Improvements in and connected with Knitting Machinery.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 13th Apr.,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Knitting Machinery.
I, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I. Mech. E., of Norfolk House, Victoria
Embankment, London, W.C., in the County of Middlesex, Chartered Patent Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me from abroad
by E. Catenacci & Co., of Milan, Italy), and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
-
This invention relates to improvements in the subject-matter of the British
Letters Patent No. 2985 of the year 1894.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a plan view of the mechanism.
Figure 1 a partial plan view of the same, but on an enlarged scale.
Figure 2 a front view as seen in the direction of the arrow a (Figure 1).
Figure 3 a transverse section along the line c d, as in the direction of the
arrow (Figure 1).
Figures 4 and 5 represent the loop-lifter, and the loop-catcher for the forming
of the loop, in different positions.
Figure 6 is a section along the line g h in Figure 1 looked at in the direction
of the arrow b¹.
Figures 7, 8 and 9, represent the arrangement for controlling the comb, whilst
Figures 9" to 10" show details of this arrangement.
Figures 11 to 13 represent the mechanism for controlling the catcher for form-
ing the loop.
Figures 14 to 27 show the different positions of the needle at the time the loop
is being formed.
Figure 28 represents the means of controlling the needle.
Figure 29 a detailed part of the mechanism for forming the loop.
Figures 30 and 31 represent the catches or stops for automatically reversing
the movement of the comb.
Figure 32 shows the manner in which one of these catches or stops is fixed to
the comb.
Figure 33 represents a detail of the mechanism employed in forming the loop.
Figures 34 to 37 represent a modified arrangement of the apparatus for pro-
ducing knitted goods of plain or fancy design.
I will commence by describing, with the assistance of Figures 14 to 29", the
forming of the loop.
In the position given in Figure 14 the thread is already hitched around the
tooth of the comb situated below the point of the needle. The needle is still in
the act of ascending. In Figures 14" to 16 the needle is at the upper extremity of
its travel, the comb has already advanced by a distance equal to one tooth in the
direction of the arrow (Figure 14). In Figures 17 to 19 the needle is in the
act of descending. In descending, the needle, whose peculiar bent shape can be
seen in Figures 22, 25, 27 and 28, places the thread on one of the two horns or
projections 51, the shape of which is to be seen in Figure 29. The horn or pro-
jection pieces extend in the form of segments 60. They are pivotted around
centres 61, and are drawn towards one another by a spring 62, in such a manner
as to form a closed fork. The needle with its curved end, is introduced behind

page_text: these horns (Figures 17 to 19), and places the thread on the horn or projection 51.
The needle descends far enough to allow of a loop-catcher 22 seizing the thread
and allowing it to slip on to the tooth situated below the needle. The descent of
the needle separates the horns 51 from one another (see Figs. 22 to 26) and it then
passes to the middle of the horns and removes the thread therefrom. When the
needle ascends again, the loop is firmly fastened. Figures 26 and 27 show the
loop-catcher 22 in a spiral form. This catcher receives an oscillating motion from
the shaft 20 which carries it. The same figures also show the manner in which
the loop-catcher seizes the thread from the needle.
At the time when the loops are formed, a rod v, arranged in front of the comb 19,
also comes into operation (Figures 22, 27 and 33). Its end is bent at a right
angle for the purpose of keeping the loops of the previously formed row steady
in their places on the comb during the passage of the needle and preventing them
from falling off.
Figure 28 shows the construction of the needle-bearer which is kept steady by
a rod 8, which is pivotted on an arm 7". A spiral spring 8 continually presses
the needle towards the teeth of the comb. The arm 7 is supported in turn by a
rod 7, which is attached to another rod 7b and is operated in the manner that is
usually adopted in connection with sewing machines.
The arrangement for regulating the action of the comb is as follows:-
The bar 12 (Figures 1 and 2 and 6 to 9) oscillates around the pivot B situated
near to its left hand extremity. Near its longitudinal axis it carries a pivot c
around which two pieces 16 and 17 (Figures 7 to 10") are able to oscillate. The
bar 12 receives an oscillating motion by means of a cam D fixed on the vertical
shaft 3 (Figure 1 right hand side) the end 12ª of the bar 12 being pressed against
the cam D by means of a spring 12b. The pieces 16 and 17 transmit the oscillat-
ing movement of the bar 12 to the comb in such a manner as to effect a lateral
displacement of the same. The shape of the pieces 16 and 17 is shewn by
Figures 9, 10 and 10%. Piece 17 bears at its extremity some teeth 18, which are
made to engage with the teeth of the comb. The pieces 16 and 17 are connected
by a projection 16ª formed on the piece 16, which engages with the slot 17b
belonging to the piece 17. As the slot is longer than the projection the piece 17
is capable of a displacement longitudinally in relation to the piece 16. A spring S
has a constant tendency to bring the piece 17 towards the comb 19. The piece 16
is also provided with two pegs or pins 16b, which come alternately in contact with
the screw-heads D1, D2, when the bar 12 is in motion. When the bar 12 approaches
the comb 19, the teeth 18 at first engage (Figure 7) with the comb 19; and then
following on this, the pin or peg 165 comes into contact with the screw head D².
The piece 17 then commences to oscillate and causes the comb to move one tooth
forward in the direction of the arrow. By regulating the position of the
screws D¹, D, the scope of the comb's motion is also regulated.
The bar 12 cannot be prevented by the piece 17 from approaching the comb,
when 17 is already in contact with the last-named, since the spiral spring forms
an elastic connection between these two pieces. The oscillating motion of the
pieces 16 and 17 in the contrary direction takes place at the time of the return
motion of the bar 12, through the medium of a piece 43 in the form of an anchor
(Figures 11, and 9). This anchor has a to-and-fro movement around the bolt
or pin 43, and its two arms 44, 45 are alternately brought into contact with the
two pins 46 belonging to the piece 17.
In the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 9 it is the right arm of the anchor
that comes into operation. When the bar 12 moves away from the comb 19, the
pin or peg 46 comes into contact with the arm 44. The effect of this is that the
pieces 16 and 17 are oscillated in the direction of the arrow, Figure 8, in such
a manner that, when the bar 12 again approaches the comb 19, (and after the
teeth have engaged with the comb,) the contact of the pin or peg on the right 16b,
with the screw head D2, produces a fresh oscillation towards the right and the
consequent forward movement of the comb.

page_text: The reverse movement may be effected either by hand or automatically by the
machine itself with the assistance of catches or stops arranged on the comb or
with the aid of a ratchet wheel 52 which acts in exactly the same manner as
described in the British Letters Patent No. 2985 of the year 1894 reference to
which has already been made.
Reversing with the hand is effected by moving the stud or pin 35 (Figures 1
and 2). This stud or pin is mounted on the connecting link 34, which is articu-
lated to the stem of the anchor 43; it follows therefore that any displacement
whatever of the connecting link 34 causes the anchor to oscillate. The displace-
ment of the connecting link 34 may also be effected with the aid of the locks or
catches already mentioned. These stops or catches 82 (Figures 30 and 31) are
arranged on the comb, as shown in Figure 32, with the aid of the spring 83; a
nose-piece 84 is inserted between two adjacent teeth of the comb, and thus pre-
vents any displacement of the stops or catches. A second nose-piece 85 comes into
contact with the stud 34" of the connecting link 34 and produces a displacement
thereof, an oscillation of the anchor 43 being thereby effected.
As may be seen from Figures 1 and 1", the regulator 34 is provided with a
lateral arm 58, which extends to the disc 52 and is actuated by the cam 57 which
is made to gear with the disc.
A spring 7 constantly pushes the arm 58, and consequently the connecting link 34
towards the right, causing it to lean against the cam 57.
The disc is put out of action by a lever 50 (Figures 1 and 2). If the lever 50
be caused to oscillate, its arm P releases the spring q, which presses the arm 58
of the connecting link 34 against the cam 57, whilst the arm r of the lever 50
detaches the pawl 81 from the ratchet wheel, which receives an intermittent motion
from the said pawl.
The catch 81 is put in motion by the aid of a rod or bar N and a cam M fixed
on the shaft 3.
The construction of the loop-catcher intended for forming the loop may be seen
in Figures 1 to 5. The loop-catcher properly speaking is of spiral form 22
(Figure 26) and is mounted on the shaft 20, to which is keyed an eccentric f, trans-
mitting a reciprocating motion to the loop-lifters 27 situated immediately above.
At the other extremity of the shaft 20 is a crank F the pin F1 of which slides in
a groove formed in the connecting piece G (Figures 11 to 13). The connecting
piece G is composed of a strong plate fastened to the shuttle carrier of the machine
in any suitable manner. This connecting piece G (see Figures 1 and 1") is con-
nected by the rod 5 with the balanced crank 6 attached to the vertical shaft 3 and
receives in consequence a reciprocating motion when the said shaft 3 is rotated; in
this manner it transmits, with the assistance of the pin F1 sliding in the groove
which is formed in G, an oscillating movement to the crank F. This movement
actuates the shaft of the loop-catcher.
On the side opposite to that of the pin F¹, the crank carries two projecting
pieces F (Figure 11) which are capable of engaging with an angle piece H in
such a manner as to cause F1 to leave the groove of the connecting piece G. The
angle piece H is mounted on an arm L of the rod 24 which, in a manner well
known in connection with sewing machines regulates the extent of displacement
of the bar N.
The bar N, as has been stated, carries the catch 81 which causes the ratchet
wheel to rotate. If, with the assistance of the stud 24ª the rod 24 be displaced in
the direction of the arrow n (Figure 1), the angle piece H causes the crank F of
the loop catcher to come out of the groove or slot in the connecting piece G, in
such a manner as to carry the said loop catcher into the position of rest. At the
same time the head of the screw o (Figure 1) by means of which the angle
piece H is arranged on the arm L, acts on an inclined part of the rod 12, in such
manner as to detach it from the tappet cam D and to completely arrest its move-
The displacement of the rod 24 thus effects not only the stoppage of the
loop catcher, intended for forming the loop, but also the rod 12 and consequently
ment.

page_text: all the mechanism for controlling the comb. In this way the whole of the machine
intended for plain and fancy knitting remains inactive.
With regard to the working of the machine I have further to state as follows:-
As soon as the rotation of the shaft of the machine induces that of the shaft 3,
the cam D fixed on the latter transmits a reciprocating motion to the bar 12, and
this movement is communicated to the comb by the aid of the pieces 16 and 17.
At the same time the shaft 3, by means of the crank piece 6 and the connecting
rod 5, causes the connecting piece G to oscillate. This imparts motion to the
loop-catcher 22, and the connecting piece G along with the crank pin F1 of the
shaft 20 actuates the said loop-catcher. The loop-lifter 27 receives its motion
from the shaft 20 aided by the eccentric f.
The employment of the two horn shape pieces 51 for forming the loops permits
of the use of a single loop-catcher and of putting the loop which is in course of
formation, directly on the tooth of the comb which is under or behind the needle.
In the arrangement described in the subject-matter of Letters Patent No. 2985
of 1894, the fresh loop had always to be placed on the tooth preceding the needle
in the direction of the movement, in order to give to the thread a certain inclina-
tion and so allow of its reaching the corresponding horn shape piece. The horn
shape pieces 51, adopted in the arrangement described above, form a closed fork
and as the needle passes behind these pieces, the thread is placed quite securely on
one of them. It may be further noticed that nothing prevents the employment of
two loop-catchers in the new arrangement above described.
The following is the manner which is adopted in knitting where the number of
the loops increases or decreases in passing from one row of loops to the other.
The direction of movement of the comb is reversed in the manner described
above, after which, for the purpose of effecting a diminution of the number of
loops, the last loop is moved from the comb and the comb is moved by hand to the
extent of one tooth, whilst the needle occupies the position given in Figure 27.
It follows from this that, when the machine is set in motion, the needle places
the loop on the last tooth but one. In this way, a new row of loops with one loop
less than the preceding row is obtained.
Figures 34 to 37 illustrate a modified arrangement. All the motive parts are
substantially the same as those previously described; the figures therefore repre-
sent only those parts which it has been necessary to adapt. The essential feature
in this machine is the method of control; first, of the rod 12 acting on the comb;
second, of the loop-catcher intended for forming the loops and third, of the ratchet
wheel. The rod 12, which is arranged precisely as described and illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2 receives an oscillating motion from the shaft 86 of the flywheel
by the aid of a rod which is articulated to the peg or pin al, and is set in motion
by the eccentric 87 fixed on the shaft 86 (Figure 37). A second eccentric 88
(Figure 36) also fixed on 86 transmits an oscillating vertical motion to the rod 89,
which controls a bent lever 90, capable of a movement of rotation around 91.
The shortest arm of this lever is directed downwards, and acts on the controlling
rod 81 of the ratchet wheel 52. The long arm of the bent lever u controls the
shaft 20 of the loop-catcher by the aid of a pin or stud which engages in a groove
of the crank F.
The means by which the loop-catcher is controlled is not illustrated in the
drawing. It is no longer effected by the aid of an eccentric mounted on the
shaft 20, but by that of the bar 7 (Figure 28) which transmits movement to it
by a lever or other suitable device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The modification of the machine forming the object of the British Letters
Patent No. 2,985 of the year 1894, according to which the loops are formed by a

page_text: simple loop-catcher (22) which with the aid of the two horns (51) held by a
spring (62) allows the loop which has just been formed to be put on the tooth of
the comb (19) situated opposite to the needle.
2. In the modified machine claimed under Claim 1, the gradual movement of
the comb (19) by the aid of an oscillating rod (12) bearing two pieces (16 and 17)
sliding one on the other, and so arranged that when the oscillating rod (12)
approaches the comb the piece 17 engages with the latter by means of teeth (18) the
pieces 16 and 17 being made to oscillate on the rod (12) by pins or pegs (16b)
acting upon screw heads (D¹ 12) in such a manner as to cause the comb to move
forward, whilst these same pieces (16 and 17) are brought back to their original
position by the pins or pegs (46) and by an anchor (43, 44) at the time of the back-
ward movement of the oscillating rod (12).
3. In the modified machine claimed under Claim 1, the motion of the spiral
shape loop-catcher (22) intended for forming the loop, effected by means of a
connecting piece (G) which is made to oscillate by a rod (5) and the sector shaped
crank piece (6) the said connecting piece being provided with a groove in which
the crank pin (F¹) belonging to the crank, fixed on the shaft (20) which bears the
loop-catcher (22) engages.
4. In the modified machine claimed under Claim 1, the reversing of the move-
ment of the comb by means of a connecting link (34) operated either by hand or
automatically by a ratchet wheel; the said connecting link (34) producing the
displacement of a piece (43) having the form of an anchor, in such a manner that
the one or the other of the arms of the anchor operates the sliding pieces (16
and 17) alternatively, reference to which is made in Claim 2.
5. In the modified machine claimed under Claim 1, a bent needle, which enters
between the two horn shaped pieces (51) held by a spring, on one of which pieces
the thread rests until the loop is placed by the loop-catcher forming the loop, on
the corresponding tooth of the comb, whilst, at the same moment the needle comes
away from between the horn shaped pieces (51), opening them and drawing out
the thread, and of a bar (v) which prevents the loops already formed from falling
from the comb.
6. In the modified machine claimed under Claim 1, the putting out of action of
the knitting apparatus by displacement of a bar (24) which, with the assistance of
an angle-piece (H) arranged on its arm (L) engaging with the projections (F)
of the crank (F) of the loop-catcher, disengages the crank pin from the groove of
the sliding piece (G), whilst, at the same time, the oscillating bar (12) is detached
from its controlling cam (1) by the head of the screw (o) which retains the angle-
iron and slides along an inclined part of the said rod or bar (12).
7. The modification of the machine claimed in the preceding claims, in which
the motion of the different pieces is controlled by two rods (x, 89) operated by the
shaft 86 of the fly-wheel 92, one of which rods directly controls the oscillating
bar (12) and the other the ratchet wheel (52) and the loop-catcher (22) by the
aid of a bent lever (u).