Class 41

Multiple Needle Sewing Machines

There are Singer Machines for making from two to twelve parallel rows of stitching at one operation [Singer Class 41].

On machines carrying from three to twelve needles the spacing may be arranged as desired within a limit of 2 13/32 inches, the extreme distance between outside shuttles. ...These machines are capable of changes in distance between the rows of stitching without other adjustment than a simple change of needle.

The least distance between the points of two shuttles is 3/16 inch and, for obvious reasons, it is essential that the shuttles on these machines shall be as thin as possible. They cannot, therefore, contain a bobbin for the under thread, and this thread is carried in ready-wound cops that fit tightly into the shuttles.

These cops unwind from their outer edge and deliver thread through center of shuttle, thus securing central delivery of thread until the cops are entirely unwound and used.

The following is from an 1896 catalog.

THE machines of Class 41 are especially useful for any process requiring two or more parallel rows of fine lock-stitching; they are extensively employed in the manufacture of Corsets, Dress Stays, Boots and Shoes, etc., attaining an economy of labor which marks a great advance in sewing mechanism and far excels any other for its purpose.

These machines are capable of a number of variations in distance between the rows of stitching without other adjustment than a simple change of needles.

In Corset Manufacture the machines of ing. bone cording, stitching bone strips, etc.

STRIP-STITCHING. - Two presser-feet are furnished with each machine of Class 41, without extra charg; both of these feet may be for guiding or folding strips of the same or different widths, or may be for strip guiding or folding, the other for plain stitching.

The varieties of this class are fitted with from three to twelve needles and shuttles, the distance between which is made as ordered.

The number of shuttles in a machine corresponds to its catalogue variety number, thus Machine No. 41-3 has three shuttles, No. 41-5 has five shuttles, and 41-12 has twelve shuttles. The base and bed of the machine are in two sections; these sections are hinged so that the head can be readily tipped back, without removing the belt, enabling quick access to the shuttles.

The shuttles oscillate in races contained in a chamber of but two pieces which are hinged so that the chamber can be readily opened and any shuttle quickly removed and replaced.

The least distance between the points of two shuttles, as fitted in the regular course, is 3/16 inch. Narrower gauges can be obtained for alternate pairs of shuttles by fitting them with right and left points

The extreme distance between outside shuttles is 2 13/32 inches.

SHUTTLE THREAD.

No bobbin is required for the shuttle thread, which is carried in ready-wound cops that fit tightly into the shuttle. These cops unwind from their outer edge and deliver thread through centre of shuttle, as shown in the illustration, thus securing the central delivery of thread until the cop is entirely unwound and used.

For stitching upper and lower strip at the same time a special throat-plate is provided for guiding the lower strip; the upper strips are guided by the various forms of presser-foot previously referred to.

BONE CORDING.—The spaces for the bones can be obtained by the use of a strip-guiding presser-foot specially designed for the purpose and grooved, as ordered, for special widths between the bones.

STITCHING BONE STRIPS AND INSERTING AT ONE OPERATION. A steel arm is provided which is firmly screwed to the bed of machine and has holes at the end through which the bamboo or bone is guided into the spaces between the needles as the strip is being stitched: it can be made for various gauges as desired.

For Stitching on Shoe Tips, various gauges can be obtained by change of needles as shown in the marginal illustration of the needlebar from Machine No. 41-6, arranged for this class of work. A special presser-foot, having a finger guard, is furnished for each gauge.

The following is lifted from John Langdon's Comprehensive Model List

41 (class)		Industrial	Base 18 3/4” inches long; 10 1/2"” space at right of needle bar centre. Multiple needles. For simultaneously making a number of parallel rows of stitching. Shuttles for ready wound cops only. For corset, skirt, cloak and suit manufacture and decoration.	-
41-5		Industrial	Five needles, five shuttles. Speed 1100.	16x29
41-6		Industrial	Six needles, six shuttles. Speed 1050.	16x29
41-7		Industrial	Seven needles, seven shuttles. Speed 1000.	16x29
41-8		Industrial	Eight needles, eight shuttle. Speed 950.	16x29
41-10		Industrial	Ten needles, ten shuttles. Speed 850.	16x29
41-12		Industrial	Twelve needles, twelve shuttles. Speed 750.	16x29