Improvements in Knitting Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 9th May, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knitting Machines.
I, GUSTAV LOUIS OEMLER, of the firm of Leipziger Strickmaschinen Fabrik
of Leipsic, in the Empire of Germany, Machine Builder, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to obtain a knitted fabric of various patterns
automatically, and in such a manner that the different designs should follow in a
certain pre-determined order, by means of knitting machines provided with needle-
plates in which long and short needles are driven by locks or cams placed above
each other. To attain this object :-(1) one of the needle-beds is made capable of
automatic displacement in relation to the other stationary needle-bed within a
range of say from 1 to 5 needle spaces; and (2) the locks or cams operating the
needles are so arranged as to produce various kinds of loops, meshes or stitches
(including plain and all kinds of ordinary ribs cardigan as well as pearl) in any
desired or pre-determined order of succession, for which purpose it is only
necessary to alter or adjust as required the position of the middle cam whereby
the needles are moved upwardly.
As the driving shaft completes one revolution the slide or carriage supporting
the operating cams moves once in either direction (.e. from right to left and
vice-versa) to the full extent of its reciprocating stroke. The driving shaft
imparts motion to two pinions in gear with each other through the medium of
the driving wheel and an intermediate wheel, one pinion turning from left to right,
and the other pinion in the opposite direction, and both rotating with a velocity
twice as great as that of the driving shaft.
The two pinions transmit motion to two shafts adjacent and parallel to each
other, on which are mounted two sleeve-shaped cams, held in position by a spring
guide common to both which connects them to each other so as to move together
longitudinally on their respective shafts. This connection is obtained by so
arranging the cams or sleeves that a tooth on one sleeve longitudinally projects,
a distance greater than its width, into the path of a tooth on the other sleeve
either tooth turning into a different plane.
But when these
A segment or part of a disc provided with teeth of a peculiar shape is fixed to
a rotary shaft in such a manner that the rotary motion of the segment and of the
rotary shaft causes a lever' arm secured to the shaft to turn at the same time.
This lever arm is connected by means of a rod with the rear-needle bed movable
laterally for racking with the result that, according as the segment turns to the
right or to the left, this rear needle bed also moves in the corresponding direction.
The teeth of the sleeves when in their normal position are maintained by springs
and are situated outside the path of rotation of the segment.
sleeves are displaced upon their shafts longitudinally so that a tooth is thrown into
gear with the segment, one revolution of the said tooth will cause the said segment
to turn a distance equal to the width of one of the teeth of such segment, whereby
the hind or rear needle bed is moved a corresponding distance that is one needle
space to the left, while the other tooth in this case stands in front of the segment
and conversely when the displacement of the sleeves is sufficient for the other
tooth to be thrown into gear with the toothed segment, the tooth first mentioned
In that
will be out of gear with this segment and be situated behind the same.
case one revolution of the sleeve will cause the segment to turn one space in the
opposite direction and the needle-bed will be moved correspondingly.
To ensure the automatic displacement of the operating sleeves, one sleeve is
provided with a section of a ring upon which are formed two helical inclines of

page_text: different angles. To enable the sleeves to be controlled by means of these inclines
a double-armed lever is pivotted at right angles to them. When this lever is at
rest, being maintained in this condition by a spring-action, one of its arms is
situated above the ring section. This arm is provided with a stop, bevelled so as
to correspond with the said inclines; but when the lever is displaced in such a
manner that the stop or projection moves into the path of rotation of the portion
of the ring bevelled at a less angle, the incline engages with the stop and thereby
causes the sleeve to advance sufficiently for the first mentioned tooth to get into
gear with the segment. When the said tooth has turned the segment a part of a
circle the ring section, terminating at this point, will cause the sleeves to be forced
back into their original position by means of springs. The same will occur when
the arm of the lever with the stop is sufficiently depressed for the upper incline to
be similarly engaged.
The automatic adjustment of the double armed lever is effected by a ratchet
wheel to which motion is conveyed from the main shaft of the machine through
the medium of a lever and pawl it being moved, both at the end and the beginning
of each half revolution, a distance corresponding to one space between a pair of
teeth. The barrel-shaped portion of the ratchet wheel is provided with as many
openings or holes as there are ratchet teeth on the periphery of the wheel, and
there may be as many rows of such openings or holes as there are mechanisms
which it is desired to operate by means of this ratchet wheel. Into these openings
or holes which may be tapped or otherwise, pins or screws of unequal or various
lengths may be inserted as desired. The pins inserted into one of these rows of
openings will operate one arm of a bell crank lever while the other arm of the
said lever projects below the arm of the double armed lever. When one arm of
the bell crank lever is raised by the action of a short pin inserted into the ratchet
wheel the other arm will press upon the arm of the double armed lever whereby
the latter is caused to leave its position of rest, so that the stop can project into
the path of the small incline of the ring-section, thereby causing the sleeves to
assume such a position that the tooth of one sleeve gears with the segment, moves
it a portion of a circle, equivalent to one space between a pair of teeth, and
consequently moves also the back needle-bed to the left, the distance of one needle
space. If the pin acting upon the bell crank lever is double the length of that
just mentioned, the operating sleeves are moved by the double armed and bell
cranked levers in such a manner, that the tooth of a siceve is caused to gear with
the toothed segment, whereby the movable needle-bed is correspondingly displaced
one needle space to the right. Thus according to the size and position of the said
pins on the ratchet wheel the movable bed can, as required, be moved to the right
or to the left.
To enable the needles to produce meshes, loops or stitches of various descriptions
(plain and all kinds of ordinary ribs, cardigan etc.) without regard to the position
of the side or lateral cams (which cause the needles to descend) the centre cam
which causes the needles to ascend is divided into two sections. The centre cam is
divided into a main part and an end or top portion or point, the latter being
adapted to move upwardly, that is to the position in which the loop or stitch
commonly known as cardigan is formed, the needle being only moved up a distance
equal to the total height of the main section. When the top portion is in its
lowered position the needle is driven up to the full extent of the height of the
centre cam and forms a complete mesh. The centre cam which, with all its
attachments, is interposed between the side cams in such a manner that the needles
cannot be grasped by it, and remain at rest, that is take no part in the knitting
operation. Thus it will be seen that according to the position of the centre cams
of the two sets of cams situated respectively at the front and rear (the upper ones
of which are acting upon short needles and the lower ones upon long needles) they
will as desired either form no loops or meshes at all, or produce meshes of various
descriptions in any desired order of succession.
To enable the main section and also the point of the middle cam to be operated.

page_text: automatically, either on the right or the left side of the machine, by means of
projections or stops provided upon side plates of the machine the main sections of
the middle cam are each fitted with two slides arranged adjacent to each other in
such a manner that whenever one of the slides comes in contact with the stop
provided for it on the right side of the machine, that triangle section is moved
upwards, while whenever the other slide similarly comes into contact with the other
stop of the machine, the main sections of the centre cam are moved downwardly.
When these parts meet or operate on the left side of the machine. the same effect
is produced, except that the slide which on the right side had driven the main
section upwardly will now depress it, while that which had moved the triangle
downwards will now cause it to rise or ascend.
The top portions of the centre cam are provided with two levers which are
independent of the main portion and operated by slides placed one above the
other. When these levers strike the stops provided for the purpose, the top
portions are thereby displaced in exactly the same manner as the main section, but
quite independently of the latter.
For the automatic operation of the top portions and the main section of the
cams, the stops are shifted from their position of rest in which they are maintained
by spring-action; for which purpose one stop acts upon the slide of the main cam
section and the other stops exert their action upon the top portion through the
medium of bell crank levers secured to the bed-plate of the machine, this being
effected either by direct action or by means of the rod or link. According to the
position of the stops either of the slides co-operating therewith, engages with them
and brings about a corresponding displacement of the sections of the centre cam.
To enable these bell crank levers to operate the stops automatically, a series of
holes are provided in a ratchet wheel into which suitable pins are screwed or
otherwise inserted and when one of these pins raises the arm of the bell crank
lever working in connection with it, the other arm of the said lever will act upon
the stop. But if as the ratchet wheel is moved further, the lever arm just raised
is released through the displacement of the pin the lever is thereby pressed back
into its normal position by spring-action.
Dated this 10th day of July 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knitting Machines.
I, GUSTAV LOUIS OEMLER of the firm of Leipziger Strick-Maschinen-Fabrik,
Plagwitz, Leipzig, in the Empire of Germany, Hosiery Machine Builder, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of this invention is to obtain a knitted fabric of various patterns
automatically, and in such a manner that the different designs follow in a certain
predetermined order, by means of knitting machines provided with needle-beds in
which long and short needles are driven by locks or cams placed above each other.
To attain this object:-
1. One of the needle beds is made capable of automatic displacement in relation
to the other stationary needle-bed within a range of say from 1 to 5 needle spaces;
and
2. The cams or locks operating the needles are so arranged as to produce
various kinds of loops, or stitches, (including plain and all kinds of ordinary ribs
Cardigan as well as pearl) in any desired or predetermined order of succession, for
which purpose it is only necessary to alter or adjust as required the position of the
middle cam whereby the needles are moved upwardly.

page_text: As the driving shaft A (Sheets 1 and 2 Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7) completes one
revolution, the slide or carriage supporting the operating cams moves once in either
direction (.e. from right to left and rice versa) to the full extent of its reciprocating
stroke. The driving shaft imparts motion to the two pinions C₁ C²in gear with
each other, (Sheets 1 and 2, Figures 2, 5, 6 and 7) through the medium of the
driving wheel B₁ and an intermediate wheel B2, the pinion C¹ turning from left to
right, and the other pinion C in the opposite direction, and both rotating with a
velocity twice as great as that of the driving shaft A.
The two pinions C C transmit motion to the shafts E' E' (Sheets 1 and 2,
Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7) adjacent and parallel to each other.
On these shafts are mounted the sleeve-shaped cams D'D³ (Sheets 1 and 2
Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7) held in position by a spring guide common to both,
which consists of springs ii and a plate i engaging both shafts and connecting
them to each other so that they move together longitudinally on their respective
shafts.
The cams or sleeves are arranged so that the tooth on the sleeve D¹ (Sheet 2,
Figures 6 and 7) longitudinally projects, a distance greater than its width, into the
path of the tooth of the sleeve D2 either tooth turning in a different plane.
To a rotary shaft F (Sheets 1 and 2 Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is fixed the segment G
(Sheets 1 and 2 Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) forming part of a disc provided with
teeth of a peculiar shape.
By this means the rotary motion of the segment G and of the rotary shaft F
causes a lever arm H (Sheets 1 and 2, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) rigidly secured to the
shaft to turn at the same time. This lever arm is connected by means of a rod
with the rear needle bed movable laterally for racking with the result that,
according as the segment G turns to the right or to the left, this rear needle bed
also moves in the corresponding direction.
The teeth of the sleeves D D2 when in their normal position in which they are
maintained by the springs i, i, (Sheets 1 and 2 Figures 1, 4, 6, 7) are situated
outside the path of rotation of the segment G. But when these sleeves D₁ D* are
displaced upon their shafts longitudinally so that the tooth is thrown into gear
with the segment G, one revolution of the tooth will cause the said segment G
to turn a distance equal to the width of one of the teeth of such segment, whereby
the hind or rear needle-bed is moved a corresponding distance, that is, one needle
space to the left, while the other tooth in this case stands in front of the
segment G and conversely when the displacement of the sleeves D1 D2 is sufficient
for the tooth to be thrown into gear with the toothed segment G the tooth d¹
will be out of gear with this segment and be situated behind the same.
In that case one revolution of the sleeve D² will cause the segment G to turn one
space in the opposite direction and the needle-bed will be moved correspondingly.
To ensure the automatic displacement of the operating sleeves, the sleeve D¹ is
provided with a section of the ring K (Figures 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 Sheets 1 and 2) upon
which are formed two helical inclines of different angles.
To enable the sleeves D' and D to be controlled by means of these inclines a
double-armed lever L Sheets 1 and 2 Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7) is pivoted at right
angles to them. When this lever is at rest, being maintained in this condition by a
spring-action, one of its arms is situated above the ring section K.
This arm is provided with a stop bevelled so as to correspond with the said
inclines; but when the lever is displaced in such a manner that the stop or
projection moves into the path of rotation of the portion of the ring K bevelled
at a less angle, the incline engages with the stop and thereby causes the sleeve to
advance sufficiently for the tooth to get into gear with the segment G. When
the tooth d has turned the segment G a part of a circle the ring section, terminating
at this point, will cause the sleeves to be forced back into their original position by
the springs-i, i. The same will occur when the arm of the lever with the stop l' is
sufficiently depressed for the upper incline to be similarly engaged, in which case it
will be the tooth of the sleeve D' which will gear with the toothed segment G.

page_text: The automatic adjustment of the lever L is effected by a ratchet wheel M
(Sheet 1, Figures 1 and 2) to which motion is conveyed from the main shaft A of
the machine through the medium of a lever and pawl, it being moved, both at the
end and the beginning of each half revolution, a distance corresponding to one
space between a pair of teeth.
The barrel-shaped portion of this ratchet wheel is provided with as many openings
or holes as there are ratchet teeth on the periphery of the wheel, and there may be
as many rows of such openings or holes as there are mechanisms which it is desired
to operate by means of this ratchet wheel. Into these openings or holes (which
may be tapped or otherwise), pins or screws of unequal or various lengths may be
inserted as desired.
11
The pins inserted into one of these rows of openings will operate one arm n¹ of
the bell crank lever N (Sheets 1 and 2, Figures 1, 2, 4) while the other arm n
of the said lever (Figures 1, 4, 5, 6, 7) projects below the arm of the lever L.
When the lever arm is raised by the action of a short pin inserted into the
ratchet wheel the arm will press upon the arm of the lever L whereby the
latter is caused to leave its position of rest, so that the stop (Sheet 2 Figures 6
and 7) can project into the path of the small incline of the ring-section K, thereby
causing the sleeves D' D' to assume such a position that the tooth of D¹ gears with
the segment G, moves it a portion of a circle, equivalent to one space between a
pair of teeth, and consequently moves also the back needle-bed to the left, the
distance of one needle space.
If the pin acting upon the lever N is double the length of that just mentioned,
the operating sleeves are moved by the arms or levers L and N in such a manner.
that the tooth of D2 is caused to gear with the toothed segment G, whereby the
movable needle-bed is correspondingly displaced one needle space to the right.
Thus according to the size and position of the said pins on the ratchet wheel the
movable bed can, as required, be moved to the right or to the left. To enable the
needles to produce meshes, loops, or stitches, of various descriptions, (plain and all
kinds of ordinary ribs, Cardigan &c.) without regard to the position of the side
or lateral cams (which cause the needles to descend) the centre cam (which causes
the needles to ascend) is divided into two sections, as shewn in Sheet 3,
Figures 12, 13, 14, and in Sheet 4, Figures 18, 23, 24, and 25, illustrating various
arrangements for which the cam or centre cam O is fitted. In Figures 12 and 13,
Sheet 3, is shewn the centre cam O divided into the main part o' and end or top
portion or point o³, the latter being adapted to move upwardly, that is, to the
raised position shewn and in which the loop or stitch commonly known as Cardigan
is formed, the needle being only moved up a distance equal to the total height of the
main section o¹.
When the top portion o² is in the lowered position shewn in Figures 14, 15,
Sheet 3, the needle is driven up. to the full extent of the height of the centre cam
and forms a complete mesh.
In Figure 25, Sheet 4, is shewn the cam O which, with all its attachments, is
interposed between the side cams in such a manner that the needles cannot be
grasped by it, and remain at rest, that is, take no part in the knitting operation.
Thus it will be seen, that according to the position of the centre cams of the two
sets of cams situated respectively at the front and rear (the upper ones of which are
acting upon the short needles and the lower ones upon the long needles) they will as
desired, either form no loops or meshes at all, or produce meshes of various descrip-
tions in any desired order of succession.
To enable the main section and also the top portion O' of the middle cam
to be operated automatically, either on the right or the lett side of the machine, by
means of the projections or stops P P (Sheet 3 Figure 8) provided upon side plates
of the machine, the main sections O' of the middle cam O are each fitted with two
slides S S (Figures 16 to 25, Sheet 4) arranged adjacent to each other in such a
manner that, whenever one of the slides comes into contact with the stop provided
for it on the right side of the machine, that cam section is moved upwards, while

page_text: whenever the other slide similarly comes into contact with the other stop of the
machine, the main sections O¹ of the centre cam are moved downwardly.
When these parts meet or operate on the left side of the machine, the same effect
is produced, except that the slide which on the right side had driven the main
section upwardly will now depress it, while that which had moved the cam
downwards will now cause it to rise or ascend. The cam points or tops 02 are
provided with two levers R R2, which are independent of the main portion o¹ and
operated by the slides 91 93, placed one above the other.
When these levers strike the stops provided for the purpose, the top portions o
are thereby displaced in exactly the same manner as the main section o', but quite
independently of the latter.
For the automatic operation of the top portions or tops o' and the main section o
of the cams O, the stops P1 P2 are shifted from their position of rest (in which they
are maintained by spring-action) for which purpose the stop P' acts upon the slide
of the main cam-section o' and the other stop P exert their action upon the top
portion through the medium of bell crank levers T T (Sheet 3, Figures 8, 9, 10)
secured to the bed plate of the machine, this being effected, either by direct action,
or by means of the rod or link u.
According to the position of the stops P1 P2 either of the slides q¹ g or s¹ s³
co-operating therewith, engages with them and brings about a corresponding
displacement of the sections o' o² of the centre cam.
To enable these bell crank levers T to operate the stops P P automatically, a
series of holes are provided in the ratchet wheel M (see Sheet 1, Figures 1 and 2)
and also the detail views (Sheet 3, Figures 8 and 9) into these holes suitable pins
are screwed or otherwise inserted, and when one of these pins raises the arm of
the lever T working in connection with it, the other arm of the said lever will act
upon the stop P.
But, if as the ratchet wheel M is moved further, the lever arm just raised is
released through the displacement of the pin, and the lever T is thereby pressed
back into its normal position by the spring action.
In order to increase the working capacity of the counter mechanism without
increasing the size of the pattern wheel V there is arranged adjacent to the latter
a small auxiliary wheel VI having the same number of teeth as V.
Under ordinary circumstances these two wheels are moved forward simultaneously
by two pawls W W' attached to the same lever X. Each of the pawls is provided
with a disengaging tappet Y Y respectively, arranged in such a manner that the
tappet engaging with the pins or stops of the auxiliary wheel arrests the pattern
wheel, while the stops of the pattern wheel arrest the auxiliary wheel through the
medium of its pawl (Figures 28, 32, 33, and 34).
If it is desired to knit an additional length of ordinary fabric without disturbing
the arrangement of the pins in the pattern wheel or of employing a larger pattern
wheel the auxiliary wheel V₁ and the pattern wheel are alternately thrown out of
action and continue in operation alone during the time such additional length of
fabric is being knitted when the two wheels V and V' will again come into operation
and move together simultaneously as before.
Suppose for instance it be desired to produce a piece of fabric twenty courses
longer than the arrangement of the pattern wheel admits of, then the pattern and
the auxiliary wheels would have twenty pins placed in each of their respective
circumferences and in approximately corresponding holes in each wheel.
When the pins on the pattern wheel V come into contact with the tappet Y² the
latter would be raised thereby simultaneously elevating the pawl W², connected
thereto and actuating the auxiliary wheel, and arrest the motion of the latter, the
pattern wheel meanwhile continuing to move forward alone. Immediately the pins
on the pattern wheel pass out of contact with the tappet Y² the pawl W will be
lowered into engagement with the auxiliary wheel and the latter is again brought
into action.
The stops on the auxiliary wheel V₁ will now elevate the tappet Y' and the

page_text: pawl W and thus arrest the movement of the pattern wheel, which having previously
moved forward alone will now remain inactive until the twenty stops on the auxiliary
wheel pass out of contact with the tappet Y¹, by this time the twenty additional
courses will have been vorked, the two wheels will commence to move forward
simultaneously, and ordinary knitting be resumed.
When both wheels having completed one revolution are to reach the same
point again, each of them must necessarily be fitted with the same number of dis-
engaging pins or stops.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The arrangement of a kuitting machine in which a plate movable sideways, is
capable of being automatically moved one or more needle spaces in either direction
during and without an interruption of the operation of the machine, such movement
being obtained by means of a segment acted upon by two cams provided with one
tooth each and adapted to turn in opposite directions and be controlled auto-
matically, by means of a ratchet wheel set in motion by the machine itself, and
adapted to have movable pins suitably inserted into it substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. The arrangement of knitting machines, whereby under the action of pins
adapted to be inserted in various ways into a ratchet wheel, and through the
medium of levers, movable stops and slides, the operating locks of the knitting
machine may during the operation of the latter, that is without its being necessary
to stop the same, be adjusted so as to produce lengths of knitted fabric of any
desired size, consisting of stitches of any desired description (plain, right and right,
catch or pearl) and in any required order of succession or alternation substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of May 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.