Improvements in Knitting Machinery.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1391-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1891
COMT DELE DI ERITIV
Improvements in Knitting Machinery.
A communication from JOSIAH BUTLER, of Lowell, in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Treasurer, Administrator
of the Estate of Benjamin Franklin Shaw, of Lowell, aforesaid, deceased, the
Inventor of the said Invention.
I ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 & 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex, Chartered Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object the production of a novel knitting machine
particularly designed for knitting stockings wherein the leg is tubular and without
seam, the front and the back of the leg being composed of independent yarns, the
yarn in the back of the leg not appearing in the front of the leg, and vice versa, the
said machine containing provisions whereby the stocking may if desired, be made
parti-coloured, and whereby parts of the stocking may be narrowed and widened at
desired points for the production of the heels and toes.
This invention is shewn as embodied in a machine containing two series of needles
the hooks of which are so arranged in the grooves of a suitable bed in conjunction
with certain "suture" needles, as to enable the production of a tubular web, the
said two series of needles being herein represented as of different lengths, or having
their butts located at different distances from their hooks, so that, for brevity in this
Specification, the said series of needles will at times be designated as "longer
needles" and "shorter needles"; and sometimes as "series needles."
This present embodiment of this invention shows two series of needles arranged
in grooves of a circular bed so that the needles of one of the said series are disposed
opposite the needles of the other series, the two series being in concentric arcs of a
circle; but it will be understood that the bed in which the said two series of
needles are placed to be reciprocated, instead of being of the exact shape and style
shown, may be of any usual shape common in knitting machines customarily used to
knit a tubular fabric.
Each series of needles has its own cam or actuator and one or more yarn guides,
and the cam-carrier in this instance shown as cylindrical, is moved in one and then
in the opposite direction so that by the movement of the said cam-carrier in either
direction each of the cams carried by it, although travelling, substantially about
the cylinder, actuates its own series of needles to the exclusion of the other series.
In addition to the two series of longer and shorter needles, the machine is pro-
vided with suture needles, two such needles being shewn in this embodiment of this
invention, but there might be more, one or more suture needles being placed between
the opposing ends of the two series of longer needles and shorter needles, the said
suture needles having their butts either at a distance from their hooks different from
that of the butts of the needles of either of the two series of needles, so that they
may be actuated by special cams or actuators, which will not actuate the series of
needles, or the said suture needles may each have two butts, as will be described.
The cams or actuators with which the cam-carrier is provided to actuate these
single butted suture needles, do not actuate the longer and shorter needles, and are
so constructed that the suture needles are operated next after the last needles, to
thus make loops or stitches at the end of each half circular or semi-course, or at
the end of each stroke of the cam cylinder, and so that when the cam-carrier has
its movement reversed or is travelling in the direction to commence the knitting of
semi-courses of loops on the longer and the shorter needles, the said suture needles
are not acted upon or are not elevated, and the last needle in each of the two series

page_text: of needles actuated in knitting the last semi-courses to be laid is made the first
needle to receive the yarn of the semi-course to be commenced.
These suture-needles located as described between the opposing ends of the two
series of needles described so as with them to form a complete circle of needles,
co-operate with the said two series of needles in such manner as to receive the yarns
being fed to the said two series of needles and effect the interlopment successively
of the two semi-courses of loops knitted on the two series of needles; or in other
words, the suture-needles take the yarns fed to both sets of needles and make
simultaneously at both sides of the needle-hed, loops to join at their edges and
make a single tubular fabric from what, but for the suture-needles, would be two
separate flat fabrics.
The machine may have a number of yarn feeders for each series of needles so
that yarns of different colours or characters may be fed to the needles as desired,
one or more at a time, and the machine will preferably be so constructed as to enable
one series of needles to be used in knitting heels and toes, while the other series is
left inactive.
The needle bed, herein shewn as a hollow cylinder, may be removed to facilitate
the running on of cuffs or rib-tops to which the stocking leg is to be knitted.
The cams or actuators are so mounted, as will be described, as to enable them
to be withdrawn from and returned into operative position in the cam-carrier
whenever desired.
One part of this invention consists in the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A
needle bed suitably grooved to contain two series or ranks of needles, one being
longer than the other, as will be described; intermediary suture needles located
between the said two series of needles; and a set of cams or actuators to operate
each of the said series of needles; other cams or actuators to actuate the said
suture needles; and the two yarn supplying guides; the said cams or actuators
being adapted to operate the said series, and the said suture needles, and knit a
tubular fabric by reciprocal movements of the cam cylinder, substantially as will
be described.
Also, in a knitting machine, it containing a needle bed; a series of shorter
needles; a series of longer needles; intermediary suture needles located between
the endmost needles of the series of longer and shorter needles; the said suture
needles having their butts located thereon at a distance from their hooks different
from that of the butts from the hooks of either of the said series of longer or
shorter needles; suitable independent cams or actuators to actuate the longer and
shorter and suture needles; and two yarn delivery guides, one for each series of
longer and shorter needles, to operate, substantially as will be described.
Fig. 1, is a top or plan view of a knitting machine embodying this invention, the
two suture needles, and all but two of the needles of the two series of longer
needles and shorter needles being omitted, the cam carrier being supposed to be
stopped with the longer needle cam or actuator under the butts of the shorter
needles, and with the shorter needle cam or actuator over the butts of the longer
needles, as in Fig. 4.
Fig. 2, a vertical section of Fig. 1, in the dotted line X, the said fig. showing
by dotted lines the two suture needles with their butts below the butts of the longer
and shorter needles, but it will be understood that with the cam carrier in the
position indicated in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 the said suture needles could not be seen in
such section for they are 90° distant from the line X, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, an innerside view of one of the arms and thread guides to be described.
Fig 34 is a detail showing the outer side of the slide m and notched plate and
catch, shewn by dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5, together with part of the
segment m⭑.
Fig. 4, a detail of the innerside of the cylindrical cam carrier, the cams or
actuators, and some of the longer and some of the shorter needles, and the suture
needles, in the positions they will occupy with relation to the shown cams when
disengaged by them, the needle bed being wholly omitted.

page_text: Fig. 6, shews one of the single butted suture needles removed.
Fig. 7, shows a section similar to Fig. 2, of a modified form of machine using
double butted suture needles.
Fig. 8, shews the innerside view of the cam-carrier in this form of machine.
Fig. 9, shews the suture needles detached.
Fig. 10, shews a modified form of cams or actuators.
Fig. 11, at the centre wale shows the interloopment effected by the single butted
snture needles.
Fig. 12, an interloopment of fabric such as will be made by the double butted
suture needles.
Fig. 13, shews a so called seamless stocking such as may be knitted on the
machine herein to be described, and
Fig. 14, a section thereof.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, the needle-bed A, is herein shewn as a hollow cylinder,
but instead of the particular form of needle-bed represented, any other form of bed
commonly employed in knitting machines for the production of tubular fabrics may
be used.
The needle-bed is set upon a foot plate A' which also supports the cam-carrier B,
shown as a hollow cylinder provided at its lower end with a suitable gear B¹ of
usual construction which is engaged and driven by any usual bevel gear B³ partially
shown in Fig. 2.
The cam-carrier has attached to it, as herein shewn, by like screws 2, the feet 3
of two like arms c, d, each jointed or hinged in suitable manner, as at 4, to its own
foot so that the said arms may stand upright as in Figs. 1 and 2, or be turned on
the joints 4, into substantially horizontal positions when desired.
The arm c has a yarn delivery guide c, and three auxiliary feeders, c³, c', c, each
being herein represented as hinged and provided with a suitable spring, as 6, by
which to retain it in elevated position, as indicated, by the feeders c³, c', or down in
working position, as indicated, by the feeder c³.
The yarn from the feeder left down next the delivery guide c', will be led
therefrom to the said guide e', and the latter will present said yarn, whatever may
he its color, size or number, to the hooks of the longer needles f.
The arm d has a yarn delivery guide d', and three auxiliary feeders d³, d³, d like
those of arm c, the guide d' supplying the yarn or yarns delivered to it to the hooks.
of the shorter needles e.
"
The needles e, termed "shorter" needles, have their butts e¹ located at such a
distance from their hooks as to enable them to be acted upon by the "shorter
needle-cam or actuator shown at the left in Figs. 4 and 5; while the series of
-needles f. having their butts f' at a greater distance from their hooks and con-
sequently called "longer" needles, are actuated by the "longer needle' cam or
actuator shewn in detail at the right of Figs. 4 and 5.
"
"
In Figs. 4 and 5, the " longer needle cam or needle actuators are shewn as
having passed the series of "longer needles," and as having been stopped under the
series of "shorter needles," and the "shorter needle" cams or actuators are shewn
as having passed the series of shorter needles and as having been stopped opposite
the series of "longer needles" but above their butts.
The suture needles g, h, are located between the endmost needles of the series of
longer and shorter needles, as best shewn in Figs. 4 and 5, one of the said suture
needles being shewn by dotted lines m, Fig. 2.
The suture needle g constitutes the last needle to take up a loop and make a
stitch as the longer needle cam or actuator leaves the longer needles; and the
suture needle is the last to receive yarn and make a stitch as the shorter needle
cam or actuator leaves the series gf shorter needles, as when the machine is moved
in the direction of the arrow 200, and vice versa when the machine is moved in the
other direction.
In Fig. 4, which shews clearly the different cams or actuators used in the machine

page_text: represented in Figs. 1 and 2, the shorter needle cam at the left of the fig., is
represented as composed of a notched plate m, a top plate m' and two pivoted
blocks or tumblers m³, m³.
•
The longer needle cam in Fig. 4, is composed of an elevated platen and a
depressing plate n².
When the cam carrier B is given a movement in one direction and then in a
reverse direction, the shorter needle cam passes the set of shorter needles e, acts
on their butts, and reciprocates them, and when completing its movement, passes
over some of the longer needles above their butts without actuating them; and at
the same time the longer needle cam crosses the series of longer needles, and
engaging their butts, actuates the said longer needles, and in its further movement
to complete its stroke, passes under the butts of some of the shorter needles without
actuating them.
Instead of the longer needle cam being composed of the rigid parts n, n', as
in Fig. 4, it may be composed of a notched plate, as n, a top plate n'; and have
added to it two tumbler cams ², n³, as at the right of Fig. 5.
The longer and shorter cams, shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are all of usual shape and
construction, and when in action they operate on the butts of the needles to
reciprocate the needles as in other earlier knitting machines; but instead of the
particular longer needle cams, and the particular shorter needle cams herein shown,
any other suitable cams commonly employed in machines for knitting a tubular
web and capable of being reciprocated at times for shaping heels and toes may be
used.
The particular form of the said longer needle cams or actuators, and the shorter
needle cams or actuators, are not of this invention, as there are a great variety of
such cams shewn in British patents, any of which may be employed; and the
longer needle cams and the shorter needle cams may be alike or be different from
each other.
The drawings, Figs. 1. 2 and 4, shew the longer needle cam as secured to a
moveable segment n', while the shorter needle cam is secured to a movable
segment m', both segments fitting openings made in the cylindrical cam-carrier.
The L-shaped slides m, n, Fig. 2, to which the segments m³, n' are secured,
have their feet (preferably of dovetail shape in cross-section, see Fig. 4) fitted
to slide in guide-ways mo, no, projecting from the cam-carrier horizontally, the
said slides having locking devices m, n, shown as pins each guide-way having an
opening m, n, to receive the pins mor n" and prevent the withdrawal of said
slides farther than necessary.
It will however be understood that instead of securing the said longer needle
cam or actuator and the said shorter needle cam or actuator to the said segments,
as in Figs. 2 and 4, they may be fixed in any usual manner to the inner side of the
cam-carrier, as shewn in Fig. 5, in which fig. the suture needles are shown as
attached to segments m³, no, but it is preferable to fix the said cams to segments as
shewn in Figs. 2 and 4, so that the longer needle cam may be moved out of
operative position when the shorter needles are to be used in knitting heels and
toes by narrowing and widening, and so that the shorter needle cam may be moved
out of the way to facilitate the removal of the needle-bed with the needles therein
for the application to the needles of the loops of a rib-top or cuff.
Each suture needle g, h, has a butt, as g', ', and is actuated by both the suture
cams or actuators, and not by the other cams or actuators.
The two suture cams are substantially like, one being located below the shorter
needle cam, and the other below the longer needle cam.
The suture cam located below the shorter needle cam m at the left in Figs. 4
and 5, and at the right in Fig. 2, is composed of a drawing-down plate, as g³, and
of a tilting portion go fast on a rock-slatt 16 extended through the segmental
plate m and the slides m' to the outside thereof where the said rock-shaft is
provided with a plate or arm 18 notched or shaped to be engaged by a yielding
catch 20 made preferably as a spring secured to the said slide.

page_text: The other suture cam consists of a tilting cam h, and the lower edge of the cam-
plate n, the tilting cam being connected to a rock-shaft 17 extended outwardly
through the segment nt, and a slide n' like the slide m', the outer end of the said
rock-shaft being provided with a notched arm, plate, or segment 19, acted upon
and held frictionally in either of its two extreme positions by a spring 21 attached
to the slide, the plates 19 and 18 and the springs 21 and 20 being alike.
Within the cam-carrier, and at its lower end, is a ring a on which the butts of
the suture needles rest when down, the said ring below the projecting ends of the
tilting portions of the suture cams being cut away so that that end of each tilting
part which is to act on the butt of a suture needle to lift it, may descend into the
space cut in the said ring a as shewn by the right hand end of the said tilting part,
see Fig. 4.
The suture cam containing the tilting part *, reciprocated the suture needle g
as it completed its stroke in the direction of the arrow 200, and at the same time
the suture cam containing the tilting part g, reciprocated the suture needle /.
On beginning the return stroke of the cam-carrier, the elevated end of the tilting
part passes over the butts of the suture needle g and its depressed end, and
striking against the said butts, causes the cam to be tilted, turn the rock-shaft 17
to which it is attached, and with it the plate 19 until the spring catch 21 enters
the other notch in the said plate.
At the same time, the butt of the suture needle performs the same function for
the other suture cam having the tilting part g
These suture cams each respectively rocked by the butt of the needle which it is
not to lift, thus have their leading ends lowered so that when the said suture cams
arrive at the suture needles they are to act upon and lift, the leading ends of the
said cams will pass under the butts of the suture needles and cause them to knit.
These suture cams, like the shorter and longer needle cams, will preferably be
attached to removable segments of the cam carrier, so as to be withdrawn from
operative position, see Fig. 34 which shews a suture cam and part of a segment.
To remove the needle-bed for applying a rib-top, in the construction shewn
in Fig. 4, the cam-carrier is stopped in position so that the butts of the shorter
needles are over the longer needle cams.
The cams are then to be withdrawn, whereupon the needle-cylinder with its
needles therein may be removed.
After applying the rib-top to the needles in the usual way, in the construction
shown in Fig. 4, the needle-bed is returned to the machine.
The actuating cams are next returned into operative position, the yarn-guides
are brought into position to deliver yarn to the needles (one of the three auxiliary
feeders of each upright c, d, being down in working position and supplied with yarn
from any usual slack yarn controller or take-up) and the knitting will be proceeded
with by reciprocating the cam-carrier.
To remove the needle-bed for applying a rib-top, in the construction shown
in Fig. 5, the cam carrier is stopped in the position stated as for Fig. 4.
The shorter and longer needles are pulled up by hand out of range of their
respective cams.
The cam-carrier having been given half a revolution the needle-bed may now be
lifted out.
After applying the rib-top in the usual way, in the construction shown in Fig. 5,
the needle-bed is returned to the machine, the cam carrier is given half a revolu-
tion, and the needles pushed down into position to have their butts acted upon by
their respective cams, when yarn having been supplied as described in the case of
Fig. 4, knitting may be proceeded with.
As the machine is turned in one direction, the suture cams engage the butts of
the suture needles and raise them so as to take yarn, and as these suture cams are
in a vertical line with the knitting cams above them, it follows that the path taken
by each suture needle in its descent will be the same as that taken by the needles

page_text: of the respective series of longer or shorter needles, and consequently the thread
guides will deliver yarn to all of them in the same manner.
As the longer and shorter needle cams in their reciprocations leave their
respective series of longer or shorter needles, each suture-needle is acted upon by
a suture cam, (the leading end of the tilting part then being down) so that said
suture needle is the last needle lifted at that stroke of the cam carrier and conse-
quently it is the last needle to take yarn & form a stitch.
Upon reversal of the movement of the cam-carrier, the elevated ends of the
tilting parts of the suture cams pass each over the butt of a suture needle, and the
underside of each suture cam comes in contact with the upper side of the butt of
the suture needle which was raised and lowered during the preceding stroke of the
cam-carrier, and the suture needle is not lifted and does not at such time take yarn,
or in other words, the suture needles act only at the end of the stroke and not at
the commencement of the stroke of the actuating cam-carrier.
It will be noticed that with this construction the last stitch of each semi-course
knitted on each sèries of needles is made by the suture needle, and that the first
stitch of the next course is made by the next needle after the suture needle in the
direction of movement of cam-carrier, and that the suture needles form only one
stitch for each semi-course knitted, as shewn by the central wale Fig. 11. f repre-
sents the front yarn, and 6 back yarn.
If it is desired to make a stocking with a leg and upper half of foot striped, say
red and drab yarn, and the heel, toe, and sole of different color, say of brown yarn,
an auxiliary feeder on each arm c and d will be supplied with yarn as follows
viz.c³, and d³ will be supplied with drab, c and d with red, and e² and d² with
brown yarn.
When the auxiliary feeders are down as shewn by the feeders e³, d³, they feed
the yarn to the needles through the main delivery guides c' and ', and do not
supply yarn to the needles when turned up as shewn by the feeders c², c', la
and d.
After, say, eight courses have been knitted from the drab yarn supplied by the
feeders and d³, and it is desired to change the color to red, the feeders and d
are swung into position, and the feeders and d³ are swung out of position.
If two courses of red are desired, the cam-carrier is moved back and forth to
knit that number of courses, when the guides are again changed and drab knit as
before for the desired number of courses.
This may be repeated until the point is reached at which it is desired to make
the heel.
If this is to be made of the brown yarn, the feeder of the guide for supplying
yarn to the shorter needles having that color is brought into position, and all the
other auxiliary feeders swung out of position.
The longer needle cam and suture cams in the construction Fig. 4, are then
moved out of operative position and the heel is knitted in the usual way by
narrowing and widening, or in any other convenient way, the suture needles and the
longer needles being then out of action.
At the completion of the last course of, the heel, the said cams are again moved
into actuating position.
If the sole is to be made of the same color as the heel, then the feeder used in
knitting the heel can remain in the same position during the knitting of the foot,
it only being necessary to alternate the feeders for supplying yarn to the needles
on which the instep is knitted, as in the operation of knitting the leg.
After the desired length has been knitted for the foot, the cams for operating
the longer and suture needles are moved out of actuating position, as in knitting
the heel, and the toe is knitted on the shorter needles.
After a sufficient length of tubular fabric has been knitted, on construction shewn
in Fig. 5, to form a leg, a heel may be knitted on either series of needles, the suture
cams being withdrawn, the series of needles not to be used in making the heel

page_text: being lifted by hand until their butts are out of range of the series of cams for
operating them.
The heel, if the ordinary seamless one, is knitted by raising the needles one at a
time out of range of the knitting cams in narrowing, and returning them one at a
time to the proper position to be engaged by the cams when widening, this being
done by hand in the usual way.
At the completion of the heel, that series of needles not used during the making
of the heel is returned to the proper position to be engaged by its cams, the suture
cams are returned, and the foot is knitted by reciprocating the cam carrier as in
knitting the leg.
At the completion of the foot, the needles not to be used for the production of
the toe are raised out of action as in knitting the heel, the suture cams are with-
drawn and the toe is knitted in the usual way.
It will be noticed that the heel or toe may be made on either series of needles,
and that the heel may be made on one series and the toe on the other, when it is
desired to make them that way.
The terms longer and shorter needles have been used to aid in describing the
construction and operation of the parts of the new machine, but in the claim
the term "two series of needles" will be used, thereby meaning the series of
needles e and f, adapted to he actuated separately each by its own proper cam
or needle actuator.
Referring to Figs. 7 to 10, a modification of the invention will be described, and
in the modification, it will be understood that the cams or actuators will be so
mounted as to enable them to be withdrawn from and be returned into position in
the cam carrier during the operations of the machine, as will be described.
In this modification, the needle cylinder and its bed and the cam cylinder will be
substantially the same as in the first form of invention herein described; but the
cams will be somewhat modified in shape, and position because the suture needles
marked and are provided respectively each with two butts as g², g, h, h', the
butts being at a distance from the hooks of the suture needles corresponding
substantially with the distance of the butts el of the shorter needles from their
hooks, while the butts g', ' of the suture needles are located at a distance from
the hooks of the said needles substantially the same as the distance of the butts/"¹
from the hooks of the longer needles f, so that the butts 2, 3, el come within the
range of one series of cams, and the butts g, h, f' come within the range of another
set of cams or actuators, as will be described.
1
Fig. 8, shows clearly the cams or actuators used when the double-butted suture
needles are employed, the shorter needle cam or actuator at the left being repre-
sented as composed of a notched plate m, a top plate m³, and two pivoted blocks or
tumblers m³, m³.
The longer needle cam or actuator shewn at the right, in said figure, is
composed of a notched plate n, a top plate n', and two pivoted blocks or
tumblers, ³.
When the cam carrier B. represented in said figure is given a movement in one
direction and then in a reverse direction, as before described, it being understood
that in this invention the cam carrier has only a movement of reciprocation, and
never a movement of continued rotation, the shorter needle cam passes the set of
shorter needles, acts on their butts, and reciprocates them, and when completing its
movement, passes over some of the longer needles, but at a point above their butts,
and consequently does not actuate them, and at the same time, the shorter needle
cam crosses the series of longer needles, and engaging their butts, actuates the said
longer needles, and in its further movement to complete its stroke, and passes under
butts of some of the shorter needles out without actuating them.
Instead of the longer needle cam, and the shorter needle cam being provided
with tumbler parts, as in Fig. 8, either or both may be rigid as at the right of
Fig. 10.

page_text: The longer and shorter needle cams shewn in Fig. 8 are all of usual shape or
construction.
In practice, the longer needle cams, and the shorter needle cams employed, may
be alike or different, as for instance in Fig. 8, they are shewn substantially alike.
Fig. 8 shews the longer needle cams as secured to a segment n', while the shorter
needle cam is secured to a segment m*, both segments fitting openings made in the
cylindrical cam carrier.
Preferably both of these cams or actuators will be attached to movable segments,
so that the longer needle cam may be withdrawn readily out of operative position
when the shorter needles are to be used in knitting heels and toes by narrowing
and widening, and so that the suture needle cams may be moved out of the way to
facilitate the removal of the needle bed with the needles therein for the application
to the needles of the loops of rib-top or cuff.
In the modification Fig. 8, the two series of cams are alike and they are tumbler
cams adapted to leave all the needles with their hooks somewhat out of the needle-
bed so as to be readily engaged and moved by hand out of, and into operative
position, as usually practised in knitting heels and toes of seamless stockings.
In Fig. 10, the longer needle cam n, n' is rigid and leaves the needles at the
points of farthest descent, or with their hooks slightly below the top of the
needle bed.
These longer needle cams n, n' are however, shewn as secured to a segment n*,
adapted to be withdrawn radially out of operative position when the knitting of
the heels and toes is being done on the shorter needles, and when it is desired to
remove the needle cylinder from the cam-carrier.
The L-shaped slides carrying these cams are constructed and held in proper
position and made movable in guide-ways as in the first form of my invention, but
the guide-ways are somewhat differently located to accord with the difference in
location of the cams or actuators used, and with the kind of suture needles.
To remove the needle bed or cylinder in the plan, Fig. 8 for the application to
the needles of a rib-top or cuff, the cam-carrier will be stopped in a position where
the butts of the short needles will be over the longer needle cams, and the butts
of longer needles will be under the shorter needle cams.
In this position, the shorter needle cams or actuators will be moved out of
actuating position when the needle bed and needles may be moved out.
The cuff having been applied, the needle bed may be returned into position, and
the shorter needle cam or actuator may be returned into its working position, and
yarn having been supplied to the needles, knitting may be proceeded with.
With the cam shewn in Fig. 10, to remove the needle bed, the cam-car.ier will
be put in such position that the longer needle cam will be on the opposite side of
the cylinder from the longer needle (under the shorter needles,) the shorter needles
will be drawn up out of range of the shorter needle cam; then the longer needle cam
may be withdrawn and the cam carrier may be given a revolution, whereupon the
needle bed, and its needles may be lifted out.
After applying the ribbed top to the needles in the usual manner, the needle bed
or cylinder will be so held that the shorter needles will be over the shorter needle
cam, and the longer needles over the longer needle cam, and then the needle bed
will be lowered into its place on the machine bed, the cam carrier will be given one
half revolution, the longer needle cam will be returned into its actuating position,
and the shorter needles will be pushed down into operative position, whereupon, the
yarn being supplied to the needles, knitting may be proceeded with.
After a sufficient lengths of tubular fabric composed of semi-courses interlooped
as described, has been knitted to form a leg, a heel may be knitted on either series
of needles in the construction shewn in Fig. 8; or on the shortest needles in the
construction shewn in Fig. 10.
In heel work (and it is the same in toe work) the needles not to be used are
rendered inoperative by lifting the cam or actuator out of operative position.

page_text: But if the cam were not so made removable, it would be necessary to lift the
needles by hand until their butts should be out of the range of series of cams for
operating them so that certain needles could be put into operative position while
narrowing and widening was being done.
It will be seen from the foregoing, that it is of very great importance to mount
the cams or actuators upon segments, so that they may be withdrawn from the
machine to render any series of cams or actuators inoperative as desired.
Fig. 1 of the drawing shews a series of wales of knitted fabric suitable for
the tubular part of the leg or foot, the said wales being interlooped by a suture
needle having one butt.
Fig. 12 of the drawing shows a similar figure, but with the interloopment, which
will be produced by the movement of suture needles with two butts.
Fig. 13, shows a stocking such as may be produced upon the machine herein
described when operated as described, Fig. 14 being a section of Fig. 13 in the
line X10.
In this invention, no claim is made simply to longer and shorter needles and
suture needles having two butts; but prior to this invention, longer and shorter
needles, together with suture needles of any construction, were not used in a
machine having a cam-carrier provided with withdrawable cams, so that one or
more of the set of cams may be quickly thrown out of operative position, as and
for the purposes herein before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In a knitting machine the arrangement or combination and use of
1. A needle-bed suitably grooved to contain two series or ranks of needles, one
being longer than the other, substantially as described; intermediary suture needles
located between the said two series of needles; and a set of cams or actuators to
operate each of the said series of needles; other cams or actuators to actuate the
said suture needles; and two yarn supplying guides; the said cams or actuators
being adapted to operate the said series, and the said suture needles, and knit a
tubular fabric by reciprocal movements of the cam cylinder, substantially as
described.
2. A needle-bed; a series of shorter needles; a series of longer needles;
intermediary suture needles located between the endmost needles of the series of
longer and shorter needles; the said suture needles having their butts located
thereon at a distance from their hooks different from that of the butts from the
hooks of either of the said series of longer or shorter needles; suitable independent
cams or actuators to actuate the longer and shorter and suture needles; two yarn
delivery guides, one for each series of longer and shorter needles, to operate,
substantially as described.
3. An annular bed; two series of needles therein, one series being of one length,
and the other of another length and arranged in two series in the arc of a circle;
intermediary suture needles between the opposing ends or sides of the two series of
needles as stated, and constituting with them a complete circle, said suture needles
having two butts each, one of the butts being in rank with the butts of the
shorter series of needles and the other in rank with the butts of the longer series
of needles, and needle-actuators to actuate the needles with whose butts they
are in rank including the suture needles, one or both of said cams or actuators
being adapted to be withdrawn from the cylinders carrying them for the purposes
stated; and a yarn guide for each needle actuator and acting in connection there-
with, substantially as described.
4. An annular needle bed; two series or ranks of needles having their hooks
disposed in substantially concentric arcs of a circle; two yarn guides, one for each
series of needles; two series of feeders for each of the said yarn guides;
intermediary suture needles interacting between said two series or ranks of needles,
B

page_text: and adapted to take the endmost loops of semi-courses of loops knitted upon the
Baid series of needles, and interloop them, and needle cams or actuators to operate
the said two series of needles, and also the said suture needles, substantially as
described.
5. An annular needle-bed; a series of shorter needles; a series of longer
needles; suture needles having two butts, and located between the said two series
of longer and shorter needles, the said butts being far enough apart to admit of
the passage between them of the shorter needle cam or actuator; a yarn delivery
guide for each series of shorter and longer needles; a cam carrier having a shorter
needle cam or actuator, and a longer needle cam or actuator, the said cams or
actuators moving each of the suture needles, one or both of the said cams or
actuators being mounted upon slides made movable radially or outwardly from the
cylinders carrying them, to operate, substantially as described.
Dated the 21st day of September 1891.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.