June 29 , 1926.

' ' 1,590,483

. ‘ R. K. THOMSON ‘

BROOM SEWING MACHINE

Filed Sept. 25, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1

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June 29,1926. ‘ 1,590,483
R. K. THOMSON v

BROOM SEWING MACHINE

Filed Sept. 23, 1925 B Sheets-Sheet 2

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June 29 , 1926.
1,590,483,
R. K. THOMSON
BROOM SEWING MACHINE
Filed Sept. 23, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet_ 5

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 Patented June 29, 1926. ' 15%,483

UNITED - STATE... Pram eerie-s.

RALPH K. THOMSOZQT, OF SEOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA.

‘BRooM-snwI'Ne MACHINE.
Application ?led September 23, 1925. Serial No. 58,153.
This invention relates to improvements in Figure 4c is a fragmentary perspective View
broom sewing machines. _showing certain novel features for regulat
The primary object of this invention 1s ing the step by step feed of the vise which
the provision of a broom sewing machine holds the broom, in order to control the
embodying novel means for regulating the length of the individual stitches of the sew
lengths of the stitches as the broom is being ing. 60
sewed. Figure 5 is a fragmentary View, partly in
A further object of this invention is the section, showing novel details of the frame,
provision of a novel improvement in broom vise, and step by step feed mechanism, with
F4 (3 sewing machines by means of which the the improved automatically operated stop
stitches may be shortened at the sides of for regulating the latter. 85
the broom, during the sewing operation, in Figure 6 is a fragmentary’ viewv showing
order to provide a more durable and a better the opposite side of the step by step feed
broom, with greater economy, than can be mechanism from that illustrated in Figure 5.
provided with existing broom sewing ma‘ Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective
chines. view showing thenovel cam and guide ar
A further object of the invention is the rangement for automatically controlling the
provision of means for automatically short; length of movement of the step by step feed
ening the stitches at the sides of the broom, for the broom supporting vise.
as the broom is being sewed‘, in order to Figure 8 is. a fragmentary view showing I
provide a novel type of broom sewing, with the side of the stop controlling cam bar op
the stitches in more closely spaced and're posite to that illustrated 111 Figure 7. '
inforcing relation upon the broom where F lgure 9 1s a fragmentary sectional view
the greatest strain occurs. showing a manually operated adjustable step .
A further object of this invention is the by step feed control.
provision of a broom sewing machine em ‘ Figures 10 and 11 are views of brooms il 80
bodying a novel attachment which renders lustrating the novel stitching which may be
short stitches at the side edges of the broom accomplished with the improved broom sew
‘ ractical' which more ?rml
. 7 -
anchors the ing machine and its automatically operating
ends of the string and prevents the same attachments. '
from wearing loose; which enables a closer In the drawings, wherein for the purpose
sewlng of the stitch to the edge of the broom of illustration is shown only a preferred
without splitting the band, and without run- i embodiment of the invention, the letter A
ning the sewing into the machine frame. may generally designate the improved broom
. Gther objects and advantages of this in sewing machine, which may comprise a sta
vention will be ‘apparent during the course tionary supporting frame B; vise and broom 90
of the following detailed description. supporting mechanism C; sewing mechanism
In the accompanying drawings, forming a D; step by step feed mechanism E for the
part of this speci?cation, and wherein sim vise C; and means F for automatically vary
ilar reference characters designate corre_ ing the length of movement of the step by
sponding parts throughout the several views, step feed mechanism as it transversally
. Figure 1 is a side elevation of the im moves the vise C, to accomplish the shorten~
proved broom sewing machine.v showing only ing or lengthening of the stitching as the
the upper part thereof, with the novel at broom is being sewed.
tachment features. In the main, the machine A comprises
_ Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective conventional features known to those skilled 100
view of a conventional type of broom sewing in the art relating to broom sewing, and the
machine with the improved attachment constructional features of this machine A,
thereon for regulating the spacing of the with the exception of the novel means F to
broom stitches during the sewing operation. control the length of the stitches as the
Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged per broom is being sewed, and certain means to
spective view showing certain novel adjust be subsequently described for controlling the
able stop mechanism for~the step by step thread at the looper, are shown in Patent
vise feed of the broom sewing machine. No. 825,402, granted July 10, v1906, and
 2. 1,590,483

Patent 1,071,332, granted August 26, 1913. ber ‘l5, which is suitably connected in an
These patents will be subsequently referred operating relation to the drive structure of
to in connection with conventional features the machine A, not shown in the drawings,
of the broom sewing machine A. but of conventional structure as set forth in
As described in the patents above re the patent above mentioned.
ferred to, the frame A includes the stand The feed bars 30 and 36 are alternately
ards 10 and 11, with suitable parts rigid or clamped by their clamping means 33 and
integral therewith, such as the top plates 37, and as is well known, when the bar 36
12. The broom supporting vise C comprises is released a spring 4:8 pushes the upper feed
10 the two pivotally mounted jaws 13 and lei, bar forward until it is arrested by an ad
adapted to grip the broom so that the por justable stop member 49, and this move
tion of the broom to be sewn may project ment carries an adjustable stop pin 50, of
thereabove. Between these jaws 13 and 111 the bar 36, away from a bracket or lug 5,1a
is arranged the conventional vertically ad on the bar 30. After this occurs the ver
15 justable broom support or carrier (not tical oscillating or reciprocating mechanism 80
shown). To give a general idea of the 415 moves the bell crank lever 4-1 on its pivot
working features, the vise after clamping 43, and due to the fact that the bar 36 is
the broom K therein is moved step by step then gripped by its clamp 33, the post con
by the means E. The thread is drawn nections of the bell crank lever will cause
20 through the upwardly projectintr portion of the bar 30 to move forwardly a'step until
the broom l"; by means of needles 15 recip the lug 51a engages the adjustable stop 50.
rocated by suitable means at opposite sides During this operation the spring 48 is of
of the broom, and actuated as speci?cally course again tensioned, since this spring is
described in Patent No. 825,et02, above re carried in a suitable casing supported by a
bracket arm 55 at the free end of the feed 90
25 ferred to.
The vise C moves transversally between bar 30. The operation is again repeated,
the reciprocating needles, and the broom and the bar 36 upon release of its clamp 37
support or carrier within the vise C is again is moved a step to engage the ad
raised to the desired height by suitable justable stop ‘l9. In this connection it
30 means described in the patents aforesaid, in should be noted that the adjustable stop 49
order to elevate the broom to the position moves when the lower feed bar 30 moves.
for the successive lines of stitching of the As to the conventional features of the op~.
broom. eration of the stop member 49, means is
Referring to the operation of the step by provided, as set forth in Patent 1,071,232,
35 step vise feed mechanism E, a lower feed above mentioned, to adjust this stop mem 100 r

bar 30 has its forward end connected in any ber 119 according to the thickness of the
suitable manner at 31 to the vise construc broom being sewed. The stop construction
tion C. The rear end of this bar 30 extends for the feed bar 36 is preferably made in
through a clamping box 32, in which it is sections 49 and 60, the same being of cylin
engaged by a clamping jaw 33, of the drical like formation, and having cam en.
nature set forth in the Patent 825,4i02, above gaging faces spiralled t-hereabout, or formed
referred to. This jaw 33 is periodically oblique to the axis of said sections as is
clamped on the bar‘ 30 by means of pressure illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.
created by action of a cam lever 34., which at Section 60 is mounted in stationary manner
110
the lower end thereof has a roller 35 en upon a rod or tube 61, and this rod 61 is
gaging over a suitable cam (not shown), of course movable with the vise. The sec
of the operating mechanism of the conven4 tion 41-9, on the other hand, may be mounted
tional structure of broom sewing machines, in any approved manner for rotation about
as they are understood in the art. Above the axis of the rod 61, after the detailed 115
the bar,\,30 a second or upper feed bar 36 manner set forth in Patent 1,071,332 above
is spac d parallel with the lower bar 30, mentioned. The stop member or section 119
and the game also passes through the box is provided with an arm 63 rigid or inte
32 where it is periodically clamped by gral therewith and extending radially there
means of a clamp 37 similar to the clamp from, and to this arm 63 is connected one 120
Ul Cl 33, and operated by means of a cam lever end of an arcuate connecting link 6%, as at
38 having a cam roller 39 on the lower end 65. The opposite end of the link 64 is car
thereof engaging a suitable cam operating ried with a loose or sliding connection upon
mechanism described in the patent above re a pin or bar 66 mounted in a bifurcated
ferred to. forked end 67 of an arm 63, said arm 68
60 The feed bars 30 and 36‘ are pivotally being rigidly connected in any approved 125
connected at the ends of a lever arm 410 of manner upon a rocking sleeve 70. ’
a bell crank lever 41, at pivot points 42 and The rocking sleeve 7 O is oscillatively
43 respectively, and the other arm portion mounted upon a preferably horizontal sup
1111 of the bell crank lever 4-1 is adapted to porting rod 71, and this sleeve at its oppo 130
65 cooperate with a vertically oscillating mem site end from the arm 68 is provided with a
 1,590,483 3

radial arm 7 3 having a pin 74 engaging in stitching, but when the close stitching is de
a slot 75 of a connecting link 76. The con sired at the sides of the broom, merely by
necting link 76 opposite the slot-ted end is pressing down on the lever 90, it is obvious
pivoted at 78 to the lower end of a lever that the stop member 49 may be moved to
79, which is pivoted intermediate its ends ward the stop lug 51 of the. feed bar 36 to 70
at 80. The upper end of the lever 79 has decrease the step motion of the latter. >
a slidable connection at 81 with a bar 82 of In order to maintain a proper relation of
the vise mechanism C. the cam like sections 49 and 60 of the stop
The above description of the stop mecha— mechanism, I prefer to provide a spring 95
10 nism in the main is conventional. Nor connected at one end upon the top of the
mally, the rocking sleeve is acted upon by section 60 and at its opposite end suitably
a powerful spring 85, which connects be connected to the end 65 of the connecting
tween the pin 78 and the end of the arm 73, link 64, and the purpose of which spring
normally tending to hold the sleeve 70 so is to draw the cam edges of the members or
i that the arm thereof pulls the stop member sections 49 and 60 into abutting engagement. 80
49 towards the same to enable a maximum I also prefer to provide a spiral spring 97
step movement of the bar 36, and this action upon the pin 66 supported at the bifurcated
of the spring 85 holds the pin 74 in the end of the rocker arm 68, and this spring
lower end of the slot 75. It is readily ob 97 at one end to engage a finger of the
20 vious that upon insertion of a broom be forked end 67 and at its opposite end en
tween the jaws 13 and 14 as illustrated in gages agalnst a side of the connecting link
Figure 1, due to the pivotal movement of 64 to urge the latter in a. direction where
said jaws away from each other, the lever by to move the member 49 toward the stop
79 will be rocked upon its pivot 80 to draw member 60 with which it cooperates and
the‘connecting link 7 6 downwardly until the cause a relative angular movement which 90
pin 74 engages the top of the slot thereof, will space the stop member 49 at the greatest
and thus to rock the sleeve 70 in order to distance from the lug 51 of the feed bar 36,
move the arm 68 thereof, and consequently as is permitted by the section 60 of the stop.
rotate the stop member 49. Due to its cam Referring to the means for automatically
engagement with the member or section 60, varying the length of the stitches as the
the stop member 49 is enabled to have a broom is being sewed, a cam supporting
longitudinal movement along the axis of the plate, bar, or member 100 is attached, as at
rod 61, to space the outer stop surface there 102, to any approved part of the frame of
of a proper distance from the lug 51 of the the machine A, but preferably to a standard
feed bar 36, to enable a proper step move 10 thereof at the inner side thereof facing 100
ment, for the production of a stitch of the rocker arm 68. This supporting mem- ‘
proper length, according to the thickness of her 100 projects as its ends beyond the
the broom. standard 10, and at said ends is provided
In conformity with an object of this in with longitudinally aligning slots 103 there
vention, namely, that of sewing the stitches in, although in lieu of the slots at each end
of the broom so that in each cross line of of the member 100 a series of openings may
stitching the stitches are spaced closer to be provided. Arcuate cam plates, strips, or
gether at the ?nishing side or both of the} members 105 and 106 are secured at opposite
sides of the broom than the stitches in the ends of the plate 100, at the inner side
" middle' of each line of stitching, I prefer thereof, as by means of clamping screws 110
to first place a manually operated means to or other supporting members 107, which ad‘.
e?ect this type of stitching, by providing justably extend through the slots 103 and
a manually operated lever or arm 90, keyed are provided at their rear ends with wing
or otherwise connected in any approved shaped or other clamping nuts 109. The
manner upon the rocking sleeve 70, and spacing of the cam shaped members 105 and 115
which the operator may engage with his 106 is definite, in accordance with the width
hand and press downwardly thereon for the between the short stitches at each of the
purpose of rotating or moving the stop sidesof the type of broom which is being
member 49 in order to place the same for the sewed. The cam shaped members 105 and
120
proper degree of movement of the upper 106, of course, project forwardly of the
feed bar 36. The lever 90 carries an ad inner face of the member 100 which sup
justing screw 91 which may be adjusted ports the same, and the cam surfaces of
properly in the lever 90 for engagement these members 105 and 106 preferably merge
with a portion 92 of a part of the frame or slope into the inner face of the plate 100.
Cl) of the casing, or other detail, in order to Upon the rocker arm 68 is placed, as by
limit the motion which may be given the clamping, an adjustable armor extension
stop member 49, to control the closely spaced 115, which is adjustably clamped to said
stitches. When using solely the manual arm 68, as at 116. At the free end the ex
means 90, the same is of course not pressed tension 115 supports a roller 117 in the
down or operated during normal length’ path to roll over theinner side of the mem~
 1,590,483
her or plate 100, and in path to roll upon the to be swung back and forth. I overcome
cam surfaces of the cam members 105 and this by placing a thin piece of metal, or
106. analogous material, to enclose the looper
It is readily apparent that when the roller frame 125 rcarwardly of the eye 126 there'
11'? rides from the plate 100 onto either of of. This housing or enclosure 127 guards 70
the cams 105 or 106, the rockcruarm 68 will the looper arm 128 as it oscillates, and pre
be pushed away from the plate 100, thus vents loose threads, due to shortening of the
rocking the rock r sleeve, and through the stitch, from catching or snagging
gg between’
connecting linl: 64: causing a rotational the looper frame and the oscillating arm
movement of the stop member 4-9, in order 128, as can readily be understood. This 75
to move the same longitudinally of the rod improved housing or support, or enclosure
61, toward the stop lug 51 of the step bar for the looper arm 128 is illustrated in Fig
66, for the purpose of shortening the move ure 5 of the drawings. Also, to overcome
ment which the step bar 36 may have, and the forward snap of the string, due to short—
which of course determines the length of ening of the stitch, I provide a plate 130 80
the short stitches at the side portions of the upon the framework of the sewing mecha
broom, as is illustrated in Figures 10 and nism, adjacent the'looper construction. The
11 of the drzmrings. plate is preferably of heavy tin or analogous
As to the broom K, illustrated in Figure material, and is designated in Figures 2 and
10, the lines of stitching 120 thereof have ll of the drawings. Upon this plate at the 85
the intermediate stitches 121 spaced of a forward edge thereof is placed a piece of
normal length, whereas the side stitches 122 rubber or analogous material 131, shaped
at the ends of the lines of stitching are to form as a guide for the strine.
looped about the band in a closer spaced re Various changes in the shape, size, and ar~
lation than the stitches 121. Upon the ?nes‘: rangement of parts may be made to the 90
grade of broom K it is preferred that each form of the improved mechanisms herein
side of the broom have the close stitches 22, shown and described, and to the form and
but for other types, such as the type K’ il— stitching of the broom, Without departing
lustrated in Figure 11, the cl se stitches 122 from the spirit of the invention, or the scope
n I
u1 may be provided at the ?nishing side of the of the claims. 95
broom only, in order to properly reinforce 1 claim:
and hold the stitches in place to prevent the 1. In broom sewing machine the com
threads from working loose. ‘ bination of a broom holder, a sewing mecha
It is readily apparent from the foregoing nism, and means for effecting a relative
"J In that as the broom moves by means of the transverse movement between the broom 100
vise C, through the machine A, the same holder and sewing mechanism of a step by
will be given the intermittent or step by step nature with steps of shorter travel dur~
step movement in synchronism with the ing the operation of the sewing mechanism
sewing mechanism D in order to accom‘ at both of the sides of the broom than at the
40 plish the stitching above mentioned. TWhen mid portions thereof. 105
it is de-siret to have the short stitch at both 2. In a broom sewing machine the com
sides of the broom, both cam plates 105 and bination with a suitable sewing mechanism.
106 are used, but when it is uesired to stitch and a vise mounted to rock about a hori
only the ?nishing side of the broom one of zontal axis past the sewing mechanism, of
these cam plates is removed, as is readily means for imparting a step by step-move 110
apparent. The device is absolutely auto ment to the vise including an abutment
matic in operation, in so far as the variable movable with the vise and an intermittent~
length of stitching upon the broom, during ly movable slidable bar, an adjustable spac
the sewing operation, is concerned. Merely ing device between said abutment and bar
50 by shifting the cam plates 105 and 106 longi to determine the step movement of the latter, 115
tudinally of the plate 100 which supports and means for automatically varying the
the same, the shorter stitches 122 may be adjustment of said spacing device as the
made to commence at any point along the sewing mechanism operates from stitching
width of the broom, to produce the type of the intermediate portion of a broom to the
broom desired. These cam plates 105 and side portion of the broom in order to shorten 120
106 may of course be supplanted by other the stitches.
cam plates or members, of different length, 3. In a broom sewing mechanism of the
and of different shape, in order to provide class described a supporting frame, a sewing
various spacing of the stitches during the mechanism, a vise movable across the path
60 individual broom sewing operation. of travel of the sewing mechanism, and a 125
In the use of the improved automatic step by step feed mechanism for the vise
stitch shortening attachment, it has been including a slidable intermittently movable
found that when the stitch is decreased in bar, a stop mechanism for regulating the
length during the sewing operation, the end length of travel of said bar including sta
65 of the string adjacent the looper is caused tionary and rotatable members having a cam 130
 1,590,483 5

engagement, a rocker arm, means connect~ said vise including an adjustable stop, and
ing the rocker arm with the rotatable mem— means for automatically varying the ad~
ber of the stop mechanism, spring means justable stop to shorten the step movement 60
urging the movable member of the cam into of the vise at a predetermined location of
cam engagement with the stationary mem travel of the vise past the sewing mech
ber thereof, and means for .auton'iatically anism. '

rocking the rocker arm at a predetermined 7. In a broom sewing machine the com—
location in the travel of the vise to lengthen bination of a supporting frame, a sewing
the stop mechanism and thereby shorten the mechanism including needles, a broom sup—
step movement of the vise. porting vise, means for moving the vise
4. In a broom sewing mechanism of the across the operative travel of the needles of
class described a supporting frame, a sew the sewing mechanism with a step by step
ing mechanism, a vise movable across the movement, said means including an adjust
path of travel of the sewing mechanism, and able stop for varying the length of step
a step by step feed mechanism for the vise movement of the vise, means for manually
including a slidable intermittently movable adjusting said adjustable stop to vary the
bar, a stop mechanism for regulating the step movement of the vise during a broom
length of travel of said bar including sta sewing operation, and means for automati
tionary and rotatable members having a cally varying the step movement of the vise '
20 cam engagement, a rocker arm, means con to shorten the stitches of the sewing mech
necting the rocker arm with the rotatable‘ anism, at a. predetermined location of sev
member of the stop mechanism, spring ing on a broom. '
means urging the movable member of the 8. In a broom sewing machine the com~
86
cam into cam engagement with the stationary bination of a supporting frame, a sewing
member thereof, a cam, and means con mechanism, a broom supporting vise mount-
nected with the rocker arm for operation ed to move across the operative path of .
over the last mentioned cam at a prede travel of the sewing mechanism, means for
termined location in the travel of the vise imparting a step by step movement to the
8-5
to regulate the length of stitches being vise to effect such movement across the path
sewed in the broom carried by the vise. of travel of the sewing mechanism includ
5. In a- broom sewing machine the com ing a stationary member and an adjustable
bination of a supporting frame, a sewing member having cam contact with the sta
mechanism including a needle, a vise mount; tionary member, means for normally hold
ed to move across the operative travel of ing the adjustable member in a set position 90
the needle of the sewing mechanism for during a broom sewing operation, and means
sewing stitches in a broom supported by the to automatically shift the position of the
vise, a step by step motion producing mech~ adjustable member during a broom sewing
anism connected with the vise for intermit operation to vary the length of stitches
tently moving the same in synchronism with taken in the broom. 95
40 the movement of the needle of the sewing 9. In a broom sewing machine the com—
mechanism, an adjustable stop for automa~ bination of a supporting frame, a sewing
tically regulating the length of the step mechanism, a broom supporting vise mount
movement of the vise, a support carried by ed to move across the zone of operation
100
the frame, a pair of spaced cam plates car of the sewing mechanism, means for impart~
an en ried by the frame support, and means con-_ ing a’ step by step movement to the vise to
nected with the adjustable stop for opera effect the movement of the broom across the
tion across said pair of cam plates for caus zone of operation of the sewing mechanism,
ing shorter stitches to be sewed at the sides and means for automatically lessening the
of a broom than at the intermediate portion length of the step by step movement as the 105
50 of the broom. sewing mechanism is sewing at the side por
6. In a. broom sewing machine the com tion of the broom in order to render the
bination of a supporting frame, a sewing stitches at the side of the broom shorter
_ mechanism, a vise, a step by step mechanism than those‘ adjacent the central portion of
connected with the vise for moving the the broom. ' ‘
55 latter intermittently across the operative
path of movement of the sewing mechanism, RALPH K. THOMSON.