Knitting Machine Manufacturer.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 21st Mar., 1900-Accepted, 5th May, 1900
A communication by HENRY BRINTON, of No. 1915, Gratz Street, in the City and
County of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Knitting Machine Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
The invention relates to improvements in that class of circular knitting
machines wherein the cam cylinder is provided with devices, termed "pickers,"
for automatically elevating and depressing certain needles during the operations
of widening and narrowing the web, and wherein mechanism is employed for
imparting the requisite continuous rotary and reciprocating rotary motions to
said cylinder at predetermined intervals; the continuous movement being
effected during the production of tubular work, as, for example, the leg or foot
of a stocking, and the reciprocating movement being had during the knitting
of fashioned work, as, for example, the heel or toe of the stocking.
During the knitting of tubular work, the entire circular series of needles in
the needle cylinder are in active position and are actuated by the revolving
knitting cams. Preparatory to the production of fashioned work, about one
half of the series are raised above the active path of said cams, and the latter
are reciprocated to and fro, the end needles of those remaining in action being
lifted out of action in alternate succession until the requisite narrowing of the
wel has been accomplished, whereupon the said needles are depressed into action
in inverse order to the last preceding operation so as to effect a corresponding
widening of the web. This being done, all the needles are moved into action
and the knitting of tubular work is resumed.
The improvements relate, first, to the picker controlling mechanism, the pickers
being of the type that are fulcrumed exteriorly of the cam cylinder and extended
therethrough in a manner to be movable into and out of the paths of the needle
heels to act upon the latter and he acted upon thereby. There are, as usua!,
two elevating pickers and two depressing pickers properly disposed in respect to
the knitting cams; the former pickers comprising each an arm pivoted to a
spring-controlled crank lever mounted on the exterior of the cylinder, and the
latter pickers embodying each a partially-rotatable arm slidingly mounted, on
a post on the exterior of the cylinder, and held in operative positions by the
pressure of a spring and by a co-acting bevelled slot in the wall of the cylinder.
Arranged on the said wall are two oppositely-movable slides which are con-
structed and arranged to co-act with the pickers and render them idle and active
at predetermined intervals. One of the slides is provided with a pivoted dog or

page_text: latch that is designed to engage one of the pivoted elevating pickers during
the operation of rendering the depressing pickers active, and thereby maintain
said elevating picker yieldingly in action during the last stroke of the narrowing
operation so as to raise the last needle in the group, whereupon said elevating
picker escapes the latch or dog and remains inactive during the operation of
widening.
The improvements relate, secondly, to a specific construction of rotary cam
head for controlling the operation of a pair of oppositely-disposed spring-pressed
diagonal cams which are projected into and retracted from the interior of the
cam cylinder for the purpose of throwing up and down, at stated periods, the
half series of needles above alluded to. This feature of the invention also
includes a trip lever for controlling the positions of said head, together with a
rocking frame for said lever under the control of appropriate pattern mechanism.
The improvements relate, thirdly, to mechanism for automatically stopping
and controlling the operation of the machine at certain stages of the knitting
operation. This mechanism comprises two pattern chains, one of which may
be termed a leg and foot" chain and the other a "heel and toe" chain. The
sprocket wheels by which these chains are carried are provided with ratchet
wheels with which co-act two pawls independently mounted on a common rock-
shaft, which is operatively connected with a sector-bearing arm hereinafter
described and continuously rocked thereby. A means is provided whereby the
said pawls may be engaged with and disengaged from their respective ratchet
wheels in alternate succession, so that the chains may be actuated alternately.
This means consists of two bell-crank levers having sector-like arms which are
movable below and from the pawls. The longer arms of these levers are pivotally
connected with two vertical slides, respectively, which are coupled by a centrally-
pivoted rock lever, through the movement of which the slides may be moved
in opposite directions to each other and the crank levers be correspondingly
actuated. The pivot stud of this rock lever is provided with a crank which is
linked with another crank on a rock-shaft to which is connected a clutch splined
on the main driving shaft of the machine, whereby when the clutch is shifted
either to the right or left the said rock lever is rotated accordingly.
Sleeved on the main driving shaft are the usual fast and loose pulleys. There
is also a belt shipper for transferring the belt from one pulley to the other. When
the clutch is adjusted to lock the fast pulley to the shaft (and this is the normal
position of the clutch) the cam cylinder is continuously rotated, and at the same
time the pawl for the leg and foot chain is rendered active and the other pawl
inactive. Said chain is thus intermittently impelled until a suitably-located
projection thereon strikes a vertically-movable rod or stem which is engaged
with the toggle of the belt shipper, whereupon said toggle is tripped and the
belt shipped onto the loose pulley-thus arresting the operation of the machine.
The attendant then, by hand, rotates the cam head so as to project the diagonal
lifting cam into the cylinder; and likewise shifts the slides in a manner to throw
the depressing pickers out of action and the other pickers into action. He then
moves the clutch (against the action of a spring) so as to disengage it from the
pulley sleeve and engage it with an opposing sleeve on the main shaft. On the
latter sleeve is a pinion with which co-acts a sector carried on the upper end of a
vertical radius bar that is pivoted at its lower end to the standard of the
machine. This bar is longitudinally slotted to receive the wrist pin of a crank
wheel which is mounted on a counter shaft journalled below the main shaft.
The counter shaft is geared with the sleeve of the fast pulley so as to be con-
tinuously driven thereby, and effect, perforce, the oscillation of the radius bar
and its sector, the latter, in turn, reciprocating the pinion and sleeve with which
it is engaged.
When the clutch is shifted as above stated, the said pinion and sleeve are
fixedly connected with the main shaft, and, in consequence, this shaft and the
cam cylinder are reciprocated to and fro,-the elevating pickers acting in each

page_text: stroke of the cylinder to raise the end needles out of action as above described.
The handle of the clutch is equipped with a stud or projection which engages a
notched latch arm when the clutch is shifted as just mentioned--thus locking
the clutch in place. This latch armis secured to a rock frame one member of
which lies adjacent to the heel and toe: chain. The pawl for actuating this
chain is now in action, and the chain is, perforce, being moved step-by-step.
Upon the completion of the narrowing operation the shaft or stud of a laterally
movable cam is engaged by a suitably located projection on this chain, and said
cam is thereby moved into the path of a toe on the extremity of a rock-shaft
which is connected with the picker controlling slides by eccentric and link
connections. Thus the rock-shaft is turned to move the slides in a manner to
render the elevating pickers inactive and the depressing pickers active. When
the projection on the chain escapes the shaft of the said laterally movable cam,
the latter resumes its normal or retracted position. The reciprocations of the
cam cylinder continue, and the depressing pickers act upon the previously up-
thrown fashioning needles to move them into action at the proper intervals and
effect the requisite widening of the web. When all these needles have been
returned to active position and the formation of the heel thereby completed, a
projection on a link of the moving chain co-acts with a member of the rocking
frame which supports the pivoted trip lever above referred to, thus raising the
latter into the path of a depending projection on the cam head and thereby
turning the latter sufficiently to project into the cylinder, and cause the action
of the diagonal cam by means of which the half series of idle needles are returned
to action. The entire circular series of needles are now in active position. A
cam fixed on the bed plate of the machine co-acts with the said cam head to move
it to a central or neutra position, in which case both diagonal cams are retracted.
The trip lever now assumes its normal position, and, at the same time, another
projection on the heel and toe chain co-acts with the opposing member of the
rocking frame that carries the latch arm for the clutch, whereupon said clutch,
being released, resumes its normal position in engagement with the sleeve or
clutch member which carries the fast pulley. Continuous circular knitting is
now carried on to form the foot of the stocking, at the completion of which the
operation of the machine is automatically arrested, and the picker controlling
mechanisms are actuated for the formation of the toe precisely as above described
in regard to the formation of the heel:
Upon the completion of the toe the clutch is automatically unlatched by the
action of a link on the pattern chain, and re-engaged with the sleeve of the fast
pulley; thus proceeding with the knitting of a series of tubular courses until
the operation of the machine is arrested.
The improvements relate, fourthly, to means for automatically regulating the
length of the stitches at pre-determined intervals, that is, in the formation of.
the heel and toe the stitches are slightly longer than in the production of the
leg and foot. This is accomplished by making the needle cylinder vertically
adjustable in respect to the cam cylinder, and providing a lever for effecting the
requisite adjustments. The free end of this stitch regulating lever rests on an
arm on the rock-shaft with which the clutch is connected. Hence when the
clutch is shifted preparatory to reciprocating work, said lever and, perforce, the
needle cylinder are slightly raised, thus increasing the length of the stitches.
When the clutch is returned to its normal position for circular work, the needle
cylinder resumes its original position.
During the knitting of long hosiery it is desirable that the length of the
stitches in the calf and upper portion of the leg be greater than that of the
stitches in the ankle portion, and, therefore, a rock-lever is flexibly connected
with the stitch regulating lever, and a relatively-arranged series of high links
are provided on the leg and foot chain for the purpose of actuating said rock
lever in a manner to raise the stitch regulating lever for a proper period.
A spring-actuated locking pin is provided to maintain the clutch in an inter-

page_text: mediate position, in which case the cam cylinder will be idle even though the
driving belt be on the fast pulley.
The improvements relate, finally, to a certain construction of clamp for sup-
porting the needle cylinder, the same comprising a split member to which is
fitted a vertically-disposed eccentric rod or shaft, by the movement of which
the clamping or unclamping action of said member may be effected.
T
1
1000
A communication by HENRY BRINTON, of No. 1915, Gratz Street, in the City and
County of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Knitting Machine Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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 relates to improvements in that class of circular knitting
machines wherein the cam cylinder is provided with devices, termed "pickers,"
for automatically elevating and depressing certain needles during the operations
of widening and narrowing the web, and wherein mechanism is employed for
imparting the requisite continuous rotary and reciprocating rotary motions to
said cylinder at predetermined intervals;-the continuous movement being
effected during the production of tubular work, as, for example, the leg or foot
of a stocking, and the reciprocating movement being had during the knitting
of fashioned work, as, for example, the heel or toe of the stocking.
In this class of machines during the knitting of tubular work, the entire
circular series of needles in the needle cylinder are in active position and are
actuated by the revolving knitting cams. Preparatory to the production of
fashioned work, about one-half of the series are raised above the active path of
said cams, and the latter are reciprocated to and fro, the end needles of those
remaining in action being lifted out of action in alternate succession until the
requisite narrowing of the web has been accomplished, whereupon the said
needles are depressed into action in inverse order to the last preceding operation
so as to effect a corresponding widening of the web. This being done, all the
needles are moved into action and the knitting of tubular work is resumed.
The leading features of this invention relate first, to a novel clamp support for
the needle cylinder; secondly, to improved picker controlling mechanism;
thirdly, to cam devices for shifting the half series of needles out of and into
action, as desired; fourthly, to mechanism for automatically stopping and con-
trolling the operation of the machine at certain stages of the knitting operation:
fifthly, to means for automatically regulating the length of the stitches at pre-
determined intervals; and, finally, to various novel features of construction and
combinations of parts which will be hereinafter particularly described and
claimed.
In the drawings

page_text: Figure 1 is a plan of the machine.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation thereof.
Figure 2 is a detail of the link connection between the stitch regulating
ver and the rock shaft under the control of the pattern mechanism.
Figure 3 is an end view of the machine.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 44 of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a development of the exterior of the portion of the cam cylinder
arrying the picker mechanism, the elevating pickers being represented in
ctive position, and the depressing pickers in inactive position.
Figure 6 is a similar view showing two sets of pickers in reverse condition.
Figure 7 is a view of the inner face of the portion of the cylinder and visible
arts shown in Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a development of the exterior of that portion of the cam cylinder
carrying the diagonal lifting and lowering cams, showing the rocking head and
ts co-acting parts for controlling the positions of said cams in relation to the
cylinder.
Figure 9 is a detail of the inner side of the cylinder showing the diagonal
cams just referred to.
Figure 10 is a partial vertical section on the line 10-10 of Figure S.
Figure 11 is a partial horizontal section on the line 11-11 of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a sectional detail of the adjustable support for the needle cylinder
and of the mechanism for rendering the pawls active and inactive periodically.
Figure 13 is a vertical section on the line 13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a transverse section on the line 14-14 of Figure 13.
Figure 15 is a sectional detail of the trip devices for the belt shipper showing
also a portion of the supplemental stitch regulating mechanism, and the pattern
chain therefor, as on the line 15-15 of Figure 1.
Figure 16 is a similar detail of one of the elevating pickers and a portion of
the cam cylinder, as on the line 16-16 of Figure 5.
Figure 17 is a like detail of the rock-shaft for setting the picker-controlling
slides, as on the line 17-17 of Figure 1.
1 designates the bed of the machine; 2 the fixed needle cylinder; 3 the
rotatable cam cylinder; and 5 the driving shaft provided with a bevel gear
wheel 6 which co-acts with the lower toothed portion 7 of the latter cylinder.
8 is a clamping ring which supports the needle cylinder, fixedly in respect to
the cam cylinder. This ring is adjustably mounted on the bed plate and has
certain provisions hereinafter recited for vertical adjustment. The lower portion
of the ring is fitted within the usual circular opening of the bed plate, the
projecting upper portion being split vertically as at a, and horizontally as at b
to afford two expansible jaws 9, 9. Journaled in the lower portion of the ring
is a vertical shaft 12 which extends between the opposing edges of the two jaws,
the interposed portion of the shaft being laterally flattened as at 18 throughout
the length of the jaws, to afford an elongated eccentric or cam, whereby when
the shaft is properly turned the jaws will be expanded to clamp the surrounding
5 needle cylinder, and when the shaft is reversely turned the jaws, contracting, wil
release the cylinder. The lower end of this shaft is provided with a suitabl
handle 19 whereby it may be manipulated. This construction of clamp i
simple, inexpensive and effective.
20, 20 are the elevating pickers, and 21, 21 the depressing pickers properl
50 disposed as usual in respect to the knitting cams, which pickers are of the typ
that are fulcrumed exteriorly of the cam cylinder and extended therethrough in
manner to be movable into and out of the paths of the needle heels to act upo
the latter and be acted upon thereby.
In the present instance the elevating pickers each comprise a crank-lever 2
55 fulcrumed at the upper end of an arm 23 which is pivoted on the exterior
the cylinder. The lower arm of the crank lever is provided with a slot 24
which is fitted a pin or stud 25 on the wall of the cylinder, while the upper ar

page_text: of the lever is provided with a notched projection. 26 which extends through a
slot in the wall of the cam cylinder so as to lie immediately above the adjacent
stitch cam 27 and to be movable between the outer end of the latter and the
opposing upper end of the central V-cam 28.
A suitably-disposed torsional spring. 29 secured at its respective ends to the
cylinder and arm tends normally to maintain the notched portion of the crank
lever seated at, the outer end of the stitch cam. When the lever is in this
position the notch thereof lies in the track of the active needle heels so that in
the rotation of the cylinder the first opposing needle heel will be engaged by
said lever and raised thereby above the path of the knitting cams, in the usual
manner. The lever upon the disengagement of the needle therefrom drops
yieldingly upon the heels of the remaining active needles and rides thereon
until it clears the latter, whereupon the lever assumes its normal position in
readiness for a succeeding action.
The two elevating pickers likewise act upon and are acted upon by the opposing
end needles in alternate succession until the requisite number of needles have
been moved out of action.
The depressing pickers each embody a partially-rotatable arm 30 slidingly
mounted on a post 31 on the exterior of the cylinder, and held in operative
position by the pressure of a spring 32 and by the co-acting bevelled walls of a
slot 33 in the body of the cylinder. The slot 33 is preferably A-shaped, the apex
thereof lying above the plane of the knitting cams. The free end of the picker
extends through the slot and is provided with a needle engaging notch or
recess 34.
This end of the picker is maintained normally at the apex of the
slot by means of the spring 32 which, encircling the post, bears against shoulders
on the arm and post respectively. When in this position such end will engage
the first opposed needle heel in its path and shift it down into the path of the
knitting cams, and thereupon release it, the picker then riding yieldingly against
the under sides of the heels of the remaining elevated needles, and. finally
escaping the latter at the end of the stroke and resuming its previous position
in readiness for a succeeding action.
Preparatory to the narrowing operation both depressing pickers are set below
the plane to be occupied by the heels of the up-thrown needles, so that such
pickers will move idly below such heels.
The two depressing pickers are simultaneously moved into or out of action
and likewise act upon and render active the opposing end needles of the inactive
series in alternate succession.
On the external wall of the cam cylinder are two oppositely-movable slides 34, 34
which are constructed and arranged to co-act with the respective sets of pickers
to render them idle and active at predetermined intervals. These slides comprise
two horizontally-movable plates or strips having pin and slot connections 35
with the cam cylinder. They are disposed between the depressing pickers and
are connected by means of links 36 with a head 37 on one end of a horizontal
rock-shaft 38 which is mounted in a bearing at the base of the usual thread
guide post 38, whereby when said shaft is properly turned the slides may be
moved toward or from each other. The outer ends of the slides are oppositely-
beveled as at 39, and are so disposed in relation to the respective picker arms 30
that when the slides are moved outward their beveled ends impinge against the
opposing arms and force the latter out of active position. (See Fig. 5.) When
the slides are retracted the picker arms 30 resume their normal or active position.
One of the slides is provided with a lug 40 which depends below the plane of
the upper arm of the adjacent picker lever 22 in such manner that when the
slide is retracted its lug will abut against said lever and raise it out of active
position. The other slide is provided with a pivoted dog or latch 41, the forward
or free end of which lies above the plane of the adjacent elevating lever 22
when the latter is in active position, so that when the slide is retracted to
permit the movement of the depressing picker into active position, said latch or

page_text: dog will be set directly above the lever 22. A suitably disposed spring 42
secured to the slide and to the dog maintains the latter yieldingly in place.
Such movement of the slide is effected just before the last stroke of the cam
cylinder during the narrowing operation. Hence, when the elevating picker
engages the last needle to be thrown out of action, the nose of lever 22 in its
upward movement will abut against the latch and raise it against the pressure
of the spring, such nose thereupon clearing the latch, which latter, resuming its
normal position, will prevent the return of said picker to action. (See Figure 6.)
During the knitting of tubular work both slides are in retracted position,
the elevating pickers thus being maintained in the inactive condition, and the
depressing pickers occupying their normal position. Preparatory to the narrow-
ing operation, the rock shaft 38 is turned by hand to project the slides, endwise
from each other, and thereby free the pickers 20 to permit them to assume
their active position, and at the same time depress the pickers 21 into inactive
position. Before the final stroke of the narrowing operation the rock shaft is
turned in an opposite direction so as to retract the slides and effect the reversal
of the two sets of pickers, as above stated. The latter movement of the rock
shaft is automatically accomplished by means of a cam head 43 which is, at the
proper time, moved into the path of a toe 44 on the end of the rock shaft, through
the instrumentality of pattern mechanism which will be hereinafter described.
This rock shaft is provided with suitably-disposed studs 45, 45 which are designed
to abut against a portion of the post or bracket 38, and thus limit the throw of
said shaft in either direction. The periphery of the shaft is also provided with
two flattened portions and y, against which is adapted to bear a spring actuated
stud 46 fitted in said post or bracket, whereby the shaft is temporarily locked
in either position to which it may be set. In the present instance, a flat spring 46ª
which is affixed to said post or bracket presses yieldingly against the lower end
of the stud, and maintains it normally in contact with the rock-shaft. (See
Figure 17.)
These cams
47, 48 are two oppositely-inclined cams fitted in close proximity to each other
in diagonal slots in a plate 49 set in the wall of the cam cylinder.
are independently movable horizontally into and from the interior of the latter.
During the knitting of tubular work both cams are retracted. Preparatory to
the fashioning operation, the cam 47 is projected into the cylinder in a manner
to act upon and raise out of action the half series of needles above referred to.
This being accomplished, the cam 47 is retracted. In the final stroke of the
cam cylinder, during the completion of the fashioning operation, the cam 48 is
projected into the cylinder so as to act upon and return to action the half series
of needles previously up thrown, whereupon the cam 48 is returned to its normal
position.
The cams 47 and 48 each comprise a pláte provided with an outwardly 'pro-
jecting stem 50 having a laterally extending stud 51 against which bears a
retracting spring 52 set in a socket in the plate. Fulcrumed on the plate at a
point intermediate the stems of the two cams, so as to swing in a vertical plane,
is a rocking head 53 which is provided on its inner side with two bevels or cam
portions 54 against which bear the outer ends of the said stems in such manner
that when the head is in horizontal position both cams will be retracted and
that when it is rocked to the right or the left the corresponding cam will be
projected into the cylinder by the action of the bevel against the opposing stem.
The rocking head is provided with an extension 55 which affords a handle whereby
it may be manipulated by the attendant, so as to set the lifting cam in action.
It is also provided with an inclined lower edge 56 which is adapted during the
rotation of the cam cylinder to co-act with a A-shaned cam piece 57 fixed on
the bed of the machine, and thereby shift the rocking head into normal position.
The head is also equipped with a depending tappet arm 58 which is adapted at
the completion of the fashioning operation to co-act with a movable trip-
lever 59 in a manner to shift the depressing cam 48 into action. This trip

page_text: lever is carried by the arm of a rocking frame 60 which is fulcrumed in lugs 61
on the bed plate, another arm 62 of said frame being extended adjacent to
the pattern mechanism and adapted to be actuated thereby in a manner to move
the trip lever into action or permit it to become inactive as hereinafter described.
Referring to the mechanism for automatically stopping and controlling the
operation of the machine at certain stages of the knitting operation, 63,164 are
two pattern chains, the former of which may be termed a "leg and foot" chain
and the other a heel and toe" chain. These chains are hung upon sprocket
wheels (5, 65 which are loosely mounted on a rock shaft 66 having its bearings in
the bed of the machine. On the hubs of said wheels are ratchet wheels 67, 67
engaged by two pawls CS, GS respectively carried by a common arm 69 fixed
on the rock shaft 66. This shaft is operatively connected with a swinging
radius bar 70 (hereinafter described) and continuously rocked thereby. In the
present instance the rock shaft is provided at one end with a depending arm 7:1
which is connected by means of a link 72 with the bar 70.
A means is provided whereby the said pawls may be engaged with and dis-
engaged from their respective ratchet wheels in alternate succession, so that
the chains may be actuated alternately. This means consists of two bell crank
levers 7 loosely mounted on the shaft 66 and provided with sector-like arms 74
which are independently movable below the pawls so as to raise the latter out of
action. The longer arms of these levers are pivotally connected, as at 75,
with two vertical slides 76. 76 respectively, which are fitted to guides 77 depend-
ing from the bed plate. These slides are socketed, as at 78, for the reception of
studs 79 on the respective arms of a centrally-pivoted rock-lever 80, whereby
through the movement of said lever the slides may be moved in opposite direc
tions to each other and the crank levers be correspondingly actuated to effect
the action and inaction of the respective pawls. The pivot stud 81 of this lever
is provided with a crank 82 which is connected by means of a link 83 with
another crank 84 on a rock shaft 85 extending below and at right angles to the
main shaft. This rock shaft is pivotally connected by means of a lever 86 to a
clutch member 87 splined on the main shaft, to the end that when said clutch
member is shifted either to the right or left the rock shaft is partially turned
and the rock lever 80 likewise actuated.
Sleeved on the main shaft are the usual fast and loose pulleys 88, 89 respec-
tively. There is also sleeved on said shaft a pinion 90 with which co-acts a
sector 91 carried on the upper end of the vertical radius bar 70 that is pivoted at
its lower end to the standard of the machine. This bar is longitudinally slotted,
as at 92, to receive the wrist pin 93 of a crank wheel 94 which is mounted on a
secondary shaft 95 journaled below the main shaft. The secondary shaft is
provided with a spur wheel 96 which gears with and is continuously driven
by a pinion 97 on the sleeve of the fast pulley, thus effecting the oscillation of
the radius bar and its sector, and the latter, in turn, reciprocating the pinion
and sleeve with which it is engaged.
The clutch member is interposed between the sleeves respectively, so that it
may be engaged with either of them at will. In the present instance the inner
ends of the sleeves are provided with socketed collars 98, 99, respectively, and
the opposing faces of the clutch member are provided with spring-actuated
studs. 100, which are adapted to register with the sockets in the collars when
the clutch member is properly shifted.
From the foregoing it will be seen that when the clutch is engaged with the
sleeve of the fast pulley the driving shaft and, perforce, the cam cylinder, will
be continuously rotated, and that when the clutch is engaged with the sleeve
of the pinion 90 the said shaft, and therewith the cam cylinder will be reciprocated
Bearing against one edge of the lever 86 by which the clutch member is
controlled, is a spring-actuated rod 101 that is slidingly fitted to an orifice in
the standard, whereby the said lever is normally held by said rod in a position
to engage the clutch member with the sleeve of the fast pulley. This lever is

page_text: provided with a lateral stud or projection 102 below which extends a vibratory
atch arm 103 provided with a suitably-located notch 104 with which said stud
or projection interlocks when the lever is shifted to engage the clutch member
with the sleeve of the oscillating pinion 90, the latch arm thereupon locking the
lever St in place in opposition to the spring rod. The latch arm is carried by a
rock frame 105 on the bed plate, one member 106 of which frame extends
adjacent to the heel and toe chain. This chain is provided with a suitably
disposed projection 107 which is designed at a predetermined interval to abut
against the said member and lift the same, thus depressing the latch arm and
freeing the lever 86, whereupon said lever with its connections is thrown to its
normal position by the action of the spring pressed rod.
When the fast pulley is clutched to the main shaft as above described, the
position of the rock shaft is such that the pawl 68 for the leg and foot chain is
in action while the other pawl is idle, and when the pinion is clutched to the
main shaft the position of the rock shaft 81 is reversed and likewise the respective
pawls.
108 is the belt shipper by means of which the driving belt is transferred from
one pulley to the other as desired. This shipper includes a horizontally movable
rod 109 which is suitably guided in the standard of the machine. This rod is
normally held in position to maintain the belt upon the loose pulley by the
action of a spring 110, which, encircling the rod, bears against a collar 111 on
one arm 112 of a
the latter and against the standard. Pivoted to the block
toggle lever, the other arm 112ª thereof being affixed to a forwardly extending
rock shaft 11 which is journaled in lugs on the side of the gear case.
forward end of this shaft is provided with a handle 114 whereby, preparatory to
the starting of the machine the shaft may be turned by the attendant to throw
the shipper toward the fast pulley, against the compression of the spring, the
toggle upon passing its center locking the shipper thus adjusted.
The
Extending from the toggle arm 112 is a toe 115, the free end of which lies
directly above a boss or shoulder 116 on the lower end of a vertically-movable
rod 117 that is fitted in a suitable guide way in the bed plate. On the upper
end of this rod is a lateral lug 118 which extends adjacent to the leg and foot
chain; the latter being provided with a suitably located projection 119 which
at a certain time impinges against said lug and raises the rod 117. The shoulder
on the lower end of the latter thus lifts the opposing toe, and trips the toggle
lever, whereupon the shipper, resuming its normal position, transfers the belt
from the fast to the loose pulley, and in consequence, arrests the operation of
the machine. This action takes place at the completion of the leg and the foot
portions of the stocking.
When the machine has been stopped as just described, the attendant turns
the rocking head 53 by hand to project the diagonal lifting cam 47 into the
cylinder, and likewise turns the rock shaft 38 to shift the slides 34 in a manner
to throw the depressing pickers down out of action and release the other pickers,
which latter in consequence drop yieldingly upon the heels of the needles. He
then moves the clutch (against the action of the spring rod) so as to release the
fast pulley from, and lock the pinion 90 to, the main shaft. The cam cylinder
is thereby reciprocated. In one stroke the lifting cam impinges against and
raises out of action one half of the series of needles, whereupon the bevelled
lower edge of the rocking head rides upon the stationary cam 57 and is thereby
When the elevating pickers
moved to effect the retraction of the lifting cam.
each the open space from which the needles have been raised, said pickers
assume their active position, and hence during the succeeding strokes of the
cam cylinder the end needles in action are lifted above the path of the knitting
cams as above described until the requisite narrowing has been accomplished.
Before the final stroke in the narrowing operation a suitably-located pro-
jection 120 on the pattern chain 64 engages the rock shaft 43* of the cam head 43
and thereby moves the latter into the path of the toe 44 on the outer extremity

page_text: of the rock-shaft 38, to effect the reversal of the two sets of pickers as previously
described. When the projection 120 escapes the shaft 43, the cam head resumes,
by gravity, its normal or retracted position.
The reciprocations of the cam cylinder continue, and the depressing pickers
act upon the previously up-thrown needles to move them into action at the
proper intervals and effect the requisite widening of the web. When all these
needles have been returned to active position and the formation of the heel
thereby completed, a projection 121 on a link of the moving pattern chain 64
co-acts with the arms 62 of the rocking frame 60 which carries the pivoted
trip lever 59 above referred to, thus raising the latter into the path of the
depending tappet arm 58 on the rocking head. Hence this arm, during the
stroke of the cam cylinder, abuts against the trip lever, and effects the movement
of the rocking head sufficiently to project the depressing cam 48 into the
cylinder, which cam thereupon acts against and returns to action the half series
of idle needles. The entire circular series of needles are now in active position:
The fixed cam 57 co-acts with the bevelled edge of the rocking head as before,
to return said head to a central or neutral position, in which case both diagonal
cams are retracted. When the projection 121 on the pattern chain 64 escapes
the frame 60, the latter and therewith the trip lever resume, by gravity; their
normal or inactive position, whereupon the projection 107 on the chain co-acis
with the frame 105 that carries the latch arm 103, thus partially turning said
frame and depressing the latch arm in a manner to release the clutch lever,
whereupon the latter, resuming its normal position, disengages the clutch from
the sleeve of the reciprocating pinion and engages it with the sleeve of the fast
pulley. This being done continuous circular knitting is carried on to form
the foot of the stocking, at the completion of which the operation of the machine
is automatically arrested as before, and the picker controlling mechanisms are
actuated for the formation of the toe precisely as above described in regard to
the formation of the heel.
Upon the completion of the toe the clutch is automatically unlatched by the
action of the projection 107 on the pattern chain 64 and re-engaged with the
sleeve of the fast pulley; thus proceeding with the knitting of a series of tubular
courses until the operation of the machine is arrested.
Provision is had for automatically regulating the length of the stitches at
predetermined intervals,-that is, in the formation of the heel and toe the stitches
are slightly longer than in the production of the leg. This is accomplished by
making the needle cylinder vertically adjustable in respect to the cam cylinder,
and providing a vertically-swinging lever 122 for effecting the requisite adjust-
ments. This lever is pivoted at one end thereof to a bar 123 depending from the
hed of the machine, the opposite end of the lever resting on an arm 124 on
the rock shaft 85 with which the clutch is connected. The clamp 8 above
described which supports the needle cylinder is provided with a sleeve 126 which
is slidingly fitted to a depending post 127 on the bed plate. The post projects
below the sleeve and is screw-threaded for the reception of a nut or nuts 128
upon which the sleeve rests. By adjusting these nuts up or down the lowest
position of the needle cylinder may be nicely regulated. The lower portion of
the post is centrally perforated for the passage of a stud 129, the upper end of
which is connected with the sleeve by a transverse pin 130 which extends through
a slot 101 in the post; the lower end of the stud resting upon a set-screw 131
in the body of the lever.
By this construction it will be seen that when the clutch is shifted preparatory
to reciprocating work, the arm 124 on the rock shaft 85 will slightly raise the
lever 122, and, perforée, the needle cylinder, thus increasing the length of
the stitches and that when the clutch is returned to its normal position for
circular work the lever and needle cylinder will resume their original position.
As during the knitting of long hosiery it is desirable that the length of the
stitches in the calf and upper portion of the leg be greater than that of the

page_text: titches in the ankle portion, I provide a supplemental mechanism whereby the
titch regulating lever is raised for a proper period, as follows:-132 is a rock
haft mounted in brackets or lugs 133 depending from the bed plate. On one
end of this shaft is pivoted an arm 134 provided with a depending lug 135 against
which bears a set-screw 136 fitted to a fixed toe or projection 137 on the shaft.
By adjusting this set-screw the angle of the arm in respect to the shaft may be
nicely regulated. Pivoted to the arm is the upper end of a link 138, the lower end
thereof being extended loosely through the free end of the lever 122, and being
provided with a set-nut 139 that takes against the under side of the latter for
the purpose of adjustment. On the opposite end of the rock shaft is fixed a
depending arm 140 (Fig. 15,) that lies adjacent to the leg and foot chain 63,
in the path of a series of relatively-arranged high links 141 on the latter
whereby at a given time the said arm is moved outward and so maintained for a
proper period, thus partially turning the rock shaft and slightly raising the
stitch regulating lever. When the links 141 escape the arm, the parts controlled
thereby resume their normal position.
As a simple and efficient means to lock the clutch intermediate the sleeve of
the rotary pinion and of the fast pulley, and thus permit the cam cylinder to be
idle, even though the driving belt be upon said pulley. I mount in suitable
lugs 142 on the bed plate a pin 143 which may be moved into and from the path
of the clutch lever 86. The pin is projected normally into such path by a
spring 144 which, encircling the pin, bears against a shoulder 145 thereon and
against one of the lugs. This lug is provided with a slot 146, and the pin is
furnished with a suitably located stud 147, to the end that when the pin is
retracted against the compression of the spring the stud thereon may be drawi
through the slot, and by a partial turn of the pin seated against the outer face
of the lug in a manner to retain the pin temporarily refracted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I déclare that what I claim is:
1. In a knitting machine, the combination with the bed-plate and the needle
cylinder, of a support for the latter provided with clamping jaws, and a shaft
provided with an eccentric portion interposed longitudinally between the edges
of said jaws, substantially as described.
2. In a knitting machine, the combination with the bed-plate and the needle
cylinder, of a support for the latter, comprising a ring provided with a projecting.
upper portion split vertically and horizontally to afford two expansible jaws,
and a vertical shaft journaled in the lower portion of the ring and extended
between the opposing edges of said jaws, such extended portion being flattened
to afford an elongated eccentric or cam, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the cam carrier, its knitting cams, a normally active
depressing picker, and a normally active elevating picker, of a movable member
mounted on said carrier and adapted to engage and render inactive the depressing
picker, and to release the same and permit it to return to action, and a yielding
latch on said member adapted to be moved thereby into and from the path of the
elevating picker, substantially as described.
4. The combination with the cam carrier, its knitting cams, a normally active
depressing picker, and a normally active elevating picker, of a movable member
mounted on said carrier and adapted to engage and render inactive the depressing
picker, and to release the same and permit it to return to action, a vibratory latch
or dog pivoted on said member and movable thereby into and from the path of
the elevating picker, and a spring to maintain said latch or dog in a normal
position in respect to said member, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the cam carrier, its knitting cams, a normally active
5 depressing picker, and a normally active elevating picker, of a slide on said
carrier adapted to engage and render inactive the depressing picker, and to

page_text: release the same and permit it to return to action, and a yielding latch on said
member adapted to be moved thereby into and from the path of the elevating
picker, a rock-shaft, and a connection between the same and said slide, sub-
stantially as described.
6. In a knitting machine, the combination, with a cam carrier, its knitting
rams, a set of normally active depressing pickers, and a set of normally active
elevating pickers, of two oppositely-movable slides one of which is provided
with portions which co-act with and control the active and inactive positions of
one picker of each set, and the other of which slides is provided with abortion
which controls the active and inactive positions of the remaining depressing
picker, and with a yielding latch or dog which is movable into and from the path
of the remaining elevating picker, together with means for actuating said slides,
substantially as described.
7. In a knitting machine, the combination with the cam carrier, of two
oppositely-inclined cams thereon movable in a horizontal plane into and from
the interior of the carrier, outwardly extending stems on said cams, springs to
maintain the cams normally retracted, and a rocking head movable in a vertical
plane and provided on its inner face with bevels or cam portions which take
against the outer ends of the respective stems, substantially as described.
8. In a knitting machine, the combination with the cam carrier, of two
oppositely-inclined cams thereon movable into and from the interior of the
carrier, outwardly extending stems on said cams, springs to maintain the cams
normally retracted, and a rocking head movable in a plane at right angles to
the path of said cams and provided on its inner face with bevels or cani portions
which take against the outer ends of said stems, a fixed cam adapted to co-act
with said head to set it in a neutral position, a tappet arm on said head, trip
mechanism, and means whereby it may be moved into and from the path of said
arm, substantially as described.
9. In pattern mechanism for knitting machines, the combination with a rock
shaft, and means for actuating the same, of two independently-movable ratchet
wheels thereon, pattern devices adapted to be intermittently actuated by said
wheels, arms affixed to said shaft carrying pawls adapted to co-act with the
respective wheels, and means whereby the said pawls may be moved into and out
of action in alternate succession, substantially as described.
10. In pattern mechanism for knitting machines, the combination with a rock
shaft, and means for actuating the same, of two independently-movable ratchet
wheels thereon, pattern devices adapted to be intermittently actuated by said
wheels, arms affixed to said shaft carrying pawls adapted to
co-act
with the respective wheels, rock levers loosely mounted on said shaft and
provided with sector-like arms movable below and from the respective pawls to
render the latter idle and active in alternate succession, and means for shifting
said levers in opposite directions to each other at predetermined intervals, sub-
stantially as described.
11. In pattern mechanism for knitting machines, the combination with a rock
shaft, and means for actuating the same, of two independently-movable ratchet
wheels thereon, pattern devices adapted to be intermittently actuated by said
wheels, arms affixed to said shaft carrying pawls adapted to co-act with the
respective wheels, rock levers loosely mounted on said shaft and provided with
sector-like arms movable below and from the respective pawls to render the
latter ille and active in alternate succession, reciprocating slides, a rock-lever
connected with said slides and adapted to move them longitudinally in opposite
directions to each other, and means for operating said lever, substantially as
described.
12. In a knitting machine provided with narrowing and widening mechanism,
the combination with the needle cylinder, the cam cylinder, the driving shaft
geared with the latter, fast and loose pulleys on said shaft, a driving. belt, a
shipper therefor, means whereby said shipper is held normally adjacent to the

page_text: ose pulley, means whereby it may be temporarily held adjacen
lley, a reciprocating rotary mechanism, gearing between the same and the fast
alley, a clutch whereby the said reciprocating mechanism and the fast pulley
ay be thrown into and out of action in respect to the shaft in alternate succession,
eans whereby said clutch normally locks the fast pulley to the shaft, a latch
evice whereby said clutch may be temporarily engaged with the reciprocating
echanism, a rock shaft, means for actuating the same, two independently-
ovable ratchet wheels on said rock shaft, pattern mechanism adapted to be
ntermittently actuated by said wheels, arms on said rock shaft carrying pawls
dapted to co-act with the respective wheels, oppositely-movable devices co-acting
ith said pawls to render the latter active and idle in alternate succession,
perative connections between said devices and the clutch, operative connections
between said latch device and one of said pattern mechanisms, and trip devices
between the outer pattern mechanism and the shipper mechanism, substantially
as described.
13. In a knitting machine, provided with narrowing and widening mechanism,
the combination with the needle cylinder, the cam cylinder, the driving shaft
geared with the latter, fast and loose pulleys on said shaft, a driving belt, a
shipper therefor, means whereby said shipper is held normally adjacent to the
loose pulley, means whereby it may be temporarily held adjacent to the fast
pulley, a pinion fixedly connected with the latter pulley, a secondary shaft, a
wheel on the latter geared with said pinion, a crank on said secondary shaft,
a radius bar connected therewith carrying a sector, a pinion loosely mounted
on the main shaft and geared with said sector, a clutch, means whereby, it is
normally held in position to lock the fast pulley to the shaft, a latch device
whereby said clutch may be temporarily engaged with the pinion last-named, a
trip device for the shipper, a trip device for the said latch, and pattern mechanism
for actuating said trip devices at predetermined intervals, substantially as
described.
14. In a knitting machine, provided with narrowing and widening mechanism.
the combination with the needle cylinder, the cam cylinder, the driving shaft
geared with the latter, fast and loose pulleys on said shaft. a driving belt, a
shipper therefor, means whereby said shipper is held normally adjacent to the
loose pulley, means whereby it may be temporarily held adjacent to the fast
pulley, a pinion fixedly connected with the latter pulley, a counter shaft, a wheel
on the latter geared with said pinion, a crank on said counter shaft, a radius bar
connected therewith carrying a sector, a pinion loosely mounted on the main
shaft and geared with said sector, a clutch, means whereby it is normally held
in position to lock the fast pulley to the shaft, a latch device whereby said clutch
O may be temporarily engaged with the pinion last-named, a rock shaft, operative
connections between the same and the radius bar, independently-movable ratchet
wheels on said rock shaft, pattern mechanism adapted to be intermittently
actuated by said wheels, arms on said rock shaft carrying pawls adapted to
co-act with the respective wheels, means for rendering said pawls active and
5 inactive in alternate succession, operative connections between said latch and
one of said pattern mechanisins, and trip devices between the other pattern
mechanism and the shipper mechanism, substantially as described.
15. In a knitting machine, the combination with the cam cylinder, the needle
cylinder, and a vertically adjustable support for the latter cylinder, of a driving
50 shaft, gearing between the same and the cam cylinder, means for imparting
continuous rotary movement to said shaft, means for imparting reciprocating
rotary movement to said shaft, mechanism whereby either of said means may be
thrown into or out of action in respect to the shaft, as desired, a vertically
swinging lever adapted to co-act with the said adjustable support, and operativ
55 connections between the said mechanism and the lever, substantially as described
16. In a knitting machine, the combination with the cam cylinder and th
needle cylinder having provision for vertical adjustment, of a driving shaf

page_text: gearing between the same and the cam cylinder, means for imparting continuous
1otary movement to said shaft, means for imparting reciprocating rotary move-
ment to said shaft, a clutch member whereby either of said means may be thrown
into or out of action in respect to the shaft, as desired, a lever for controlling
said clutch member, a rock shaft connected therewith and adapted to be rocked
thereby, a vertically-swinging lever constructed and arranged to effect the adjust-
ment of the needle cylinder, and means on said rock-shaft co-acting with said
lever to control the position thereof when the rock-shaft is actuated, substantially
as described.
17. In a knitting machine, the combination with the cam cylinder, the needle
cylinder, and a vertically movable support for the latter cylinder, of a driving
shaft, gearing between the same and the cam cylinder, means for imparting
continuous rotary movement to said shaft, means for imparting reciprocating
rotary movement to said shaft, mechanism whereby either of said means may
be rendered active or inactive in respect to the shaft, a lever adapted to co-act
with the movable support, a rock shaft, a link connection between the same and
the said lever, and mechanism for actuating said shaft at predetermined intervals,
substantially as described.
18. In a knitting machine, the combination with the cam cylinder, the needle
cylinder, and a vertically movable support for the latter cylinder, of a driving shait,
gearing between the same and the cam cylinder, means for imparting continuous
rotary movement to said shaft, means for imparting reciprocating rotary movement
io said shaft, mechanism whereby either of said means may be rendered active or
inactive in respect to the shaft, a lever adapted to co-act with the movable support,
a rock shaft, an adjustable arm on one end of said shaft, means for adjusting the
came, a connection between said arm and the lever, and pattern mechanism for
actuating said rock shaft at predetermined intervals, substantially as described.
19. In a knitting machine provided with narrowing and widening mechanism,
the combination with the needle cylinder, the cam cylinder, the driving shaft
geared with the latter, fast and loose pulleys on said shaft, a driving belt, a
shipper therefor means whereby said shipper is held normally adjacent
to the loose pulley, means whereby it may be temporarily held adjacent to the fast
pulley, a reciprocating rotary mechanism, gearing between the same and the fast
pulley, a clutch whereby the said reciprocating mechanism and the fast pulley
may be thrown into and out of action in respect to the shaft in alternate
succession, means whereby said clutch normally locks the fast pulley to the
shaft, a latch device whereby said clutch may be temporarily engaged with the
reciprocating mechanism, a trip device for the shipper, a trip device for the said
latch, and pattern mechanisms for actuating said trip devices at predetermined
intervals, together with means for temporarily locking the clutch in idle position,
substantially as described.
Date this onl 1
1. 1000
HENRY
BRINTON.
Wm. P. Thompson & Co..
Agents.