Thickening or Additional Thread Introducing and Take-up Mechanisms for Knitting Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 13th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 29th May, 1897
Thickening or Additional Thread Introducing and Take-up
Mechanisms for Knitting Machines.
A communication from abroad by GEORGE DUNNING MAYO, of Franklin, in the
County of Merrimack, State of New Hampshire, United States of America.
I ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 & 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention in knitting machines has especial reference to mechanisms for
introducing into the work, when needed, additional or different threads.
The invention includes a mechanism wherein is employed a rotary winder or
winding device or devices for winding or twisting one thread about another that
the two may together pass to the work or pass one following and connected
with the other, the twisting of the one thread about the other ensuring proper
connection of the two and avoiding liability of failure of introduction of the second
thread.
To avoid rotation of the spools, cops or sources of thread supply, and also to
avoid putting into the threads back of the winding device or devices a troublesome
reverse or opposite twist, the invention comprehends a rotary winder for engaging
or carrying the free end or extremity of one thread about or to wind it upon the
other, as distinguished from devices heretofore constructed wherein the end of the
thread to be so wound is held fixedly, and the body of thread back of said end
engaged and carried one or more times about the other thread, which necessitates
either the rotation of the source of supply or the putting into the threads back of
the winding device the troublesome opposite or reverse twist, referred to.
The invention further comprehends a holding device to hold the free end of the
severed thread previous to the twisting of said thread about another, and also a
device or finger for drawing one of the threads to one side of its normal line of
travel into or for engagement with said holding device, and if a cutter or cutters is
or are employed this finger may be employed to carry the thread which is to be
severed or cut into position to be severed by said cutter or cutters.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention as now contemplated by me, the
rotary winder will be in the form of a tubular device through which both threads
are passed, and upon the end of this tubular device will be provided one or more,
preferably a large number, of projections, which, when rotated, will catch the end
of the severed thread drawn to one side for that purpose, and carry it a plurality of
times about and upon the other thread drawn through the winder and directly to
the work, the end of the thread so wound being drawn from engagement with the
winding projections as the thread so wound is drawn to the work.
Preferably the winding projections are arranged in such close proximity that
when the thread is drawn to one side it will be wedged or clamped between two of
the same, so that said projections also fulfil the function of the holding device,
heretofore referred to.
The cutting device is preferably arranged at one side of the line of travel of the
thread and outside of the winding device, so that when the finger engages the

page_text: thread to be severed and draws it laterally to one side of its line of movement it
will also at the same time lay the thread between and to be clamped by the winding
projections as described.
The winder will preferably be rotated by a sector or rack or its equivalent, which
is reciprocated at the proper times for the insertion or withdrawal of the additional
thread, the winder being preferably so constructed that movement of the actuating
sector or rack in one direction will cause rotation of the winder, while return
movement of the actuating sector or rack will take place without imparting a reverse
movement to the winder."
The invention may, therefore, be said to also comprehend a rotating clamping
device or a combined winder and clamp which may normally hold the free end of
the thickening thread, and when rotated carry said thread end about the rotary
winder.
The invention further comprehends a pivoted take-up arm to be used in connection
with and to control the thread going through the rotary winder, said take-up
having a retarding device to control the free movement of the take-up with a lifter
and its actuating spring to raise the lifter and to maintain the take up in operative
position, and means to move the lifter away from the take-up to permit the latter
to be freely moved by the thread into inoperative position, that is, position where
it will no longer serve as a take-up, but under the action of the retarding device,
the latter preventing the take-up dropping suddenly from operative to inoperative
position and causing objectional slack in the thread.
Dated the 13th day of June 1896.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.
Thickening or Additional Thread Introducing and Take-up
Mechanisms for Knitting Machines.
A communication from abroad by GEORGE DUNNING MAYO, of Franklin, in the
County of Merrimack, State of New Hampshire, United States of America.
I, ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 & 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent, 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 in knitting machines has special reference to mechanisms for
introducing into the work, when needed, additional or different threads.
The invention comprehends a device for winding one thread about another
without requiring that the spools, cops or sources of supply of said threads be
movable, and without putting into the threads, back of the winding device, an
objectionable reverse opposite twist.
The invention comprehends means for holding the free end of the severed thread
previous to the twisting of said thread about another.
While this holding device may be independent of and removed from the winder,
yet preferably said winder is so constructed as to in itself fulfil the added function
of a clamp or holding device for the thread.
In either arrangement, however, the invention comprehends, if it is necessary, a
finger or device for drawing one of the threads to one side its normal line of travel
for engagement by or with said holding means or device.

page_text: The invention also comprehends suitable means for severing one of
when its further use is not desired.
The invention further consists in providing the usual pivoted "take-up," with a
retarding device, to control its free movements, and with an independently
movable spring-actuated lifter to raise the said "take-up" into its elevated or
operative position, where it will serve to take-up the slack in the thread.
When the lifter referred to is removed from in front of the "take-up," the
latter, owing to its retarding device, descends into its normal or inoperative
position only as it is drawn down by the thread.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1, in face view, shows a sufficient portion of a knitting machine of well
known.construction to which one embodiment of the invention is applied, the figure
being sufficient to enable the invention to be understood.
Fig. 2, a perspective detail showing the rotary winder and the cutting mechanism
of the embodiment of the invention Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, a vertical section through the winder, and showing the operating parts
therefor in elevation.
Fig. 4, a cross section on the dotted line a¹, Fig. 3.
Referring to the drawings showing one embodiment of the invention, herein
selected as an illustration of the same, the top plate A, supported by suitable
standards A', provided with the curbs 100, each containing a cam cylinder operated
from the shaft a; the sliding rod d³, connecting the two cam rings of the two cam
cylinders, and moved to shift said rings at the beginning at the reciprocations of
the cam cylinder for narrowing and widening; the pattern wheel c actuated by
its attached ratchet wheel and making one complete rotation at each
operation of narrowing and widening, and other parts shown in Fig. 1 are and may
be substantially like corresponding parts, similarly lettered, in the Mayo machine
illustrated in English Patent No. 17388, dated October 13, 1891, said parts being
constructed and operated substantially as set forth.in said patent to which reference
may be had, further description of the same herein being deemed unnecessary.
Upon the top plate of the machine, Fig. 1, I have herein arranged two
standards, i, i, broken off in said figure to enable the latter to be arranged upon
the sheet, but shown more fully in Fig. 2, the said standards having their ends
bent at substantially right angles, as shown, to form overhanging arms i, i, said
arms in turn having their ends turned downwardly at 2 and provided with eyes 3
vertically above and constituting guides through which the yarn or thread is fed
to the needle cylinders.
Extended between the standards i, i, and journaled at its ends therein, is a
shaft, upon which are fixed two like sectors m, m, only one of which is illustrated,
see Fig. 2, one for and at each standard, said shaft, at its middle, see Figs. 1 and 2,
having an actuating arm m', connected by a rod m³ with a slotted lever 2
connected to and vibrated by the sliding rod d³ referred to.
These mechanisms upon the standards i, i, referred to, are similar, and it will
therefore be necessary to describe but one in detail, it being understood that both
are alike and operated by the common shafts i and os, to be referred to.
Each sector m along the side of its curved periphery is shown provided with a
friction strip m' of raw-hide or other suitable friction material, to engage the
preferably milled or otherwise roughened periphery of the hub n, see Fig. 4, of a
ratchet wheel n', see Fig. 3, loosely journaled upon a stud n³ projecting from the
interior of an enclosing shell n³ bolted at n or otherwise suitably attached to the
overhanging arm on the adjacent standard i.
Close to the ratchet wheel n' and loosely journaled upon the same stud n³, is a
toothed wheel n, provided with a pawl n, engaging the teeth of the ratchet
wheel n', see Fig. 3, a spring n' maintaining the said pawl in operative engagement
with the said ratchet teeth, rotation of the hub n and its ratchet wheel in one
direction giving a like rotation to the toothed wheel no, while rotation of the said

page_text: hub and ratchet wheel in the opposite direction takes place independently of and
without moving the said toothed wheel no.
The toothed wheel no, as herein shown, see Fig. 3, meshes with and drives a
pinion n, which, see Fig. 4, is loosely journaled about a stud nº firmly held in the
cover n³ of the enclosing shell n³.
The pinion n is, as herein shown, provided with an annular lip or sleeve n
extending laterally to oue side, and surrounding the projecting end of the stud n
see Fig. 4, and to the inner grooved face of this annular lip 10, there is in the
present instance, secured a plurality of projections n", preferably of wire or
bristles, being as shown, curved or flared outwardly.
In the embodiment of the invention herein shown and described, these
projections are arranged in such close proximity one to another as to serve as a
clamp to hold the end of a thread drawn between the same, as will be hereinafter
described.
The stud n, as herein shown, is provided with two longitudinal holes 12 and 13
which constitute respectively yarn or thread guides, one yarn or thread being
passed through the guide n, thence through the eye in the overhanging arm,
and, through the eye t³ of a suitable take-up to the needles, the second thread
being passed through the guide n¹³ and having its end drawn to one side, see Fig. 2,
in position to be acted upon hy one or another of the projections or bristles n¹ on
the pinion n8, when the latter is rotated.
To facilitate the description of the operation of the device, I will assume that
the thread passing through the guide is the usual main thread of the machine,
and the thread passing through the guide n¹³ is a thickening thread and that it is
desired to introduce the latter thread at certain portions of the work, for example
at the heel or toe of a stocking, in the formation of which it is necessary to
reciprocate the cam cylinder or cylinders.
In the preseut instance, when the slide rod d³ is moved to the right Fig. 1, to
shift the cam rings preparatory to reciprocating the cam cylinder, such movement
of the said rod acting through the lever 2, the rod m³ and sector m will rotite
the ratchet wheel n', its toothed wheel n' and the pinion n in the direction indicated
by the arrows thereon in Fig. 3, to cause the end of the thickening thread to be
acted upon by the projections on the pinion, and be rapidly wound about and upon
the main thread passing through the thread guide n to the needles, so that the
said main thread will draw the thickening thread with it, as indicated in Fig. 2, to
the work.
It now remains to sever the thickening thread at the end of the reciprocations
of the cam cylinder, when the said thread is no longer needed.
The mechanism employed, is best shown in Fig. 2, wherein o is a bracket secured
to one side of the overhanging arm i of the standard, and to the side of this
bracket, upon a screw o', is pivoted the three-armed lever o³, its three arms being
herein distinguished by the Figures 1, 2 and 3.
The arın 2 of the three armed-lever o' is herein shown as connected by a
rearwardly extended link o' with one arm of, see Fig. 2, fast on one end of a shaft o
journaled at its ends in the two standards i, i, previously referred to, and provided
at its middle, between said standards with an arm ox, to which is jointed one end
of a rod o, which, see Fig. 1, extends downwardly through the top plate of the
machine, and at its lower end rests upon the peripheral surface of a cam o' fast on
the shaft of the pattern wheel 23, and shown separately in Fig. 7, a spring o", see
Fig. 1, acting to retain the said rod o always in operative contact with the
said cam.
The arm 1 of the three-armed lever o2 is shown as split to receive a finger o
hooked at its outer end, as shown, and clamped in the said arm by means of a
clamping screw o¹0
The cutting device proper consists of two cutting blades ol, o, the latter of
which is fixed to the bottom of the bracket o, while the former is pivoted thereto

page_text: at o³, and is provided with an arm o" which stands in a position, see Fig. 2, between
and adapted to be struck by the arms 1 and 3 of the three-armed lever o³, when
the latter is vibrated.
Assuming the thickening thread to have been wound upon the main thread and
thereby drawn into the work, and that it is now desired to sever the thread and
hold it out of operation, the mechanism described operates as follows, viz. :-
The pattern wheel c rotates, as stated, once during the narrowing and widening
of the work, that is, once from the beginning to the end of the reciprocations of
the cam cylinder.
During the rotation of this pattern wheel, the cam o' is rotated thereby, and
gradually raises the rod o, and turns the three-armed lever o in the direction of
the arrow 5, Fig. 2, raising its hooked finger o' above the thickening thread passing
to the work, the said thread being pushed to one side by and to perinit the raising
of the said hooked finger.
This movement of the three-armed lever o causes its finger 3 to strike the
arm o of the cutting blade o", and move the latter away from its companion
blade o to open the two cutter blades like a pair of scissors, as shown in Fig. 2.
Immediately before the pattern wheel completes its rotation and stops the
reciprocations of the cam cylinder, the end of the rod o, acted upon by the
spring o, drops from the highest point of the cam o' to the lowest point thereof,
permitting the said spring to depress the rod of and return the three-armed lever o²
again to its normal, full line position Fig. 2, in a direction opposite the arrow 5,
said return movement of the three-armed lever causing its hooked finger o' to
catch the thickening thread and draw it down or to one side its line of movement,
as shown in Fig. 2, and between two of the clamping projections n" on the pinion n",
and between the two cutting blades o", o, further and final movement of the said
three-armed lever causing its arm 1 to strike the arm o¹ of the movable cutting
blade o" and move the latter towards its companion blade to sever the thickening
thread.
While I have described the operation of the device as when the end of the
thread drawn to one side is clamped by the projections n", said thread end may be
otherwise clamped if desired, or it may be left free to overlie one of the winding
projections, as it matters not which construction is used, so long as the carrying of
the free end of one thread about another is ensured on rotation of the winder.
When the pinion is rotated to wind this free end of the thread in the guide n
about the other thread, said free end is, by the winding operation, drawn out from
the holding or clamping device without necessary movement or opening of the
latter.
The portion of the thickening thread beyond the cut is drawn to the machine
and incorporated in the work before the reciprocations of the cam cylinder are
terminated by the pattern wheel c³ reaching the end of its rotation.
The slide rod d³ is now returned to the left into its normal position to return the
cam rings to their normal positions, for circular work, and thereby the sector m
again into its lowermost position Fig. 2, such return movement of the sector,
however, failing to rotate the pinion n' with its projections because of the pawl and
ratchet connection between the ratchet wheel and the toothed wheel n³.
The rotatable connected projections n constitute one form of what I term a
rotatable winder for winding the free end of one thread about another.
Referring now to Fig. 2, t is a take-up arm, held at its end in a suitable yoke-
like levert, pivoted at t to a lug on the top of the over-hanging arm of the
standard, the free end of the said take-up arm being turned downwardly, as shown,
and provided with an eye t³ through which the thread or yarn is led to the
needles.
A friction washer or retarding device t interposed at the pivot t between the
yoke t' and the lug to which it is pivoted, serves to retard or give to the said
take-up a substantially slow free movement in either direction for a purpose to be
described.

page_text: Pivoted to the same lug and moving about the same axis t, as the take-up arın,
is a lifter having an arm t connected by a spring & with the standard, said
spring tending to raise the said lifter.
The sector m is herein shown as provided with an arm t8, which, when the sector
is in its lowermost, normal position, strikes the arm t of the lifter t and depresses
the latter, holding it in its depressed position, the take-up t, then lying in its lower-
most inoperative position, with its eye 3 axially in line with the eye t, and the
main yarn guide within the pinion n³.
When the sector m is raised to draw in the thickening thread at the beginning
of the reciprocations of the cam cylinder, the arm t of the sector is moved away
from the arm to on the lifter, see Fig. 2, permitting the spring t' to raise the lifter
and the take-up into their full line position Fig. 2, to cause the take-up t to take
up all slack in the thread or yarn passing to the machine, said take-up being free
to fall and rise under the tension of the thread or yarn passed through its eye, and
the action of the spring t7.
At the end of the reciprocations of the cam cylinder when the take-up is no
longer needed, the dropping of the sector m by movement of the slide rod d
referred to, causes its arm t8 to strike the arm t of the lifter and depress the latter
into its lowermost position, the retarding or friction device t, however, retaining
the take-up still in its elevated position, permitting the latter to be drawn down
gradually by the thread as the latter is worked into the stocking or other article
being made.
s, s', are two friction plates, which are separated and closed by the action of the
lifter in usual manner to clamp the thread or yarn when the take-up is elevated,
and to release the same when the take-up is depressed.
In take-ups as heretofore constructed so far as known to my correspondent, the
take-up arm is positively depressed into its inoperative position at or near the end
of the reciprocations of the cam cylinder, causing a sudden and considerable
slackening of the thread before it can be worked up by the machine.
In my improved take-up herein shown, however, the lifter which holds the
take-up in its elevated or operative position is depressed as usual at or near the
end of the reciprocations of the cam cylinder, but the take-up arm itself being
independent of the lifter and provided with a retarding or friction device, remains
in its elevated position and is drawn down gradually by the working up of the
thread or yarn, preventing any undue slackening of the latter.
So far as the winding mechanism is concerned, however, my invention is not
restricted to the use of any particular take-up.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a knitting machine, the combination with a guide device for a plurality of
threads, of a rotary winder for carrying the free end of one thread one or more
times about another, substantially as described.
2. In a knitting machine, the combination with a guide device for a plurality of
threads, of a rotary winder for carrying the free end of one thread one or more
times about another, and means for holding said thread end previous to said
winding, substantially as described.
3. In a knitting machine, the combination with a guide device for a plurality of
threads, of a rotary winder for carrying the free end of one thread one or more
times about another, and means for holding said thread end previous to said
winding, and means to sever one of said threads, substantially as described.
4. In a knitting machine, the combination with a guide device for a plurality of
threads, of a rotary winder for carrying the end of one thread oue or more times
about another, a holding device, and means for drawing one of said threads to one
side its line of movement into position for engagement by said holding device,
substantially as described.

page_text: 5. In a knitting machine, the combination with a guide device for a plurality of
threads, of a rotary winder for carrying the end of one thread one or more times
about another, a holding device, means for drawing one of said threads to one
side its line of movement, and means for severing said thread, substantially as
described.
6. In a knitting machine, the combination with a guide device for a plurality of
threads, of a rotary winder for carrying the end of one thread one or more times
about another, and a cutter, and means for moving the same to draw one of said
threads to one side and sever said thread, substantially as described.
7. In a knitting machine, the combination with a guide device for a plurality of
threads, of a rotary winder through which said threads are passed, one or more
projections on the said winder, and means to draw one of said threads to one side
and leave its end in the path of movement of and to be engaged and rotated by
said projection, substantially as described.
8. In a knitting machine, the combination with a guide device for a plurality of
threads, of a rotary winder for winding the free end of one thread about another,
and means for rotating said winder in one direction and preventing rotation of the
same in an opposite direction, substantially as described.
9. In a knitting machine, the combination of the guides for the main and
thickening threads, with a clamp for the thickening thread, and with means for
rotating said clamp around the main knitting thread, substantially as described.
10. In a knitting machine, the combination with main and thickening thread
guides, of a combined winder and clamp normally holding the free end of the
thickening thread, and means to rotate the same to wind the said main and
thickening threads one upon the other, substantially as described.
11. In a knitting machine, the combination with main and thickening thread
guides, of a combined winder and clamp provided with a plurality of projections
in which the free end of the thickening thread is clamped, and means to rotate
said combined winder and clamp to wind the said main thread and the end of said
thickening thread one upon the other, substantially as described.
12. In a knitting machine, the combination with main and thickening thread
guides, of a rotatable winder to wind one thread upon the other, a cutting device,
and means to draw the thickening thread to one side its line of movement into
position to be severed by said cutting device, substantially as described.
13. In a
knitting machine, the combination with main and thickening thread
guides, of a combined winder and clamp provided with a series of clamping
projections, a cutting device, and a finger, and actuating mechanism for and to
move the latter to draw the said thickening thread to one side into position to be
clamped by said projections and into position to be severed by said cutting device,
substantially as described.
14. In a knitting machine, a pivoted take-up arm, and a retarding device to
control the free movement of the same; a lifter; an actuating spring for and to
raise the same into and maintain it in operative position; and means to move said
lifter away from the said take-up to permit the latter to be freely moved by the
thread into inoperative position, substantially as described.
Dated the 12th day of March 1897.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.