US1485213A - Tufting-attachment mechanism for sewing machines - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 26, 1924. 1,485,213

A. J. CARTER TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 21. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet l 3 JrwcniEn ugusf 1 Cal '70;

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Feb. 26 1924. 1,485,213

A. J. CARTER TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 TIE- E Feb. 26 1924.

A. J. CARTER TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES 7 Filed July 21, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I avmawtoz Augusf J ('arfifl; 4 4

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A. J. CARTER TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1922 e Sheets-Sheet 4 E'woawtoz Augusf J, ('arfr, 6%

Feb. 26 1924. 1,485,213

A. J. CARTER TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1922 e Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 26, 1924. 1,485,213

A. J. CARTER TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed y 21. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet e Tmmlmuull 1 PatentedFeb. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES,

AUGUST J. CARTER, 0F CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

TUFTING-ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

Application filed July 21, 1922. Serial no. 576,540.

sewing machines, and particularly to mechanism forming an attachment to a sewing machine for making tufted work on sheeting or woven fabrics.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide comparatively simple mechanism associated with a sewing machine to automatically form a series of loops in regular sequence in sheeting or fabric, and to sever the loops to form a long pile which is securely held intact with the sheeting or fabric, to withstand loosening or displacement during washing operations and also to increase the wearing durability of'this class of products.

A further object of the invention is to provide comparatively simple and effective means for tufting sheeting or woven fabrics to produce spreads which have heretofore usually been manually tufted, with material saving in the cost of production and selling price.

ith these and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the preferred construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 11, Fig. 2, and showing the essential and well known structure of a sewing machine in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2*). Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 33, Fig.4;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 44:, Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a part of the mechanism and particularly showing the hook for forming the loop and the holding devices for said loop during the operation of the needle;

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section on an enlarged scale on the line 6-6, Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section on the llne 7-7, Fig. 2; I

Fig. 8 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the hook and thread or strand holdin mechanism and the o erative devices there for, the parts being i lustrated both in full and dotted lines;

Figs. 9, 10 and- 11 are transverse vertical sections taken a short distance inside of the needle and looking outwardly to illus- 1 trate the operation of the needle and the formation of the loops and the severance of the latter to produce the pile;

Figs. 12 and 13 are plan views on enlarged scales of portions of the throatplate together with the hook and means for holding and shifting the thread or strand during the operation of the needle, the holding means for the thread of strand being illustrated in full and dotted lines;

Fig. 14; is a longitudinal section through a piece of sheeting or fabric showing the manner of securing the loops therein;

Fi 15 is a section through a piece of sheeting or fabric taken in a plane at right angles to that shown by Fig. 14 and illustrating the ap earance of the tufting when completed; and

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a piece of sheeting or fabric showing the appearance of the 1 completed tufting.

The improved mechanism embodying the features of the invention is shown applied .to a' well known form of sewing machine comprising the usual supporting base or bed 5, an upwardly and outwardly projecting fixed arm or goose-neck 6 having a head 7, a main shaft 8 extending longitudinally over the bed through the lower portion of the arm 6, a driving pulley 9 on the said shaft, an eccentric 10 also mounted on the shaft near the driving pulley 9 and having a connecting rod 11 attached to a rocker .arm 12 fulcrumed on one side of the fixed arm or gooseneck 6, as at 13, and having other end clamped or otherwise secured to a needle bar 14 reciprocatingly mounted in the head '7 and, as usual, provided with a removable needle 15 in the lower end thereof. The sewing machine mechanism also embodies a presser foot bar 16 provided with the usual means for raising and lowering the same and having a presser foot 17 of special form fixed to the lower end thereof to cooperate with a throat plate 18 slidably and removably mounted in a work support 19, which also serves to cover the mechanism. In Fig. 1 the work support and throat plate have been omitted, but are shown in Figs. 8 and 4, 9, 10 and 11. The sewing mechanism also includes a feed arm 20, as shown by Fig. 2, said'latter arm being mounted to have a rockin and forward and backward movement t ough the medium of a rocking support 21 having a connection 22 to a crank means 23 on the forward end of the main drive shaft 8. The feed arm 20 carries two serrated feeders 24 disposed under and working through the throat plate as usual, the said feeders 24 being parallel and separated by a channel or throat 25. It will be understood from the foregoing that the feeders 24 have four motions imparted thereto to regularly cooperate with the work on the support 19 to progress the latter in accordance with the operation of feed devices of this class. The sewin machine mechanism. is also provided wit suitable tension means 26, as shown by Fig. 1, for the thread or strand 27 which is passed through a suitable loop 28 at the upper end of the needle bar 14 and then downwardly through the eye of the needle 15. The mechanisms thus far de scribed, except the specific form of the presser foot 17, which will be hereinafter more fully explained, do not involve the features of the invention and the improved attachment mechanism is shown applie to the several sewing machine mechanisms specified to illustrate one practical applica-- tion of the improvements. It will be understood, however, that the improved attachment mechanism may be applied to other sewing machine mechanism having essential parts similar to those described, and the operation of the improved attachment is effected from the main or drive shaft 8 and is carried on a supplemental base 29 secured to or formed as an integral part of and pro- 'ectin5g outwardly from the sewing machine ase On the main or drive shaft 8 a bevel gear 30 is secured and located adjacent to the lower end of the armor goose-neck 6 and is in continual mesh with a similar bevel gear 31 fixed on the inner end of a short counter shaft 32 held in an upwardly projecting bearing 33 rising from the supplemental base 29 and a portion of the sewing machine base 5. On the outer end of the counter shaft 32 a bevel gear 34 is fixed and is of the restate 31, the shaft 32 being held against shifting movement in the bearing 33 by space collars 35 secured on said shaft'between arts of the bearing as shown by Fig. 1. ver the front or outer portion of the supplemental base 29 a longitudinally disposed motion transmitting shaft 36 is mounted in suitable bearing posts or uprights 37, and on the right end of the said shaft 36 a bevel gear 38 is secured and held in continual mesh with the gear 34. Between the bearing posts or uprights 37 a bevel gear 39 is carried on the shaft 36, and on the left end of this shaft a similar bevel gear 40 is fixed and continually meshes with a bevel gear 41 on the outer end of a counter shaft 42 also held against movement in a bearing 43 rising from the supplemental base 29 by space collars 44. Between the upright bearings 33 and 43 is a similar bearing 45 supported by the supplemental base 29 and a portion of the sewing machine base 5, and mounted in this bearing 45 is a further counter shaft 46 having on the outer end thereof a bevel gear 47 held in continual mesh with the gear 39 and secured against shifting movement by space collars 48 mounted between parts of the bearing 45. On the inner or rear end of the shaft 42 is a crank 49, and on the inner or rear end of the shaft 46 is a similar crank 50, the two cranks 49 and 50 having a like position on the inner or rear ends of their shafts to provide for a similar operation thereof in connection with mechanism which will be hereinafter explained. Between the shafts 42 and 46 at a distance outwardly from and in line with the feed arm 20 and feeders 24 thereof is an angular bearing bracket 51 having an angular rocker arm 52 mounted in the inner upright member 53, the angular bearing bracket 51 being secured to the supplemental base 29. This socker arm 52 has the requisite motions impartedthereto by a connecting rod 54 movably attached thereto and also to the lower end of the rocker arm 12 which controls the operation of the needle bar 14..

On the shaft 8 is an eccentrically mounted disk 55 which serves as a cam to impart a rockingmovement. to a yoke 56 having its bifurcation 57 formed with parallel side walls, this yoke 56 being secured to a slide rod 58 mounted in bearing uprights 59 and 60 rising from the sewin machine base 5 close to the shaft 8. This side rod on its right end has a transversely projecting pin 61 which continually bears on a face cam 62 also fixed to the shaft 8 at a suitable distance from the eccentrically mounted disk or cam 55. The face cam 62 is formed with a low part 63 and a high part 64 for imparting a reciprocating movement "or a 65 same dimensions as the bevel gears 30 and 64 of the cam 62. The rod 58 is normally pulled to the left through the action of a spring secured to the yoke 56 and to a portion 66 of the bearing for the shaft 8 located adjacent to the rocking feed arm 20. The rod 58 is given a rather short reciprocating movement and after the pin 61 has passed" from the high part 64 to the low part 63 of the cam 62, the spring 65 is free to exert its pullingtension on the rod 58 through the yoke 56. The yoke 56 and the eccentrically mounted disk or cam 55 have such relative proportions that the reciprocating movement of the rod 58 may ensue without disengagement of the yoke 56 relatively to the disk or cam 55. The pin 61 is removably mounted in a head 67 at the right end of the rod 58 and may be replaced in the event that it wears down and loses its operating efliciency. The end of thereciprocating rod 58 opposite that carrying the pin 61 is provided with an upwardly and forwardly extending loop retainer or arm 68, which has the function of disposing the loop of the thread or strand at regular intervals out of the path of the needle and to hold the said loop during other operations incident to the formation of a tuft. The loop retainer or arm 68 coacts with a fixed abutment or stop 69 extending in a direction reverse to the said retainer or arm 68 and consisting of an upwardly curved member secured at its outer end on an upright or post 70 rising from the supplemental bed 29 adjacent to the outer counter shaft 42. The inner free end 71 of the abutment or stop 69 is straight and presents a longer edge surface than the adjacent free end of the retainer or arm 68. The inner free end of the abutment or stop 69 is located close to the path of movementof the needle 15 and the free end of the loop retainer or arm 68 during its movement works close to the needle and during a certain period of its operation the end of the loop retainer or arm 68 has close engagement or contact with the inner end of the abutment or stop 69. The outer free end of the loop retainer or arm 68 is roughened or slightly serrated, as at 72, as clearly shown by igs. 12 and 13, and the object of this roughened or serrated construction is to cause the end of the loop retainer or arm 68 to firmly engage the thread or strand and shift the latter to facilitate forming and getting a loop during the operation of the needle. The loop retainer or arm 68 is given a lateral swinging m6- 11011 by the eccentric disk or cam 55 and a reciprocating movement by the high part a 64 of the cam 62, the latter cam first moving the rod 58 and the loop retainer or arm 68 against the forward portion of the end edge of the abutment or stop 69, and then said rod and loop retainer or arm are rocked by the eccentrically mounted disk or cam 55 through the medium of the yoke 56 in a slightly arcuate plane towards the rear portion of the end edge of the abutment or stop 69, the loop retainer or arm 68 and the rod 58 under such operation being held' in engagement with the inner free end of the stop or abutment 69 by the spring 65, in' view of the fact that at such time, or during the rocking movement of the loop retainer or arm 68, the pin 61 is in engagement with the low part 63 of the cam 62.

A hook 73 is carried by the rocker arm 52, as clearly shown by Fig. 5, the said hook comprising a body 74 having a stud 75 secured in ahead 76 forming part of the rocker arm and to which the connecting rod 54 is attached. The rear portion of the hook 74 is in the form of a hook bill 77 which is longer than the body 74 and is provided by bifurcating the body as at 78, the said hook bill 77 being tapered to form a reduced free end 79. Extending through one end of the body 74 and partially through the length of the hook bill 77 is a slot 80 which is formed entirely through the bottom'portion of the body and bill.

By bifurcating the body 74 of the looping means comprising the hook bill 77, an opening for the clearance and descent of the needle 15 is provided and the said looping means is by this construction also permitted to be mounted close to the path of recipro-.

cation of the needle 15 to effectively operate in conjunction with the thread or strand when the needle has descended a certain distance below the throat plate. It will be observed that the needle bar 14 and the rocker arm 52 carrying the looping means are connected to the same intermediate actuating device, or the rocker arm 12 employed in this type of sewing machine, to impart a regular reciprocation to the needle bar, and hence the needle bar, needle and looping means comprising the hook bill 77 will have a timed operation to effectively form a loop during each descent of the needle and needle bar.

A knife carrier is connected to and operated bythe cranks 49 and 50 secured to the inner ends of the counter shafts 42 and 46, the said carrier consisting of a fiat bar 81 having a bifurcated end 82 for sliding engagement with the crank 49 and the opposite en pivotally fixed to the crank 50. As clear y shown by Fig. 3, a knife or cutter 83 is adjustably secured on the outer side of the carrier or bar 81 and is disposed at an upward and outward angle of inclination, said cutter or knife being held in fixed position yet readily adjustable to modify the angle of the same if desired by a set screw 84 engaging a longitudinal slot 85 formed in the center of the cutter or knife. By theformation of this longitudinal slot 85, the cutter or knife 82 may also be adjusted length- Wise of the carrier or bar 81, and it is preferred that the upper and lower edges 86 and 87 of the cutter or knife be sharpened so that the said latter device may be reversed to bring each cutting edge uppermost. By disposing the cutter or knife 83 on the carrier or bar 81, at an angle as specified, and projecting a portion of said cutter above the upper edge of the carrier or bar, a draw-cut operation ensues when the carrier or bar 81 is reciprocated, and the said cutter or knife is given a proper elevation to render it effective in severing the loops of the thread or strand as'produced by the looping mechanism, the cutter or knife moving upwardly into the slot 80 a sufiicient distance to accurately cut all of the loops while the latter are held taut. By the rocking movement of the looping means the successive loops are caused to ride over the hook bill 77 in positions for positive severance by the cutter or knife 83 as the latter moves upwardly into the slot 80. After the cutter or knife 83 has performed its function, it recedes or is lowered relatively to the looping means, or passes out of the slot 80 of said latter means by the cranks 49 and 50 engaging the opposite ends of the carrier or bar 81. By bifurcating the one end of the carrier or bar 81, binding or jamming of the said carrier or bar is prevented and an easy and regular movement thereof ensues.

The presser foot 17 dilfers from the ordi-- na sewing machine presser foot to accommo ate the bulk of the work passin thereunder over the throat plate 18. In t e present instance the throat plate 17 is comparatively elongated and has the opposite ends 88 turned upwardly, as clearly shown by Fig. 4, and in the front extremity of this plate at the base of the front upwardly turned angular end 88 a needle opening 89 is formed as usual in devices of this character. The rear part of the resser foot 17 also has a bottom groove 1 adapted to be located over and cooperate with the channel or groove 90 in the throat plate 18, to clear the loo s and preyent any tendency to a jam un er the rear part of'the said foot. The elongation of the presser foot 17 provides for positive retention of the work over the throat plate 18'and feeders 24: during the formation of the loops and completion of the tufts and to insure a close guidance of the work over the throat plate and movement of the cut loops through an upwardly and rearwardly inclined channel 90 formed in the centre of the throat plate or between slots 91 through which the feeders 24 have movement. The channel 90 starts at its lowermost point at therear terminal of an opening 92, which permits the cut loops or finished tufts to pass upwardly through the throat plate and into the channel, as shown by Fig. 11, where it will be observed that the instants presser foot 17 holds the fabric closely down on the work support 19, and the channel 90 gives the necessary clearance for the cut 100 s or finished tufts without liability of cho ing. It will be Zunderstood that the throat plate 18 willbe mounted and secured in the work support 19:in such a manner that it may be removed when found necessary, and furthermore the presser foot 17 may be readily detached from the presser bar 16.

The working face of the cam 62 is preferably constantly lubricated by an absorbent medium 93 Supported adjacent to the rear portion of the cam as shown by Figures 6 and 8, and by this means the pin 61 and cam 62 will have anjeasy cooperation with reduced friction and wear on the respective parts. It will also be understood that lubricating means will be provided at other points for maintaining the several operating instrumentalities in good running order.

in preparation for operation the thread or cord supply is carried on a large spool or reel mounted in convenient position for feeding to the mechanism, the said thread or cord being first passed through the tension means 26 and then through the feeding loop 28 at the upper end of the needle bar 14 and then downwardly through the eye of the needle 15. The work or fabric is placed on the work support 19 over the throat plate 18 and held in close contact with the latter by the presser foot 17 which is lowered as usual. At the beginning of the operation, the needle 15 is elevated to the uppermost limitof its stroke, the loop forming means comprising the body 73 and hook bill 77 is over to the left at the outward limit of its stroke and the loop retainer or arm 68 has its free end spaced from the inner free end of the abutment or stop 69, and the carrier 81 is at the upper limit of its stroke or highest point with the knife or cutter 83 in the slot 80. The needle with the thread strand or cord descends through the opening 89 of the presser foot 17 and tinues to move laterally in a rearward direction adjacent to the rear portion of the inner free edge of the abutment or stop 69. en the needle 15 has fully descended or reached the lower limit of its stroke the loop forming means including the hook bill 77 promptly darts to move to the left or in an outward direction, and the reduced free end of the said hook bill passes between the rear portion of the needle and the thread, strand or cord and at this time the loop retainer or arm 68 moves back or to the right and swings over to the front to give the needle free clearance in its upward movement through the fabric. Durin the movements of the parts just specified the carrier 81 having the knife or cutter 83 thereon are then regularly moving upwardly, and just as the loop forming means including the hook bill 77 has reached the limit of its outer stroke the knife or cutter willenter the slot and sever the loop while the thread strand, or cord is held above. and at the same time the thread, strand or cord will be engaged by the free end of the loop retainer or arm 68 and pressed against the inner end of the abutment or stop 69, the thread, strand or cord also being held above by the presser foot 17. The position of the parts during the several steps of movement just explained is clearly illustrated by Figs. 9, 10 and 11, the full throw of the loop forming means including the hook bill 77 to the right being shown by Fig. 9, and the castover and cut: ting of the loopbeing illustrated by Fig. 10, and the com pletionof each loop or tuft and the return of the needle to its uppermost stroke limit being clearly shown by Fig. 11. The movement of the loop retainer or arm relatively to the inner end of the abutment orstop 69 is also shown in full and dotted lines by Figures 12 and 13 together with the relative position of the loopforming means including the hook bill 77. When each loop has been severed or its formation completed and passes rearward in the form of part of the tufting shown by Figure 11, the same operation is effected and the successive loops as formed by the descent of the needle and engagement of the lluni; bill 77 of loop retainer or arm 68 will b repeated in regular sequence. As shown o Figure 14 it will be seen that the loops un igh the fabric as at A will be in part held in the same opening formed by the penetration of the needle through the fabric B, or there will be a part of each loop extended through one of the openings (1 and whereby portions of two loops will occupy the same opening and thus set up a tight frictional binding and a stronger and more durable tension of the loops in the fabric. this operation being similar to ordinary stitching with an advantageous result in the finished product. As hereinbefore explained the completed cut loops or tuft membersare drawn rearwardly with the fabric 13 and the free extremities thereof are pulled upwardly through the opening 92 in the throat plate and then rearwardly through the channel 90, as shown by Fig. 11,

and in part under and through the groove 17 of the presser foot 17. After the fabric B has been subjected to the formation of the loops or tuft members therein, the free ends of the secured and cut loops will present a fiufiy appearance, as at G, as shown by Figs. 15 and 16.

The spreads for beds and other analogous tufts will be held. The complete spread subjected to the tufting operation or action of the mechanism hereinbefore explained will also stand washing by hand or-mechanical laundry apparatus in any manner. I

The loop forming or tufting operation above described is expeditiously carried on and various designs may be worked out in accordance with apattern that may be out:

lined on the fabric, and as hereinbefore indicated, the improved mechanism is 'particu larly adapted for tufting spreads. The mechanism, however, is also intended to be used in forming cut loops or tufts on other fabrics.

It will be seen that a single needle 15 serves as the main element for assisting in forming the successive loops, and as hereinbefore stated, the improved attachment mechanism is applied to and operates with the essential components of a sewing machine of a commercially well known form. The loops before successive'severance are held taut around the bill hook 77 and are shifted over the latter so that parts of the loops cross the bottom portion of the slot 80 which extends longitudinally of the center of a part of said hook, and as a consequence all of the loops are evenly cut and the tuft pile is thereby given an even length throughout the whole tuft formation.

That is claimed as new is:

1. In a machine of the class specified, the

for holding a fabric for penetration by the needle and strand, loop forming mechanism, and cutting means having a mounting separate from the loop forming mechanism and actuated to have a rising and falling and reciprocating movement into engagement with and away from the loop forming mechanism for severing the loops to form closely associated successive pile members of equal length.

3. In a machine of the class specified, means for holding a fabric, a reciprocating needle and means for guiding a strand to the needle, the needle and strand operating to penetrate the fabric, loop forming and holding mechanism cooperating with the needle, and cutting means mounted separately with A relation to the loop forming and holding mechanism and having a rising and falling and reciprocating movement independent of the operation of the loop forming and hold ing mechanism and movable into and from the rear portion of the said latter mechanism for equally severing the loops held by the loop formin mechanism.

4:. In a machine of the class specified, mechanism for penetrating and securing a loop in stitch-like form in a fabric, means for forming successive loops in the fabric, means for separating and holding parts of the individual loops, and cutting means mounted separately with relation to the means for separating and holding parts of the loops and having a rising, falling and reciprocating movement in and through a portion of the means for separating and holding parts of the loops for regularly and equally severing the loops to form pile members of equal length relatively to one side of the fabric.

5. In a machine of the class specified, a device for penetrating a fabric and carrying a strand which is passed through the fabric by said device, means for forming the strand into successive loops and tautly holding the latter at intervals, and cutting means l and through a portion of the loop for mounted separately with relation to the means for forming the strand into successive loops and holding the latter, the said cutting means having a swin 'ng movement into and away from a ortion of the said loopforming and holding means to form closely associated pile members of. equal length on one side of the fabric.

- 6. In a machine of the class specified, means for'carrying a strand forpenetrating a fabric andpassing the strand through the latter, loop forming means having-an oscillating movement and cooperating with the strand carrying means to produce successive loops below the underside of the fabric, and

cutting means having a separate mounting relatively to the loop forming means and actuated to move upwardly towards and into .lil, fl,

weenie means for regularly and equally severing the successive loops to form closely associated pile members of equal length in the lower side of the fabric.

7. A sewing machine having the usual reciprocating needle and means for supplying a strand thereto, and separately mounted and independently movable means for respectively forming and holding successive loops in taut condition and regularly and equally severing the loops as formed, the severing means being movable into and through a portion of the means for forming and holding the loops and entirely clearing the latter means at intervals.

8. A sewing machine including a single reciprocating needle and means for guiding a strand thereto, means for forming a loop at one side of the needle and holding the loop taut after its formation, and cutting means separately mounted with relation to the loop forming means and having a swinging movement towards and into a portion of the loop forming means for equally cutting the loop to form pile members of equal length.

9. A sewing machine having the usual single reciprocating needle and means for guiding a strand thereto, loop forming means having a swinging movement to and from the needle to form successive loops when the needle descends and provided with a member to hold the loops in taut condition, and cutting means mounted separately with relation to the loop forming means and having an angularly disposed cutter with a cutting side edge to enter and pass through a portion of the loop forming me'ans for equally cutting the loops while the latter are held in taut condition.

10. A sewing machine having the usual needle and means for guiding a strand to the latter, a stop abutment and loop retaining means cooperating therewith to shift each loop laterally, loop forming me'ans, and means for equally cutting the successive loops as formed, the loop forming and cutting means being mounted separately from and movable independently of each other and the loop retaining means.

11. A sewing machine having the usual reciprocating needle and means for guiding a strand thereto, loop formin means mounted to swing with relation to t eneedle and comprising a bill hook to engage the strand when'the needle is in its lowermost position, laterally movable means for holding the individual loops in taut condition, and cutting means mounted separately from and below the loop forming means and movable upwardly into a portion of said loop forming means for regularly and equaL a strand thereto, rocking hook means cooperating with the needle when the latter is in its lowermost position to form loops, and a cutter mounted below and separate from the rocking hook means and regularly movable upwardly into a portion of the said hook means to equally sever the successive loops,

13. In a machine of the class specified, a

single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, an oscillating hook to engage a portion of the strand to form a loop, a fixed abutment, an oscillating loop retainer having a free end cooperating with the fixed abutment to hold and shift a portion of the strand relatively to the abutment, and means for cutting the loop while the latter is held taut, the loop retainer and cutting means being separated from and operable independently of the oscillating hook.

14. In a machine of the class specified, a single vertically reciprocating need e with means for guiding a strand thereto, means for drawing a portion of the strand away from the needle while the latter is in its lowermost position to form a loop, means for retaining the loop in taut condition, and means for cutting the loop while held in taut condition the loop retaining and cutting means being separately mounted from and movable independently of the means for drawing a portion of the strand away from the needle.

'15. In a machine of the class specified, a single vertically reciprocating needle pro vided with means for guiding a strand thereto, mechanism for successively drawing a portion of the strand away from the needle while the latter is in its lowered position, to form a loop, holding the separated portion of the strand taut while the needle is ascending, and cutting the loop to form pile members of equal length, the mechanism for drawing a portion of the strand away from the needle, holding the separated portion of the strand taut and for cuttin the loop being separately mounted and aving movements independently one with relation to the other.

16. In a machine of the class specified, a work support on which fabric, is placed, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand there to, the needle operating to pass through the fabric and carry the strand therewith, means for separating a portion of the strand from the needle below the fabric to form a loop. means for holding the loop 'as the needle ascends, and means for equally cutting the loop while the latter is held in taut condition for forming closely associated pile members of equal length below and secured to the fabric, the means for separating the strand from the needle, for holdin the loop as the needle ascends and for equa y cutting adapted to be placed for passage of the needle and the strand therethrough, a movable device mounted to pass between the needle and a portion of the strand to form a loop and effect a sliding movement of the separated art of the strand over said device as the needle elevates, means for holding the separated part of the strand and shifting the latter out of the path of movement of the needle. and means for cutting the loop to form pile members of equal length, the said movable device, means for holding the separated part of the strand and shifting the latter. and means for cutting the loop being independently mounted and having timed sequential operations.

18. In a machine of the class specified. a work support having feeding means movable through a portion thereof to engage a fabric placed on the'support, a single vertically reciprocating needle movable through the support relatively to the feeding means and provided with devices for guiding a strand thereto. a reciprocating hook movable between the needle and a portion of the strand for separating the latter from the needle to I form a loop, means mounted independent of the hook for retaining the loop in taut condition, and means mounted independent of the said hook and loop retaining means for cutting the loop to form pile members of equal length.

19. In a machine of the class specified, a single vertically reciprocating strand-carrying needle, a work support adapted to have fabric placed thereon for penetration by the needle and strand. loop forming and holding means mounted below the work support to have a swinging movement towards the latter in the arc of a circle and holding the loop for an interval in taut condition, and cutting means mounted below and separate from the loop forming means and movable into and through a portion of and away from the loop forming means at intervals to form closely associated elongated pile members of equal length.

20. In a machine of the class specified, a work support adapted to receive a fabric thereon, a single vertically reciprocating strand carrying needle movable through the work support and fabric, a fixed stop means and a longitudinally reciprocating laterally oscillating loop retainer arrange-d below the work support in opposition and between the ends of whi' h the needle has movement, an

oscillating hook below the plane of the fixed i stop means and retainer and operating to separate a portion of the strand from the needle to form a loop which is held taut by the retainer against the stop means mounted separately from and movable independently of the loop retainer and oscillating hook, and cutting means for severing the loop while the latter is held taut.

21. In a machine of the class specified, a work support, a single vertically reciprocating strand carrying needle, a fixed stop having an inner free end, a longitudinally reciprocating and lateral oscillating loop retainer having afree end disposed opposite the free end of the stop, an oscillating loop forming means including a hook bill below the stop and retainer for separating a part of the strand from the needle and holding the separated strand in the form of a loop while the needle ascends, the hook bill being slotted for a portion of its length, and vertically reciprocating cutter mounted and operating in .pendently of the oscillating loop for. means and movable into the slot of the mo bill, for severing the loop while the latter is held taut by the retainer against the stop.

22. In a machine of the class specified, a work support for holding a fabric, a throat plate mounted in the work support, feeding devices for the fabric movable through the throat plate, the throat plate having an opening therethrough with a rearwardly and upwardly inclined channel leading therefrom, a presser foot to engage the fabric on the work support having a groove in its lower side over the channel of the throat plate, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, the needle being-movable through the presser foot and throat plate and the fabric, loop forming means below the throat plate, the loop forming means having a swinging movement close to the underside of the work support, a loop holding means mounted'separate from and operable independently of the loop forming means, and loop cutting means also mounted separately below and clear of the loop forming means and movable into a portion of the latter at intervals to form pile members of uniform length, the pile members being successively drawn upwardl t through the opening in the throat plate and through the channel of the latter and groove of t e presser foot by the feeding movement ie fabric.

23. A sewing mac comprising a work support and throat p on. with feed devices working therethrough and adapted to hold a fabric, a single vertically reciprocating strand carrying needle, an elongated presser foot, the throat late having a rearwardly I and upwardly inclined channel leading therefrom and the presser foot provided with a longitudinal g oove over the channel,

inseam and mechanism connected to and operated by the main actuating mechanism of the sewing machine and including means for forming successive loops and severing the latter to produce a pile on the lower side of the fabric of equal length, the loops being successively secured in the fabric by the needle and drawn rearwardly through the channel of the throat late and groove of the presser foot as the fabric is moved over the work support and throat plate.

24:. A sewing machine having a work sup, porting means to receive a fabric, a feed mechanism for moving the fabric over "the work support, a throat plate mounted in the work support having an opening therethrough and an upwardly inclined channel leading therefrom and closed at its lower portion and opening through the top of the said throat plate, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, an elongated presser foot having a groove in the lower portion thereof which registers with a portion of the opening through the throat plate and the channel of the latter, and mecha nism below and close to the work support for successively forming and securing loops in the fabric on the support and also for cutting the loops on the underside of the fabric, the loop forming and cutting mechanisms being separately mounted and independently operable so that the cutting mechanism will entirely clear the loop forming mechanism at intervals, the fabric in moving over the work support drawing the successive loops as formed out of the plane of operation of the said loop forming mechanism and through the opening and channel pf the throat plate and groove of thepresser oot.

25. In a machine of the class specified, the combination of a sewing machine including a work sup ort, a single vertically reciprocating need e provided with means for su plying a strand thereto, a throat plate in the work support having an opening therethrough and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined channel closed at its lower portionand openin through. the top of the throat plate, an e ongated presser foot disposed over and vertically movable to and from the throat plate and having a groove in its lower portion extending longitudinally thereof for registration with the opening and channel of the throat plate, feed means a part of the latter. mechanism to regularly sever the loops held by the loop forming mechanism; 7

26. The combination with. a sewing machine having a single vertically reciprocating needle and work support and feed accessories, of a presser foot with an opening therethrough for movement of the needle and a groove extending longitudinally rearwardly from the said opening, a throat plate having an opening therethrough from the as formed being drawn upwardly through the slot and channel of the throat plate and the groove of the presser foot as the work is fed over the support and throat plate.

27. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with sewing machine instrumentalities consisting of a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, a work support, a vertically movable presser foot and a throat plate, of loop forming means oscillatingly mounted below the work support and throat plate, and a gertically reciprocating carrier mounted below the loop forming means and normally clear of the latter and having a knife thereon disposed at an angle of inclination and movable upwardly into a portion of the loop forming means to sever the successively formed loops.

28. In a machine of the class specified, in

' combination with a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, a work sup orting and feeding means through which t e needle operates, of loop forming mechanism disposed below the work support and consisting of a fixed stop, a laterally and longitudinally movable loop retaining arm cooperating with said stop, a slotted oscillating hook device below the stop and arm, and a vertically reciprocating carrier below the oscillating hook devihe and having an angularly disposed knife thereon movable into the slot of the hook device for severing successive loops held by the said hook device.

29. In a machine of the clam specified, the combination with a, work support, work feed means and a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, of loop forming mechanism below the work support and including means for forming a loop, and a vertically reciprocating carrier below the loop forming means and having an angularly disposed reversible knife with double cutting edges to cooperate with the loop forming means for severing the successive loops as formed to produce a closely associated pile.

30. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, a work supporting and feeding means through which the needle operates and a presser foot, of loop forming mechanism beneath the work support and including a fixed stop, a laterally and longitudinally movable loop retaining arm having a free end to abut againstthe stop and hold a portion of a loop and also shift the latter on the stop, an oscillating hook device below the stop and loop retaining arm, a vertically reciprocating carrier having a knife thereon to cooperate with the hoop device for severing successive loops held by the hook device, and means for operating the arm, hook device and carrier in v timed relation.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUST J. CARTER.

Witnesses

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