Throughout history, lockstitch sewing machines have used a variety of methods to drive their bobbins so as to create the lockstitch.
NamesInventedDescriptionPictureNotesTransverse shuttle Longitudinal shuttle1846 by Elias HoweTransverse shuttles carry the bobbin in a boat-shaped shuttle, and reciprocate the shuttle along a straight horizontal shaft. The design was popularized in Singer's 'New Family' machine. The design became obsolete once the other bobbin driver designs were developed.Sometimes incorrectly called an "oscillating shuttle". Somewhat confusingly, the term "Transverse Shuttle" is usually used only to refer to a side-to-side motion of the bobbin. When moved in a front-to-back motion, as in the Howe machines, and the earliest Singers, the term "Reciprocating Shuttle" is used instead.Vibrating shuttle1850 by Allen B. WilsonRefer to Vibrating shuttle for full inventor credits with referencesVibrating shuttle machines reciprocate their shuttle through a short arc. The earliest vibrating shuttles used boat-shaped shuttles, but bullet-shaped shuttles soon replaced them. The design was popularized in the White Sewing Machine Company's 'White Sewing Machine' and Singer's 27-series machines.All information drawn from the Vibrating shuttle article Now obsolete.Singer's last vibrating shuttle machine was built in 1962, according to the references on the Singer Model 27 and 127 pageRotary hook Rotating hook Rotary loop takerSee e.g. Revolving hook1851 by Allen B. Wilson; but see Rotary hook for full inventor credits with referencesRotary hook machines hold their bobbin stationary, and continuously rotate the thread hook around it. The design was popularized in the White Sewing Machine Company's 'Family Rotary' sewing machineAll information drawn from the Rotary hook article and Singer's models 95 and 115. Oscillating shuttle1877 by Lebbeus B. Miller and Philip Diehl; and refinement . , the date of invention is given as 1879, but the Miller/Diehl patent trail actually began in 1877.Oscillating shuttle machines mount their bobbin on the hook, and reciprocate the hook through a short arc. The design was popularized in Singer's models 15 'Improved Family' and 31. Oscillating hook?Oscillating hook machines hold their bobbin stationary, and reciprocate the hook through a short arc. The bobbin lies horizontally, right under the needle plate. The design was popularized in Singer's model 66.
"Rotating shuttle"
The term rotating shuttle is ambiguous. Sometimes it refers to a bobbin case,See e.g. , or and sometimes it refers to a rotary hook design.See e.g. (ironically filed by Wheeler & Wilson), or
References