LM- PROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR THE MANU- FACTURE OF STOCKINGS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltino, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "LM-
PROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR THE MANU-
FACTURE OF STOCKINGS." A communication from abroad by John Nelson, of
Rockford, Illinois, United States of America, and the Company trading as
Couturat & Co., of Troyes, France, Manufacturers.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY
CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF STOCKINGS." A communication
from abroad by John Nelson, of Rockford, Illinois, United States of America, and
the Company trading as Couturat & Co., of Troyes, France, Manufacturers.
This Invention relates to knitting machinery of that class known as straight row
knitting machines, and its chief object is so to organize the mechanism as to render
it capable of automatically and completely knitting an entire stocking or sock of a
uniform or partly colored yarn, and of the same or different sizes of yarn, and of
increased thickness wherever required.
The accompanying Drawings represent all the said improvements embodied in
one machine in the best manner now known to me. It is obvious however that
some of the said improvements may be made and used without the others, and in
machines varying in their organization from the one herein described. It is also
obvious that the details of construction of some of the parts may be varied in
different well known manners, without departing from the principle of the present
Invention.
Figure 1 represents a plan or top view of so much of my improved nachine as is
necessary to illustrate the subject matter of the said Invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation.
Figure 3 is an elevation of what I call the left hand end of the machine, and
Figure 4 a similar view of the right hand end.
That end of the machine on the right hand side of a person facing the machine.

page_text: as shown in Figure 2 I call the right hand end of the machine, the other the left
band end.
Figure 5 represents a section on the line 1, 1, of Figure 1, drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Figure 6 represents a plan or top view of the central portion of the machine
partly in section on the line 2, 2, of Figure 5, on an enlarged scalo, showing the
relation of the front and back needles, one set being pushed up and the other set
being pushed down..
Figure 7 is a similar view of some of the back needles, and the needles, jacks,
and levers, with the covering plates removed and partly in section on the line 3, 3,
of Figure 10.
Figure 8 is a side view of the yarn-carrier seen from the front.
Figure 9 is an underside view thereof.
Figure 10 is a vertical transverse section on the line 4, 4, Figure 7, through the
centre of one of the back needle-grooves, shewing the relative position of the parts
when the needle is pushed up and in working order.
Figure 11 is a similar section with the needle-supports lowered to admit of the
removal of the needles.
Figure 12 is a similar section showing the needle-jack locked in its advanced
position to hold the needle when not working.
Figure 13 is a vertical transverse section through the needle-cam-slides on the
line 5, 5, Figures 14 and 18.
Figure 14 is an underside view of a portion of the rear-cam-slide or needle-
actuator, showing the cam in its working position when knitting circular work.
Figure 15, a vertical transverse section thereof on the line 6, 6, Figure 14.
Figure 16 is a vertical longitudinal section through the needle-cam-slide on the
line 7, 7, Figure 14, shewing the spring cam in its ordinary working position.
Figure 17 is a similar section shewing the spring-cam as raised or in position
for working the needle twice for each reciprocation of the needle-cam-slides when
the front needles are not working.
Figure 18 is an underside view of the front cam-slide or needle-actuater in its
working position.
Figure 19 is a rear view of the rear channel-plate.
Figure 20, an underside viow of the same.
Figure 21 is a vertical transverse section through the samo on the line 8, 8,
Figure 20.
Figure 22 is a front view of the front channel plate.
Figure 23 is an underside view of the same.
Figure 24, a vertical transverse section through the same on the line 9, 9,
Figuro 23.
Figure 25 is a plan or top view of the top guide-cam or channel-plate.
Figure 26 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same on the line 10, 10,
Figure 25.
Figure 27, a vertical transverse section through the same on the line 11, 11,
Figure 25.
Figure 28 represents a view partly in section on the line 12, 12, Figure 29, of the
central presser-hooks of the rear needles.
Figure 29 is a vertical transverse section through the same on the line 13, 13,
Figure 28.
Figure 30 is an underside view of one of the hook cams, both being alike in
contour.
Figure 31 is a perspective view of one of the swinging beds or hinged needle-
supports detached.
Figure 32 is a front view shewing the details of the tension arms or levers which
regulate the tightness of the stitches.
Figure 33 is a vertical transverse section through the same on the line 14, 14,
Figure 32.

page_text: Figure 34 is a front view of the pattern drum actuating mechanism partly in
section on the line 15, 15, Figure 36.
Figuro 35 is a vertical transverse section through the same on the line 16, 16,
Figure 34.
Figure 36 is a plan of the same partly in section on the line 17, 17, Figure 34.
Figure 37 is a view from the inner side of the mechanism which controls the
intermittent movement of the pattern-cylinder detached from the main-frame.
Figure 38 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same on the line 18, 18,
Figures 37 and 40.
Figure 39 is a view from the outer side of the same, with the screw removed in
order to show more clearly the parts which lie under it.
Figure 40 is a horizontal section through the same on the line 19, 19, Figure 38.
Figure 41 is a plan of one of the reversing rings that are located on each end of
the scrow.
Figure 42 is a side view of the same.
Figure 43 is a view of the periphery of the pattern-drum laid out on a flat
surface.
Figure 44 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same on the line 20, 20,
Figure 43, shewing the groove or cam which actuates or governs the rear tension.
Figure 45 is a similar section on the line 21, 21, Figure 43, shewing the groove
or cam which controls the action of one of the back needle-jacks.
Figure 46 is a similar section on the line 22, 22, Figure 43, shewing the groove
or cam which actuates or controls the front tension levers.
Figure 47 is a view of the left edge of the rim of the pattern-drum, shewing the
cam or groove which governs the movement of the rear set of needles, causing
them to knit either once or twice as required at each reciprocation of the sliding
needle cams, and
Figure 48 is a view of the right edge of the pattern-drum showing the lug or
wiper which is instrumental in stopping the yarn-carrier at the proper time, in
order to throw off the completed stocking.
The remaining Figures are hereinafter described.
The mechanism is mounted upon a suitable frame consisting of a rigid, base, or
main frame A, carrying two side plates A', A², which rest upon ledges on the outer
side of the main frame, and are held securely thereto by screws.
A shaft B, driven by any suitable prime mover, is mounted in a bracket bearing
b projecting from the side plate A2, and carries a crank-wheel B', the wrist-pin bl
of which is connected by a pitman B* to an elbow lever B³ rocking in a vertical
plane on a pivot b². The long arm of this lever is pin-jointed to a link B' which is
pivoted to a yoke or saddle C which rides upon and is securely fastened to the
needle cam-slides D and E, connecting them together, and imparting to them a
positive movement, thereby causing them to reciprocate in parallel planes on their
respective needle-beds on opposite sides of a longitudinal slot or opening F, through
which the knit fabric descends.
Each set of needles is arranged parallel with this slot, and works over it in an
inclined path, each needle moving independently of the others in its respective slot
in the needle bed, being projected and retracted successively by means of a stud K'
projecting from its jack K, acted upon by a ram on the underside of a cam-slide.
To make the heel or toe of a stocking or sock with the said machine, one set of
needles must discontinue to work, preferably the front set or that which is farthest
from the pattern drum or cylinder G. This result is obtained by means of the part
E' of the cam-slide E which raises the needle in such a manner that it is generally
situated out of contact with the stem or shank of the jack or pusher. It is made in
the form of a spring, or movement is given to it in any other manner, which
movement places it at the right moment in communication with the stem or shank
of the jack; this action is effected automatically by means of an oscillating wedge
e pivotted below the cam-slide E, being placed between the latter and the moveablo
or spring cam E¹, as seen in Figure 18.

page_text: When the wedge is between the spring-cam and the cam-slide the inclined edge
of the former is lowered until it almost touches the needle-holder, and when once
in this position it comes in contact with the stems or shanks of the jacks, which
raise the inclined edge as the cam-slide advances. In the return movement of the
needle-pushing cam-slide the stems or shanks of the jacks come in contact with
the inclined edge of the pivoted cam E and take up their previous position.
When it is required to arrest or prevent the working of the needles the wedge is
drawn from between the cam-slide and the spring-cam, when the latter rises and
pushes against the bottom of the cam-slide, passing above the top of the jack-stems
without touching them.
The wedge e consists of a V-shaped lever arm or bell-crank lever, the other
arm e oscillating in a recess of the cam-slide, as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 18,
and carrying at its exterior end a stud or button e³ which rises and oscillates through
a groove e³ of the cam-slide E.
This part of the stud or button e" which rises through the plate traverses one or
other of the grooves h, h', provided in the lower part of the groove or channel plate H
(see Figures 22, 23, and 24).
At the moment when the wedge passes above the spring cam E¹, and when the
latter is sufficiently depressed to act on the jack the device for changing the path of
the pin or bolt rests in the position represented by the full lines in Figure 23; but
when it is desired to arrest the operation of the needle the pin or bolt passes to the
position indicated by the dotted lines, in which position the groove is closed and
the pin or bolt is caused to pass to the groove h', which forces the wedge to leave
the spring-cam E¹, permitting it to spring towards the top and to pass above the
stems or shanks of the jacks.
This change should not take place excepting when the cam-slide has arrived at
the end of its left hand path, and when the bolt or pin has passed the course and is
in the wide groove at the left hand end of the groove plate.
The device for changing the path consists in a bell crank lever which oscillates
on the pivot h³. The arm H is placed in a recess above the upper portion of the
grooves in order that the bolt may pass freely beneath, and it penetrates into a
groove H³ of the groove-plate within which its oscillating movement takes place.
The outside end which passes a slight distance beyond the front of the grooved
plate is provided with an aperture which is traversed by the upper end of the
lever I. This lever is pivotted at I', as shewn in Figures 2 and 3, and is furnished
at its lower end with a small bolt or pin I' directed towards the bottom and move-
able in the groove G¹ of the pattern cylinder G; the special form of this groove is
clearly shewn in Figure 43.
So long as the machine is making circular work the bolt or pin I traverses the
straight portion G¹ of the groove; but when it is required to make the toe or the
heel of a stocking or sock, and when the front set of needles is not to work, the
bolt or pin I will be displaced in one or the other of the parts g' of the groove,
displacing in its turn the lever I, which, by means of the part H, causes the stud
or pin e² to pass from the groove h to the groove h', causing the wedge e to leave
the spring-cam El, and permitting the latter to act as a spring and to pass above
the stems or shanks of the jacks, as hereinbefore explained.
In order to produce knitting more or less tight or close the retiring movement of
the needle is extended or restricted. For this purpose the part E of the cam-
slido E which causes the first set of needles to return is pivotted at one of its ends
upon the cam-slide at e' to give the play or lateral oscillation which is necessary,
which movement is effected by means of a bar F¹ having a lateral motion and being
placed upon the needle-holder support. Below this bar a longitudinal groove f is
provided in which engages a lip or projection of the moveable bar E³, as shewn in
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 18.
This laterally-moving bar F' is mounted upon oscillating arms J, J¹, pivotted
These arms
below in grooves provided in the support or needle-holder.
are

page_text: connected by the oscillating shaft J in such a inauner as to form a rigid framework,
thus communicating to the two ends of the bar a corresponding movement.
A thumb-screw Js traversing the arm ♬ of the tension-frame rests against an
arm of the bell-crank lever J mounted loosely on the rock-shaft J between the
arm J and the interior side of the plate A² The other end of this lever penetrates
inside and rises nearly to the vertical centre of the periphery of the pattern-
cylinder G, and carries at its end a shoe or lug Ja moveable upon the periphery of
this pattern-cylinder, against which it is firmly held by the tension of the spring Jo
which connects the tension-devices in front and at the rear, bringing them near to
each other and acting against the pattern-cylinder G.
The stitches may be tightened to the desired degree by means of the set-screw J³,
which, in acting upon the resisting arm of the lever J, forces the tension frame,
the bar F, and the cam-slide E to withdraw from the centre of the machine, thus
increasing the length of the needles' throw, and forming a stitch which is less tight
or close.
For this
It is necessary during the formation of the heel or the toe of a stocking or sock
that the tension device for the front needles should entirely cease to act.
purpose the depressions G, G, are formed in the periphery of the pattern-cylinder,
as shewn in Figures 43 and 46, on the path of the lug or shoe J, in which
depressions the Intter engages under the action of the spring, thus permitting the
whole tension-apparatus to approach the centre of the machine, also at the same
time putting the needle out of reach of the cam-slide E.
The shoe Jo may, if preferred, be provided with friction rollers. This mode of
construction permits a lateral adjustment of the cam-slide E by means of a singlo
screw. It is obvious that this construction may be varied in many ways to obtain
the same results.
Instead of making the needle-holder-support A, as usually constructed, with a
groove in which the needle-holders work, traversing the said support right through,
construct the lower part in the ordinary manner, that is to say, with a groove
traversing it right through; and I superpose upon the same a steel plate with
transverse slides forming a sort of grating, and in which work the stems K' of the
needle-holder-slides K.
This grating thus forms a means of keeping down the needle-holder-slides in
their grooves, to guide them accurately, to limit their movement, and to prevent by
its solidity any undue wear and irregular work, as well as breaking of any of the
parts.
A hook K opening towards the bottom at the front end of the needle-holder-
slide engages with a hook k' at the rear end of the needle k, as seen in Figure 5, so
that in their ordinary position for work the parts are kept firmly in place; but this
hooking attachment is easily disconnected by pressing upon the rear end of the
needle. To facilitate this disconnection a slide a¹ is arranged below the needle-
holder-supports A³, A; this slide extends from the upper end, or from that which
is nearest to the centre of the machine, to a point situated exactly under the
hook of the needle when the latter is in its inost advanced position. This slide
is ordinarily held by the piece L' placed on the oscillating or pivotted support L.
When it is desired to withdraw a needle this rocking support may be lowered
sufficiently to allow the needle-hook to fall completely below the hook K2 and
to come entirely away from this hook, and the needle may thus be withdrawn.
Figure 31 is a perspective view of one of my improved oscillating supports, which
is preferably inade of steel and provided at its front end with a groove L in which
slides the front end of the needle. It is moveable at its outer end below the needle-
holder upon an axis a², and is supported and held up in position at its inner end by
a rocking-eccentric shaft LP. When in working position, as shewn in Figure 5, the
top of the web L' lies in the same plane with the bottom of the needle-groove with
bed-plates, forming a continuation of said bottom, but when it is desired to move
one or more needles, the eccentric shaft L is rotated until its flat surface is presented
to the bottom of the support L, which will fall by its own gravity, leaving the

page_text: needle unsupported so that its rear end can be depressed and detached from the
hook on the needle-jack.
The position assumed by the parts when the needle is to be taken out is very
clearly shown in Figure 11. This Figure represents one of the rear needles, but
the operation of detaching the needle from the jack is precisely similar in both
sets. I have found this device of great utility in practice, as by this mode of con-
struction I am enabled to shorten or diminish the width of the ordinary cast-iron
needle bed, and substitute for it a series of independent supports of hardened steel
at points where the wear is greatest and where any leakage can readily be com-
pensated for. Moreover this construction obviates the difficulties attendant upon
the tempering of the steel-plate intersected by transverso slots, which in practice
has been found difficult to overcome. The cam-slide D which operates the sot of
needles or that nearest the pattern-cylinder differs somewhat in construction from
that which operates the other set though its general outline is similar. This
difference in construction arises from the fact that in the organization of the machine
constructed according to this Invention it is only necessary for the front set of
needles to knit one stitch for each reciprocation of the cam-slide E at any time,
while during a portion of the operation they are entirely unemployed.
In the rear set or pattern side the needles while knitting circular work make but
one stitch for each reciprocation of the cam-slide D, but while the toe or heel is
being formed and the front set of needles out of action it is necessary that they should
make two stitches for each reciprocation of the cam-slide D. All the needles of this
set are never thrown altogether out of action as in the front set, and the mechanism
through which the action of each individual needle is controlled is of an entirely
different character to that of the front set, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.
In the rear cam-slide D there are two advancing cams D1 and D2, and a double
inclined retracting cam D³. The cam D¹ consists of a steel spring or plate, and is
moved at proper intervals away from the plate D by a wedge D in precisely the
same manner as the spring-cam E' is moved by the wedge c, as hereinbefore
described. When the rear needles are knitting one stitch for each reciprocation of
the cams the wedge D is in the position shown in Figures 14, 15, and 16, and the
cam lies close up to the bottom of the cam-plate D, riding over the shanks of the
needlo jacks, which are moved up by the inclined edge of the fixed cam D³, and
retracted on the return stroke of the cam-slide by the edge d of the retracting
cam D³
When the toe or heel is being formed and it is desired that the needle should
make two stitches for each reciprocation of the cam-slide the wedge D' is moved
between the spring cam and the plate D, and the former is pressed down to the
position shown in Figure 17. This change only occurs when the cam-slide is at tho
extreme left hand side of its stroke, and when the shanks of the needle-jacks are
lying along the longitudinal edge d³ of the fixed cam D³, with the needles in their
most advanced position On the return stroke of the cam-slide the needles are
retracted by the inclined edge d of the retracting cam D³, but are again immedi-
ately advanced by the edge of the spring-cam D. On the next advance stroke of
the cam-slide the needles are first retracted by the edge d' of the cam D³, and then
advanced by the edge of the cam D2, thus making a stitch at each stroke or move-
ment of the cam-slide, or two stitches for each reciprocation.
The mechanism employed in depressing the spring cam D' is very similar to that
used for the cam E¹. The leg D of the wedge-lever vibrates on a pivot, and carries
at its extremity a pin Do, which extends through and moves in a slot in the plate.
This pin traverses one or the other of the grooves m, m', in the channel-plate M,
Figures 19, 20, 21, and is shifted from one groove to the other by the gate M¹,
pivoted at m². This gate M' is connected to an end-wise moving rod Me by a stud
which projects from its upper surface and works in a slightly clongated hole in the
rod. At the outer extremity of the rod is a hole m³, into which one end of the
lever M³ projects. This lever is pivoted at m (see Figure 3) between the inner
side of the plate A¹ and the left hand end of the pattern-drum G, and carries at

page_text: its lower end a stud m³, which projects into and traverses the cam-groove G³ in the
end of tho pattern-drum (see Figures 3 and 47).
While the needles are knitting circular work, or one stitch for each reciprocation
of the cam-slide, the stud m³ traverses the straight part G³ of the groove in the
pattern-drum (see Figure 47), the rod M is drawn out, and the gate M¹ is in tho
position shown in Figures 20, 21, in full lines, causing the stud D° to reciprocate in
the channel m, with the wedge D' in the position shown in Figure 14 and 16, but
when the proper time arrives to change the needles from single to double action
the stud ms is drawn into one of the parts g³ of the groove, which moves the lever M³
and pushes in the bar M³, causing the gate to shift to the position shown by dotted
lines. At the instant this change takes place the pin De is standing in the enlarged
part mo of the groove outside of the gate, which in shifting closed the channel m
and switches the pin into the channel m³, thereby forcing the wedge between the
cam D' and the plate D, as shown by Figure 17.
The triangular block or double retracting cam D³ (which serves the same purpose
as the pivoted cam E³) lies on top of the needle bed and between it and the plate D,
being moved by the latter through the stud d', which projects up into the recess d³
in the bottom of the plate.
In order to change the tension of the stitches knit by the rear needles I move
the retracting cam D³ toward or away from the centre of the machine, which is
accomplished by a somewhat similar method to that employed in regulating the
tension of the front needles.
The recess d' into which the stud d' projects is elongated to permit the cam to
be moved transversely without effecting its reciprocal motion. An upwardly pro-
jecting ledge or flange do on the long side of the cam D³ fits into and traverses a
corresponding groove f' on the underside of a laterally-moving bar F³, which is
constructed precisely like the bar F¹. This connection allows a free reciprocating
movement of the cam D³, connects it to the bar F so that they will move laterally
together, and also serves to keep the cam from twisting or getting out of its true
position.
The bar F is mounted upon two arms N, N¹, which oscillate through apertures
in the needle-bed A', and are connected by a rock-shaft N, which works in suitable
bearings in the side plates A' and A³, thus forming a tension frame like that for
the front set of needles (see Figures 32 and 33). An arm N³, extending outwards
and downwards from the rock-shaft, carries at its end a steel shoe n, which rides
upon the periphery of the pattern-drum, and is held thereto by the action of the
spring Jo, which connects the front and rear tension frames. A boss N, on the
end of the arm has a recess in its underside, in which the shoe n is carried with
sufficient endwise movement to allow of any desired adjustment of the tension by
thumb-scrow n', which passes through the top of the boss, and bears on the upper
end of the shoe. The cam formed in the face of the pattern-drum in the path
traversed by the shoe n is best shown in Figure 43 and 44.
At the moment when the completed stocking is to be cast off and a new one
commenced it is desirable that the tension-mechanism should cease to operate
entirely, and to this end the shoe drops into the deep recess g' of the groove G*,
from which however it rises at the next movement of the pattern-drum, and rides
up the long incline to the groove G*.
The gradual enlargement of the foot of the stocking from toe to heel is acccom-
plished by knitting tight or small stitches at the toe, and gradually loosing or
enlarging them as the heel is approached. While the shoo n is upon the lower
part of the cam G₁ the stroke of the needle is short, and a close fabric is knit by
them; but as the shoe rides up the cam the retracting stroke of the needle is
gradually lengthened, thereby producing larger or looser stitches, and a consequent
increase in the size of the fabric.
While knitting certain parts of the sock, more particularly the toe and heel, it is
necessary in order to form the gored seams required to produce the proper shape of
these parts that one or more of the rear needles should be thrown out of action

page_text: while the others continue working, which end I attain as follows, that is to
say:-
Certain portions of the needle-slides or jacks on the flanks of the set next to the
pattern-cylinder reciprocate in slots or guide ways in rocking levers O, mounted
on a shaft O', parallel with and back of the needle-bed A, which is slotted through
in the rear part. The ends o, o¹, of the lever play vertically through a portion of
these slots by and in which they are guided and supported (see Figures 5, 7, 10, 11,
and 12). Projections o³, on the ends of the levers O, bear on the pattern-cylinder
and control their movement.
A lever having a single lug bearing on the pattern-cylinder with a spring to
hold it down to its work may be employed, but it is found that this construction
does not admit of such rapid work as is desirable although it will do good work at
a certain speed. I have therefore devised a mode of operating the rocking levers
positively which permits the machine to run at any speed required. To this end I
form a stud on each lever or each side of its fulcrum, which studs o³, o³, bear upon
the pattern-cylinder, and thus hold the lever positively to its work. To do this it
is essential that the two lugs should be in different vertical planes, parallel with
the face of the lever, while one lug rests upon the periphery of the pattern-cylinder,
the opposito lug may run in the groove G³ therein, there being no time when both
lugs run loosely in the grooves of the cylinder (see Figures 5, 7, 10, 11, and 12).
The bottom part a of the slot or guide-way in the lever in which the needle slide
or jack moves has a notch or recess of formed in it about midway of its length and
near the point o of the upper member of the lever, which member forms the top
wall of the slot.
By this mode of construction the lever can only oscillate when the needle is at
the upper end of its stroke, and when to operate it bears positively upon the needle-
slide or jack K, and depresses the back end into the notch above described, thus
positively locking the needle in this position until again thrown into operation by
the pattern-cam (see Figure 12). When in this position it will be noticed that the
stud K', on the top of the needle-jack, upon which the cams on the needle-slides D
act is depressed below the surface of the grating a so as to be entirely out of reach
of the cams, and is thus automatically thrown out of connection with them. By
this means the breakage of the needles by the yarn-carrier striking them is pre-
vented as well as the accidental dropping back of the needle; thus it will be seen
that by this Invention the needle is uniformly supported while working throughout
its entire length, and is not lifted when the rear end of the jack is depressed, while
to remove the needle the swinging-bed or support L is lowered and out of the way,
as described for the front set of needles, as shown in Figure 11, so that the
needle can be depressed at its rear end, releasing it from its connections with the
hook on the jack, and allowing it to be withdrawn, thus combining the advantages
of a continuous bearing when working or replacing the needles.
Another peculiarity of the organization of the machinery constructed according
to this Invention is that those needles on the rear or pattern-cylinder side of the
machine which are thrown out of operation in narrowing the fabric remain locked
at the extreme limit of their upward movement instead of being retracted out of
the way as is the case in the front set and in all other knitting machines known
to me.
It has been proposed to fill the cyelet holes usually formed in narrowing the
fabric when reversing the knitting in the central portion of it by partially pro-
truding the outside needle next to the last one being knit, and throwing a loop of
yarn around it on the reverse motion. It has been found in practice that this
plan is attended by the disadvantage of a tendency to break the needle and of not
leaving the fabric smooth, but I obviate this objection by causing the last needle in
knitting to advance the full length of its stroke and remain locked in that position
with a loop of yarn around it until the next course, when it retracts and goes on
knitting like the others.
The oscillating levers which carry the needle-alides or incks. as above de-

page_text: scribed, are steadily supported and guided by means of a comb frame O'
between the teeth of which the studs at work on the pattern drum vibrate (see
Figures 1 and 5).
The pattern drum or cylinder G revolves on a shaft mounted in suitable bearings
in the frame A and has a step movement imparted to it in the following manner,
that is to say: A lever P vibrating on a stud 63 which projects from the bracket
b is operated by two cams or eccentrics b, 6°, on the annular-hub of the crank-disc
B¹. One end of this lever projects through and vibrates in a slot in the side of
the main frame and has suspended from its end a loosely pivoted pawl Pl which
engages with the teeth of the ratchet Go on the pattern-drun and as the lever
vibrates gives the drum its intermittent motion. A spring P' on the side of the
lever presses against the front of the pawl and serves to keep it in engagement
with the ratchet. It has been found when doing rapid work that the momentum
imparted to the drum by the pawl P¹ will sometimes carry it further forward than
one step, which is very objectionable, and in order to obviate this difficulty I provide
a stop pawl p pivoted at p' and working through a slot in the actuating pawl P¹
(see Figures 34 and 35). The shape and relative position of the two pawls are
such that when the actuating pawl rises the bottom of the slot (as shewn by dotted
lines) strikes against the bottom of the pawl p and lifts its upper end out of en-
gagement with the ratchet, holding it out until part of the downward stroke is
accomplished, when it is allowed to fall back on the drum, and in order to secure its
engagement with the ratchet the end of the pawl P' strikes a toe p on the lower
end of the stop pawl, forcing it down, and the upper end of the pawl into the teeth
of the ratchet. By this arrangement it is impossible for the drum to move a
greater distance than one tooth for each reciprocation of the actuating pawl. The
upper end of the lever P is divided into two branches, the upper one P³ riding above
the actuating cam b*, while the lower branch Plies against the underside of the
retracting-cam b³.
The two arms are so shaped that both forks of the lever are always pressed
against them, any wear being compensated for by moving the steel block p³ which
is held down by set screws, thus imparting to the lever a positive motion.
During some portion of the work it is desirable to stop this step-by-step motion
of the pattern-cylinder as in plain knitting. By stopping the movement of the
pattern-cylinder I am enabled very materially to diminish the size of the pattern-
cylinder required, in case the cylinder should rotate continuously. To attain this
end I mount a peculiarly constructed right and left handed screw q, shewn in
Figures 34, 37, 38, and 40, upon a frame R and impart an intermittently rotating
movement to it by means of a toothed wheel q¹ upon its upper end actuated by a
cam B on the inner face of the crank wheel B₁, which cam acts upon the teeth once
during each revolution of the driving shaft B.
A plate Q, pivoted vertically upon the inner side of the frame R carries at its
upper end an arm Q₁which projects through an opening in the main frame and
stands between the pattern-cylinder and its actuating pawl P, holding the latter
out of contact with the ratchet when it is desired that the drum should remain
stationary (see Figures 34 to 42). A block or traveller S reciprocates in a slot R¹
of the frame and rocks upon its projecting pins 8, 8', which traverse grooves r, r²,
in the frame in each side of the slot. At the ends of this traveller are lugs S¹, S³,
which alternately traverse between the threads of the right and left handed screw,
being cut at proper angles to fit therein, and through which the traveller acquires
its reciprocating movement the lug S¹, being engaged with the left hand screw while
the traveller is on its upward move (see Figure 38), but is thrown out of contact
therewith by the inclined plane or cam 1" on the collar T at the upper end of
the screw, while at the same instant the lug S on the other end of the traveller is
thrown into engagement with the right hand screw and the traveller moves
downward until the lug S rides upon the inclined plane t', when its movement is
again reversed. The threads of the right and left handed screws are partially
cut away at intervals, as shewn at t and t, Figures 34, 38, and 40. At each

page_text: end of the traveller just inside of the lugs are loose pieces S and S which project
through it and have a slight endwise motion through the same limited by their
flanges on either side of said traveller which is recessed on its side next to the screw
to permit the flanges to sink until their outer surfaces are flush with the surface of
the traveller. One of these pieces when in action rides with one end bearing upon
the surface of the screw and the other against the underside of the plate Q, while
the other piece through the rocking of the traveller is moved entirely out of reach
of the screw and straddles the plato Qwith the groove like s, Figure 40. So long
as the piece S³ rides upon the cut-away portion the plate Q remains in the position
shewn in the Drawings, allowing the pawl to engage with the ratchet, but as soon
as it rides upon the incline t (Figure 40) it is pushed away from the centre of the
screw, crowding out the plate and moving the arın Q¹ until it pushes the pawl out
of engagement with the ratchet, where it holds it until the plate Q is again released
by the pin S riding upon a cut-away portion of the other screw on the return
movement of the traveller. The reversal of the movement of the traveller takes
place only when plain knitting is being done and when the pattern-drum is not at
work.
The plate has two extensions Q, Q3, which extend partly over the loose pieces
S³, S, and are acted upon by them. While the loose picco S3 is riding against the
inner side of the extension Q the piece S partly straddles the extension Q³, as
hereintefore described, but when the traveller reaches the upper end of its move-
ment the position of the pieces is changed by the reversal and rocking of the
traveller, and on the downward movement the piece S' is the one which rides
between the screw and plate while the piece S will straddle the projection Q³.
This change or reversal of the position of the pieces can only be effected when they
have both passed the ends of the extension and while the pattern-drum is stationary.
If some provision were not made for keeping the plate in its outward position when
the loose pieces pass from under the extension, as they do just before changing
position, the actuating pawl would be forced by its spring into engagement with
the ratchet, and the pattern-drum would be moved at an improper time; but to
obviate this difficulty the lug S5 in the middle of the traveller will have passed fairly
under the extension before the active loose piece leaves it, and holds it in its proper
position until, on the return movement of the traveller, the other loose piece is under
its extension and in position to act upon it. The dropping of the plate by the lugs
riding upon the cut-away portion of the scrow-threads and the consequent releasing
of the actuating pawl can only be effected while the lug S³, crossing the space
between two extensions at its top, lies in the same plane with the tops of the
working loose piece when the latter is riding upon the full part of the screw
thread.
The groove through which the fulcrum-pin 8 of the traveller moves is formed in
the frame itself (see Figure 40), while the groove traversed by the pin s' is formed
by a longitudinal depression in the frame covered by the plate R³.
On the side of the lug S* is a pin or stud S° which moves either above or below
the plates R, R*, maintaining the traveller in the position to which it has been
rocked, thereby ensuring the proper engagement of the lugs S', S2, with the screw
threads. When the traveller is moving upward, as shewn in the Drawings, this
pin rides under the plates in the groove r, but when it has reached the limit of its
upward movement and is about to be rocked by the cam T the pin will have passed
the upper end of the locking plates, leaving the traveller free to rock, which it does,
In the down-
changing the pin from a plane beneath the plates to one above them.
ward movement it rides outside of the plates, holding the lug S² down to its work
between the screw threads until the limit of its downward motion is reached, when
n reversal similar to that just described takes place. By adjusting the collars T, t,
at the upper and lower ends of these screw-threads respectively, the traverse of the
traveller S is shortened or lengthened, thereby diminishing or increasing the length
of plain knitting. Consequently by adjusting one or the other of these collars I am
enabled to vary the length of the leg without changing the length of the foot, or

page_text: vice versa.
In order to permit of the adjustment of the length of movement of the
traveller and still have the pin So work effectively during the entire traverse, tho
locking plate is composed of two parts R³, R*, secured to the frame by two screws R³
which pass through slots in both plates. For any change in the movement of the
traveller a similar change should be made in these plates. If the ring T is moved
upwards and the movement in this direction lengthened, the outer plate R³ should
be moved up a corresponding distance, while should the ring t be moved and the
downward movement of the traveller lengthened the under plate R should be
moved correspondingly.
Mounted upon and securely fastened to the front and back needle beds, at a point
near their inner edge or those nearest the centre of the machine are two longi-
tudinal bars or guide-pieces U of a peculiar shape (see Figures 5, 10, 11, 12, 28,
and 29), which serve to guide the yarn-carrier V to support the point of the needlo
when it is projected across the opening F in its most advanced position, to guide
and support the presser-hooks X, to carry the swinging frames W, which carry and
guide the presser-hook cams W in that reciprocating movement, and to hold the
needles and their jacks down to their work at all times. The base upon which
each guide-piece rests on its needle-bed consists of two parts lying in different
planes, the lower part being just far enough above the needle-groove to form a box-
guide in which there is only sufficient room to allow the needle to reciprocate freely,
while it has no chance to move either sidewise or vertically out of its proper
course. The upper part of the base lies in a plane elevated far enough above the
lower part to permit the hook K' on the end of the needle-jack to run freely under
it (see front-needle-jack in Figure 5, and rear jacks in Figures 10, 11, 12). In the
case of the front set of needles this arrangement is only made to allow the jack to
advance its full stroke, but in the arrangements of the rear set of needles this upper
part of the base of the guide, in addition to this, performs the important function of
holding the upper or hook end of the jack down to the bottom of the needle-groove,
and into engagement with the hook on the end of the needle, while its other end is
lowered and locked by the rocking lever O, and the shank of the jack is depressed
below the surface of the grating alon the needle-bed (see Figure 12), thus preventing
any chance of the jack accidentally rising and becoming disengaged from the hook
on the needle by this operation.
Alternating with the needles are series of hooks.
In the accompanying Drawings, these hooks are shewn as forming parts of
elbow levers X rocking on the pivot U', which extends the entire length of the
guide-bar. These levers rock in and are guided by slots in the guide-bars (sco
Figures 28 and 20, which illustrate the back presser-hooks) and have in their upper
end, which extends a short distance above the surface of the guide-bar U, slots ✗'
through which the actuating cam W glides. This cam is formed on a downward
projection of the bar W₁ (see Figure 30) which reciprocates in suitable bearings in
the swinging guides W, and is actuated by a pin which rides between the arms of
the slotted hooks W³ on the face of the bar W, and receives its motion from the
saddle C, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. The hooks X normally lic as
shewn in Figures 5 and 29, and are held down in this position by the cam W³,
while its straight parts are moving through the slot X, but they are raised and
lowered when the curve W, shewn in Figure 30, is passing through them, and
again held down by the straight part following said curve. The swinging guide W
is supported by curved arms which extend into recesses near each end of the guide-
bars U, and are pivoted on the pin U that the levers X rock upon, thus permitting
any adjustment of the position of the cams and elbow levers. The swinging guides
bear back against and are adjusted by the eccentrically shaped heads of pins W
which fit rather tightly in holes in the stationary guide-bars U and are grooved
across the beads like screws to enable them to be turned by a screw-driver. By
this device the swinging guides can be moved towards or away from the centre of
the machine, as desired, and by so doing the pressed-hooks are raised or lowered to
any desired position.

page_text: In addition to its other functions, the guide-bar U on which the yarn-carrier
slides acts as a support to the needles during the upper portion of their stroke, thus
ensuring their working in a uniform plan and supporting them securely against the
pressure of the usual shoe on the yarn-carrier.
The yarn-carrier V sliding in grooves in the guide-bars U carries at either end a
pressure-shoo V₁ which ride over and bear down upon the needle when in their
advanced position (see Figure 5) holding them firmly down to the support ledge U
while the horns V2 on the underside of the carrier pass through the hooks on the
ends of the needles and throw back any of the latches which may have become
accidentally closed. As soon as the horn has passed entirely through the hook of a
needle the latter commences its retracting movement, and by the time the hole in
the carrier (through which the yarn is fed) has passed over the needle the pivot of
the needle-latch will be directly under the hole, and the yarn which is being fed
through will be upon the upper surface of the needle before it is seized by the hook.
The yarn-carrier is actuated by a pin c' which projects from the under side of a
lever pivoted to the saddle C, and rides in the space between the end of the upright
flange Vs on the side of the carrier and the lug Vs which projects sidewise froin tho
end of the rocking lever V which is pivoted on the outer side of the upright flange,
as shewn. This lever is held in the position shewn in the Drawings by the
spring Vo screwed to the top of the flange.
The tail of the lever V projects a short distance beyond the end of the carrier
and has a notch V7 on its under side about midway between the end of the carrier
and the end of the lever with an incline from the notch to the top and end of the
lever, the notch and incline being for a purpose which will be hereinafter more
fully explained. It is necessary in the organisation of the machine that the yarn-
carrier should travel in advance of the presser-hook cams, while these travel slightly
in advance of the needle-cam-slides, and this involves a reversal of their relative
position at the end of each stroke. These ends I attain by actuating the presser-
hook-cams W by means of pins c, which project downwardly from the under side
of the levers C1, C2, and ride in the slotted hooks W on the face of the cam-bars W¹,
by actuating the yarn-carrier by means of the pin c¹ projecting from the under sido
of the lever C', and riding between the end of the upright flanges on the yarn-carrier
and the end of the lever V pivoted thereto.
The levers C1, C2, are pivoted at the outer ends of the reciprocating saddle C
(which connects and actuates the needle-cam-slides D, E,) and are pin-jointed at the
centre to enable them to be controlled and acted upon simultaneously by the leg C³
of the lever C'. This leg C projects downward and away from the saddles, as
shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, and carries at its lower extremity a stud c³ which
projects from the underside of the lever and traverses the grooves in the top of the
channel-plate or top cam-plate Y, the details of which are fully shown in Figures 25,
26, and 27. While the saddle is advancing in its outward movement and the yarn-
carrier is over the needles, the stud on the end of the lever C will traverse the
straight groove y' in the plate Y, but when the yarn carrier has passed over all the
needles and the saddle is nearing the end of its outward movement the stud will run
into the groovey which lies at an angle to the groove y', passing over and depressing
a spring-latch Y₁, which lies in the groove, and springs up behind the stud as soon
as it has passed into the groove y³, thereby preventing it from re-entering the groove
on its return movement. This change in the path of the stud from the groove y
to y³ causes the lever by which it was carried to vibrate on its pivot C, thereby
vibrating the levers C¹ and C, and through them causing the yarn-carrier to stop
its outward movement and remain stationary while the saddle C and presser-hook-
cams We continue on the end of their stroke, thus causing a complete change or
reversal of the relative position of the needle-cams, the presser-hook-cams, and the
yarn-carrier. On the return movements of these parts the stud will traverse the
straight groove y³ until the yarn-carrier has reached the end of its movement, when
it passes through the angular groove * corresponding in every particular to the
groove y³, which causes a reversal of the relative position of the parts similar to that

page_text: just described. I find it desirable to stop the reciprocation of the yarn-carrier a
one end of the stroke every time the sock is finished, in order to throw off the
finished sock preparatory to the commencement of a new one. This object is
attained by disconnecting the yarn-carrier from its actuating pin c¹ automatically
as follows, that is to say :-
A lever Z pivoted at Z' on the side-plate A' of the frame extends to a point just
beyond the back of the frame, where it is bent nearly to a right angle, and extends
in toward the pattern-drum, near the side of which it is again bent, and extends a
short distance at the same angle and in a plane parallel with the main portion of
the lever Z. This section of the lever carries a stud which projects from its inner
side and rides upon the inner surface of the pattern-cylinder, being held there by
the action of the spring Z. The upper end of the lever Z in its normal condition
lies with its upper horizontal edge flush with the top surface of the guide bar V,
along which surface the lever V on the yarn-carrier slides until the notch V' in its
under side lies directly over the end of the lever Z. When the sock being knit is
completed and ready to be thrown off, the yarn-carrier travels as usual on its out-
ward course, but while it is on the return movement the pin Z on the lever Z rides
upon a cam or wiper G' on the inner surface of the pattern-cylinder, which after
vibrating the lever and elevating its upper end above the surface of the guide-bar U
holds it in such a position that as the yarn carrier approaches the end of its return
stroke the incline on the under side of the lever V' will ride upon it until the notchi
V falls over it, thus securely locking the yarn-carrier until it is released by the
lowering of the lever Z to its original position. The action of the incline on the
tail of the lever V rocks the lever and lowers its other end to such a position that
the projection V³, which before lay directly in front of the actuating pin c', will be
so depressed that the pin at its next reciprocation of the saddle will move over it,
leaving the yarn-carrier at rest and securely locked by the lever Z, where it remains
during one reciprocation of the saddle, in which the knit sock is thrown off and the
needle left free to commence a new one. While the saddle is making this throwing off
reciprocation, or rather during the return movement thereof, the pattern-cylinder is
moved one step, permitting the pin Z to ride off the wiper G7 and into its original
or normal position against the inner side of the cylinder, causing the lever Z to
resume its former position, thereby unlocking or releasing the lever V+ on the yarn-
carrier, which resumes its former position, and awaits the return of its actuating
pin c¹.
When the pin nears the end of its stroke it rides over the incline on the
face of the projection V³, and into its working position between the projection and
the end of the upright flange or yarn-carrier, the lever V rocking down while the
pin is passing over the projection on its end. A pin Us passing through the upper
flange and across the guide groove of the yarn carrier in the front guide bar U (see
Figures 1 and 4) serves as a stop to hold the yarn-carrier in position while the
actuating pin c' is passing over the projection V on the end of the spring-lever.
Without this stop pin the yarn-carrier would not offer resistance enough to
enable the actuating pin c¹ to depress the projection on the end of the spring rocking
lever V
Yarns of different size or colors are supplied to the needle by shifting yarn-
carriers.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-The yarn carrier is supplied with
yarns of desired size and color, and the yarn of which the toe of the sock is to be
composed is automatically fed through a distributing eye, which is done by the first
movement of the machine. Before the yarn-carrier removes however, both sets of
needles are simultaneously thrown up in succession, instead of one set being thrown
up at a time, as usual, and as the yarn-carrier passes over the needle the yarn is
seized by them and also by the depresser-books, those on the back side being bent
sidewise, as shown in Figure 7, in order to catch the yarn the first time.
Both sets of needles now retire with the yarn engaged, and the hooks hold the
yarn down to the needle, the front set of needles remaining quiescent while the
knitting proceeds with the rear set. By reason of this peculiar method of com-

page_text: mencing the formation of the fabric I am enabled to drop off the finished sock as
soon as completed, and to start anew without the necessity of having a formed
fabric to which to attach the new stitches. The front set of needles being thrown out
of action, as above described, the rear set continue to knit back and forth on the too
of the sock, commencing at a point above the line of the back of the toes in the
human foot, and knitting first the top of the toe of the sock, narrowing as the
knitting progresses, and knitting the bottom of the toe-part, widening from the toe
backward, until a point is reached opposite to that at which the knitting began.
The front set of needles are then thrown into action, but so as to knit one way only,
and in fact they never knit but in this one way, while at the same time the action
of the rear set of needles is changed so as to cause them to knit one way only, and
that way the reverse of the front set, the result of which is the production of a tubo
forming the foot part of the sock up to the point where the heel part commences,
tho sock being gradually widened up to this point by gradually increasing the
looseness of the stitches. The front set of needles are again thrown out of action,
as in forming the toe the action of the rear set of needles is changed so as to cause
them to work both ways, the old thread is cut off, a heavier one substituted, and
the heel is formed more or less of the outer needles being thrown out of action, as
required, to round the heel. When the heel is completed the heavier yarn is cut off,
another one is substituted, the action of the rear set of needles is changed so as to
cause them to knit one way only, the front set of needles is thrown into action, and
the knitting progresses as before and continues until the sock is finished. These
various changes are produced in their required order by variations in the cams on
the pattern-cylinder, as will readily be understood by skilful operators from the
foregoing description. In knitting with different colored yarns the yarn is changed
automatically as often as desired without interrupting the operation of the knitting,
in the manner hereinafter described.
As soon as the sock is finished the yarn-carrier is stopped, the finished sock
dropped from the needles, both sets of needles are thrown up, and the formation of
a new sock commences, as herein beforo described.
I will now proceed to describe the means which I employ in order to change
automatically and at pleasure from a yarn of given size or color to a different one,
which end I obtain by combining with knitting mechanism a series of yarn-carriers
each carrying a yarn of different size or color, and automatically operated so as to
supply the desired size or color to the needles at the proper time.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 49 represents a plan of this arrangement.
Figure 50 is a rear view partly in section on the line u, u, Figure 49.
Figure 51 is a front view, with a portion of the framing broken away.
Figure 52 represents a vertical transverse section through the apparatus on the
line v, v, Figure 49.
Figure 53 is a vertical transverse section on the line w, w, Figure 49.
Figure 54 is a plan partly in section on the line x, Figure 53.
Figures 55, 56, and 57 represent vertical sections through the yarn carrier tubes
and distributing eyes, showing the respective positions of the parts when the yarn
is passing freely through the carrier when it is held fast therein and when it is
being fed through to the needles.
The mechanism is to be mounted on a stout frame and driven by gearing of
useful and well known construction.
The needles reciprocate in suitable guides in a needle-bed A, being actuated
successively by a cam on a reciprocating cam-bar B, as usual. A bracket C pro-
jecting from the cam-bar B is provided with the usual distributing eye c. A series
of yarn carrier-tubes D, D¹, are mounted upon a swinging carrier frame E, oscillating
intermittingly on a pivote on the bracket above mentioned. Two carrier-tubes only
are shown in the Drawings, but a greater number may be employed if desired; I
have found four a convenient number to be used. The carrier-frame reciprocates
with the cam-bar B and carries a spring pawl f, which moves a ratchet wheel F

page_text: 49.
provided with a cam-groove f¹ on its under side, as shown in dotted lines in Figure
A pin traversing said cam-groove actuates a slide-bar G, reciprocating trans-
versely to the path of the cam-bar, and carrying a guide-slot g, in which a pendent
oscillating lever E' on the oscillating carrier-frame E works to shift the carrier as
required. The frequency of those changes will be varied to suit the requirements
of the work.
The pendent lover E¹ oscillates vertically on its pivot e in the bracket frame lever
E, being ordinarily pressed down by a spring e" into one of the notches in the post
of the bracket frame E, thus positively locking the yarn-carrier to prevent accidental
shifting while at work until the required moment, and they are always thus
positively locked while the pendent lever is free from the slot or guide-way g, but
the bottom of this guide-way is inclined so that every time the pendent lever enters
it, it is unlocked from one of the notches in the post of the bracket frame but
positively held by the guide-groove, and only moves externally when the slido G is
reciprocated by its cam. The Drawings show the ratchet-wheel and other mechanism
so organized as to shift the yarn-carrier at every fifth reciprocation of the cam-bar.
I have shown and described a yarn-carrier as mounted on an oscillating frame which
form I prefer, as the cheapest and best, as compared with other forms known
to me.
The carrier-tubes D, D', aro preferably made of a tubular form, with an opening
at the back just above the supporting frame through which they project.
A brush H secured on the handle h slides freely in the tubes, and is actuated at
proper intervals by a stud on the brush-handle working against cams i, i, shown
in dotted lines in Figure 51 on a gallows frame I, when the yarn is being fed
through the tube; the brush of each tubo as it swings out of position is restored to
its normal attitude of holding the yarn, as shown in Figure 56, by passing under a
cam J, which, as will be seen in Figure 51, is in a different but parallel vertical plane
from that of the cams i, i.
A double-bladed knife or shear k, moveable on the bracket transversely to the line
of motion of the cam-bar works on each side of the distributing eye, being thrown
forward by a cam L, and pushed back by the carrier tubes as they change position,
so as to shear past two stationary cutter blades k' and cut the yarn.
The operation of this contrivance is as follows:-
I will suppose the machine to be knitting yarn from the carrier tube D, its brush
being in the position shown in Figure 55, to permit the yarn to pass freely through
the tube to the distributing eyo in the plate or bracket C, over which it lies. When
the pawl on the carrier-frame moves the wheel F and causes the slide G to move,
the tube D is swinging away from the distributing eye and the tube D' is put in
its place. The brush and yarn in the tube D', at the moment of swinging into
position over the distributing eye, are in the attitude shown in Figure 56. As
the tubes change position they force back the shears and lay the yarn of the
tubes moving out of position across the face of one shear blade, and as the cam L is
passed the shears are forced forward and the yarn is cut. As the tubo D' swings
into position over the distributing eye its stud h¹ comes under the cam i, which
pushes it down from the position shown in Figure 56 to that shown in Figure 57,
thus forcing the yarn down through the distributing eye a moment before the shears
cut the yarn of the tube D, so as to insure the engagement of one thread before the
other is cut; and the knitting proceeds as before. By this time the stud h¹ strikes
the upper side of the cam i, the yarn is well engaged, the brush is theu withdrawn
to the position shown in Figure 55, and the yarn passes freely through the tube.
As the tube D swings out of position, its brush being then in the position shewn in
Figure 55, is pressed down by the cam J into the position shewn in Figure 56, in
which position the yarn can be drawn through the tube as the kuitting progresses,
but is prevented from drawing out backwards. These movements precede the
cutting of the yarn above described. The brushes by preference are made of fine
wire though bristles or other equivalent material might be substituted. Experienco
has demonstrated this device to be of great practical importance, owing to the

page_text: certainty with which it holds and feeds the yarn notwithstanding variations in its
size or materials, and the want of such a device has heretofore been a great obstacle
in the way of this method of manipulation.
The operations above described are repeated as often as it is desired to change
the size or color of the yarn, and as by this method of operation I am enabled to
substitute a heavier material for a lighter one in working the heel of the stocking
for instance, instead of throwing in one extra yarn, the advantages of this improve-
ment are obvious.
I am also enabled to knit stockings with stripes of uniform width, notwitstanding
variations in the width of the stocking, as it is widened, or narrowed to conform
to the shape of the limb; and this I am enabled to do without carrying the
yarn which ceases to be knit across one or more stripes outside of the fabric, but on
the contrary, give a smooth even finish to the goods.
The mechanism described is adapted to knit a flat fabric, the edges of which can
afterwards be united by stitching, but it is adaptable to a rotary or circular machine
for knitting a tubular fabric.
The advantages of the said improvements will be so obvious to those skilled in
the art, from the foregoing description as to need no further elucidation.
It is obvious that by the slight modifications of the mechanism above described
I can adapt the machine to the kitting of mittens, caps, and other articles of
different shape.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents and the manner of performing the same, I wish it undor-
stood that I claim,—
First. The combination of the needle-bed, the needles, and the guide way for the
yarn-carrier, whereby the guide-way acts as a support for the needles on the upper
part of their stroke, as herein set forth.
Second. The combination of the needle-bed, the needles, the guide-way, the yarn-
carrier slide therein, the pressure-shoe and latch-opener of the yarn-carrier, whereby
the needles are pressed down on the guide-way in the path of the latch-opener.
Third. The combination of the needles, the yarn-carrier, its spring hook, the
tripping lever acting thereon, the pattern-cam acting on the trip-lever, and the
detachable lever connections, by which the yarn-carrier is driven where the yarn-
carrier is stopped at the end of its stroke when the sock is finished to allow the
finished sock to drop from the needles, as above described.
Fourth. The combination of the longitudinally divided needle-bed, the yarn-
carrier working over the opening in the needle-bed, the guide-way for the yarn-
carrier, the needles working across the opening in the needle-bed, and the yarn-
feeding hooks interposed between the needles, all as hereinbefore described.
Fifth. The yarn feed-hooks constructed as described, with a horizontal bend or
offset whereby the feed of the yarn is facilitated.
Sixth. The combination of the yarn-carrier, the needles, the pattern-cylinder, the
link connections between the pattern-cylinder, the yarn carrier, and the needles,
whereby both sets of needles are simultaneously thrown forward in succession to
commence knitting a new fabric, as above described.
Seventh. The combination of the yarn-carrier, the needle-cam-slide, and the
hook-cam slide, whereby the harmonious co-operation of the respective parts is
secured, as herein set forth.
Eighth. The combination of the crank-wheel, its pitman, and the link conections
with the needle-slides, the hook cam slides, and yarn carrier, whereby the yarn-
carrier needles and hooks are driven by a single pitman, as above described.
Ninth. The combination of the reciprocating saddle of the needle-cam-slide, the
hook-cam-slide, the pivoted levers connecting the reciprocating saddle and hook
slides, the cam-actuating said levers, and the yarn-carrier, whereby the yarn-carrier,
the hook-slides, and the needle-slides are caused successively to follow each other to
the end of the stroke, to reverse their relative position, and again to follow each

page_text: оц the back stroke, for the purposes described, and as herein before set
forth.
Tenth. The combination of the needle-bed, the needle interlocking with the jack,
and the oscillating lever or slide-frame in which the needle-jack travels, as herein
described.
Eleventh. The combination of the needles, the needle-jack interlocking therewith.
the oscillating lever in which the jacks slide, the notch in the guide-way of the
lever, and the hinged support of the needle-bed, whereby the needle is securely held
while working and its removal or insertion facilitated as above described.
Twelfth. The combination of the needle, its jack, its oscillating carrying lever,
the notch in the guide-way thereof, and the pattern-cam, whereby any needle
desired can be thrown out of operation at the upper end of its stroke and positively
locked, as above set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination of the needles, their jacks, the oscillating lever or
needle-slide-frame, in which the needles on the flanks of the set are carried, and
the pattern-cylinder, whereby a greater or less number of needles may be thrown out
of action in working the fabric, as above set forth.
Fourteenth. The combination of the needles, their oscillating slides, carrying frame
or lever, and the pattern-cylinder provided with an independent cam-groove for
each needle, whereby the outer needles of the series, in narrowing, are successively
held locked in the upper end of their stroke during one passage of the yarn-carrier
to prevent the formation of eyelet-holes in the fabric, as herein described.
Fifteenth. The combination of the hooks, their cam-slides, and the guido in which
the slide works, adjustable on a pivot concentric with that of the hooks to adapt
them to knitting yarns of different fineness, as well as tight or loose, as above set
forth.
Sixteenth. The combination of the hooks, their cam-slides, and the guide in
which they work, with an excentric screw for adjusting the slides, whereby the
hooks can be adjusted for tight or loose knitting, as herein described.
Seventeenth. The combination of the cam-slides, the cam on the pattern-cylinder,
the rocking frame carrying the shifter-bar, and the adjustable link connection
between rocking frame and pattern-cylinder, whereby the cam is shifted to knit
tight or loose work, as above set forth.
Eighteenth. The combination of the pattern-cylinder, the needle-slides adjacent
thereto, the cam-slide, its fixed cam, and the laterally moveable cam worked by
the laterally moving shifter-bar actuated by the pattern-wheel, as hereinbefore
described.
Nineteenth. The combination of a front cam-slide, a cam movable away there-
from, an interposed lifting wedge and shipping mechanism, controlled by the
pattern-cylinder, whereby the needles are automatically thrown into or out of opera-
tion at the proper moment, as above set forth.
Twentieth. The combination of a series of alternating tubular yarn-carriers
provided with reciprocating brushes and mechanism for operating the carriers and
brushes, substantially as described, whereby one yarn may be substituted for
another during the operation of knitting, automatically and without interruption to
the work.
Twenty first. The combination with a reciprocating cam-bar of a plate or bracket
provided with a distributing eye through which the yarn passes the needle-shifting
yarn-carriers, which successively supply yarn to the needle, and a swinging inter-
mittently oscillating frame, all reciprocating with the cam-bar, as and for the purposes
described.
Twenty second. The combination of a plate provided with a distributing eye,
through which yarn passes to the needles, shifting carriers adapted to successively
supply yarn to the needle, and a cutter to sever the yarn as the carrier moves out
of working position, as above set forth.
Twenty third. The combination of a shifting yarn-carrier adapted to successively
supply the yarn to the needles, a cutter adapted to be opened by the carrier as it

page_text: moves out of working position, and a cam adapted to close the cutter to sever the
yarn, as herein described.
Twenty fourth. The combination of a needle-bed, a reciprocating cam-bar, shifting
yarn-carriers reciprocating with the cam-bar, and shifting mechanism operated by
the cam-bar, all as abovo sot forth.
Twenty fifth. The combination of a reciprocating cam-bar, yarn carriers mounted
in a frame, pivoted thereon and reciprocating therewith, and mechanism which
positively and automatically locks the yarn-carrier-frame in position, as above
described.
Twenty sixth. The combination of a travorsing shifting yarn-carrier frame, a
positive automatical locking latch and mechanism which automatically releases the
latch, holds the frame in position until the proper moment, shifts the yarn-carrier,
and allows the latch to escape and relock the yarn-carrier in their new position as above
described.
Twenty seventh. A yarn-clamp and feeder, consisting of the combination of a
carrier and a brush reciprocating ondwise in the carrier, and brush-reciprocating
mechanism, as above set forth.
Twenty eighth. The combination of a plate provided with the distributing eye,
the tubular yarn-carrier having an opening therein for the passage of the yarn and
a brush reciprocating from a point above the opening of the yarn-tubes into the
distributing eye and brush-reciprocating mechanism, whereby the end of the yarn
always protrudes in advance of the brush, as abovo described.
Twenty ninth. The combination of a yarn-carrier, a reciprocating brush, and a
cam, whereby the yarn is protruded from the carrier to be seized by the needles,
and the brush then withdrawn to allow the yarn to pass freely through the carrier,
as herein set forth.
Thirtieth. The combination of a yarn carrier, a reciprocating brush, and a cam
which forces down the brush to clamp the severed yarn and prevents its retraction,
as above set forth.
Thirty first. The combination of shifting yarn carriers, brushes reciprocating
therein, a cutter, and two sets of cains, arranged in different vertical planes, whereby
the yarn is protruded and released by one cam as the carrier moves into action, and
clamped by another cam as the carrier goes out of action and the yarn is severed,
as above described.
Thirty second. The combination of a cam-bar, the cam-wheel actuated thereby,
the shifting slide actuated by the cam-wheel, and the yarn-carrier shifting
mechanism carried by the cam-bar, but controlled by the shifter-slide, for the
purposes specified, and as above set forth.
Thirty third. The combination of the needles, a cam-bar acting successively
thereon, a plate having a distributing eye mounted on the cam-bar, the shifting
yarn-carrier also mounted on said bar, mechanism actuated on the cam-bar for
shifting the yarn-carrier, and cams acting upon the feed-mechanism of the yarn-
carrier, whereby the yarn may be automatically changed without interruption to
the knitting, and a smooth fabric is produced, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand oight hundred and seventy-nine.