Improvements in Circular Knitting Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Circular Knitting Machines.
I, HARRY A. HOUSEMAN, of Willow Street, Frankford, Philadelphia, in the
County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
My invention relates to knitting machines and comprises various improvements
hereinafter described.
In the drawings-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on the line of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a section view on the line y-y of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a detached plan view of the sinker head and needle cylinder.
Fig. 5 is a section on the line 2-z of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a detached view of one of the needle-shifting cam plates.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the upper portion of the yarn
guides of the yarn-take-up mechanism.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 9 is a detached front elevation of a portion of the reversing mechanism of
the machine.
Fig. 10 is a section on the line 1-2 of Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is a detached front elevation of the plate.
Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the sinker head.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the cam ring used in the sinker head.
Fig. 14 is a plan view of a portion of the feed mechanism for controlling the
needles.
Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the same.
Fig. 16 is a plan view of the needle operating mechanism.
Fig. 17 is a front elevation of machine slightly modified.
Fig. 18 is a section on the line -x, Fig. 19.
Fig. 19 is a plan view of upper portion of machine of Fig. 17 with bed
removed.
Fig. 20 is an end view of machine of Fig. 17.
Fig. 21 is a plan of the needle cylinder showing a modification of the double pawl.
A is the needle cylinder in which are the needles a. B is the knitting cylinder
carrying the operating-cams as in the ordinary machine. C is the driving pulley.
c is the main driving shaft. c¹ is a bevel gear loose on the main driving shaft and
engaging the rack on the knitting cylinder. D is the clutch feathered on the
main driving shaft. ccare lugs on the hub of the bevel gear, c', and the clutch D
is adapted to engage said lugs so that when said clutch is in engagement with
the bevel gear, c', the cam cylinder is rotated. In making the heel and toe of a
stocking, the cam cylinder, in place of being rotated, is reciprecated, and this is
accomplished in the following manner : Secured to one end of the shaft c is a
pinion F, which engages with the gear wheel f'. Pivoted to the gear wheel ƒ¹
is a connecting rod F, one end of which is carried by the lower portion of the
segmental rack f³, which meshes with the pinion on the shaft 2. Upon the
other end of this shaft, 2, is the clutch G, adapted to engage with the lugs, g', 9',
upon the gear wheel E, the gear wheel E' working in the gear wheel E, which is
keyed on the hub of the bevel gear wheel, c', so that they revolve together. Upon
the shaft, f, is the bevel wheel f, which meshes with the bevel wheel f, loose
on the shaft. This bevel wheel, f', is provided with a pin, f20 f is a clutch

page_text: roller provided with spring pins, f10, said clutch roller having a raised or cam
portion, f, said clutch roller, f, being fixed on the shaft f. Between the clutch
roller, f, and the bevel gear, f7, is the segmental shield, f12, held in firm position ;
the pins, and f10, resting against the solid portion of said shield while the pin, 20,
reciprocates in the open portion. Upon the clutch roller, f, are the lugs, fl
and f. His a clutch lever pivoted at h and having forked ends, which encircle
the clutches G and D, and, as may be readily seen, the construction and arrange-
ment is such that when it is operated, it throws one clutch into connection and the
other clutch out of connection. This rod H is operated in the following manner :
I is the connecting rod, one end connected to the clutch-lever H. This rod has
connected to it or formed with it the frame h', which surrounds the clutch roller, f³,
as shown in Figure 2. The other end of this rod has a bearing at i. J is a
sprocket wheel, upon which travels the sprocket chain j. This sprocket wheel is
driven in the following manner: Upon the shaft of the sprocket wheel J is the
worm wheel', driven by the worm, the worm being on the same shaft as the
gear wheel, which is driven by the gear wheel upon the main driving shaft.
This sprocket wheel is thus continuously driven carrying around it the sprocket
chain. The position of the clutch lever H at the commencement of knitting is
such that the clutch D is in engagement with the bevel-gear c', and the knitting
cylinder is rotated. Upon the sprocket chain is the lug 20, and upon the clutch
roller are two lugs, f¹³, 14. The lug 20 strikes the lug f turning the clutch
roller, so that the pin f10 is brought opposite the open space and beyond the
shield, when it flies outward in line with the movement of the pin f20, and when it
is struck by said pin, the clutch-roller is turned and the cam portion of said clutch
roller acts upon the frame, which moves the connecting rod I, operating the clutch
rod to force the clutch G into connection with the gear-wheel E, thus moving the
clutch D out of engagement with the bevel-gear c¹, which causes the bevel-gear to
reciprocate, thus reciprocating the knitting cylinder, the pin f20 on the bevel-
gear having pushed the pin 10 to the extent of the movement of the bevel-
wheelf. The clutch remains in this position, the cam roller resting against the
frame and locking in said position. The clutch is released from the position on
the finishing of the heel and toe, by another lug upon the sprocket chain striking
the lug f, on the clutch roller, turning said clutch roller one half turn and bringing
the other spring pin f10 away from the cover; so that it moves outward into the
open space in line with the pin on the bevel gear, so that said pin strikes it,
turning the clutch roller in the same direction before described, and the cam face
of the roller acts upon the opposite side of the frame, moving the connecting rod
in the opposite direction, releasing the clutch G, and throwing the clutch D into
engagement, when the cylinder is again rotated. When the machine is first
operated, in forming the leg of the stocking the cam cylinder is rotated continuously,
and the sprocket chain is carried around the sprocket wheel slowly by the mechanism
used, and the lug 20 is placed in such a position upon the chain that it strikes the
lug at the point where the heel and toe are to be formed, and the lug k¹ strikes
the lug at the point where the heel and toe are finished.
In forming the heel and toe, as is well known, about half of the needles are
thrown out of action. I accomplish this in the following manner:
The needles a, a', a², rest in slots in the knitting cylinder, and the shanks of the
needles are enclosed in the jaws of the needle levers, M, M', M*, each lever being
pivoted and having a tail piece. The tail-pieces of the lever M, M', M-M24 of
the needles a, a, a2-a, which are to be thrown out of action simultaneously when
the heel and toe are to be knitted, rest in a groove in the plate N. This plate, N,
has the pins n, n, which are connected to the forked rods, n', n', which forked rods
are secured on the shaft O. On the shaft O is the lever X. O is a stand which
is connected to the connecting rod, I. x, x', are set screws which pass through
said stand in line with the lever X, rocking the shaft O and moving the plate N,
lifting the end of the levers, M M-M2, forcing the corresponding needles out of
action of the knitting cylinder. As before described, at the end of knitting the

page_text: heel or toe, when the other set screw a rocks the shaft in the new direction,
depressing the lever and again bringing the needles into action. The mouth or
jaw of each of the levers has the inset y, which supports the needle when forced in
out of action.
In knitting the heel and toe, the remainder of the needles are used, and one
from each side is thrown out of action at each reciprocation of the knitting
cylinder until the goods are narrowed down sufficiently; then one from each side
is thrown into action until the heel or toe is completed. These needles thrown out
of action in narrowing and into action in widening are called fashioning needles.
1 accomplish this in the following manner :
a28a2 are needles used in forming the heel and toe, although of course their
number may be varied as desired. Both of these needles is enclosed in the jaws of
a pivoted lever, M25-M42 (see Figures 16 and 21). P2 P3 are the fashioning
needle operating cams which are connected to the rack plates, preferably being
integral therewith as shown. Q, Q', are two double pawls, one for each rack
plate, pivoted to supports q, q'. q² q³ Figures 14 and 15 are springs which act
upon the pins q*, ** of the pawls on each side of said pawls to hold said pawl
against the rack. q' is a rod having projections 95, 96, one on each end of said rod,
and said rod q is connected to a rock shaft q', which extends through the plate of
the machine and has a depending arm 98. The projections q' at each end of the
plate, P, are adapted to strike the depending arm 9. The supports q, q', are
connected, one at each end of the lever R, Figures 2 and 19. S is a link, one
end pivoted to the lever R, the other end to the arm s. The arms is connected to
the lever T, pivoted at t to clutch rod H. Upon this lever T are lugs t', t2, one at
the outer end, one at the inner end of the lever T; and corresponding lugs, t³, t,
are upon the gear-wheel E¹. When the clutch G is thrown into engagement with
the gear-wheel E¹, the lugs t¹², are brought into the line of travel of the
lugs, tt, and as the gear-wheel reciprocates, the lugs t1, t2, are alternately struck
and the lever T vibrates first in one direction and then in the other, the lever R
vibrates on its pivot point, operating upon first one pawl and then the other, the
return movement drawing one pawl, and then the other back to engage the next two.
As before mentioned the ends of the lever, M2 M2, are in line of travel of the
cams P2 P3, and as the cams P2 P3 strike them, it lifts up the end, forcing the needle
in out of action. The cams act upon first one needle, and then the next until the last
tooth is reached, when one of the projections on each cam strikes the arm q³,
which turns the shaft so that the pin, 9, is released from engagement with its
corresponding springs, and the other pin forced against its corresponding springs,
thus rendering one spring inactive and the other active, turning the pawl from
A further
the direction it was and rendering the other end of the pawl active.
movement reverses the rack, depressing one by one each side, the ends of the
levers M2 M2 bringing the needles forward and into action one by one until the
last tooth in the rack is reached, near the projection 98, means hereinbefore
described rendering the other end of the pawl active. When the rod, I, is
operated, as described, and the clutch G thrown out of action the lugs t¹, t², are
drawn out of line of the lugs, t³ t. Upon the plate of the machine is secured the
guards, W, W and set screws, w² w³, passing through the rod R, so that the throw
of the rod R may be limited. It is advisable in forming the heel and toe that an
additional thread should be used over those used in forming the foot and leg, and it is
also advisable that this thread should be readily brought into action and retired
from action when required, and it is also advisable that a greater tension should be
put upon the thread when the heel and toe are being formed than in the case of
the tubular goods.
I accomplish this in my machine in the following manner:
25, 25, show the spools carrying the threads used in forming the tubular part of
the goods, and 26 shows the spool carrying the thread which is to be used in
addition to the other two in forming the heel and toe. This last thread, as shown
in Figure 7, passes through a slot in a tube, 28, this tube having a spring

page_text: plunger 29, provided with an orifice 30, through which said thread also passes.
The thread then passes through the frame 31, provided with the uprights 32, said
uprights having orifices 33, through which said thread passes. This frame, 31, is
supported on the shaft 33, which has at its end the bevel-gear 34, which meshes
with the segmental gear 35, pivoted at 36. The plunger 29 is sleeved upon the
arm 37, which surrounds the rod 38. Sleeved upon the rod 38 is the arm 39,
having the forked ends 40, in which a pin 41, upoù the segmental gear 35 rests.
Connected to the clutch lever H is the arm 41 Figure 1. 12 is a rock-shaft, see
Figure 2, and depending from said rock-shaft is the arm 43, to which is connected
the rod 41 44 is an arm projecting from said rock-shaft and in line with the
bottom of the rod 38, so that when said clutch lever is moved, to throw in the
clutch G, the arm 44 is elevated, elevating the rod 38, which brings the plunger 29
in the position that the hole in the plunger is in line with the hole in the case 28,
and also moves the segmental bevel-gear 35, so that the frame 31 is in such a
position that the orifices in the uprights 32 are also in line with the openings in
the plunger 29 and case 28. The thread, after passing through the orifices 33
Fig. 7 passes below the thread guide 45, and thence to the thread carrier 46
Fig. 1. Projecting from the rod 38 is the arm 47, upon which rests the spring
arm 48, the other end of this spring arm being connected to the guide 49 for the
main threads by means of arm 50. When this arm 47 is lifted, as before described,
the spring is lifted so that it elevates the arm 50 thus lifting up said thread guide
and creating a greater tension upon the same thread. When the clutch G is
disengaged, and the clutch D engaged, the movement of the clutch lever to
accomplish this moves the arm 44 downward allowing the rod 38 to drop. The
plunger 29 falls with the rod 38, and the orifice in said plunger is brought out of
line with the orifice in the plunger case 28, thereby locking the thread, so that any
further movement of the thread carrier, so far as said third thread is concerned,
will break the third thread at the needle. At the same time the arm 39 falls and
through its forked end 40, a pin 41, the segmental gear 35 is turned, which brings
the frame 31 into the position shown in Figure which draws up the slack thread,
as clearly shown in said drawing, so that it is out of the way of the threads used in
knitting the circular goods.
'
In my machine, I have also this further improvement in the mechanism for
operating the sinker cam, as shown in Figures 4, 5, 12, and 13. 51 illustrates
my sinker, which rests in insets in the sinker head, and presses against the work,
and as is well known, it is desirable and necessary, to relieve this strain on the
work of each needle at the time when the thread is being carried around said
needle. 52 is the sinker-head, and 53 is the sinker cam plate. Connected to
this sinker cam plate is the sinker cam 54, shown in perspective in Figure 13.
This sinker cam is made in two parts, said parts overlapping each other, as
shown in the above mentioned figure, at their point of union. One portion of
this sinker cam has the inset 55. The portion of the sinker cam which is not
provided with the inset is secured rigidly by screws 56 to the sinker cam plate,
the other portion being secured by the screw 57, which passes through the
cam plate 53, and are secured in slots 58 in the sinker cam plate. The
object in connecting the portion having the insets 55 in this manner is that it
becomes necessary to move the sinkers in or out a greater distance, according to
the character of the work, and by forming my cam in the manner in which I
have, I can readily adjust the portion which has the inset 55, so that the inset
portion 55, will extend further out or be closer in with relation to the other
part of the cam. Upon the cam plate are the lugs 59 which are in line of
movement of the projection 60 upon the thread carrier, see Figure 1 so that
when said thread carrier strikes the lug on the cam-plate, said cam-plate is
carried forward and the sinker is held in the position shown on the right side
of Figure 1, until the inset portion reaches said sinker, the inset portion being
behind the thread carrier when the sinker head is drawn out by one cam face
of said inset and returned into position after the thread carrier has passed, by

page_text: the other cam face.
when the heel and toe are being formed the thread carrier
reciprocates, so that it alternately strikes each of the lugs on the sinker cam
plate.
I also use in my machine a novel arrangement of clutch mechanism, whereby
the main driving shaft can be stopped by the operation of the machine. The
pulley C is loose upon the main driving shaft, c, and is provided with the clutch
mechanism, whereby it can be driven into engagement with the hub 600 which
is fixed upon the said shaft. 61 is a forked rod which surrounds said clutch
mechanism and is connected with the rod 62 adapted to slide. The end of this
rod has the spring 63 attached to it, which is connected to a fixed portion of
the machine. When the rod is in the position 61-62, the mechanism is out of
engagement, and the rod 62 rests in the slot 64, and is held therein by the
spring 63. When the handle 65 is pushed to the right, and the rod 62 is drawn
with it, so that its end is carried out of the orifice, the spring 63 lifts said rod
and brings the end of said rod above the orifice, thus locking the rod 62 against
any return movement and throwing the mechanism into operation. 650 is a
plunger, the lower end of which rests against the rod 62, its upper end pro-
jecting above the plate of the machine, so that when the rod 62 is in the
position last described, and the mechanism operating, and it is desired to stop
the mechanism, the plunger 650 is pushed down, which forces the rod 62 down
until it comes in line with the orifice 64, when the spring 63 throws it into said
orifice, stopping the mechanism. By this means, I provide a ready means of
starting and stopping the mechanism at each machine, the main driving mechanism
for a series of machines still going on as usual. Also, by this mechanism, I lock
the starting and stopping at each end of its movement, so that the same cannot
be changed except by the will of the operator or by some means operating upon
said spring 63.
In Figs. 17, 18, 19 and 20 are shown the following modifications:-First-for
operating the connecting rod directly from the pattern or sprocket chain, as
before described, I use the connecting rod I, one end connected to clutch rod H,
the other end to link i, to which it is pivoted; the other end of the link is
pivoted to a standard, i. Supported from the frame of the machine upon this
link, i, is the inclined projecting lug 2. Upon the sprocket chain is a lug k,
which, in its line of travel, strikes the lug, 2, moving the connecting rod I on its
pivot point so as to force the clutch G into connection with gear wheel E', and the
clutch out of engagement with the bevel gear c¹, which causes the bevel gear to
reciprocate, thus reciprocating the knitting cylinder. The clutch G is held in this
position by the notched bar K, supporting the projecting end of connecting rod I.
The clutch G is held in connection with gear wheel E' until the lug upon the
sprocket chain trips the bar K, when the spring L, which is put in tension by
the movement of the rod I, throwing clutch G into connection with wheel E¹,
returns the rod I, releasing clutch G, and throwing clutch D into action, when
the cylinder is again rotated. When the machine is first operated forming the
leg of the stocking, the cam cylinder is rotated continuously, and the sprocket
chain is carried around the sprocket wheel, but slowly, by the mechanism used,
and the lug is placed in such position upon the sprocket chain that it strikes
the lug, at the point where the heel or toe is to be formed, and the lug k
is in such position as to trip off the bar K when the heel and toe have been
formed.
I have also shown a modified forin of tipping or tilting the double pawls, q, q',
which is as follows, as shown in Figs. 19 and 21.
Q, Q', are the two double pawls, one for each rock plate pivoted to supports q, q',
and acted upon by the springs 2, 93. The supports q, q, are connected, one at each
end to the pivoted rod R. S is a link, one end pivoted to rod R, the other end to
arm . The arm, s, is connected to lever, T, pivoted at t to clutch rod H. Upon
this lever, T, are lugs, t¹, t2, one at the outer and one at the inner end of lever T;
and corresponding lugs, t; t, are upon the gear wheel E¹. When the clutch G is

page_text: moo engageme
Ton the gear wheels the rugs, 6, art
of travel of the lugs t³, t, and as the gear wheel reciprocates, the lugs, t¹, t, are
alternately struck and the lever T vibrates first in one direction and then in the
other, and the pivoted rod R, vibrates on its pivot point operating upon first one
pawl and then the other, the return movement drawing one pawl and then the other
back to engage the next tooth. The cams act upon first one needle, then the next,
until the last tooth is reached, when the projections, v, v¹, on each cam strike the
pins which turns the pawl so that its other end becomes active and further
motion reverses the rack, depressing one by one each side the ends of the levers M4*
to M2, bringing the needles forward and into action, one by one, until the last tooth in
the rack is reached, when the pins v² v² again turn the pawls. When the rod I is
released and the clutch G thrown out of action, the lugs t, t², are drawn out of line
of the lugs, t³, t. Upon the plate of the machine is secured the guards W, W', and
set screws w², w³ pass in front of the rod R, so that the throw of the rod R may be
limited.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is
1. In combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a clutch upon said shaft,
an oscillating shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged
by said clutch upon the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by the
clutch on the oscillating shaft, connection between said gear wheels and knitting
cylinder, a clutch lever common to both clutches, a connecting rod connected to
said lever and intermediate connection between the oscillating shaft and connecting
rod, whereby the clutches are operated from the movement of the oscillating shaft.
2. In combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft a clutch upon said shaft,
an oscillating shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged
by said clutch upon the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by the
clutch on the oscillating shaft, connection between said gear wheels and knitting
cylinder, a clutch lever common to both clutches, a connecting rod connected to
said lever, a gear upon said oscillating shaft, a gear wheel loose upon its shaft with
which said last gear meshes, a clutch upon said shaft, means substantially as
described to operate said clutch, and intermediate connection between said clutch,
and connecting rod of clutch lever whereby when said shaft is operated the
connecting rod is moved.
3. In combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft a clutch upon said shaft,
an oscillating shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged
by said clutch upon the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by the
clutch on the oscillating shaft, connection between said gear wheels and knitting
cylinder, a clutch lever common to both clutches, a connecting rod connected to
said lever and said connecting rod being provided with a frame portion as h³ a
clutch roller as f%, which said frame surrounds, a shaft for said clutch roller, a
clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel loose on said shaft, a gear wheel upon the
oscillating shaft in engagement with said last mentioned gear wheel, and mechanism
substantially as described to operate said clutch.
4. In combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft a clutch upon said shaft,
an oscillating shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged
by said clutch upon the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by the
clutch on the oscillating shaft, connection between said gear wheels and knitting
cylinder, a clutch lever common to both clutches, a connecting rod connected to
said lever, a gear upon said oscillating shaft, a gear wheel loose upon its shaft with
which said last gear meshes, a clutch upon said shaft, intermediate connection
between said clutch and connecting rod, a pattern chain operated by the rotating
shaft, lugs upon said chain, and lugs upon the clutch mechanism adapted to be struck
by the lugs on the pattern chain.
5. In combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a clutch upon said shaft,

page_text: an oscillating shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged
by said clutch upon the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by
the clutch on the oscillating shaft, connection between said gear wheels and
knitting cylinder, a clutch lever common to both clutches, a connecting rod
connected to said lever and said connecting rod being provided with a frame
portion as a clutch roller as f, which said frame surrounds, a shaft to which said
clutch roller is secured, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel loose on said shaft,
a gear wheel upon the oscillating shaft in engagement with said last mentioned gear
wheel, a pattern chain operated by the rotating shaft, lugs upon said chain, and
lugs upon the clutch mechanism adapted to be struck by the lugs on the pattern chain.
6. In combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a clutch upon said shaft,
an oscillating shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged
by said clutch upon the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by the
clutch on the oscillating shaft, connection between said gear wheels and knitting
cylinder, a clutch lever common to both clutches, a connecting rod connected to
said lever and said connecting rod being provided with a frame portion as 'a clutch
roller as f, which said frame surrounds, spring seated pins in said clutch roller, a
gear wheel loose on said shaft a pin connected to said gear, a segmental shield,
as 10 between said clutch roller and gear wheel, a gear upon said oscillating shaft
which meshes with said last mentioned gear, lugs upon said clutch roller, a pattern
chain operated by the rotary shaft and lugs upon said chain adapted to strike the
lugs upon the clutch roller.
7. In a knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a
clutch upon said shaft, an oscillating shaft, a clutch on said shaft, a gear wheel
adapted to be engaged by the clutch on the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to
be engaged by the clutch on the oscillating shaft, a clutch lever common to both
clutches, an arm connected to clutch lever, a rock shaft, an arm, from said rock
shaft to which the arm connected to clutch lever is connected, a rod supported so
as to be adapted to move vertically, an arm connected to said rock shaft in line of
movement of said rod, a plunger connected to said rod, a tube in which said plunger
moves, said plunger being provided with a slot, and the walls of said tube having a
slot through which the thread is adapted to pass.
8. In a knitting machine, in combination, a thread spool, a tube the walls of
which are provided with slots, a plunger adapted to move in said tube said plunger
being provided with a slot, the thread being adapted to pass through said slots, and
means substantially as described to give said plunger a movement independent of
the movement of the thread.
9. In a knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a clutch
upon said shaft, oscillating shaft, a clutch on said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be
engaged by the clutch on the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by
the clutch on the oscillating shaft, a clutch lever common to both clutches, a thread
spool, a tube, a plunger adapted to move in said tube, said plunger being provided
with a slot and the walls of said tube having slots through which the thread passes,
and intermediate mechanism between said clutch lever and plunger whereby when
the clutch lever is moved the plunger moves up or down.
10. In a knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a
clutch upon said shaft, an oscillating shaft, a clutch on said shaft, a gear wheel
adapted to be engaged by the clutch on the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to
be engaged by the clutch on the oscillating shaft, a clutch lever common to both
clutches, an arm connected to clutch lever a rock shaft, an arm, from said rock
shaft to which the arm connected to clutch lever is connected, a rod supported so
as to be adapted to move vertically, an arm connected to said rock shaft in line
of movement of said rod, a forked arm connected to said rod, a segmental gear,
provided with a pin which rests in the forked end of said arm, a bevel gear meshing
in said segmental gear, a frame on the shaft of said bevel gear, said frame being
provided with slots through which a thread is adapted to pass.
11. In a knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a

page_text: clutch upon said shaft, an oscillating shaft, a clutch on said shaft, a gear wheel
adapted to be engaged by the clutch on the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to
be engaged by the clutch on the oscillating shaft, a clutch lever common to both
clutches, an arm connected to clutch lever, a rock shaft, an arm, from said rock
shaft to which the arm connected to clutch lever is connected, a rod supported so
as to be adapted to move vertically, an arm connected to said rock shaft in line
of movement of said rod, a plunger connected to said rod, a tube in which said
plunger moves, said plunger and tube being provided with transverse slots, uprights
attached to said frame, said uprights being provided with slots through which the
thread is adapted to pass.
12. In a knitting machine, in combination, a thread spool a frame secured so as
to be rotatable horizontally, said frame being provided with slots through which
thread is adapted to pass.
13. In a knitting machine, in combination, a thread spool, a frame secured so as
to be rotatable, said frame being provided with slots through which the thread is
adapted to pass and means substantially as described to rotate said frame independent
of the movement of the thread.
14. In a knitting machine, in combination, a frame secured so as to be rotatable
horizontally, uprights attached to said frame, said uprights being provided with
slots through which the thread is adapted to pass.
15. In a knitting machine, in combination, a frame secured so as to be rotatable,
uprights attached to said frame, said uprights being provided with slots through
which the thread is adapted to pass, and means substantially as described
independent of the thread to rotate said frame.
16. In a knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a
clutch upon said sbaft, an oscillating shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel
wheel adapted to
adapted to be engaged by the clutch on the rotary shaft, aver common to both
be engaged by the clutch on the oscillating shaft, a clutch
clutches, a frame secured so as to be rotatable, said frame being provided with slots
through which the thread is adapted to pass, and intermediate mechanism sub-
stantially as described between the frame and clutch lever whereby when the clutch
lever is moved the frame is revolved.
17. In a knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a
clutch upon said shaft, an oscillating shaft, a clutch on said shaft, a gear wheel
adapted to be engaged by the clutch on the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to
be engaged by the clutch on the oscillating shaft, a clutch lever common to both
clutches, a frame secured so as to be rotated, uprights attached to said frame, said
uprights being provided with slots through which the thread is adapted to pass, and
intermediate mechanism substantially as described between the frame and clutch
lever whereby when the clutch lever is moved the frame is revolved.
18. In a knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a
clutch upon said shaft, an oscillating shaft, a clutch on said shaft, a gear wheel
adapted to be engaged by the clutch on the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to
be engaged by the clutch on the oscillating shaft, a clutch lever common to both
clutches, an arm connected to clutch lever a rock shaft, an arm, from said rock
shaft to which the arm connected to clutch lever is connected, a rod supported so
as to be adapted to move vertically, an arm connected to said rock shaft in line of
movement of said rod, an arm, as 47, connected to said rod, a spring arm as 48, in
line of movement of said arm, 47, a thread guide, as 49, in line of movement of end
of said spring, whereby when said rod is elevated the spring acts on the thread
guide increasing the tension on the thread.
19. In a knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft, a
clutch upon said shaft, an oscillating shaft, a clutch on said shaft, a gear wheel
adapted to be engaged by the clutch on the rotary shaft, a gear wheel adapted to
be engaged by the clutch on the oscillating shaft, a clutch lever common to both
clutches, a thread guide, a spring arm, and intermediate connection between said
spring arm and the clutch lever whereby the movement of the clutch lever in one

page_text: direction renders the spring arm active against said thread guide, and in the other
direction allows said spring arm to become inactive.
20. In a knitting machine, in combination, a sinker cam, formed of two parts, one
part formed with an inset and said parts overlapping each other at the point of juncture.
21. In a knitting machine, in combination, a sinker cam formed in two parts, one
part formed with an inset, the part formed with the inset being adjustably secured
to the sinker cam plate.
22. In a knitting machine, in combination, a sinker cam formed in two parts, one
part formed with an inset, a cam plate provided with slots, through which slots the
inset part of the sinker cam is secured to the cam plate, the other part being
fixedly connected to said cam plate.
23. In a knitting machine, in combination, a main shaft, a driving pulley or
wheel loose on said shaft, a clutch on said shaft adapted to engage said pulley, a
clutch rod to operate said clutch, the frame of the machine being provided with a
slot, and a spring, one end attached to said rod the other end to the frame of the
machine above the slot, whereby said spring holds said clutch rod fixed in the slot,
or against the frame of the machine.
24. In a knitting machine, in combination, a main shaft a driving pulley or
wheel loose on said shaft, a clutch on said shaft adapted to engage said pulley, a
clutch rod to operate said clutch, the frame of the machine being provided with a
slot and a spring one end attached to said rod, the other end to the frame of the
machine above the slot, a rod in line with said clutch rod projecting through the
bed of the machine, and a handle connected to said clutch rod.
25. In a knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder provided with slots,
pivoted levers provided with jaws adapted to hold the shanks of said needles,
needle-shifting cams in line of travel of the tails of said levers, racks by which said
cams were carried, pivoted double pawls adapted to work in said racks, means
substantially as described to operate said pawls, springs adapted to press against
said pawls one at each end, a rock shaft, projecting through the frame of machine,
a rod attached to said shaft, pins upon said rod adjacent to each of said springs, a
depending rod from said rock shaft, and lugs attached to said rack plates whereby
when the shaft is rocked one of the springs of each pawl is rendered inactive and
the other active, and the corresponding ends of the pawl rendered active or inactive.
26. In a knitting machine, in combination, a main driving shaft, a segmental
gear, intermediate connection substantially as described between said shaft and
segmental gear, a shaft adapted to oscillate, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel,
a clutch lever adapted to operate said clutch, a connecting rod as I, a sprocket
wheel, intermediate connection between said wheel and the driving shaft, lugs upon
said sprocket chain adapted to act upon said lever and force said clutch into
engagement with said gear wheel:
27. In a knitting machine, in combination, a main driving shaft, a segmental
gear, intermediate connection substantially as described between said shaft and
segmental gear, a shaft adapted to oscillate, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel,
a clutch lever adapted to operate said clutch, a connecting rod as I, a sprocket
wheel, intermediate connection between said wheel and the driving shaft, a sprocket
chain upon said wheel, lug upon said sprocket chain, adapted to act upon said lever
and force said clutch into engagement with said gear wheel, and means to retain
said rod in position after being acted upon by the lug.
28. In a knitting machine, in combination, a main driving shaft, a segmental
gear, intermediate connection substantially as described between said shaft and
segmental gear, a shaft, adapted to oscillate, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear
wheel, a clutch lever adapted to operate said clutch, a connecting rod as I a
sprocket wheel, intermediate connection between said wheel and the driving
shaft, a sprocket chain upon said wheel, lug upon said sprocket chain adapted
to act upon said lever and force said clutch into engagement with said gear
wheel, means to retain said lever in position after being acted upon by the lug
and means substantially as described to release said rod
B

page_text: 29. In a knitting machine, in combination, a main driving shaft, a clutch as D
upon said shaft, a bevel gear adapted to be connected with said clutch, a knitting
cylinder, a rack upon said cylinder operated by said bevel gear, a segmental gear,
intermediate connection between the shaft and segmental gear a shaft adapted to
oscillate, intermediate connection between said shaft and the segmental gear, a
clutch as G upon said shaft, a gear wheel as E' adapted to be connected with said
clutch, and intermediate connection between said gear and the bevel gear, a clutch
lever pivoted in the center and adapted to operate upon both of said clutches, and
mechanism substantially as described to operate said lever whereby when one clutch
is thrown into action the other is released.
30. In a knitting machine, in combination, a main driving shaft, a clutch as D
upon said shaft, a bevel gear adapted to be connected with said clutch, a knitting
cylinder, a rack upon said cylinder operated by said bevel gear, a segmental gear,
intermediate connection between the shaft and segmental gear a shaft adapted to
oscillate, intermediate connection between said shaft and the segmental gear, a clutch
as G upon said shaft, a gear wheel as E' adapted to be connected with said clutch,
and intermediate connection between said gear and the bevel gear, a clutch lever
pivoted in the center and adapted to operate upon both of said clutches, a sprocket
wheel, means to rotate said wheel, a sprocket chain carried by said wheel, a
connecting rod connected to said clutch lever, a lug connected to said connecting
rod, and a lug on the sprocket chain in line with said lug connected to the connecting
rod, whereby when the lug is struck the connecting rod is moved and clutch Ġ
engaged and clutch D disengaged, and means to retain and release said connecting
rod I.
31. In a knitting machine, in combination, a main driving shaft, a clutch as D
upon said shaft, a bevel gear adapted to be connected with said clutch, a knitting
cylinder, a rack upon said cylinder operated by said bevel gear, a segmental gear,
intermediate connection between the shaft and segmental gear, a shaft adapted to
oscillate, intermediate connection between said shaft and the segmental gear, a
clutch as G upon said shaft, a gear wheel as E' adapted to be connected with said
clutch, and intermediate connection between said gear and the bevel gear, a clutch
lever pivoted in the center and adapted to operate upon both of said clutches, a
spocket wheel, means to rotate said wheel, a sprocket chain carried by said wheel,
a connecting rod connected to said clutch lever, a lug connected to said connecting
rod, and a lug on the sprocket chain in line with said lug connected to the connecting
rod, whereby when the lug is struck the connecting rod is moved and clutch G
engaged and clutch D disengaged, a notch rest adapted to secure end of connecting
rod and a lug on the sprocket chain in line with the said notch rest.
32. In a knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder provided with slots,
needles in said slots, pivoted levers provided with jaws integral therewith adapted
to hold the shank of said needles, and concentric cams for operating the levers, the
needles and levers being so combined that when the tail piece of any lever is elevated
the needle corresponding to said lever is moved in the slot out of action,
substantially as described.
33. In a knitting machine the combination of needles needle cams, a pivoted
needle-shifting lever adapted when rocked to operate directly upon the needle and
bring it in out of action of the knitting cams, and means substantially as described
to rock said lever.
.
34. In a knitting machine, a pivoted needle-shifting lever adapted when rocked
to operate directly upon the needle and bring it in and out of action of the knitting
cams, and means substantially as described to rock said lever.
35. In a knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder provided with slots,
needles in said slots, pivoted levers provided with jaws adapted to hold the shanks
of said needles, and means substantially as described to simultaneously rock the
tails of the levers corresponding to the needles in the front half of the needle
cylinder.
36. In a knitting machine in combination, a needle cylinder, provided with

page_text: slots, needles in said slots, pivoted levers provided with jaws adapted to hold
the shanks of said needles, a plate upon which the tails of said levers corre-
sponding to the needles in the front half of said needle cylinder rest, and means
substantially as described to elevate said plate.
37. In a knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, provided with
slots, needles in said slots pivoted levers provided with jaws adapted to hold
the shanks of said needles, a plate upon which the tails of said levers corre-
sponding to the needles in the front half of said needle cylinder rest, pins
connected to said plate, a rock shaft and intermediate connection between said
shaft and said pins, and means substantially as described to operate said shaft
when the knitting cylinder reciprocating motion is thrown into action.
38. In a knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder provided with
slots, needles in said slots, pivoted levers provided with jaws adapted to hold
the shanks of said needles, a plate upon which the tails of said levers corre-
sponding to the needles in the front half of said needle cylinder rest, pins
connected to said plate, a rock shaft and intermediate connection between said
rock shaft and said pins, the clutch connecting rod I, mechanism substantially
as described to operate said rod and intermediate connection between said rod
and the rock shaft whereby when the rod is moved the rock shaft is rocked.
39. In a knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder provided with slots,
needles in said slots, pivoted levers provided with jaws adapted to hold the shanks
of said needles, a plate upon which the tails of said levers corresponding to the
needles in the front half of said needle cylinder rest, pins connected to said plate, a
rock shaft and intermediate connection between said rock shaft and said pins, the
clutch connecting rod I, mechanism substantially as described to operate said rod,
a lever on said rock shaft, a stand connected to said connecting rod, and set screws
passing through said stand one on each side of said lever in line with said lever
whereby when said rod is operated one of said screws strikes said shaft rocking it.
40. In a circular knitting machine in combination a knitting cylinder, a rack in
said cylinder, a gear wheel adapted to operate said rack, a main driving shaft, a
clutch upon said shaft adapted to be connected with said gear wheel, an oscillating
shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by said clutch,
connection between said gear and the knitting cylinder rack gear wheel, a clutch
lever common to both clutches, and means substantially as described to operate
said clutch lever whereby one clutch is released and the other brought into action.
41. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder a rack in
said cylinder, a gear wheel adapted to operate said rack, a main driving shaft, a
clutch upon said shaft adapted to be connected with said gear wheel, an oscillating
shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by said clutch,
connection between said gear wheel and the knitting cylinder rack gear wheel, a
clutch lever common to both clutches, a connecting rod connected to said clutch
lever, a lug connected to said connecting rod, a sprocket wheel, a sprocket chain
driven by said sprocket wheel, and a lug upon said sprocket chain in line of travel
of said lug connected to the rod.
42. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rack on
said cylinder, a gear wheel adapted to operate said rack, a main driving shaft, a
clutch upon said shaft adapted to be connected with said gear wheel, an oscillating
shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by said clutch,
connection between said gear wheel and the knitting cylinder rack gear wheel, a
clutch lever common to both clutches, a connecting rod connected to said clutch
lever, a lug connected to said connecting rod, a sprocket wheel a sprocket chain
driven by said sprocket wheel, a lug upon said sprocket chain in line of travel of
said lug connected to the rod and means to lock said rod when moved by the lugs
striking.
43. In a circular knitting machine in combination, a knitting cylinder, a rack on
said cylinder, a gear wheel adapted to operate said rack, a main driving shaft, a
clutch upon said shaft adapted to be connected with said gear wheel, an oscillating

page_text: shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by said clutch,
connection between said gear wheel and the knitting cylinder rack gear wheel, a
clutch lever common to both clutches, a connecting rod connected to said clutch
lever, a lug connected to said connecting rod, a sprocket wheel, a sprocket chain
driven by said sprocket wheel, a lug upon said sprocket chain in line of travel of
said lug connected to the rod, means to lock said rod when moved by the Ings
striking and means substantially as described to release said rod.
44. In a knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder provided with slots,
needles in said slots pivoted levers provided with jaws integral therewith adapted
to receive and hold the shanks of said needles, concentric needle shifting cams in
line of travel of the tails of said levers, and means substantially as described to
operate said cams whereby when the cams are moved the lever is rotated and needle
corresponding thrown out of action.
45. In a knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder provided with slots,
needles in said slots, pivoted levers provided with jaws adapted to hold the shanks
of said needles, needle shifting cams in line of travel of the tails of said levers, a
needle cylinder, mechanism substantially as described to reciprocate said knitting
cylinder and intermediate connection between said cams and needle cylinder
reciprocating motor.
46. In a knitting machine in combination, a needle cylinder provided with slots,
needles in said slots, pivoted levers provided with jaws adapted to hold the shanks
of said needles, needle shifting cams in line of travel of the tails of said levers,
racks by which said cams are carried, pivoted pawls adapted to work in said racks,
a pivoted lever to which said pawls are connected, a main driving shaft, a clutch
upon said shaft, a reciprocating shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a clutch lever
common to both clutches, a lever pivoted to said clutch lever, connection between
said pivoted lever and lever pivoted to clutch lever, lugs upon the lever pivoted to
clutch lever, a gear wheel adapted to be connected with the clutch on the
reciprocating shaft, lugs upon said gear wheel in line with said lugs on the lever
pivoted to clutch lever when clutch is in connection with gear wheel but out of line
when said clutch is out of connection with said gear wheel.
47. In a knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder provided with slots,
needles in said slots, pivoted levers provided with jaws adapted to hold the shanks
of said needles, needle shifting cams in line of travel of the tails of said levers,
racks by which said cams are carried, pivoted pawls adapted to work in said racks,
a pivoted lever to which said pawls are connected, a main driving shaft, a clutch
upon said shaft, a reciprocating shaft, a clutch upon said shaft, a clutch lever
common to both clutches, a lever pivoted to said clutch lever, connection between
said pivoted lever and lever pivoted to clutch lever, lugs upon the lever pivoted to
clutch lever, a gear wheel adapted to be connected with the clutch on the
reciprocating shaft, lugs upon said gear wheel in line with said lugs on the lever
pivoted to clutch lever when clutch is in connection with gear wheel but out of line
when said clutch is out of connection with said gear wheel, and guards to limit the
movement of said pivoted lever.
48. In combination, a knitting cylinder, a rotary shaft a clutch on said shaft, an
oscillating shaft, a clutch on said shaft, a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by the
clutch on the rotary shaft, and a gear wheel adapted to be engaged by the
oscillating shaft clutch, connection between said gear wheels and knitting cylinder,
a clutch lever common to both clutches and means substantially as described to
operate said clutch lever whereby one clutch is released and the other brought into
action.
Dated this 15th day of Santambor 1000
HARRY A. HOUSEMAN.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.