Fashioned Selvaged Articles in Plain Knitting.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 27th June, 1888
Complete Accepted, 27th July, 1888
TH
Fashioned Selvaged Articles in Plain Knitting.
We GASTON VERDIER and ERNEST SCHULTZ both of 5 Rue Sainte Cecile Paris in
the Republic of France, Manufacturers, trading as Verdier and Schultz do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of knitting machine whereby a
greater speed is attained, and a greater certainty and improvement in the selvaging
of the knitted product is secured.
•
In this improved straight knitting machine, indenting, dividing, and knocking-over
sinkers are employed as usual; the plane of motion of the indenting and dividing
sinkers is practically horizontal, and that of the needles vertical or nearly so.
In machines employed in the production of some classes of goods, the dividing
sinkers will however be omitted.
The machine is provided with a cam shaft capable of shogging longitudinally
during the narrowing in the usual manner, the narrowing operation being performed
by the aid of mechanism similar to the "Cotton" machine. This cam shaft governs,
by means of cams acting on bowls carried by arms or levers, the following parts or
organs of the knitting machine, viz.: (1) A needle bar pivotted on a horizontal axis
parallel to the plane of the needles, and situate in rear of this plane, in such a manner
that the heads of the needles, when in motion, describe an arc which approaches a
vertical line. (2) A sinker bar pivotted on a horizontal axis parallel to the plane of
the needles, and arranged in front of this plane in such a manner that the nebs of the
sinkers (which slide in grooves or "tricks" in the sinker bar) describe an arc which
approaches a horizontal straight line. Above the sinkers is arranged a presser bar

page_text: taking the place of the ordinary comb springs. This bar is grooved at one part of
its width to form guides for the sinkers, and carries on another part a cushion of
leather, india rubber, or similar material. Below the sinkers are arranged three bars,
a moving bar, a dividing bar, and a regulating bar.. The first two of these hars
move only in the same directions as the sinkers, and the third moves only in a direction
at right angles to the movements of the sinkers. The moving bar and the dividing
bar carry fixed tappets acted upon by inclined planes carried by the regulating bar.
This bar is adjustable by a screw or other means in order to regulate the respective
action of the moving bar on the indenting sinkers, and of the dividing bar on the
dividing sinkers. The angle of these inclines and tappets is in the proportion of about
two to one, and they are so arranged that any regulation of the indenting action
causes automatically a corresponding regulation of the dividing action, and that
without interfering with the action of the moving bar upon the indenting sinkers at
the moment of dividing. Other movable spring tappets situate near the sinker bar
• present inclined faces corresponding to the inclination of the inclines of the regulating
bar, and act upon the traversing blado or slur cock in such a manner that its inclines,
at the commencement at each traverse, strike the sinkers to the desired depth of
indentation. The moving bar is actuated by fingers carried upon arms governed by
the cam shaft, and the bowl of the lever actuating the moving bar is- adjustably
mounted in an inclined slide in such a manner that the action of its cam upon this
bowl can increase the rise of the moving bar, or in other words, tho depth of the
indentation, and can, at the same time, advance the instant of the striking of the
governing lever.
The cam shaft above named also governs a knocking-over sinker bar pivotted on a
fixed horizontal axis-paralled to the plane of the needles, and situated in front of this
plane, so that the movement communicated to the nebs of the knocking over sinkers
shall cause the same to describe an arc, the tangents of which are practically horizontal.
This knocking-over bar, in rocking forwards, serves as a support to the needles at
the moments of indenting and of pressing, and in rocking backwards, facilitates in
general the knocking over of the knitting, and also, at the moment of narrowing,
retires sufficiently from the needles to allow the narrowing points to transfer the loops
without having to pass over the knocking over sinkers.
The fixed horizontal axes upon which the various parts just mentioned are pivotted
are formed by preference of plain shafts, upon which are loosely strung sleeves
connected by arms to the pieces which sustain and serve as bases for these various
parts in such a way as to provide for each of thein a firm support.
A driving pulley carries, in the usual manner, an arrangement of cords giving
motion to a traversing carriage or slide carrying the blade or slur cock, and two pairs
of trip levers arranged in horizontal planes. The thread carriers furnished with
conical tubes are fixed, like the tripping abutments for operating the trip levers, on
horizontal rods which move in a line parallel to the plane of the needles, and upon
these rods spring slides bear frictionally. By this means, all recoil is avoided in the
rods and in the thread carriers, the thread carriers being .always placed at an
invariable distance from each sinker at the moment of its advance.
The present improved straight knitting machine secures also such a manner of
indenting the thread and of forming the selvage, that the indenting is absolutely
uniform both for the selvage loops and for the other loops of the course. The position
of the selvage needle is immediately outside an indenting sinker, and the conical tubes
of the thread carriers do not pass between the needles, nor act as pressers to any of
the needles.,
The thread carrier is stopped with its lower and smaller orifice exactly opposite the
needle outside the selvage, or in other words, between the two sinkers, which enclose
between them the needle outside the selvage, so that the dividing sinker outside the
selvage needle presents the thread to the selvage needle during the dividing, and
secures the passing of this same needle behind the thread in such a way that the thread
will be wrapped round the selvage needle during the next traverse of the thread
carrier.

page_text: The indenting and dividing sinkers are of the same height, and the lower and
smaller orifice of the thread carrier tube passes closo over the upper side of the
sinkers. The conical form or tapering of the thread carrier tube is necessary in order
that knots may pass easily into the upper and larger orifice, and may be squeezed
down during their passage towards the exit or smaller orifice of the tube. This orifice
is by preference elliptic in form, the longer axis of the ellipse lying perpendicular to
the plane of the needles.
In Dutch or other knitting machines without dividing sinkers, the action of the
dividing sinker, as described above in the formation of the selvage, is performed by
an indenting sinker.
The knitting machine is fitted with tho necessary helical or other suitable springs.
Dated this 27th Santomber 1887

page_text: of Fashioned Selvaged Articles in Plain Knitting.
We GASTON VERDIER and ERNEST SCHULTZ both of 5 Rue Sainte Cecile, Paris in
the Republic of France, Manufacturers, trading as Verdier & Schultz, 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:
Our new straight knitting machine is intended to produce knitted articles of
superior quality with increased speed and certainty. We employ indenting sinkers,
dividing sinkers, and knocking-over bits, the indenting and dividing sinkers moving
in a horizontal direction and the needles in a vertical direction. It will be understood
that in certain cases, and for producing certain classes of knitted goods, the dividing
sinkers may be dispensed with.
In the following description, it is supposed that the machine is to be applied to the
manufacture of stockings.
The drawings annexed represent a machine arranged for two " divisions," but it
should be understood that the number may be increased, or reduced to a single
"division."
Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively front and back elevations of the machine constructed
according to our invention.-Fig. 3. is a plan view, partially in section, the section
being taken on a horizontal line passing between the two pairs of pawls or tappets of
the slur box. Fig. 4 is a partial plan view.-Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively right
and left hand elevations of the ends of the machine on an enlarged scale.-Fig. 7 is
a partial sectional elevation, also on an enlarged scale. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively
a partial elevation and plan view, on the larger scale, of a portion of the mechanisin
illustrating the action of the regulating bar upon the moving bar and the dividing
bar, the right hand end of these three bars only being represented. Figs. 10 and 11
are diagram views showing the respective positions of some of the knitting and
narrowing instruments at certain times in the movement of the machine.-Figs. 12
and 13 are sectional elevations, on a still larger scale, of the sinker bar and its
accessories, together with the needle bar.-Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation, on the
same scale, of a portion of the mechanism, showing the manner of governing the
moving bar, and Fig. 15 is a partial view in elevation, on the larger scale, showing
the cam governing the moving bar and its bowl.-Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are respectively
views in elevation, cross section, and in plan, on an enlarged scale, of a part of the
mechanism relating to the arrangement of the tubular thread carrying conductors,
the disengaging abutments, and the corresponding horizontal tappets. Lastly figs. 19
and 20 are partial cross sections of the sinker bar, showing the relative positions of
certain organs at the time of the indenting and dividing.
In all the figures, the same letters of reference indicate the same parts.

page_text: As will be seen in the figures, the main framing of the machine is composed of
two standards A A', braced together by two rails A² A³, forming cross ties. Upon
these cross rails, rests a pedestal bearing A*, supporting, at about the middle of its
length, a cam shaft to be hereafter described. When the machine is to be driven by
hand, bracket bearings A¹* A* are bolted to the front of the standards A A¹, to
carry the ordinary cranked hand wheel shaft.
At Fig. 1, the ends of a shaft only are represented at a, the journals of which are
carriod in bearings in the front part of the standards A A¹. This shaft is intended to
support the knitted work as it is drawn down by the action of a weight.
In hearings conveniently arranged in the standards A A' are supported the principal
shafts for actuating. the principal knitting instruments, namely, the shaft carrying
the sinker bar B and its accessories, the shaft c carrying the needle bar. C, the shaft d
of the knocking over bar D, and the cam shaft E. The first three of these shafts b c
and a constitute so many horizontal axes around which work the bars b c d¹, which
carry the before mentioned knitting instruments.-These bars b¹ c¹ d¹ are connected
by the arms 622 to the sleeves b³ ³ d³, strung loosely upon the shafts b cd, and
moved by the aid of arms and cams, so that each knitting instrument will have a
solid and unchangeable frame. To these sleeves ³ ³ ³ are attached arms & c¹ d*,
carrying at their outer ends bowls or rollers which rest upon cams on the cam shaft E.-
To adjust the position of the above mentioned sleeves (as well as for adjusting other
parts of the machine), we employ short sleeves or rings having adjacent inclined
faces, and which are turned axially in opposite directions, and fixed to their shafts by
set screws. For example, the sleeve 63 has two pairs of short filling-up sleeves 63* on
the shaft b at its right and left hand ends (see Fig. 1).
From the preceding it follows, that we have (1) a sinker bar B and its accessories
moving or working on the horizontal axle 6 parallel to the plane of the needles, and
situate in front of that plane, in such a manner that the movements communicated to
tho catches and the .nebs of the indenting and dividing sinkers y (which slido in
grooves or "tricks" cut in the sinker bar) correspond to an are which approaches
nearly to a horizontal straight line; (2) a needle bar C moving round a horizontal
axle c parallel to the plane of the needles, and situato behind this plane in such a
manner that the movements communicated to the needles, correspond to an are
approaching a vertical straight line; and (3) a knocking over bar D carrying the
knocking over bits z, and moving on the horizontal axle d parallel to the plane of
the needles, and in front of that plane, in such a manner that the movements com-
municated to the knocking over sinkers or bits correspond to an are, the tangents of
which are practically horizontal.
In all that follows, the terms "forward" and "backward" for the movements of
the principal knitting organs, should be understood in the sense of an "approach to,"
or a "retreating from," the plane of the needles.
We shall now describe in detail each of the above organs.
Sinker bar and its accessories (see besides the general views, the detail
Figs. 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 19 and 20).
"
<
Above the indenting and dividing sinkers & y is arranged a pressure bar 6, taking
the place of the ordinary spring pressure. This bar. which works in journals carried
in the bracket supports 66 is provided at its front part with divisions or "tricks" to
guide the sinkers xy, and is furnished on its underside with a band of leather, india
rubber, or analogous material 67. Below the sinkers xy, and in a recess in the
sinker bar, are placed three bars, that is to say, a moving bar", a "dividing
bar and a "
regulating bar" 10. The first two of these bars 68 10 move only in
the same direction as the sinkers xy; the third moves only at right angles to the
sinkers under the action of the screw with a milled head 60*, which may be turned
by hand in either direction.-The regulating bar 10, which is placed below the moving
bar and above the dividing bar 6, has a series of notches cut out of the back (sec
Figs. 9 and 14), practically triangular in plan view. These notches receive wedge
shaped projections * *, the first on the underside of the moving bar 68, and the
second on the upper side of the dividing bar -Further, the notches, and their

page_text: L
corresponding projections of the dividing bar, have inclined faces, the inclination or
angle being one half less than the inclination of the inclined faces of the notches
and corresponding projections of the moving bar, so that the adjustment of the
indenting action carries with it automatically the requisite corresponding adjustment
of the dividing action, and that, while the moving bar pushes back the indenting
sinkers, at the time of dividing, for about half the distance of the indentation. The
bringing of the indenting sinkers into line is effected by two or more pushers 1,
which rest against the moving bar 18.-These pushers are pivotted on the upper end
of arms d mounted and keyed on the shaft d, and which are operated by the lever do,
the bowl d' of which is acted upon by the projection el of the moving bar came (suc
Fig. 15). To obtain (when desired) a deeper indentation of the thread, it is necessary
not only to act upon the moving bar to a greater extent, but also sooner in point of
time, and for this purpose, we mount the bowl d' so as to be adjustable in a guide,
the inclination of which is arranged as follows; see Fig. 15; aẞ is a line passing
through the centres of the cam shaft E and of the bowl d', and γ Sa line at right
angles thereto, a line, e bisecting this angle will give the necessary direction for the
guide of the bowl. In this way, the action of the came upon the bowl d', at the
same time that it increases the depth of the indentation, advances the moment of
the attack of the moving bar by means of the lever. For each division, and at either
end of the division, is a spring bolt such as that represented at 612 (see Figs. 8
and 9). These bolts are fitted into the sinker bar near the sinkers, and in the plane
of the inclines of the slur box.-They can slide in their fitting in the same direction
as the sinkers, and they present. inclined or chamfered faces at both ends. The faces
of the right hand bolt are chamfered in opposite directions, while those of the left
hand bolt are in the same direction. Moreover, the faces of the front ends of the bolts
bear against the inclination of the notch 68* of the regulating bar, and the rear faces
are to push back the blade or slur cock f, which is elastically mounted on the slur
box (as shown at Fig. 7), by acting upon the inclines of the latter when the said
blade strikes the sinkers at the commencement of its traverses.-The springs which
press upon the bolts above mentioned have only the effect of maintaining them
always in contact with the inclined face of the notches 68*.-It will be easily under-
stood, then, that by turning the head of the screw 610* for every longitudinal
movement of the regulating bar in one direction or the other, we shall obtain uniform
and simultaneous adjustment of the moving bar 6 and of the bolts 61, thereby
preventing any injurious action of the blade f2 on the sinkers at the sides of the
divisions when a minimum of indentation is required.-Springs such as 1314 act
either upon the extreure ends of the moving bar 68, or on the side of the dividing
bar 6, and serve to constantly thrust these bars forward.
Needle bar (see, besides the general views, the details at Figs. 12 and 13).-The
various parts which form the needle bar C are secured together by means of screws,
as cc, the latter having a T-head that can be turned across a slot c.-It will be
easily understood that after having brought the knocking-over bar D to the front of
the machine, and loosened the above named screws, it will be easy to replace broken
or worn out needles.
Knocking over bar-(see, besides the general views, the diagrams 10 and 11).-
The knocking over bar D is provided with one or several spiral springs, such as d³,
Fig. 7, or other analogous form of spring such as 6 above mentioned, for the double
purpose of rendering the knocking over more gentle, and to have the said knocking
over well regulated. In oscillating forwards, this bar -D serves as a support for the
needles w at the moment of indenting and of the pressing of the sinker bar B (see
Fig. 10). When oscillating backward, this bar D not only facilitates, in general, the
knocking over of the knitted work, but also, at the moment of narrowing, disengages
the needles
, so as to permit of the narrowing points v carrying their loops to the
right or the left without the said points having to pass above the knocking over
bits (see Fig. 11).-To obtain this last named result, the nebs of the bits remain
engaged between the needles a distance equal to about half of the thickness of the
said needles.

page_text: We will now describe the other parts of the mechanism, which belong more or less
to the general construction of straight knitting machines as hitherto employed.
The cam shaft E (capable of shogging in the line of its axis when it is required to
narrow) carries, at one end, a driving pulley e³, and at the other end a fly wheel e
and a grooved pulley e carrying a set of cords for operating the double slur box F.-
This box F has four pawls or tappets ffff, which are arranged in pairs in
horizontal planes.-The double inclined plate or slur cock is mounted elastically
on the slur box F (see Fig. 7).-It is provided with an adjustable screw stop for limiting
its forward position, and is drawn forward by a helical spring. The inclines of this
blade cause the "fall" (or thrusting forward) of the indenting sinkers & successively,
whilst the dividing bar 6 causes the "fall" (or forward movement) of all the dividing
sinkers simultaneously.
A bar G (see Figs. 3, 4, 7, 16, 17 and 18), grooved on both sides, and bolted at
both ends upon the standards of the frame, carries, on its undersido, a slide H', and
on its upper side two slides I J. These slides can move laterally upon the bar G.-
His a rod upon which are fixed two thread layers h', which make the leg of the
stocking in each division of the machine. The rod H is carried by the slide II', and
is connected thereto by a spring frictional connection H2-The disengaging
stops H3 H4 of the pawls of the slur box are fixed to the rod H. Two other rods IJ,
similarly connected to the slides I' J¹ by means of the springs I J, carry the thread
layers and jj, which are employed when strengthening or splicing the stockings,
and also when the divided heel is being knitted.The rods I J slide frictionally on
the slides IJ, and have a common abutment or heel stop T (serving to stop the
slides) fixed on the bar G. Further, an abutment stop is fixed upon the bar I
which traverses freely through the slide J', and a like abutment stop J³ is fixed on
the rod J, which traverses freely through the slide 1.-The traverse of these
rods H, I, J (suitably guided in their longitudinal movements), is limited by the
following stops, that is to say-The stops K K are used for limiting the traverse
of the rod H during the knitting of the leg of the stocking, and are mounted on the
shoulders or projections of the threaded nuts of the narrowing screw, which will be
hereafter described.-K2 is a fixed stop for the bar I for the right hand half of the
divided heel when traversing to the left hand; K³ is a similar heel stop for the left
hand half of the divided heel; K' is a stop attached to the stop K³, and which can be
brought forward or thrown out by hand to limit or to free the traverse of the rod H;
and K K are splicing stops mounted on the shoulders or projections of the threaded
nuts of the narrowing screw which will be presently described.
The greater part of the mechanism of the machine which relates to the narrowing
and to the "snapping," or the tension to be given to the threads, is analogous to the
corresponding mechanism in the "Cotton" and "Paget" machines, and comprises:
1st. Mechanism for unclutebing from the pulley the balls or metal ends of a set
of cords (the pieces of this mechanism are indicated by the letter / shown best at
Figs. 2 and 6).
2nd. A special narrowing mechanism with a hammer or weighted lever com-
manding the shogging cam of the cam shaft E. A counting chain with tappets
and chain wheels and a vertical toothed lever operated by a cam, and giving motion,
by ratchet wheels, to the nuts carrying the arms that draw the point bars (the parts
of this mechanism are marked by the letter m, excepting as hereafter mentioned).-
The point bars c c are carried, and can slide in pendent arms or cheeks, cc-
The bars ce receive their rising and falling movement from the arms c¹¹³ keyed
on the shaft c, and are governed by a cam through the arm c-Another arm c
loose upon the shaft c, is also governed by a cam through the arm c*.—The arm
cib
is pivotted to an arm c¹ connected to the shaft c", which connects the upper parts of
the arms c2c3 and the pendent arms or cheeks c¹0 cl (the joint of the arm c¹ is on the
line drawn through the centres of the shafts c¹ and c). The arm c¹³ operates
by giving a swinging motion to the pendent arms or cheeks eel, and consequently
to the narrowing points cla c¹³ 1, at the moment when the points v have arrived
at the heads of the needles w, and in such manner that the said points are suitably

page_text: Indenting. The slur box passes, for example, from the right to the left, and causes
the successive advance of the indenting sinkers by the action of the double inclined
blade or slur cock.-The thread layer preceding the slur box in its movement, has
already laid the thread in front of the needles, and is then stopped by a button-headed
screw stop, as will be hereafter described, just opposite the next needle to the selvage
needle. Lastly, the slur box comes to a standstill in the intermediate space between
the two divisions.
Dividing. The sinker bar advances, bringing forward the regulating bar and the
dividing bar, this latter being assisted in its forward motion by its springs 613 614,
which hold the inclined planes of its pawls or tappets against the inclined notches of
the regulating bar. The moving bar is held back by the pusher rods & operated by
the cam e e¹. The dividing bar advancing, brings the dividing sinkers to the level
of the needles, so that the said sinkers touch the indented thread. At this moment,
the moving bar, which has been held stationary by the pusher rods connected with
the cam, brings back the indenting sinkers (by the projection el of the said cam e,)
about half the depth of the indentation of the thread at the precise moment when the
catches of the dividing sinkers pass through the needles.
Dressing or bringing into line the indenting and dividing sinkers.-The dividing
bar continuing to advance with the sinker bar, meets the heels of the indenting
sinkers, and causes the sinkers to be brought into line. If the movement of the
machine is checked, that is, if the moving bar advances too far (all the sinkers having
a tendency to be carried back by the moving bar, and forward by the dividing bar),
the dividing bar yields, and compresses its springs. Immediately that the sinkers
aro brought into line, as above described, the moving bar is released, and left free by
the passage of the projection e¹ of the cam e past its bowl.-The sinker bar continues
to advance for the purpose of pressing the needles, and the moving bar by action of
its cam, an instant before the pressing action takes place, holds up all the sinkers, and,
through them, the dividing bar.
Pressing. The pressing takes place, the knocking over bar advancing to provide a
support for the needles.
Knocking Over.-The needles descend, and the sinker bar moves back, and at the
moment the formed and indented loops are about to leave the nebs of the sinkers,
the knocking over bar draws back, so as nearly to disengage the needles. The whole
of the knocking-over bits with curved nebs, as shown in the drawings, gently drive
the knitted courses backward by exerting a light and steady pressure in the desired
direction, and that at the moment when the loops have fallen from the nebs of the
sinkers. As soon as this effect is produced, the knocking over bar resumes its
original position. A further movement forward is then given to the indenting and
dividing sinkers by the sinker bar, which advances up to the position for dividing, in
order to permit of bringing forward the selvage thread as hereinafter more particularly
described, the needles rising or advancing during this time. Then the sinker bar
resumes its position behind, and places the sinkers in the position for indenting. At

page_text: this moment the knocking over bar advances, and the knocking over bits entering
between the needles, they are supported against lateral movement during the final
indenting of the thread of the course.
In all these movements of the indenting and dividing sinkers as described above,
the pressure bar ensures the sinkers maintaining their position.
Action and adjustment of the machine for knitting the legs of stockings,-(see
Figs. 3 and 4). For working the leg of the stocking, the stops K K are, thrown out
of action in order to permit of the thread carrier bars I and J, together with their
respective thread carriers i, j, being drawn to the sides of the machine out of the
way. The upper pawls or tappets ff of the double slur box F, are at the same time
lifted, and also put out of action, in such a manner that the slur, box F, traversing
from the left to the right, will take with it the slide H as soon as the right hand
lower pawl or tappet f¹ (see Fig. 3) shall meet the inclined plane H', and the rod H
being pressed by its spring H2, shall follow the movement of the slide H¹. When the
thread carriers shall have arrived at the end of the traverse, the rod H will strike
against tlie stop K' and will be stopped; but the slide H¹ remaining engaged with
the pawl of the slur box which operates it, will continue its traverse for a certain
space w (let it be the distance which would still separate the slide H¹ from the dis-
engaging stop H'), that is to say, until the said pawl or tappet meets the disengaging
stop, which puts it out of action.-The slide H¹ will have thus put friction on the
rod H all the time it has been travelling the distance w, which will have the effect of
preventing all rebound or recoil of the rod H. The slidle H¹ will then be left, at the
end of its traverse, close against the disengaging stop H*, and the same distance w.
which just now separated the slide H' from tho stop H, will be found to exist between
the slide H and the stop H³. At the next course. the slur box I travels from right
to left its lower left hand pawl will draw the slide by the incline H; the
rod H will be stopped by the stop K, and the above operations will be reproduced in
inverso order, the disengaging stop H³ causing the escape of the pawl of the slur box
after the slide H¹ shall have made friction on the rod H during the like space was
above described. Consequently, whether at the commencement of the stocking, or
at the narrowings at the calf, the friction mentioned above will remain always the
same, and the thread layers will always be found to precede the indenting sinkers
at the moment of their advance over the distance, which it is easy to regulate at
pleasure.
Action and arrangement for splicing-(see Figs. 3 and 4).--The leg of the stocking
being finished, and also the narrowing at the calf, the narrowing nuts m² m² will be
found to have moved towards the standards of the machine during the knitting of the
narrowings, as shown by the drawings. The rods I J are then pushed back into
position, as also the stops K' K, and the upper pawls ff of the slur box Fare
pushed forward.-The said slur box traversing from left to right, carries forward the
slide J, and consequently the rod J and the thread layers; the rod J will be
stopped by the stop K³, and the slide J will make friction on the rod J, until the
pawl of the slur box which operates it is disengaged by the heel stop T. Then
the pawl continuing its traverse, will draw forward the slide 1', and consequently the
rod I and the thread layers i -The rod I will be stopped by the stop K, and the
slide 1' will make friction on the rod 1 until the pawl is disengaged by the stop 1*.
The movement of the slur box from the right to the left will produce the same results
as above described, but in reverse order. Therefore, each thread layer will be placed
in the splicing, as in the knitting of the leg of the stocking, the same distance in
advance of each indenting sinker at the moment of its advance, and the rods I J will
sustain such an amount of friction (like the rod H), that will prevent all rebound, a
result, to which the pressure exercised by the pawls of the slur box F on the
disengaging stops will contribute.
Action and arrangement of parts for heeling (see Figs. 3 and 4):-We move
the stop K in a manner to bring it back into the line of the axis of the rod H. The
stops K K being carried on the same slide, these stops will limit, to the right, the
travel of the rods H J, which will both move the same distance.

page_text: The left half heels will be thus produced by the thread layers hj, j, which are
superposed in pairs, and work together, and the right half heels will be produced by
the thread layers i,, to which the necessary double threads will be given.
Formation of the selvage. Figs. 21 to 41 are diagram views, drawn on an enlarged
scale, illustrative of the improved mode of indenting the. thread and of selvaging.-
Figs. 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39, are side elevations of the knitting instruments in
their relative positions. Figs. 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37 and 40, are corresponding front
views, and Figs. 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38 and 41, are corresponding plan views. In
these figures, the indenting sinkers, and one of the knocking over bits, are represented
in full lines, as are also the needles. and a portion of the thread carrier, while the
dividing sinkers are shown in dot and peck lines; the knitted fabric already made is
sectioned in dotted lines. In those figures which are in elevation, for clearness, a
space is left between the lower part of the thread carrier and the upper surface of the
sinkers, although in reality the thread, carrier is exactly level with the upper surface
of the sinkers. The thread is indicated by a thick black line, and is supposed not to
be hidden by the needles, in order to preserve a sufficient continuity in the line.
In those figures which represent side elevations, that is to say, in the first figures of
each series, we suppose all the knitting organs of the machine at the left of the
lineare removed.
Our special mode of forming the selvage is characterised by these facts, that the
thread carrier tubes do not pass through the needles, and that the indenting is
absolutely uniform, as well for the selvage loops as for the other loops of the course;
hence the possibility of running the machine at great speed, without danger of cutting
the selvage.
The indenting and dividing sinkers being of the same height, we use conical tubes
for the thread carriers, such as at O, the lower and smaller orifice of the tube being
placed level with the top of the sinkers. The conical form of the tubes allows of the
knots or kinks in the thread passing easily into the upper and larger opening of the
tubes, in which they become compressed (as if passing through a die) on their way to
the exit which is provided for them at the lower or smaller opening. This opening is
preferably of elliptic form, the greater axis of the ellipse being in the direction at right
angles to the plane of the needles."
In the description which follows, it is the left hand selvage that is referred to.-It
will be easily understood that the right hand selvage is effected exactly in the same
manner. The needles are simply indicated by a number, and the words "throat" or,
"catch" and "neb," when referring to the indenting and dividing sinkers y,.
designate the parts marked y¹y of these sinkers.
*Position I (see Figs. 21, 22 and 23). The indenting being effected from right to
left, the indenting sinkers alone are advanced, and the lower. orifice of the tubular
thread carrier, O is stopped opposite the needle 2, which is the next immediately, after
the selvage needle 3. The indenting sinkers have thus taken (for the selvage as well
as for, the, rest of the course) the necessary thread for, the two needles between which
they have indented, and for which they had to provide the thread.
Position II. (see Figs. 24, 25, and 26).-The dividing sinkers y advance; the
dividing sinker y comes forward, with the object of seizing the thread by its, catch,
as if it were indenting on its own account. It will thus provide the thread for, the
outside of the selvage needle 3.
Position III. (see Figs. 27, 28 and 29).—The dividing is finished, and it will be
seen that when the needles, are about to descend, the selvage needle, 3 will take the
thread provided for it, which thread would have been wanting if the dividing sinker.y*
had not been moved forward. The pressing now takes place.
Position IV. (see Figs. 30, 31 and 32). The loops are now knocked over, and the
sinkers are drawn back the distance necessary to permit of the knocking over, taking
place, the points of the nebs of, tho, sinkers, remaining level with the, needles.-The
thread, lias not then, so to speak, left the nebs, of the two sinkers between which it is
engaged, and it is found in the position to enter again between these two, sinkers,
even if they have retired, sufficiently, to leave the, thread free.It.is, now, necessary, to

page_text: provide the thread to the selvage needle 3 for the next course, that is to say,
to wrap
the thread around the selvage needle 3 at the commencement of the indenting.
Position V. (see Figs. 33, 34 and 35).-To arrive at the result, just indicated, the
indenting sinkers and the dividing sinkers advance again. The thread, forcibly held
between the nebs of the sinkers which enclose the selvage needle 3, is pressed against
the neb of the dividing sinker y*; then, in consequence of the slope the thread
presents, it passes to the other side of the neb of the dividing sinker y", which continues
to advance, and seizes the thread in its throat or catch.
Position VI. (sce Figs. 36, 37 and 38). As soon as the neb of the dividing
sinker y las seized the thread (the needle bar having commenced to rise), the heads
of the needles arrive at the height of the throat of the sinkers, when these will be
found to occupy again the position they had at the dividing of the loops. It will be
seen, then, that the thread will be held by the sinker y in front of the selvage
needle 3, in such a manner that the needle cannot rise in front of the thread. This
position being thus ensured while the needle bar finishes its rise, the indenting ·
and dividing sinkers together return to the position they occupied before the indenting
operation.
Position VII. (see Figs. 39, 40 and 41). It will now be seen that the selvage
needle 3 will have the thread at its left hand, and that the thread will be properly
wrapped round it, when the thread carrier traverses to the right to lay the thread for
a new course.
In machines constructed on our system, in which dividing sinkers are not to be used,
as in knitting machines without dividing sinkers (of the Dutch, or Paget's system, or
other type) the duty performed by the dividing sinker, as described above, will be
performed by an indenting sinker.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The employment in straight knitting machines, of a needle bar carried by arms
from a sleeve mounted on a horizontal axle situated parallel with, and in rear of the
line of needles, and operated by a cam, the motion of the bar being such that the
heads of the needles will move in an are that practically approaches a vertical line,
substantially in the manner above described.
2. The employment, in straight knitting machines, of a movable sinker bar carried
by arins from a sleeve mounted on a horizontal axle placed parallel to the plane of the
needles, and in front of that plane, and operated by a can, whereby the nebs of the
indenting and dividing sinkers will move in an arc which practically approaches a
straight horizontal line, substantially in the manner above described.
3. The use, in straight knitting machines, of a knocking over bar provided with
springs, and carried by arms from a sleeve mounted on a horizontal axle placed parallel
to the plane of the needles and in front of that plane, and operated by a cam, the
movement of the curved nebs of the knocking over bits being in an are, the tangents
of which are practically horizontal, the said bar, when oscillating forwards, serving to
support the needles at the moment of indenting and pressing, and when oscillating
backwards, facilitating generally the knocking over, and, at the moment of narrowing,
withdrawing from the needles, so as to permit of the narrowing "points" or coverers
shifting the loops laterally without having to pass above the knocking-over bits,
substantially in the manner above described.
4. The use, in straight knitting machines, and above the indenting and dividing
sinkers, of a pivotted pressure bar doing the duty of the ordinary spring fingers,
provided with a leather or other elastic cushion, and having guiding grooves or
tricks," which serve to direct or guide the sinkers, substantially in the manner above
described.
5. The use, in straight knitting machines, of three bars mounted in a recess in the
sinker bar below the indenting and dividing sinkers, that is to say (1), a moving bar
for operating the indenting sinkers, provided with springs, and governed by a cam

page_text: acting through pushers; (2) a dividing bar provided with springs, and operating the
dividing sinkers; and (3) a regulating bar for adjusting the position of the moving and
dividing bars, the said moving and dividing bars carrying wedge-like projections,
which work in inclined notches formed in the regulating bar, the slope or angle of
inclination of the projections of the dividing bar, and of the corresponding inclines of
the regulating bar, being one half less than that of the projections of the moving bar
and their corresponding inclines, the said regulating bar acting upon bolts provided
with springs, and mounted in the sinker bar, and which act upon the double inclined
blade or slur cock of the slur box at the commencement of each of the traverses
of the.said slur box; all substantially in the manner and for the purpose described
herein.
.
6. The use, in straight knitting machines, of a bowl or roller adjustably mounted in
a slide carried by the actuating lever of the moving bar, the inclination of this slide
being such, that when it is desired to obtain a deeper indentation, the roller can be
shifted to increase the motion of the moving bar, and at the same time advance the
moment of attack of the actuating lever through the pushers upon the "moving” bar,
substantially in the manner herein described.
7. The use, in straight knitting machines, of thread carriers and of disengaging
stops for the pawls of the double slide, fixed on the same horizontal rods, and moving
parallel to the plane of the needles, the corresponding slides being connected frictionally
to the said rods, so that each of the thread carriers will always be a short distance in
advance of the dividing sinkers at the time of the dividing action, the said short
distance being the same for a narrow as for a wide web, that is to say, not increasing
in the narrowings, the thread carriers being also prevented from rebounding by the
friction device, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein described.
8. In straight knitting machines, the arrangement specified for making the selvage,
this arrangement enabling the machine to be worked at a greater speed whilst doing
better work, and being characterised by the selvage needle being outside the indenting
sinker next to it; the thread carriers not passing through the needles, nor pressing
the selvage needle, but passing just above the indenting and dividing sinkers, and
stopping just facing the next needle outside the selvage needle; these sinkers having
a double back and forward motion, by which the dividing sinker outside and next to
the selvage needle provides this latter with thread in its first forward motion at the
time of indenting, and by its second motion forward, provides the said selvage needle
with thread for the next course; substantially in the manner and for the purposes
above set forth.
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