Patent GB-226280-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to circular knitting machines
IPC: D04B9/06
Filed: 1923-09-19
Abstract: 226,280. Mills, J. A. Sept. 19, 1923. Circular machines.-In machines of the kind in which " fashioning " needles, which can be put into and out of action as required, are disposed in a horizontal bed surrounding the needle cylinder, means are provided for ensuring that the fashioning needles draw the proper length of loop, the needles are moved into range of the knitting cams by cam-operated jacks, and means are provided for transferring the loops to the cylinder needles during narrowing. The " fashioning " needles B are disposed in radial tricks in an annular bed D and are moved inwardly by jacks G into the range of the knitting cams in a cam-ring F connected by a post E<1> to the cylinder cam box E, the needles being actuated by the cams to knit a course and subsequently delivered free of the cams so that if the needles B are to knit every course they must be moved in every course by the jacks G. The needles B are sub-divided into four groups, one or more of the corresponding needles of each group being put into or out of action simultaneouslv so that widening and narrowing will occur at four points in the circumference of the work. In order to move the jacks G inwards, the outer ends thereof are arranged at different levels and are engaged by a vertically movable cam plate H actuated by a stepped cam K rotated by pawl and ratchet mechanism by a stud projecting into the path of a lever N, which, together with the cams H, K, rotates on a whole with the cylinder cam box E. The rising movement of the stud which engages the lever N is controlled by pattern chain mechanism. In order to bring all the jacks G into action silultaneously a pivoted cam plate P is provided and moved into operative position by the inclined end of a pin Q having an extension Q<3> bearing on a cam K<2> in the interior of the stepped cam K. In order to ensure that the needles B draw the same length of loop as the cylinder needles, instruments R, working in tricks at the side of the needles B and actuated bv butts R<1> thereon engaging a cam groove in the cam ring F, are provided with flat portion R<2> with a forked extremity which holds the work directly under the needles as they draw their loops. In order that loops on the needles B may be delivered to the cylinder needles during narrowing, studs S are provided which, when rotated, spring the needles sideways so that the cylinder needles rise through the loops thereon, the bending of the needles being limited by stops R<2> provided on the instruments R. The studs S are rotated by arms S' attached thereto, engaged by a slide T carried in a fixed bracket T<1> and moved inwards by action of the end of the corresponding needle jack G which, when the needle goes out of action, projects into the path of a lever W, which is thereby moved outwards so that a depending pin W<2> thereon moves a lever V inwards to engage the slide T. Widening may be effected by bending over the fashioning needle so that it first takes the thread a cylinder needle space to the right or left of its normal position and subsequently returns to and continues to knit in its proper position. The invention is applicable to rib machines.