Improvements in Lock Mechanism for Knitting Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 5th Sept.. 1896
Improvements in Lock Mechanism for Knitting Machines.
I, HEINRICH VERGES of Muhlhausen in the Empire of Germany, Manufacturer
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 :-
My invention relates to the lock mechanism of knitting machines of the type
known as Lamb's, and is designed for the manufacture of flat (or right-and-right')
and hose-shaped goods.
Figure 1 is a bottom-view or inverted plan of the lock.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same;
Figure 3 is a cross section of the lock; and
Figure 4 is an elevation of the arresting lever.
The main feature of this lock is that the needle-raiser (central triangle) is
symmetrically divided and that the two parts a and b are adapted to be drawn
back into the working position singly by means of the pins or studs and i and
the levers m and n engaging therewith. By means of the springs k and I, when the
position of the arresting levers m and n is properly adjusted, the portions a and b
of the lock are pressed into the path of the needle, that is to say in the downward
direction. One of the parts, b, is provided with an incline e along the line of
division, tapering towards the point.
The needle-sinkers e and d' are constructed in the well known manner. The
lock is arranged in alternate situations at the front and back of the carriage or
slide, one result of such an arrangement being to cause the lock to operate as
follows:-
In making flat (or right-and-right') goods, the two parts a and b are lowered
into the working position of the lock, the consequence being that, whether the
slide or carriage move in 'the' direction of the arrow 1, or in the direction of
the arrow 11, the needles are raised by the needle-raiser, and lowered by the
lateral triangles c and d, so that the knitting operation takes place as the said
slide reciprocates.
In the case of plain smooth goods, it will be understood, that the central or
intermediate triangle a b will be thrown out of engagement on the side where no
work is being performed; but in the case of right-and-right' goods, the two
locks' will knit at the same time, the position of the needle-bed being adjusted
accordingly. Where hosiery is to be produced, the needle-raising parts a are
withdrawn on either side of the alternately disposed locks. As, therefore, the slide
travels in the direction of the arrow 1, the needles are partially raised by the
portion of the needle-raiser, and then lowered by the opposite needle-sinker..
When the motion of the slide is reversed, so that it takes place in the direction of
the arrow 11, the needles in consequence of the portion a having been raised out
of action or into its unworking position do not, themselves, rise, but come in contact
with the incline e of the portion b of the needle-raiser c and with their shanks push
the same back into its unworking position, so that the needles remain at rest.
For the purpose of locking the parts a and b of the needle-raiser in position,
arresting levers m and n are employed, the construction of which is as follows.
The guide-pins h and i of the portions a and b of the needle-raiser are
longitudinally slotted, and into these slots, the levers m and n, pivoted at o and p
respectively, are inserted. The portions of the said levers m and n, which are

page_text: located within the slots in the pins h and i respectively, are provided with shoulders
or projections g through the medium of which the levers, which are bent back
into the lock, are adapted to rest upon the lock-plate. When one of the arresting
levers, say m, assumes the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2, the corresponding
portion of the needle-raiser is capable of freely moving up and down, but cannot,
of its own accord, become locked in position, being, on the contrary depressed by
one of the springs, k or 1, as the case may be. When, however, the arresting
lever m or n is raised by the ring shaped ends, such upward motion is at first
participated in by the portion a or b of the needle raiser until this meets a stop,
such as r or s, as the case may be; simultaneously, the projection of the arresting
lever, has moved past and rests upon the upper edge t of the carriage or slide,
with the result that it becomes disengaged from the guiding-studs or pins h and i
and prevents, in consequence, the portion a, or b, as the case may be, from falling.
The mechanism now occupies the position corresponding to that in which the
portion e of the needle-raiser is represented in Fig. 2. Now, when it is desired
that the triangle should again issue from the plate of the lock, the ring is depressed,
the nose g made to recede, and thus that portion of the needle-raiser again
rendered freely movable, so that it can yield to the pressure of the springs k and
respectively.
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 lock for knitting machines the manufacture and use of a needle-raiser
comprising two symmetrical parts ab adapted to be drawn into the lock plate, one
of such parts 6 having an incline e along the line of division substantially as and
for the purposes herein described and shown.
2. In a lock for knitting machines, the means employed for raising and retaining
either part of the needle-raiser independently of the other, consisting of guide
posts or studs working vertically through bearings in the lock plate, said posts or
studs, being slotted longitudinally to receive an arresting lever or pawl which is
loosely pivoted at or near the top end thereof, substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and shown.
Dated this 18th day of Annil 1906
г. B. BROWNE, LIMITED,
.Agents,
By Benj. T. King,
Registered Patent Agent.