IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I WILLIAM COTTON of Loughborough in the County of Leicester Machinist do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING
MACHINES" to be as follows:-
According to this invention I construct flat or rotary knitting machines in such
a manner that instead of the thread being laid on to the needles and formed into
loops or bends between them by means of the jack sinkers it is laid in front of a
series of square ended blades which are ranged opposite to the ends of and in a
line with the divider sinkers and the jack sinkers are made to form the thread into
loops or bends between these blades.
These blades I call "stud plates" they project forwards from a bar which can
recede somewhat when the divider sinkers advance towards the needles—the
forward end of these sinkers I also cut off so that they project but little beyond
the nib in order that when the divider sinkers advance towards the needles they
shall not come into contact with the ends of the stud plates. .
I also arrange the machine so that the knocking over of a course of work and
the subsequent rising of the needles for a new course of work to be formed
upon them is performed during the time that the thread is being laid along the
ends of the stud plates and formed into loops or bends between them.
The needles are made to rise between the stud plates and then to go forward to
take the loops from them at the same time the divider sinkers advance towards
the needles and the stud plates recede the divider sinkers and the jack sinkers
then divide the thread uniformly into loops between the stems of all of the
needles.
When the means above described for placing thread on to the needles are adopted
the draw bar may have motion communicated to it from a crank in place of from
a cam as heretofore usual so that it receives a steady and uniform motion.
For this reason and also because of the rigidity of the stud plates and because
of the loops or bends which are formed in the thread between the stud plates and
jack sinkers being more gradual (that is, not in such sharp bends as when the loops
are formed between the needle stems) the slur cock incline can be made more.
gradual than heretofore so that 'two or more sinkers may be forming the thread
into loops between the stud plates at the same time instead of one sinker having
to complete the formation of a loop before the sinker next to it commences to

page_text: form another loop as it has to do in other machines. The moving forward of the
jack sinkers is therefore effected more gradually than heretofore and consequently
with less noise and wear of the parts.
In order also to avoid friction upon the thread at the time when the jack
sinkers form it into loops between the stud plates and also at the time when the
needles advance to take the loops away from the ends of the stud plates I form
slots in both the stud plates and the jack sinkers the slot in the stud plate being
formed to come close up to the end of the plate where the thread is laid against it
and the slot in the jack sinkers immediately at the back of the bottom of the
notch which is as usual formed at the forward end of the sinker.
*Should the friction upon the thread at the time when the needles go forward to
take the loops from off the ends of the stud plates be sufficient to press back any
of the jack sinkers they may if necessary be made to resume their proper positions
before the divider sinkers commence to divide the thread equally into loops or they
might be impeded from so moving back.
The returning of the jack sinkers to their proper position if they have been
pressed back by the thread may be effected by a plate or leaf placed above the top
of the catch bar and hinged to it at the back such plate having its forward end
made to descend in front of the catch bar so that it may rest upon the top of the
heads which are formed as usual at the rear ends of the jack sinkers. The heads
of the divider sinkers are made of less height than the heads of the jack sinkers so
that the plate may not rest upon them.
When the jack sinkers are in their backward position the edge of the plate or
leaf rests upon their heads.
When all the jack sinkers have been moved forward the plate or leaf being no
longer upheld by any of them is pressed downward a short distance by a spring so
that when the catch bar advances to move the divider sinkers up to the needles
the edge of the plate or leaf may come against the heads of such of the jack
sinkers as have been moved back and return them to their proper position
(that is, so that they shall rest against the falling bar) the plate or leaf then rises
and its edge again comes above the heads of all the sinkers just as the divider
sinkers commence to divide the thread into uniform loops.
At this time also the catch bar is made to come against projections from the
stud plate bar so as to press back this bar and prevent the divider sinkers from
striking against the ends of the stud plates. The stud plate bar also is pressed
forwards by springs so that when the catch bar recedes it at once resumes its former
position.
•
The length of the loops into which the thread is formed can also be adjusted by
causing the forward movement of the stud plate bar to be arrested by means of
adjustable screw stops so that the distance to which the stud plate bar can move
forwards can be adjusted-the screws may have star wheel heads by which they
can be turned or held'in any required position..
In order to avoid too much thread being drawn off at the selvage where the
thread layer commences a traverse I form the end jack sinker with a second notch
close up to its forward end-so that the height of its extreme forward end is
considerably reduced and the amount of thread lapped over it when the thread
layer commences its traversé is much smaller than it otherwise would be. A slit
is formed along the sinker from the back of this notch to a point in rear of
the bottom of the ordinary notch-so that the thread lapped over the end of
the sinker may pass into this slit when the sinker moves forward towards the
needles. If the machine is to be arranged for narrowing, all the jack sinkers
would have to be formed in this way."
L
By constructing machines in the manner above described the needles may
be made much shorter than heretofore and will therefore be stiffer and less
liable to be bent out of place. By reason alsó of the needles not having to be raised
so high as heretofore to receive a fresh thread the cams for raising and lowering
L
33

page_text: the needles may be made with much more gradual inclines than was heretofore
feasible.
The time occupied for effecting the knocking over of the work can also be
longer as the knocking over of the work may commence immediately that the
thread eye has been carried back by the movement of the draw bar far enough to
lay the thread well into the forward notch of the selvage sinker and the remainder
of the time occupied by the traverse of the thread eye and slur cock may be
occupied in the knocking over of the work and the subsequent rise of the
needles.
.
The improvements above described are applicable to all rotary knitting machines
whether the needles work in a vertical or other position.

page_text: I, WILLIAM COTTON of Loughborough in the County of Leicester Machinist do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING
MACHINES and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
"
According to this Invention I construct flat or rotary knitting machines in such
a manner that instead of the thread being laid on to the needles and formed into
loops or bends between them by means of the jack sinkers it is laid in front of a
series of square ended blades which are ranged opposite to the ends of and in a line
with the divider sinkers and the jack sinkers are made to form the thread into
loops or bends between these blades.
These blades I call "stud plates" they. project forwards from a bar which can
recede somewhat when the divider sinkers advance towards the needles-the forward
end of these sinkers, I also cut off so that they project but little beyond the nib in
order that when the divider sinkers advance towards the needles, they shall not
come into contact with the ends of the stud plates.
I also arrange the machine so that the knocking over of a course of work and
the subsequent rising of the needles for a new course of work to be formed upon
them is performed during the time that the thread is being laid along the ends of
the stud plates and formed into loops or bends between them.
The needles are made to rise between the stud plates and then to go forward to
take the loops from them at the same time the divider sinkers advance towards the
needles and the stud plates recede, the divider sinkers and the jack sinkers then
divide the thread uniformly into loops between the stems of all of the needles.
When the means above described for placing thread on to the needles are adopted
the draw bar may have motion communicated to it from a crank in place of from
a cam as heretofore usual so that it receives a steady and uniform motion.
For this reason and also because of the rigidity of the stud plates and because
of the loops or bends which are formed in the thread between the stud plates and
jack sinkers being more gradual, (that is, not in such sharp bends as when the loops
are formed between the needle stems) the slur cock incline can be made more
gradual than heretofore so that two or more sinkers may be forming the thread
into loops between the stud plates at the same time instead of one sinker having
to complete the formation of a loop before the sinker next to it commences to form
another loop as it has to do in other machines. The moving forward of the jack
sinkers is therefore effected more gradually than heretofore and consequently with
less noise and wear of the parts.
In order also to avoid friction upon the thread at the time when the jack sinkers
form it into loops between the stud plates and also at the time when the needles
advance to take the loops away from the ends of the stud plates I form slots in
both the stud plates and the jack sinkers the slot in the stud plate being formed to
come close up to the end of the plate where the thread is laid against it and
the slot in the jack sinkers immediately at the back of the bottom of the notch
which is as usual formed at the forward end of the sinker.

page_text: Should the friction upon the thread at the time when the needles go forward to
take the loops from off the ends of the stud plates be sufficient to press back
any of the jack sinkers they are made to resume their proper positions that is they
are made to rest against the falling bar before the divider sinkers commence to
divide the thread equally into loops.
When the catch bar advances to move the divider sinkers up to the needles the
stud plate bar is moved backwards also to prevent the divider sinkers from striking
against the ends of the stud plates.
The length of the loops into which the thread is formed can also be adjusted by
causing the forward movement of the stud plate bar to be arrested by means of
adjustable screw stops so that the distance to which the stud plate bar can move
forwards can be adjusted-the screws may have star-wheel heads by which they
can be turned or held in any required position.
In order to avoid too much thread being drawn off at the selvage where the
thread layer commences a traverse I form the end jack sinker with a second notch
close up to its forward end so that the height of its extreme forward end is
considerably reduced and the amount of thread lapped over it when the thread
layer commences its traverse is much smaller than it otherwise would be. A slit is
formed along the sinker from the back of this notch to a point in rear of the
bottom of the ordinary notch-so that the thread lapped over the end of the
sinker may pass into this slit when the sinker moves forwards towards the needles.
If the machine is to be arranged for narrowing, all the jack sinkers would have to
be formed in this way.
By constructing machines in the manner above described the needles may be
made much shorter than heretofore and will therefore be stiffer and less liable to
be bent out of place. By reason also of the needles not having to be raised so
high as heretofore to receive a fresh thread the cams for raising and lowering
the needles may be made with much more gradual inclines than was heretofore
feasible.
The time occupied for effecting the knocking over of the work can also be longer
as the knocking over the work may commence immediately that the thread
eye has been carried back by the movement of the draw bar far enough to lay the
thread well into the forward notch of the selvage sinker and the remainder of
the time occupied by the traverse of the thread eye and slur cock may be occupied
in the knocking over of the work and the subsequent rise of the needles.
The improvements above described are applicable to all rotary knitting machines
whether the needles work in a vertical or other position.
Figure 1 of the drawings hereunto annexed shows a vertical transverse section
of a knitting machine constructed as above described.
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are diagram views showing various consecutive positions
which the working parts are made to take to perform a course of work.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are diagram plan views on a larger scale showing the various
positions taken by the stud plates, sinkers and needles in order to divide the thread
to make the needles take the divided thread and subsequently to divide the thread
into uniform loops upon the needles.
Figure 9 is a plan view of one end of the bar which carries the stud plates
showing how it is supported at the back by arms projecting from it and resting on
the head or bar which carries the sinkers. Figure 10 shows separately the cam for
moving the needles forwards or backwards. Figure 11 the cam for moving the
needles up and down-Figure 12 the cam for moving the stud plates backwards
and forwards-Figure 13 the cam for ensuring that all the jack sinkers are held
up to the falling bar before the divider sinkers commence to act. Figure 14 the
cam for moving the catch bar backwards or forwards and Figure 15 the cam for
moving the catch bar up or down.
A is the needle bar jointed to arms which extend from the needle bar shaft A¹
from which other arms extend downwards and are acted upon by cams on the cam

page_text: -
shaft B to move. the needles upwards or downwards as is usual in machines hereto-
fore constructed by me and which are well known.. Arms Aalso descend from the
needle bar and have rods A³ jointed to their lower ends. These rods catch over
pins A' carried by arms which hang down from the pressing shaft C, and which 'at
their lower ends are as usual acted on by cams on the cam shaft to give to the
needles their backward and forward movements. D is the fixed bar or head which
carries the sinkers. E is the catch bar for acting upon the rear ends of the sinkers,
this bar is moved backwards and forwards by arms which extend from the catch
bar shaft E. Other arms which extend downwards froin this shaft are acted upon
by cams on the cam shaft as is usual. The catch bar at its ends has arms E²
extending forwards from it. These arms are connected by rods E³ with lever
arms E which at one end can turn loosely on the lifting shaft L³ hereinafter
mentioned whilst at the other end they are acted on by cams on the cam shaft in
the usual manner.-F are the jack levers, G the slur box carrying the slur cock or
inclines for acting upon these levers and which can be slidden to and fro along the
fixed bar G*. It receives its to and fro motion by its being fixed to a bar G* to
which the upper end of a long lever arm G¹ is jointed. The lever arm is rocked to
and fro by pins G2 extending from it and entering slots in a connecting rod G³
which is coupled to a crank pin I¹ on the crank shaft I. The crank shaft is driven
as shown by bevelled gearing from the cam shaft B and the cam shaft is as usual
driven by gearing from the driving shaft B¹. H is the thread eye or layer carried
by a rod H which is moved end wise to and fro in the ordinary manner by a
friction clip on the slur box-K are the stud plates projecting from a bar K¹ which
is connected to the upper ends of arms extending from the stud plate shaft. K².—
Other arms extending downwards from this shaft are acted upon at their lower ends
by cams carried by the cam shaft.
The bar K¹ is held up in its horizontal position by arms which project backwards
from its ends and rest upon the bottom bar of the head D. These arms are
prevented from rising upwards away from the head by pieces K³ which are made
to overlap them as shewn in the separate view of these parts at Figure 9. The
pieces K are carried by the horizontal bar Z above and to which the head D is
fixed.. L is a bar which can be brought against the backs of the jack levers to
cause them to press forward the jack sinkers up to the falling bar N immediately
before the divider sinkers commence to move forward. The bar L is jointed to the
upper ends of arms L' which can rock on a shaft L. The bar L has also arms L³
extending backwards from it. The rear ends of these arms are jointed to the
upper ends of arms L' which extend from the lifting shaft L. Other arms
extending from this shaft are acted upon at their ends by cams on the cam shaft
as shown.
All the arms which are acted upon by cams on the cam shaft are drawn against
the cams by springs. These springs are not shewn in the drawing in order that the
other parts may be seen more clearly.
The arms which descend from the stud plate shaft K³ and which are acted upon
by cams on the cam shaft are made to extend downwards beyond the point at
which they are so acted upon by the cams in order that their ends may rest against
stops M when the stud plates are in their backward position. These stops M. can
be screwed more or less into arms M¹, which can rock at their lower ends on a
bar M². The upper end of one of these arms at the centre of the machine carries
an eccentric M³, this rests against another eccentric M' which turns on a fixed pin
or axis.
When the eccentric M4 is .in the position shown in Figure 1 the stud plates K
can move backwards far enough for loops of thread of sufficient depth for forming
an ordinary course of work to be formed between them, but when the eccentric M
has had a half turn or nearly so given to it by means of its lever handle M³ the
stop M will have moved further away from the end of the arm and the stud
plates K will consequently move further backwards, and the loops of thread

page_text: formed between them will therefore necessarily be longer so that a slack course of
work will then be produced. The position of the stop M can also be adjusted to
produce tighter or slacker work by turning the eccentric M³ into any desired
position by means of the lever handle M which extends from it.
The action of the machine is as follows:-
When the parts are in the position shown by the diagram Figure 2, the radial
lines 1 marked on the cams are all vertical the needles have descended to their
lowest position and the work has been knocked over upon them. The thread layer
is also just about to commence a fresh traverse to lay its thread along the ends of
the stud plates, and as it does so the jack sinkers are in succession pressed forward
by the incline of the slur cock so as to divide the thread into loops or bends
between the stud plates as represented in the diagram plan view Figure 6.
It will be seen from this diagram that the incline of the slur cock is at such
an angle.that two of the jack sinkers are always simultaneously advancing against
the thread to form it into loops whereas ordinarily each jack sinker has to com-
plete its forward movement before the next one commences to act. During the
time that the slur cock is making its traverse the needles rise up between the
stud plates, and just as the slur cock has completed its traverse the parts will
have come into the position shown by the diagram Figure 3. The bar L will also
after all the jack sinkers have been moved forwards have been made to come
behind the back ends of all the jack levers and prevent the jack sinkers from
moving back. The radial lines marked 2 upon the cams will then have been
brought into a vertical position.
Afterwards the needles are carried back from the position shown in Figure 3.
into the position shewn by the diagrams Figures 4 and 7, and during this time the
jack sinkers are as just explained prevented from being pressed back by the needles,
rubbing against the thread. So soon as the needles have come into the position
shown by the diagrams 4 and 7 the bar Ļ is drawn back away from the backs of
the jack levers and the catch bar is made to press forward all the divider sinkers
against the thread, the parts will then be in the position shown in the diagram
Figures 4 and 7 and the radial lines marked 3 on the cams will have come into a
vertical position. The stud plates next move forward away from the thread and
the divider sinkers continue to advance against the thread until they have been
brought into a line with the jack sinkers, the thread will then have been divided
into uniform loops between the needles and the parts will be in the position shown
by the diagrams 5 and 8 the radial lines marked 4 on the cams will also now be in
a vertical position. Afterwards the needles go down, the work is knocked over
and the catch bar is drawn back and carries both sets of sinkers backwards with
it and is then made to rise up away from the notches in the sinkers leaving the
sinkers free to be again caused to advance by the incline of the slur cock, the parts
will then be again in the position shown by the diagram Figure 2.
In the various diagrams the jack sinkers are marked a and the divider sinkers b.
It will be seen that the divider sinkers in place of having a long nib projecting
forwards from them as usual, have this nib for the most part cut away so that they
may not strike against the ends of the stud plates.
It will also be seen that the jack sinkers and the stud plates K each have
slots c formed in them near their acting ends to avoid friction upon the thread at
the time when the needles advance to take the loops away from the ends of the
stud plates.
It will also be seen that the jack sinkers are made with two steps or notches at
their forward end and that a slit is formed along the sinker from the back of the
foremost notch to a point somewhat in rear of the bottom of the ordinary notch.
With jack sinkers formed in this way the thread layer when it commences to make
a traverse in one or other direction will lay its thread over the foremost portion of
the projecting nib of the first sinker and when this jack sinker is caused to
advance the thread will pass into its foremost notch and into the slit before
mentioned, whilst at the next jack sinker the thread will be laid into its back

page_text: or uppermost notch and will by it be carried against and between the ends of the
stud plates.
Although I have only, shown my improvements as applied to a knitting machine
of the kind usually constructed by me and commonly known as of my construction
yet I do not limit myself to the application of the improvements to this class
of knitting machine as they may also as above stated be applied equally well to
other rotary knitting machines whether the needles work in a vertical. or other
position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my. said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The construction of rotary knitting machines in such manner that the thread
in place of being laid directly on to the needles and formed into loops or bends
between them by the jack sinkers is laid along the ends of plates herein called
"stud plates" ranged opposite to the ends of the divider sinkers and is formed
into bends between these plates by the jack sinkers before it is taken on to the
stems of the needles and in such manner also that after the thread has been taken
onto the stems of the needles it is divided into uniform loops or bends between
them substantially as described.
2. Forming slots in the jack sinkers and stud plates near their acting ends for
the purpose deseribed.
3. Forming the jack sinkers with two notches at their acting ends one in front
of the other and forming a slit lengthwise of the sinker from the bottom of the
foremost notch for the purpose described.
4. The construction of knitting machines substantially as herein before described
and illustrated in the drawings annexed.
Dated this 21at dow of Annil 100k