Improvements in Circular Knitting Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1893—Accepted, 25th Nov., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Circular Knitting Machines.
I, EMIL JOHN FRANCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 3809
Reno Street, in the City of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia and
State of Pennsylvania, Mechanic, 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 :-
My invention has relation to that class of machines that have become known and
are designated as circular knitting machines.
The principal object of my invention is to provide a comparatively simple,
effective and durable circular knitting machine for the manufacture of hosiery and
the like.
The nature, general features and scope of my invention will be more fully
understood from the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings forming part hereof; and in which
Fig. 1, is a view partly in longitudinal section and partly in elevation of a
kuitting machine constructed in accordance with my invention and embodying the
particular characteristic features thereof.
Fig. 2, is a plan view of the same, with the needle-cylinder, needle actuating
cam-ring and parts carried thereby removed.
Fig. 3, is an end view of a part of the machine, looking in the direction of the
arrow w, in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, is a transverse section on the line of Fig. 1, looking in the direction
of the arrow w¹, of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5, is a transverse section, partly in elevation of a part of the machine
taken on the line y-y, of Fig. 1, and also looking in the direction of the arrow w,
of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6, is a plan view of the head of the machine.
Fig. 7, is a plan or top view of a part of the machine on the line -, of
Fig. 1; and
Figs. 8 to 33, are detached views illustrating certain features of construction and
arrangement of the machine of my invention.
By reference to the drawings the fixed frame of the machine is represented at 1,
and is intended to be mounted upon legs or standards so as to support it at a
proper distance above the floor. On this fixed frame is firmly secured the
bed 2, of the machine, which in the present instance is in the form of an annular
frame in the upper portion of which is a recess forming a bearing for a bevel-
wheel 3, which forms part of the cam-ring 4, of the machine, or it may be
secured thereto in any appropriate manner. The bevel-wheel is held in place
vertically by a plate 5, which is bolted to suitable bosses on the bed-plate 2, so that
it can be readily removed, when it becomes necessary to remove the cam-ring 4.
This cam-ring 4, is shown in detail in Fig. 8, on reference to which it will be
observed that the ring has two side cams 6, 6, a lower lifting-cam 7, a top sliding-
cam 8, and pivoted wing-cams 9, 9, adjacent to the outer edges of the side-cams 6.
The top sliding-cam 8, has lateral projections 10, with beveled ends and these
projections have slots 11, for the reception of pins 12, on the cam-ring 4, in order
to permit of the desired lateral sliding movement of the said top-cam.
By reason of this arrangement, when the cam-ring 4, is moving say from left to
right, or in the direction of the arrow, the bits of the needles illustrated in Fig. 1,
rise upon the wing-cam 9 Fig. 8, at the right hand side and pass thence over the
right hand side-cam 6, so as to strike the depending portion of the top-sliding cam 8,
thus moving the same to the left into contact with the left hand side-cam 6, so that

page_text: the bits of the needles will be directed beneath said cam, the left-hand wing-cam 9,
rising as the bits pass under the same. When the cam-ring 4, moves from right to
left the operation is simply reversed, the bits of the needles passing above the left
hand wing-cam 9, and side-cam 6, and moving the top-cam 8, into contact with the
right hand side-cam 6, the bits then passing under the right hand cam and lifting
the right hand wing-cam 9, as they emerge.
The beveling of the ends of the lateral projections 10, of the top-cam 8, serves to
properly direct the bits of the needles beneath said projections in the event of their
being carried too high as they rise on the side-cam 6, and the breaking of the bits
of the needles, such as would be caused by their contact with an abrupt shoulder on
the top-cam 8, being thereby prevented.
The needle cylinder 15, fits snugly in the central opening of the cam-ring 4, and
has a downwardly projecting leg 16, which is adapted to a recess 17, in the fixed-
frame 1, and is supported upon a set-screw 18, carried by a cross-bar 19, at the
lower end of said recessed portion of the frame, and this frame has laterally
projecting pins 20, upon which is mounted a clamping-yoke 21, threaded for the
reception of a screw 22, which is provided with an operating-lever 23, and bears
upon the back of the projection of the frame, as illustrated in Fig. 9.
When the screw 22, is in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9, it serves to
press the leg 16, of the needle-cylinder firmly into the recess 17, and thereby locks
the cylinder in position, but upon slackening the screw 22, by the manipulation of
the lever 23, the needle-cylinder 15, is released and may be readily removed and
another cylinder inserted in its place and locked to position by a reverse movement
of the lever 23, as will be readily understood by reference to the drawings.
By the adjustment of the set-screw 18, the vertical position of the needle-
cylinder 15, with respect to the cam-ring 4, is determined, and the length of stitch
drawn by the needles thereby regulated or controlled.
A modified form of locking device is illustrated in Figs. 10, and 11, and consists
of a laterally sliding bolt 200, guided in notches 201, in the frame 2, and having a
bevelled portion 202, which engages with a recess 203, in the front of the leg 16.
In this case the leg 16, is locked by the downward pressure of the beveled
portion 202, and not by being thrust internally into the recess 17, as in the con-
struction shown in Figs. 1 and 9.
The needle cylinder 15, has three different varieties of needles 24, 25 and 26,
such as shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14.
Each
The needles around one half of the head and which are to remain out of action
during the formation of the pocket or bulge on the tube by to and fro knitting
around the other half of the head are similar to that represented in Fig. 12, the
stem of the needle having at the lower end a projecting bit 27, for the action of the
knitting-cams. The needles of the fashioning set which are intended to be thrown
into and out of action in order to effect the narrowing and widening of the knitted
web, during to and fro knitting are similar to that represented in Fig. 13.
of these needles has its stem extended, as at 28, below the bit 27, upon which the
knitting cams act, so that these needles may be controlled by cams beneath the
needle cylinder 15. That portion of the needle-cylinder 15, which contains these
needles have the backs of the needle grooves beveled, as illustrated in Fig. 1, so
that the needles may be moved radially inward at their lower ends in order to
carry their bits 27, inward beyond the range of the knitting cams on the cam-
ring 4.
The central needles of the fashioning set are similar to those illustrated in
Fig. 14, and are the same as the needles shown in Fig. 12, with the exception that
the bits 27, of the needles are somewhat shorter than the bits of the needles of
Fig. 12.
The object of making these latter bits long is to permit of the ready elevation of
the needles around one half of the needle cylinder, so as to carry their bits away
from the influence of the knitting cams and thus throw said needles out of action
during the time that the to and fro knitting is being carried on upon the needles

page_text: around the other half of the cylinder. This elevation of the needles is effected by
means of a switch-plate 30, which is carried by a shaft 31, mounted in a bearing 32,
on the cam-ring 4.
The switch-plate 30, is capable of assuming two positions, as represented in
Figs. 15 and 16, being retained in either of these positions, so far as regards
accidental displacement, by means of a spring-plate 33, which acts upon a pin 34,
projecting from the bub 35, of the switch-plate 30.
When said plate is adjusted to the position illustrated in Fig. 15, its outer end
bears upon the needle rest 13, of the cam-ring 4, hence as the latter is rotated, the
plate passes under the long bits of the needles 24, and raises the same to inoperative
position. When the switch-plate 30, is adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 16,
the underside of said plate acts upon the elevated bits of the needles 24, and
restores the same to operative position. The outer end of the shaft 31, has an
arm 36, with anti-friction roller 37, which is acted upon by devices hereinafter
described, so as to effect the automatic shifting of the switch-plate 30, at the proper
time and thus insure the throwing out of action and of the bringing into action of
the needles around one half of the needle-cylinder 15.
The ribs 40, between the needle grooves of the cylinder 15, are notched so as to
form a groove for the reception of the spring 41, which binds upon the needles and
serves to retain the same in their vertical position, when they have been elevated.
In the ribs 40, above the groove which receives the spring 41, are notches forming
a second groove for the reception of the ring 42, which as shown in Fig. 17, is made
in two parts 43 and 44, the parts having lugs 45, which are secured together by
set-screws 46.
Each part of the ring is somewhat less than a half circle, so that a gap 47, is
formed in the ring at one side to permit of the removal from the cylinder 15, of any
one of the needles into line with which the gap has been moved, the screw 46, at
this side of the ring being so far beyond the inner periphery of said ring as not to
interfere with the withdrawal of the needle bit through the gap. By this means
any of the needles of the cylinder 15, can be readily removed and other needles
inserted in their places.
There is a web-holding structure at the top of the needle-cylinder 15, and it will
be understood that this is removed preparatory to removing or replacing a needle.
This web holding structure consists of a ring 50, supported vertically upon the
ring 42, and secured to the needle-cylinder 15, by set-screws 51, which bear upon
the ribs 40, of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 1.
The ring 50, has radial grooves for the reception of a series of sliding web-holding
plates 52, one for every needle, or for every two or three needles of the cylinder.
These web holding plates have bits which enter a cam slot 53, as illustrated in
dotted lines in Fig. 6 in a ring 54, supported upon the ring 50, so as to be free to
turn thereon. This ring 54 has a plate 55, with segmental recesses 56, into which
projects a post 57, extending upward from the cam-ring 4. The upper end of this
post has a pivoted arm 58, carrying the thread-guide 59, as shown in Fig. 6. The
ribs 40, of the needle-cylinder 15, extend to the top of the same and serve as sinkers
over which the stitches are drawn by the needles as they descend, and the web
holding plates 52, work closely to the top of the needle cylinder 15, so that, as they
are projected, their lower portions will push inward or
knock over the stitches
cast by the descending needles. Each web holding plate is notched at the inner
end as shown in Fig. 1, so that after "knocking over a stitch the projecting upper
lug or finger of the plate will catch said stitch and prevent it from rising with the
needle, when the latter is again lifted.
"
"
As the cam 54, is rotated or reciprocated therefore, the plates 52 will be advanced
and retracted and will properly "knock over" the stitches and then prevent the
rise of the same with the needles, the segmental slot 56, in the plate 55, providing
for the lost motion necessary in order that the thread-guide 59, will always have
the proper lead of the cam-plate 55, in to and fro work, and the cam-slot 53, of the
ring 54, being such that the web-holders will be retracted at the point where the

page_text: needles are drawing the stitch, as illustrated in Fig. 6. It being understood that
in that view, the thread-guide 59, is moving in the direction of the arrow, and the
needles are drawing the stitches immediately in rear of the center of the guide
where the thread delivering eye is located.
The mechanism whereby the rotating and reciprocating or to and fro movements
are imparted to the cam-ring 4, will now be described.
The bevel-wheel 3, of the cam-ring 4, meshes with a bevel-wheel 60, the bed-
plate 2, being suitably cut away at one side as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in order to
permit this. The wheel 60, is carried by a shaft 61, which is mounted at one end
in a bearing in the frame 1, and at the other end in a sleeve 74, turning in a bearing
in said frame to be hereinafter described. The outer end of the shaft 61, is
provided with a crank-arm 62, as illustrated in Fig. 18, in order that the parts may
be operated by hand, if required.
Loosely mounted on the shaft 61, is a pulley 63, which has, at one side, projecting
pins 64, for engagement with a bar 65, on an eccentric 66, secured to the shaft 61,
as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. The opposite side of the pulley having a hub 67,
with a groove 68, for the reception of a shifter-fork 69, on a shifter-lever 70, to
be hereinafter fully explained.
The bub 67, has a bar 71, which, under the circumstances described hereinafter,
is caused to engage with lugs or pins 72, on a sprocket-wheel 73, mounted so as to
turn freely on the sleeve 74, before referred to, as constituting one of the bearings
for the shaft 61.
To a suitable bearing in a standard 75, on the floor beneath the machine, is a
shaft 76, which carries a sprocket-wheel 77, which is driven from the wheel 73, by
means of a chain 78, as illustrated in Fig. 19.
The shaft 76, is also provided with a crank-arm 79, the crank-pin 80, of this arm
being adapted to a bearing at the lower end of a rod 81, the upper portion of
which carries clamps 82, for the opposite ends of a strap or band 83, of leather or
other equivalent flexible material, and preferably cut from one piece of material and
of the form illustrated in Figs. 2, 18 and 20. The strap passes around and is
secured to a drum 84, mounted on the sleeve 74, and which is free to turn
thereon.
The upper portion of the strap 83, thus passes from the top of the rod 81,
downward and around the hottom of the drum, while the lower portion of the strap
passes from a point on the rod below the drum up to and over the top of the drum.
The consequence of this, is that as the rod 81, is reciprocated the upper portion of
the strap 83, on the upward movement of the rod causes the turning of the drum 84,
in one direction. The lower portion of the strap winding on the drum during this
movement, while in the downward movement of the rod, the lower portion of the
strap causes a movement of the drum in the opposite direction and the upper portion
of the strap is wound upon the drum, as will be understood by reference to
Figs. 18 and 19.
To the shifter-lever 70, is hung a rod 85, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The outer end
of this rod has a finger 86, which projects upward so as to engage with the drum 84,
at the outer face of the same, as illustrated in Fig. 18. A finger 87, engages with
the inner face of the drum 84, and is carried by a sleeve 88, which is mounted on
the rod 85, and free to move longitudinally thereon. This sleeve is connected with
a spring 89, to an arm 90, at the outer end of the rod.
In the outer face of the drum 84, is an opening 91, as illustrated in Figs. 1
and 19, for the reception of a pin 92, projecting inwardly from the hub of the
crank-handle 62, at the outer end of the shaft 61, and adjacent to this opening, and
terminating in line with the same, is a beveled cam-block 93, on the drum as
illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19.
The operation of this driving mechanism is as follows:-
When the machine is kuitting round and round, for the production of tubular
work, the driving pulley 63, occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, the pins 64,
being in engagement with the bar 65, of the eccentric 66, and the bar 71, being

page_text: free from engagement with the lugs 72, of the sprocket-wheel 73, so that the
rotating movement of the pulley is imparted to the eccentric and hence to the
shaft 61, and bevel-wheel 60 and from the latter to the bevel-wheel 3, and cam-
ring 4. Under these circumstances there is no movement of the sprocket-wheels 73
and 77, rod 81, and drum 84, and the said drum is drawn inward on the sleeve 74,
by means of the rod 85, and its finger 86, so that there can be no engagement of
the pin 92, of the crank-arm 62, with the opening 91, in the drum.
When it is desired to change from round and round or circular to reciprocating
or to and fro knitting, the shifter lever 70, is operated so as to move the pulley 63,
and its hub 67, longitudinally on the shaft 61, thereby carrying the pins 64. out of
engagement with the bar 65, and bringing the bar 71, into engagement with the
lugs 72, of the sprocket-wheel 73. The rotating movement of the pulley is there-
fore transmitted to the sprocket-wheel 73, and thence to the sprocket wheel 77, the
crank-arm 79, thus effecting the reciprocation of the rod 81, and the back and
forth movement of the drum 84. The same movement of the shifter lever acts
through the medium of the rod 85, and finger 87, to effect the outward movement
of the drum 84, on the sleeve 74, so as to cause the pin 92, of the crank-arm 62, to
enter the opening 91, in the drum, the back and forth movement of which is thus
transmitted through the crank-arm 62, to the shaft 61, and its pinion 60, and thence
to the pinion 3, and cam-ring 4. If, when the outward movement of the rod 85, is
effected, the crank-arm 62, is not in position for its pin to enter the opening 91, in
the drum 84, the outward movement of the drum 84, will be arrested by contact of
its outer face with the pin 92, the finger 86, and arm 90, at the outer end of the
rod 85, continuing to move and thus imparting increased tension to the spring 89,
which acts upon the sleeve 88, carrying the finger 87, which bears upon the inner
face of the drum. As soon, therefore, as the drum 84, has been turned forward to
such an extent as that its opening 91, is brought into line with the pin 92, the action
of the spring 89, sleeve 88, and finger 87, causes the drum 84, to move outward
on the sleeve 74, so as to insure the entrance of the pin 92, into the opening 91.
Over-running of the drum, so as to carry the opening past the pin, is prevented by
the stop-block 93, which comes into contact with the pin and prevents any further
forward movement of the drum independently thereof. If the turning movement
of the drum 84, is backwards, the pin 92, will ride over the beveled block 93, and
spring into the opening 91, in the rear of the same.
The mechanism whereby the various changes in the operation of the machine are
automatically effected to produce the pocket or bulge in the knitted tube will now
be described.
The downwardly projecting shanks 28 of the fashioning needles 26, are acted
upon by the fashioning cam-plates 100 and 101, which are of different radii and
have their adjacent edges beveled as illustrated in Fig. 2, so that as the cam-plates
are moved in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2, the fashioning-needles will
have their lower ends drawn inwardly by the beveled ends of the plates 101, in
order to withdraw the bits of these needles from the control of the knitting cams,
while when the plates are moved in the opposite direction, the depending shanks
of the needles are acted upon by the beveled ends of the plates 100, and are
moved outward, so as to bring the bits of the needles again into range of the
knitting cams.
In the machine the toothed slides carrying the fashioning cams have ledges 103,
which serve as bearings for the lower ends of the shanks of the fashioning needles
after the latter have been pushed inward by the cam-plates 101, thereby preventing
the dropping of the needles, so as to carry their bits below the line of the knitting
cams, when said needles are out of action, as will be clearly and fully understood
by reference to Fig. 21, of the drawings.
The lower ends of the shanks 28, of the fashioning needles are bent outwardly
to a slight extent, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 13 and 21, so that in inserting a neelle
into the machine, it will not strike and be stopped by either of the plates 100, and
each of the slides 102, at a point beneath the beveled ends of the cams 100 and 101,

page_text: has a beveled portion 95, whereby as the shank of a needle passes under the action
of the cam 101, the lower end of the shank, if it chances to be below the level of
the ledge 103, will be raised on to said ledge and jamming of the needle will thereby
be prevented.
The toothed slides 102 are acted upon by pawls 104, carried by reciprocated
bars 105, hung to the opposite ends of a lever 106, which is mounted on a stud 107,
secured to the frame 1, one arm of this lever 106, carrying an anti-friction roller 108,
which is acted upon alternately by cam-shaped tappets 109, on segmental plates 110,
carried by a drum 96, on a shaft 111. Undue movement of the lever 106, in either
direction is prevented by the contact of set-screws 97, on said lever with stop
lugs 98, on the frame 1.
The shaft 111, has a sprocket-wheel 113, which is
connected by a chain-belt 114, with a sprocket-wheel 115, on the shaft 76, which
carries the sprocket-wheel 77, as illustrated in Fig. 19, so that as said shaft is
rotated in the manner herein before set forth, the shaft 111, is likewise rotated
and the tappets 109, are caused to act alternately upon the roller 108 of the
lever 106, thus imparting a vibrating movement to the latter and reciprocating
the pawl carrying bars 105. The plates 110 have lateral slots 94, for the
reception of set-screws 99, so that said plates can be adjusted laterally on the
drum 96, and the extent of movement imparted to the lever 106, by the tappets 109,
is thereby controlled and regulated.
The pawls 104 of each bar 105, are in different horizontal planes on said bars,
the pawls consisting simply of teeth let into recesses in the top and bottom of a
central expanded portion of the bar, as illustrated in Figs. 22, 23 and 24, so that
by elevating the outer or free end of either of the bars 105, one of its pawls is
caused to engage with the teeth of the corresponding cam-slide 102, while by
lowering the outer end of either bar the other pawl of the same is caused to engage
with said teeth, and as one of the pawls of each bar is right handed and the other
left handed, it follows that the rising and falling movement of the pawl carrying
bar is sufficient to change the direction of movement imparted thereby to the cam
carrying slide. The inner faces of the bars 105, bear against the teeth of the
slides 102, which serve to limit the inward movement of the bars. The eccentric 66,
on the driving shaft 61, has a sleeve 116, which is connected by a rod 117, as
illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, to an arm 118, on a rock-shaft 119, mounted in suitable
bearings upon the frame 1, so that as the shaft 61, is either rotated or vibrated, a
rocking or vibrating movement will be imparted to said shaft 119. On the rock-
shaft 119, is an arm 120, as illustrated in Fig. 5, which carries two pawls 121
and 122; the pawl 121, engages continuously with a ratchet-wheel 123, which is
mounted on a stud 124, as illustrated in Fig. 25. This stud also carries a toothed-
wheel 125, with which the pawl 122, engages under circumstances hereinafter fully
explained.
Secured to the ratchet-wheel 123, is a sprocket-wheel 126, which carries a
pattern-chain 127, having at one side a projection 128, and on one side of the
toothed-wheel 125, is a projecting pin 129, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 5,
which extends into the path of the projection 128.
During the operation of round and round knitting to produce tubular work the
toothed-wheel 125, is stationary and the pawl 122, acts upon a long tooth 130, of
said wheel, as illustrated in Fig. 5, in order to prevent movement of the same.
When the desired length of the tubular fabric has been produced, the
projection 128, upon the pattern-chain 127, will strike the pin 129, and move the
wheel 125, to such an extent as to carry its long tooth beyond the pawl 122,
the latter then acting to rotate the wheel. On the outer face of the wheel 125, are
three cams 131, 132 and 133, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 5, 27 and 28. The cam 131,
has a beveled end as illustrated in Fig. 28, and a thickened securing butt as also
illustrated in said figure. This butt is so much thicker than the beveled end of
the cam as that the latter will be held some distance away from the face of the
wheel 125, and with its beveled portion towards said face of the wheel and when
the wheel is stopped by the bringing of the long tooth 130, into the, path of the

page_text: driving pawl, the beveled end of the cam will, as illustrated in Fig. 5, be in position
to overlap and draw towards the face of the wheel a pin 135, carried by a lever 136,
which is hung to a bracket on the frame 1. The other arm of this lever has a
slot 137, for the reception of a screw 138, whereby it is connected to the lower end
of a sliding-rod 139, which is mounted in a bearing 140, on the bed 2, and carries
at its upper end two cams 141 and 142, as illustrated in Fig. 1. These cams are so
located that when the rod is raised the cam 141, will act upon the anti-friction
roller 37, on the cam 36, of the switch plate shaft 31, so as partially to rotate said
shaft and throw the switch-plate into the position shown in Fig. 15, in order to
elevate the needles around one half of the needle-cylinder 15, while, when the
slide-rod is depressed, the cam 142, will act upon said anti-friction roller 37, so as
to shift the said plate from the position shown in Figs. 15, to that shown in Fig. 16,
and thus bring the needles down into operative position again. When the machine
is knitting round and round the pin 135, of the lever 136, is under control of the
cam 131, and the rod 129, is depressed and the switch-plate 30, is in the position
illustrated in Fig. 16, and all of the needles being in operation. On the first
movement of the wheel 125, however, the pin 135, is released from the control of
the cam 131, and the lever 136, is then raised by the spring 210, as illustrated in
Fig. 1, so as to raise the rod 129, and move the switch-plate 30, to the position
shown in Fig. 15, where it remains until the wheel 125, has completed its revolution
and the pin 135, is again brought under the influence of the cam 131.
The cam 132, as illustrated in Fig. 27, acts upon a pin 143, on one arm of a
lever 144, hung to a stud 14, on the frame; the other arm of this lever acting
upon a guided slide 146, which has a notch 147, for the reception of one of the
pawl carrying bars 105, of the machine.
The inner arm of the lever 144, has a pin 204, which overlaps the inner arm of a
like lever 148, hung to a stud 149, and acting upon a slide 150, which has a
notch, 151 for receiving the other pawl carrying har 105.
The action of the cam 132, is therefore to depress the inner arms of the
levers 144 and 148, and thereby elevate the outer arms of the same and the
slides 146 and 150, so as to throw the lower pawls 104 of the bars 105, into
operative position.
When the wheel 125 has, however, made a half revolution, the cam 133, acts
first upon the pin 143, of the lever 144, and then upon the lever 148, so as to
elevate the inner arms of said levers and depress their outer arms and the slides, so
as to bring the upper pawls of the bars 105, into engagement with the toothed
edges of the cam-slides 102, thus reversing the movement imparted to the latter,
the levers and slides being restored to their original position by the cam 132, when
the wheel 125, has completed a whole revolution.
Owing to the overlapping of the levers 144 and 148, the action of the cam 132,
operates said levers simultaneously so that both pawl-bars. 105 are lifted
simultaneously, when the cam 132 acts. The levers are operated in succession by
the cam 133, so as to drop the pawl-bars and change the action of the pawls, first
on one fashioning cam-slide 102, and then on the other, as is rendered necessary by
the alternate operation of said cam-slides.
Each of the pawl-bars 105, is acted upon by a spring 152, which permits said bar
to yield outwardly, to permit the acting pawl to pass the teeth of the cam-slide on
the backward movement of the bar, and each of the pawl-bar carrying slides 146
and 150, is acted upon by a spring actuated washer 153, as illustrated in Fig. 29,
so as to be self-retaining in the position to which it is adjusted, the tension of the
spring and pressure of the washer being regulated by manipulating the set-
screw 154.
One of the cam-slides 102, carries a ring 155, and the other of said slides carries
a ring 156, the ring 155, being recessed for the reception of the ring 156, so that
the outer peripheries of both rings are in the same vertical plane, as illustrated in
Figs. 30 and 31.
Surrounding and confining the rings 155 and 156, is a split-ring 157, which also

page_text: bears upon projecting portions of the slides 102, as shown in Figs. 30 and 31, and
this ring 157, has beveled portions 158, which are acted upon by set-screws 159, as
shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the effect being to press the ring 157, upon the peripheries
of the rings 155 and 156, and also downward upon the slides 102, so that it not
only serves to retain the latter rigidly in their proper vertical position, but it also
constitutes a friction brake to prevent undue movement of either slide under the
action of the pawl-bars.
Adjustable stops 160 and 161 are also provided to limit positively the swinging
movement of the slides 102, the stops 160, being slotted for the reception of their
confining screws, and the stop 161, consisting of a set-screw having an eccentric
stud, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The slides coming into contact with this stud
at one limit of their movement, so that by partially turning the set-screw, the stud
may be moved laterally until it is adjusted to the exact position required.
In order to prevent the movement of the toothed wheel 123, and the sprocket-
wheel 126, from being communicated to the wheel 125, a washer 162, is interposed
between the said wheel 125, and the hub of the sprocket-wheel 126.
This washer
bearing upon a flattened portion of the stud 124, as shown in Figs. 25 and 26, so as
to be incapable of turning on the stud.
A similar washer 163, is interposed between the wheel 123, and the confining
nut 164, at the end of the stud 124, to prevent the backing off of the said nut.
At the outer end of the rock-shaft 119, is a double tappet 165, which is adapted
to act upon the bifurcated ends 166 and 167, of a bar 168, the opposite end of
which is connected to a bell crank-lever 169, also connected by a rod 170, to the
shifter-lever 70.
The bar 168, is supported by a plate 171, carried by the lower end of the slide
rod 139, a pin 172 on the bar being adapted to a slot 173 in said plate, so that
while the bar will be raised by the plate, it is free to move in a longitudinal
direction independent of the saine, the slot being wider than the pin, so that a
slight rise and fall of the bar independently of the plate, is also possible.
In a bearing 174, on the frame is a rock shaft 175, having two arms 176, as
illustrated in Fig. 3 and 177 as illustrated in Fig. 5. The arm 176 is adapted to
act upon the bar 168, to elevate the same slightly when the arm 177 is acted upon
by a lug 178, on the pattern-chain 127, as illustrated in Fig. 5.
The lower fork 167, of the bar 168, is recessed at its outer end so as to form two
shoulders 180, and 181, upon either of which the vibrating tappet 165, can act.
When the machine is knitting round and round to produce tubular work, the
bar 168, is depressed by the action of the upper arm of the tappet 165, on the
end 166, of said bar, as illustrated in Fig. 3, but as soon as the slide-rod 139, has
been raised on the first movement of the wheel 125, the shoulder 180, of the lower
fork 167, of the bar 168, comes into contact with the lower arm of the vibrating
tappet 165, as illustrated in Fig. 32, and the bar 168, is thereby moved outward so
as to operate the shifter-lever 70, and thus effect the change from round and round
to to-and-fro knitting in the manner hereinbefore explained.
Whenever it is required automatically to stop the machine, as for instance, in
changing the needle-cylinder 15, the lug 178, of the chain 127, acts on the arm 177,
of the rock-shaft 175, and thus causes the arm 176 of said shaft partially to lift the
bar 168, so that its shoulder 181, will come under the influence of the lower arm of
the vibrating tappet 165, as illustrated in Fig. 33, and there will be a partial
movement of the bar 168, and shifter-lever 170, so as to move the clutch-hub 67, to
the intermediate position and thus stop the machine.
The shifter-rod 170, has an upwardly projecting arm 182 which, (as said rod is
moved so as to operate the shifter-lever to change the machine from to-and-fro to
round and round knitting,) strikes the end of one of the cam slides 102, as
illustrated in Fig. 2, and imparts to the same the final impulses necessary to restore
the last fashioning needle on that side of the machine to operative position, so that
the cam-ring 4, can then continue its forward rotation for the production of tubular
work. If the pawls 104, were relied upon to impart this last impulse to the cam-slide

page_text: another reciprocation of the cam-ring 4, would be necessary in order to restore
the pawls to their normal position and an extra course of stitches would thus be
produced.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of my
said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is :-
1. The combination of the needle-cylinder having a downwardly projecting
finger with the bed having a support for said finger and means for securing the
finger to the bed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. The combination of the needle-cylinder having a downwardly projecting
finger, the bed having a set-screw serving as a support for said finger and means
for securing the finger to the bed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. The combination of the needle-cylinder having a downwardly projecting
finger with a beveled face, the bed having a beveled recess in which said finger
fits, a vertical support for the finger, and means for securing said finger within the
recess of the bed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. The combination of the needle-cylinder having a downwardly projecting
finger, the bed having a support for said finger and a clamping yoke and set-screw,
whereby said finger is confined to the bed, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
5. The combination of the needle-cylinder having a support in the bed thereof,
a finger and, clamping means, whereby said finger can be confined within said bed,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6. The combination of the needle cylinder having a downwardly projecting
finger with a beveled face, the bed having a beveled recess for the reception of
said finger, a vertical support therefor, and a clamping-yoke and set-screw,
whereby the finger is secured within the recess of said bed, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
7. The combination of the needles, the needle-cylinder having an annular
groove therein and a needle retaining-ring adapted to said groove and composed of
separable sections, and having between the adjoining sections a gap for the with-
drawal of a needle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
8. The combination of the needle-carrier, needles some of which have bits
longer than others, a pivoted switch-cam so mounted in respect to the needles that
when in one position it will engage with the long bits and raise the needles, and
when in the opposite position will engage with said long bits and depress the
needles, and means for shifting said pivoted switch cam from one position to the
other, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
9. The combination of the needle-carrier, the needles some of which have
longer bits than the others, a pivoted switch-cam so mounted in respect to the
needles that when in one position it will engage with the long bits and raise the
needles and when in the opposite position will engage with said long bits and
depress the needles, a projection on said switch-cam, a spring acting upon said
projection and serving to hold the switch-cam in its extreme position and means
for shifting said switch-cam from one position to the other, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
10. The combination of the needle cylinder and its needles, some of which have
louger bits than others, a switch cam mounted in respect to the needles so as to
raise the long bit needles out of action when in one position and return them when
in the other position, a rock shaft carrying said switch-cam, a pin or projection on
said rock-shaft, and a spring acting upon said pin or projection and serving to
retain it in its extreme positions, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
11. The combination of the needle cylinder, the needle operating cams, needles,
some of which are movable into and out of range of said cams, fashioning-cams
B

page_text: for acting on the lower portions of the needle-shanks to so move them into and out
of action, and a rest for the lower ends of the needles when they are out of
action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
12. The combination of the needle-carrier, the knitting-cams, the needles, some
of which are movable into and out of range with said knitting cams, some of the
fashioning needles having bent lower ends, and fashioning cams for acting on the
lower portions of said fashioning needles to move them into and out of range of
the knitting-cams, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
13. The combination of the needle-carrier, the knitting-cams, the needles, some
of which are movable into and out of range of said knitting-cams, the fashioning-
cams acting upon the lower portions of the needles to move them into and out of
range of said knitting-cams, and a cam-carrier having a beveled portion at the
point where the movement of the needle is effected, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
14. The combination of the needle-cylinder, the knitting-cams, needles, some of
which are movable into and out of range of said knitting-cams, fashioning-cams
acting on the shanks of the needles to move them into and out of range of the knitting-
cams, slides carrying said fashioning-cams, means for reciprocating said slides, and a
friction ring acting as a brake upon the slides, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
15. The combination of the fashioning-cams and their slides, means for recipro-
cating said slides, a ring bearing upon the slides and having beveled portions and
set-screws acting upon said beveled portions of the retaining-ring to press it down
upon the slides, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
16. The combination, of the fashioning-cams, slides carrying said cams, means
for reciprocating said slides, rings, one attached to one slide and the other to the
opposite slide, and an encircling ring bearing upon said cam-slides and their rings,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
17. The combination of the fashioning-cams, slides carrying said cams, means
for reciprocating the slides, and adjustable stops for limiting the movement of the
slides in either direction, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
18. The combination of the fashioning-cams, slides carrying said cams, means
for reciprocating said slides, and an eccentric stop for limiting the approach of
the slides towards each other, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
19. The combination of the needle-cylinder, the knitting cams, the needles, some of
which are movable into and out of range of said cams, the fashioning-cams for acting
on the needles to move them into and out of action, toothed-slides carrying said cams,
reciprocated rack bars having fixed pawls in different planes for engaging with
said toothed-slides, and means for raising and lowering said reciprocated bars so as
to throw one or the other of the pawls of each bar into operation, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
20. The combination of the needle-cylinder, the knitting-cams, the needles, some
of which are movable into and out of range of said knitting-cams, the fashioning-
cams acting on the needles to move them into and out of action, toothed-slides,
reciprocated-bars bearing against the toothed faces of said slides, pawls carried by
said bars and arranged in different horizontal planes, and means for raising and
lowering the bars so as to throw one or the other of the pawls of each bar into
operation, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
21. The combination of the tooth-slides with the reciprocated rack-bars having
recesses or notches in opposite faces, and pawls consisting of blocks secured in
said recesses and projecting therefrom so as to engage with the toothed slides,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
22. The combination of the cam-box, the driving-shaft, gearing connecting said
shaft to the cam box, a clutch sleeve having a pulley for the driving belt, means
for connecting said sleeve to the driving shaft, a sprocket-wheel adapted to engage
with the clutch-sleeve, a second-sprocket wheel having a crank-arm, a belt for

page_text: connecting said sprocket-wheels, a rod connected to the crank-arm, a drum in
connection with said rod and a clutch for connecting said drum to the driving-
shaft, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
23. The combination of the driving-shaft, a drum and means for connecting the
latter to the driving shaft, with a reciprocated bar and straps connected to said bar
and to said drum, one strap passing around the drum in one direction and the other
strap passing around the drum in the opposite direction, and one end of each strap
secured to the drum and the opposite end to the bar, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
24. The combination of a drum, a reciprocated bar and a strap consisting of a
single piece connected to the drum at or near the centre and having projecting
portions, one of which is single and central and the other bifurcated so that its
arms are on opposite sides of the single central portion, one portion passing around
the drum in one direction and the other passing around the drum in the opposite
direction, one portion of the strap being connected to the upper portion of the
reciprocated rod and the other portion of the strap being connected to the lower
portion of said rod, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
25. The combination of the driving shaft of the machine, an arm thereon, a
vibrating drum, an opening in one of said parts, a pin or projection on the other
part for engaging with said opening, a shifter rod having fingers embracing the
drum, one of said fingers being free to move on the rod, and a spring connecting
said finger to a projection on the rod, substantially as aud for the purposes set
forth.
26. The combination of the driving shaft and its arm, having a projecting pin, the
vibrating drum having an opening for the reception of said pin and a beveled block
having an abrupt face in the line of said opening, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
.27. The combination of the needle-cylinder, the knitting-cams, the needles, some
of which are movable into and out of range of said cams, fashioning-cams acting
on the needles to move them into and out of action, toothed-slides carrying said
fashioning-cams, bars having pawls for engaging with said toothed-slides a lever
carrying said bars, and a rotated-drum having opposite tappets for acting on the
said lever and moving the same first in one direction and then in the opposite
direction, substantially as and for the purposes set forth
28. The combination of the driving-shaft, a power driven clutch member adapted
to engage directly with a complemental element on said shaft, mechanism for
imparting to and fro movement to the shaft, said mechanism having an element
with which the power driven clutch member is also adapted to engage, a
rock-shaft having tappets thereon, means for vibrating said rock shaft, a bar having
arms, one of which is adapted to be acted on by one of said tappets and the other
by the opposite tappet, means for connecting said bar to the clutch member and
means for raising and lowering the bar so as to carry the arms respectively into
and out of range of the tappets, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
29. The combination of the pawl carrying bars, a lever for actuating the same, a
rotating drum and a sleeve thereon carrying tappets for acting on said lever, said
sleeve being made in sections and adjustable laterally with respect to each other to
vary the action of the tappets on said lever, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
30. The combination of the needle-cylinder and its needles, some of which have
longer bits than others, the switch-cam for throwing said long bit needles into and
out of action, a rock-shaft carrying said cam, an arm on said rock-shaft, cams acting
on said arm to move it from one position to the other, a pattern-wheel and inter-
mediate mechanism, whereby said pattern-wheel is adapted to govern the adjust-
ment of the switch-cam operating devices, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
31. The combination of the driving mechanism having two shafts, a clutch
movable into or out of engagement with either clutch elements on said shafts, a

page_text: rock-shaft having tappets thereon, means for vibrating said rock-shaft, a bar having
bifurcations one of which is adapted to be acted on by one of said tappets, and the
other by the opposite tappet, means for connecting said bar to the clutch, and means
for raising and lowering the bar so as to carry its arms respectively into and out of
range of the tappets, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
32. The combination of a shifting clutch member, a vibrated shaft having tappets
thereon, a bar connected to said shifting clutch member and having a bifurcated
end or arm movable into and out of range of the tappets, one of said arms having
a notched end, a pattern-chain, and means, whereby said chain is caused to lift the
har for the action of the tappets so as to effect a partial movement of the shifting
clutch member, to throw the machine out of gear, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
33. The combination of the needle cylinder, the knitting-cams, the needles, some
of which are movable into and out of range of said knitting cams, fashioning-cams
for acting on the needles to move them into and out of action, slides carrying said
cams, means for reciprocating the slides, a clutch-member for changing the machine
from to and fro to round and round knitting, a clutch operating rod, and a bar or
finger carried by said rod and acting on one of said cam-slides, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
34. The combination of a pattern-chain, a sprocket-wheel carrying the same, a
ratchet-wheel connected to said sprocket-wheel, a toothed pattern-wheel, pawls for
acting on said toothed-wheels, a shaft or stud carrying said wheels and permitting
them to turn thereon, and a washer interposed between the toothed pattern-wheel
and the sprocket-wheel and said washer keyed to the pivotal shaft or stud,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
35. The combination of the cam-slides, reciprocated bars carrying pawls in
different planes, for operating said slides, shifting-levers and slides for effecting the
raising and lowering of said bars, and the pattern-wheel having cams for operating
said levers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
36. The combination of the toothed cam slides, reciprocated bars having pawls
for engaging with said slides, levers and slides for vertically shifting said bars, one
of said levers overlapping the other, and a pattern-wheel having cams for acting
on said levers, whereby the movement of one lever is imparted to the other, when
said lever moves in one direction, the levers moving independently of each other
in the opposite direction, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
37. The combination of the toothed cam-slides, reciprocated bars having pawls
in different planes engaging with said teeth, slides guided on the frame of the
machine and engaging with said bars, levers acting on said slides and a pattern-
wheel having cams for acting on said levers, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
38. The combination of the toothed cam-slides, reciprocated bars having pawls
in different planes for acting on said slides, guided slide-bars engaging with said
pawl-bars, levers acting on said slides, and a frictional retaining device or brake
acting upon each slide, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
39. The combination of the needle-cylinder and its needles, the cam-box, a switch-
cam for acting on the bits of some of the needles, an arm on the shaft of said
switch cam, a clutch forming part of the driving mechanism of the machine,
mechanism for moving said clutch, a vibrated tappet acting on a bar forming part
of said mechanism, and a slide rod carrying said bar and having cams for acting
upon the arm of the switch-cam, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
40. The combination of the needle cylinder and its needles, web holders working
over the top of the cylinder, a carrier for said web-holders and a cam-ring having
cams for projecting the web-holders at points where the needles are not in action
and withdrawing said web-holders beyond the line of the needles when the stitch is
being formed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
41. The combination of the needles, a cylinder having ribs extending to the top
of the same so as to serve as sinkers for the stitches, the guided web-holders

page_text: working close to the top of the cylinder and each notched at its inner end so as to
serve both as a web-holder and as a means of "knocking over" the stitch, a
grooved carrier for said web-holders, a cam for acting upon the web holders to
project and retract the same, and means for operating said cam, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
42. The combination of the needles, the knitting cams for actuating the saine,
cam slides having cams, whereby said needles are caused to engage with or are
released from the control of the knitting cams, a lever and devices carried thereby
for operating said cam-slides, means for vibrating said lever and set-screws and
lugs, whereby the movement of the lever in either direction is positively limited,
one of said elements being carried by each arm of the lever, and the other by the
fixed frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 10th day of August A.D. 1893.
EMIL JOHN FRANCK.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.