An Improvement in Knitting Machines.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1886.
Complete Left, 3rd May, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 7th June, 1887.
RESERV
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Knitting Machines.
GEORGE BANZHAF, Manager to the Neckarsulmer Knitting Machine Company,
Neckarsulme, in the German Empire do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The following invention consists of 2 or more yarn carriers for the different coloured
yarns, which, owing to a new mechanism work independently or together. It has
also two needle-adjusting-rails which regulate the motion of the needles by means of
teeth on their lower edge. The adjusting rails are acted upon by means of cranks
fixed to cach corner of the needle-beds, which are themselves moved by the knobs on
a spindle which passes through the machine, coming in contact with them. The locks
are made so as to move needles lying in different positions.
This invention has reference to a machine, the main parts of which are similar to the
"Excelsior" knitting machine.
It works with two or more yarn carriers & has a mechanism, which permits such
a systematic position of the working needles in the needle-bed, that they get a different
motion through the action of a newly constructed lock, according to their position,
and therefore are fed by one or the other yarn carriers.
It requires only single needle beds & permits the moving of the needles by a
mechanism directly above the needlebed, which acts with only one lock upon all
needles in one row.
The position of the mechanism for shifting the needles is shown in fig. 1 (a plan
view with reduced needlebed, and in fig. 5. sectional view by a, a, which represent 2.
changeable needle adjusting rails, one on either side of the machine lying directly
above the needle beds, parallel to the motion of the carriage. These are toothed on
their lower edge in correspondence to the requirements of the pattern to be made, and
are shiftable in a longitudinal direction, parallel to each other, as well as in the
direction of the motion of the needles, the last named motion causes a pushing up f
those needles the knobs of which are touched by the teeth of the adjusting-rail, whilst
those needles, which are between the teeth of the adjusting-rail remain in their ordinary
system of working.

page_text: In fig. 1. on the further side of the stretch every other pair of needles are shown to
be lifted, and the adjusting rail is in an elevated position.
The elevation of the needle-adjusting-rails is done by means of the cranks c, c,
when the knobs d, d, come in contact with the said cranks. These cranks (or toggle
levers) have their turning axles in the needle beds and move parallel to the plane of
the needle-bed. Through the connecting rods z, z, this motion is communicated to
all the cranks. The adjusting rails resume their normal position by the aid of the
springs 9,
The rising of the adjusting rails is accomplished near the dead centre of the
Carriage, and when the lock does not act upon the needles. In round knitting it is
produced for the front row of needles in the right hand dead centre of the Carriage,
and for the back row, in the left hand dead centre. In working plain edge work,
when both rows of needles work together, the raising of each rail takes place in every
dead centre of the Carriage. This adjustment of the rails a, a, is governed by the
position and number of the knobs d, d. Fig. 7 is another sketch showing the position
of the toggle-levers d, d, and the adjusting rails a, a, &c., it is the right hand section of
the machine & here is shown the turning axle, which lies below the needle-beds and
imparts the motion to the cranks. The longitudinal motion of the adjusting rails
produces a change of needles to be lifted. In round knitting it is done by means of
the Balance crank H (see plan), which is regulated by the left hand of the knitter,
when it takes (as shown in fig. 1.) a lateral motion. Of course this can be also done
automaticly. This device causes both needle-adjusting-rails to be shifted relatively
for an even number of needle divisions towards each other. This balance crank is
separatable into two simple independent cranks, thereby allowing the knitter to
regulate one adjusting-rail independently of the other.
The arrangement of the lock, and its effect upon the needles is shewn in
fig. 2, 3, & 5, viz. fig. 2, shows the plan of the lock & fig. 3, a longitudinal
section of the carriage & lock, & fig. 5, shows a section of both locks.
Instead of as in the ordinary constructed machines where the centre cam (needle
lifter) in consequence of the effect of the regulating-bolt upon the cam slide opens &
shuts the lock, there is here the centre cams & side cams closely combined with
the lock plate, which is however provided with the pivots i, which are fixed to turn
parallel to the motion of the Carriage, so that the lock can be lifted off from the
needle-bed, when it is required to come out of working position.
The locks are capable of being turned like a flap by means of the lifting guides S
pushing against the regulating bolt, whereby the pin l, which forms a continuation
of the lock plate K, moves up & down in the sloping slot of the lifting guide S.
The raising of the locks for the purpose of lifting them off the needle-bed, has the
advantage, that by the cams returning clear of the needle-knobs there is no possibility
of them pulling or tearing the cotton.
Besides being able to turn on the pivots i, the locks have a slight dislocation in the
direction of the motion of the needles.
The number of cams acting upon the needles are 4., namely 2 needle lifters, & 2
needlesinkers. The needlesinker running in front acts upon the lifted needles
through the adjusting needle rails in the high working position, whilst the other
cams put in motion the needles lying in a deep working position. The raised needles
get (as seen from fig. 2.)-by the motion of the lock from left to right-drawn
off later, than those working in a deep position, they therefore come too late for
the yarn carrier, which feeds the deep lying needles, they take however the cotton
up, which is offered them by a succeeding yarn carrier.
The construction & respective position of the yarn carriers is seen in figures 4. & 5.
In the slots between 3 horizontal rails connected with the Carriage pass the
blocks P & p, upon which are screwed the yarn carriers. The Carriage takes with it one
or the other blocks p, according to the position the slide v is placed in by the knitter,
so that it is brought to stand between the pieces W of one or the other blocks P
(see fig. 6). Either of the blocks pris further able to take the other with it, if
the knitter shifts a plate lying upon the back of the block p to the front, in order

page_text: to bring its end in contact with the front carrier R. It is therefore in the power
of the knitter to let either of the yarn carriers proceed independently of the other.
In order to allow of this alternation the arm of one of the yarn carriers is made higher,
than the other & is also provided with a hinge (fig. 4 & 5) so that it can turn over
during the alteration of position-or while being moved aside.
The parts, which produce this style of knitting are shown in the following
drawings:
Fig. 1. is a plan of the cranks, connecting-rods & adjusting-rails.
Fig. 2. a plan of the lock showing its action upon the needle knobs.
Fig. 3. an elevation showing the sliding block & lock complete.
Figs. 4. & 6. show the respective position of the yarn carriers.
Fig. 5. & 7. are sectional views of the needle-beds, Carriage, & lever action.
Fig. 8. 9. 10. 11 & 12. show the plan & situation of the locks & sliding blocks in
different positions.
In fig. 5, is shewn the needles in 3 different positions-viz. 1 represents it out of
working, & 2 in a deep working position & 3 in an elevated position.

page_text: I, GEORGE BANZHAF Manager to the Neckarsulmer Knitting Machine Company
Neckarsulm in the German Empire, 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:
My invention relates to improvements in knitting machines constructed on the
"Lamb" style of knitting machines.
By means of which improvements knitting machines can be constructed in such a
manner as to be able to produce both plain and circular, flat ribbed, and, ringwood
goods in various coloured fabric and designs.
This kind of knitting is produced by means of two or more yarn-carriers (or guides),
an improved needle action, and an improved constructed set of locks. There is also a
mechanism which causes such a systematic position of the working needles, that they
get a different motion through the action of the lock according to their position in the
needle-bed, and therefore they are fed by one or the other yarn-carriers according to
their said position.
One pair of needle-beds only is required, directly above which, lies the mechanism
for moving the needles, which acts with but one lock upon all needles in the same row.
In the following description of the parts of the machine, the, figures refer to the
drawings left with the provisional specification.
The position of the mechanism for shifting the needles is shewn in fig. 1 (a plan
view with reduced needle-bed) and in fig. 5, a, a, represent two changeable needle-
adjusting bars, one on either side of the machine, lying directly above the needle-beds,
and parallel to the direction of the motion of the carriage.
These adjusting-bars are toothed on their lower edge in correspondence to the pattern
to be made, and are shiftable in a longitudinal direction, parallel to each other, as
well as in the direction of the motion of the needles. The last named motion causes
a pushing up of those needles the knobs of which are touched by the feeth of the
adjusting bars, whilst those needles which are between the teeth of the adjusting-bars,
remain in their ordinary system of working.
In fig. 1 on the farther side of the drawing every other pair of needles are repre-
sented to be lifted, and the adjusting bar is in an elevated position.
The elevation of the needle-adjusting-bars is effected by means of the cranks c, c,
when the knobs d, d, on the turning shaft, come in contact with the said cranks.
These cranks have their turning axles in the needle-beds, and move parallel to the plane
of the needle-beds. The motion imparted by the knobs d, d, is communicated to all
the cranks by the connecting-rods =,=.
The raising of the adjusting-bars takes place near the dead centre of the carriage.
This adjustment of the needle-bars a, a, is governed by the position and number of the
knobs d, d, on the turning-shaft.

page_text: The needle-adjusting-bars resume their normal position by the aid of the
springs 9, 9.
Fig. 7 shews a similar contrivance to that shewn in figs. 1 and 5, for raising the
needle-bars, it is a right hand sectional view, and here is shewn two cranks c, c which
are different in construction to the cranks shewn in fig. 1; d, d, are knobs which
project out from the turning shaft, and by pressing against the ends e, e, of the cranks,
cause the needle-bars to be raised. This arrangement for raising the needle-bars is
for machines where the other contrivance shewn in fig. 1 is not applicable.
The longitudinal motion of the adjusting-bars produces a change of needles to be
lifted. In circular knitting this motion is given to the bars by means of the balance-
crank (or lever) h, (fig. 1) which is regulated by the left hand of the operator, whereby
it takes as shewn in fig. 1, a lateral motion. Of course this can also be done
automatically.
This arrangement causes both adjusting-bars to be shifted relatively for an even
number of needle divisions, towards each other.
This balance-crank is capable of being separated into two single independent cranks,
thereby allowing the operator to regulate one adjusting-bar independently of the
other.
The arrangement of the lock and its effect upon the needles is shewn in figs. 2, 3, & 5;
viz. fig. 2 shows a plan of the lock, fig. 3 a longitudinal section of the lock, steering-.
plate, and part of carriage; and fig. 5 shows a section of both locks in working
position.
Instead of as in the ordinary machines, where the centre cam (needle-lifter) in con-
sequence of the effect of the regulating-bolt or cam-stop upon the cam-slide, opens or
shuts the lock, there is here the centre cam, and side cams firmly combined with the.
lock-plate, which is however provided with pivots which are made to turn parallel to
the motion of the carriage; so that the lock can be lifted off from the needle-bed when
required to come out of working position. This raising of the lock in the manner of
a flap, is effected by means of steering-plates which have slots in their side to allow
the regulating pin 7, which projects out from the lock plate, to move up and down in the
said slots, whereby the steering-plate moving forward raises or lowers the cams,
according to the position of the slots in its side.
The turning of the lock in the above manner for the purpose of raising it from the
needle-bed has the advantage that, by the cams returning clear, they do not act upon
the needles, and therefore there is no possibility of the needles pulling or tearing the
thread.
Besides being able to turn on the pivots i, the lock also possesses a slight change of
position in the direction of the motion of the needles in order to permit some alteration
in the drawing off of the needles. For this purpose are the blocks which serve the
pivots i, for bearings, they are a little movable and are fitted in the top of the carriage
in analogous position. By this means the position of the cams is altered thereby
regulating the size of stitch.
The number of cams acting upon the needles in one lock are four, viz. two needle-
lifters and two needle sinkers. The needle-sinker w, acts upon the needles lifted
through the action of the adjusting-bars into the high working position, whilst the
cams m & put in motion the needles lying in a low working, position. The raised,
needles get (as seen in fig. 2.)-through the motion of the lock from left to right,―
drawn off later, than those working in a low position. They come therefore too late
for the yarn-carrier which feeds the latter needles, but they take however the thread
which is offered them by a succeeding yarn-carrier.
The construction & respective position of the yarn-carriers is shewn in figs. 4 and 5.
In the slots between three horizontal-rails pass the blocks p & p, to which are connected
the yarn-carriers. Motion is given to the yarn-carriers by the bolt e, being placed
between the ends w of one or the other said blocks p, p, whereby the arm 7, which is
attached to the carriage, moves the required yarn-carrier forward. Two or more yarn-
carriers are able to run together when required, if the plates which lie upon the

page_text: blocks p, pare shifted to the front so as to allow their ends o, to come in contact with
the ends, of the yarn carrier.
In order to allow the yarn-carriers to run separately the arm of one is made higher
than the other and is also provided with an hinged joint, to enable its end being
turned over during any alteration of position. In the case of more than two yarn-
carriers each one is made higher than its fellow one.
•
When the machine is required to produce flat goods a double lock can be used of the
description of fig. 9, which by means of a steering-plate with slots as in fig. 8, is
enabled to act upon the needles while moving in either direction. For instance, when
the lock is moving from left to right the front half of the lock is raised out of working
position while in running from right to left their position is reversed.
.
As the aforesaid construction of lock requires rather a large amount of play on the
part of the carriage another kind of lock can be used for circular and small flat goods,
of the shape shewn in fig. 12. When used for the production of circular goods a
steering plate of the shape of fig. 10 is used, which causes the fore part of the lock to
remain out of working position.
For making small flat goods a steering plate of the shape of fig. 11 is used, which
causes the needle-sinkers running in front to be raised out of working position. The
middle cam with its neighbouring parts, which are both needle-lifters & needle-sinkers,
remain always sunk in a working position.
-
"
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 :-
I. With a knitting machine with two needle-beds, commonly known as
"Lamb'
style knitting machine, the production of "ringwood" and fancy patterns in various
coloured fabrics, in plain flat, in ribbed, and in circular knitting by means of adjusting-
bars and their action upon a number of needles (chosen at will) dividing them into
two groups by shifting them into a position so as to cause thein to be acted upon by
one lock or one set of cams, in a different manner and so that they can be fed by
different yarn-carriers.
II. In a knitting machine of the kind mentioned under claim I, the adoption of a
lock with two cams for lifting and two cams for drawing down the needles, and
wherein the grooves for the passage of the needle butts or shanks correspond with
the position of the said two groups of needles and their butts or shanks.
III. The arrangement for the movement of the lock or any parts thereof in an angle
parallel to the carriage movement, for the purpose of placing the lock in, or out of
working position.
IV. The arrangement and combination as already described for the up and down,
back and forward movement of the two bars " a," the arrangement and combination
consisting of the two or four lifting knobs "d" attached to the turning shaft, the four
cranks "c, G,"
," the two connecting rods "" and the lever "" in all its parts.
V. The arrangement and combination of the yarn-guides (or carriers) and the
parts "p, p" in such a manner that either of the two yarn-guides can be made by
means of the bolt e, the preceding or succeeding guide at the will of the operator.
Dated this 3rd day of May 1SSZ
E. F. BAKER,
Agent to Applicant.