US596554A - Sewing-awl - Google Patents

Description

NITED STATES PATENT FFICE...

. GEORGE FRANKLIN SUMMERS, OF PLEASANTON, KANSAS.

S EWI NG-AWL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 596,554, dated January 4, 1898. Application filed February 23, 1897. Serial No. 624,676. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE FRANKLIN SUMMERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pleasanton, in the county of Linn and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Awl, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to awls adapted to be used by shoemakers or harness-makers, the object being to provide a tool of this character the handle of which will form a receptacle for the thread, wax-end, or string that is to be used to make stitches and from which it leads to an eye formed in the end of the awl and is drawn out from the handle grad tending from the eye 13 to the handle 1.

ually as the stitching progresses.

With this object in view the invention consists of the several details of construction and the combination of parts hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the a claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved awl. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line a a; of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a similar View on the line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view showing the method of forming the stitch.-

Similar reference-numerals indicate similar parts in the several figures.

1 represents the handle, which tapers at its front end and is bored out longitudinally to form a chamber 2, which receives the supply of thread, wax-end, or string (indicated by 3) and which is placedin the chamber in such manner that it will feed therefrom without becoming tangled.

4 represents a stopper to close the end of the chamber 2. This stopper may be held in position by friction or be connected to the handle by screw-threads or otherwise. From the inner end of the chamber 2 a hole 5 extends obliquely to the outer surface of the handle, and this hole serves as a passage through which the thread passes from the chamber to the awl.

6 represents a tension device, which is in the form of a strip of spring metal and is secured about midway of its length to the handle by means ofa screw 7. In its normal position the spring-strip is bowed or bent, and when its middle portion is forced down toward the handle by means of the screw 7 its ends will bear with considerable force upon the handle. The rear end of this spring fits into a recess in the handle, (indicated by 8,) and the spring is thereby prevented from having lateral movement. The front end of the spring bears upon the thread or wax-end a short distance in advance from where it leaves the hole 5, and the handle is provided at this point with a groove 9, which extends under the ferrule 10 on the end of the handle. The tension of the spring can be adjusted by operating the screw 7.

11 represents the awl, which is provided on one side with a longitudinal groove 12, ex

This groove is for the purpose of permitting the thread or wax-end to lie therein, so as to be practically flush with the surface of the awl and thereby permit the awl to be more readily pushed through the leather or other material being sewed. Theopposite side of the awl is also provided with a groove 14 to receive the thread or wax-end, and as the awl is pushed through the leather or other material the thread is looped at the eye of the awl and the looped portion is carried through the material with the awl.

The groove 12 in the awl is in alinement with the groove 9, which is formed in the handle under the ferrule in order that the thread may pass directly into the groove in the awl, and both of these grooves are in alinement with the opening 5, through which the thread passes from the chamber 2.

'When it is desired to form stitches, the thread or wax-end is passed through the eye of the awl and a sufiicient length drawn out, so that the end may be held between the thumb and the handle of the tool, and the awl is then pushed through the leather, after which the end of the wax-end is pulled through the hole and may then be threaded in an ordinary needle, (indicated by 15 in Fig. 5.) The awl is then withdrawn from the leather, leaving the thread extending through the hole just made, and'the thread is then drawn through this hole a sufficient length, according to the number of stitches to be made. The awl is then again pushed through the leather, carrying the thread with it, and then partially withdrawn, which will result in making a loop ICO in the thread at the side of the needle, through which loop the needle 15 must be passed, carrying the thread with it, and then by withdrawing the awl from the hole and pulling firmly on both threads a stitch will be formed similar to a lock-stitch made by an ordinary sewing machine, and this operation is repeated until the required number of stitches are made.

I desire to have it understood that by the term awl I include any pointed shaft with an eye at its outer end and a longitudinal groove for the reception of the thread.

This tool will be very useful to mend shoes,

harnesses, suspenders, &c., or any other articles where it is desirable to form a lockstitch. 1

It will be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is The combination with a handle provided .With a chamber to receive a supply of thread and having a passage leading obliquely from the inner end of the chamber to the outer surface of the handle through which the thread passes, of an awl attached to the front end of the handle, a ferrule on the front end of the handle, and a tension device engaging the thread between the said passage and the ferrule, the awl having an eye at its outer end and a longitudinal groove extending from the eye to the handle, and the handle having a groove at its outer end leading from said passage beneath the ferrule through which the thread passes to the awl, the grooves in the awl and handle being in alinement with each other and with the said passage, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE FRANKLIN SUMMERS.

\Vitnesses:

J. R. HOLMES, G. V. WAYMIRE.

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