IMPROVE- MENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Keywood and Samuel Keywood both of the
town and county of the town of Nottingham for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Keywood and
Samuel Keywood at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
24th March 1883.
FREDERICK KEYWOOD, and SAMUEL KEYWOOD, both of the town and county of
the town of Nottingham, "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY,"
In carrying out our Improvements, we employ combinations of the following
parts, namely, first, one or more sliding presser blades, each of which slides in a
suitable bearing near the beard side of the needles in a straight bar knitting
machine, each blade is traversed to the right or left by a lever, operated by the
worm actuating the narrowing apparatus, or by a pattern wheel pinion and rack,
as the presser blades are drawn outwards, the needles between the ends of the
blades, retain the loops of the fabric upon them while the fabric is being made on
the remaining needles supplied with thread.
Second, a pusher plate or plates, each moved longitudinally by a worm, or by a
pattern wheel pinion and rack, and transversly by levers and cams, these pusher
plates lie in front of the needle stems, under the fabric being made, and above
the knocking over bits, the pusher plates are either plain or toothed, these plates.
push the needles onto the presser where required, and also into the eyes of the
cover points when required.
Third, either toothed or plain back pusher plates below the knocking over bits
on the beard side of the needles, each having a rocking movement communicated
by a cam and lever, and a longitudinal movement by a worm or by a pattern
wheel pinion and rack, these plates push away from the presser or from the point
machine, such needles having fabric upon then, which are not required to receive
fresh loops.

page_text: Fourth, a sectional needle bar, and a sectional knocking over bit bar to allow
the loops of portion of the fabric to remain on some of the needles, while the fabric
is being formed on the remaining needles. Sections of these bars being moved out
of the way by the attendant.
Fifth, the knocking over cams, and the presser cams are each provided with a
sliding nose which can be moved to one side by the attendant, when the move-
ments communicated by the cams are required to be shortened. In machines
provided with moveable knocking over bars a sliding nose will be required to the
cams operating such bars.
Sixth, Tension plates, each of which have horizontal and vertical movements
communicated to them by cams and levers, the lower sides of the plates being
rough press upon the fabric, and ensure it being knocked over the needle heads.
Seventh, to each traversing bar operating the cover points we employ an extra
lead of points to each width of fabric, each of which can be placed in operation
when required.
Eighth, when making hose or half hose on a knitting machine, we employ
extra thread guides to place threads on the needles forming the inner selvages
of the half heels, and onto the next adjacent needles inwards as required.
Ninth, In combination with the parts described under the second and third
arrangements we employ a cover point machine in one or more parts, and
fixed on one or more bars, carrying as many cover points as there are needles
in the machine, for the purpose of narrowing or widening any portion of the fabric
being made.
Tenth, In addition to the above we employ a presser bar or plate, plain or
grooved to admit part of the sinkers, said presser bar or plate is constructed in
sections either of which may be thrown into or out of action by canis and levers,
or by the attendant.
By means of the above described machinery operating in conjunction with a
straight bar knitting machine we are enabled to commence and complete hose or
half hose from the welt. to the toc without having resource to transferring the
fabric to other machines and are able to commence and complete a variety
of other articles on one knitting machine without having to transfer them to
other machines.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick Keywood and Samuel Keywood in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 24th September 1883.
FREDERICK KEYWOOD and SAMUEL KEYWOOD both of the town and county of
the town of Nottingham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY
"
In carrying out our improvements we employ combinations of the following
parts namely; First, one or more sliding presser blades, each of which slide in a
suitable bearing near the beard side of the needles, in a straight bar knitting
machine, each blade is traversed to the right or left by a lever operated by the
worm actuating the narrowing apparatus or by a pattern wheel, pinion and rack;
as the presser blades are drawn outwards, the needles between the ends of the
blades retain the loops of the fabric upon them, while the fabric is being made on
the remaining needles supplied with thread.
Second, a pusher plate or plates, each moved longitudinally, by a worm, or by a
pattern wheel pinion and rack, and transversely by levers and cams, these pusher
plates lie in front of the needle stems under the fabric being made, and above the
knocking over bits, the pusher plates are either plain or toothed, these plates push
the needles onto the presser where required, and also into the eyes of the cover.
points when required.
Either toothed or plain back pusher plates below the knocking over bits on the
beard side of the needles, each having a rocking movement communicated by a
cam and lever, and a longitudinal movement by a worm, or by a pattern wheel,
pinion and rack, these plates push away from the presser, or from the point
machine, such needles having fabric upon them which are not required to receive
fresh loops.
A sectional needle bar, and a sectional knocking over bit bar to allow the loops.
of portion of the fabric to remain on some of the needles, while the fabric is being.
formed on the remaining needles. Sections of these bars being moved out of the
way by the attendant.
The knocking over cams and the presser cams are each provided with a sliding
nose, which can be moved to one side by the attendant, when the movements
communicated by the cams are required to be shortened. In machines provided
with movable knocking over bars, a sliding nose will be required to the cams
operating such bars.
Tension plates each of which have horizontal and vertical movements communi-
cated to them by cams and levers, the lower sides of the plates being rough press
upon the fabric and ensure it being knocked over the needle heads.
To each traversing bar operating the cover points, we employ an extra lead of
points to each width of fabric, each of which can be placed in operation when.
required.
When making hose or half hose on a knitting machine we employ extra thread
guides to place threads on the needles forming the inner selvages of the half heels,
and onto the next adjacent needles inwards as required.
In combination with the parts described under the second and third arrangements,
we employ a cover point machine in one or more parts and fixed on one or more
bars carrying as many cover points as there are needles in the machine for the
purpose of narrowing or widening any portion of the fabric being made.
In addition to the above we employ a presser bar or plate, plain or grooved to
admit part of the sinkers, said presser bar or plate is constructed in sections, either
of which may be thrown into or out of action by cams and levers, or by the
attendant.
:

page_text: By means of the above described machinery operating in conjunction with a
straight bar knitting machine, we are enabled to commence, and complete hose or
half hose from the welt to the toe without having resource to transferring the
fabric to other machines; and are able to commence and complete a variety of other
articles on one knitting machine without having to transfer them to other
machines.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a half size sectional view of a knitting machine of well known
construction, shewing the operating parts of several portions of our improvements.
Figures 2 and 3 are drawn one sixth the full size and are respectively, a plan
⚫ and front views of portion of such machine shewing the length of two divisions
of needles, at the right end of the machine, both views shew the relative position
of the several parts for operating one modification of our improved machinery,
and Figures 4 to 20 inclusive, are drawn the full size, and are separate views of
portions of our improved machinery severally referred to hereafter.
The corresponding parts in each Figure are indicated by the same letters where
necessary.
Our Invention relates to the making of complete hose and half hose on straight
bar knitting machines by one continuous process, from the commencement of the
leg to the end of the toe, without having to transfer the fabric from one machine
to another. By the usual method of making hose or half hose, the legs with the
heels are made on one machine, the loops of the instep opening are pressed off,
and the instep needles neither make nor carry any loops while the half heels are
being made on each side of the instep. When the heels are finished they are
pressed off, and the leg is complete. The loops of the instep are then run on to
the needles of a footing machine, or on the points of a loose bar and thence
transferred to the needles of a footing machine. The instep or top side of the foot
is then made down to the end of the toe, and pressed off. The inner selvages of
the two half heels are then run on the footing machine needles, or on the points
of a loose bar and thence transferred to the needles of a footing machine.
The bottom side or sole of foot, is then made to the end of the toe of the
same length as the instep side of the foot, thus completing the hose or half hose.
To finish the hose or half hose with a round or French foot. The loops of the
instep opening of the leg, are run on, and the inner selvages of the half heels are
run on both sides of the instep so as to form one straight line of loops on the
needles of a French footing machine. The foot is then made down to the end of
the toe in one piece. The two selvages are afterwards seamed together, the outer
portions of the fabric forming the sole or bottom of the foot, with the seam in
the middle.
But by means of our improvements, and of the apparatus hereafter described we
are enabled to obviate the transferring of the fabric from one machine to another
heretofore necessary. We obtain this result after making the leg by retaining on
their respective needles the loops of the instep opening of the leg, no further loops
are being made on them at the same time that the half heels, on each side of the
instep, are being worked and pressed off when finished. In order to do this we
either remove the instep needles from the action of the presser, or else we remove
the presser so as not to act on the instep needles, in either case the knitting
machine can work and make loops on a portion of the needles while another portion
is at rest so far as the making of loops is concerned, and yet retains the loops
already formed, ready to commence the making of the foot, when the heel is
finished. When the half heels are completed and pressed off, the worm tackle
regulating the width of the fabric is racked out to the width required for the
French foot. A few courses are then worked with the heeling thread carriers on
each side of the instep so as to form a small tab at the commencement of the outer
portions of the foot, to facilitate the joining of these parts to the inner selvages of
the two half heels which is done after the knitting process is completed.

page_text: When a sufficient length of fabric has been made for this purpose, the instep
needles are again thrown into regular operation, the second heeling thread carrier
is locked out of work and the legging thread carrier traverses the whole width of
the French foot, which is then worked in the usual manner, and narrowed at the
toe by the French foot narrowing machine, or in any other suitable manner, and
pressed off at the end of the toe, thus forming a complete hose or half hose, so far
as the knitting machine is concerned.
We have illustrated our invention as applied to a Cotton's patent. machine
working with spring, or bearded needles in which we employ a sectional needle bar,
a back view of one such bar is shewn the length of one division of needles at
Figure 4, and a sectional end view at Figure 5 shows the relative position of the
present needle bar, and the sectional needle bar, which is shewn separately in
section at Figure 6. The present needle bars A, are made as usual, and filled with
leads of needles fastened in the bar with cover plates screwed down, excepting the
middle portion of each division for a distance equal to the width of an instep, say
four inches or thereabouts for a hose or half hose of ordinary size. This middle
portion of each division of the needle bar is made quite plain and contains no
leads of needles nor any lead tricks. But we fill such vacant space by means of a
small separate needle bar B one for each division, each carrying leads of needles the
same in gauge as those of the main needle bars. The leads of the small needle
bars, are less in depth than the leads of the main bars in order to allow room for the
thickness of the small bar itself, which together with the lead, has only about the
same room as is occupied by the lead alone of the main needle bar.
The small needle bars are connected by a knuckle joint C, with horizontal
levers C, see Figures 1 and 3, like those which carry the main needle bars. These
levers C' instead of being screwed and pinned on the shaft like the others, are loose
on the shaft, in order that the main needle bars may work independently of the
small bars when required. There is a bracket C2 on the main needle bar and a
bracket C on the small bar each have a continuation downward with bolt holes,
the lower end of the brackets 02 of the main bar carries a bolt D2 which is
projected into a hole in the bracket C³ of the small bar, when the needles of both
bars are required to work together.
A horizontal lever D movable by the attendant when required is mounted on a
bracket secured to the back rail and passes through the machine to the front, it
carries a vertical pin or rod D¹ to operate the sliding bolt D². Another bolt D³ is
carried by a bracket fixed on a standard on the back rail, this bolt is connected by
a link D, with the horizontal lever operating the bolt on the main needle bar aud
it is fixed at such a height that both bolts are in a line when the needle bar is
nearly at its lowest point. When both bolts are in a line, and it is required to
throw out of operation the small needle bar, the attendant pulls aside the horizontal
bolting lever, so as to remove the needle bar bolt out of the bracket C3 of the
small needle bar, at the same time the lock out bolt D³ enters the hole in the
bracket C³, and holds the small needle bar in position nearly at its lowest point
while the main bar is worked in the usual manner. By such means we are able to
retain the loops on the needles of the instep, while the needles of the main bar on
each side are making the heel in the usual manner. When it is requisite to
interlock the needle bars again, the main bar is worked down nearly to its lowest
point, where both bolts are in a line again. The attendant pulls back the bolting
lever to its place, thus removing the lock out bolt and projecting the main needle
bar bolt into the bracket of the small needle bar causing both bars to work
together as one bar again.
By our method of making unequal lengths of fabric on the same division of
needles, the ordinary weights are useless when the heels are being made, as
obviously they would act only on the shortest part, namely, the stationary loops.'
To obviate this difficulty we use a sliding knock over bar E shewn in section at
Figure 1, in plan at Figure 2, a front view at Figure 3, and a full sized section at
Figure 7. The bar E slides on a solid bar El of the usual form the bar E, has

page_text: tricks cut in it in which arched knocked over bits E2 are soldered, see Figure 7.
We cut grooves in the lower side of the fixed presser bar F so as to admit the
upper side of the head of the knock over bits which slide backwards and forwards
in the grooves as required.
The bar E is hinged to links E2, the outer ends of which are hinged to the
upper ends of levers E³ secured on an additional axle shaft E rocking in bearings
attached to the standards, the shaft E is provided with one or more truck bearing
levers E³, each operated by a cam-E one of which is shewn in side view at Figure 8
which communicates the sliding motion required. By means of this sliding knock
over bar with arched knock over bits, we are able to work without any weight
whatever except for narrowing purposes. When the plain part of the heel is made,
we hang on small weights to pull the fabric while the narrowings are being put in,
and as soon as the heel is finished, these weights are taken off again. The relative
positions of the arched knock over bits and needles, when the work is being
knocked over is shewn in side view at Figure 9, the knock over bar then slides
forward, the needle heads being kept slightly below the belly of the knock over
bits until well in the arch f, the needles then commence to rise as shewn at
Figure 10 until they rise to their full height as shewn at Figure 7, the knock over
bits then move back to the position shewn at the same Figure.
In connection with the knocking over bar E, when the ordinary needle bar is
used, we employ a sliding sectional knock over plate E' shewn in plan at Figure 11,
and a right end view at Figure 12, the plate E7 we place in the middle part of each
division, and secure leads of knocking over bits to it by screws, these knocking
over bits are not arched but plain and curved at the top edge, and in order to avoid
damaging the stationary loops of the instep (which otherwise would be knocked
over as many times as there are courses in the heel) we lighten the knock over by
sliding the plate E7, with its knock over bits on two rods carried by a bracket E8,
secured to the solid bar E', the plate E7 having two brackets on its front edge
, which are pierced to receive the rods, the sliding of the plate E7 is effected by the
traversing of a bar E° which carries an horizontal cam plate slotted vertically to
receive a stud secured in a projection on the front of the plate E', the bar E' has a
seat planed out for it on the bar E, and is kept is position by a clip E⁰ at the end
of each division, the bar E at each end slides under a clip e, secured by two screws
to the solid bar shown at Figures 1, 2, 7 and 11. The bar E having to be cut
away in the middle of its length to make room for the sliding sectional knock
over plate we connect the two ends by bracketing them together as shewn in plan
at Figure 11.
Or instead of employing a sliding sectional knock over plate and knock over
bits we substitute a knock over plate shown in section.at Figure 13, in plan at
Figure 14, this plate has projections on its underside, each pierced to receive an
axle rod carried by two arms e² secured to the solid bar, thus allowing the knock
over bits to be tipped down, this is effected by the traversing of the bar E which
carries a vertical cam plate slotted horizontally to receive a stud projecting from
the front of the plate E7, the bar E9 is traversed by the attendant by a small
handle at either end and is held in position by a spring secured to the solid bar
and shewn in plan at Figure 11, a front view of the slotted cam plate is shewn at
Figure 144.
Another method of retaining the instep loops, while the heels are being made,
we effect by cutting away the whole of the front edge of the present presser F and
cut a groove along the edge of the sinker bar just below the sinker grooves, two
sliding plates G are fitted in such groove, their front edges projecting as far as
necessary, for pressing the needles. These plates are shewn in section at
Figure 15, and in plan at Figure 16. The plates meet in the middle of
each division and form one complete presser for each division. When it is
required to retain the instep loops, each presser plate is drawn out half as
much as the width of the instep, thus for an instep four inches wide, each
plate, is withdrawn two inches so that by this method, without interfering.

page_text: with the ordinary needle bars, we retain the instep loops, there being no presser in
the middle of the division, when the blades are withdrawn. The withdrawal of
the presser plates is effected by the following means. At the end of each division
a bearing bracket is secured to the bar E, in which two bars G¹ and G² slide, a
bracket secured to the bar G', is attached at its lower end to the right length of a
plate G, and a bracket secured to the bar G2 is attached at its lower end to the
left length of a plate G, the bars G' and G2 are each notched at one end, in these
notches the nose of a retaining spring fits, each bar being moved the distance
required by a small handle near one end. In this arrangement of apparatus, the
space between each division will have to be set out wider on the machine to allow,
for the traverse of the presser plates.
A third method of retaining the instep loops is by means of a sectional presser
shewn in section at Figure 17, and in plan at Figure 18. The middle portion of
the present presser bar F is cut away, for a distance equal to the width of the
instep required, and the space is filled by a movable presser H of the size of the
instep opening, the front edge is the same in form, as that of the ordinary presser,
and its top side is grooved like the ordinary presser, to allow the sinkers to travel
through as usual, in the drawings the grooves are shewn in section only. When
the whole division is at work the front edge of the section presser is in a line with
the front of the ordinary presser. When it is required to retain the instep loops,
while the heel is being made, the sectional presser is pulled back by means of a
lever H', and is held out of operation, causing the middle needles not to press.
At the end of the heel, the presser is pushed forward again level with the ordinary
presser by means of the lever, and retained in its place.
With this sectional presser; the ordinary needle bar is used. The operating
lever His attached at its lower end to a rocking axle shaft H², for which the
standards of the machine form bearings, the axle shaft has a hand lever H³ seen at
Figure 1 secured to it, which passes through to the front of the machine for the
convenience of the attendant. The apparatus shewn in section at Figure 19 and
in plan at Figure 20, we employ in a fourth method of retaining the instep loops;
by means of a pusher bar J acting on the needle stems in such a manner
as to push away from the presser, the needles holding the instep loops. This
bar is held in position by means of bearings at each end of each division,
and a separate bar is used to each division. A portion of the lowest side of tho
front of the brass sinker bar is fluted out enough to admit and support the bar at
the back so as to hold it solid when the needles are being pushed. The bar is fixed
on the same side of the needles as the presser, but below the knock over bits. The
front edge of the pusher bar when in working position is rather less prominent
than the edge of the presser above it so as to allow the needles to press as usual
except at the middle part of the bar, which for the width of the instep projects
further than the edge of the presser so that when the needles are moving towards
the presser. The stems of the instep needles are stopped by the pusher bar, the
upper portion of the needles being thus held away from the action of the presser,
the loops are retained while the rest of the needles of the division move on to the
presser, and press over the loops on them in the ordinary manner.
These pusher bars J each contain two grooves along their front edge, and in
each groove is inserted a sliding plate K of the same size on the front edge as the
bar itself, so that in the projecting middle portion of the bar, the sliding plates
project to just the same level. When it is requisite to make the instep opening
wider than the projection of the pusher bar allows for, then each sliding plate is
withdrawn outwards one or more leads till the required width is obtained, that is
to say, the sliding plates are a means of extending the instep to any required
width. When it is not requisite to misspress any of the needles, the bar of which
is capable of a rocking motion, is turned with its front edges downwards, by the
attendant. The curved bow spring K' at each end keeping the sliding plates in
the grooves, the outward movements of the plates K is effected by the outer end
of each plate, at the right of the division, being attached to the lower end of a

page_text: bracket carried by a sliding bar G₁, and the outer end of each plate to the left of
the division being attached to the lower end of a bracket, carried by a sliding bar G²,
each bar sliding in bearings secured to the bar E¹, the bars are notched at one end
and provided with a retaining spring as before described. We would have it
understood that in employing any of the above described apparatus, we do not
confine ourselves to the making of hose and half hose, as they are equally applicable
to the making of other knit articles.
Having thus described the nature of our said invention and the means we adopt
to carry the same into effect, we would have it understood, that we do not confine
ourselves to the precise arrangements of parts, shown and described, as variations
may be made therein without departing from the peculiar character of our invention
but what we do Claim is.
First. The improved method of making hose, and half hose, by one continuous
process on a straight bar knitting machine, in which the needles are fastened and
carried by needle bars, by retaining on their respective needles, the loops of the
instep, while the half heels are being made on each side ready to commence
making the foot as soon as the heel is finished, substantially as described.
Second. A sectional needle bar which works interlocked with the main needle
bar, or is locked out of action while the main needle bar is at work, substantially
as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Third. A sliding knock over bar carrying arched knock over bits, substantially
as.hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. For lightening of the knock over, in any required part of the width of the
fabric.
Fifth. A sectional knock over plate carrying knock over bits and having either
a sliding motion or a depressing motion communicated to it, when required
substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Sixth. A presser bar grooved on its lower front side to admit the heads of knock-
over bits substantially as described.
Seventh. A sliding presser composed of two steel plates meeting in the middle of
each division and opening outwards when required to misspress the middle portion
of the needles, substantially as described, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Eighth. A sectional presser bar having transverse backward and forward motion
when required, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Ninth. A pusher bar acting on the needle stems where required to push the
needles away from the fixed presser, such pusher bar carrying sliding plates for
the purpose of extending the width of the same substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Tenth. The arrangement of machinery and combination of parts by which we
carry out improvements, substantially as described.
In Witness whereof, we the said Frederick Keywood, and Samuel Keywood,
have hereunto set our hands and seals this Twenty-first day of September, in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
Witness
HW GOUGH CE
Nottingham
SAMUEL KEYWOOD
(L.)
(L.S.)