IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING-MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
"
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING-MACHINES." A communication from abroad
by Levi E. Salisbury, of Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America.
Sealed the 25th April 1879, and dated the 23rd January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd January 1879.
[A
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING-MACHINES."
communication from abroad by Levi E. Salisbury, of Providence, Rhode Island,
United States of America.]
The said improvements relate to that class of knitting machines in which the
needles are carried in grooves upon the exterior of a revolving cylinder, and are
actuated by stationary cams surrounding such cylinder.
The said Invention comprises,―
First. Means for introducing one, two, or more threads into the knitted fabric in
addition to the thread from which the loops are formed, the said additional threads
running across the fabric analogous to the weft or filling threads in a loom and
intervening among the loops without however being themselves formed into
loops.
Second. Cams made of sheet-metal and fastened to rings or other supports.
Third. The constructon of the needle channels by means of partitions of thin
metal set up around the cylinder instead of cutting grooves in the face of the
cylinder.
Fourth. A stop-motion for arresting the rotation of the cylinder upon the breaking
of the thread.
In the ordinary circular knitting machine the leads or toes attached to the needle-
jacks or slides travel in an irregular track or cam groove, all the needles going
through the same changes at the same points in a revolution of the cylinder.
Now for the purpose of carrying into practice the first part of this Invention I
use two cam-grooves, and considering the needles to be numbered consecutively
from one upwards for convenience of description I connect the odd numbers with
one groove and the even numbers with the other groove. The needles are thus
divided into two sets or series, each rising or falling independently of the other, and
it is obvious that at a given point or section of the periphery of the cylinder the
tops of one series may be below the tops of the other series, and that further on as
the cylinder revolves these positions may be exactly reversed, and next all may
[Price 6d.

page_text: move as if governed by a cam common to all, the top of each needle without
distinction of series following in the track of its predecessor at the same elevations.
These movements are provided in order that I may lay a wet thread into the line of
needles, bringing it in front of one, behind the next, and in front of the next, and
BO on.
As the column of needles approaches the point where the loops are to be formed I
cause one series to drop a little below the needles of the other series, and these latter
as they advance take the weft thread presented to them by means of a guide, in turn
With the aid of a device hereinafter
descend, carrying the thread in their hooks.
explained the weft thread is thrown behind the first mentioned series, and subse-
quently the needles all rise to take the looping thread, leaving the weft thread lying
along upon the previously formed loops to be cast off with them as the new loops are
formed. Before proceeding to knit however a second weft thread may be laid between
the needles in reverse order to the first by causing the series of needles which dropped
without taking the thread to rise high enough to take such thread and then descend
like the others. In this manner each needle will have a thread on each side of it,
such threads crossing each other in each space between the needles.
In operating according to the first part of the said Invention, and employing two
weft threads, the odd numbered needles being connected with the upper cam-groove
and the others with the lower, the odd numbers drop below and out of the way of
the others to enable the latter to take the weft threads from a guide, but stop before
their tops are below the points of the hooks, and run on in a line horizontal or
nearly so until they begin to rise to take the threads themselves. The even numbers
next descend carrying the thread in their hooks. This thread as it is drawn down
is brought in contact with the sloping tops of the said hooks and is thrown slightly
to the rear or towards the centre of the cylinder until it springs over the interior
points of these hooks; it then lies along in the hollows of hooks and behind the odd
numbered needles. The latter then rise to take a weft thread supplied by another
guide which they in turn bring down and lodge in the hollows of the aforesaid
hooks and behind the even numbered needles, these latter needles having in tho
meantime risen slightly from the lowest point of depression heretofore reached in
order to be a little above the interior points of the said hooks, thus preventing tho
second weft-thread from getting in front of them as it springs over these points.
The weft or filling threads have now been laid between the needles in the manner
above described and are held down by the aforesaid hooks, when at the next step the
needles all rise to take the knitting or looping thread. As they so rise the latches
aro carried above the weft-threads so that these threads are never incorporated with
the loops but are thrown off with the previously formed loops. These operations
may be repeated several times in the course of one revolution of the cylinder,
provided it be of considerable size. Slight modifications of the construction herein
described, sufficiently apparent from the principles already developed, will adapt
this machine to the use of still additional weft-threads or of only one such thread,
and the machine can be successfully operated with one thread supplied through the
last named guide. It is likewise obvious that the disposition of the weft-thread
between the needles in the regular order above instanced may be varied at will,
placing it in front of two or more consecutive needles if desired, and behind the
same or a different number of consecutive needles, and so on.
No latch-guard is required in this machine, as the loops need never be drawn
below the latches while putting in the weft thread or threads, and when the latches
do finally rise above loops just previous to introducing the knitting thread, the
latter thread is laid along against the latches and itself acts as a latch-guard..
Referring next to the second part of the said Invention I make the cams which
bound the cam-grooves of sheet metal which I secure to rings or supports. These cams
can be easily cut and shaped and afterwards hardened or tempered without danger
of springing or warping the supports in the process of tempering. There is also
more economy in material and a very fine quality of steel can be used for the cams
themselves, while a cheaper material will suffice for the supports.

page_text: In the construction of the needle-grooves or channels upon the exterior of the
cylinder I make the walls or divisions between the needle spaces by means of flat
strips of metal set up longitudinally arround the cylinder and separated by narrower
strips which form the back of the needle-channel. These pieces are bound to the
face of the cylinder by a shoulder thereon making an acute angle with the face,
which shoulder locks with wings on the said pieces. When these pieces are packed
around the cylinder, and a ring which is provided is driven snugly home, the said
pieces are dovetailed firmly to the cylinder. When the needle channels are made
in this way I extend one of these pieces above the top of the cylinder and form the
hook from such extended portion which then becomes a substitute for the hook
hereinbefore explained.
The work of making the needle-channels is a matter of some difficulty, and
involves considerable mechanical skill, and much more labour and care than to
construct the same in the manner herein described. The surfaces on which the
needles slide can be more easily made smooth and regular, any piece can be removed
if damaged and replaced by a new one, and further, a cylinder can be changed to
adapt it to coarser or finer needles by substituting thicker or thinner metal.
The stop-motion consists of a flat wheel or rim around the base of the cylinder at
right angles to it and turning with it. The upper surface of the said wheel is
studded with a row of pins. Outside this wheel is a second wheel ordinarily at rest
but capable of revolution; outside the latter wheel a stud is placed which turns in
its socket, and mounted on this stud is a lever very nearly balanced. The yarn in
passing from the spool or bobbin to the needles is made to draw over the outer end
of the said lever. A convenient arrangement is to pass the yarn through a guide
situated below the lever, then over the outer end of the lever, then down through a
guide, and thence to the needles; the tension thus produced holds the heavier arm
of the lever above the aforesaid pins. When the yarn breaks or runs out the lever
falls between the pins in the first named wheel and is carried around against a stud,
setting the second wheel in motion. This latter wheel operates suitable disconnecting
or shipping mechanism arranged to stop the machine.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
July 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING-MACHINES. A
communication from abroad by Levi E. Salisbury, of Providence, Rhode Island,
United States of America.
These improvements relate to that class of knitting machines in which the
needles are carried in grooves upon the exterior of a revolving cylinder, and are
actuated by stationary cams surrounding such cylinder.
The said Invention comprises,-
First. Means for introducing one, two, or more threads into the knitted fabric in
addition to the thread from which the loops are formed, the said additional threads
running across the fabric analogous to the weft or filling threads in a loom, and
interweaving among the loops without however being themselves formed into
loops.
Second. Cams made of sheet-metal and fastened to rings or other supports.
Third. The construction of the needle-channels by means of partitions of thin
metal set up around the cylinder instead of cutting grooves in the face of the
cylinder.
Fourth. A stop-motion for arresting the rotation of the cylinder upon the breaking
of a thread.
In the ordinary circular knitting machine the leads or toes attached to the needle-
jacks or slides travel in an irregular track or cain-groove, all the needles going
through the same changes at the same points in a revolution of the cylinder.
For the purpose of carrying into practice the first part of my Invention I use
two cam-grooves, and considering the needles to be numbered consecutively from
one upwards for convenience of description, I connect the odd numbers with one
groove and the even numbers with the other groove. The needles are thus divided
iuto two sets or series, each rising or falling independently of the other, and it is
obvious that at a given point or section of the periphery of the cylinder the tops
of one series may be below the tops of the other series, and that farther on as the
cylinder revolves theso positions may be exactly reversed, and then all may move as
if governed by a cam common to all, the top of each needle, without distinction of
series, following in the track of its predecessor at the same elevations.
These
movements are provided in order that I may lay a weft-thread into the line of
needles, bringing it in front of one, behind the next, and in front of the next, and
80 on.
As the column of needles approaches the point where the loops are to be formed
I causo ono series to drop a little below the needles of the other series, and the
latter as they advance take the weft-thread presented to them by means of a guide
and in turn descend carrying the thread in their looks With the aid of a device
hereinafter explained the weft-thread is thrown behind the first mentioned series,
and subsequently the needles all rise to take the looping thread, leaving the weft-
thread lying along upon the previously formed loops to be cast off with them as
the new loops are formed. Before proceeding to knit, however, a second weft-
thread may be laid between the needles reversely to the first by causing the series
of needles which dropped without taking the thread to rise high enough to take
such thread and then descend like the others. In this manner each needle will
have a thread on each side of it, such threads crossing each other in each space
between the needles.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the said Invention showing the two cam-grooves
with the needles in connection therewith at the various elevations corresponding to

page_text: the conformation of the cams; also hooked partitions set in the top of the cylinder
between the needles with tops eloping inward to a point for throwing the weft-
thread behind those needles not having it in their hooks. The said partitions are
formed into hooks for retaining the weft-thread while the needles rise to take the
looping thread. The weft-thread is thus brought below the latches or beards of the
needles and prevented from being formed into loops. Figure 1 also shows the stop-
motion, omitting the shipping or disconnecting mechanism.
Figure 2 shows a different arrangement of cams having practically the same effect
as the two cam-grooves in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows the jacks or slides with toes adapted to the cams of Figure 2.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate another combination of cams and toes on the slides
suitable thereto.
Figure 6 shows a form of jack suited to Figure 1.
Figure 7 is an illustration in section of the cams made from sheet metal and
fastened to rings or supports.
Figure 8 is a vertical section of the rings and cam-pieces, showing the latter
screwed to the ring.
Figures 9 and 10 shew parts or devices employed in constructing the channels or
grooves for the needle-slides.
Figure 11 shews a part of the cylinder in vertical longitudinal section with
its face prepared for the reception of the construction pieces seen in Figures 9
and 10.
Figure 12 is a similar section of the said cylinder with the construction pieces in
place and secured in position by a ring driven on the cylinder and fastened by a
screw.
Figure 13 is a top view of a portion of the said cylinder with the construction
pieces in position.
Figure 14 shews the aforesaid hooked position which is set into the top of the
cylinder between the needles, and performs the double office of throwing the filling
thread behind those needles which do not have it in their hooks, and afterwards
holds the filling thread down while the latches are carried above it.
Figure 15 illustrates the operation of the stop-motion in connection with the
shipping-or disconnecting mechanism.
In Figure 1 I have shown an arrangement of cams and needles by which the
following operations take place according to the first part of the said Invention
when two weft threads are employed. With the cylinder revolving in the direction
of the arrows, and the odd numbered needles being connected with the upper cam-
groove, and the others with the lower cam-groove, the odd numbers drop below and
out of the way of the others to enable the latter to take the weft thread from the
guide g, but stop before their tops are below the points of the hooks h, and run
on in a line horizontal or nearly so until they begin to rise to take the thread
themselves. The even numbers next descend, carrying the thread in their hooks.
This thread as it is drawn down is brought in contact with the sloping tops
of the hooks hand is thrown alightly to the rear or towards the centre of the
cylinder until it springs over the interior points of these hooks; it then lies
along in the hollows of the hooks and behind the odd numbered needles. The
latter or odd numbered needles then rise to take a weft thread supplied by the
guide g', which they in turn bring down and lodge in the hollows of the hooks h
and behind the even numbered needles, these latter needles having in the mean-
time risen slightly from the lowest point of depression heretofore reached in order
to be a little above the interior points of the hooks h, thus preventing the second
weft thread from getting in front of them as it springs over these points. The weft
or filling threads have now been laid between the needles in the manner above
described, and are held down by the hooks h, when at the next step the needles all
rise to take the knitting or looping thread. As they so rise the latches are carried
above the weft threads so that these threads are never incorporated with the loops
but are thrown off with the previously formed loops. These operations may be

page_text: repeated several times in the course of one revolution of the cylinder, provided it
be of considerable size. Slight modifications of the construction herein shown and
described, sufficiently apparent from the principles already developed, will adapt
this machine to the use of additional weft threads or of only one such thread, and
the machine constructed as shewn in Figure 1 can be successfully operated with one
weft thread supplied through the guide g'. It is likewise obvious that the disposition
of the weft thread between the needles in the regular order above instanced may be
varied at will, placing it in front of two or more consecutive needles if desired,
and behind the same or a different number of consecutive needles, and so on.
No latch-guard is required in this machine as the loops need never be drawn
below the latches while putting in the woft-thread or threads, and when the latches
do finally rise above the loops just previous to introducing the knitting thread the
latter thread is laid along against the latches, and itself acts as a latch guard,
Referring next to the second part of my Invention I make the cams which bound
the cam-grooves of sheet-metal which I secure to rings or supports as shown in
Figures 7 and 8. The same supports are shown in Figure 1 and marked t. These
cams can be easily cut and shaped and afterwards hardened and tempered without
danger of springing or warping the supports in the process of tempering. There is
also more economy in material, and a very fine quality of steel can be used for the
cams themselves, while a cheaper material will suffice for the supports.
In the construction of the needle-grooves or channels upon the exterior of the
cylinder I make the walls or divisions between the needle-spaces by means of flat
strips 8 (Figure 9) of metal set up longitudinally around the cylinder and separated
by narrower strips s' (Figure 10) which form the back of the needle-channel. These
pieces are bound to the face of the cylinder by a shoulder & thereon, making an
acute angle with the faco, which shoulder locks with the wings w of the construction
pieces S, S¹. When these pieces are packed around the cylinder and the ring ris
driven snugly home the pieces are dovetailed firmly to the cylinder. When the
needle-channels are made in this manner I extend the piece S above the top of the
cylinder and form the hook from such extended portion which then becomes a
substitute for the hook before explained.
The work of ploughing out the needle-channels is a matter of some difficulty
and involves considerable mechanical skill, and much more labor and care than to
construct the same in the manner here described. The surfaces on which the needles
slide can be more easily made smooth and regular, any piece can be removed if
damaged and replaced by a new one, and further a cylinder can be changed to adapt
it to coarser or finer needles by substituting thicker or thinner metal.
The improved stop-motion consists of a flat wheel or rim R, Figure 1, around
the base of the cylinder at right angles to and turning with the same.
The upper
surface of the wheel is studded with a row of pins P. Outside the wheel R is a
second wheel R₁ ordinarily at rest but capable of revolution; outside the latter
wheel a stud U is placed which turns in its socket, and mounted on this stud is a
lover Y very nearly balanced. The yarn in passing from the spool or bobbin to the
needles is made to draw over the outer end of the lever Y. A convenient arrange-
ment is to pass the yarn through a guide situated below the lever, then over the
outer end of the lever, then down through a guide, and thence to the needles; the
tension thus produced holds the heavier arm of the lover above the pins P. When
the yarn breaks or runs out, the lever falls between the pins in the wheel R and is
carried around against the stud X setting the wheel R in motion. This latter wheel
operates suitable disconnecting or shipping mechanism arranged to stop the
machine.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,—
First. In a weft-thread knitting loom the combination with the reciprocating
needles of mechanism substantially as described, whereby the said needles are
vertically divided or separated for the introduction of the weft or filling thread.

page_text: Second. In a weft-thread knitting loom having a rotary cylinder and reciprocating
needles and mechanism for vertically dividing or separating the same for the
introduction of the weft-thread, the hook operating to assist in laying the weft-
thread or threads behind a portion of the needles to produce the interlacing and
also to hold down the weft-thread or threads when the needles rise to take tho
knitting-thread and prevent the looping of the weft-thread.
Third. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the hooks h, the needles,
and the operating mechanism whereby the said needles are reciprocated and
vertically divided to take the filling thread or threads.
Fourth. In combination with the needles of a circular rotary knitting machine
or weft-thread knitting loom the cams or equivalent devices operating to produce
the vertical reciprocations of the said needles for the introduction of the weft-
thread, substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination of the cams or equivalent devices, the needles operated by
the said cams, and the hooks h, all arranged and operating substantially in the
manner and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The rotary cylinder of a knitting machine or knitting loom having the
needle-channels constructed of the pieces S and S, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Seventh. The combination of the hooks h, the cylinder with the needle-channels
constructed of the pieces S and S', and the reciprocating needles actuated by the
cams bounding the grooves, all substantially as described, and for the purposes
specified.
Eighth. In combination with a knitting loom, substantially as described, the
stop-motion herein set forth.
Ninth. The knitting machine shown in the accompanying Drawings and consisting
of the parts or devices forming the subject-matter of the above claiming clauses or
any of them in combination with the other parts of the said machine, as and for the
purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hercunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty second day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
W¼. ROB™. LAKE. (L.S.)