Patent GB-962137-A (GB)
Title: Improved method and machine for knitting seamless gloves
IPC: D04B7/04
Filed: 1961-08-16
Abstract: 962,137. Knitting. R. C. POWELL. Aug. 16, 1961 [Aug. 23, 1960], No. 29630/61. Headings D1C and A parallel machine for knitting seamless gloves is provided with pairs of needles for example X18, XT1 and X19, XT2 in one bed, and X<SP>1</SP>18, X<SP>1</SP>T<SP>1</SP> and X<SP>1</SP>19, X<SP>1</SP>T2 in the other bed at positions corresponding to the crotch points between two furcations such that, for example, the thumb may be knitted on the needles T3... T9 and one needle of each pair XT1, XT2 in the one bed and T<SP>1</SP>3. . . T<SP>1</SP>9 and one needle X<SP>1</SP>T1,X<SP>1</SP>T2 in the other bed, and subsequently the index finger may be knitted using the other needles X18,X19,X<SP>1</SP>i8,X<SP>1</SP>19 of the pairs together with the remaining group of needles for the index finger. The needles of each pair are positioned closer together than are the other needles and do not have a sinker or a yarn engaging surface positioned between them as do the other needles. Initially the needles of each pair before the commencement of the thumb or any of the fingers are operated simultaneously so that a single loop is produced Fig. 2a. Immediately prior to the commencement of the thumb or of the fingers each needle of the pair is so operated that it is provided with a loop independent of the other Fig. 2c. Alternatively only one needle of each pair is initially operative, Fig. 3a whereupon before knitting the thumb or fingers the needle which has been held inoperative is rendered operative with the other needle to enable both needles to receive loops Fig. 3c. This may also be done by rendering in one course the initial operative needle inoperative when introducing the needle which has been held inoperative and in the next course rendering the latter needle inoperative and reintroducing the original needle of the pair Fig. 3f. Thus having achieved a separate loop on each needle of each pair prior to the formation of the adjacent thumb or finger the thumb or finger can be knitted by the corresponding needles for it together with the one needle of each pair at the crotch whilst the remaining needles are retained out of action. On completion of that thumb or finger the loops are cast off all the needles which have knitted it and those needles are thereafter rendered inoperative. After completion of the thumb the remaining needles continue to knit as before with each @@ing a single loop or only one needle of each pair operative until the knitting of the little finger is required whereupon the pairs of needles at the crotch point between the little finger and the next are operated in similar manner to that for the thumb, and the little finger is ultimately knitted. Subsequently the remaining fingers are knitted in like manner. This arrangement enables the commencement of the thumb and little finger to be achieved at different levels to the remaining fingers. To enable the needles to be so operated to produce the glove, each bed of the machine has a pattern drum 144 containing a series of pattern strips 150 each provided with a series of frangible teeth. The pattern drums are rotated by pawl and ratchet operated from a cam drum on the machine to bring each strip in succession into alignment for contact with the tongues 192 of a series of elements 190 pivoted at 186. The lower ends 194 of the elements 190 are adapted to engage corresponding fingers 196 which are slotted at 198 to engage a pivot pin 188, Fig. 14. The fingers 196 correspond in number to the number of needles and their lower ends engage in the needle tricks whereby they can be pivoted to engage and project the needles. If the element 190 has been selected and pivoted by a tooth on the strip 150 the finger 196 will be projected along its slot to position the pivot pin 188 at its rear end so that when the upper end of the finger 196 is engaged by a cam 216b on a slide 214b the finger will pivot and select the needle by projecting it. If on the other hand the element is not selected the finger remains with its pivot pin 188 at the front end of the slot 198 and although it is pivoted by the cam 216b the action does not affect the corresponding needle. There is a pair of cams 216a, 216b Fig. 19 mounted on the cam carriage operated by pin and slot connections by a slide 220, engaging stops at the end of each stroke such that a leading cam 216a, 216b is always in the operative position to select the needles prior to their passage through the knitting cams. In like manner the knitting cams 78, 78a are operated by a slide 84, Fig. 8, engaging stops at the end of each stroke to position them for clearing or knitting action. To enable the needles of each pair to draw yarn simultaneously at the same level to form a single stitch, the edges of the knitting cams 78, 78a are recessed as at 81, 81a, Fig. 10 and the butts 39, 39a on the needles are of differing length so that the clearing and the draw of the leading needle is delayed to coincide with that of the following needle. A top cam 70 is also provided having a swinging centre cam 72 pivoted thereto. The top cam 70 is adjustable by means of an eccentric. Application 24265/1893 and Specifications 835,541, 835,542 and U.S. A. Specifications 582,547 and 2,418,957 are referred to.