Improvements in and relating to Knitting Machines for the Manufacture of Elastic Fabrics.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 16th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 10th Mar.,
1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Knitting Machines for the
Manufacture of Elastic Fabrics.
ROWLAND HUTCHINSON 18 Flewitt Street Nottingham Machinist do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
My invention relates to improvements in knitting machines and is particularly
applicable to the machine described in Specification No. 17339 A.D. 1891. In this
machine the elastic thread carrier always traverses the same distance and the slack
of the elastic thread is taken up by a nipper, which grasps the thread and then
ascends, the thread being released by a stepped cam which acts upon the nipper
when the same is in a position varying with the width of the fabric.
According to my improvement the nipper may be fitted to oscillate from a centre
instead of rising vertically and the thread is released by the nipper striking a
stepped cam which is moved by a screw so that the amount of slack taken up varies
according to the width of the fabric. For closing the nipper 1 may arrange for
it to strike upon a fixed stop or may obtain the same result by acting upon the same
by a lever actuated by a suitable cam.
In another take up arrangement the nipper is dispensed with, and the slack
taken up by an oscillating or sliding bar covered with flannel or other material to
which the elastic thread would cling. The motion of this Lai is reguinted
according to the width of the fabric by releasing the bar from its actuating
mechanism at the desired point.
Instead of the nipper described in Specification No. 17339 A.D. 1891 moving
upwards to take up the slack it may move downwards or in a more or less horizontal
position, the elastic thread being suitably guided by rods, or a combined sliding &
rotating nipper may be used, I may also use the ordinary thread carrier rod
instead of a screw for releasing the thread from the nipper as this bar traverses a
distance which varies according to the width of the work.
The oscillating or sliding take up bar may be used with machine making elastic
fabrics, and having a movable needle bar.
Another of my improvements relates to the motion of the elastic thread carrier
which cause to traverse across the full width of the needles and then return a
short distance so as to, what is technically known as "feed the needles." This
return motion of the carriers being obtained by giving a suitable shape to the
actuating cam.
Dated this 16th day of March 1893.
W. H. POTTER, M.L.M.E.,
Parliament Street, Nottingham, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Knitting Machines for the
Manufacture of Elastic Fabrics.
ROWLAND HUTCHINSON 18 Flewitt Street Nottinghain 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 is cunlicable to straight bar power knitting machines used for the

page_text: manufacture of knitted elastic fabrics, stockings, knee caps ankle pieces and article
for surgical and other purposes, and relates to various means for carrying out the
principle of the invention set forth in the Specification of a Patent No. 17339
A.D. 1891 granted to John Alfred Wilson and to Rowland Hutchinson,
I wish it to be understood that by the term "power knitting machines" I mean
knitting machines which are in the ordinary way driven by power as distinguished
from the old fashioned hand knitting machines," the two terms being here used in
the sense understood in the hosiery trade.
Now in all straight bar knitting machines making ordinary knitted fabrics and
articles, the thread carrier or guide used for laying the knitting thread upon the
needles traverses across the same a distance equal to the width of the fabric or
article being knitted, such traverse varying as the width of the fabric or article
is increased or decreased. These machines are also fitted with a snapping apparatus.
which consists of a fever with a spring, between which the thread
before it
reaches the thread carrier. Now after the thread has been laid and divided upon
passes
the needles, the snapping spring closes upon the snapping lever, after which the
lever is moved by the shaft carrying the same, the amount of motion given to the
napping lever always being the same, whatever the width of the fabric, and also.
whatever variation there may be in the width of the same fabric or article. The
object of this snapping apparatus is to tighten the loop on the needle at the extreme
eige of the fabric being made, and thus prevent the loop leaving the needle and
making a defective selvage.
Previous to the invention set forth in Specification No. 17389 A.D. 1891 all
elastic fabrics had to the best of my knowledge being made on hand knitting
machines, and the slack, of the elastic thread had been taken up by the workman
in charge of the machine.
In Specification No. 17339 A.D. 1891 the elastic thread carrier, technically
known as the ribber needle "always traverses the same distance, which distaner
is equal to the full width of the needles in each division of the machine, and this
amount of traverse takes place whether the width of the article or fabric varies on
Hot. If an article say four inches wide is being made on a division of needles say
thirty inches wide, and the article is being made on the centre four inches of
needles, it will be seen there is thirteen inches of needles on each side of the edges
of the fabric, and the elastic thread carrier traverses thirteen inches after it has
reached the edges of the fabric, and consequently there is thirteen inches of elastic
thread between the edge of the fabric, and the elastic thread carrier when the
latter has reached the end of its traverse. Now this thirteen inches of elastic
thread is known as the "slack" and it is necessary that this slack be dealt with as
the elastic thread carrier starts on its return journey, and in fact until the elastic
thrend carrier reaches the edge of the fabric being made the edge here referred to
being the edge nearest to the thread carrier when the latter started from the end of
the needles.
It will also be seen that if the length of the traverse of the elastic thread carrier
remains the same but the width of the fabric being made is varied, that the slack of
the elastic thread, that is, the length of elastic thread between the edge of the
fabric being made and the elastic thread carrier when at the end of its traverse will
also vary the length of the slack decreasing as the width of the fabric is increased
and vice versa.
Now this invention relates to various arrangements of mechanism for taking up
the varying length of the slack of the elastic thread such mechanism being arranged
to work according to the principle set forth in the Specification No. 17339
A.D. 1891. This Specification describes a machine with a fixed needle bar and
with an elastic thread carrier which always traverses the full width of the division
of needles and in which the slack of the elastic thread is taken up by a nipper
arrangement which comprises a nipping rod and plate between which the elastic
thread is nipped. The nipper then ascends, always ascending the same distance,
but the elastic thread is relensed from the nipper by means of a stepped incline or

page_text: cam which is carried by the fashioning screw nut and acts upon the nipper to release
the elastic thread when the nipper has ascended a distance which varies according
to the amount of slack, to be taken up, and consequently according to the width of
the fabric or article being knitted.
According to this invention one arrangement of mechanism for taking up the
varying length of the slack of the elastic thread comprises a nipping rod and plate
which are carried by a lever and move in a more or less horizontal position. If
this nipper is worked horizontally at the top of the machine I can dispense with
the long nipper plates described in Specification No. 17339 A.D. 1891 and use
narrower plates over which the elastic thread is guided, the narrow plates being
rendered possible by the increased distance between a nipper at or near the top of
a machine and a nipper near the needles. I may give to this nipper a definite
amount of motion and release the elastic thread from the nipper when the latter is
in, a position varying according to the width of the fabric being made, or may
give the nippa motion which varies according to the width of the fabric
being made and release the elastic thread from the nipper when the same is at the
extremity of its varying motion.
I have hitherto referred to "taking up the slack" of the elastic thread according
to the width of the fabric or article being made, as though it was necessary to release
the elastic thread from the nipper when the latter had moved a distance equal to the
length of the slack to be taken up. Now this can be done, but from practical experience
I find that the slack taken up may vary from the slack to be taken up by about an
inch, provided the amount of slack actually taken up is always less than the amount
of slack to be taken up, and when the nipper moves a varying distance and the
elastic thread is released when the nipper reaches the extremities of those varying
distances, I make use of the fact above stated in order to simplify the mechanism
for actuating the nipper and releasing the elastic thread from the same.
111-y
Another part of my present invention relates to the means for releasing the elastic
thread from the nipper, that is to means for opening the nipper at the desired point.
This I may do by a sliding bar or bolt which is suitably guided and is moved by
cams through suitable connections. Ibis siiding bat be wel with a minner
having a definite amount of motion and from which the elastic thread is released
at the desired point, and also with a nipper having a varying amount of motion and
from which the elastic thread is released when the nipper reaches the end of such
motion.
In another arrangement the sliding bar or bolt is actuated by the fashioning screw
nut instead of by cams.
Another part of my invention has reference to the construction of the nipper
which instead of the nipping rod and plate has a roller covered with flannel or other
suitable material to which the elastic thread will cling, and has also guide rods
between which the covered roller is moved to grip the elastic thread, and raised
from between the same for releasing the elastic thread. This nipper may be
moved vertically or horizontally and may have a definite or a varying amount of
motion, and the elastic thread may be released from the same by any of the
arrangements of mechanism previously described.
In other take up mechanisms I arrange for the nipper to work nearer the needles
than is possible with the mechanisms already referred to.
In one arrangement the nipper is carried to and fro across the needles with the
thread carrier, and the elastic thread is released from it by bringing the nipper
spring into contact with the elastic thread carrier or the bar carrying the same.
This nipper I preferably actuated with a varying amount of motion.
In another arrangement a broad nipper is used, and the slack taken up by giving
the nipper a varying or definite amount of motion. With this nipper the elastic
thread is released from the same when it has moved a distance which varies
according to the width of the work being made.
In all of the mechanisms I have now described the amount of motion given to

page_text: the nipper and the releasing of the elastie thread from the same may be changed
automatically by the fashioning screw or pattern mechanism, and the same
mechanism may if disconnected from the fashioning serew or the pattern
mechanism be actuated by hand for producing the same results as when worked
automatically.
It should also be understood that all mechanisms herein described may be used
with machines constructed with a fast or movable needle bar.
I have illustrated my invention by the four sheets of accompanying drawings
upon which the same parts in the different figures are referred to by the same
preference letter, and I refer to such drawings in the following description.
Fig. 1. is an elevation partly in section showing the means I adopt for actuating
the nipper with a definite or varying amount of motion and means for changing the
amount of motion by hand.
Fig. 2. is a plan of the mechanism used for altering the amount of motion by hand.
Fig. 3. is a sile elevation of the cams used for giving a varying amount of motion
to the nipper.
Fig. 4. is an eud elevation of a nipper when the same is placed near the top of
the machine.
Fig. 5. is a front elevation of the nipper shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. fi. is an elevation of the nipper and a stepped cam or plate for releasing the
elastic thread and may be used with a nipper having a definite or varying amount
of motion.
Fig. 7. is a plan of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8. is an elevation of a nipper and a sliding bolt for releasing the elastic
thread, which may be used with a nipper having a definite or varying amount of
motion.
Fig. 9. is a plan of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8.
Fig. 10. is the end elevation of a nipper which is guided so as to move
horizontally.
Fig. 11. is a side elevation of the nipper shown in Fig. 10.
Fig. 12. is a section of a roller nipper showing the position of the roller when
nipping the elastic thread.
Fig. 13. is a section of a roller nipper showing the position of the roller when the
elastic thread has been released.
Fig. 14. is a front elevation of a vertically moving nipper from which the elastic
thread is released by a sliding bolt or har actuated by hand or by mechanical
means.
Fig. 1. is an end elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 14.
Fig. 16. is an end elevation of a nipper having a sliding and oscillating motion.
Fig. 17. is a front elevation of the nipper shown in Fig. 16.
Fig. 18. is an end elevation of an oscillating nipper.
Fig. 19. a front elevation of the same.
The nipper adopt by preference when the same is worked some distance from
the needles is shown in Fig. 4 and 5. It is essentially of the same construction as
the nipper described in Specification No. 17339, A.D. 1891 but instead of using a
broad nipper plate, use a much narrower one a which is provided with
slots a' at each end for guiding the elastic thread. The plate a is attached to a
shaft which is free to turn in its bearings, and the elastic thread is nipped
between the plate a and a second rode which is fixed in its bearings. At one end
of the shaft is a disc b' fitted with a jointed pin 6 which is held in the position
shown or in a position at right angles to the one shown by a spring 13. Figs. 4
and 5 show the rods and c mounted upon an oscillating fever d which carries a
spring & for holding the nipper closed or open. In this arrangement the nipper is
closed and opened by the pin coming into contact with mechanism which is
described hereafter.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the nipping rods be and the nipping plate

page_text: are mounted upon a lever capable of turning on its centre d', and actuated by cams
on the shaft e through a lever e, link, lever and link . The lever is
shown capable of moving on a hoss carried by the back spindle bar but any
convenient and separate axle may be used.
n
When the lever and consequently the nipper abe is to have a definite amount
of motion, the lever is actuated by the cam fand when the lever is to have a
varying amount of motion by one of the cams to the cam truck on the
lever being moved from one cam to the next as required. One way of moving
this cam truck is by a lever which is mounted on a vertical shaft y' having its
bearing in a bracket attached to the front rail of the machine. On the upper
end of the shaft g' is a handle which is fitted to move over a graduated plate g',
and which, when the lever is moved serves to indicate the amount of movement
given to the nipper abc. The handle may if desired be attached by a link g to
the fashioning screw nut, or to pattern mechanism, in which case the truck e is
moved from one cam to another automatically according to the alteration in the
width of the fabric being made. Instead of the stepped cams/to, I may use a
solid cam with an inclined surface on one side, and with such a cam the truck eð
may be moved for varying the stroke of the nipper, at any point in the revolution
of the can.
In all arrangements in which the stroke of the nipper varies I
preferably make the nipper travel always to the same point in one direction of its
motion, and vary the distance it moves from this point to the other extremity of its
motion.
The elastic thread Fig. 1 is drawn from a bobbin by a rod which is
carried by a shaft and to which the necessary motion given by any suitable
arrangement of mechanism. The elastic thread & passes over a rod under the
daw off rod and over another rod 2 to the nipper, the elastic thread passing
through the slots a' Fig. 5 in the same and under the rod c. From the nipper the
elastic thread is led over another rod .e to the elastic thread carrier. It should be
understood that the "draw off" arrangement here described or some similar
mechanism is used with all the mechanism hereinafter described.
I have in the foregoing description described a method for giving a definite
amount of motion to the nipper, and also a method for giving a varying amount of
motion to the nipper, and in the drawings I have shown the nipper at the front of
the machine, but I would have it understood that the nipper may be placed in any
other convenient position on the machine and that it may be moved in a more or
less horizontal direction. In my Provisional Specification I say the slack of the
elastic thread may be taken up by the nipper as the latter moves downwards in a
vertically moving nipper. The slack of the elastic thread may in a horizontally
moving nipper be taken up as the nipper moves backwands, but in both these cases
it is necessary to pass the elastic thread over guide rods, and owing to the peculiar
nature of elastic threads, and the necessity of laying the elastic thread into the
fabric without putting tension upon it, I do not recommend either of these methods
of taking up the slack, and have not shown any means for carrying out the same.
In Fig. 6. 7. 8. and 91 show two arrangements for releasing the elastic thread
from the nipper. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7 the nipper a is there shown open
and it is supposed to be moving from the centre of the machine. When it
reaches the extremity of its forward motion, the pin strikes upon an arm
which is carried by a bracket and provided with a spring or other means for
holding the arm in its placed position. When the pin strikes the arm
the rod is turned in its bearings on the lever d, and the plate is thus
cansed to nip the elastic thread on the rod c. The nipper then commences its
backward stroke and pulls up the slack of the elastic thread until the pin
strikes one of the steps on the plate 4, which turns the ral and releases the
elastic thread from the nipper. The plate is mounted on a lever which is
connected by a link to a eam lever similar to the lever e Fig. 1 and actuated by
a similar arrangement of stepped eums, the cam truck being move from one cam
to the next by hand, or automatically by a similar arrangement of mechanism to

page_text: that shown and described in Figs. 1. 2. nnd 3. It should however be noted that
when the nipper has a definite amount of motion, the plate / must. after the pin ³
has struck the same, he raised clear of the pin to allow of the continued move-
ment of the nipper, but if the nipper be fitted with a lever (which moves in the
plane of the motion of the nipper) for opening the same, then after the lever
strikes the plate it passes at the back of the latter.
The pin is jointed to the plate so that it can be turned clear of the plate
if required, and the stop ♬ enn also be turned so that the pin shall not strike it.
When the pin and stop are so turned the nipper a be moves to and fro without
acting upon the elastic thread.
Another method of releasing the elastic thread from the nipper is by a sliding
holt or bar as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In this arrangement the sliding bolt or
bar jis guided by bearings on a bracket j and is actuated by a lever j' and
link, the latter being connected to a lever similar and similarly actuated by
hand or automatically to the lever shown in Figs. 1. 2. and 3 and previously
described.
r
When the nipper ae has a varying amount of motion, the releasing mechanism
shown in Fig. 6. 7. 8. and 9 may be connected to the fashioning screw nut, which,
by a suitable arrangement of levers and links may be arranged to move the plate h
or the bolt as the amount of motion of the nipper is altered and in the same
proportion.
In Figs. 10 and 11 I have shown an arrangement in which the nipper abe is
compelled to move in a horizontal line by means of a guide carried by n
bracket from the machine standard. In this arrangement the rod is fitted with
a block which slides in the guide and the nipper is connected to the lever d by
a link d. For holding the rod in a fixed position, the bracket carrying the
same is made with a los which passes through the link and is attached to the
block A. With this arrangement the thread may he released from the nipper by
either of the mechanisms shown in Figs. 6. 7. 8 and 9 which may be worked in any
of the ways described.
In another arrangement of take up mechanism, the nipper ae Figs. 14 and 15
is arranged to move vertically, and is guided by a slotted bracket, the rod e being
carried in the same way as described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11. For
releasing the elastic thread from the nipper a sliding bolt is used. The bolt i
guided in brackets m' and is actuated by a toothed wheel m³ which gears into a
rack m² fixed to the face of the bolt m. Motion is given to the wheel m² by the
fashioning screw nut #, upon the top of which is a rack n' sliding in guides n' and
imparting motion to the wheel through a second wheel a fust on the shaft
carrying the wheel m. The rack n' is not rigidly connected to the nut n, but there
are means provided by which the rack and nut can he connected and disconnected
at pleasure these means being similar to any of the many means used in the hosiery
machine trade for connecting and disconnecting a sliding part to or from its
actuating piece.
The rack is also connected by a link o' to a lever a suitably fulcrumed at o
and connected by a link o³ to a hand lever of, by which the rack n' may be moved
for raising and lowering the bar m by which the elastic thread is released from the
nipper. Upon the top of the bar m is a projecting piece m' upon which the lever *
attached to the rod strikes as the nipper ascends, and opens the same for the
purpose of releasing the elastic thread.
It will also be seen that by suitable connections the bolt m may be actuated by
cams similar to those shown in Figs. 1. 2. and 3, or that other mechanical means
may be adopted for producing the same result.
ין
The nipper shown in Figs. 12 and 13 consists of a roller covered with flannel
or other suitable material to which an elastic thread will cling. This roller is
carried by levers p which are mounted on a shaft having its bearings in plates p³
which also carry four thread guide rods p. The plate is mounted and actuatel
by any of the means previously described for carrying and actuating the nipper and
"

page_text: the elastic thread 9 is held or nipped by moving the roller p into the position shown
in Fig. 12, and the elastic thread is released from the nipper by moving the roller
into the position shown in Fig. 13, this movement of the roller taking place when
the nipper has moved a distance corresponding to the length of slack to be taken
up, and is effected by any of the means previously described for releasing the elastic
thread from the nipper.
"'
The nipper shown in Figs. 16 and 17 has an oscillating motion for taking up the
slack of the elastic thread, and it is fitted to traverse across the division of needles
with the elastic thread carrier which is attached to the carrier rod and actuated
by a cam through suitable connections. The carrier rod r' is fitted with brackets >
which are placed in convenient positions for supporting and traversing a rod free
to turn in the bracket but prevented from end movement in the same. The
rodis for each thread carrier fitted with a lever to which a spring is attached.
The rod passes through bearings at the ends of the machine, in which bearings
it is free to turn and slide, and it is provided with a lever through which it can
slide, but by which it is turned. The nipper is thus arranged to traverse across the
needles with the thread carrier, and also to turn with its supporting shaft.
As the thread carrier starts to move from the end of the division of needles the
shaft is turned, and the nipper is thereby moved away from the elastic thread
carrier, such movement of the nipper allowing its spring to close upon the elastic
thread and nip the same. The swinging movement of this nipper is obtained by
cams similar to those shown in Figs. 1. 2 and 3, and the amount of motion given
to the nipper is varied by the means described with reference to the same figures.
The outward swing of the nipper is continued until the nipper has been moved
across the needles a distance which is about equal to the distance between the end
of the needles and that edge of the fabric being made nearest to the end of the
needles from which the thread carrier and sipper started to traverse. Upon
reaching this point the nipper returns at a speed sufficiently great to supply the
elastic thread to the carrier as the latter moves across the work, or the nipper
may return at a greater speed. This return motion of the nipper is continued
until the projections or pins on the spring are pressed upon the elastic thread
carrier with sufficient force to raise the spring off the lever and so release the
elastic thread, and with the spring in this position the nipper completes the
remainder of its traverse across the needles.
In another nipper also designed to be placed at a comparatively short distance
from the needles, and shown in Figs. 18 and 19, 1 dispense with the traversing
motion of the nipper as described with reference to the nipper shown in Figs. 16
and 17, and work the nipper in a similar manner to the nippers placed at a greater
distance from the needles and which are previously described.
The nipper shown in Figs. 18 and 19 is carried by a rod t suitably carried by
bearings on the standard, and fitted with a nipper plate . The rod t also supports
a second rod carried from it by brackets, and to the rod 2 is fitted a number
of arms which carry the nipper rod ³. The rod t is also fitted with a lever for
oscillating the nipper as a whole, this lever being actuated by a cam, by which a
definite or varying motion is given to the nipper, the mechanism used for this
purpose being similar to that already described for the same purpose. The thread
is released from the nipper by a lever fulcrumed on the shaft and made with
an end against which the nipper rod strikes as the nipper swings outwards, the
position at which the thread is released being varied according to the width of the
fabric being made by altering the position of the lever to. This may be done
by hand, or by modification of any of the apparatus herein described as being used
for the same purpose.
The shaft is fitted with a suitable frictional device for holding it and the
nipper rod in their placed position.
With this nipper the elastic thread is nipped just as the nipper starts to swing
forward, and the thread carrier starts its traverse across the needles, the slack of
the elastic thread being taken up until the rod t comes into contact with the end t'

page_text: of the lever . The rod t is then held stationary while the nipper continues its
motion, and the rod is held in this position until the nipper has ascended a
distance which enables the rod t to pass the end of the lever t, after which the
opened nipper completes its forward movement.
The nipper then returus and is closed by bringing the rod t up to a fixed stop.
but the nipper is not closed upon the clastic thread until just before it starts t
swing forward again. This may be effected by timing the nipper to complete its
Lackward swing just as the elastic thread carrier completes its traverse, or the
nipper may be returned nearly to its most barkward position at any time, and
the backward motion completed for closing the nipper just before the latter starts
to wing forward again.
In describing the various mechanisms comprised in this invention I have referred
to the nipper as though there was only one to each machine, but I wish it to be
understool that there is a nipper to each division of needles in the machine,
and that all the nippers applied to each machine are actuated by the same
mechanism.
The take up mechanisms herein described may be used with knitting machines
having a fast or a lonse needle bar and used for the manufacture of knitted
clastic falnies or articles. These take up mechanisms may be used with either
kind of machine, owing to the fact that the elastic thread carrier always traverses
» distance equal to the full width of the needles in each division of the machine
and is therefore clear of the needles and points when these are moved.
In addition to the take up mechanism the knitting machine is fitted with the
usual arrangement of needles, sinkers, points, knitting thread carriers, and other
parts necessary to enable a knitting machine to mak knitted elastic fabrics or
articles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In knitting machines used for the manufacture of knitted elastic fabrics or
articles, and constructed with a fast or movable needle bar, and in which the elastic
thread earrier always traverses a distance equal to the full width of the needles
in each division of the machine, actuating the nipper for taking up the varying
slack of the elastic thread with a definite or varying amount of motion, and the
provision of means for varying such motion automatically or by hand substantially
as shown and described in the accompanying drawings and Specification.
2. In knitting machines used for the manufacture of knitted elastic fabrics or
articles, and constructed with a fast or movable nelle bar and in which the elastic
thread carrier always traverses a distance equal to the full width of the needles in
cach division of the machine, releasing the elastic thread from the nipper used for
taking up the slack of the same by means of a stepped can or plate fitted to turn
about a centre, and actuated by stepped eams or their equivalent or by levers
worked by hand or automatically, the said stepped cam or plate being arranged to
act upon the nipper when the latter has moved a distance which varies according
to the width of the fabric or article being made substantially as shown and
described in the accompanying drawings and Specification.
3. In knitting machines used for the manufacture of knitted elastic fabrics or
articles, and constructed with a fast or loose needle bar and in which the elastic
thread carrier always traverses a distance equal to the full width of the needles in
cach division of the machine, releasing the elastic thread from the nipper used for
taking up the slack of the same by means of a sliding bolt or bar actuated by
stepped cams or their equivalent, or by levers worked by hand or automatically,
the said sliding bolt or bar being arranged to act upon the nipper when the latter
has moved a distance which varies according to the width of the fabric or article
being made, substantially as shown and described in the accompanying drawings
and Specification.

page_text: 4. In knitting machines used for the manufacture of knitted clastic fabrics or
articles, and constructed with a fast or movable needle bar and in which the
elastic thread carrier always traverses a distance equal to the full width of the
needles in each division of the machine, releasing the elastic thread from
the nipper used for taking up the slack of the same, when the nipper has moved
a distance which varies according to the width of the fabric or article being made,
by means of a sliding bolt or bar provided with a rack and worked by the
fashioning screw nut, or by hand, substantially as shown and described in the
accompanying drawings and Specification.
5. In knitting machines used for the manufacture of knitted elastic fabrics or
articles and constructed with a fixed or morable needle bar and in which the
clastic end carrier always traverses a distance equal to the full width of the
needles in each division of the machine a nipper for taking up the varying
length of the lack of the elastic thread, such nipper being constructed with a
roller, c vered with flannel or other material to which an elastic thread will cling,
and with bars or rods between which the roller is moved to nip the elastic thread
substantially as shown and described in the accompanying drawings and
Specification.
6. In knitting machines used for the manufacture of knitted elastic fabrics or
articles, and constructed with fast or movable needle bar, and in which the elastic
thread carrier always traverses a distance equal to the full width of the needles
in each division of the machine, a sliding and oscillating nipper for taking up the
varying length of the slack of the elastic thread, the said nipper being traversed
with the elastic thread carrier and fitted to turn on a centre for taking up the
slack of the elastic thread, and to hold the latter during its swinging motion
substantially as shown and described in the accompanying drawings and
Specification
7. In knitting machines used for the manufacture of knitting elastic fabrics or
articles, and constructed with a fixed or movable needle bar, and in which the
elastic thread carrier always traverses a distance equal to the full width of the
needles in each division of the machine, an oscillating nipper constructed so as to
take up the slack of the elastic thread by turning about one of the rods forming
part of the nipper, and arranged to work with a definite orvarying amount of
inotion, substantially as shown and described in the accompanying drawings
and Specification.
8. The general arrangement of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1. 2. and 3 of the
accompanying drawings in combination with a knitting machine as described, and
for the purpose set forth in the foregoing Specification.
9. The general arrangement of the mechanism shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the
accompanying drawings, in combination with a knitting machine as described, and
for the purpose set forth in the foregoing Specification.
10. The general arrangement of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6 and 7 of the
accompanying drawings, in combination with a knitting machine as described, and
for the purpose set forth in the foregoing Specification.
11. The general arrangement of the mechanism shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the
accompanying drawings, in combination with a knitting machine as described, and
for the purpose set forth in the foregoing Specification.
12. The general arrangement of the mechanism shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of
the accompanying drawings in combination with a knitting machine as described,
and for the purpose set forth in the foregoing Specification.
13. The general arrangement of the mechanism shown in Figs. 12 and 13 of
the accompanying drawings in combination with a knitting machine as described
and for the purpose set forth in the foregoing Specification.
14. The general arrangement of the mechanism shown in Figs. 14 and 15 of
the accompanying drawings, in combination with a knitting machine as described,
and for the purpose set forth in the foregoing Specification.
15. The general arrangement of the mechanism shown in Figs. 16 and 17 of

page_text: the accompanying drawings, in combination with a knitting machine as described,
and for the purpose set forth in the foregoing Specification.
16. The general arrangement of the mechanism shown in Figs. 18 and 19 of
the accompanying drawings, in combination with a knitting machine as described,
and for the purpose set forth in the foregoing Specification.
Dated this 15th day of January 1894.
W. H. POTTER, M.I.M.E.,
Newenstle Chamber-, Nottingham, Agent for the Applicant.