Improvements in and Applicable to Latch Needle Knitting Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Loft Othe 4007
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Applicable to Latch Needle Knitting Machines.
JOSEPH HERBERT No. 1 Sherwood Villa Portland Road Hucknall Torkard
Nottingham Cycle Maker and Machinist do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object an improved latch opening appliance applicable
to circular, straight bar and parallel bar latch needle knitting machines.
According to this invention the improved latch opening appliance consists of a
spring finger for each needle, so placed that they are struck by the needle head
above the centre of the same as they ascend to take the thread for the next loop,
and the needle latch, in the further upward movement of the needle, is lifted from
the hook and laid upon the needle stem. The spring fingers may be made by
cutting a steel plate, or each finger may be separate and be attached to a bar by
any suitable means. The improved latch opener may be fixed or movable.
Dated this 2nd day of December 1896.
W. H. POTTER, Wh. Sc.,
Patent Agent, Nottingham.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Applicable to Latch Needle Knitting Machines.
JOSEPH HERBERT of 1 Sherwood Villa Portland Road Hucknall Torkard
Nottingham Cycle Maker and Machinist do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in and applicable to circular, straight
bar, and parallel bar latch needle knitting machines, and has for its object, the
production of an improved latch opener.
According to this invention the machine is provided with a spring finger for
each needle, and such fingers are so placed with regard to the needles that as the
latter move through the last formed loop the needle hooks strike the ends of the
spring fingers on, the latch side of the centre of the hook. The continued move-
ment of the needle brings the latch into contact with the opener and turned on
ius pivot until the hook is fully opened.
The fingers may be in the form of a comb or separate springs may be used for
each needle and they may be moved to and from the needles.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1, 2 and 3 show the relative positions of the needle and latch opener at
different points in the stroke of the needle, and

page_text: b,
Figs. 4 is a front elevation of the latch opener according to one construction.
In one arrangement particularly applicable to machines in which the needles
move the least possible distance, that is, until the loop is clear of the latch, the
needles a, which may be of any of the usual kinds, are supposed to move for
kuitting in the direction of their length while the latch opener 6, placed at or about
the angle shown with regard to the needle, is fixed to the bar c, which is supported
in any convenient manner by the machine. In Fig. 1 the needle is shown in
contact with the opener which is struck by the end of the latch as the needle
moves forward and is turned on its axle until the hook c is fully opened as shown
in Fig. 3.
In another arrangement the latch opener is so fixed that it is practically in the
same plane as the needle. With this arrangement the latch opener is struck by
the needle hook when the latter has risen high enough for the loop to have passed
over the latch, and the needle has an increased movement by which the latch is
opened, if by any means the needle is without a loop. With this arrangement the
needles are fed as they descend.
In another arrangement applicable to machines in which the needles are
brought to rest with the loops on the latches after each course knitted the latch
opener herein described may be moved to the needles for opening the closed latches
and from the same during the actual knitting of a course.
In Fig. 4 there is shown in front elevation an opener constructed from a steel
plate the fingers f being of the same pitch as the needles. In another arrange-
iment the opener is constructed of a number of separate springs or fingers which
are fastened to a bar by any suitable means.
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 combination with and the application to latch needle knitting machines
o a latch opener constructed and operating substantially as herein described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
1005

page_text: f