Patent GB-362650-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to punching presses, particularly for pattern cards as used in knitting machines
IPC: D03C17/00
Filed: 1930-11-24
Abstract: 362,650. Punching metal pattern bands. SIEGRIST, F., Oftringen, Switzerland. Nov. 24, 1930, No. 35366. Convention date, Jan. 11. [Class 142 (i).] In punching the metal bands serving as pattern cards for controlling the knitting needles of automatic multicolour knitting-machines, the descent of the tool 24 to effect the punching is governed by a feeler device 16 which may coact with removable cam members 44 adjustable on an endless pattern chain 34. In a modification, the feeler 16 is controlled by cam members 62, Fig. 7, on a disc, the rotation of which is governed by cams comprising removable plugs 63 inserted in holes 54, Fig. 8, arranged in helical circumferential rows in a cylinder 52, Figs. 2 and 8, which is rotated step by step and also moved axially by means described. Supporting and moving the work. The metal band 26 is clamped to the work table 1 by an adjustable clamping device 27 and by a clamping device 28 displaceably fguided on the table 1 and connected to a lever 30 pivoted to the table and connected to a rope 32, which tends to stretch the band 26 and move the table to the right. A check pawl 33 acting on a rack 13 on the table 1 prevents unintentional movement of the table and work, which are fed forwards step by step by a pawl 12, lever mechanism 10, 9 and a cam 3. The slide 23 carrying the punch 24 is moved up and down by a part 22 driven through a coupling from a powerdriven pulley 21, Fig. 3, but this is made ineffective to drive the part 22, so that no punching occurs, if a locking lever 19 connected by lever mechanism 18, 15, 16<1> to the feeler 16 enters the circular path of a swingable arm 20. The lever 15 is raised and lowered periodically by a cam lever and a rod 14, which is made in two parts connected by a coil spring in a box 17, and when the descent of the lever 15 is not prevented by the occurrence of a cam part 44 beneath the feeler 16 punching occurs, otherwise it is prevented. The endless pattern chain comprises bars 43, Fig. 5, linked together and passing around a cylinder 35, which is intermittently rotated by a wheel 36 and ratchet mechanism operated by cam-controlled lever mechanism. The cams 44 may comprise guide studs displaceably secured on recessed pairs of the bars 43 and held in position by spring-controlled balls. Each bar 43 may have six recesses, thus furnishing six guideways for the studs, which can thus be arranged in six different groupings, the feeler arm 16 being adapted to be moved on its shaft so as to co-operate with one or the other of these groups. The punching tool may make a single aperture 49, or, when it is operative at succeeding feed steps of the table, may make large apertures 50, 51. For a three-colour pattern, three groups of studs are arranged on the bars, three different metal bands being punched in succession. In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the cylinder 52 may be provided with four rows of holes to receive came, in the form of slotted plugs 63, which act on a feeler arm 55 and by lever mechanism 57, 58 and ratchet mechanism rotate the cam disc co-operating with the feeler arm 16. When a space between the cams 62 is in position beneath the feeler 16 punching proceeds and the operation only ceases when the feeler arm 55 is engaged by a stud 63 on the cylinder 52. A spoked wheel or a sliding track furnished with plugs may replace the cylinder 52, or a rotatable body furnished with plugs may control a feeler arm for directly controlling the punching without a second feeler member.