Improvements in Knitting Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 29th June, 1893-Accepted, 7th Oct., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knitting Machines.
I, EMIL JOHN FRANCK, a Citizen of the United States, residing at
No. 3809 Reno Street, Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia and State of
Pennsylvania, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to knitting machines and more particularly to so-called
circular knitting machines of the type commonly employed in the manufacture of
hosiery, underwear and other similar articles.
It is well known that the respective meshes or stitches of a knitted web are
formed or fabricated upon a knitting machine by the reciprocation of a series of
needles in the direction of their length. Hitherto a successive moverment of the
needles has been attained by the employment of needle, swing, stitch and other
cams. These cams formed a curved channel through which the bits or hubs of the
needles were caused to travel either by the movement of the support that carried
In either
the needles or by the movement of the support that carried the cams.
case the friction between the needle bits or hubs and the channel of the cams tended
to cause the needles to be shifted sidewise. Such sidewise movement of the needles
was prevented and the needles were constrained to move in the direction of their
length by the presence of rods or bars that constituted the side walls of the needle
grooves. However in practice this sidewise thrust of the needles due to the friction
that existed between the cams and the needle bits, produced considerable strain
and pressure both upon the shanks of the needles and upon the bars or rods forming
the grooves in which the needles worked. This strain and pressure caused the
shanks of the needles and the bars or rods to be rapidly worn, abraded and other-
wise injured. Such injuries rendered the needle cylinder useless in a very short
time by causing the needles to work out of alignment, thus producing or fabricating
a more or less defective fabric or web. In practice comparatively large or wide
bars or rods were employed in order to withstand the sidewise thrust or strain of
the needles due to the action of the cams upon the needle bits or hubs. However,
the employment of such bars or rods necessitated the spacing of the needles at con-
siderable distances apart, so that the meshes or stitches of the finished fabric were
coarse or large.
The principal objects of my invention are first, to obviate the above mentioned
defects and disadvantages and to provide a knitting machine in which the needles
are not subjected to a sidewise thrust or strain and consequently may be spaced
nearer together than was heretofore possible; second, to provide simple, efficient
and durable means for automatically throwing certain of the needles out of and
into operation at predetermined intervals in order to effect the narrowing, widening
or other shaping of the tube, web or fabric; and third, to construct and arrange the
parts of the machine for operation in such manner that the heels of hosiery
fabricated thereon are comparatively wide and full.
In a circular knitting machine embodying features of my invention the required
rise and fall of the needles is attained by the axial reciprocation of the respective
sections that comprise a sectional needle cylinder. In connection with the sectional
needle cylinder use may be made of automatic mechanism for throwing one of the
sections of the needle cylinder out of and into action, and of devices for attaching
and detaching the fashioning needles to or from the continuously operated section
or sections of the needle cylinder in order to effect the requisite widening, narrowing
or other shaping of the web or fabric.

page_text: Diy invention comprises a knitting machine provided with needles and a sectional
needle cylinder for operating said needles.
My invention further comprises a knitting machine provided with needles, a
sectional needle cylinder for operating said needles, and devices for throwing one
of the sections of the needle cylinder out of action.
My invention further comprises a knitting machine provided with needles, a
sectional needle-cylinder for operating said needles, devices for detachably con-
necting the needles and cylinder and mechanism for automatically actuating,
reversing and releasing said members to effect the widening and narrowing of the
fabric or web; and
My invention further comprises the improvements in knitting machines hereinafter
described and claimed.
The nature, scope and characteristic features of my invention will be more fully
understood from the following description taken in connection with the accom-
panying drawings forming part hereof; and in which
Figure 1, is a side elevation of a knitting machine embodying features of my
invention.
Fig. 2, is an elevation of the right hand end of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1,
showing the gear-wheel in dotted lines in order to expose certain other of the
working parts to view.
Fig. 3, is an elevation of the left hand end of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, is a top or plan view of the sinker-head, sinker-bars, thread-carrier,
needles and their accessories.
Fig. 5, is a similar view partly in section showing the sinker-head removed in
order to illustrate the needle cylinder, strippers and their accessories.
Fig. 6, is a diagrammatic view showing the needles detachably connected with
the sectional needle cylinder and divided into two sets, whereof one has long and
the other short bits or hubs.
Fig. 7, is a vertical sectional view of the front portion of the needle cylinder
stripper mechanism and sinker-head drawn to an enlarged scale and taken on the
line 7-7, of Figs. 4 and 5.
Fig. 8, is a view of a sector of the sinker-head, showing means for adjusting the
throw of the sinker-cam.
Fig. 9, is a vertical sectional view of the right hand portion of the needle
cylinder, and sinker-head taken on the line 9-9, of Figs. 4 and 5, and showing an
instep needle and a section of the ring for operating a stripper.
Fig. 10, is a vertical section taken on the line 10-10, of Fig. 6, and showing an
elevation of one of the detachable needles having short bits.
Fig. 11, is a perspective view illustrating diagrammatically the manner in which
the stitches are completed and thrown off.
Fig. 12, is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12, of Fig. 13, illustrating a
modified form of automatic mechanism for controlling the fashioning needles; and
Fig. 13, is a top or plan view partly in section of the modified form of automatic
mechanism illustrated in Fig. 12.
In the drawings the standards a and a', tie-rods a², and bed-plate a³, constitute
the main frame of the machine. The bed-plate a³, is provided with a circular
depending flange or rim a', that supports a second circular flange or rim a', disposed
concentrically in respect to the flange or rim a, through the intervention of a
slotted ring or annulus a". The needle cylinder is divided axially into sections; in
the present instance, into two sections band b', that are adapted to work upwards
and downwards between the rims or flanges a¹ and a³. In practice the needle
cylinder is divided by means of a wide saw or other cutting tool, and the spaces
thus formed between the sections band 6, are filled up with feathers 63 and 63,
dove-tailed or otherwise secured to the inner rim or flange a³. These feathers b²
and 63, not only serve as guides for the sections band, but also constitute the
side walls of certain of the needle-grooves that would otherwise be unduly cut away
during the operation of dividing the needle cylinder. c, is a circular sinker-bed or

page_text: frame carried above the bed-plate a³, by means of curved posts c¹, and provided
with radial slots 2, in which the sinker-bars c³ work. c, is a sinker-gear mounted
upon the sinker-bed or frame c, and revolubly connected therewith by means of a
ring, engaging the underside of the sinker-frame c, and detachably connected
with the sinker-gear c¹, by means of screws c. The sinker-gear c¹, carries a thread
carrier c', and is provided upon its under side with a cam groove c³, that engages
projections c, on the sinker-bars c³, and thus causes the sinker-bars to be recipro-
cated in the direction of their length. The needles may be provided with latches
or spring beards and are carried by the respective sections of the needle cylinder.
The needles that are always in operation are preferably clamped to place, whereas
the fashioning needles, i.e. the needles that are sometimes thrown out of action, are
detachably connected with the sectional needle cylinder. Moreover all the needles
are guided by means of slots a', cut or otherwise formed in the flaring or trumpet-
shaped upper portion of the rim a', and co-operate with the rim co, of the sinker-
frame that serves as a presser ring in closing and opening the needles. In the
present instance the needles d, Fig. 9, are provided with hubs d¹, that are inserted
into apertures drilled or otherwise formed in an off-set portion, of the needle
cylinder. 2, is a curved segmental plate or ring secured to the needle cylinder by
means of screws d³, and provided with a corrugated leather covered face d', adapted
to engage the needles d, and clamp the same to place. The needles are always
in operation and when worn out or otherwise injured may be removed and replaced
by new needles by the simple operation of removing the curved plate or ring d².
e, Fig. 7, are the fashioning needles, that is, the needles which are sometimes
thrown out of action. These fashioning needles e, are provided with bits or hubs e¹,
and with curved extremities e², which constitute a spring catch for detachably
engaging a curved segmental ring or plate d³, secured to the needle cylinder. The
needles e, are mounted in needle grooves e³, cut or otherwise formed in the needle
cylinder and adapted for their reception.
Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the instep needles comprise a group f, of rigid
needles d, the heel needles comprise a group f', of similar needles and the fashioning
This arrangement
needles comprise groups f2 and 3, of the detachable needles e.
of the fast and detachable needles is especially adapted for the production of hosiery
and is advantageous in that the formation of unnecessary needle grooves e, in the
needle cylinder is avoided. However, if preferred, the needles of the machine may
be detachably connected with the needle cylinder as shown in Figs. 6 and 10. In
such case the bits or hubs e, Figs. 6 and 10, of the heel and instep needles f¹ and f,
are shorter than the bits or hubs of the fashioning needles 2 and 3, (the latter
being omitted in Fig. 6,) and the ring da, extends around the respective sections
of the needle cylinder into position for engaging all the needles. g and g¹, are
strippers adapted to be shifted into range of the bits or hubs e¹, of the fashioning
needles in order to detach the same from the needle cylinder, and out of range of
the bits or hubs e¹, in order to permit the fashioning needles to rise and fall with
the needle cylinder. hand h¹, are carriages provided with peripheral racks h²
and ³, and afforded a range of travel in ways ht, cut or otherwise formed in the
top surface of the bed-plate a³. h³, are screws inserted into the underside of the
carriages h and ¹, and having their shanks adapted to work in curved slots 6, cut
or otherwise formed in the bed-plate a³, in order to prevent accidental displacement
of the carriages in an upward direction. ', are dish-shaped spring washers inter-
posed between the heads of the screws, and the underside of the bed-plate a³, in
order to prevent accidental movement of the carriages h and h¹. ³, is a buffer
projecting upwards from the bed-plate a³, into position for limiting the range of
travel of the carriages. The upper faces of the carriages and h¹, are provided
with curved ways h³, in which lips g, projecting from the underside of the
strippers 9 and g³, are adapted to work. The strippers g and g¹, are provided with
slots g³, adapted for the reception of spiral springs s, having one of their respective
extremities connected with the strippers 9 and gl, by means of screws 9, and having
the other of their extremities connected with the carriages h and h, by means of
g

page_text: screws 10. These springs s, are retained to place by cover plates g³, and afford
means for permitting the carriages h and h¹, to advance for a short distance while
the strippers 9 and 9', remain at rest. This is important because it sometimes
happens that the strippers collide with the side portion of a fashioning needle bit
or hub by reason of the improper timing of the operations of the machine. In such
case the springs, yields and the stripper remains at rest while the carriage is
advanced, so that the fashioning needle bit or hub is not broken, bent or otherwise
injured. Subsequently the needle bit is removed out of range of the stripper by
the further operation of the machine, whereupon the spring s, causes the stripper to
be again shifted in position for passing over and holding down the bits or hubs of
the succeeding fashioning needles.
In fabricating a circular web or tube, the sections 6 and 61, of the needle cylinder,
are alternately lifted and depressed, and the thread carrier c', and sinker-cam c³,
are revolved continuously in one direction through the intervention of suitable
mechanism, a preferred form of which will be hereinafter described. These
movements are timed in such manner that as the thread carrier approaches the
outside needle of the section b, the same is elevated into position for permitting the
yarn or thread to be laid under the spring beard of said needle, as shown at B
Fig. 11. The sinker-bar corresponding to said needle is drawn outward from the
center of the needle cylinder during the insertion of the thread or yarn beneath the
spring beard thereof, as shown at B', and is subsequently thrust forward towards
the center of the cylinder, as shown at B1 and B2, and thus engages the yarn or
thread and pushes the same inward past the needle to form the stitch, it being
understood that the sinker-bar holds the thread or yarn in such position while the
thread is being laid onto the rest of the needles that are carried by the section b.
As the thread carrier approaches the center needles of the section b, as shown
at B', the latter is constantly being elevated, the thread is being inserted beneath
the spring beards of the needles, and the sinker-bars appertaining to the needles
are projected forwards towards the center of the needle cylinder one after another
and as soon as the thread has been laid onto the needles to which they appertain.
After the thread carrier passes the center of the section b, and while it is
approaching the opposite extremity thereof, the section b, is being depressed as
shown at B3. During the depression of the section b, the thread is laid onto the
remaining needles thereof and is pushed inward towards the center of the cylinder
and held in such position by means of the sinker-bars, as shown at B2, which for
this purpose are successively operated in the manner hereinabove described. The
thread carrier and sinker-bars then lay the thread or yarn onto the needles of the
section b¹, in precisely the manner above described with reference to the section b.
While the thread or yarn is being laid onto the needles of the section b, the
section, is depressed with the result that the spring beards of the needles carried
thereby are closed by contacting with the periphery of the rim clo, of the sinker-
bed c, as shown at B³, in precisely the same manner as they would be closed by a
presser ring, so that the thread is drawn by means of the closed beards over the
fingers a³, and through the loops of the previously formed course of stitches of the
web, as shown at B, and these loops escape over the closed spring beards as at B³.
The repetition of the above described operations results in the production of a
knitted tube, which is held down by means of fingers a³, and which is fed away
from the machine through the interior of the needle cylinder. The size of the
stitches or meshes of this web may be increased or diminished by adjusting the
throw of the sinker-bars c³. This result is attained by making the operative
portion c", of the sinker-cam 8, adjustable radially in respect to the center of the
sinker-gear e. For this purpose the portion e, of the gear that carries the
operative part c", of the sinker-cam c³, is made separate and is afforded a range of
movement in a slot 13, cut or otherwise formed in the sinker-gear. c, is a plate
rigidly connected with the portion c¹², of the gear c', and adapted to rest upon the
portions of the gear that are adjacent to the slot c¹³. c16, are set-screws having
their shanks working in slots in the plate e¹, in such manner that the same may be

page_text: adjusted backwards or forwards and then clamped to place. The thread carrier c²,
is also connected with the portion c¹², of the gear e, and consequently is maintained
in proper position in respect to the operative portion e12, of the sinker-cam. The
portions of the sinker-cam 8, that are contiguous to the open extremities of the
operative portion ell thereof, are slightly expauded as at c¹, in order to avoid
the presentation of sharp corners and ensure the free passage of the projections of
the sinker-bars 3, through the groove of the sinker-cam.
In knitting a flat web one section ', of the needle cylinder is permitted to rise
and fall and the other section b, is thrown out of action. The sinker-gear c, is
then caused to oscillate first in one direction and then in the other, in order to
cause the thread carrier c', to present the thread backwards and forwards to the
needles of the section ', and also to cause the sinker-bars 3, to properly press the
thread under the spring beards of the same. The flat web may be narrowed by
shifting the strippers g and g', towards the left in Fig. 5 into position for passing
above the hubs or bits e¹, of the needles e, as shown in Fig. 7, so that when the
section ', rises such needles are prevented from rising with it, and are consequently
held out of action. The strippers g and g', may be gradually shifted towards the
left with an intermittent motion, in which case the web is gradually narrowed.
The web may be widened out again to its full or normal width by shifting the
strippers g and g', towards the right in Fig. 5, thus releasing the bits or hubs e', of
the needles and permitting the curved portions e² thereof to engage the ring d³, as
shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7, whereby the needles are permitted to rise and fall
with the section b. The machine illustrated in the drawings is especially arranged
for the production of hosiery and is provided with seventy-two needles, whereof
thirty comprise the instep needles f, twelve the heel needles, and fifteen each of
the sets 2 and 3, of fashioning needles, so that forty-two needles are available for
fabricating the heel portions of the hosiery, whereby the formation of full and wide
heel portions is insured.
The sections band ', of the needle cylinder, the sinker-gear, and carriages h
and ', may be automatically operated and controlled in substantially the manner
above pointed out by means of various types of mechanism. However, a description
will now be given of one type of mechanism that has been found practically efficient
for such purpose.
i and i, are positively driven pulleys, whereof one i, is of larger diameter than
the other, in order to impart two different rates of speed to the machine. The
pulley i, serves to drive the machine at a comparatively high rate of speed during
the formation of a tubular web, and the pulley i', serves to drive the machine at a
comparatively slow rate of speed during the operations of widening and narrowing
a flat web. , is the main driving shaft of the machine and is revolubly supported
in bearings, carried by the standards a and a'. This shaft j, is provided with one
tight pulley, and with two loose pulleys j³ and j. 2, is a belt appertaining to the
pulley i, and adapted to normally ride on the loose pulley 73. This belt 2, may be
shifted onto the tight pulley 2, and in such case serves to drive the main shaft j, at
a comparatively high rate of speed. It may be remarked that the pulley i, is
provided with a flange 3, that serves to prevent the belt from running off the same
when it is in engagement with the tight pulley . 4, is a belt appertaining to the
pulley, and adapted to normally ride on the loose pulley. This belt it, may be
shifted onto the tight pulley, and in such case serves to drive the main shaft j, at
a comparatively low rate of speed. k, is a counter-shaft revolubly supported in
bearings k¹, carried by the standards a', and by a bracket k², depending from the
rim or flange a, of the bed-plate a³. This counter-shaft k, carries a gear-wheel k³,
that meshes with and drives the sinker-gear c*. It has been stated that when both
the sections 6 and 6', of the needle cylinder are in operation, the sinker-gear c*,
nakes complete revolutions and that when only the section b', is in operation the
sinker-gear ', is reciprocated backwards and forwards. These results are accom-
plished by means of the following parts. 1, is an eccentric keyed or otherwise
secured to the main shaft j. 1, is a socket pivotally attached to a lug 12, that is

page_text: connected with the section, and adapted to work in a suitable slot cut or
otherwise formed in the ring a. 13, is an eccentric strap provided with a socket 1.
15, is a link having its respective extremities provided with threads of opposite pitch
adapted to engage corresponding threads in the sockets and , so that the
section b', of the cylinder may be adjusted upwards or downwards by the simple
operation of turning the link, in one direction or the other as may be required.
16, is a jam-nut for locking the link ³, to place in its socket. The eccentric 7, serves
to continuously lift and depress the section 6, of the needle cylinder, which is
advantageous because some of the needles of the section bi, are in operation during
the formation of a tube and also of a shaped flat web. m, is a sleeve revolubly
mounted upon the main shaft j, and provided with a sprocket-wheel m¹, and an
eccentric m². The eccentric m², actuates the section, of the needle cylinder
through the instrumentality of an adjustable link and its accessories which are
exactly similar to the link and accessories of the eccentric, and which are con-
sequently designated by the same reference letters. k, is a sprocket-wheel
revolubly mounted on the counter-shaft k. m³, is a sprocket-chain engaging the
sprocket wheels k' and m'. and, are friction clutches respectively splined to
the shafts j and k, and adapted to engage the sleeve m, and sprocket-wheel k*, in
order to cause the rotary motion of the shaft j, to impart a reciprocating movement
to the section 4, of the needle cylinder, and a rotary motion to the counter-shaft k.
The rotation of the counter-shaft k, causes the gear 3, to drive the sinker-gear c*,
and with it the thread carrier c', around the needles of the machine, with the result
that a knitted tube is produced in the manner hereinabove indicated. o, is a sleeve
revolubly mounted upon the shaft, and provided with an eccentric o', and a tappet
arın o², is a pinion revolubly mounted upon the shaft k, and provided with
circular side plates or flanges 4. 0³, is an arm connected at one extremity thereof
by means of a strap o', with the eccentric o', and provided at the other extremity
with a slot o', for the reception of the pinion . 06, is a rack cut or otherwise
formed upon one of the interior walls of the slot o, and adapted to mesh with the
pinion, are lips adapted to ride on the circular side plates or flanges 4º, in
order to guide the upper end of the arm o³, and to insure the proper clearance
between the teeth of the rack o, and of the pinion . p, is a ring afforded a range
of reciprocating motion in suitable ways p', cut or otherwise formed upon the upper
surface of the bed-plate a³. 1, are screws connected with the bed-plate a³, and
working in slots p³, in the ring p, in order to prevent the same from being
accidentally lifted upwards. and p, are pawis pivotally connected with the
underside of the ring p, and adapted to work in slots p, cut or otherwise formed
for their reception in the bed-plate a³. The pawls p and, are provided
respectively with two teeth and 78, adapted to mesh with the teeth of the
peripheral racks of the carriages h and h', so that when the ring p, is reciprocated
backwards and forwards the teeth, may serve to shift the carriages and h
towards the left in Fig. 5, and the teeth, may serve to shift the carriages h
and ', towards the right in said figure. q, is a tappet-rod centrally pivoted to the
right hand standard a', and having one extremity thereof bifurcated and provided
with rollers disposed in range of the tappet-arm o³, and having the other extremity
thereof located between pins p, projecting radially from the periphery of the
ring p.
When the clutches n and n', are shifted into engagement with the sleeve o,
and pinion ko, the sleeve m and sprocket-wheel k+, are thrown out of action, and the
rotary motion of the shaft j, causes the rock-shaft k, to be oscillated first in one
direction and then in the other through the intervention of the arm o³, and its
accessories, and also causes the ring p, to be oscillated backwards and forwards
through the intervention of the tappet-rod q. It being understood that the
section b, of the needle cylinder is thrown out of action by the release of the
sleeve m.
Under these circumstances the section b', of the needle cylinder, is
impelled upwards and downwards, the sinker-gear c', and thread carrier c', are
oscillated backwards and forwards, and the ring p, and pawls p* and p³, are also
oscillated backwards and forwards, and these movements of the above mentioned

page_text: parts are adapted to effect the production of a flat knitted web. This web may be
narrowed by turning the pawls p and p into position for permitting the teeth p', to
drive the carriages and h', towards the left in Fig. 5, whereby the strippers g
and g¹, are caused to engage the bits or hubs of the groups 2 and 3, of the
fashioning needles and thus throw the latter out of action. These fashioning needles
may be again thrown into action in order to permit of the widening of the web by
shifting the pawls p and p, into position for permitting the teeth p, to drive the
carriages and, and strippers and g', in a reverse direction, .e. towards the
right in Fig. 5. The position of the pawls pt and p³, is controlled by means of
arms and, carried by a frame-work, afforded a range of sliding movement in
suitable bearings, carried by the under surface and edges of the bed-plate a³.
The position of the clutches and ', frame-work, and belts and, and
consequently the speed of the machine and character of the resultant product are
automatically controlled through the instrumentality of suitable mechanism, of
which a preferred type will now be described. ., is a rod afforded a range of end
play in suitable bearings t¹, formed in the standards a and a¹. uand u¹, are levers
centrally pivoted to suitable brackets carried by the right hand standard a¹, Fig. 1,
and having one of their extremities connected with the rod t, by means of slotted
connections, and having the other of their extremities adapted respectively to
simultaneously shift the clutches n and n', in the same direction. 7, is a belt
shipper carried by the other end of the rod t, and adapted to bring the belts 2
and successively into engagement with the tight pulley. When the rod t, is
shifted towards the right in Fig. 1, the belt, drives the shaft j, at a comparatively
high rate of speed, and the shaft j, operates the sections and, of the needle
cylinder, and the sinker-gear e, in such manner that a tube is rapidly knit. When
the rod t, is shifted towards the left, the belt, drives the shaft j, at a comparatively
low rate of speed and the shaft j, operates the section 1, of the needle cylinder,
reciprocates the sinker-gear and its accessories, and causes the strippers and g¹,
to throw fashioning needles into or out of operation, with the result that a flat web
is fabricated and shaped. It may be remarked that the belts and i, are both
brought onto the loose pulleys before either of them can be brought into engage-
ment with the tight pulley, whereby undue shocks and jars that might arise from
a sudden reversal of the direction of motion of the counter shaft k, and parts
connected therewith, are avoided. v, is a pattern chain feed wheel revolubly
mounted upon a stud ol, carried by the left hand standard a, in Fig. 1. 2 is a dish-
shaped spring washer for preventing retrograde motion of the pattern chain wheel v.
v, is a spring controlled pawl actuated by an eccentric e', keyed to the shaft j, and
adapted to rotate the pattern chain feed-wheel with a positive continuous motion.
w, is a ratchet-wheel revolubly mounted upon the stud v. w', is a spring controlled
pawl adapted to mesh with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel w, and to work in
peripheral recesses w³, therein, so that the ratchet-wheel w, is driven forward by
the pawl w', until the latter falls into one of the recesses w³, whereupon the ratchet-
wheel comes to rest. x, is a pattern-chain carried by a suitable drum connected
with the feed-wheel v, and provided with sidewise projecting pins a¹, adapted to
contact with suitable projections w³, on the inner face of the ratchet-wheel w, in
order to rotate the latter and thus bring the pawl ', out of the recesses into
engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, so that the ratchet-wheel w, is
advanced for a certain distance, then permitted to come to rest, and then advanced
again. w, are wedge-shaped pieces projecting from the respective faces of the
ratchet-wheel w, into range of pins 24, depending from the frame work 2. These
wedge-shaped pieces w, by contacting with one or the other of the pins 4, serve to
shift the frame-work, and with it the forks r and r', in one direction or the other,
thus causing the pawls p and p, to drive the carriages and and strippers g
and y', towards the right or left in Fig. 5, as may be required. y, is a cam carried
by the ratchet-wheel w, and adapted to shift the rod t, towards the right or left in
Fig. 1, through the instrumentality of a cam-lever z, pivotally connected with a

page_text: bracket 2, carried by the standard a, of the machine and connected with the rod t,
by a slotted connection Inasmuch as substantially all of the working parts are
located between the standards a and a', it follows that the machine presents an
exceedingly neat and compact appearance.
For the sake of a further explanation of my invention, a description will now be
given of the mode of operation of the hereinabove described machine in the production
of hosiery, but it must be borne in mind that a machine embodying features of the
invention may be advantageously employed in the production of other articles.
The leg or tubular portion of the stocking is produced by the alternate elevation
and depression of the sections band b, of the needle cylinder, in connection with
the revolution of the sinker-gear and its accessories. During this operation the
machine is driven at a comparatively high rate of speed by means of the belt 2 and
its complemental pulleys. It being understood that the ratchet wheel w, and ring p,
are at rest and that the pattern chain feed wheel v, is in motion.
Upon the completion of the leg portion of the stocking, the pattern-chain .c,
advances the ratchet-wheel w, into gear with the pawl w', whereby the ratchet-
wheel w, is continuously advanced. This motion of the ratchet-wheel w,
and cam y, causes the rod t, to be shifted towards the left in Fig. 1, with
the following results:-The belt, is shifted onto the loose pulley, and the
belt, is shifted onto the tight pulley 2, the sprocket-chain m³, and section b, of
the needle cylinder are thrown out of action, and the ring p, and sinker-gear c³, are
oscillated backwards and forwards. Under these circumstances a flat web destined
to constitute the heel portion of the stocking is formed. During the formation of
the heel portion of the stocking, one of the wedge-shaped pieces w, on the outer
face of the ratchet-wheel w, collides with its corresponding pin 4, and thus serves
to shift the frame-work 2, towards the left in Figs. 1 and 5, whereby the teeth p7,
are brought into position for driving the carriages and ', and strippers and g¹,
alternately towards the left in Fig. 5, whereby a fashioning needle appertaining to
the group, is thrown out of action, then a fashioning needle appertaining to the
group, and so on, first throwing out a fashioning needle on one side and then on
the other at the formation of each course of stitches, until only the heel needles f',
remain in action. The continued revolution of the ratchet-wheel w, causes a wedge-
shaped piece w³, on the inside face thereof to shift the frame-work r², towards the
right in Fig. 5, whereby the pawls p and p³, are brought into position for permitting
the teeth p³, to drive the carriages and, and strippers g and g', towards the
right in Fig. 5, thus causing the fashioning needles to be released singly and
successively, first on one side and then on the other at each course or row of
stitches, until the web is brought out to its full width. The rod t, is then shifted
towards the left in Fig. 1, and the pawl w', works in another one of the peripheral
recesses of the wheel w, so that the tubular foot portion of the stocking is formed
in substantially the same manner as the leg portion thereof. The toe portion of
the stocking is then formed on the needles of the section b', of the needle cylinder,
which for this purpose is permitted to operate by itself, the section b, of the needle
cylinder, being thrown out of action by the revolution of the wheel w, and in
substantially the manner hereinabove set forth in connection with the production
of the heel portion. The stocking may then be removed and finished for use in any
preferred manner.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates that
modifications may be made in details of construction and arrangement without
departing from the spirit thereof, for example, the needle cylinder may be divided
into more than two sections, and the fashioning needles may be stripped from the
needle cylinder by means of jacks A, Figs. 12 and 13, working in radially disposed
grooves in the bed plate a³, and provided with bits A', operated by cam grooves A²,
in the underside of the carriages A³, in such manner that as the carriages are
shifted through the intervention of their complemental pawls, the jacks are
projected above the bits of the fashioning needles or are withdrawn from such

page_text: position according as the needles are to be thrown out of or into action. Hence
my invention is not limited to the exact construction and arrangement of parts
hereinabove set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings; but
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 a knitting machine, needles and a sectional needle cylinder for operating
said needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder for
operating said needles, and means for reciprocating the sections of said cylinder,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder for
operating said needles, positively driven eccentrics, and link-work interposed
between said eccentrics and the sections of the cylinder, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
4. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder for
operating said needles, a positively driven shaft, and means interposed between the
shaft and sections of the cylinder for reciprocating the latter, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
5. In a knitting machine, needles, two concentric rims forming ways, and means
for actuating the sections of the needle cylinder, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
6. In a knitting machine, needles, two concentric rims forming ways, feathers
projecting from one of said rims, a sectional needle cylinder working in said ways
and between said feathers, and means for actuating the sections of the needle
cylinder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. In a knitting machine, an exterior rim, an interior rim provided with guide
slots, a sectional needle cylinder intermediate of said rims, means for reciprocating
the sections of the needle cylinder, and needles carried by said sections and working
in the guide slots of the interior rim, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
8. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a sectional ring for
engaging said needles, and means for reciprocating the complemental sections of
the cylinder and ring, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
9. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and its complemental
actuating mechanism, needles carried by the respective sections of the cylinder,
sinkers, and a cam provided with an adjustable section for increasing or diminishing
the throw of the sinkers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
10. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and its complemental
actuating mechanism, needles carried by the respective sections of the cylinder,
sinkers, and means for actuating the sinkers, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
11. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and its complemental
actuating mechanism, spring-beard needles carried by the respective sections of
said cylinder, a sinker-bed provided with a lip adapted to serve as a presser ring
for said needles, sinkers, and means for actuating said sinkers, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
12. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and its complemental
actuating mechanism, spring-beard needles carried by the respective sections of
said cylinder and a bed provided with a lip adapted to serve as a presser ring for
said needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
13. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles provided with
spring catches for engaging the needle cylinder, and means for actuating the
sections of the needle cylinder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
14. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for alternately
reciprocating the sections of said cylinder, a set of needles carried by each of the
}

page_text: sections of the needle cylinder, and a thread carrier adapted to co-operate with
each set of needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
15. A knitting machine comprising a sectional needle cylinder, means for lifting
and depressing the sections of said cylinder, needles, a thread carrier, sinkers, and
means for actuating said sinkers and thread-carrier, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
16. A knitting machine comprising concentric rims, a sectional needle cylinder
intermediate of said rims, means for lifting and depressing the sections of said
cylinder, spring-beard needles, a thread-carrier, a presser, sinkers, and means for
actuating said sinkers and thread-carrier, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
17. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for actuating the
sections of said cylinder, a sectional ring carried by the needle cylinder, and needles
respectively provided with bits and curved extremities for engaging said ring,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
18. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles detachably applied
to the sections of said cylinder, and means for lifting and depressing said sections,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
19. In a knitting machine, needles provided with bits or hubs, a sectional needle
cylinder provided with apertures for the reception of needle bits or hubs, a ring for
clamping the needles to place, and means for lifting and depressing said sections,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
20. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder provided with apertures
for the reception of needle bits or hubs, a ring provided with a corrugated leather
covered face for clamping said needles, and means for lifting and depressing said
sections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
21. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles carried by the
respective sections of said cylinder, mechanism for actuating the sections of the
cylinder, and means for throwing the actuating mechanism of one of said sections
out of action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
22. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles carried by the
respective sections of said cylinder, a thread-carrier, devices for rotating and
reciprocating said thread-carrier, mechanism for actuating the sections of the
cylinder, and means for throwing the actuating mechanism of one of the sections out
of action and for reversing the direction of motion of the thread-carrier, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
23. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles carried by the
respective sections of said cylinder, mechanism for actuating the sections of the
cylinder, means for throwing one of said sections out of action, a revoluble sinker-
head provided with sinkers and a thread-carrier, and means for rotating and
oscillating said sinker-head, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
24. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a positively driven
shaft, link-motions interposed between said shaft and the respective sections of the
cylinder, and means for throwing the link-motion appertaining to one of said
sections out of action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
25. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a positively
driven shaft, an eccentric keyed to said shaft and adapted to operate one section of
said cylinder, an eccentric loose on said shaft and adapted to operate the other
section of said cylinder, and a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said loose
eccentric and shaft, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
26. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a main-shaft, link-
motions interposed between the shaft and the respective sections of the cylinder,
means for throwing one of the link-motions out of action, high and low speed power
appliances, and a shipper for controlling the power appliances and actuating the
means for throwing the last mentioned link-motion out of action, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
27. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a main-shaft,

page_text: link-motions interposed between said shaft and the respective sections of the
cylinder, means for throwing the link-motion appertaining to one of said sections
out of action, and power appliances for driving said shaft at high and low rates of
speed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
28. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a main-shaft,
link-work interposed between the sections of the cylinder and main-shaft, one tight
and two loose pulleys on said shaft, high and low speed belts and their complemental
driving pulleys and a shipper for shifting said belts and throwing the link-work
appertaining to one of the sections of the needle cylinder out of action, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
29. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a main-shaft,
link-work interposed between the sections of the cylinder and main-shaft, one tight
and two loose pulleys on said shaft, high and low speed belts and their complemental
driving pulleys, a shipper for shifting said belts and throwing the link-work
appertaining to one section of the needle cylinder out of action, and means
automatically actuating said shipper, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
30. In a knitting machine, two concentric rims and a slotted ring forming ways,
a sectional needle cylinder working in said ways, lugs connected with the respective
sections of said cylinder and working in the slots of said ring, a positively driven
shaft and link-work operated by the shaft and connected with the lugs, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
31. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a positively
driven shaft, eccentrics on said shaft, links interposed between the eccentrics and
the sections of the needle cylinder, and a clutch for throwing one of said eccentrics
out of action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
32. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a positively driven
shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between said shaft and the respective sections
of the needle cylinder, a clutch for throwing the actuating mechanism of one of
the sections of the cylinder out of gear, a shipper for shifting said clutch, a
cam-wheel for actuating said shipper, and mechanism interposed between said shaft
and cam-wheel for intermittently rotating the latter, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
33. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a positively driven
shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between said shaft and the respective sections
of the needle cylinder, a shipper for throwing the actuating mechanism of one of
the sections of the cylinder out of gear, a cam-wheel for actuating said shipper, and
mechanism interposed between said shaft and cam-wheel for intermittently rotating
the latter, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
34. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a positively driven
shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between said shaft and the respective
sections of the needle cylinder, a clutch for throwing the actuating mechanism
of one of the sections of the cylinder out of gear, a shipper for shifting said clutch,
a ratchet-wheel provided with a cam for operating said shipper, a pawl driven by
said shaft and adapted to mesh with the teeth of said ratchet-wheel and to work in
peripheral recesses therein and a pattern chain and its complemental feed mechanism
for intermittently shifting the ratchet-wheel to bring said pawl into engagement
with the teeth thereof, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
35. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a positively driven
main shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between the sections of the cylinder
and main-shaft, a shipper for throwing the actuating mechanism appertaining to one
of the sections out of gear, a ratchet-wheel provided with a cam for operating said
shipper, a pawl actuated by the main shaft and adapted to mesh with the teeth of
said ratchet-wheel and to work in peripheral recesses, and a pattern-chain and its
complemental feed mechanism for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel to cause
the engagement of said pawl with the teeth thereof, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
36. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and its complemental

page_text: operating mechanism, needles tending to engage the needle cylinder, and means for
preventing the engagement of certain of said needles, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
37. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanism for operating
the sections of said cylinder, devices for throwing one of said sections out of
operation, needles tending to engage the needle cylinder and means for preventing
the engagement of certain of said needles, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
38. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanism for continuously
operating one of the sections of said cylinder and for intermittently operating the
other section thereof, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously
operated section, needles applied to the other section, and means for engaging and
releasing the fashioning needles to throw the same into and out of action,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
39. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
operating a certain section of said cylinder, fashioning needles tending to engage
portions of the continuously operated section, needles intermediate of the fashioning
needles, and means for restraining and releasing the fashioning needles, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
40. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanism for operating
the sections of said cylinder, needles tending to engage said sections, and a stripper
for engaging the bits or hubs of certain of said needles, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
41. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanism for operating
the sections of said cylinder, two sets of needles normally carried by said sections
and provided respectively with long and short bits or hubs, and a stripper for
engaging the long bits or hubs, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
42. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for operating the
sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles having spring-catches for engaging the
needle cylinder, and a stripper for engaging and releasing the fashioning needles,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
43. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
operating one of the sections of said needle cylinder, a thread-carrier and mechanism
for reciprocating the thread-carrier in respect to the needles of the continuously
operated section, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
44. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, means for
continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, a thread-carrier, a
counter-shaft, miter gearing interposed between the counter-shaft and thread-carrier,
and means for reciprocating said counter-shaft, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
45. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, means for
continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, a thread-carrier, a
counter-shaft, miter gearing interposed between the counter-shaft and thread-
carrier, a positively driven shaft, sprocket gearing interposed between said shafts,
an arm provided with a rack and oscillated by the positively driven shaft, a pinion
on the counter-shaft engaging said arm, and means for throwing the sprocket-
gearing and arm out of and into action, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
46. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, means for
continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, a sinker head and its
accessories, a counter-shaft, gearing interposed between the counter-shaft and
sinker-head, a positively driven shaft, an arm oscillated by the positively driven
shaft and provided with a rack and cheeks, and a pinion on the counter-shaft
provided with flanges and engaging said armı, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
47. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, means for
continuously operating one of the sections of the cylinder, a sinker-head and its

page_text: complemental sinkers, a thread-carrier applied to the sinker-head, and mechanism
for reciprocating the sinker-head in respect to the needles of the continuously
operated section, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
48. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
operating one of the sections of said cylinder, needles, a thread-carrier, a counter-
shaft and its complemental gearing for actuating the thread-carrier, a positively
driven main shaft, two sets of connections interposed between the positively driven
main shaft and counter-shaft and respectively adapted to rotate and oscillate the
counter-shaft, clutches for controlling said sets of connections, a shipper and
link-work for operating said clutches, a ratchet-wheel provided with a cam for
actuating the shipper, and means connected with the main shaft for intermittently
rotating said ratchet-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
49. In a knitting machine, needles, means for operating said needles, a thread-
carrier, a counter-shaft and its complemental gearing for actuating the thread-carrier,
a positively driven main shaft, two sets of connections interposed between the
positively driven and counter shafts and respectively adapted to rotate and to
oscillate the counter-shaft, clutches for controlling said sets of connections, a
shipper and link-work for operating said clutches, a ratchet-wheel provided with a
cam for actuating the link-work, and means connected with the main-shaft for
intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
50. In a knitting machine, needles, means for operating said needles, a thread-
carrier, a positively driven shaft, two sets of connections actuated by said shaft and
adapted respectively to rotate and oscillate said thread-carrier, clutches for
controlling said sets of connections, link-work for operating the clutches, a ratchet-
wheel provided with a cam for actuating said link-work, a pawl actuated by said
shaft and adapted to engage the teeth of said ratchet-wheel and to work in recesses
between said teeth, a pattern-chain for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel,
and continuous feed mechanism for said pattern-chain, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
51. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
operating one of the sections of said cylinder, needles, a thread-carrier, a counter-
shaft and its complemental gears for actuating the thread-carrier, a positively
driven main shaft, two sets of connections interposed between the positively driven
and counter shafts and respectively adapted to rotate and oscillate the counter-
shaft, clutches for controlling said sets of connections, link-work for operating said
clutches, a ratchet-wheel provided with a cam for actuating said link-work, a pawl
actuated by said main shaft and adapted to engage the teeth of said ratchet-wheel
and to work in peripheral recesses, a pattern-chain for intermittently rotating said
ratchet-wheel, and continuous feed mechanism for said pattern-chain, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
52. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
operating one of the sections of said cylinder, needles, a thread carrier, a
positively driven shaft, two sets of connections actuated by said shaft and adapted
respectively to rotate and oscillate said thread-carrier, clutches for controlling said
sets of connections, link-work for operating said clutches, a ratchet-wheel for
actuating said link-work, a pawl actuated by said shaft and adapted to engage the
teeth of said ratchet-wheel and to work in recesses between said teeth, a pattern-
chain for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel, and continuous feed mechanism
for said pattern-chain, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
53. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, a sinker-head
provided with a thread carrier, a counter-shaft and complemental gearing for
actuating the sinker-head, a driving shaft, eccentrics and links interposed between
the driving shaft and the sections of the needle cylinder, sprocket and rack gearing
interposed between the driving and counter shafts, clutches for throwing the
sprocket and rack gearing and one of the eccentrics out of and into action,
link-work for shifting said clutches, a ratchet-wheel for operating said link-work,

page_text: and mechanism operated by the driving shaft and adapted to intermittently rotate
the ratchet-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
54. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, a sinker-head
provided with a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft and complemental gearing for
actuating the sinker-head, a driving-shaft, eccentrics and links interposed between
the driving shaft and the sections of the needle cylinder, sprocket and rack gearing
interposed between the driving and counter-shafts, clutches for throwing the
sprocket and rack gearing and one of the eccentrics out of and into action, link-
work for shifting said clutches, a ratchet-wheel for operating said link-work, a
pawl actuated by the main-shaft and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet-
wheel and to work in peripheral recesses, a pattern-chain for intermittently rotating
the ratchet-wheel, and continuous feed mechanism for the pattern-chain,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
55. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles
detachably connected with the continuously operated section, segmental strippers
adapted to engage said fashioning needles, and pawl-and-ratchet connections
actuated by the main-shaft and adapted to shift said strippers, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
56. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles
detachably connected with the continuously operated section, strippers adapted to
engage said fashioning needles, and means actuated from the main shaft and
adapted to shift said strippers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
57. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles
detachably connected with the continuously operated section, strippers, carriages,
resilient connections between the carriages and strippers, and means for shifting
the carriages, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
58. In a kuitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles
detachably connected with the continuously operated section, carriages, strippers
provided with slots, springs in said slots and connected with the strippers and
carriages, and means for shifting the carriages, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
59. A knitting machine provided with a sectional needle cylinder, means for
reciprocating the sections of said cylinder, a thread carrier, a sinker head and its
accessories, a rim disposed within the needle cylinder and provided at the top with
notches for guiding the needles and with web holding fingers intermediate of the
notches, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
60. In a knitting machine, a bed-plate, a sectional needle cylinder, means for
continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder fashioning
needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section, carriages
afforded a range of travel in ways on the bed-plate, screws working in slots in the
bed-plate and provided with spring washers for preventing retrograde movement of
the carriages, strippers connected with the carriages, and means for actuating
the carriages, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
61. In a knitting machine, a bed-plate, a sectional needle cylinder, means for
continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder,
fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuously operated section,
carriages afforded a range of travel on the bed-plate, means for preventing
retrograde movement of the carriages, strippers, resilient connections interposed
between the strippers and carriages, and means for actuating the carriages,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
62. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles
detachably connected with the continuously operated section, strippers, racks for

page_text: shifting said strippers, a frame provided with pawls having teeth for driving the
racks backwards and forwards, means for vibrating said frame, and devices for shifting
said pawls to cause the respective teeth thereof to come into action, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
63. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles
detachably connected with the continuously operated section, carriages, racks for
shifting said carriages, strippers, yielding connections between the strippers and
carriages, pawls for driving the racks backward and forward, and devices for
reversing the positions of the pawls, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
64. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles
detachably connected with the continuously operated section, strippers, racks,
pawls adapted to engage said racks and drive said strippers backwards and forwards,
a frame for controlling said pawls, and means for intermittently actuating said
frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
65. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for continuously
elevating and depressing one of the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles
detachably connected with the continuously operated section, strippers, racks,
pawls adapted to engage said racks and drive said strippers backwards and forwards,
bars for controlling said pawls, a ratchet-wheel provided with projections for
reversing the positions of said pawls, and means for intermittently rotating said
ratchet-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
66. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for actuating the
sections of said cylinder, needles detachably connected with said sections, strippers
having racks, pawls adapted to engage said racks and drive said strippers back-
wards and forwards, a frame for controlling said pawls, a ratchet-wheel provided
with projections for actuating said frame, a positively driven shaft, a pawl actuated
by said shaft and adapted to mesh with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and to work
in peripheral recesses therein, a pattern-chain for intermittently rotating said
ratchet-wheel and continuous feed mechanism for said pattern-chain, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
67. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for elevating and
depressing the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles, strippers for engaging the
fashioning needles, a ring, pawl-and-ratchet connections interposed between the
ring and strippers, a positively driven shaft provided with a tappet-arm and a
tappet-rod in range of said arm and connected with said ring, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
68. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means for elevating and
depressing the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles, strippers for engaging
the fashioning needles, a ring, pawl-and-ratchet connections interposed between the
ring and strippers, a positively driven shaft, connections interposed between the
shaft and ring for actuating the latter, and mechanism for intermittently discon-
necting the shaft and ring, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
69. In a knitting machine, a positively driven shaft, two sets of power appliances
for driving said shaft at different rates of speed, a counter-shaft, connections
between the positively driven shaft and counter-shaft for rotating and for oscillating
the latter, a sectional needle cylinder provided with detachable needles, strippers,
mechanism interposed between the positively driven shaft and sections of the
cylinder, a sinker-head operated by the counter-shaft, pawl-and-ratchet connections
operated by the positively driven shaft and adapted to actuate the strippers, and
an intermittently reciprocated ratchet-wheel and its complemental cams and
connections for controlling said power appliances, sinker-head, strippers and needle
cylinder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
70. In a knitting machine, a shaft, two sets of power appliances respectively

page_text: adapted to drive said shaft at high and low speeds, a sectional needle cylinder
provided with detachable fashioning needles, à sinker-head and its accessories,
strippers for engaging said fashioning needles, a set of connections for reciprocating
all the sections of the needle cylinder and revolving the sinker-head when the high
speed power appliance is in gear, a set of connections for actuating one of the
sections of the needle cylinder and the strippers and for oscillating the sinker-head
when the low speed power appliance is in gear, a shipper for controlling the power
appliances and sets of connections, and means for intermittently actuating the
shipper, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
71. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder provided with detachable
fashioning needles, a sinker-head and its accessories, strippers for engaging said
fashioning needles, a high speed power appliance and its complemental set of
connections for actuating all of the sections of the needle cylinder and revolving
the sinker-head, a low speed power appliance and its complemental connections for
actuating one of the sections of the needle cylinder and strippers and for oscillating
the sinker-head, a shipper for controlling the power appliances, a frame for
reversing the direction of travel of the strippers, and means for intermittently
actuating the shipper and frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
72. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder for
operating said needles, a stripper for engaging certain of the needles and automatic
mechanism for throwing one section of the cylinder out of action and for controlling
the position of the strippers to effect the widening and narrowing of the fabric or
web, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
73. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional cylinder for operating
said needles, a sinker-head, strippers for engaging certain of the needles and
automatic mechanism for controlling said cylinder, throwing one of the sections of
said cylinder into and out of action, reversing the direction of movement of the
sinker-head and controlling the positions of the strippers to effect the widening
and narrowing of the fabric or web, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
74. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder_for
operating said needles, a sinker-head, strippers for engaging certain of the needles,
high and low speed power appliances, and mechanism for automatically bringing
the low speed power appliance into action to actuate one section of the cylinder
and for reciprocating the sinker-head and controlling the position of the strippers,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
75. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, a sinker-head, a
counter-shaft and connections for operating the sinker-head, a main shaft provided
with a fast eccentric and its complemental link for continuously operating one of the
sections of the needle cylinder, strippers for engaging certain of said needles, a
tappet bar for operating said strippers, a sleeve loose on the main shaft and
provided with an eccentric and its complemental link for actuating the other of the
sections of the needle cylinder, and with a sprocket-wheel, a second sleeve loose on
the main shaft and provided with a tappet-arm and an eccentric, an arm provided
with a rack and operated by the last mentioned eccentric, a sprocket-chain, two
sleeves on the counter-shaft provided respectively with a sprocket-wheel and with a
pinion, clutches splined to the counter and main shafts, pivotal levers for
simultaneously shifting said clutches, and means for actuating said levers, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
76. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinder for
operating said needles, a sinker-head, strippers for engaging certain of the needles,
a ratchet-wheel provided with cams and their complemental connections for
automatically throwing one section of the needle cylinder out of action, controlling
the sinker-head and shifting the strippers to effect the widening and narrowing
of the fabric or web, a main-shaft, a pattern-chain adapted to intermittently rotate
the ratchet-wheel, a pattern chain feed-wheel, eccentrics on said shaft and spring

page_text: controlled pawls actuated by said eccentrics, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
Dated this lot dow of Lunn A Ty 1902
EMIL JOHN FRANCK.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.