It will be seen from the preceding description and illustrations, that the basic mechanisms now in use for making the lock stitch comprise a vertically moving bar carrying an eye-pointed needle for the upper thread, and either a vibrating shuttle or an oscillating or a rotating hook for the lower thread taken from a bobbin, and that the means for operating them vary widely according to the duty required.

The shuttles for carrying the bobbins containing the lower thread were, at first, modelled after the weaver’s shuttle and were boat-shaped. The movement or “throw” of this form of shuttle is usually horizontal, either on a straight line or having a curved throw, the first being exemplified in the“New Family’ and the latter in Machine No. 127-3.

The “oscillating shuttle, “Machine No. 15-30, stands vertically and oscillates around a central bobbin enclosed in a removable case, while the “oscillating hook,” Machine No.66-1, stands horizontally and its bobbin is more easily accessible. The “rotary hook,” Machine No. 115-1, stands vertically and rotates around a central bobbin. The shuttles and bobbins, also the formation of the stitch by the respective machines, are illustrated and described as follows: