US2623484A - Feed-off-the-arm sewing machine - Google Patents

Description

WIT/\ESS Dec. 30, 1952 F. F. "2515?: 2,623,484

FEED- OFF-THE-ARM SEWING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1948 V 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTflB 7 l'EfDfE/CK I? Znne BY W y a ATTORNEY Dec. 30, 1952 F. F. ZElER 2,623,484

FEED-OFF-THE-ARM SEWING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 //v vnv TOE 55:05am E Z5151? WITNESS Br A TTGBNEY Dec. 30, 1952 F. F. ZEIER 2,623,484

FEED-QFF-THE-ARM SEWING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I/VI/E/VTOB. WITNESS Emma/ck E ZFIEE 7f d ga za ATTORNEY 1952 F. F. ZEIER 2,623,484

FEED-OFF-THE-ARM SEWING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 R: INVENTOB A TTOBA/[V Dec. 30, 1952 F. F. ZEIER 2,623,484

FEED-OFFTHEARM SEWING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VE/V TUB EEDfB/CK F Z059 WITNESS B A TTOENEY Dec. 30, 1952 F. F. ZEIER 'FEED-OFF-THE-ARM SEWING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 19, 1948 INVENTOE fisotlelclr f? ZEIEB WITNESS Patented Dec. 30, 1952 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE FEED-OFF-THE-ARMI SEWING MACHINE Application March 19, 1948, Serial No..15,80;

19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to sewing machines, more particularly to the feed-oif-the-arm type, and has for an object to provide a machine having a frame contour permitting convenient manipulation and presentation of the work by the operator to the stitching instrumentalities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feed-off-the-arm type sewing machine having lightweight but sturdy and well-balanced mechanism for actuating the stitching and feeding devices, adapting the machine for handling heavy work at relatively rapid sewing speeds.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cylinder-bed sewing machine with an improved feeding mechanism wherein the needle is moved laterally in the line of feed while in the work to assist the usualfeed-dog in its workadvancing action.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having a work-arm of small cross-section at its free end, whereby tubular articles of small diameter can be stitched.

The present invention also aims to provide for convenient initial assembly of the parts and for ready accessibility of the same for inspection, adiustment and repair.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved machine.

Fig. 2 represents a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally of the head and its supporting bracket-arm, showing the needle-bar and its actuating connections with the rotory arm-shaft of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine with the upper lateral arm and depending arm in vertical section.

Fig. 4 is a left side elevation of the machine with the face-plate removed; the depending arm and the work-supporting arm being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 5 represents an enlarged sectional view of the feed-advance rocker and taken substantially along the line 5-5, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a right sideelevation of the machine with the side cover-plate removed from the standardto show the belt connection between the rotary arm-shaft and the counter-shaft.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view'of the'work-supporting arm with the cover-plates removed and the lower end-portion of the depending arm in sec tion, showing the feed-dog and its actuating connections within the work-supporting arm.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. '7, but showing only that part of the looper mechanism which is within the work-supporting arm.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially along'thef line 99, Fig; 3, illustrating the manner inwhich the looper actuating rock-shafts in the depending arm are operatively connected to the counter-shaft in the laterally extending arm.

Fig. 10 represents an enlarged vertical sectional View of the work-arm and taken substantially along the line Ill-l 0, Fig.4.

Fig. 11 represents an enlarged vertical sectional view of the work-arm and taken substantially along the line I l--l I, Fig. 4.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the looper-carrier bar fulcrum-block and its retainer.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of the work-arm and taken substantially along the line [3-43, Fig. 8.

Fig. 14 is a right side elevation, on a reduced scale, of the machine, showing the louvers in one of the side cover-plates.

The detailed description which follows is broken down intosections in order to facilitate a quick understanding of the various mechanisms of the machine and their operations. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, for it is capable of other embodiments which come within the scope of the appended claims.

Machine-frame The machine-frame, in its preferred embodiment, comprises a standard of abracket-arm 2! having at its overhanging end a head 22. Preferably integral with the front side of the standard 20 is the work-arm casting comprising an upper forwardly projecting arm 23, a laterally extending arm 24, and a vertically depending arm carrying a horizontal work-supporting cylinder-bed or arm 26 disposed so that its free end underlies the head 22. The forwardly extending arm 23 of the work-arm casting is substantially O-shaped in cross-section to provid a belt-compartment 2'1 and is ribbed, as at 28 (Fig. 6) for strength. Secured to seats 29 and 30 (Fig. 2), by the screws 3| and 32, is a weighted baseor foot-member 33 offset laterally at its lower end to provide a more substantial machinebase and to counterbalance the unsupported overhang of the machine. The open face of the C-shaped forwardly extending arm 23 is adapted to be closed by a side cover-plate 3d, the lower portion of which is provided with louvers for permitting the ingress of air to be circulated throughoutthe work-supporting arm 26.

The work-supporting arm 26 is preferably made exceedingly small in cross-sectional area at its free end, in order that tubular articles of small diameter can be sewn on the machine. The arm 26 is preferably U-shaped in cross-section and is designed to be detachably secured to the lower end of the depending arm 25. As will be seen in Figs. 1 and 4, the work-supporting arm 26 is secured against a horizontal seat 36 provided on the bottom of a lateral flange 31 integral with the depending arm 25; the screws 38 and locating pins 39 (Fig. 1) fastening the work-supporting arm. to they depending arm in its proper alinedlposition. .Integral withthe lower end of the depending armu25 is a downwardly projecting extension 20,, (Figs. 3- and 4) normally disposed withina ,chamber ll provided in the enlarged end of the-work-supporting arm 26, said extension providingasupportfor the bearing bushings 42, 43 and 44 in which are journaled the.,rock-shafts,xlater to be described, housed withinithe :depending arm 25. One of the advantages of having the shafts within the depending arm supported in bearings all of which are carried by said arm is thatthe. mechanisms, in the depending arm 25and'the work-supporting arm 26 can be separatelyassembled in their respective arms and then. the work-supporting arm can be attached to: the depending arm as a unit. Suitable cover-plates 45 and .46 are provided upon the work-supporting-arm 26 to aiford access to the mechanism within'the chamber M in the work-supporting: arm, and. .to enable interconnecting the dependingarm mechanism with the Work-supporting. arm .mecham'sm.. Cover-plate 45 is provided with a transparent. window ii through which the-leversof the-oil in the chamber fill oan be'seen- Cover-plate 46 is provided with a drain-plug 48 which. can be removed when it is desired todrain the oilout of the chamber a i.

The-open topof the work-supporting arm 25, beyond the-depending arm 25, is adapted to be closedby a'cover-plate-49 having. a conventional attachment 'slideway 5B, and athroat-plate 5% through which the needles and the feed-dog operate.- Access to the loopers-within the free end of the work-supporting arm 26 is gained through the side opening 52 closed by the swinging gate 53 (Figs. 1, 7 and 8) carried on a retractable slide 54 mounted in the bottom wall of the worksupporting arm 26. Louvers 55 in the swinging gate 53.provi de openings for the egress of air and-lint from within the work-supporting arm 25. i As .will belobserved in Fig. 3, the depending arm has .its lower .portion, immediately above the flange .31, 'forme'dlnarrower than the width of the work-supportingarm 2B beneath it for the purpose ofprovidi'rig a maximum amount of clearance space for the manipulation of the work.

In the machine illustrated, driving power is adapted to be applied from. any suitable source, preferably fromb'eneath the supporting tablestructure (not-shown) through a belt 56 adapted to run on a drive p'u11ey5'l mounted on the inner endof a rotary main-or arm-shaft 58 journaledin antifriction bearings 59 and BEl carried in the bracket-arm 2|. The main-shaft 58 is connected by a clip-belt 6| to a rotary counter-shaft 52 journaled in antifriction bearings t3 and 6d carried in the laterally extending arm 24. Secured to' the exposed inner end of the counter-shaft 62 is a hand-wheel which is within easy reach 01" the operator. To provide an effective guard for the driving belt 55, there is provided a side cover-plate it which heuses'the belt and the drive pulley 51-.

As will be seen in 1, there are provided upon the laterally extending arm 2 a top coverplate 6? and a side cover-plate (58 closing openings through which'the mechanism within said arm 2a is renderedaccessible.

From the'above description, it will be understood that a machine-frame is provided in which the stitching zone at the free end of the worl supporting arm 26 is very accessible to the opera tor from the work-presentation point of view and that good visibility is afforded the operator in manipulating the work. Particular notice is called to the arrangement of the weighted footportion or base; 33. Wh-enviewing the machine from the front, it will be appreciated that a major portion of the weighted f'cot portion is disposed to the right of thefcrwardly projecting arm 22-; and that thebracket-arm El, laterally extending arm 3% andwork supporting. arm 26 are disposed to theleftof tiie arm 23. Thisarrangement approximates nhances 'set up'eand facilitatessupporting the machinewith its standard 28. adjacent the; edge of the table (not shown) so thatthe worl i suppcrting arm 26 is sustained in mid-air with amplefree space on opposite sides thereof'for the handling of the work;

Needle-bar mechanisr/i The needle-bar mechanism of the present machine is constructed substantially in accordance with the; disclosure in my United States Patent No. 2,329,681, issued September 14, 1943. For the sake of brevity, only such reference will be made to the needle-bar mechanism as will give a clearunderstanding of the operation thereof in the present machine. I W

Referring to Figs. 2 and 1 it willfbe observed that the rotary mainor arm-shaft 58 has secured to'its outer enda needlebaractuatingcrank 69 connected by a dependinglinlc'lil to a needle-bar El carrying at its lower end the needles 12. The needle-bar H is journaled for endwi s e reciprocation in bearing bushings provided in the spaced arms 13 and i l of a; substantially C shaped needle-bar-frame 5 formed preferably of aluminum, magnesium or other light-weight material and provided with a horizontally projecting-fulcrum-rod 16 mounted; for oscillation in an extended lug ll preferably formed integral With'the machine-head 22. In the present machine, the

fulcrum-axis of the needle-bar-frame-lE is'horizontally. transverse to: the length of the worksupporting arm fifi and thereforethe needles 12 are sidewise vibrated lengthwise of; said arm 28. The endwise reciprocatory-and sidewi se vibratory movements of the needles?! are timedsothat the needles moves'idewise toward thefree end of the arm while the needles are in thework; Oscillations are imparted. tothe needle-bar-frame-fi about the axis of the fulcrum-rod glfi through mechanism comprising. 'ai'rearwa'rdly and upwardly curved rock-leveri'ls:preferably clamped at its lower end .uponithe' reduced: end portion of the fulcrum-rod 16. .Atits' upperend, the rocklever 18 is connected ,to oneend of a relatively short pitman le fdrmed at its otherend with a strap 80 embracing an adjustable eccentric 8I secured to rotate with the rotary arm-shaft 58.

It will be understood from the foregoing that i as the arm-shaft 58 is rotated the eccentric 80 actuates the pitman I9 which in turn operates the rock-lever I8 to oscillate the needle-bar-frame 15, The extent of oscillatory movement imparted to the needle-bar-frame is dependent upon the amount of eccentricity of the eccentric III, and in order to vary the amplitude of the oscillatory movements of the needle-bar-frame I the eccentric is made adjustable. A detailed description of the constructive features of the adjustable eccentric 8I will not herein be given for the reason that the same is fully described in the U. S. patent of W. Myers, No. 2,128,031, dated August 23, 1938.

To effect adjustment of the eccentric 8 I, the top of the bracket-arm 2I has mounted therein a detent 82, the details of construction of which are similar to those illustrated in the U. S. patent of W. Myers, No. 2,063,264, dated December 1936. When it is desired to adjust the amplitude of oscillation of the needle-bar-frame 15, the detent 82 is depressed until the lower end thereof enters a stop notch 83 (Fig. 2) in the adjusting member 8 1 of the eccentric 8|, after which, if desired, the detent can be partly rotated and locked in depressed position. With the adjusting member 84 of the eccentric 8I thus latched against turning, suitable manual turning of the armshaft 58 will effect the desired adjustment of the eccentric 8|.

Rresser mechanism The presser mechanism of the present machine is best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Referring to these figures,it will be observed that there is journaled for endwise movement in spaced lugs 85 and 86 on the machine-head 22 a presser-bar 81 carrying at its lower end a presser-foot 88. At its upper end, the presser-bar 81 has clamped thereon a split collar 89 (Fi 4) having a laterally projecting guide-lug 90 adapted to extend through a suitable slot provided in the side wall of the machine-head 22, whereby the presser-bar 81 is prevented from turning in its bearings. Also formed on the collar 89 are a pair of upstanding ears SH, 92 carrying between them a roller 93 which is engaged by the free end of a leaf-spring 94 mounted to bias the presser-bar 81 yieldingly downwardly. The pressure of the spring 94 is regulated by a screw 95 threaded through the bracket-arm 2I. The roller 93 is employed to minimize any side pressure exerted by the presserbar 81 on its bearings resulting from the action of the leaf-spring 94 on the top of the presser-bar.

The presser-bar 81 is adapted to be raised by means of the usual hand-operated lifting-lever 96 which is pivoted on a screw 91 threaded into the lug 85; the lifting-lever 98 being disposed, to contact the head of the collar clamping screw 98. Treadle-controlled means are also provided for raising and lowering the presser-foot. This means is shown, in part, in Fig. 4 and comprises a. pivotally supported lever 99 to which is connected a depending link I00 whose lower end is apertured to receive the presser-bar guide-lug 90. The lever 99 is connected by suitable means to a kneeor foot-operated treadle (not shown).

Four-motion feeding mechanism The four-motion feeding mechanism of the present machine is adapted to operate in unison with the needle-feed previously described in advancing the work off the free end of the worksupporting arm 26. This four-motion feed, show-'- ing in Figs. 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10, comprises a feed-dog: IOI having needle-apertures IOI' through which the needles operate. Th feed-dog is supported by a rearwardly extending tail or shank I02 adjustably secured, as by screws I03, upon the for ward end-portion of a feed-bar I04. The feedbar I04 extends lengthwise of the work-supporting arm 26 and is lengthwise slidably and crosswise pivotally mounted on hearing blocks I05 embracing an eccentric pin I06 mounted within the opposite side walls of the work-supporting arm. To facilitate assembly, the open bottomed slot I01 in the feed-bar I04 in which the bearing blocks I05 are disposed is closed by a bridge-bar I08 (Figs. 10 and 11) fastened by screws I09 threaded into said feed-bar. It will be appreciated that the eccentric pin I06 is provided for the purpose of regulating the height of the serrated work-engaging face of feed-dog I04 relative to the upper surface of the throat-plate 5I. Access to the eccentric pin I06 is gained through a clearance opening IIII provided in the side wall of the work-supporting arm 26, the eccentric pin being retained against endwise shift and accidental turning by a screw III (Fig. 10) threaded into the side wall of the work-supporting arm 26 and having its inner end seated in an annular recess II2 provided beneath the head of the eccentric pin.

The rear end-portion of the feed-bar I04 lies directly beneath the vertically depending arm 25 of the machine frame, which arm contains the feed-dog lifting and advance-and-return mechanisms. The feed-dog lifting mechanism derives its actuation from an eccentric II3 fast on the rotary counter-shaft 62. Embracing this feedlift eccentric I I3 is the strap II4 of a vertical pitman I I5 connected at its lower end to a rocker I I6 (Fig. 5) journaled on a fulcrum-rod I I1 fixed in the side walls of the depending arm 25. Connected to the rocker H6 is the upper end of a depending link I I8 connected at its lower end and within the chamber M to the forked end of the feed-bar I04. Rotation of the counter-shaft will cause the eccentric II3 to impart to the pitman II5, rocker H6 and link II8 rising andfalling movements which are transmitted to the feed-bar I04 and effect a rocking of the feed-bar about th longitudinal axis of the eccentric pin I06. It will be understood that the amplitude of movement imparted to the feed-dog IOI is constant and that the effective portion of the feed-dog lift above the level of the throat-plate 5| is regulated by the eccentric pin I06.

The feed advance-and-return motions of the feed-dog IIiI are obtained from an adjustable eccentric II9 which is also mounted on the counter-shaft 62. The details of construction of this eccentric are identical with those of eccentric 8I mounted on the arm-shaft 58. Embracing the eccentric H9 is the strap I20 of a forwardly extending pitman I2I (Figs. 3, 4 and 9) connected at its other end to the upper arm of a two-arm rock-lever I22 journaled intermediate its ends on a fulcrum-bar I 23. fixed in the side walls of the depending arm 25. The lower arm of the rock-lever I22 is fitted with a cylindrical pin I24 which slidingly projects into a substantially vertically disposed aperture formed in a horizontal pin I25 journaled for free turning movement in the forked end of the feed-bar I04 just forward of the feed-lift connection. Rotation of the counter-shaft 62 will impart to the rock-lever I22, through the adjustable eccentric II9, rock- 7 mg iiiovern'ents about the. fulcfrum bar i323, and these rocking movements will effect an advan e andreturn or sai d 'feed 'har 1.04;

To provide for adjusting the stitch-length of the feed-dog till, the laterally extending arm 24' (Fig. 3) is fitted with a spring retracted detent IZG which when depressed by the operator is adapted toen-tera stop-"notch l2'i'formed in the eccentric adjusting member I28. With the adjusting member I23 thus latched against turning, manual rotation of the counter-shaft *62 will efiectthe desired adjustment ofthe; eccentric H 9.

In the machine shown 'in the drawings the upper or needle-feed 'and'th'elower four m'otion feed each derives its work-advancingmovements from independent adjustable eccentrics and, therefore, when changing thestitch-length, it'is essential that the two eccentrics be adjusted in unison. To a'ccofnpli'shthis in the present :machine, the 'b'alance wheel "6:5 is manually turned until the detent 82' on the bracket-armt I registers with the 'stop no't'ch inthe eccentric 8! of the needle-fee'dmechanism, in which: position the detent-is depressedand'turned, thereby locking the same in latching position. This leaves one whereby thetwo eccentrics BI and H9 may be concomitantly adjusted to vary the eccentricities thereof.

Lodger mechanism The stitch-forming mechanism of the present machine is adapted to produce conventional twothrea'd chain=stitches and includes a pair of thra'd carrying loopers I29 which undergosidewise as well asloop-seiz'ing and loop-shedding motions. -Theloopers IZQ-aresecured to-aswingout carrier 13d "which is 'p'i'vot'edyas at l 3! (Fig. '4) ,"on one end of alooper-bar l321pivotal-ly and 'slidably carried within the work-supportingarm at a point intermediate the ends of' the looper- "oar. ing saidlooper-bar l-32preferably includes a .pair

The means pivotally and slidably supportof' fulcrum-blocks "I33, ltd-(Figs. 8 and '11) formed to embrace the"'sides of the looper-bar H2 and 'having'cylindrical peripheries fitted into a cylindrical seat I35 bored into the'sidewalls of the work-supportingarmtt. As will be'seen inFig. 11, the' two fulcrum blocks [Stand I3 3 are held in their proper position-by two retainers I36, 131 which are fastened directly to-the side walls of the "work-supporting arm- 2-by= the screws 133 and I39. It will beunde-rstood that the looper-bar 132 :can slide end'wise relative-to the fulcrum-blocksilfl and lied, and' thatthe fulcrum-'blocksc'anlturn in their seat 3.5,- thus to permit the loopers" l 29'to 'henioved sidewise.

'Thelooprbar l 321at1itslooper supporting end is steadied in its mo'vementiby.opposedhardened and ground guide-plates l'kiil and MI (Figs. Z-and 4). The guide-plate lifl'is'isecured by screws M2 "to the bottom of ane'ed leguide M3 which'is '"attached-byscrews i fl to the side wall'ofrthe work-supporting arm 25, while the guide-plate l 4 l is secured by screws H5- upon the bottom' wall of the work-supportinggarm. Adjacent its inner end; the loop'er' bar 432 isguided by a 'b'earing pending arm 25.

8 block M5 which is secured by screws J41. to the work-supporting arm 2t. 'Thefguide-nlates 14,0 and M1 and the bearing-block I46. maintain the looper-bar I32 adequately supportedat bothlends thereof.

The mechanism forimparting loop-seizingand -shedding and sidewise .or needleeavoi ding movements .to the loopers l29lis contained within the vertically depending .arm of the Arnachine. It will be understood that thelloopers [29 in advancing to enter the needlePthread-loops presented by the needles l2,travel endwise of'the work-supporting arm 25 in .a.direction opposite to the direction of feed. Fig. .9-it willbe.observed that the counter-shaft .6.2 .is preferably formed with a crank its .connecte'djby a short pitman 1:39 to one end of arock-arm' I fifl'clamped upon the upper end of a vertically disposed looper actuating"rock-shaft [5| journaled at its opposite ends in thetop and-bottom walls of the depending arin Adjacentits-lowerend, the looper-actuating rock-shaft. I51 hassuitably secured toit a rock-arm in the-form of a cyl in'drical pin S52 (Fi 8), the free end of which slidingly projects into an aperture formed in a vertical pin i573 journaled for free turning movement in the bifurcated end of the looper-bar' [32. R0- tation of the crank S lt willeffect an oscillation of the rock-shaft 55!, which in turn will'impart an endwise movement to .the looperabar [32 giving to the loopers. l 29 theirlo0p-seizingand loopshedding strokes.

Sidewise movements of the loopers l29 are derived from an eccentric I54 (Fig. 9) fast on the counter-shaft t2. Thiseccentric I54 is connected by a pitman 15% to onerendrof a-rock-lever 15% of which the other end is clamped to .the upper ondof a second vertically disposed looperactuating rock-shaft i5? journaled at its opposite ends in the top and bottom walls .of the de- Clamps-cl to the'rock-sha-ft I51, adjacent its lower end, is a' rock-arm ids-which is connected by a link Hit to the bifurcated end of the looper-bar i32. Rotation of the eccentric IE4 will transmit oscillation to the rock-shaft it? which, through the rock arm lEBand linklEQ,

will impart sidewise movements etc: the looperbar I32. Thus, the loopers'l291carried'by'the looper-bar are moved sidewisezinproper,timed relation with their endwise loop-seizingand'loopshedding movements, the combined" motions resulting in a four motion travel of the loopers I29.

It will be observed by referring: toFig: 4 that the looper-bar 32 and its actua'tingxelements within the base of the depending arm and'including the rock-arms l'a2 and l58gand. the link I55 aredisposed in substantially the :same horizontal plane. This is advantageousforzthe-reason' that the looper-bar is not subjected to: any vertical forces tending to bind the lOoper-barjmits supports or to displace the loopers l-2-9yout.1of their horizontal plane .of travel. Also, it simplifiesthe supports for the'looper-bar [Mend makesyfor a freely operating mechanism.

Spreader. mechanism To assist in stitch-formation, the loopers .128 have cooperating therewith .a spreader device which is adapted todistendthe looperthread to form the usual triangle withthe previous needle-thread-loop for entrance by thedescending needle. The spreader device comprises an angular member I66 (Figs; 4, 8, and 13); having formed --in-t he under faceof its free end a pair .of threadengaging notches disposed so that when the spreader moves transversely of the work-arm 26 the spreader engages one limb of the looperthread and spreads it. The shank of the angular member I69 is adjustably secured to an arm Iiil by screws I62 and I63, screw I63 serving as a fulcrum-screw pivotally supporting the spreader device on an angle-bracket I64 fastened by the screws I65 (Fig. 13) to the side wall of the worksupporting arm 26. The spreader device is caused to pivot about the fulcrum-screw IE3 by a camblock I58 on the looper-bar I32, which camblock is formed with an arcuate cam-groove entered by a roller I61 carried by the arm I6! of the spreader device. Actuation of the spreader from a cam on the looper-bar insures proper timing between the looper and the spreader.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is: 1-. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having a frame provided with an overhanging head and a work-supporting arm having its free end disposed beneath said head, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head and mounted for lateral work-feeding movements in a plane parallel to the vertical plane of the axis of the work-support, means for imparting said lateral work-feeding movements to said needlebar, and looper mechanism in said work-supporting arm complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches.

2. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having a frame provided with an overhanging head and a work-supporting arm having its free end disposed beneath said head, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head and mounted for lateral work-feeding movements in a plane parallel to the vertical plane of the axis of the work-support, means for imparting said lateral work-feeding movements to said needlebar, and stitch-forming mechanism in said worksupporting arm including a looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, and actuating connections for imparting to said looper loop-seizing movements endwise of said work-supporting arm;

'8. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having a frame provided with an overhanging head and a Work-supporting arm having its free end disposed beneath saidhead, a needle-bar journaled in said head for work-penetrating endwise and Work-feeding sidewise movements, a needle carried by said needle-bar, means for imparting said endwise and sidewise movements to said needle-bar, work-feeding mechanism in said arm including a feed-dog for advancing work lengthwise of the work-arm towards its free end and in unison with the work-feeding sidewise movements of said needle, andstitch-forinin'g mechanism in said work sup'porting arm complemental to said needle in the formation of chainstitches, said stitch-forming mechanism including a looper having loop-seizing movements in a direction opposed to the direction of feed.

4. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine-having a frame provided with an overhanging head and a work-supporting arm having its free end disposed beneath said head, a needle-bar journaled in said head for work-penetrating endwise movements and work-feeding sidewise movements lengthwise of said work-supporting arm, feeding mechanism in said work-supporting arm including a feed-dog having work-advancing movements lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and operating in unison with said needle,

10 and looper mechanism including a threaded looper in said work supporting arm complemental to the needle in the formation of twothread chain-stitches.

5. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in a head, a first rotary shaft journaled in said bracket-arm, a second rotary shaft, a driving connection between said shafts, a work-supporting arm having its free end disposed beneath said bracket-arm head, an arm supporting said work-supporting arm and providing bearings in which said second rotary shaft is journaled, an endwise reciprocatory and sidewise vibratory needle-bar supported in said head, actuating devices connecting said needle-bar to said first rotary shaft, lower stitch-forming mechanism in said work-supporting arm complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, and actuating connections between said lower stitchforming mechanism and said second rotary shaft.

6. In a feed-off-the arm sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and a work-supporting portion including a depending arm havinga downwardly projecting extension and a worksupporting arm carried by said depending arm and housing said, extension, a needle-bar journaled for endwise reciprocatory movement in said head, lower stitch-forming and work-feeding devices in said work-supporting arm, a rotary main-shaft, actuating shafts journaled in said depending arm in bearings provided in said downwardly projecting extension, and operative connections between said rotary main-shaft and said actuating shafts.

'7. A cylinder-bed sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and a work-supporting portion including a depending arm and a worksupporting arm carried by said depending arm with its free end beneath said overhanging head, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head, a needle carried by said needle-bar, work-feeding mechanism operating in timed relation with said needle, a rotary shaft journaled in said frame, a pair of actuating shafts journaled in said depending arm, driving connections between said actuating shafts and said rotary shaft, a movable looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, a looper-bar carrying said looper and movable in a single plane, and operating connections between said actuating shafts and said looper-bar, said connections disposed and movable in a single plane.

8. A cylinder-bed sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and awor-k-supporting portion including a depending arm and a work-supporting arm carried by-said depending arm with its free end beneath said overhanging head, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head, a needle carried by said needle-bar workfeeding mechanism operating in timed relation with said needle, a rotary shaft journaled in said frame, a pair of rock-shafts journaled in said depending arm, driving connections between the upperends of said rock-shafts and saidrotary shaft, a movable looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and carrying said looper, means supporting said looper-bar for pivotal and slidable movements in a fixed plane, and operating ele- 11 ments connecting each of said rock-shafts to said looper-bar, said elements disposed and movable in the plane of movement of said looper-bar.

9. A cylinder-bed sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and a work-supporting portion including a depending arm and a work-supporting arm carried by said depending arm with its free end beneath said overhanging head, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head, a needle carried by said needle-bar workfeeding mechanism operating in timed relation with said needle, a rotary shaft journale'd in said frame, a pair of rock-shafts journaled in said depending arm, driving connections between the upper ends of said rock-shafts and said rotary shaft, a movable looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and carrying said looper, means supporting said looper-bar for pivotal and slidable movements in a fixed plane, a rock-arm secured at one end to one of said rock-shafts and operatively associated with said looper-bar, a rock-arm secured to the other of said rock-shafts, and a link connecting said last-named rock-arm to said looper-arm.

10. A cylinder-bed sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and a Work-supporting portion including a depending arm and a work-supporting arm carried by said depending arm with its free end beneath said overhanging head, an endwise reoipro-catory needle-bar journaled in said head, a needle carried by said needle-bar workfeeding mechanism operating in timed relation with said needle, a rotary shaft journaled in said frame, a pair of rock-shaf ts journaled in said depending arm, driving connections between the upper ends of said rock-shafts and said rotary shaft, a movable looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and carrying said loop-er, means supporting said looper-bar for pivotal and slidable movements in a fixed plane, a rock-arm secured at one end to one of said rock-shafts and having a cylindrical portion slidably associated with said looper-bar, a rock-arm secured to the other of said rock-shafts, and a connection between said last-named rock-arm and said looper-bar.

11. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and a work-supporting portion including a depending arm having a work-supporting arm carried thereby, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head and mounted for lateral work-feeding movements in a plane'parallel to the vertical plane of the axis of the work-support, means for imparting reciprocating and lateral work-feeding movements to said needle-bar, a movable looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and carrying said looper, a rotary shaft journaled in said frame, a pair of rock-shafts iournaled in said depending arm and operatively connected with said rotary shaft, and means connecting said rock-shafts with said looper-bar for actuating the latter element.

'12. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and a work-supporting portion including a depending arm having a work-supporting arm carried thereby, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head and mounted for lateral work-feeding movements in a plane parallel to the vertical plane of the axis of the work-support, means for imparting reciprocating and lateral work-feeding movements to said needle-bar, a movable threaded looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and carrying said looper, means pivotally supporting said looper-bar, a rotary shaft journaled in said work-supporting portion, a pair of rock-shafts journaled within and lengthwise of said depen ing and operatively connected with said rotary shaft, and means connecting said rockshafts with said looper-bar for actuating the latter element thereby to cause the looper, in cooperation With the looper-bar supporting means, to move in a direction parallel to that of the work;- feed during its loop-seizing and loop-shedding strokes.

13. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine hav ing, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and a work-supporting portion including a depending arm having a work-supporting arm carried thereby, and endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head and mounted for lateral work-feeding movements in a plane parallel to the vertical plane of the axis of the work-support, means for imparting reciprocating and lateral Work-feeding movements to said needle-bar, amovable threaded looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and carrying said looper, means supporting said looper-bar for pivotal movements about an axis disposed in parallelism with the general direction of needle reciprocation and s'lidable movements in a fixed plane disposed at right angles to said pivotal axis, a rotary shaft journaled in said work-supporting portion, a pair of rock-shafts journaled within and lengthwise of said depending arm and operatively connected with said rotary shaft, a rock-arm secured at one end to one of said rock-shafts and operatively associated with said loope'r bar, a rock-arm secured to the other of said rock-shafts, and a link connecting said last-named rock-arm to said looperarm, said rock-shafts and their associated mechanism being adapted to cause the looper, in cooperation with said looper-bar supporting means, to move in a direction parallel to that of the work-feed during its loop-seizing and loop-shedding strokes.

14. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminat ing in an overhanging head, and a work-supporting portion including a depending arm having a work-supporting arm carried thereby, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head and mounted for lateral work-feeding movements in a plane parallel to the vertical plane of the axis of the work-support, means for imparting reciprocating and lateral workfeeding movements to said needle-bar, a movable looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and carrying said looper, a rotary shaft, a pair of roclshafts journaled in said depending arm and operatively connected with said rotary shaft, means connecting said rock-shafts with said looperbar for actuating the latter element, a feed-bar pivotally and slidably supported lengthwise of said work-supporting arm, a feed-dog mounted on one end of said feed-bar for cooperating with said needle in the feeding of the work, and means connecting said feed-bar to said rotary shaft for actuating said feed-bar in proper synchronism with the work-feeding'movement of said needle.

15. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and a work-supporting portion including a depending arm having a downwardly projecting extension and a work-supporting arm removably carried upon said depending arm and housing said extension, a needle-bar journaled for endwise reciprocatory movement in said head, a needle carried by said needle-bar, a rotary shaft journaled in said worksupporting portion, a pair of rock-shafts journaled lengthwise within said depending arm with the lower end portions journaled within said downwardly projecting extension, means connecting the upper portions of said rock-shafts with said rotary shaft, a movable looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and carrying said looper, means supporting said looper-bar for pivotal and slidable movements in a fixed plane, a rock-arm secured at one end to one of said rock-shafts and operatively associated with said looper-bar, a rock-arm secured to the other of said rock-shafts, and a link connecting said last-named rock-arm to said looper-arm.

16. In a feed-off-the-arm sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in an overhanging head, and a work-sup porting portion including a depending arm having a downwardly projecting extension and a work-supporting arm rem-ovably carried upon said depending arm and housing said extension, a needle-bar journaled for endwise reciprocatory movement in said head, a needle carried by said needle-bar, a rotary shaft journaled in said worksupporting portion, a pair of rock-shafts journaled lengthwise within said depending arm with the lower end portions journaled within said downwardly projecting extension, a movable threaded looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said work-supporting arm and carrying said looper, means supporting said looper-bar for pivotal movements about an axis disposed in parallelism with the general direction of needle reciprocation and slidable movements in a fixed plane disposed at right angles to said pivotal axis, a rockarm secured at one end to one of said rock-shafts and operatively associated with said looper-bar, a rock-arm secured to the other of said rock-shafts, and a link connecting said last-named rock-shaft to said looper-arm, said rock-shafts and their associated mechanism being adapted to cause the looper, in cooperation with said looper-bar supporting means, to move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said work-supporting arm during its loop-seizing and loop-shedding strokes.

17. A feed-oif-the-arm sewing machine having, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in a head, a work-arm casting including a forwardly extending arm, a laterally extending arm, and an arm depending downwardly from said laterally extending arm and having a downwardly projecting extension, and a work-supporting arm removably carried by said depending arm and housing said extension, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head, a needle carried by said needle-bar, a first rotary shaft journaled within said bracket-arm for actuating said needle-bar, a second rotary shaft journaled within said laterally extending arm and operatively connected to said first rotary shaft, a pair of rock-shafts disposed lengthwise of and within said depending arm at opposite sides of said second rotary shaft, said rock shafts each being operatively connected with said second rotary shaft and having its lower end journaled within said downwardly projecting extension, a movable looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of saidwork-supporting arm and carrying said looper, means supporting said looper-bar for pivotal and slidable movements in a fixed plane, a pair of rock-arms of which each is secured at one end to respective one of said rock-shafts at a location between the upper end of the rock-shaft and said downwardly depending projection, and means operatively connecting each of said rock-arms with said looper-bar for actuating the latter,

18. A feed-off-the-arm sewing machine hav ing, a frame including a bracket-arm terminating in a head, a work-arm casting including a forwardly extending arm, a laterally extending arm, and an arm depending downwardly from said laterally extending arm and having :a downwardly projecting extension, and a work-supporting arm removably carried by said depending arm and housing said extension, an endwise reciprocatory needle-bar journaled in said head, a needle carried by said needle-bar, a first rotary shaft journaled within said bracket-arm for actuating said needle-bar, a second rotary shaft journaled Within said laterally extending arm and operatively connected to said first rotary shaft, a pair of rock-shafts disposed lengthwise of and within said depending arm at opposite sides of said second rotary shaft, said rock shafts each being operatively connected with said second rotary shaft and having its lower end journaled within said downwardly projecting extension, a movable threaded looper complemental to said needle in the formation of chain-stitches, a looper-bar extending lengthwise of said worksupporting arm and carrying said looper, means supporting said looper-bar for pivotal. movements about an axis disposed in parallelism with the general direction of needle reciprocation and slidable movement in a fixed plane disposed at right angles to said pivotal axis, a pair of rockarms of which each is secured at one end to a respective one of said rock-shaft at a location between the upper end of the rock-shaft and said downwardly depending projection, and means operatively connecting each of said rock-arms with said looper-bar for causing the looper, in cooperation with said looper-bar supporting means, to move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said work-supporting arm during its loop-seizing and loop-shedding strokes.

19. In a feed-ofi-the-arm sewing machine having a frame provided with an overhanging head and a work-supporting arm having its free end disposed beneath said head, an endwise reciprocatory needle carrying bar journaled in said head and mounted for lateral work-feeding movements in a plane parallel to the vertical plane of the axis of the work-support, means for imparting said lateral work-feeding movements to said needle ba'r, "a needle carriedby said needle-ban; and stitcheforming -mechanism in said work-supporting armwcomplemental -tosaidneedle'in the formation of "chainestitches, said stitch-forming mechanism including'a thread-carrying looper "having l0op-seizing movements in 'a direction opposedto the work-feeding movements of the needle and loop-spreading movements-laterally of :the line of the work-feeding movements of the needle, aspreader cooperating with said loop'er "and having movements transversely of the work-feeding movements of the needle in -a-direct-ionopposite to the loop-spreading movements 'ofsaid 1ooper,-said looper and spreader thereby 'o'peratingto form a thread-triangle for entrance -by 'the needle, and mechanismextending lengthwise through' said work-arm for actuating said deeper and spreader in timed rela- @116 tion withtlre .endwise and sidewise movements ofsaid'neeclle. v

FREDERICK ZEIER. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name fi Date 1,718,411 Christensen June 25, 1929 1,857,041 Christensen et a1. May 3, 1932 1,917,756 Eames July 11, 1933 2,199,663 Hacklander et a l May 7, 1940 2,329;681 Zeier Sept. 14, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS N urnber I Country Date 225,762 Gr'e'at Britain 'Dec.1l, 1924

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