Improvements in or in connection with Knitting Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1896-Accepted, 19th Dec., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Knitting Machines.
A communication by JAMES LAWTON BRANSON, of No. 506 St. John Street, in the
City and County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, United States of
America, Manufacturer of Knitting Machines.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham in the County of
Warwick and 322 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 sinker or web holding mechanism for knitting machines
having especial reference to that class wherein the sinkers or web-holders are
constructed and arranged to slide in a plane at right angles to the path of movement
of the needles in a manner to hold down the successive stitches during the upward
strokes of the reciprocating needles, and to feed forward the fabric as rapidly as it is
produced. The invention is particularly, though not exclusively designed for use in
connection with the devices set out in Letters Patent No. 1480 of 1891, which devices,
as will be seen by reference to said Patent, comprise a circular series of thin angular
metallic blades working radially between and alternating with the needles, the vertical
member of each plate being provided with a forwardly-extending notched tail or
finger, that is guided in a slot or kerf in the upper edge of the needle cylinder, and
the lower horizontal member of each plate being fitted to and guided in a radially
slotted annular bed surrounding said cylinder, and being provided with an appropriate
cam-engaging portion. The sinker actuating cams are supported in a ring rotatably
mounted on the sinker bed, which ring moves with reference to and in concert with
the knitting cams to effect the requisite movements of the sinkers in respect to the
needles during the formation of the stitches.
The object of the present invention is to provide simple and efficient means
whereby the sinkers shall be guided and steadied in their movements, and whereby
the forward or stitch engaging portions thereof shall be held uniformly down to
their work irrespective of the irregularities of the bearing surfaces incident to
wear, etc., as will hereinafter appear.
In the drawings-
Figure 1 is a partial plan of the head of a knitting machine embodying the
invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the sinker cam and a part of the supporting ring therefor.
Figure 3 is a transverse section, as on the line ww of Fig. 1.
Figures 4 and 5 are sections on the lines x and y of Fig. 1, respectively.
The numeral 1 designates the needle-cylinder; 2 the vertically-reciprocable needles
therein; 3 the radially-grooved sinker-supporting bed affixed to the needle cylinder;
4 the radially-reciprocable sinkers which alternate with the needles and 5 the
rotatable sinker cam-ring which is superimposed on the bed 3 in a manner to co-act
with the sinkers, all being substantially the same in construction and operation as
the corresponding parts set out in the aforementioned Patent No. 1480. As will
be observed the cam ring is provided on its under side with a concentric groove 6

page_text: and with a pair of oppositely-disposed pivoted cams 7 that extend into the groove,
which groove and cams are designed to co-act with butts 8 on the sinkers to
effect the requisite movements of the latter. Heretofore when the sinkers were
moved inward to engage the web, the forward ends of the sinkers have tended to
move or rise upwardly, thereby impairing their positive action. This was particularly
the case after the bearing surfaces of the sinkers and other parts had become worn
and uneven through continued use. To overcome this objection, my correspondent
mounts, preferably detachably, upon the sinker bed, directly above the cams, plates A,
which overhang the upper members 10 of the sinkers and afford bearing surfaces
therefor during their horizontal movements, the inner edges of the plates being
properly formed in respect to the cams to permit such movements of the sinkers
and also the opening of the needle latches. In the present. instance the plates each
comprise a base portion a recessed and laterally extended on its forward edge to
provide the overhanging bearing surface 6 for the sinkers, which surface is bevelled
at its ends to insure its uninterrupted passage upon and over the sinkers. (See Fig. 6.)
The portion a is provided with a slot c through which extends the set-screw d
from the underlying sinker actuating cam, whereby said cam may be properly
adjusted in respect to the ring 5. Fitted horizontally to the portion a is a screw e
which may be screwed up against the screw d so as to insure the minute adjust-
ment of the cam. Extending vertically through the body of the plate, near the
respective corners thereof, are set screws f, that bear upon the top of the ring 5.
By manipulating these latter screws, when the screw d is loosened, the plate may be
nicely adjusted vertically in proper relation to the engaging edges of the sinkers,
not only when the parts are first assembled but when they have become worn and
irregular by continued service.
In order to prevent displacement of the adjusted plate vertical screws are provided
which extend through perforations in the plate into the underlying ring.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
"
1. The combination, of the needle cylinder, the sinker bed, the radially-reciprocable
sinkers therein, the cam ring provided with a groove and cam to actuate snid sinkers,
and a plate projecting inwardly beyond the cam and cam ring and providing a guiding
and steadying surface for the forward portions of the upper edges of the sinkers
during their reciprocation by said cam, substantially as described.
2. The combination, with the sinkers and their supporting parts, of means provided
with a cam to actuate said sinkers, and a detachable inwardly-extending plate on said
means adjacent to the cam, and providing a guiding and steadying surface for the
forward portions of the upper edges of the sinkers during their reciprocation by said
cam, substantially as described.
3. The combination, with the sinkers and their supporting parts, of means provided
with a cam adapted to actuate said sinkers, a vertically-adjustable inwardly-extending
plate on said means adjacent to the cam, and providing a guiding and steadying
surface for the upper edges of the sinkers, during their reciprocation by said cam,
and means for adjusting said plate, substantially as described.
4. The combination, with the needle cylinder, the sinker bed, the angular sinkers
therein, a cam support, and a cam thereon for actuating said sinkers, of an inwardly-
extending plate overhanging the upper members of said sinkers and serving as a
guiding and steadying surface therefor, during their reciprocation by said cam,
substantially as described.
5. The combination, with the needle cylinder, the sinker bed, the angular sinkers
therein, a cam support, and cams thereon for actuating said sinkers, of an inwardly-
extending plate overhanging the upper members of said sinkers and serving as a
guiding and steadying surface therefor during their reciprocation by the cam, and
means for vertically adjusting said plate, substantially as described.
6. The combination, with the sinkers and their supporting parts, of a cam support,.

page_text: a cam thereon adapted to actuate said sinkers, a vertically-adjustable plate on said
support providing a guiding and steadying surface for the upper edges of the sinkers,
vertically-disposed screws extending through said plate and bearing upon the said
support, and means for fixing said plate in positions of vertical adjustment, substan-
tially as described.
7. The combination, with the sinkers and their supporting parts, of a cam support,
an adjustable cam thereon for actuating said sinkers, a set-screw rising therefrom, a
sinker steadying plate on said support, through which plate the said screw extends,
and a horizontal screw in said plate bearing against the said set screw, substantially
as described.
8. The combination, with the sinkers and their supporting parts, of a cam support,
oppositely-disposed cams thereon for actuating said sinkers, and plates mounted on
said support above the cams, and provided with overhanging inner edges that afford
guiding and steadying surfaces for the forward or stitch-engaging portions of the
sinkers during their reciprocation by said cams, substantially as described.
9. The combination, with the needle cylinder, the sinker bed, the angular sinkers
therein, a cam support, and cams thereon for actuating said sinkers, of plates mounted
on said support above the cams, each of said plates comprising a base portion recessed
and laterally extended on its forward edge to provide an overhanging bearing surface
for the forward upper edges of the sinkers during their reciprocation by said cams,
substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of November 1896.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.