Improvements in Flat Knitting Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left; 21st June, 1900-Accepted, 15th Sept., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Flat Knitting Machines.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM GOLBY, of 36, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention as com-
municated by Rudolph Trebsch, Hosiery Manufacturer, of 17, Langestrasse,
and Otto Preussner, Machine Constructor, 58, Konigstrasse, Guben, Province of
Brandenburg, Germany, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a flat knitting machine, on which, ordinary and
tubular fabrics with narrowing as well as fabrics with both sides alike and so-
called double ribs can be produced, the present machine being provided, like
the known flat knitting machines used for the same purpose, with four needle
beds.
The novel and peculiar feature of the new machine consists in the arrange-
ment of the four needle beds, which form two pairs, one pair being placed
horizontally above the other and ordinary pair of needle beds, and being fur-
nished with a row of double needles which are arranged alternately with the
needles of the other pair of needle-beds, and, upon the carriage being moved
backwards and forwards, are so actuated by knocking over bars acted on by
"locks" that they are alternately pushed out of their one bed into the other,
and work in combination with that one of the lower row of needles, which is
opposite to them at the time. The narrowing is effected in the usual manner
with flat knitting machines, the end needles being put out of action, whilst the
double rib is produced by the insertion of a second thread, and allowing each
row of needles to work by itself.
One pair of the two pairs of needle beds, is arranged in the manner customary
with flat knitting machines, and is furnished as in that case with latch needles
which are actuated in the usual manner by "locks" so that the "lock" for the
one bed acts only when a movement is made to the left, and that for the other
bed only when a movement is made to the right, thus each of the "locks" is out
of action at the backward motion for the time being. The other pair of needle
beds on the other hand, lying above the first pair, forms a horizontal plane,
and has a row of "double" needles common to both beds of the pair which
always lies between two adjoining needles at the lower needle beds and are
moved to and fro in the known manner by knocking over bars, actuated by the
"locks."
The "locks" for the needles of the lower beds are the same and work in the
same manner as is usual in flat knitting machines. The "locks" of the other
needle beds on the contrary, which actuate the knocking over bars are differently
effective upon the backward and forward movement and as a matter of fact, in
such a manner that the particular "double" needle is always held between the
knocking over bars which actuate them. All the "locks are fixed to a common
carriage, the two lower ones being removeably attached, as will be described
further on.
If the machine works from right to left the
"
double" needles of the hori-

page_text: "
zontal pair of beds lie in the front needle bed, and, in consequence of the motion
to the left, all the "locks" are simultaneously set in motion alternately with
the latch needles of the front lower needle bed, whereby the "double" needles
are pushed into the back needle bed, whilst the knocking over bars in the front
needle bed are pushed forwards and the corresponding knocking over-bars in
the back needle bed drawn backwards. The double needles therefore only
execute a movement in one direction, the moveable part of the lock first taking
hold of the knocking over, bars. The lower latch needles on the other hand,
execute an alternate forward and backward movement in the ordinary manner.
Whilst the lower latch needles are moving backwards, and the "double'
needles enter the back needle bed, the thread carrier lays the thread in the
hooks of the "double" needles and in those of one' row of latch needles. The
"loop knot" is thus formed, and the old mesh knocked over, whereby a row of
meshes is produced. During this working the lower back lock is out of action
in the usual manner. If however, the machine works from left to right, the
lower back lock is in 'action and the front lower lock out of action, whilst the
upper two locks always remain in action and only the two moveable parts of
the locks are put out of action alternately.
If the machine works from left to right, the knocking over bars are taken
hold of directly by the principal part of the." lock," slide along thereon as far as the
moveable part and said knocking over bars will push the moveable parts back
in the lock box and so come again into their working position. The moveable
part of the lock" of the back bed on the other hand remains on the level of
the feet of the knocking over bars and so comes into action. Thereby, upon the
following movement to the left of the "locks," the double needles are again
pushed into the front needle bed and the second hook of the double needle forms
with the lower back latch needle the second row of meshes. There are thus
two meshes on the double needle.
.
If the thread carrier has again laid in the thread there will be three loops
on the double needles, and the third loop again forms the new second mesh,
so that there are always two meshes on the double needle, of which the one lies
behind the needle latch and the other in the hook. The double needle is not
pushed completely into the other needle bed by the knocking over bars but only
so far as the new mesh has been formed. The knitting must as a matter of
be furnished with two "drawing down" weights as each row of needles
has its own motion.
course,
The knocking over bar is not uniformly stout in front, but tapered at the
upper edge. Thus between the needle hooks and the knocking over bars the
gap or space is formed, which serves for temporarily receiving the thrown off
mesh. If the new mesh has been drawn long enough as required, the knocking
over bar acting at the time moves so far back, that the thrown off mesh must
fall down.
This is effected by means of a reverse projection at one end of the "lock,"
which turns into the bed and brings back to a slight extent again the knocking
over bar which was pressed forwards by the lock, without the "double" needles
thereby quitting the position which they have reached.
The knocking over bar now remains in this position until the lock returns
and brings it back again into its working position.
In the forming of the mesh, the "double" needles only move forward whilst
the ordinary latch needles move upwards and downwards in the usual manner.
The "double" needles constantly form the left meshes and the lower needles
the right meshes.
By this means a tubular fabric and an ordinary fabric may be produced.
The diminution, or narrowing, is effected exactly as hitherto usual with flat
knitting machines, viz., by the end needles being put out of action. By this means
a tubular fabric and an ordinary fabric with narrowing can be produced by this
machine.

page_text: <
In order to form double ribs with this machine, additional apparatus is
required.
For this purpose, as already stated at the outset, a second thread has to be
introduced, as the "double" needles and the single latch needles each require
only one single thread. Moreover the double needles must have worked.
off when the latch needles come into action.
"
The connection between the "locks" of the lower needles and those of the
double", needles is made detachable and on each of the two "locks" of the
"
double needles two carriers are arranged, of which, in working, the one
draws along the "lock" of the latch needles in one direction on a pin projecting
into its path, and the other does likewise in the other direction.
"
"
In a preferable form the two carriers are united to a ring" fixed to the
corresponding upper "lock" into which ring the pin of the lower lock enters.
For the purpose of establishing the necessary rigid connection for the ordinary
articles between the upper and lower "locks' a spring "flap" is provided on
each of the "carrier wings" and as a matter of fact, in the middle, so that, as
soon as these "flaps" are in the working position, all the locks again work
simultaneously for the purpose of producing the goods. Each "flap" has a
perforation, into which, when the "flap" is in the working position, the pin
of the corresponding lower lock enters. This connection can be easily detached
and re-established again, in order, as required, to proceed with the next operation
after one has ended.
As it often happens, with double needles, that the latches do not open, whereby
breakings of the thread, faults in the goods, and no inconsiderably loss of time
result, the latches of the double needles are made to open compulsorily, t
being effected by furnishing the covering rails or bars with a cutter like edge
which upon the particular side of the double needle entering below the covering
rail or bar, takes hold, between the latch and the hook.
If this apparatus be employed it is impossible that there should be any failure
of a latch to open.
The lower needles easily penetrate the goods in the course of working.
because the latter are drawn over the throwing-over" edge of the lower
needle bed.
"
This difficulty is obviated by means of a contrivance whereby the "double
needles are pushed forward to such an extent before the forward movement of
the lower needles, that the work suspended to them hangs freely, whilst the
further forward push is only effected in conjunction with the lower needles.
For this purpose, the acting part of the "lock" is made in two stages. The
first stage or step serves for the first forward pushing of the "double" needles,
whilst the needles are actually operated by the second stage or step.
Dated this 21st day of September 1899.
F. W. GOLBY,
Patent Agent, 36, Chancery Lane, W.C.
Improvements in Flat Knitting Machines.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM GOLBY, of 36, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by Rudolph
Trehsch, Hosiery Manufacturer, of 17, Langestrasse, and Otto Preussner, Machine

page_text: Constructor, of 58, Konigstrasse, Guben, Province of Brandenburg, Germany,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to a flat knitting machine, on which ordinary and
tubular fabrics with narrowing as well as fabrics with both sides alike and so-
called welts can be produced, the present machine being provided, like the
known flat knitting machines used for the same purpose, with four needle
beds.
The novel and peculiar feature of the new machine consists in the arrange
ment of the four needle beds, which form two pairs, one pair being placed
horizontally above the other and ordinary pair of needle-beds, and being fur-
nished with a row of double needles which are arranged alternately with the
needles of the other pair of needle-beds, and, upon the carriage being moved
backwards and forwards, are so actuated by knocking over bars acted on by
locks that they are alternately pushed out of their one bed into the other,
and work in combination with that one of the lower row of needles, which is
opposite to them at the time. The narrowing is effected in the usual manner
with flat knitting machines, the end needles being put out of action, whilst the
welt is produced by the insertion of a second thread, and allowing each row of
needles to work by itself.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a front elevation and
Fig. 3 a transverse section of the machine. Figs. 4 to 7 show the action of
the machine, whilst Fig. 8 illustrates the position of the double needles in
relation to the latch needles, with a complète piece of work. Figs. 9 to 18
illustrate details of construction and modifications which will be more particu-
larly referred to hereinafter.
One pair a b of the two pairs of needle-beds is arranged in the manner
customary with flat knitting machines, and is furnished, as in that case, with
latch needles e e¹, which are actuated in the usual manner by locks so that the
lock for the one bed a acts only when a movement is made to the left, and that
for the other bed only when a movement is made to the right; thus each of
the locks is out of action at the backward motion for the time being. The other
pair of needle-beds cd, on the other hand, lying above the first pair, forms a
horizontal plane, and has a row of double needles f common to both beds of the
pair, which always lie between two adjoining needles of the lower needle beds a b
(Fig. 8) and are moved to and fro in the known manner by knocking over
bars g g actuated by the locks.
The locks for the needles of the lower beds a bare the same and work in the
same manner as is usual in flat knitting machines (Fig. 1). The locks of the
other needle-beds e d, on the contrary, which actuate the knocking over bars g g¹,
are differently effective upon the backward and forward movement and, as a
matter of fact, in such a manner that the particular double needles f are always
held between the knocking over bars which actuate them (see Fig. 3). All the
locks are fixed to a common carriage, the two lower ones being removeably
attached, as will be described further on.
The action is illustrated in Fig. 1 and in Figs. 4 to 7.
If the machine works from right to left, Fig. 1, the double needles f of the
horizontal pair of beds c d lie on the front needle-bed c and, in consequence of
the movement to the left of the locks, the needles f are successively set in
motion alternately with the latch needles e of the front lower needle-bed a
whereby the double needles f are pushed into the back needle-bed d, whilst the
knocking over bars g in the front needle bed are pushed forwards and the
corresponding knocking over bars g¹ in the back needle-bed d drawn backwards
(Figure 12). The double-needles f, therefore, only execute a movement in one
direction, the part of the lock first engaging the knocking over bars. The
lower latch needles e and e¹ on the other hand, execute an alternate forward and
backward movement in the ordinary manner.
Each of the locks of the double needles f consists of three cams, two of which,

page_text: marked hand i in the drawings, are fixed, while the third, marked,
is move-
able. The cams of the lock operate the needles in the usual manner.
The
cam however does not always come into action, but only when the lock moves
to the left in Fig. 1, or upward in Fig. 12. During the reverse movement of
the lock, the cam is drawn into a suitable recess made for the purpose in the
bed, in the known manner. The moveable part or cam can now move away
under the pushers which are now acted upon by the rear portion of the cam i
of the lock. (See Fig. 12).
Whilst the lower latch needles e are moving backwards, and the double
needles enter the back needle-bed, the thread carrier lays the thread in the
hooks I of the double needles f and in those of one row of latch needles e
(Fig. 4). The loop-knot is thus formed and the old mesh knocked over, Fig. 5,
whereby a row of meshes is produced. During this working the lower back
lock is out of action in the usual manner. If, however, the machine works
from left to right, the lower back lock is in action and the front lower lock out
of action, whilst the upper two locks always remain in action and only the two
moveable parts of the locks are put out of action alternately.
.
When the machine works from left to right, the knocking over bars g are
taken hold of directly by the principal part of the lock, slide along thereon.
as far as the moveable part, and said knocking over bars g will push the move-
able parts
.r back in the lock box and so come again into their working position.
The moveable part of the lock of the back bed d on the other hand remains
on the level of the feet of the knocking over bars g¹ and so comes into action.
Thereby upon the following movement to the left of the locks, the double
needles are again pushed into the front needle bed c and the second hook of the
double needle forms, with the lower back latch needle e¹, the second row of
meshes. There are thus two meshes on the double needles (Fig. 6).
If the thread carrier has again laid in the thread, there will be three loops
on the double needles and the third loop again forms the new second mesh,
so that there are always two meshes on the double needle, of which the one lies
behind the needle-latch and the other in the hook. The double needle is not
pushed completely into the other needle bed, by the knocking over
bars 9 g (Fig. 7). The knitting must, as a matter of course, he furnished
with two drawing down weights, as each row of needles has its own motion.
"
The knocking over bar is not uniformly stout in front but tapered at the
upper edge. Thus between the needle-hooks and the knocking over bars a
gap or space is formed, which serves for temporarily receiving the thrown-off
mesh. If the new mesh has been drawn long enough, as required, the knocking
over bar acting at the time moves so far back, that the thrown off mesh must
fall down (Fig. 7).
This is effected (Fig. 1) by means of a reverse projection h¹ on the cam h
of the lock, which turns into the bed and brings back to a slight extent again
the knocking over bar, which was pressed forwards by the lock, without the
double needles thereby quitting the position which they have reached (Fig. 12).
The knocking over bar now remains in this position until the lock returns
and brings it back again into its working position.
In the forming of the mesh, the double needles only move forward, whilst the
ordinary latch-needles e and e¹ move upwards and downwards in the usual
manner. The double needles f constantly form the left meshes and the lower
needles e e¹ the right meshes.
By this means a tubular fabric and an ordinary fabric may be produced.
The diminution or narrowing is effected exactly as hitherto usual with flat
knitting machines, viz., by the end needles being put out of action.
By this means a tubular fabric and an ordinary fabric with narrowing can
be produced by this machine.
In order to form welts with this machine, additional apparatus illustrated in
the forms given as examples is required.

page_text: For this purpose, as already stated at the outset, a second thread has to be
introduced, as the double needles f, and the single latch-needles e and e¹ each
require only one single thread. Moreover, the double needles must have worked
off when the latch needles e e¹ come into action.
Fig. 18 shows part of a knitted stocking, the top of which is worked double.
The inner knitting line is worked by the double needles, the outer one by the
single needles; the machine is arranged for a double edge.
Fig. 9 of the drawings is a plan view in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 3,
intended to make quite clear the general arrangement of the machine.
m is the thread-carrier, which feeds the double needles f; n the new additional
thread-carrier for the latch-needles e e¹.
The connection between the locks of the lower needles e e¹ and those of the
double needles is made detachable and on each of the two locks of the double
needles two carriers are arranged, one of which carriers, in the working of the
machine, draws along the lock of the latch needles e and e¹ in one direction on
a pin o projecting into its path, and the other carrier does likewise in the other
direction.
In a preferable form the two carriers are united to a slide p, fixed to the
corresponding upper lock, into which slide the pin o of the lower lock enters.
For the purpose of establishing the necessary rigid connection for the ordinary
articles, between the upper and lower locks, a spring flap is provided on each
of the carrier, slides and as a matter of fact in the middle, so that, as soon as
these flaps are in the working position, all the locks again work simultaneously
for the purpose of producing the goods. Each flap 7 has a perforation, into
which, when the flap is in the working position, the pin o of the corresponding
lower lock enters. This connection can be easily detached and re-established
again, in order, as required, to proceed with the next operation after one has
ended.
As it often happens, with double needles, that the latches do not open, whereby
breakings of the thread, faults in the goods, and no inconsiderable loss of time
result, the latches of the double needles f are made to open compulsorily, this
being effected by furnishing the covering rails or bars with a cutter like edge
which, upon the particular side of the double needle entering below the cover-
ing rail or bar, takes hold between the latch and the hook.
In Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings an example of this apparatus, which also
is in the forms shown only by way of example, is specially illustrated in section
and in plan.
The double needle f comes over directly towards the bed d and the cutter like
edge of the covering rail or bar k enters between the point of the latch and the
hook of the needle. If this apparatus be employed it is impossible that there
should be any failure of a latch to open.
The lower needles e and e¹ easily penetrate the goods in the course of working
because the latter are drawn over the throwing-over edge of the lower needle-
bed.
This will easily be seen from Figs. 15 to 17 of the accompanying drawings
which are sections along the lines A B, C D and E F respectively of Fig. 14
which represents a plan view of the machine. The machine works in the direc-
tion of the arrow in Figure 14. The material hangs on the double needle f and
lies over the knocking off edge of the bed a of the needle e. The latter is
actuated simultaneously with the double needle f (Figs. 16, 17 and 15, so that it
comes forward, before the material, hanging on the double needle, has left the
knocking off edge of the needle bed a. The needle e is accordingly in a position
when moving forwards (Figs. 15 and 16) to pierce the material).
This difficulty is obviated in the forms given as examples, by means of a
contrivance, illustrated, in plan and cross section respectively in Figs. 12
and 13, whereby the double needles f are pushed forward to such an extent
before the forward movement of the lower needles e and e¹ that the work

page_text: suspended to them hangs freely, whilst the further forward push is only effected
in conjunction with the lower needles.
For this purpose, the acting part of the lock is made in two stages. The
first stage or step serves for the first forward pushing of the double needles,
whilst the needles are actually operated by the second stage or step.
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) A flat knitting machine with four needle beds, for the production of
ordinary and tubular fabrics in which one pair of needle beds c d is arranged
horizontally above the ordinary pair of needle-beds a b, and has a row of double
needles alternating with the needles e e¹ of the latter, which needles f, upon
the carriage moving to and fro, work in conjunction with the opposite lying
lower row of frame-needles e and el, said needles being actuated by means of
knocking over bars g which are influenced by locks substantially in the manner
described.
(2) A flat knitting machine of the kind indicated in Claim 1 hereof, the dis-
tinguishing feature of which is that, for the purpose of producing welts, the
rigid connection between the upper and lower locks is easily released and, after
this has been effected, then, for the purpose of bringing the double needles f
against the lower needles e and e¹ the carrying forward of the lower locks is
effected by the upper, with the assistance of two carriers firmly attached to each
of the latter, which, when the forward or backward movement takes place,
take hold of a detent o on the first named, whilst the latch-needles e el also
receive thread by means of a second thread-carrier n substantially as described.
(3) A flat knitting machine of the kind indicated in Claim 1, hereof, the dis-
tinguishing feature being that the covering rails or bars k of the double
needles are furnished with cutter like edges, which, upon the needle entering
below the rail or bar, pass between the hooks and the latches and open the
latter, substantially as described.
(4) A flat knitting machine of the kind indicated in Claim 1, the dis-
tinguishing feature being that, by means of the first stage or step, of the two-
stage locks the double needles are pushed forwards before the lower needles to
such an extent that the work suspended thereto hangs freely, in order that the
lower needles may be prevented from sticking into the work, substantially as
described.
Dated this 21st dow of Tune 1000
F. W. GOLBY,
Patent Agent, 36, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.