improvements in machines.
Year: 1887

page_text: improvements in machines.
We, EDGAR COOK COVELL and ELISHA SMITH CRAM, of the town of Laconia,
County of Belknap in the State of New Hampshire, Gentlemen, do hereby declare
the nature of our invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINES, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly ascertained and described in
and by the following statement:-
Our invention relates to knitting machines, and more particularly to such machines
of the circular type employing barbed or spring-beard needles, fixed in a rotary
cylinder, and designed to produce by the aid of stitch or loop, landing and knocking-
over wheels, and their necessary co-operating parts or devices a tubular web, calculated
to be made up into stockings and kindred articles of apparel.
It is the object of our invention to produce devices whereby the position of the
stitch or loop-wheel which operates to take the yarn from the yarn-guide and deliver
a sufficient quantity thereof to and under the heads of the needles to form loops for
the fabric may be automatically controlled to regulate the length or size of the loops,
stitch by stitch and course by course and consequently the size or diameter of the
tube.
It is also the object of the invention to provide devices connected with those
above mentioned, whereby the knitting operations of the machine may be stopped at
any predetermined period.
It is also the object of our invention to incidentally improve the machine in other
respects than those mentioned.
To the foregoing ends our invention consists in the improvements which we will
now proceed to describe, so that others skilled in the art may be able to make and
ase the same, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of
this specification, and the invention being pointed out and distinctly claimed at the
end of the description of the manner of constructing and using it.

page_text: embodying our invention.
Figure 2 represents a side view of the same, parts being shown as broken away.
Figure 3 represents in outline, a rear view of the invention.
Figure 4 represents a view similar to the last mentioned, partially in section.
Figure 5 represents a side view opposite to that shown in figure 2, partly in section,
of the shipping lever, the parts for operating the same, and its immediately associated
devices.
Figure 6 represents a rear detail view, partially in section, of certain devices shown
in figure 5.
Figure 7 represents a detail view of a portion of the pattern belt, strap, or similar
contrivance, hereinafter referred to.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures.
In the drawings, a represents the bed of the machine; b, the needle cylinder;
the yarn guide, and c, the harb or spring-beard needles of a circular knitting
machine adapted to be equipped with all of the appliances necessary to produce a
tubular web in a manner well understood by all knitting artisans. A machine of this
character is shown and described in the U.S. Patent to John Bradley, No. 244,736,
July 26, 1881, and reference may he had thereto; the parts having no connection
with or relationship to our invention, are, for the sake of clearness, neither represented
in the drawings, or described in the specification proper.
d indicates the stitch or loop wheel, of common form and construction, and designed
to perform the usual functions of such devices, as described in the patent referred
to. Said stitch or loop wheel is mounted and adapted to turn on a stud
e secured to
the inner end of a rod f, supported in the usual star-box g, which latter is supported
by a stud or pillar, h, secured to the bed of the machine, as most clearly represented
in figure 2. The star-box, y, is chambered out as shown at i, figure 1, and a spiral
spring, surrounding the rod, is placed therein with one end bearing against the
inner end of chamber i, and the other against a collar k, rigidly secured to rod f
within the said chamber, said spring operating with a tendency to push rod f, and
stitch wheel d, outward, or in a direction away from the needles. A plug 1, formed
as a thumb-screw is adapted to be screwed into the outer end of the chamber i, formed
in the star-box so as to make its inner end bear against collar k, the outer end of rod f,
extending longitudinally through plug 1, and a short distance beyond its outer end,
as best represented in figure 1.
m represents a short lever pivoted to a bracket n, secured to any convenient point
of the bed or frame. The upper end of said lever m, bears against the outer end of
rod, while its lower end is loosely connected with one end of a lever o, pivoted on
the bed or on a bracket secured to the bed of the machine, the opposite end of which
lever has a part p, constructed substantially at right angles to its main portion or
body, and extending rearwardly toward the outer end of the angular part q, of
bracket r, secured to the frame or bed, as shown in figures 1, 2 and 3 of the
drawings.
ss represent hangers or brackets secured to the bed or frame, on a stud or short
shaft t, journalled in which is a double pulley u, on one rim portion, v, of which
is a cord or similar device w, adapted to be wound, having a weight, a, secured to
the free end thereof, in such manner that the weight will have a tendency to
unwind the cord and turn the pulley in the direction of the arrow marked on
figure 2.
y indicates the other part of the double pulley around the periphery of which a
band, strap, chain or similar contrivance is wound, the free end of which extends
upward between the end of the angular part of lever o, and the angular part q, of
bracket r, over a pulley a¹ arranged to turn in brackets applied to the ceiling, to the
cord or similar contrivance connected with the work pulling up devices, common in
this class of machines, and such, for example, as is shown in the U.S. patent to
R. M. Appleton, No. 256,533, April 18, 1882.

page_text: ܙܐ
The band is provided at suitable intervals on that side or face toward the needle
cylinder with lugs 61 adapted to come in contact with the end of angular part of
lever o, and rock the same on its pivot or fulcrum, as will be understood by reference
to figures 1, 2 and 3. Said lugs or swells are so formed and arranged on the strap
or helt, , as that when the latter is drawn upward and between the end p, of lever o,
and the upper end q of bracket r, the highest face of the swell will not have left the
part p, before the highest face of the next succeeding swell will have passed there
between, so that the position of the stitch or loop wheel may be retained undisturbed
in a single position while said swells are passing between the parts and 7.
It is also to be explained that the swells are arranged along the belt or straps,
near the edge thereof, for a purpose to be presently explained.
In the operation of the machine as thus far described, the parts being so adjusted
that when the loop or stitch wheel is set to form loops of ordinarily long length, the
collar k, will not rest quite against the inner end of screw plug 1, (figure 1) and the swells
on pattern strap passing between the parts p and q, as the descending weight of the
work pulling up devices (not shown) draws strap z upward, the knitting will proceed with
stitches of uniform length, as for the calf portion of the leg of a stocking, until the
point is reached where it is desired to form a tube of smaller dimensions, as for the
ankle and foot portions of the stocking, or the narrower parts of shirt sleeves,
the legs of drawers, etc., when the swells or lugs on pattern strap z will pass from
between the angular part p. of lever o, and the upper end 7, of bracket, permitting
spring j, to push rod f, and its attached stitch or loop wheel in a direction away from
the needles, shortening the stitches or length of the loops stitch by stitch in a way
that will be readily understood by knitting artisans. It is essential to our mode that
this narrowing or shortening of the loops should be gradually effected, that is,
stitch by stitch, as described.
Plug is so set in star-box as not to permit stitch wheel d, to be drawn so far
back as to make the loops or stitches so short that they will be broken by the other
fabric forming devices.
But three lugs or swells are shown in Fig. 2 the upper one of which is
represented as just about to enter between the parts and 7. though to hold the
stitch wheel in the position in which it is represented in figure 1, it is necessary
that a lug or swell should be between said parts p and q, and though the face of the
last or lowest swell is shown to be as high as those preceding it, it is preferred to
construct the lowest lugs on the straps of gradually diminishing thickness or height,
so as to have the narrowing performed in a like gradual manner.
When a tube of any predetermined length has been knit, the pattern bolt
z, is
rewound upon the part of the pulley a', by the operation of weight w, and cord w,
the construction of swells 611 as separate parts permitting this to be done.
As hereinbefore stated, another feature of our invention has relation to means
connected with the pattern belt, z, whereby the operation of the machine may be
stopped at any predetermined point in the knitting process. This part of the
invention we will now proceed to explain.
represents an ordinary shipping lever, pivoted at g' to the bed and extending
underneath the same to the front thereof where it is provided with a handle h' for
operating the same as usual. Said shipping lever may be presumed to be connected
with the hub of the bevel wheel splined on the driving shaft which meshes with
the bevel gear formed on or connected with the needle cylinder for rotating the same,
so that as said lever is moved in one direction said bevel gear may be moved into
operative connection with the gear on the needle cylinder and when moved in the
opposite direction said gears will be disconnected and the needle cylinder rendered
inoperative, all as is common in knitting machines of this class.
represents a spring, one end of which is secured to the bed or stationary part of
the frame, and the other to the shipping lever, said spring operating with a tendency
to move the lever so as to stop the operation of the machine. represents a pin
arranged in a bracket k³, secured to the bed of the machine, said pin being pressed

page_text: and held up as represented in figure 4 by a spring 1, one end of which bears upon the
bracket and the other upon the head of the pin, as shown. Said pin is constructed
and arranged to hold the shipping lever in operative position, when moved to that
position, as shown, but is adapted to be drawn down against the pressure of spring 1
and permit the spring to move the shipping lever to its inoperative position.
m² represents a yoke or bracket connected with the bracket k' or secured to the bed
of the machine in which is journalled a rock shaft n' to which are secured the arms o¹,
said shaft and arms forming a bell-crank lever, one end of which elbow lever is
connected with pin and the other is pivoted to a rod pl, extending rearwardly and
slightly beyond the rear edge of the bed of the machine where it is bent at right
angles, so as to embrace with its right angular part q the pattern band 2, as shown
in figures 2, 3 and 5. Pattern belt is provided on its face opposite that to which the
lugs or swells b', are secured thereto with swells or lugs v₁ secured near the edge of
said belt opposite that at which said swells are attached to it.
It is to be noticed that the inner end and side of the angular part q of bracket r
is cut away, as at s² (Fig. 1.) so as to permit swell to pass the party without
obstruction.
The operation of this feature of our invention will now be understood. The machine
having been set in motion and the shipping lever locked in operative position knitting
is proceeded with until a desired length of fabric is produced, at which point a swell or
luge, is arranged on the pattern helt z, to come in contact with the right angular
part 1 of the rod p² moving said rod rearwardly, as indicated by the arrow in
figure 5, operating elbow lever o¹ so as to depress pin and permit spring / to move
the shipping lever to its inoperative position and stop the machine.
It is obvious that instead of constructing and arranging the parts so as to move the
loop or stitch wheel in the manner described, star-box g, might be pivoted on post h,
and the lugs or swells made to operate on the screw-plug 1, or the outer end of rod ƒ
so as to move the stitch or loop wheel in the direction of the arrow in figure 1,
which would be in a direction away from the needles whereby the same result of
shortening the length of the stitches would be accomplished.
It is also obvious that other changes in the form and arrangement of the devices
comprising our invention might be made without departing from its nature or
spirit.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that which
we claim is-
1st. The needle cylinder and needles, the yarn guide, the stitch or loop wheel
constructed to take the yarn from the yarn guide and feed it under the beards of the
needles, a support for said loop or stitch wheel, a pattern device, a system of levers
intermediate of said stitch-wheel support and pattern device, the latter being adapted
to operate on the levers to gradually and regularly control the position of the stitch
wheel with respect to the needles, stitch by stitch and course by course, to lengthen or
shorten the stitches, the whole combined, arranged, and operating substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
2nd. The needle cylinder, needle and yarn guide, the star-box, a rod longitudinally
movable in said star-box, the stitch-wheel constructed to take the yarn from the yarn
guide and feed it under the beards of the needles, said stitch-wheel being supported by
Said rod, a pattern device, a system of levers intermediate of said longitudinally
movable rod and pattern device, the latter being adapted to operate on the levers to
move said rod to gradually and regularly control the position of the stitch wheel with
respect to the needles stitch by stitch and course by course, to lengthen or shorten the
stitches, the whole combined, and operating substantially as and for the purposes
herein before set forth.
3rd. The shipping lever and spring pressed pin for locking it in operative
position, a spring for moving it into inoperative position, in combination with the

page_text: pattern belt or band, a rod p. rock shaft, n¹ and arms o¹, intermediate of said spring-
pressed pin and pattern belt, the latter being adapted to operate on the rod and through
it on arms o to depress said spring-pressed pin to permit the shipping lever to be
moved into inoperative position, as set forth.
4th. The art of knitting a tubular fabric of varying diameter on a circular spring-
needle knitting machine, which consists in gradually and regularly varying the position
of the stitch or loop wheel with respect to the needles, stitch by stitch and course by
course, as the knitting progresses, to vary the length of the stitches, and consequently
the character of the tube, as set forth.
EDGAR COOK COVELL.
ELISHA SMITH CRAM.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.