Patent GB-1155569-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Straight Bar Knitting Machines
Inventor: START ERNEST
IPC: D04B15/66
Filed: 1965-09-23
Abstract: 1,155,569. Programmed control of knitting machines. WILLIAM COTTON Ltd. Sept. 21, 1966 [Sept. 23, 1965], No.40544/65. Heading G3N. [Also in Divisions D1 and H1] A straight bar knitting machine has a programming and controlling arrangement for the number of courses and fashioning motions which comprises a series of manually pre-set electro-mechanical counters for counting courses, fashioning motions and repetitive operation of the course and fashioning motion counts, a programme carrier and electro-mechanical reader selecting the counters through a relay control system so that for one setting of the counters differently shaped blanks can be produced in automatic continuity. As shown, Fig. 8 a programme reader comprises six switches SWS, connected to counters, not shown, which are actuated by feelers F having pegs P co-operating with punched holes in transverse rows forming six columns of an endless punched band B. The feelers are lowered to engage the band by the actuation of an arm A by a cam-follower CF responsive to a cam C. A drum D carrying the band B is racked-on by a pawl PW, engaging a ratchet wheel RW, actuated by a camfollower CF responsive to a cam CI. The arrangement is such that for any racked position of the punched band a hole in any one of the six columns will cause the closure of a switch SWS to introduce the associated counter into the knitting operation. In the control system, Fig. 2, the series of relay coils, which are connected in common to a 115v line, comprise course count stepping coils 1CS, 2CS and course reset coils 1CR, 2CR, CSRR of course counters 1C, 2C; fashion stepping coils 1FS-3FS and fashion frequency reset coils 1FR- 3FS of fashion counters 1F-3F; multi-stepping coil MSC; multiplier reset and safety coils MRT, MRTA, MRTB of a multiplier counter M; a fashion slave coil FSC, which operates a fashions solenoid, not shown, to initiate a fashioning motion of the machine; and a rack relay solenoid CRR which causes the punched band to be racked on. The other ends of coils 1CS, 2CS, 1FS-3FS are connected to switches D7, E7, A7, B7, C7 of the programmed reader which are commoned or connected to a switch MSRM1 for changing between programmed and manual control. Manual control is effected through a rotary switch MRS having contacts connected to the courses and fashions counters 1G.2C, 1F-3F. The switch MSRM1 is connected through a count switch SW, operated by a cam on the main cam-shaft of the machine so that it opens and closes once per course, a normally closed count break switch CBR1 and a bank of reset switches M7, N7, J7, K7, L7 of the courses and fashions counters to a 115v line. The other ends of coils CSRR, 1CR, 2CR are connected in common to switches M7, N7 and a normally open contact of a course fashion control switch CSRR1, the alternative contact of which is connected to the fashion slave coil FSC. The arm of the switch CSRR1 is connected, together with the common connection from fashion frequency reset coils 1FR-3FR and the multi-stepping coil MSC, to a common connection of switches J7-L7. The multiplier coils MRTA, MRT are connected to the normally open contact of a multiplier reset switch R7 and, when energized open a switch MRTA2 which isolates the coil MSC from a reader switch H7 and the normally closed contact of the switch R7. When energized, relay MRTB opens a switch MRTB2 to isolate coil MSC. When courses are to be produced and counted the counters 1C, 2C are manually pre-set and selected by reader switches E7, D7 and when fashioning is required at a desired course frequency counters 1F-3F are manually pre-set and selected by reader switches A7, B7, C7. Any count can be multiplied by 1 to 20 through reader switch H7 bringing in the multiplier counter M.