US733760A - Trimming mechanism for sewing-machines. - Google Patents

Description

No. 733,760.-r PATENTED JULY 14, 1903. W. H. STEDMAN.

TRIMMING MEGHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLIUATIoN-HLED AUG. e, 1902. v

No MODEL. 2 sHnBTsfsHBBT 1.

VVITNEEEE No. 733,760. PATENTED JULY 14, 1903.

W. H. STBDMAN. Y TRIMMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING- MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 6. 1902.

Tui Nanms PETERS cu.A PHomLrrHQ.. wAsHxNoYON. D. c.

No. r733,760.

UNTTED STATES Patented July 14, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. STEDMAN, OF HARTFORD CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE MERROW MACHINE COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A COR- PORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

TRIMMING MECHANISM FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersiPatent No. 733,760, dated July 14, 1903.

Application iiled August 6, 1902-` Serial No. 118.680. (No model.)

To ct whom t may concern:

Be it known that LWILLIAM H. STEDMAN, a citizen of the United States, `residing in the city and county of Hartford, State of Connec- 5 ticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trimming Mechanism for Sewing-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to ro the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the gures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to that class of trimming mechanism embodying a vibrating and I5 a relatively fixed cutter operating conjointly with a feeding mechanism to eEect the trimming of the material as it is yfed forward.

The invention embodies certain novel constructions, arrangements, and combinations zo of various parts and elements, whereby the application of trimming mechanism to a type of machines hereinafter more particularly designated is eected; but the improvements constituting this invention are not all intend- 2 5 ed to be exclusively so utilized, some of them being applicable to trimming mechanism in general. These improvementsare especially designed for use in connection with sewingmachines now in use and commonly known 3o as overseaming-machines, for a detailed illustration and description of which reference may be had to United States Patents Nos. L114,718 and 591,049.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front eleva- 35 tion of a machine, showing the present improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the end of the machine at which 5o of the needle-plate and adjacent parts relating to the present invention. Fig. 7is a front elevation showing the means whereby the stationary cutter is adjustably supported and held. Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation showing the means whereby the vibrating cutter is ,5 supported and secured. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a portion of the carrier for the vibrating cutter and its supports. Fig. l0 is a top View of the carriage to which the vibrating cutter is secured, the bolt which clamps 6o the carriage to the carrier being shown in cross-section. Fig. 11 includes side and edge views of a clamp for the fixed cutter. Fig.

12 embraces endand side elevations and a cross-sectional view of the vibrating cutter. 65

Like numerals of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

The number l0 denotes the main-frame housing or casing of the machine; 1l, the head; 12, the main shaft; 13, the driving-pulg 7o ley, and 14: a second shaft above and parallel with the main shaft. The shafts 13 and 14 bear, respectively, cam- cylinders 12a 14a, having intermeshing gears 12h14b for insuring the unitary rotation of the shafts and cam- 75 cylinders. The cam-cylinders serve to actuate certain elements of the stitch forming mechanism; but as the same form no part of this invention a full illustration and description are not deemed necessary. 8o The number 10a denotes a door for closing an opening in the frame lO, through which theinterior of the machine may be reached. The second shaft 14 projects through the end wall of the frame vl0 and bears an eccentric- 85 pin 15, connected by a link 16 with the needle-carrier 17, the latter being pivotally secured to the end wall of the frame. The needle 18 is mounted in the carrier 17 and through the described train of mechanism is 9o reciprocated in a path concentric with the pivotal support of the needle-carrier.

The machine is provided with a needleplate 19, supported beneath the head 11, and also preferably with a Variety of four-mo- 95 tion feed now in common use and including a presser-foot 20. The feed is driven from the main shaft 12, and serrated portions of the feed-dog 21 operate through openings 19 in the needle-plate 19. roo

The Various elements thus far described are adapted to perform their respective functions in the usual manner and are illustrated and pointed out in order that the relation of the present improvements thereto may be more clearly comprehended from the follow ing description:

As is usual in overseaming-machines, the trimming-cutters are located and adapted to coact in substantially the plane of the top of the needle-plate and somewhat in advance and to the right of the point at which the needle penetrates the material (as the machine is viewed from its front side) in order that the overseam stitches may be formed upon the trimmed edge of the material and at a point in proximity to the trimmer. Of the said cutters one is adapted to vibrate and is denoted by the number 22. The companion cutter is preferably fixed relatively to the vibrating cutter when the trimming mechanism is in operation and in said drawings is denoted bythe number 23. The vibrating cutter is operated by a lever or carrier 24, extending transversely to the shaft 14E and through intermediate mechanism receives vibratory motion from the said shaft. The rear end of the carrier 24 projects through the wall of the machine-frame l0 and is pivoted in a cap 25 (secured to the back side of the said frame) upon a pin 26, journaled in the cap 25, the axis of the said pin being preferably located in the plane of the top of the needle-plate 19. To support the forward end of the carrier 24 and impart vibratory motion thereto and to the cutter 22, the shaft 1l is provided with an eccentric 27, preferably formed on or attached to the cam-cylinder. The eccentric 27 is adapted to rotate in a block 28, which is slidably mounted in a slot or opening 24J in the lever 24, the said opening being preferably provided with a removable cap 24C. At its forward end the lever 24 has a laterally-extending projection 24d 'provided with a dovetail groove 245, in which a carriage 29 is adj ustably secured, the cutter 22 being in turn secured to the carriage in a manner to be presently explained. To insure theretention of the cutter22 in proper coaction with the cutter 23 after adjustment, the forward end of the lever 24 is preferably an exact working fit between the end of the cam-cylinder 14 and the adjacent end wall of the machineframe l0, (see dotted lines in Fig. 6,) thus preventingr sidewise spring or play of the lever 24C, while permitting of its vertical movement. With this arrangement the lever 24 is. located within the machineframe l0, being thereby protected from dirt and from injury or `entanglement with the clippings occasioned by the trimming operation and in a large degree confines the scattering oil to the interior of the machine. Further, the said lever is hidden from View, thereby preserving in a large degree the usual exterior appearance of the machine.

The vibrating cutter 22 is of peculiar and novel construction. It is preferably made of a bar of steel angular in cross-section, with its cutting end at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the bar. Said cutter is therefore arranged in its support in a diagonal position substantially corresponding to the angle of its cutting end. The cutting-angle of the cutter may, however, be square or at an angle of ninety degrees or any suitable acute angle, and it will be obvious that it will be so disposed or mounted in its support that its `cutting-face shall be in substantially the same plane as its movements. The linke or wing22n of the cutter-bar is preferably rounded at its edge and acts as a guard or guide, remaining in contact with the adjacent face of its companion cutter 23 at all times, while the cutting edge 22b acts as a shear against the cutting edge of the said companion cutter. The cutter 22, as shown in the drawings, is made with its wings at an angle of substantially ninety degrees, which has been found preferable for the machine illustrated, but obviously is :not essential. It will be observed that this knife can be ground and reground on its angular cutting end as it wears or becomes dull without destroying its form and that of its guard or guide. Cutters provided with guides or guards as heretofore made and used in sewing machines have been ground or sharpened on the angle away from or not in contact with the face of the companion cutter and have been difficult to grind or sharpen, especially at the point where the guard joins the cutting edge. The Wear of the guard has also much injured its usefulness. The cutter,made in angular form and ground or sharpened across or upon the cutting end, including the whole surface of the guard, can be reground or sharpened and entirely restored to its original form and eii'iciency, and, furthermore, the form of this cutter conduces toits rigidity and durability.

Referring now to the manner in which the vibrating cutter 22 is secured to the carriage 29, it will be seen that the said carriage has on its front face a diagonal groove 291 for the reception of the cutter and also an integral block 29".

The number 30 denotes a clamp secured to the block 29" by a screw 31, and the said clamp has two wings 30, adapted, respectively, to engage the carriage 29 and the cutter 22 to clamp the latter in the groove in the carriage.

As before stated, the trimming-cutters engage each other in substantially the plane of the upper face of the needle-plate. With the diagonally-supported vibrating cutter 22 it will be apparent that the position of the cutter in the groove determines the elevation of the cutting edge, the sliding of the cutter acting to raise or lower the said edge, and to enable the cutter 22 to be readily positioned the carriage 29 is provided with a projection 29C, located directly over the cutter and of such length that its end and the cutting end of the IOS IIO

IIS

cutter register when the latter is in the proper position for operation. The projection 29c therefore not only forms a gage by means of which the diagonal adjustment of the Ycutter in the carriage is readily indicated, but also forms a backing to receive the thrust or pressure of the cutterimmediately in line with the point at which the cutters operate.

As before mentioned, the carriage 29 is adjustably secured to the projection 24d of the vibrating carrier or lever 24, the parts being secured by providing a hole 24f, Fig. 9, through the said projection, such hole formi ing a channel across the bottom wall of the dovetail way 24e and the lower portion of the front face of the projection 24d. The dovetail rib 29e of the carriage 29 is cut away, as at 29f, Fig. lO, to permit a bolt 32 to be located in the hole and channel 24?, the said bolt being provided with a head 32, shaped substantially like the lower portion of the projection 24d, and it is further provided with a nut 32h. It will be obvious that upon tightening the nut 32b the bolt-head 32 will be drawn into engagement with the dovetail rib 29e of the carriage 29, thus clamping the latter to the projection 24*l of the carrier 24, lor upon loosening the nut 321 the said carriage may be adjusted laterally Within the limits of the cut-away portion 29f of its dovetail rib.

In the machine shown in the drawings the adjustment of the carriage 29 is intended to be made by hand or with the use of any convenient tool; but obviously ordinary mechanical means may be employed when found desirable.

For supporting the cutter 23 a standard 33 is provided, located at theleft of the machine-frame 10 as the machine is viewed from its front side. The cutter 23 is secured to a carriage 34, adjustably mounted upon the standard 33, the latter being preferably provided with a dovetail way 33, Fig. 7, for the reception of a dovetail rib 34a on the said carriage.' The adjustment of the said carriage is toward and from the machine proper and is effected by a screw 35, mounted in the standard 33 and having a flange 35a entering a slot in the carriage 34, as best shown in Fig. 5. To retain the carriage 34 in an adj usted position, substantially the same means are employed as are employed in connection with the carriage 29 and already described- Viz., the standard 33 is provided vwith a hole for the reception of a bolt 36, having a head 36, suitably shaped to engage and clamp the dovetail rib 34a of the carriage 34. A covformed with an upwardly-extending' portion 34b to provide a backing and support for the cutter and to prevent deiiection thereof, and

in thepreferred construction the top surface of said upwardly-extending portion is nearly in or'slightly above the plane of the upper surface of the needleplate to permit the presser-foot to clamp the fabric tightly at this point while the cutting is going on. The forward corner 34, Fig. 7, of the top of the carriage extension 34b is rounded to facilitate the passage of the fabric, as is also the corresponding corner of the cutter 23. The cutter 23 is preferably located in a diagonal groove 34e, formed in the carriage 34 and in its npwardly-extending portion 34h, the cutter being retained in the said groove by a clamp 37, located in a horizontal groove or recess in the carriage 34, and when in position therein is substantially flush with the face of the'said carriage. The clamp 37 at its end adjacent the cutter 23 is adapted to engage the edge of the said cutter and is itself held by a screw 38, Fig. 4, located in the carriage 34, and which when turned inward forces and holds the clamp in contact with the edge of the cutter and clamps the latter against the opposite wall of the diagonal groove 34. To enable the clamp-screw 3S to be readily reached and manipulated, an elongated slot 33h, Fig. l, is provided in the standard 33. The clamp 37 has at its end adjacent the cutter 23 a groove 37iL to receive thev cutter and preferably a shoulder or wing 37D to engage the face of the cutter, as shown in Fig. 7, to prevent lateral displacement of the said cutter when loosened.

The confronting portions of the machineframe 10 and the standard 33 are cut away to 'receive a chute 39, the chute in turn being IOO cut away, as at 39, where it would otherwise interfere with the trimming mechanism, said chute being also provided with an inclined wall 39h, on which the clippings from the cutters fall and travel from the machine.

The standard 33 in addition to supporting the carriage 34 also supports the needle-plate 19, in one of the openings 19a of which latter the projection 34b of the carriage and the fixed cutter is located, as best shown in Fig. 6.

When a machine of the type shown and described is fitted up with the improved trimming mechanism, certain arrangements of the threads are desirable to facilitate vthe threading of the looper or loopers. The thread 40, which is 'conducted to one of the loopers, is introduced to the interior of the machine through a diagonal tube 4l in amanner similar to that commonly practiced, the said tube being placed low enough to carry the thread 40 beneath the lower end of the chute39. The looper-thread 42 is carried be- IIC igo

Ele

in a path at the rear of the end of the said block 45. The block 45 serves not only to conduct the thread, but also constitutes a means whereby the needle plate may be readily positioned on the standard 33, the upper edge of the said block extending into a groove in the under side of the needle-plate to locate the same laterally, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5. It also forms a support for the said needle-plate directly under the presserfoot and in proximity to the needle-hole.

The machine shown in the drawings is arranged to trim and finish small tubular fabric, and when thus arranged the described support for the needle-plate is desirable, inasmuch as the principal support for the needle-plate is far forward of the needle-hole to accommodate the adjustable lower cutter, as well as the feed. In order to leave the desired space under the outside edge of the needle-plate for the returning edge of small tubular work, this block 45 is placed as near to the feed and is made as thin as possible.

The lower end of the chute 39 projects beyond the machine-frame l0 to protect the threads 40 and 42, passing beneath the same, and as a further protection for the thread 42 the standard 33 is provided with ribs 33d, between which the said thread renders in its course from the eye 44 to the block 45. The vertical wall of the chute is also formed to project beyond the face of the door l0a as a further protection for the threads from contact with the clippings.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a sewing-machine, in combination, a chambered main frame adapted to receive portions of the machines mechanism, trimming mechanism including a vibrating and a coperating relatively xed cutter, a carrier for the vibrating cutter located within the chamber and projected at its pivoted end through an opening in the chamber-wall, a cap within which the said end of the carrier is pivotally supported secured to the chamber-wall to close the opening therethrough for the purpose set forth and substantially as described.

.2. In a trimming mechanism for sewingmachines, the combination with a fixed cutter, of a cooperating reciprocatory cutter diagonally supported relatively to the plane of the face of its cutting end and diagonally to the plane of the work-support and arranged to reciprocate bodily in a plane parallel with the plane of its cutting end, said reciprocatory cutter and its cooperating cutter both being adjustable bodily in a line parallel with the work-support to vary the width of the trimmed edge, and means for actuating the reciprocatory cutter, substantially as described.

3. In a trimming mechanism for sewingmachines, the combination with a fixed cutter, of a cooperating reciprocatory cutter diagonally supported relatively to the plane of the face of its cutting end and diagonally to the plane of the work-support and arranged to reciprocate bodily in a plane parallel with the plane of its cutting end, said reciprocatory cutter being bodily adjustable by independent means both in a plane at right angles to the plane of the face of its cutting end and in a plane diagonal with respect to the plane of the face of its cutting end and means for actuating the said cutter; substantially as described.

4. In a trimming mechanism for sewingmachines, the combination with a fixed cutter, ot' a reciprocatory-cutter carrier, a carriage laterally adj usted on said carrier, a cutter on the carriage, diagonallysupported relatively to the plane of the face of its cutting end and diagonally to the plane of the worksupport and arranged to reciprocate bodily in aplane parallel with the plane of its cutting end and means foractuating the carrier; substantially as described.

5. In a trimming mechanism for sewingmachines, the combination with a fixed cutter, of a reciprocatory-cutter carrier, a carriage adjustably mounted on said carrier, a cutter on the carriage diagonally supported relatively to the plane of the face of its cutting end and diagonally to the plane of the worksupport and arranged to reciprocate bodily in a plane parallel with the plane of its reciprocatory cutting end, said cutter being bodily adjustable on the carriage diagonally to the plane of the face o' its cutting end and means for actuating the carrier; substantially as described.

6. In a trimming mechanism for sewingmachines, the combination with a tixed cutter, of a reciprocatory-cutter carrier, a carriage laterally adjustable on said carrier, a cutter on the carriage diagonally supported relatively to the plane of the face of its cutting end and diagonally to the plane of the work-support and arranged to reciprocate bodily in a plane parallel with the plane ot' its cutting end, said reciprocatory cutter being bodily adjusted on the carriage diagonally to the plane of the face of its cutting end and means for actuating the carrier; substantially as described.

7. In a trimming mechanism for sewingmachines, the combination with a relatively ixed cutter adjustable bodily toward and from the line of cut, of a reciprocatory-cut- IOO ter carrier, a carriage laterally adjustable on l 13o; l

ed on the carrier and having a groove therein to receive the movable cutter the rear wall of which groove lies in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the cutters move-2 ments and means for actuating the movable the cutter to force the latter into engagement `with the opposite Wall of the groove said clamp cutter, substantially as described.

9. In a trimming mechanism for sewing machines, the combination of a vibrating and a coperating relatively xed cutter, a car-1` rier for the vibrating cutter, a carriage adjustably mounted on the carrier and havingV a diagonal groove therein in which the cut-1 .ter is located, said groove extending in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane in which the cutter vibrates and being; adapted to receive the pressure of the said cutter on its side wall, substantially as described.

10. In a trimming mechanism for sewingmachines,the combination of cooperating cutters, one diagonally supported relatively to the plane of the face otY its'cutting end and diagonally to the plane of the work-support said cutter being provided with a wing guard or guide extending in the plane of the faceof the cutting end whereby the face of the cutting end and Wing-guard may be simultaneously dressed in a single plane and means for reciprocating one cutter bodilyin a plane parallel with the plane of said cutting end; substantially as described.

l1. In atrimmer for sewing-machines, a relatively fixed cutter in combination with a reciprocatory cutter formed by a bar having two longitudinallysextending wings or iia-ng'es, forming respectively a guard or guide and a cutting edge, the face of the cutting end and the guard or guide extending in a single'plane whereby the cutting edge and wingguard may be simultaneously dressed in a single plane for cooperation with the relatively fixed cutter without changing their shape; substantially as described.

12. In a trimmer for sewing-machines, the combination of an operating and a relatively fixed cutter, a support having a groove therein to receive the fixed cutter, a clampmounted onthe support and engaging the edge' of having a wing or shoulder engaging the face of the said knife, substantially as described.

13. In a sewing-machine the combination of trimming mechanism, including amovable and a cooperating relatively fixed cutter, an adjustable carriage for the fixed cutter forming a support for the material on which the l cutters operate andbetwe'en which and the presser-foot the fabric or material may be clamped, substantially as described.

. 14:. In a sewing-machine, the combination of a plate, a trimming mechanism including a movable and a coperating relatively fixed laterally-adjustable cutter, a carriage for the fixed cutter, a support for the carriage and plate, a block on the support extending over the path ofthe carriage to support and laterally locate the plate, substantially asdescribed.

15. In a trimming mechanism for sewingmachines, the combination with a relatively ixed cutter, located below the plane ofthe work, of a reciprocatory cutter located above the plane of the work and formed by a bar having longitudinally arranged Wings or flanges one extending forwardly and forming a cutting edge and the other extending downwardly and forming a wing guard or guide for cooperation with the other cutter the end Witnesses:

ALONZO M. LUTHER, EDWARD K. GRUNTLER.

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