Rotary hook
Encyclopedia
The rotary hook is a bobbin driver
design used in lockstitch
sewing machines of the 19th and 20th century and beyond. It triumphed over competing designs because it can run at higher speeds with less vibration.
The rotary hook continuously rotates in place, hooking the upper thread each time its pointed tip passes the 12 o'clock position. Enough upper thread is pulled from above to pass around the bobbin case, which sits loosely inside the hook frame such that loops of thread can pass completely over it, similar to a magician's hoop passing over a levitating subject. The excess thread, no longer needed, is then pulled back upward by the sewing machine's take-up arm.
in 1851, in steps. Wilson had just left an unsatisfactory business relationship in order to partner with Nathaniel Wheeler
, who was impressed by a model of Wilson's vibrating shuttle
machine. Ever since developing the aforementioned, Wilson had been ruminating on a plan for a machine that used a rotating hook combined with a traditional reciprocating bobbin. For this hybrid machine he received US patent 8296 on 12 August 1851 (reissued as RE914 on 28 February 1860).
Knowing that such a machine would surely lead to patent litigation with his former partners who had bought out the patent for the vibrating shuttle, Wilson kept working, and developed a refined design which kept the bobbin stationary. He filed for patent, and the partners built their first production rotary hook machine the same year, selling it for USD35 (USD891 adjusted). US patent 9041 was awarded the next year, on 15 June 1852.
The rotary hook design was then called the "Wheeler & Wilson principle" after Wilson's partnership with Wheeler.
Just two years later, in 1853, Scientific American
took notice:
used it in the popular 'White Family Rotary' machine.
Bobbin drivers
Throughout history, lockstitch sewing machines have used a variety of methods to drive their bobbins so as to create the lockstitch.-"Rotating shuttle":...
design used in lockstitch
Lockstitch
A lockstitch is the most common mechanical stitch made by a sewing machine. The term "single needle stitching", often found on dress shirt labels, refers to lockstitch.-Structure:...
sewing machines of the 19th and 20th century and beyond. It triumphed over competing designs because it can run at higher speeds with less vibration.
Operation
Wilson
The technology was invented by Allen B. WilsonAllen B. Wilson
Allen Benjamin Wilson was an American inventor famous for designing, building and patenting some of the first successful sewing machines. He invented both the vibrating and the rotating shuttle designs which, in turns, dominated all home lockstitch sewing machines...
in 1851, in steps. Wilson had just left an unsatisfactory business relationship in order to partner with Nathaniel Wheeler
Nathaniel Wheeler
Nathaniel Wheeler was an American manufacturer and legislator.- Family background :...
, who was impressed by a model of Wilson's vibrating shuttle
Vibrating shuttle
A vibrating shuttle is a bobbin driver design used in home lockstitch sewing machines during the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century...
machine. Ever since developing the aforementioned, Wilson had been ruminating on a plan for a machine that used a rotating hook combined with a traditional reciprocating bobbin. For this hybrid machine he received US patent 8296 on 12 August 1851 (reissued as RE914 on 28 February 1860).
Knowing that such a machine would surely lead to patent litigation with his former partners who had bought out the patent for the vibrating shuttle, Wilson kept working, and developed a refined design which kept the bobbin stationary. He filed for patent, and the partners built their first production rotary hook machine the same year, selling it for USD35 (USD891 adjusted). US patent 9041 was awarded the next year, on 15 June 1852.
The rotary hook design was then called the "Wheeler & Wilson principle" after Wilson's partnership with Wheeler.
Just two years later, in 1853, Scientific American
Scientific American
Scientific American is a popular science magazine. It is notable for its long history of presenting science monthly to an educated but not necessarily scientific public, through its careful attention to the clarity of its text as well as the quality of its specially commissioned color graphics...
took notice:
- "There are 300 of these machines now in operation in various parts of the country, and the work which they can perform cannot be surpassed.... The time must soon come when every private family that has much sewing to do, will have one of these neat and perfect machines; indeed many private families have them now.... The price of one all complete is $125 [USD3184 adjusted]; every machine is made under the eye of the inventor at the company's machine shop, Watertown, Connecticut, so that every one is warranted ... agreement between Mr. Howe* and Messrs. Wheeler, Wilson & Co., so every customer will be perfectly protected...."
- Mr. HoweElias HoweElias Howe, Jr. was an American inventor and sewing machine pioneer.-Early life & family:Howe was born on July 9, 1819 to Dr. Elias Howe, Sr. and Polly Howe in Spencer, Massachusetts. Howe spent his childhood and early adult years in Massachusetts where he apprenticed in a textile factory in...
is mentioned due to the patent thicketPatent thicketA patent thicket is "a dense web of overlapping intellectual property rights that a company must hack its way through in order to actually commercialize new technology," or, in other words, "“an overlapping set of patent rights” which require innovators to reach licensing deals for multiple patents...
that threatened to put the smaller sewing machine companies out of business.
White
Later, once the patents had expired, the White Sewing Machine CompanyWhite Sewing Machine Company
White Sewing Machine Company was a sewing machine company founded in 1858 in Templeton, Massachusetts by Thomas H. White and based in Cleveland, Ohio since 1866. Founded as the White Manufacturing Company it took the White Sewing Machine Company name when it was incorporated in 1876.The company...
used it in the popular 'White Family Rotary' machine.