Patent GB-190418715-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Knitting Machines and to Fabrics Produced thereon.
Inventor: WILDT HERMAN
Filed: 1904-08-30
Granted: 1905-08-11
Abstract: 18,715. Wildt, H. Aug. 30. Circular knitting-machines.-Relates to a machine for producing a stocking or sock consisting of two longitudinal sections of different kinds of yarn united along their edges, or in which the leg and instep are of one kind of yarn while the heel, foot, and toe are of another kind. The needles are arranged circularly and are divided into two series b<1>, b<2> . . . b<3>, a<1>, a<2> ... a<31> of long and short needles, the butts of which lie in different planes and are operated by two sets of cams e, d, Each set of needles is provided with a separate feeder 2, 3. In forming a seamless tubular stocking, the leg A, Fig. 1, is first formed by the continuous rotary motion of both sets of cams, using a single thread around both groups of needles ; then the heel b is knitted from a single thread the cams d reciprocating about the needles a &c. ; then the foot C and instep D are knitted by using two threads the two sets of cams d, e, each reciprocating about one group of needles, and finally the toe is knitted from a single thread in a similar manner to the knitting of the heel. The end needle of each group is introduced between the two end needles of the other, as shown in Fig. 2. By this arrangement, when using two threads, as for knitting the foot and instep, the thread G, Fig. 4, on the needles b passes in front of the needle a<31>, around the needle b<1> by which it is looped, and back in front of the needle a<31>, no stitch being made by this needle since it is not operated by the cams e which operate the needles b &c. ; similarly, the thread F, after being looped over the needle a<31>, passes in front of the needle b<1> to the needle a<30>, no stitch being formed by the needle b<1>. The instep D and foot C formed by the needles b &c., a &c. respectively are thus joined together by the interlocking of the long loops passing in front of the needles a<31>, b<1> respectively, forming a firm suture. The two sets of cams d, e, Fig. 5, are separate and independent, the cams d operating in the usual manner, while the carrier g for the cams e is driven by a bolt i from the carriage of the machine. This bolt slides in a casing k and is provided with a pin i<1> engaging with a cam m attached to a spindle l on which are the pegs n, n<1>. When it is required to put the needles b &c. out of action, as in forming the heel, a disc or projection p<1>, carried on a spring- controlled rod p, Fig. 6, is raised by a pivoted lever o actuated by a atop on a pattern drum &c., and engages with one of the pegs n<1>, rotating the spindle l and cam m through one-sixth of a revolution and so withdrawing the bolt i. The carrier g is held by a slot s in the carrier being engaged by a rod r actuated by a lever q. Upon the completion of the heel, the lever o is released, the disc p<1> falling and engaging with one of the pins n, thus rotating the cam m through another sixth of a revolution and so releasing the bolt i, which is again forced into engagement with the carrier g by means of a spring z. The two series of needles are thus brought into action again, and the instep D and foot C are knitted. The needles b &c. are again thrown out of action during the knitting of the toe.