A NEWLY INVENTED KNITTING MACHINE FOR STOCKINGS AND OTHER KNITTED FABRIKS
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Martin Christoffers, of Hannover, in the Kingdom
of Prussia, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "A NEWLY INVENTED
KNITTING MACHINE FOR STOCKINGS AND OTHER KNITTED FABRIKS."
Scaled the 23rd June 1871, and dated the 3rd April 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Martin Christoffers
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 3rd April 1871.
I, MARTIN CHRISTOFFERS, of Hannover, in the Kingdom of Prussia,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
" A NEWLY INVENTED KNITTING MACHINE FOR STOCKINGS AND OTHER KNITTED
FABRIKS"
The object of this Invention is a machine for producing every kind of
knitted stuff with peculiar reference to the production of a well-knitted
stocking without seam.
The pedestal or base of the whole machine is a low chest-like
frame of cast iron, which on its back is provided with two binding

page_text: screws, by which the machine is fastened to a table, and thereby
brought into such a convenient position that the operator works sitting.
The frame bears two posts in which a cylinder with the wheel that
helps to set and keep the engine going is enclosed. A handle puts in
motion the cylinder and therewith the fly wheel. Posts on the left side
of the frame bear a pointed screw between which the shaft runs; to
this a corded disk is affixed, which receives its rotation from the fly
wheel by means of a crossed endless cord. On the other end of the
shaft is a catch box and a pin whereby the catch is reversed, on one side
there is a spiral spring and on the other side a piece having the shape 1
of an angle. To the catch box the so-called runner is adapted. While
the catch box with the shaft is turned round the runner of course is
likewise in motion, and in this way remains in contact with a guiding
disk, the peculiar form of circumference of which gives the runner and
accordingly tho catch (both-being firmly joined to each other) different 1
positions towards the axis of gyration. These different positions cause
the formation of the meshes or stitches. With the corded disk an
eccentric is combined the drawing rod of which gives a swinging motion
to a slotted piece round the pin which is screwed in the frame.
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There are two slots the purpose of which is as follows:-The receptacle 2
of a pin is formed in a frame capable of being turned. The slot is
formed in such a manner that if the slotted piece descends the frame
gives way on the left and if the same reascends the frame returns to its
delineated place. Now the purpose of the said frame is this: It is of
consequence to advance in starting, by ninety degrees a driving wheel a
consisting of four or more teeth, or more properly spokes or pins; this
turn or advancement of the driving wheel is obtained by various means,
of which I shall explain that whereto I have given the preference. The
turn is effected by a click, the purpose of which will be herein-after
made evident; this click is on the lower part of the frame and therefore {
follows the oscillation of the said frame; this oscillation is regulated so
that at every sinking of the slotted piece the click recedes so far that
it seizes the next tooth or pin of the driving wheel. In order that the
catching up of the click may be executed with certainty I attach to.
the frame a spring which acts upon the click. The driving wheel is in a
connection with a vertical spindle; this spindle extends above into a
square prism the corners of which are somewhat prominent. About
the prism the needles arc. placed, the position of which is secured by
"

page_text: the prominent corners. The needles are stamped out of suitable material
(for instance, plates of sheet steel, then curved and finished. A step
prevents the mesh from dropping too deeply. The channelled form of
the needle allows the catcher to seize the mesh as it enters the channel
during its ascension. The needles are hooked together (or joined as a
chain) and form thereby an endless chain, as is requisite for the formation
of a stocking; this chain surrounds two prisms, one being the before
mentioned square prism, by which means two parallel rows of needles are
formed. (This chain may of course be also arranged in another form.)
One of the prisms receives no substantial motion, but while the square
one turns it is turned by the chain.
For stockings of a different width and likewise for every single
stocking it is necessary to apply a larger or smaller number of needles
whereby the chain of the needles is either lengthened or shortened, the
piece in which the square prism has its bearing is therefore not per-
mitted to have a firm base, but is movable to and fro, parallel to the
rows of needles. To this end the upper plate of the frame along the
machine has a slot in which the said piece may glide forwards and
backwards. The position of this piece is regulated by the length of the
needle chain, it is not however firmly fixed, but is connected to one
end of a chain. The insertion of this spiral spring allows a small
relaxation of the chain. Now if by means of the frame the click is
moved forward, and accordingly the prism turned at each turn of the
shaft, a new needle or the mesh attached to it is exposed to the action
of the catch. The exact turn of the prism by ninety degrees cannot be
effected by the click alone; therefore a spring has been found necessary,
which keeps close to a perfectly square piece jointed with the driving
wheel, and by means of its elasticity effects the performance of the
necessary turn of ninety degrees. This spring is fastened upon a plate
attached to the frame.
The formation of the mesh is made immediately under the head of
the needle, and after its formation it must be pushed down by a mesh
pusher, which receives its motion from the slotted piece. The motion
of this mesh pusher is a reciprocating vertical one. The slotted piece
has a second slot in which the pivot of the mesh pusher glides. While
the slotted piece descends the mesh pusher must follow, and it is the
same in its ascension. For the formation of the mesh it is necessary
that the thread should be in the right position between the needle and

page_text: the catch, and a thread leader a slight distance from the head of the
needle causes the thread to enter through a small opening.
The yarn to be used in knitting is carried on a yarn roll which is
turned about a pivot on a rod fastened in a cramp iron on the rear
part of the frame. Between the yarn roll and the thread leader a
tension device is applied.
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:
In knitting a stocking it is of importance to know how many turns
have been made in knitting, this is shown by a counter with a dial.
i
One of the needles of the chain has in its lower end a projection which
.
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as the band passes round touches a lever and advances the hand on
the dial one degree. This will of course take place at every complete
rotation of the band.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Martin Christoffers in the Great Seal Patent.
Office on the 3rd October 1871.
d
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I; MARTIN
CHRISTOFFERS, of Hanover, in the Kingdom of Prussia, Manufacturer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Martin Ohristoffers, Her special licence that
I, the said Martin Christoffers, executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Martin Christoffers, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "A NEWLY INVENTED KNITTING
MACHINE FOR STOCKINGS AND OTHER KNITTED FABRICS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Martin Christoffers, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be

page_text: performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Martin Christoffers, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is, to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, forming a part of this Specification.
The object of this Invention is a machine for producing every kind of
knitted stuff with peculiar reference to the production of a well-knitted
stocking without seams.
Figure 1 is a front view of the machine, the fore part of the frame
being taken away; Figure 2 is a ground plan; Figure 3 is a side view.
with the side board of the frame removed'; Figuro 4 is a view of the
left extremity of the machine from below; Figure 5 is the slot hole;
Figure 6, the spindle; Figure 7, the needles.
Figure 8 shows mechanism for knitting with variation; Figure 9,
counter of the reel.
Figures 10 to 17 show design of the formation of the moshes or,
stitches in their different stages; and Figures 18, 19, and 20 show the
working of the necdles.
.
The pedestal or base of the whole machine is a low chest-like framė
of cast iron A, which on its back side is provided with two binding
screws B, B, by which the machine is fastened to a table and thereby
brought into such a convenient position that the operator works sitting..
The frame bears two posts O, C, in which the cylinder D with the
wheel that helps to set and keep the engine going is enclosed; a.
handle E puts in motion the cylinder D.and therewith the fly wheel E.
Each of the posts G, G, on the left side of the frame carry.a pointed.
scrow F between which the shaft H runs. To this a corded, disk K is.
affixed which receives its rotation from the fly wheel E by means of
a crossed endless cord. On the other end of the shaft H is the catcher
box a to which on the turnable pin b by which the catcher o is moved.
on one side a spiral spring d on the other side a piece having the shape
of an angle the so-called runner e are adapted. The actuation of the
catcher box a.with the shaft H. similarly actuates the runner, which
in this way constantly remains in contact with a grinding disk-g, the
peculiar form of circumference of which gives the runner and the catcher
.

page_text: which are both firmly joined to each other, different positions toward
the axis of gyration. These different positions cause the formation of
the meshes or stitches, to which I shall return afterwards. With the
corded disk an eccentric L is combined, the drawing rod M of which
gives a swinging motion to the slot hole N round about the pin p
which is screwed in the frame. The slot hole has two slashes & and 4.
x is the receptacle of a pin 7 which is in a movable frame O. Tho slash
is formed in such a manner that if the slot hole descends the frame
gives way on the left, and if the slot hole reascends the frame returns
to its original position. .
The object of frame O is as follows:-A driving wheel P consisting
of four or more teeth or spoke pins (seen in Figure 4) advances
startingly by ninety degrees. This advancement of the driving wheel
can be obtained in various ways, but I prefer to effect this object by
means of a click ; this click is on the lower part of the frame O, and
it consequently follows the oscillation of O; this oscillation is regulated
so that at every sinking of the slot hole the click recedes so far that it
seizes the next tooth or pin of the driving wheel. That the catching
up of k may be properly effected to the frame O a spring is attached
which works upon k. The driving wheel P is in connection with a
vertical spindle R. separately drawn in Figure 6; this spindle issues
above into .a. square prism. T, the corners of which are somewhat
prominent, as seen in the lateral section; about this prism the needles
are placed, the position of which is secured by the prominent corners.
The form of the needles is seen at Figuro 7; they are stamped out of
any suitable material, such as plates of sheet steel, in a similar form
to that shown, then curved and somewhat worked after. The step 1
prevents the mesh from dropping too deeply; the head 2 prevents its
falling off. The channelled form of the needle allows the catcher to
seize the mesh as it insinuates itself into the channel during its con-
temporaneous ascension. The needles are hooked together and form
thereby an endless chain which is requisite for the formation of a
stocking. This chain partly surrounds the prism T, and partly the
prism T, by which means two parallel rows of needles are formed
(Figure 2). (This chain may be also carried in another form, for
instance, orbicularly.) T receives no substantial turn, but while T
turns T itself is turned by the chain, for which purpose T is couched
in a pieco U.

page_text: 1
For stockings of a different width, and likewise for every single
stocking, it is necessary to apply more or less needles whereby the
chain of the needles is either lengthened or shortened; U therefore is
not firmly fixed but is arranged so as to be dislocated parallelly to the
row of the needles. To that end, the upper plate of the frame along
the engine has a slash in which U may glide forwards and backwards.
The length of the needle chain indicates the proper place for U, its
stand nevertheless is not invariably fixed but it has been found con-
venient to grant an indifferent relaxation which is effected in the
following manner :-With U a strong spiral spring V is connected,
and with this latter a chair W (the proportions of which are cognosiblo
on referring to Figures 1 and 2) which can be hooked by a hook X.;
the insertion of this spiral spring allows a small relaxation of the chain.
Now if by means of the frame O the click is moved forward and
accordingly the prism turned at each turn of the shaft H a new needle
or the mesh attached to it is exposed to the action of the catcher. The
exact turn of the prism by ninety degrees is not caused by the click
alone, a spring has been found necessary, which keeps close to a per-
fectly square piece jointed with the driving wheel, and by means of its
elasticity effectuates the performance of the turn exactly by ninety
degrees. This spring is fastened upon a plate I joined to the frame.
The formation of the mesh is made immediately under the head of
the needle, and after its formation it must be pushed down, which is
done by a mesh shover Z which receives its motion likewise by the slot
hole. This mesh shover has an up-and-down vertical motion, and
therefore there is a conduction of it in the upper plate of the frame
and in the plate I. The slot hole z has besides a second slash-y in
which a pivot of the mesh shover glides (Figure 5). While the slot
hole descends the mesh shover follows, and even so in the ascension
of the slot hole. For the formation of the mesh it is necessary that
the thread is in the right position between the needle and the catclier
which the thread leader L effectuates, the upper end of which is a small
distance from the head of the needle and causes the thread to enter
through a small opening.
The yarn destined for employment in knitting is upon a yarn roll f
which is turned about a pivot of a rod fastened in a cramp iron on the
hind part of the frame. Between the yarn roll fand the thread leader L
a mechanism L³ is applied for a soft tension of the thread.

page_text: In knitting a stocking it is of importance to know how many turns
or tours in knitting have been made (perhaps for the sake of the
so-called diminishing of the meshes or stitches in knitting. This is
indicated by a counter (Figure 2), the property of which is seen at
Figure 9. To wit, one of the needles of the chain has in its lower end a 5
projection which (the needle having been knitted off) proceed towards
the lever of the counter and advances the hand of the catcher by one
degree. This of course will take place exactly in every completed
circulation of the needle.
Thus having illustrated the engine in all its main parts (singular 1
arrangements for knitting plains, or for knitting variously, will be here-
after explained), I will proceed to explain the formation of the meshes,
reference being had to Figures 10 to 17.
Firstly. The construction of the single parts is oxplained by Figure 12...
The grinding disk g, the peculiar form of which is shown in the Figure, 1
has its station fixed in the post G... Within it in a hole is the catcher c,
which is turned by a pin b. At one side of the catcher box upon the
pin 6 the wheel a is fastened, which on its way is in contact with the
grinding disk g. This perpetual contact is effected by a spiral spring d,
which at the other side of the catcher box encompasses the pin b, and 2
exerts its power in such a way that the catcher endeavours to take a
position as shewn in Figure 6. The catcher is a hook with a slightly
curved and rounded point, and has on its lower part a channel slightly
excavated to fit the head of the needle (see Figures 13 and 14).
Figure 10 corresponds with the highest station of the excentric, and 2
consequently of the slot hole. The arm j of the wheel touches the
grinding disc in the point (1), whereby the catcher is stopped in its box.
The needle is shewn in its right stand, and the thread leader has applied
the thread. Figure 11 shews the arm; of the wheel advanced into the
incision (2) of the grinding disk, which causes the catcher to leave its 3
box and enter into the channel of the needle, where by its farther
advancement it catches the mesh x. Figure 12 shews the arm j as it
steps upon a prominency of the grinding disk. The catcher, lest the
thread be also caught, must immediately after its reception of the mesh
return into its hole or its excavation of the catcher box; this done it 3
steps over the thread. Figure 18 shews the arm ; as it glides into the
excavation (4) of the grinding disk. The catcher leaves its box with
the mesh, and applies itself to the head of the needle, its channel being

page_text: on its inferior part. Figure 14 shews the same in its further progress.
In Figure 15 the mesh is already fallen off from the catcher, and the
mesh shover Z has done its work, having shoved down the mesh upon
the prominency of the needle; the arm d of the wheel then advances
towards the prominency of the grinding disk. By the prominency s
(Figure 16) on the grinding disk, in the advancement of the catcher box,
a declination of the wheel is effected, whereby the incisure between the
arms j and d of the wheel is placed on the prominency, and the arm j
into the hole or excavation of the grinding disk. In the advancement
of the catcher box (shewn at Figure 17) the arm j of the wheel gets its
standing place on the prominency f of the grinding disk. In the further
turning of the catcher box the wheel returns to the position shewn in
Figure 10. In Figure 16 the catcher box has made nearly half a turn
or circulation. The eccentric and likewise the slot hole have been
carried in the lowest point, whereby the frame O (Figure 1) is dislocated
farthest to the left side. Now if the slot hole ascends again the frame O
moves to the right hand, the click turns the driving wheel, the spring d
accomplishes the turning by ninety degrees, and in the place of the
needle which is knitted off a new one is substituted. All this done the
former station of Figure 10 is renewed.
The Knitting of Plains.-In order to knit a plain (which occurs also
in knitting the heel of a stocking) the chain of the needles must be
movable left and right. This movement is obtained in a very easy
manner. Ordinarily the driving wheel P, and consequently the prism,
are turned, so that the anterior row of needles advances from the left
to the right hand, as shown by the arrows in Figure 2. (This turning
has been supposed in the Drawing.) To actuate the needles in the
opposite direction the prism, and consequently the driving wheel also,
is turned in the opposite direction, which is effected by removing one
click and inserting another click, and pushing the frame O (Figure 4)
to the right hand. For knitting to the left the thread leader is placed
on the other side of the prism. The motion of the frame O and of the
thread leader O³ must therefore take place at the same time, the motion
indeed issuing from the thread leader. This on its lower end encom-
passes by means of a case the same pin i, about which the frame O
swings in such a manner that the case is between both arms of the
frame. The whole dislocation of the thread leader, in order to stand as
far at the right hand of the catcher as before at the left (Figure 3).

page_text: Furthermore, it follows from Figure 3 that the case can be dislocated
on the pin i before it reaches the arm of the frame O placed at the right
hand. Now the frame must follow on the way in which the case has
yet to make, and this very motion is necessary in order to set the click
into the right position to the driving wheel. The motion of the thread i
leader is made by drawing the pin g; but in order that the head of tho
thread leader may pass along the needles it is necessary to move it back
in the direction of the needle row, which is done by turning the pin i.
By seizing the thread leader by the ring 1', and by moving this a littlō
downwards, and drawing the pin g, the thread leader is brought into 1
its new position, where it is kept by a spring. Now after this dis-
location, if the turning of the winch is pursued invariably in the former
manner, the needle chain advances from the right to the left hand, or
in other terms, it is knitted to the left.
The Varied Knitting.-The varied knitting, or what is called "two 1
varied two plain," is effected in the following manner:-On reference
to Figures 10 to 17 it will be seen that if there were no excavation (2)
in the grinding disk the formation of the stitches would not be possible,
and the catcher could not come out of its box to seize the stitch. The
varied knitting is effected by knitting off in one tour or circulation, 2
alternately two stitches in the whole needle chain, the other two stitches
being missed. In the following round the two stitches are knitted
which have been omitted in the first, but the two which have been
knitted off in the first are now omitted. In order to do so the number
of the needle couples must be an odd one;
therefore, for instance,

page_text: the lower end o³, o³, enters therein. This pressure is effected by the
mechanism shewn in Figure 9. The spindle R is at one part unrounded,
as shown at Figure 6 and at Figure 9. With this unrounded part N an
arm L is in contact, which has its turning point in the pin R. With
the arm La piece M is combined, the length of which is so arranged
that it is a small distance from the lower end of the levers o³, o'. If the
spindle R. is turned by means of the contact with the unrounded part
the arm L will indeed be moved, but have no influênce on ď. On the
contrary, if the pin R is drawn in the direction of the arrow, whereby
O pin R and arm L come into the pointed station for two positions of the
spindle, the pressure is exerted which inserts the small piece o³ into
the grinding disc. For the two other positions of the spindle the arm L
approaches towards the turning axis of the spindle so much that tho
piece M sets in motion the lower end o³ of the lever; then the spring L'
› operates to press the piece of back again. For the varied knitting,
therefore, there is no need of anything but drawing out the pin R, which
then is kept in the right place by means of an incisure and a spring.
The single operations having been described I will now proceed to
explain the
Knitting of Stockings.-Suppose, for instance, 98 needles (=49 couples
of needles) to be employed for the knitting of the leg, and the due
tension given thereto, then the hand of the counter is placed on O, and
the yarn applied in the manner shewn at Figure 18. This application
is commenced by that needle which has at its foot the button or knob
for the motion of the counter, the thread being fastened by means of a
simple knot; then knit once, or better twice round, and the varied
knitting begins by drawing out the bar or shut o. Now to knit with
variation 40 tours the needle chain must make its round eighty times,
the reason of which becomes evident without difficulty from the former
explanation. After the achievement of the forty tours plain knitting is
continued by replacing the bar. With 98 needles have been knitted
98 tours, and the stitches may then be diminished. The seam stitch
may be formed with the needle having a button on its foot, because
this needle is easily known. By means of a conveniently formed hook
the stitch 4 is suspended upon 5, and the stitch 8 upon 7, whereby the
needles 4 and 8 are vacant. In order to remove these needles the
stretching chain is somewhat relaxed. This diminishing is to be re-

page_text: .
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peated several times after a certain number of tours, whereby finally by
a right length of the stocking the number of the needles may be reduced
to 62. Then the knitting of the heel commences, whereby the hand
of the operator moro or less co-operates. The needle with a button is
placed underneath the catcher. Now the heel consists of the half &
circumference of the stocking, that is to say, of 31 needles, fifteen of.
which stand on the right side of the needle with a button and fifteen.
on the left. In order to mark this fifteenth needle each side of the
sixteenth stitch is hung upon the seventeenth needle. After this
arrangement the knitting is continued, whereby are knit off at first:
the fifteen stitches on the back side of the needle chain, the sixteenth
vacant needle being allowed to pass. This is to be done because other.
wise on the return the fifteenth needle would not be knitted off. The
thread leader L is then drawn forward in the usual manner, and the
knitting to the left hand is commenced, whereby the sixteenth vacant :
needle on the fore side is likewise to be knitted off. Then the thread
leader is pushed back, and accordingly knitted again to the right hand
as many tours as are on one side before the mesh shover. In the
present case, therefore, 14 tours are to be knitted, which having been
finished the needle with the button must be again beneath the mesh
catcher. After this the wedge of the sole is knitted (see Figure 19).
The stitches of the needles 15-2 on the work hook are then taken and
hung on each side of the needles 2-8, two stitches on both sides of the
needle chain. By doing so, therefore, on every side seven needles
receive two stitches each, and seven needles become vacant. The three
needles 1.0 and 1 retain one stitch each. The stitches previously
attached from the 16th to the 17th needle now are reduced to the 16th
needle. After this arrangement a is knitted off (see the method shewn a
in Figure 20), and likewise b, d, is then advanced but remains unknitted,
so that in the return 6 may be knitted off again. While hitherto the
thread leader stood behind now it is drawn forward, and b, a, and c
knitted off; advance e without knitting it off, then the thread leader
backwards; c, a, b, and d knitted off, f advanced only before the thread
leader; d, b, a, c, and e aro knitted off, g advanced without being knitted
off, and so on till all needles provided with two stitches have been
knitted off. The wedge finished, the foot is then knitted, and at first the
side stitches of the hook are carried to the vacant needles on both sides.
Now all needles arc provided with a stitch. The knitting is then con-