US886826A - Button-sewing machine. - Google Patents

Description

No. 886,826. P-ATEN'IED MAY 5, 1908; B. T. LEVEQUE.

BUTTON SEWING MACHINE. I APPLIOA TION FILED D3014, 1907.

O v Y/L c tasses:

No.'886,826. v PATENTED MAY 5, 1908.

B. T. LEVEQUE. BUTTON SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.14, 1 907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MW t my invention relates the primary loop is UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD LEYEQUE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOIt TO THE RLEECE BUTTON HOLE MACHINE COMPANY, OF BOSTON. MASS ACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

nu'r'rongsnwme MACHINE.

This invention has for its object the pro-- duction of a novel, simple and direct 'a-cting' machine for sewing'buttons onto fabrics 'at highs eed, my invention involving a number of va uable' and novel features of construction and arrangement, as will appear. hereafter.

In machines of the general class to which formed and drawn through the shank or eye of the button, and a secondary loop is then formed and interlocked with the primary loop bybeing drawn through it, and heretofore the vertically reciprocating needle has,

been given a lateral movement after the formation of the primary loop. Such lateral movement positions the'needle with relation to the work in readiness to form the secondary loop, but the-vertically reciprocating and lateral movements imparted to the needlebar have necessitated complicated mechanism, and have made the machine slow in operation. Y

In my present invention I employ a needle having a movement in a single .path, that is without any lateral movement, and thus at once simplify theconstrnction and increase the speed at which the machine may be operated,the work being given a slight advance, after the formation of the primary loop, by means independent of the needle. Such advance positions the work for the formation of the secondary loop, and after the latter has been formed and drawn through the primaryloop it is spread and cast ofi' fromthe needle by novel'means, to be described, and placed over the button close to "the work.

-The loop is then drawn taut and the work ;-is fed automatically into position for the at tachment of the next button;

By means of my novel loop spreading means the secondary loop is placed over the button close to the work without tipping the button,eliminati ng any button-tipping mechanism;

Specification of Letters Patent. I Application filed December 14,1907. Serial 'No.406,422.

Patented m 5, 1908.

-I have so,constructed the work feeding mechanism that it effects the slight advance of the workafter the formation of the primary loop, as well as the main feed, and

means have been provided for regulating atwill the efi'ective length 'of the main feed according to the spacing or distance desiredbetween successive buttons. The various novel features-of my-invention will be fully described in the subjoined specification and particularly pointed out in the following claims.

Figure 1 1s a front elevation and partial section of a button-sewing machine embodying one form of my present invention, showing some of theoperating mechanism as well as the button-hopper and feed raceway; Fig. 2 is a'left hand end elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1, with the parts in the same position; Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged views cessive stepsthe mode of forming the interlocking primary and secondary loops, and the action'of the feeding mechanism in connec'tion therewith; Fig. 6 is a detail ofthe tipping device for the loop spreader, to be de scribed;-.Figs. 7 ,8 and 9 are enlarged details in plan showing the movements of the looper and the loo spreader. during the formation of the inter ocked loops, and corresponding to the positions shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5; Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail in section of the upper end of the carrier for the feed-prong, showing the manner in which the prong is yieldingly'mounted; Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the feed controlling cams and the parts of the feed mechanism governed thereby.

The base A, the head A provided with suitable bearings for the main shaft B driven 9 from any suitable source of power, the button-hop er .H having an, attached raceway H to direct the buttons to the pro er position to be attachedto the work, the ooper L mounted on a rotatable looper-bar L and. oscillated'from the cam L on the shaft B,

1, by suitable intervening connections,

may be and areof any well known construction'inbutton-sewing machines.-

- The upper end of the looper-bar L has a bearing 1' fixedin a housing 2 erected on the base and provided with a longitudinal slot v3, Fig. 2, parallel'to the direction of feed, the slot guiding the enlarged shank 4 of the feed prong 5, said shank being slidably mounted 60 spondingly slotted at 26, the slot extending into the thicker portion of the cam piece and. leaving cam shoulders 29 adapted to engage in the so'cketed upper end of a carrier 6-.and

yieldingly sustained by a spring 7, Fi 10, a

1 at the stop-pin 8 on the shank playing in .a s 0t 9 in the sidewall of the soc et, Fig. 2; 1 At its lower end'the carrier is jointed to an arm 10 on the outer end-of a horizontal rock-shaft 1 1.

mounted in the base of the machine, a link 12 connected with a second arm 13 on the rockshaft having afollower 14 which cooperates with a side cam F on the main shaft B, Fig. 1,

the shape of the cam being shown in Fig.- 11.

The prong carrier 6. is raised and lowered proper times, to causethe-prong 5 to enter -t e work after the been formed,,and to be wit drawn after the feed stroke of the carrier has beenaccomlished. A second horizontal rock-shaft 1'5 as an upturned arm 16 provided with a piv- .otally connected sleeve 17- which loosely embraces the carrier 6 near its upper end, Fig. 2,

a second arm 18 on the shaft 15 being pivotallly connected with a link 19 provided with a wer 20 cooperating with a side cam F on the shaft B,said cam havin the contour shown in Fig. 11. As the sha t 15 is rocked the arm 16 is vibrated .in the direction of feed, and the carrier 6 will vibrate-in unison withit, swinging on its pivotal connection ,with the arm 10, as will be manifest.

The cam F is shaped to impart a short advance movement to the carrier 6 and the feedrong 5.immediately after thelatter is raise by the cam F to engage the work, and

then after a dwell a second and longer ad-' vance is effected, thereby feeding the work forward the desired distance to pro erly space the buttons on the work. It w1l be seen that the u and down movement of the carrierfiis uni orm, and so too the swinging movement of said carrier is uniform, but I have provided means whereby the effective length of the feed movement ofthe prong 5 a suitable cam W The work-support 21* overhangs the path of movement ofthe feedprong 5, as shown, and has upon its under side a cam piece 26 held in adjusted position by a screw 27 the shank of which enters a slot 28,..see dotted lines Figs. 3, 4fand 5, in the part 22 of the work-support. The worksupport has a lohgitudinal slot 21 through which the prong travels when in engagement with the work, and the cam piece 26 is corre the upper end of the shank 4 at opposite sides of the prong.

rimary loop has.

desired the cam piece 26 is set as shown in Figs. 3, land .5, the prong being shown in dotted lines, Fig. '5, as just leaving the work at the extreme end of the active stroke ofthe carrier 6. spacing between successive buttons the cam piece, is moved to the right, viewing said .figures, so that the cam shoulders 29 will engage the shank 4 before the carrier reaches the end of its active'stroke, to de ress the shank against the spring 7, there )y withdrawing the pron 5: from the work sooner. By this adjustab e retractor, as the cam piece may be termed, the effective length of the feed movement of the prong is varied as uniform and constant movements of the carrier 6 heretofore explained.

The overhanging end A of the'head A is provided with fixed bearings fur the vertically-reciprocating needle-bar 30 carrying a gle, fixed path, as will be obvious, and being reciprocated in any suitable manner, as by the bell-crank 32, link 33 and rocker-arm 34, operated by the cam N, Fig. 1. A hookc oser 35 is carried by a bar 36 mounted adj acent the needle-bar and is thrown down by a spring 37 when released from 'the springcatch 38, such release being effected positively by the lug 39 fast on the needle-bar and moving in thenotch 40 cut in the bar 36.

the top of the notch and liftsthe bar 36 to in, Fig. 2, the hook-closer per se not being of "my invention. By imparting a vertical reciprocation only to the needle I am enabled to simplify the actuating mechanism therefor and also to greatly increase the speed of operation, the initial movement of the feed work positioning the same in readiness for the descent of the needle preparatory to forming the secondary loop.

The machine is arranged to perform its cycle of operations necessary to attach a but- Won'to the work and then to stop automatically, as is usual in button-sewing machines, in readiness to be started by the operator when the next button is to be attached, and

as the presser-foot 41 is' stationary the work W is clamped between said pres-ser-foot and the work-sup ort 21 when the latter is raised.

As soon as the work is clamped the needle and hook-closer descend, the latter into the position shown in Fig.3 within the staple or wayH, while the needle passes through the eye and penetrates the work. The looper L then carries the thread t around the needle, Figs; 3 and 7, so that the hook catches and draws up the primary 100 23 through the work and also through the utton-eye, as in Should it be desired to reduce the I {When the needle-bar rises the lug 39 engages.

eye b of the endmost button I) in the race-- If the full feed movement of the prong is may be desired without interfering with the hooked needle 31, the needle moving in a sinenable the spring-catch 38 to act, as shown mechanism when in engagement with the scends clear of the button-eye but passing. through the primary loop and penetrates the work a second time behind the button, and

the thread for the secondary loop is carried around the needle by the looper, theneedle risin and drawin said loo t 11 throu h D C b the primary loop, effecting the interlocking of the two loops. The button raceway H is now moved away by means of the cam H and intervening eonneetions,-as usual, leaving the button free, and a loop-spreader enters and spreads the secondary loop, casts it off from the needle and by a peculiar movement places the loop overthe button close to the work. i

The hopper H is pivotally mounted on the horizontal stud l1 and the raceway H is rigidly connected at its upper end with the hopper, a lug 72 on the raceway near its lower end being pivotally connected with a crank arm 71' fast on a rock-shaft h mounted in.

suitable bearings on the head A, as shown in Fig. 1.

cooperates with a roll on an arm 12- shown in dotted lines Fig. 1,

fast on the shaft 71 to rock the latter at the proper time and through -the crank-arm 72. and lug 71 move the raceway and the hopper on the stud 11, this entire arrangen'ient and operation having no novel features so far as I am aware, and having been in common use for many years.

Before describing the loop-spreader and its operation indetail it should be stated thatthe. 'n'esser-foot 41 is longitudinally slotted at 42'for the passage of the needle and the thread loops, as shown. An offset tubular bearing 43 herein shown as'mounted on'the upright part 41 of the pre'sSer-foot supports a vertical rock-shaft 44 having laterally extended arms 45, 46 at its upper and lower ends, the arm being connected by a link 47 with a'depending arm 48 on a horizontal rock-shaft 49 mounted on the head of the machine, said rock-shaft having a second arm 50 provided with a suitable roll or stud to cooperate with an operating cam S on the shaft B. The cam acts through the intervening connections to oscillate the rock shaft 44 and move the arm 46 in a curved path from the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7 to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 9', and thenback again. Upon the arm 46 is pivotally mounted the shank 51 of a triangularskeleton loop-spreader 52, the tip 53 thereof being downcurved, as shown in Figs.

5 and 6, and opposite shallow notches 54 are formed in the sides of the spreader adjacent its base.

A lug 55 dependsfrom the spreader near its axis of rotation, to be at times engaged by a tipping device, shown as an upright pin or stud 56 erected on the presser-foot, to be referred to again. The outer end of the shank 51 has fast upon it a collar provided with an extension 57 extended at its extremity under the arm e6,.a light spring'5S being made fast at one end on thearm and at its other end to the extensions 57, to normally maintain the latter-against the bottom of the-arm, with the spreader 52 in substantially horizontal position, see full lines Fig. 5, and as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6.

\Vhen the needle draws up the secondary loop t through the primary loop, as has been described, the loop-spreader is moved bodily inits curved path above the button, which has been released by withdrawal of the raceway H, and the point ofthe spreader enters the secondary loop. The needle is given a slight dip at this time, to uncover the hook and release'the loop, the continued movement of the spreader 5'2 casting off the loop from the needle and spreading the loop as shown in Figs. 5 and-9, the skeleton form of the loop spreader permitting the needle to descend within it at the time it dips. Vhen the loop is fully spread it enters the notches 54 and is temporarily held the final bodily movement of the spreaderbringing the lug 55 against the tipping device 56 and thereby tipping the spreader about its shank or axis 51 into dotted line position, Fig. 5. At this time the down curved tip 53 isclose to the work and overhangs the button, the extremity of the tip depending below the bottom of the button and closely approaching the button-loop, as indotted lines Fig. 5, and the secondary loop t is then shed from the spreaderand placed over the button, the loop being pulled taut around the buttoneye or shank as the thread is taken up in usual manner. g

When the secondary loop is shed from the spreader the spring 58, which was stretched I by the. tipping of the spreader, coi'rtracts and returns the spreader to itsnormal substan tially horizontal position and the spreader,

and the means for sustaining the same, .are

returned to normal position. The feed of the work by the longer advance of the feedprong 5, and the return of the prong tonormal position completes the cycle of. operations, the work-support descending to the position shown in .Figs. 1 and 2 at the completion of the cycle.

' It should be stated that the work-support 21 is raised by means of the spring finger 23 Fig. 1, extended. through the depending part 22 of the support, so that the work is ,held yieldingly between the work-support and 'the presser-foot, permitting the short advance of the work after the formation of the primary loop and the latter main feed, but' thedescent of the work-support is positive, the bell-crank 28 engaging and depressing the spring finger 23 Iconsider the feeding movement of the work, which is effected. by a short and. a long advance or step, is of great importance as the mechanical structure of the machine is simplified, insuring greater speed of operation and better wearing qualities, and at the same time it enables me to impart to the needle a vertical move-.

ment only, in a single path, Without any lateral movement. v

Heretofore 1t has been necessary to nnpart a lateral movement to the needle, as well as through the button-eye, a deviceto spread the secondary loop and place it over the but-. ton, and means independent of the needleto a vertical reciprocation, complicating the mechanism and retarding the button sewing or attaching operations. By the main feed movement the spacing of the buttons is eff fected, and such spacing can be varied by a single adjustment which is readily made, it being manifest that no other adjustment of 4 the entire machine is re uired.

Having fully describer my invention, what I claim as new. and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a button-sewing machine, mechanism to form interlocking primary and secondary loops and draw the former through the button-eye, independent means to position the work for the formation of the secondary loop, and adevice to spread the secondary loop and place it over the button.

advance the work slightly after the primary loop has been drawn throu h the button-eye and to feed the work after t e secondary loop I has been placed over the button. r v

4. In a button-sewing machine, mechan ism, including a needle moving ina single path, to form interlocked primary and secondary loops, the former through the buttoneye, a device to cast off the secondary loop from the needle and place it over the button,

and means to position the work for the formation of the secondary loop.

5. In a button-sewing machine, mechanism, including a reciprocating needle movable in a single path, to form interlocked pri* mary and secondary loops, means to advance the work for the secondaryloo after the priand to feed the work after the -secondar loop is cast ofi, and a positively acting device to cast off the secondary loop and place it over'the button.

6. In a button-sewin ism, including a.verticalIy-reciprocating needle, to form and draw a rimary loop through the button-eye and to orm and draw a secondary-loop through the primary loop, means to spread the secondary loo and place it over the button,.and means independent of the needle to advance the work after the formation of the primary loop and to feed the Work after the secondary loop has been placed over the button. p

7. In a button-sewing machine, a needle reci rocating in a fixed path, and a cooperating 00 er, to form primary and secondary interloc ed loops, the former being drawn through the button-eye, and adevice to s read and cast off the secondary loop and p ace it over the button, combined with means to positively engage and advance the loop and While the needle is at rest.

8. In a button-sewing machine,.mechan ary loops and draw the former through the button-eye, ,aitriangular and substantially flat'spreader having a down-curved tip and straight sidesconyerging from its base to the and means to thereafter automatically tip the spreader about its base and de ress the down-curved tip below thebottom o the button and close to the button-eye,-.to shed the loop and slide it over the button close to the work, the base of the s reader being close to theneedle path when i516 spreader 1s tipped. 9. In apparatus of the class deseri ed, mechanism to form interlocked primary and secondary button-attaching loops, combined with feed mechanism including a work-en- "gaging member having a short, uniform adprimary loop and a succeeding longer movement in the same direction after the secondary loop has been formed andplaced over the button, and means to vary the eflective length of the longer movement. p 10. In apparatus of the class described, a vertically reciprocating needle and a cooperating looper, to form interlocked, primary and secondary loops, the former through the button-eye, combined with mechanism to intermittingly engage the work and advance the same by'a short step after the formation the secondary loop has een formed and work prior to formation of the secondary tip, to enter and spread the secondaryloop,

vance movement after the formatio'n of a of the primary loop and b a long step after mary loop is drawn through t ebutton-eye machine, Inech'an- 95 ism to form interlocking primary and secondplaced over the button, and manually controlled means to determine the effective length of the long step. I

11. In a button-sewing machine, mechanism, including a needle to enter the work, and a cooperating looper, to form a primary loop and drawit through a button-.eye and thereafter to form a'secondary loop and draw it through the primary loop, means, including a prong to enter the primary loop opening in the work, to advance the Work for the formation of the secondary loop and subsequently to effect feed of the work, anda device toengage and place the secondary loop over the button before the prong eflects feed of the work. I g

12. In apparatus of the class described, loop-forming mechanism to form interlocking primary and secondary button-attaching loops, combined with feeding mechanism, including a work-engaging member having an initial short movement after the formation of the primary loop and a final and longer feedmg movement after the secondary loop has been placed over the button, and adjustable means to effect automatically disengagement of said member from the Work at a predetermined point in its longer movement to thereby vary the effective length of the feeding movement. I

13. In apparatus of the class described, mechanism to form interlocking primary and secondary loops and to draw the former through the button-eye, and means to place the secondary loop over the button, combined with means to efl'ect a short advance of the work after formation of the primary loop and thereafter to feed the work, and a manually adjustable device to vary the length of the feed 1 14. In a button-sewing machine, mechanism to form interlocking primary and secondary loops, the former through the buttoneye, support, a loop spreader mounted thereon and movable with and also relatively to the support, means to move the support and spreader as a unit in a substantially horizontal, curved path to cause the spreader to enter and spread the secondary loop, and a device to tip the spreader With relation to its support and thereby shed the loop over the button, the tip of the spreader being down-curved to overhang and extend under to engage and tip the over the button, to thereby discharge the loop and place it over the button close to the work.

16. In 4 a button-sewing machine, mechanism to form interlocking ondary loops, the former through the button-eye, a fixedly positioned upright fulcrum,

a support mounted to swing laterally upon ivotally said fulcrum, a loop spreader es to the mounted on the support at right ang fulcrum thereof, means to swing the support about its fulcrum to introduce the spreader into the secondary loop, and a device fixed with relation to sald su port and the spreader latter relatively to the support when in position over the button, to depress the point of said spreader and shed the loop therefrom and place it over the button.

17 In a button sewing machine, mechanism to form interlocked primary and secondary button attaching loops, a loopspreader having a down-curved tipfmeans to move the spreader about a fixed center in a substantially horizontal path to enter and spread the secondary loop, and a separate device to thereafter positively engage and tip the spreader with relation to-its moving means, as saidvmeans is about to complete its movement, to thereby move the downcurved tip of the spreader over the button and adjacent the work, to shed the spread loop over the button close to the work.

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

BERNARD T. LEVEQUE. Witnesses:

JOHN C. ED ARDS, Ma GA nT A. DUNN.

primary and sec-'

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