle will drop 011 the carrier and make a disagreeable clicking noise.

This is entirely avoided and prevented by the vibrating tongue, as above described. The tongue, constructed, as it is, of thin metal, is very sensitive and readily yields to the shuttle, thus preventing the latter from striking hard on the carrier.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to'secure by Letters Patent, is- I 1. The combination, with the feed-lever N and cam L, of the lift-rod H, for raising and lowering the feed, the lower end of said rod being adjustably connected to one end of the lever N by the screw P, and said screw being brought and held in contact with rod H by the spring y, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the lift-rod H, adjustably connected to the feed-lever N, of the yoke I, loosely connected to said lift-rod H, and operated and controlled by the cam L, situated on the driving-shaft E, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a vibrating oscillating feed-lever situated below the bed, and

. a vertical oscillatory lever having its upper end forked to engage with the feed-cam on the driving-shaft, of the feed-link K, loosely connected to the lower end of said vertical lever, said link engaging with a frictionroll situated 011 the vibrating feed-lever, and an adjustinglink K, and having between its ends thelooselyfitting nut or bushing b, transversely situated in said adjusting-lever, said bushing having a threaded hole to engage the threaded end of the stitch-screw, by means of which the adjusting-lever is raised and lowered and the length of the stitch is regulated, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the needle-bar anda needle-cam attached thereon, and a guide provided on the needlecam, with the adjustable guide-bar having threaded bushings or rings 6. In a sewing-machine, the combination of the cam-shaped flange J, the take-up rocker Y, having arms w 10%;, stud Z, take-up roll T, and spring v with the adjustable take-up X, having elongated slot w and pin-hole x and arranged to be'pivoted to the pin 9 of the rocker, and secured thereon by the setscrew y", as described. 7

a 7. The combination, in a sewing-machine, of the presser-bar V, having the pin a situated transversely in said bar, the-guide T, having transverse slots or grooves t and t, to receive the pin a, the flange m to engage with the lifter by means of which the bar is raised, the adj usting'screw c", to hold the guide T in position, and the spring a, by means of which the guide is kept in contact with the pin a of the presser-bar, the bar being arranged, as described, to be liftedfrom the slots or grooves of the guide, and then swung around in any position required, as specified.

8. The combination, with the needle and the face-plate, of a central stationary bearing for said needlebar, projecting from the inner surface of said face-plate, said bearing being constructed with a concave recess adapted to partially embrace said needle-bar, whereby the latter is prevented from springing laterally, substantially as set forth.

, 9. The combination, with the face-plate G and lifter U, of the push-rod B having notch f and head a, said push-rodbeing transversely situated in plate 0, and having the end (1" arranged in contact with the lifter, by means of which the presser-foot is slightly raised, as desired, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with the needle-bar NV, having its lower end, E smaller than the bar proper, and the groove D formed in said lower end to receive the shank of the needle, of the pivoted latch O, swinging on the pin E, said latch overlying the needle-shank, and being provided with the stop or shoulder H to determine the height of the needle, and the shell-clamping device A, encircling the small end E" of the needle-bar, and having thumbscrew B, by means of which the shell A is brought firmly down on the latch and the needle held in place, as described.

11.. I11 a sewing-machine, the combination, with the shuttle-carrier, of an overlying vibrating tongue attached to. the said carrier, the said tongue being arranged to support the shuttle and maintain its proper level in rela tion to the loop, and adapted to slightly yield to the sudden j ar or fall of the shuttle and recover its former position, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

I11 testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

I RUFUS LEAVITT. [n s.]

Vitnesses:

I. B. PRINDLE, P. W. I-IARTSHORN.

ICC

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