Improvements in Circular Knitting Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Circular Knitting Machines.
We, EUGENE VERMILYEA, Master Knitter, of Waterford, in the County of Saratoga
and State of New York, United States of America, and SETH TERRY HARSHAW,
Master Mechanic, GEORGE CAMPBELL, Manufacturer, and JOHN CLUTE, Manufacturer,
all of Cohoes, in the County of Albany and State of New York, United States of
America, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for an improvement in
circular knitting machines and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Our invention relates to improvements in circular knitting machines for producing
ribbed goods by the combined action of vertical spring-needles and dial spring-needles;
it being the object and purpose of our invention to make such a combined arrange-
ment of these needles as will by their operation produce a closely knit web which will
be more elastic laterally than longitudinally, from having shorter stitches than can be
produced by latch-needles when employed to make similar kinds of goods.
Accompanying this specification to form a part of it there are seven plates of
drawings containing fifteen figures illustrating our invention with the same designation
of parts by letter reference used in all of them. Of these illustrations-
Figure 1, is a side elevation of a rotary knitting machine containing our invention
and improvements.
Figure 2, is a top view of the machine shown at Figure 1, with a part of the
yoke broken out.
Figure 3, is a diametrical section taken through the table or bed, the vertical.
needle cylinder, the cam ring which operates the vertical needles, the pattern ring
and with the rest of the parts shown in side elevation.
Figure 4, is a section taken on the line a', ', of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a vertical section of a plane indicated by line 2 a2 of Figure 1, but
through a machine differing in some slight details from that shown in said figure.
Figure 6, is a view of the underside of the bed showing the gears which operate the
needle cylinder and dial.
Figure 7, is a perspective of one of the casting-off plates shown as detached.
Figure 8, is a perspective of the dial-needle presser shown as detached, and also
that part of the yoke with which it connects illustrated as broken out.
Figure 9, a side elevation of the dial-needle presser leg with the horizontal rod
to which it attaches adjustably, shown in cross-section.
Figure 10, is a side elevation of a slotted bracket projected from the side of the
yoke into which bracket the horizontal rod of the dial-needle presser is made to
tongue for adjustment at its inner end.
Figure 11, is a side elevation of the bracket projected from the side of the yoke on
which bracket the horizontal rod of the dial-needle presser is supported.
Figure 12, is a perspective of the vertical needle presser shown as detached.
Figure 13, is a perspective of a part of the cam of the cam-ring which operates the
vertical needles to draw downwardly.
Figure 14, shows in a diametrical section a modification of our invention in which
the dial-wheel and dial needles are stationary, as well as the vertical needle-cylinder
and vertical needles, with the cam-ring operating the vertical needles revolving as
well as the cam-plate of the dial needles.
Figure 15, is a view of the top of the dial-wheel of the modification showing the
recess for the gears. as well as the gears therein.

page_text: The several parts of the apparatus thus illustrated are designated by letter reference
and the function of the parts is described as follows: The letters S designate the
driving-shaft which is provided with a driving pulley P, and a shipper S2.
The
letter G designates a gear-wheel on the inner end of the driving shaft S, and this
gear-wheel meshes into a geared rack ', on the vertical needle-cylinder C, by which
as said shaft is rotated the cylinder is caused to turn on the machine bed B.
This vertical needle cylinder C, is vertically slotted to receive bearded or spring
needles N', each of which is provided with an outwardly projected nib n², and these
needles are as arranged adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly in the slots
made in the cylinder.
The letters R' designate a stationary cam-ring which is arranged on the bed B, to
encircle the vertical needle cylinder C, and this ring is provided with cams C², by
which as the cylinder C, revolves, the projecting nibs n³, of its needles will engage
with the cams on the cam-ring, and be by the latter caused to rise on the inclines
of said cams (2, as shown at Figure 1, and to descend by having their nibs n²,
under-run the adjustable plate 3, as shown at Figure 13.
The
The letter R2, designates a pattern-ring which is arranged upon the bed B, outside
of the cam-ring R', and this pattern-ring is provided with projections P, on its
upper surface for raising or lowering the dial-needle presser; and upon its side edge
this pattern-ring is constructed with gears 2, which are adapted to engage with,
and to mesh into a pinion thrown into and out of connection with driving mechanism.
The letter D, designates a rotating dial-wheel which is cut away on its upper
surface at d², and it is thereat radially slotted to receive the bearded or spring dial
needles N, each of which is provided with an upwardly projecting rib n³.
letter K, designates a stationary cam plate which is by means of studs y³ connected
to the yoke Y, the latter at its ends y, y, being connected to the stationary cam-
ring R.
The letters, designate cams formed on the edge of the cam-plate K,
by which as the dial-wheel D° revolves and the cam-surfaces ³, engage with the
nibs of the dial-needles the latter are forced outwardly in their slotted seats to hook
on to the yarn, and then when coming in contact with the cam surfaces k*, the
needles are drawn inwardly and when hooking into the yarn they co-operate with
the vertical needles as will be hereinafter described.
The letter B2, designates the sinker-burr by which yarn as coming from the
spools is by the sinker-burr carried under the beards of the vertical needles to form
stitches when the needles are raised and in connection with the dial-needles as will be
hereinafter described.
The letters A designate a presser which is employed to force inwardly the barbs
or beards of the vertical needles N', preparatory to casting off the stitches, and this
presser A is shown as attached to the machine at Figures 1, 2 and 5, and as detached
therefrom at Figure 12.
The letters A designate the presser employed to close up, or force inwardly the
beards or barbs of the dial-needles preparatory to casting off the stitches; and this
presser A is sleeved at its upper end on to a horizontal rod a², and made adjustable
thereat by means of set-screws a³, a. At its inner end this rod a², tongues into a
bracket a', projected from the yoke Y, and it is therein pivoted or hinged at a.
The letter a designates a rest for the rod a², this rest being projected from the
yoke Y, and on which rest the rod a² is supported. The letter 12 designates a
depending leg which at its upper end adjustably connects with the horizontal rod a²,
at the outer end of the latter beyond the connection made between the presser A2, and
the rod a². This depending leg 12 at its lower end is immediately over the projections
or cams on the pattern-ring R², indicated at p. When either of the projections p,
come in contact with the lower end of the leg 12, the latter is raised thereby and the
dial-needle presser is raised from off the needles so that a double or tuck-stitch is
formed, and these projections p, are operated to thus act by the rotation of the
pattern-ring R. The letter n designates a spring connecting at its upper end with
the arm a², and at its lower end with the base B, and the function of this spring is to
make the descent of the presser A², positive.

page_text: The letters E, designate a ratchet-wheel, which is arranged to turn with the shaft e
on which it is mounted, and the letter E, designates a sprocket-wheel arranged
on and secured to said shaft e³. so as to turn with the latter. The letter ³,
designates à pawl-arm which is provided with a pivoted pawl p, adapted to engage
with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel. The letter M, designates a pattern-chain that
is adapted to make a sprocket engagement with the wheel E', and 'be carried around
thereon as it is rotated by the ratchet-wheel. The letters 2, designate tappets or
projections arranged on the exterior face of the pattern-chain. The letter e
designates a vertical shaft which journals at as, and is adapted to be moved upwardly
and downwardly in its journals, and when moved upwardly to be so actuated against
the force of the spring, encircling said shaft between the bed B, and the spoke-
wheel, arranged thereon. The letter P, designates a pinion arranged on the
upper end of the shaft e, this pinion will engage with, and mesh into the perimetrical
teeth of the pattern-ring R2, and actuate the latter to move on the machine bed, and
operate the downwardly, depending leg , of the dial-needle presser as before
described. To actuate the pawl p, the shaft e, of the latter is extended inwardly
and has secured thereon a crank-arm 3, which is provided with a cam roller, on
its inner end. The letters T. designate the downwardly extended stads of the
take-up mechanisin frame, which studs are supported by the needle cylinder and
revolve in a circle outside of the web W. The letter T, designates an arm which
is projected laterally from one of the studs of the take-up mechanism frame as
shown at Figure 1, and as this frame revolves and its arm T2, and cam 5, comes
into engagement with the roller , on the crank-arm , of the pawl-shaft, it
operates said crank-arm to rotate the pawl-shaft and thus actuate the pawl to move
the ratchet-wheel one tooth.
The letter I designates another arm which is projected laterally and outwardly
from one of the take-up frame studs T3, which may be the same stud that is provided
with arm T, as shown at Figure 1, or another of the said studs as shown in Figure 5.
and as the lake-up frame revolves, this arm 12, at each revolation, will engage with
one of the spokes, of the spoke-wheel, m³, and so as to move it, the shaft e', and
the pinion a quarter of a turn. As thus constructed when one of the tappets on
the pattern-chain has raised the shaft e, the spoke-wheel will be in line with the
arm 12, and when the pattern-chain has been operated so that none of its tappets are
in engagement with the shaft e, then by the action of the spring e. the shaft and
spoke-wheel are drawn downwardly so that the arm 1, will not engage with the
spoke-wheel with the parts in position as shown at Figure 1.
The stationary cam-plate K, is constructed with studs 3 y3, by which it is
connected to the stationary yoke Y, and this cam-plate is made with a hub H³, for
the passage of the stud U, on which the dial-wheel revolves. This dial-wheel is
made with a hub H, that is downwardly projected from its under surface. This hub
is arranged on and secured to a gear-wheel G, which meshes into a gear-wheel G,
arranged on a vertical shaft g, having its bearings in an offset formed on the
collar C, which latter is secured to the vertical stud U, on which the dial-wheel D,
and its hub turns. This vertical shaft go, at its lower end has mounted thereon the
gear-wheel G, which meshes into another gear-wheel G, turning upon the vertical
stud U. The letter O designates a plate which is attached to the underside of the
geur-wheel G, and the letters 0, 0, designate arms which are laterally and down-
wardly extended from said plate. The letter 06, designates a nut which is threaded
onto the lower end of the stud or shaft U, and O', a washer thereon. The
letter L, LA, designate arms inwardly extended from the studs T, of the take-up
frame and as thus constructed when the take-up frame is revolving and the arms L',
engage with the arm 02, of the plate O, the latter is rotated on the stud U, and
the gear G, connected to this plate O, communicates motion to the gear-wheel G
on the lower end of the shaft g, thereby causing the gear-wheel G to turn the
gear-wheel G and the dial-wheel D, the latter rotating in the same direction with
the vertical needle cylinder C. The object of driving the dial-wheel from the plate 0
through these gears G, G, G and G, instead of directly from plate O to the

page_text: dial-wheel, is that the latter combination and arrangement would be impracticable
with the construction shown. The problem is to drive the dial-wheel from the
cylinder, while leaving the casting-off plates J stationary between them and not
impeding the fabric.
The only feasible way of effecting this is by gearing around the said casting-off
plates, and supporting the latter from a fixed central shaft, on which the gears G³, G,
are free to turn, the fabric passing down as shown between the said casting-off plates
and the cylinder.
The gears G, G, G3, G³, afford a satisfactory means of transferring motion around
the said casting-off plates without touching them; and the support of said casting-off
plates by the fixed central shafts avoids all interference with the fabric; which would
be a fatal objection to any attempt to support said plates from the outside of the
machine.
The letters J, J, designate the casting-off plates each of which at its lower end is
connected to the plate 03, and is therefrom extended upwardly on an incline out-
wardly to pass up between the dial-wheel and the vertical needle cylinder, said
plate 03, being integral projections from the stationary collar C³. Each of these
plates J, is provided upon its upper edge with a casting-off lip or edge and its
operation in casting off the stitches will be described more fully in connection with
the operation of the needles, the burr-sinker, and the pressers, hereinafter.
In the modification shown at Figures 14, and 15, the needle cylinder C, and the
dial-wheel D, and its needles do not revolve, but the cam-ring It', and the cam-plate K,
and the casting-off plate revolves.
In the modification shown at Figures 14 and 15, the gear-wheel G', meshes into
a rack 98, formed on the cam-ring R', instead of on the vertical needle cylinder as
in the other drawings, and the yoke Y2, connects with the revolving cam-ring R',
to turn with the latter. In the modification the center stud or shaft U², connects
with the yoke Y, to turn with it, and the dial-wheel D², is made with a recess V,
through which the stud U2 passes and where within said recess the stud U* has
mounted thereon the gear-wheel W, which meshes into a gear-wheel W³, also arranged
within said recess; said wheel W³, having a shaft w which is projected downwardly
through the dial-wheel D2, and a vertical bearing w, on the underside of the latter;
and on the lower end of this shaft w, there is a gear-wheel W, arranged to mesh
into a gear mounted on a sleeve w7, arranged to turn on the downwardly extended
hub of the dial-wheel. The letters u², u, designate arms laterally extended from
the sleeve w, on which are placed the casting-off plates J. J, each having the
same construction as in the other figures, and as revolving to have relatively the
same position to the needles, the pressers and their sinker-burr during the production
of, and casting-off of the stitches as in the other illustrations.
The lettern, designates a nut which is threaded onto the upper end of the vertical
shaft or stud U2, and (, a collar formed integrally with the lower end of said shaft
or stud, and the function of this nut and collar is to keep the shaft U2, in position
to be turned by and with the yoke Y. The letter. F designates a collar which
encircles the lower end of the hub 5, below the sleeve wo. The hub 4, is made with
a shoulder against which the upper end of the said sleeve bears, with the lower end
of the latter resting on the stationary collar F. The arms of the cast-off plates are
projected up and outwardly from the sleeve w', and the latter is rotated by the
gears W2, W, and We, as before described. The letter, designates a collar which is
secured to the lower end of the hub h, and is provide with arms,, which engage
with arms L, L, projected inwardly from the legs 12, of the machine, by which
engagement the hub 4, of the dial-wheel is prevented from turning.
The operation of the mechanism thus illustrated and described is as follows: When
the vertical needles are raised by their cams as before described, yarn coming from a
spool is by the sinker-burr B2, carried under their beards, the dial needles are at the
same time forced outwardly by their cam, to pass between the vertical needles, so
that the beards of the dial needles are carried outwardly beyond the vertical needles,
the latter having the yarn already under their beards, and when the vertical needles

page_text: commence to draw downwardly by the action of their cam they draw the yarn over
the dial needle just back of the beards of the latter, and the vertical needles as
drawing downwardly pass under the presser A, which presses inwardly their beards
so that the stitch passes over the latter as the vertical needles descend carrying the
yarn for a succeeding stitch through the loop on the vertical needles, and casting
off the old stitch over the verge of the cylinder; while the dial needles having as
before described had the yarn passed over them by the drawing down of the vertical
needles are actuated by their cam to draw inwardly, carrying their beards over the
yarn resting on their shanks, in which condition they pass under the presser A²,
which closes their beards, so that the stitch thereon is carried outwardly over their
beards as the dial needles draw inwardly; with the stitch resting on the needles back
of the outer end, and in front of the beard; and while in this position as it comes in
contact with the casting off plate J, its lip , moves the stitch laterally from off the
needles, and, this operation is the same in the modifications as in the other
illustrations. By retaining the stitches on the dial needles a short distance from
their ends beforo being cast off, the stitches are made shorter as to vertical length
and have more length of loop laterally by which the web has but little elasticity
longitudinally, but is very elastic laterally which cannot be produced when latch-
needles are used to produce like kinds of web.
We are aware that spring or bearded needles have been used in connected vertical!
and dial arrangement, and we make no broad claim thereto, our improvement con-
sisting in the manner that we arrange them to be operated connectedly to shorten up.
the stitches vertically and elongate them laterally by the employment of a cast-off
mechanism operating upon the under side of the needles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-.
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we.
claim is :-
1. In a circular knitting machine the combination of a cylinder provided with.
vertically arranged needles cams whereby said cylinder needles are caused to rise and
descend; means by which the yarn is carried beneath the beards of said vertical
needles when. the latter are raised; a presser whereby the beards of said cylinder
needles will be closed when descending to cast off their stitches; a dial-wheel having
radially arranged needles and provided with cams whereby said dial needles are
forced outwardly and drawn inwardly; a presser whereby the beards of the dial
needles are closed when being drawn inwardly; and a casting-off plate adapted to.
engage with the under side of the dial needles when the latter are being drawn
inwardly and force the stitches therefrom, substantially as shown and described.
2. The combination with the vertical spring-needles N¹, constructed to be operated
substantially as described; of the sinker-burr B2, operated io deliver yarn to said.
vertical spring-needles; the presser A', operated to press in the beards of said
vertical spring-needles; the horizontally arranged and radially placed spring-
needles N2, operated to be moved outwardly and inwardly, substantially as described;.
the presser A2, and the casting-off plates J, J, each made with the edge or lip
constructed to engage with the under-side of said horizontally arranged needles when
the latter are drawn inwardly, substantially in the manner as and for the purposes
set forth.
3. The combination with the dial-wheel D, having the down-cast hub H, of the
vertical shaft or stud U, on which said dial-wheel journals; the gear-wheel G,
mounted to turn on the lower end of said shaft U, and provided with a plate O,.
having downwardly and outwardly extended arms 02, 02, adapted to engage with
and be turned by the depending legs T3, of a revolving take-up mechanism; the
shaft 9, having mounted upon its lower end the gear-wheel G, adapted to mesh into.
the gear-wheel Go, and on its upper end the gear-wheel G³; and the gear wheel G³,
mounted on the dial wheel hub and adapted to mesh into the gear-wheel G³,.
substantially in the manner as and for the purposes set forth.
4. The combination with the dial-wheel D, having the down-cast hub H', carrying.

page_text: a gear-wheel of the stationary stud or shaft U; the gear-wheel G5, mounted to turn
on the lower end of said shaft or stud; the plate O, having the laterally extended
arms 0, 0, and secured to the lower side of said gear-wheel G; gears connecting
said gear-wheel G, with the gear-wheel on the dial-wheel hub; a revolving take-up
mechanisin provided with inwardly projecting arms L, L; a collar C, secured to
said stud or shaft U; and the cast-off plates J, J, upwardly projected from said
collar substantially in the manner as and for the purposes set forth.
5. The combination with the cylinder C, provided with a geared rack 9, and a
driving wheel G', of the shaft U; the dial-wheel D, having the down-cast hub H,
operated to be rotated substantially as described, of the collar C³, connected to said
shaft U, and the cast-off plates J, J, upwardly projected from said collar, constructed
and arranged to be operated substantially in the manner as and for the purposes
set forth.
6. The combination of the yoke, the presser A2, having a sleeved passage-way in its
upper end of the rod a², provided with the depending leg 12, at its outer end, and at
its inner end pivoted to the yoke; of the pattern-ring R2, having the projection p, on
its upper surface; the vertical shaft es provided with the pinion P³ at its upper end,
and having the encircling spring 8; the ratchet-wheel E; the sprocket-wheel E';
pattern-chain M, having tappets t2; the pawl p, having the crank-arm 63, and
cam-roller 6; a revolving take-up mechanism having the depending legs T³, T³,
provided with the arm T, and the arm I, and the spoke-wheel m³, arranged on the
shaft e, constructed and arranged to operate substantially in the manner as and for
the purposes set forth.
7. The combination with the stationary shaft or stud U; of the dial-wheel D,
having the hub H', downwardly projected from its under side, and provided with the
gear-wheel G2, the gear-wheel G, arranged to turn on said shaft U, at its lower end;
the plate O connected to said gear-wheel G', and provided with arms 0, 0, adapted
to engage with and be turned by the sides of a revolving take-up mechanism; and
the gear-wheels G, and G³, communicating motion from said gear-wheel G³, to said
gear-wheel G³, substantially in the manner as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 28th day of October 1896
E. T. WHITELOW, A.M. Inst. C.E.,
70 Deansgate, Manchester, Agent for Applicants.