Improvements in Knitting Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 10th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 15th Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knitting Machines.
We, WILLIAM ALLEN, and JOHN HILL TURTLE Hosiery Manufacturers,
and THOMAS KENNEDY, Mechanic all of 39 Henry Street, Belfast, Ireland, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
--
This invention has reference to improvements in knitting machines, and is
especially applicable to that class known as "circular" knitting machines, and
has for its object arrangements whereby the "splicing," or extra thread may be
conveniently and readily fed into the fabric at required intervals when necessary
to produce extra thickness, such as may be required for the soles or ankles of half
hose, and the soles, ankles, or knees of hose.
In carrying out our invention, we mount, in the first instance, on the revolving
wheel of a circular knitting machine, a suitable contrivance, consisting of an
upright post, provided on its upper inner side with a bracket carrying a pair of
horizontal rollers which are simply dropped into vertical slots whereby they are
movable at pleasure.
On the outside of the upright post is hung in suitable vertical slots a rectangular
plate called for convenience a checking plate-which is free to move up and
down.
The upper edge of this plate makes and breaks contact as hereinafter described,
with a suitable spring block carried on the upright post, while its lower edge is
provided with a projecting pin whereby the checking plate is actuated during the
working of the machine.
Around the revolving wheel a raised segmental platform is attached to the body
of the machine, the extent of which is controlled according to the length of
thickening required to be introduced to the fabric:-For example, should it be
desired to insert an extra thread half-way round the fabric, then the raised platform-
should run half-way round; and should it be desired to introduce the extra thread
one-fourth only round the fabric, the platform should then extend three-quarters
round the circumference of the machine, and so on, it being understood that the
extra thread is gripped while the feeding contrivance is passing over the raised
platform, and allowed to run while the feeding contrivance is passing over the
break in the said platform as presently described.
The action of our invention
briefly as follows:-
-
Both the main thread and the splicing thread, pass through suitable apertures in
the upright post, thence between the horizontal rollers, and on to the fabric being
manufactured. The main thread approaches the work free of the action of the
checking plate, while the splicing thread is caused to pass between the upper edge
of said plate, and the spring block with which it makes intermittent contact, so
that while the plate is pressed upwards against the block,, the splicing thread is
gripped and cannot pass, and when this pressure is removed, the splicing thread is
released, and is free to be carried into the fabric, as the machine is being worked.
The intermittent action of the checking plate is caused by its sliding contact
with the raised platform over which it rides freely a certain distance in each
revolution of the revolving cylinder.
Thus while riding over the raised platform, the checking plate is lifted against
the spring block, and holds the splicing thread, and when rotating free of the
raised platform, the plate drops and allows the splicing thread to be carried into
the fabric, until the plate is again lifted by contact with the raised platform, and
BO on.

page_text: To facilitate the lifting of the checking plate, the raised platform is provided
with an inclined approach.
In order to ensure the more regular and efficient paying off, of the splicing thread,
a stationary arm or projecting rod is arranged in proximity to the bobbin, which
as the machine rotates, catches the thread, slightly slacking same, and maintaining
a more regular supply to the work.
Dated the 9th day of February 1894.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents. for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knitting Machines.
We, WILLIAM ALLEN, and JOHN HILL TURTLE, Hosiery Manufacturers,
and THOMAS KENNEDY, Mechanic, all of 39 Henry Street, Belfast, Ireland, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention has reference to improvements in knitting machines, and is
especially applicable to that class known as "circular" knitting machines, and has
for its object arrangements whereby the "splicing" or extra thread may be
conveniently and readily fed into the fabric at required intervals when necessary to
produce extra thickness, such as may be required for the soles or ankles of half-
hose, and the soles, ankles, or knees of hose.
In carrying out our invention, we mount in the first instance, on the revolving
wheel of a circular knitting machine, a suitable contrivance consisting of an upright
post provided on its upper inner side with a bracket carrying a pair of horizontal
rollers, which are simply dropped into vertical slots whereby they are movable at
pleasure. On the outside of the upright post is hung in suitable vertical slots a
rectangular plate-called for convenience a checking plate "-which is free to
move up and down.
66
The upper edge of this plate makes and breaks contact, as hereinafter described,
with a suitable spring block carried on the upright post, while its lower edge is
provided with a projecting pin, whereby the checking plate is actuated during the
working of the machine.
Around the revolving wheel a raised segmental platform is fitted to the body of
the machine, the extent of which is controlled according to the length of thickening.
required to be introduced to the fabric:-For example, should it be desired to
insert an extra thread half-way round the fabric, then the raised platform should
run half-way round, and should it be desired to introduce the extra thread one-
fourth only round the fabric, the platform should then extend three-quarters round
the circumference of the machine, it being understood that the extra thread is
gripped while the feeding contrivance is passing over this platform, and allowed to
run while passing over the break in said platform as presently described.
In order that our said invention may be more readily understood, we will describe
the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1, is a plan, and Fig. 2, an elevation of a portion of a circular knitting
machine, shewing our improved combined main yarn feeder, and splicing apparatus
attached.
The apparatus is shewn in the position it occupies at the time when the splicing
yarn is gripped.
Fig. 3, is a vertical sectional view of the splicing apparatus detached.
A indicates the needle cylinder; B, the revolving wheel on which our improved
combined main and splicing yarn apparatus is mounted. C, is the upright post
which carries the main yarn, and to which the splicing mechanism is attached.

page_text: 1, is the bracket in which are mounted the horizontal rollers 2 and 3, which simply
rest in the guides 4 and 5, so as to admit of easy removal for purpose of cleaning
or otherwise; 6, is the "checking plate" sliding vertically on the bolts 7 and 8 ;-
9, is the spring block against which the "checking plate" impinges when in the
position shewn in the drawings, and 10 is the roller carried at the base of the
"checking plate" which rides over the surface of the segmental platform D, as
presently described. 11 is an arm to facilitate the introduction of the splicing
thread, and 12 serves to guide the main yarn.
Having thus described the construction of our said invention, its action is as
follows:-
The main yarn, as indicated by the solid line, passes through the apertures 13, 14
and 15, thence between the rollers into the work, while the splicing yarn, as
indicated by the dotted line, approaches through the arm 11, thence between top
edge of "checking plate" and spring block, through aperture 16, when it joins the
main yarn.
It will be obvious that while the "checking plate" is pressed upwards
it jambs the spring block, and no yarn can pass, whereas when the plate falls the
splicing yarn is released, and being gripped by the revolving rollers 2 and 3,
between which the main yarn is passing, it combines with the said main yarn, and
is carried forward to the needles.
The action of these rollers serves the two-fold purpose of drawing the splicing
yarn forward, and binding it and main yarn together.
The vertical action of the "checking plate" is preced by the rolling contact
of roller 10, over the surface of the platform D. us while the apparatus is
riding over this platform, the "checking plate" is lifted against the spring block,
and while riding over the section of each revolution not covered by the platform,
the plate falls, and allows the splicing yarn to run.
It is the uncovered section of the machine's circumference therefore which
corresponds to the breadth of double knitting in the fabric being produced.
Accordingly in the employment of our invention, the width of double knitting is
governed by the raised platform, the extent of which may be adjusted according to
requirements, as also its position on the machine.
To obviate strain on the splicing thread at moment of being carried forward, a
slack is created by causing the splicing thread to come in contact with an adjustable
vertical pin 18 standing on a projection attached to the platform. As the splicing
thread is being carried round, it will strike this pin, and will free itself when it has
slacked an inch or so off the splicing bobbin.
When it is desired to throw the splicing mechanism out of gear, a pin 17 is
inserted which holds the checking plate in the elevated position shewn.
To facilitate the lifting of the checking plate, the raised platform,
with an inclined approach.
provided
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we would have it understood,
that what we claim is :-
First. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with the main-thread-
carrier of an auxilary or splicing-thread-carrier constructed, arranged, and operating
substantially as described.
Second. In a circular knitting machine, the combination, with the main-thread-
carrier of an auxilary or splicing-thread-carrier, the said splicing-carrier being
adapted to oscillate vertically by contact with a raised platform, in the manner,
and for the purpose substantially as specified.
Third. In a circular knitting machine, the use of a combined main and splicing
thread carrier in combination with revolving rollers, through which both threads
pass in the manner substantially as described.
Fourth. In a circular knitting machine, the use of a combined main and splicing
thread carrier in combination with an adjustable pin for the purpose of slacking the
splicing thread in each revolution in the manner substantially as described.

page_text: Fifth. In a circular knitting machine, the use and application of mechanism for
feeding a splicing thread, constructed, substantially in the manner herein described,
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 9th day of November 1894.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicants.