IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex for
an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY a communication
to him from abroad by W. W. Clay of Paris Ontario Dominion of
Canada
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd May 1883.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex, "IMPROVEMENTS IN
KNITTING MACHINERY," a communication to me from abroad by W. W. Clay of
Paris Ontario Dominion of Canada,
This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of knitting machines
known as Loop spring barb circular knitting machines, and it has for its object, to
arrange mechanism automatically operated from some convenient point of the
machine, by which the operation of the needles may be automatically altered, for
the purpose of changing the stitch in the knitting without stopping the machine,
and it consists essentially in arranging, in connection with a tuck presser wheel, a
series of adjustably arranged pawls, operated by mechanism driven from some
convenient moving point in the machine in such a manner that the said pawls may
be brought into, or thrown out of action, at intervals so as to change the presser
into a plain presser or tuck presser as desired, and produce any desired number of
changes in the stitch of the knitting.
The invention also comprises a presser wheel, having tuck-presser notches formed
round its periphery with pawls resting on a ring and having hinged on the outer
end of each a small pawl, while the inner end of each extends into a circular
groove formed in a sleeve which is journalled on a spindle and connected to another
sleeve by bolts in combination with a lever flexibly connected at one end to the
second sleeve, while its other end is connected with mechanism so operated that at
stated intervals the said lever is tilted on its pivot, thereby imparting to the sleeve
and its connection a vertical movement on the spindle, for the purpose of throwing
the pawls in and out of action.
Also a presser wheel having tuck presser notches formed round its periphery in
combination with spring levers fitting into the said notches and formed on the end

page_text: of spring plates, the opposite ends of which are rivetted to a sleeve vertically
adjusted for the purpose of throwing the spring levers in and out of action.
Also a pivoted lever, one end of which is suitably connected to the adjustable
pawls or spring levers, and its other end is provided with a pin held in a slot made
in the said lever so that it can be moved nearer to or farther from the fulcrum of
the lever, for the purpose of decreasing or increasing the vertical movement of the
lever, when operated by the movement of a pivoted lever.
Also a sliding bar arranged through the said pivoted lever, to hold up the outer
end of the other lever in combination with a pivoted arm connected to the sliding
bar, and provided with a pawl, pivoted to the sliding bar and so arranged that the
contact of a moving stud with the said pawl shall cause the sliding bar to be
thrown in or out of its guides, for the purpose of raising the said pivoted lever, or
permitting it to fall.
Also a pawl pivoted upon a sliding bar and extending over a sprocket wheel, in
combination with a stud or studs, fixed at certain points on a moving chain and
arranged to come in contact with the said pawl, on the side necessary to move the
sliding bar clear of the lever, while at the same time setting the pawl, so that the
stud next coming shall come in contact with the opposite side of the pawl, throwing
the sliding bar once more below the lever, and re-setting the pawl for the
next stud.
Also a cam plate fixed to the needle cylinder of a knitting machine, or to any
other convenient point and arranged so that at each revolution of the cylinder the
said cam shall come in contact with, and cause a pivoted lever to rock upon its
fulcrum in combination with a pawl attached to the said lever, and arranged to
come in contact with ratchet teeth fixed to or forming part of a sprocket wheel so
that upon each revolution of the needle cylinder the sprocket wheel shall be caused
to revolve a given distance
Also a presser wheel having formed on its surface a flange, for the purpose of
constituting a rocking point or fulcrum for the pawls.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 19th November 1883.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN
KNITTING MACHINERY," a communication to me from abroad by W. W. Clay of
Paris Ontario Dominion of Conada
My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of knitting machines,
known as loop spring barb circular knitting machines, and it has for its object, to
arrange mechanism automatically operated from some convenient point of the
machine, by which the operation of the needles may be automatically altered for
the purpose of changing the stitch in the knitting without stopping the machine,
and it consists essentially in arranging, in connection with a tuck presser wheel, a
series of adjustably arranged pawls, operated by mechanism driven from some
convenient moving point in the machine, in such a manner that the said pawls may
be brought into, or thrown out of action, at intervals so as to change the presser
into a plain presser or tuck presser as desired, and produce any desired number of
changes in the stitch of the knitting.
In the drawing Figures. 1. and. 2. are two perspective views of the improved
machine taken at different angles of sight.
Fig. 3. is an enlarged detailed view exhibiting the mechanism by which the
adjustable pawls are automatically operated.
Fig. 4. is an enlarged sectional detailed view exhibiting the presser wheel, the
adjustable pawls, and the parts of the machine by which they are directly acted
upon
Fig. 5. is a sectional detail of an alternative form by which the tuck presser may
be changed into a plain presser, or vice versa, when and as often as may be
desired by a series of adjustable springs applied in connection with a tuck presser
wheel.
Fig. 6, is a plan of the presser-wheel.
As this invention relates purely to mechanism for automatically changing the
presser into a tuck presser or plain presser as may be desired, and as I do not alter
any portion of the knitting machine except those parts immediately connected
therewith it is not necessary to describe in this specification the construction of the
loop wheel spring-barb circular knitting machine, except so far as I may mention
that in this class of machines previous to this invention it was necessary to stop
the machine, remove the presser wheel in operation at the time, and to replace it
by one of the kind desired, in order to change the stitch of the machine. This
manner of changing the pressers so as to change the stitch must necessarily be
tedious and occupy much valuable time, which by the adoption of the automatic
mechanism is entirely saved.
Before describing in detail the mechanism by which the pressers are auto-
matically changed into plain or tuck pressers as desired, I will first describe the
particular construction of the pawls by which the change is effected and the
arrangement of the mechanism immediately connected with them.
In Fig. 4. is exhibited what I consider to be the most approved form of
mechanisin for changing the presser into a plain presser or tuck presser as may be
desired.
Fig. 4. shows a perspective detail of an individual pawl. In the latter figure,
the projection, a, to fit into the notch, h, in the rim of the presser so as to change it
into a plain presser or tuck presser as desired, is exhibited. This projection it will

page_text: be seen is grooved in the end so as to fit closely against the barb, and close it into
the eye of the needle
This pawl has a notch, e, made at or about its centre, which notch fits over a
circular flange f, made around the disc, A, on the periphery of which is cut the
notches, h, to hold the pawl in its place and form a fulcrum on which it rocks, the
distance between the notches on this periphery being such as will permit the
insertion of any number of adjustable pawls, b, according to the style of the changes
it is desired to make in the presser.
When the pawls, b, are in the position indicated in Fig. 4, the projections, a, on
their ends fill up the notches, h, in the periphery of the tuck presser, A, and change
it into a plain presser, consequently as the presser wheel, A, revolves, the
projection, a, comes in contact with the barbs, and closes them into the eyes of the
needles, and so allows the previously formed loops in the knitting to be cast off the
needles.
When it is desired to withdraw the pawl, b, from action, the inner end of the
pawl, d, is pressed downwardly, which action causes the pawl, b, to recede out of
line with the periphery of the permanent tuck presser, consequently the needles
previously operated upon by the pawls, b, are no longer so affected, and as a
consequence the stitch of the machine is altered to a tuck stitch.
As shown in Fig. 4. the inner end of the pawl, d, is inserted into a circular
groove cut in the sleeve, B. This sleeve is journalled on the spindle, C, and
revolves with the presser wheel, A.
⚫ D, are two bolts screwed into the sleeve, B, and extending upwardly, are fastened
at their upper end to the sleeve, E, also journalled on the spindle, C.
It will thus be seen that by the vertical adjustment of the sleeve, E, a corre-
sponding movement is imparted to the sleeve, B, which sleeve by acting upon the
inner ends of the pawl, d, imparts the desired rocking movement to the said pawls
for effecting the required change of the tuck presser into a plain presser or vice
versa as previously explained.
In Figs. 5 and 5°, an alternative form of filling up the notches, h, in the periphery
of the tuck presser, and so changing it into a plain presser, is exhibited. In this
design the projections, a, are formed on the bent end of the levers, b', which in
this case are spring bars rivetted at their upper ends to the sleeve, E, and extend
downwardly to the presser wheel, A, which presser wheel, besides having the
ordinary tuck presser notches cut in its periphery, has a V-shaped ring, g, formed
on its bottom surface, the spring levers, b¹, being shaped as shown in Figs 5 and 5*,
so that when the sleeve, E, is raised so as to carry them into the position shown in
full lines in Fig. 5, the projection, a, on each of the spring levers, b¹, is on a line
with the projections formed in the presser wheel, but when the sleeve, E, is pressed
down the spring levers, b', assume the position they are indicated in, in dotted
lines, in which position they are out of action, it being of course understood as in
the plan shown in Fig. 4. that the adjustable spring levers, 6', are located in notches
cut in the presser wheel.
In order to effect this desired automatic action of the pawls or of the spring
levers, I provide the following mechanisin or its equivalent:-F, is a lever pivoted
at, G, and having one of its ends suitably connected as indicated, or otherwise to
the sleeve, E, so that when the said bar, F, is rocked upon its pivot, G, the required
vertical adjustment is imparted to the sleeve, E, and through it the pawls or spring
bars are operated as herein before explained.
In order to provide means for regulating the distance of the vertical adjustment,
I make a siot in the lever, F, through its end opposite to that connected to the
sleeve, E. Through this slot I insert a pin, H, which is adjustable within the slot,
and is held in any desired position by a jam nut or otherwise. The end of the
pin, H, rests upon the pivoted bar, I.
As the lever. F, in this arrangement is tilted by the movement of the pivoted
bar, I, it will be understood that by the longitudinal adjustment of the pin, H, in
the slot, the movement of the lever, F, may be correspondingly increased or decreased

page_text: at will. J, is a sliding bar held in any suitable guides, K, and connected to the
bar, L, which is pivoted on a suitable bracket at, L'.
M, is a pawl pivoted on the bottom of the bar, L, immediately below the sliding
bar, J. This pawl, M, is curved as indicated, and extends over the chain, N. This
chain is fitted over the sprocket wheel, O, and is held in position by a weighted
sprocket wheel, P¹, preferably situated below the frame of the machine.
As the sprocket wheel, O, revolves, the endless chain, N, will of course travel
with it, consequently by placing a stud or studs, P, on the chain, the movement of
the lever. F, may be effected in the following manner.
As shown in the drawing the slide, J, is extended below the pivoted bar, I,
consequently the end of the lever, F, attached to the sleeve, E, is depressed, and
the pawls or spring levers thrown into action.
A spring, Oi, attached to the lever, F, is designed to draw down the end of the
lever, F, to which it is attached immediately that the sliding bar, J, which is
shown in the drawing as supporting the pivoted bar, I, is thrown out of the
position necessary to constitute the said support.
In order to explain how this action is accomplished I will assume that the
stud, P, is approaching the pawl, M. When it reaches the large end of the
pawl, M, and has passed the point where the said pawl is pivoted to the bar, L,
the small end of the pawl, M, is thrown against the bracket, R, which forms a
fulcrum for the pawl, M, and causes the said pawl, as pressed upon by the stud, P,
to push back the sliding bar, J, clear of the pivoted bar, I, which will as a
conséquence fall and thus permit the spring, K, to draw down the outer end of the
lever, F, and thereby by throwing up the opposite end of the lever, F, throw the
pawls or spring levers operated thereby into action as desired. The small end of
the pawl, M, remains in position against the bracket, R, till the stud, P, has again
made a revolution with the chain when the said stud by coming in contact with
the opposite side of the pawl, M, causes the small end of the pawl, M, to jump
over to the side remote from the bracket R, previously pushing out the sliding
bar, J, which action lifts the pivoted bar, I, and through it by tilting the lever, F
once more brings the pawls, a, or spring levers, b', out of action.
As each alteration in the position of the adjustable pawls, a, or spring levers, 6¹
alters the stitch of the knitting machine it will be understood that the number
and location of the studs, P, will produce a corresponding number of changes in
the stitches, and determine the number of rows of each style.
As a simple means of imparting a suitable movement to the sprocket wheel, O;
and through it to the chain carrying the stud, P, I place upon the cylinder of the
machine a cam plate, S, arranged to come in contact on each revolution of the
cylinder with a pin fixed to the lever, T, which is pivoted upon the post, U, and
held against the cam by the spring, V.
:
On the opposite end of the lever, T, I pivot a ratchet pawl, W, arranged to
engage with the ratchet wheel, X, fixed to or forming part of the sprocket wheel, O.
At each revolution of the needle cylinder the lever, T, is moved so as to cause
the ratchet pawl pivoted upon it to move the sprocket wheel the distance of one
ratchet tooth.
As each revolution of the needle cylinder produces one or more rows of stitches
corresponding to the number of feeders, it is only necessary to place the stud or
studs, P, in such a position on the chain that upon the number of rows desired
being completed, the said stud will come in contact with the paw), M, thereby
imparting as hereinbefore described, the required movement to throw the adjustable
pawls, a, or spring levers, b', in and out of action.
What I claim as this invention is:
1. In a loop wheel spring barb circular knitting machine, a presser. wheel
having tuck presser notches formed round it periphery, in combination with
adjustable pawls or their equivalent arranged to fit in such notches, and auto-
matically operated from some convenient moving part of the machine, for the
purpose of throwing the pawls or their equivalent in or out. of. line with the

page_text: .
periphery of the presser wheel, and changing the presser into a plain or tuck
presser as desired, and so to change the stitch without stopping the machine.
2nd. In a loop wheel spring barb circular knitting machine a disc having cut
around its periphery, tuck presser notches, in combination with a series of pawls
arranged to fit between the said notches and so operated by mechanism connected
with the moving part of the machine that at certain intervals, the said pawls shall
be thrown out on a line with, or withdrawn from the periphery of the presser
wheel substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3rd. In connection with a loop wheel spring barb circular knitting machine, a
presser wheel, A, having tuck-presser notches formed round its periphery as
specified, pawls, d, resting on the ring, f, and having hinged on the outer end of
each, a small pawl, b, while the inner end of each extends into a circular groove
formed in the sleeve, B, which is journalled on the spindle, C, and connected to the
sleeve, E, by the bolts, D, in combination with the lever, F, and flexibly connected
at one end to the sleeve, E, while its other end is connected with mechanism so
operated that at stated intervals the said lever, F, is tilted on its pivot, G, thereby
imparting to the sleeve, E, and its connection a vertical movement on the spindle, C,
for the purpose of throwing the pawls, b, in and out of action as and for the
purpose specified.
4th In connection with a loop wheel spring barb circular knitting machine, a presser
wheel having tuck presser notches formed round its periphery as specified in com-
bination with spring levers, b, fitting into the said notches and formed as specified,
on the end of spring plates, b', the opposite ends of which are rivetted to the
sleeve, E, vertically adjusted as herein described for the purpose of throwing the
spring levers, b, in and out of action substantially as hereinbefore explained.
5th In connection with a loop wheel spring barb circular knitting machine, having
adjustable pawls or spring levers arranged in connection with a tuck presser wheel,
a pivoted lever, F, one end of which is suitably connected to the adjustable pawls
or spring levers, and its other end is provided with a pin, H, held in a slot made in
the said lever so that it can be moved nearer to or farther from the fulcrum, G, of
the lever, F, for the purpose of decreasing or increasing the vertical movement of
the lever, F, when operated by the movement of the pivoted lever, I, as specified.
6th. In connection with a loop wheel spring barb circular knitting machine having
adjustable pawls or spring levers in connection with the tuck presser wheel, and
thrown in and out of action by the movement of a pivoted lever, F, a sliding bar, J,
arranged through the lever, I, to hold up the outer end of the lever, F, in com-
bination with the pivoted arm, L, connected to the sliding bar, J, and provided
with a pawl, M, pivoted to the bar, J, and so arranged that the contact of a moving
stud with the said pawl shall cause the sliding bar, J, to be thrown in or out of its
guides, K for the purpose of raising the lever, I, or permitting it to fall
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
7th In connection with a loop wheel spring barb knitting machine having
adjustable pawls or spring levers arranged in connection with the tuck presser
wheel and thrown in and out of action by the movement of a pivoted lever, a
pawl, M, pivoted upon a sliding bar, J, and extending over the sprocket wheel, O,
in combination with a stud or studs, P, fixed at certain points on the moving
chain, N, and arranged to come in contact with the said pawl, M, on the side
necessary to move the sliding bar, J, clear of the lever, I, while at the same time
setting the pawl, M, so that the stud next coming shall come in contact with the
opposite side of the pawl, M, throwing the sliding bar, J, once more below the
lever, I, and resetting the pawl for the next stud substantially as specified.
8th A cam plate, S, fixed to the needle cylinder of a knitting machine, or to any
other convenient point, and arranged so that at each revolution of the cylinder the
said cam shall come in contact with, and cause the pivoted lever, T, to rock upon
its fulcrum in combination with the pawl, W, attached to the lever, T, and
arranged to come in contact with ratchet teeth fixed to or forming part of the
sprocket wheel, O, so that upon each revolution of the needle cylinder the sprocket

page_text: wheel shall be caused to revolve a given distance substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
9th A presser wheel having formed on its surface a flange, f, for the purpose of
constituting a rocking point or fulcrum for the pawls, substantially as specified.
In witness whereof I the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set my hand
and seal this 19th day of November A.D. 1883.
H. J. HADDAN
(L.S.)