Improvements in and applicable to Knitting Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Fate of Application, 5th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 4th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 4th Jan., 1 96
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and applicable to Knitting Machines.
RICHARD CHALLANDS, Clumber Road W. The Park, Nottingham, Gentlem in
FREDERICK WILLIAM PARE, 20 Waterloo Road Nottingham, Lace Manufacturer,
and JAMES HILL SMITH 2 Claypole Road Nottingham, Hosier, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in and applicable to straight bar knitting
machines and has particular reference to the means for, and method of driving the
same.
At the present time knitting machines are generally driven at a constant speed,
that is to say they always produce the same number of courses in equal amounts of
time, and the length of the traverse of the actuating parts of the machines not
including the thread carriers is always equal to the full width of a division of the
machine, whatever be the width of the fabric being made.
Now the object of this invention is the provision of means for enabling the stroke
or traverse of the actuating parts of a knitting machine to be automatically varied
according to the width of the article or fabric being made, and also the provision
of means for enabling the number of courses knitted in a given time to be varied
inversely as the width of the article or fabric being made, these means enabling
the machine to produce a larger number of courses in a given time without increasing
the speed of the yarn through its carrier or guide.
The object of this invention may be accomplished on machines driven by a crank
and connecting rod by fitting the crank pin so that it can be moved to and from
the centre of the crank shaft. This may be done by means of a screw which may
be rotated at intervals by a star or similar wheel, or by a convenient arrangement
of gear wheels. When the machine is driven by a crank or cam through an inter-
mediate lever, the axle or axles on the said lever may be moved to or from the
fulcrum of the same by means of a screw, chain or other convenient mechanisms
and the amount of motion given to the axle or axles of the lever at each movement
of the same may be constant or variable, or a continuous movement may be given
to the lever axles or to the crank pin as desired, and the time of the movements of
the same may be controlled by pattern mechanism.
For varying the number of courses knitted in a given time the constant motion
obtained from the motor or driving shaft is transmitted through a pair of cone
pulleys, friction plates, or other convenient variable driving mechanism.
When this invention is applied to well known types of machines such as the
"Cotton's" the usual parts of such machines are modified as required.
Dated this 4th day of December 1891
W. H. POTTER, Wh. Sc.,
Nottingham, Patent Agent.
W. H. POTTER, Wh. Sc.,
Nottingham, Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and applicable to Knitting Machines.
RICHARD CHALLANDS, Clumber Road W. The Park Nottingham, Gentleman
FREDERICK WILLIAM PARE, 20 Waterloo Road Nottingham, Lace Manufacturer,
and JAMES HILL SMITH, 2 Claypole Road Nottingham Hosier 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 the means for and methods of driving

page_text: straight bar latch needle knitting machines, and is particularly applicable to
machines in which means are provided for varying the number of needles in work,
it being understood that "straight bar machines includes parallel bar and other
similar machines.
In straight bar latch needle knitting machines of the kind herein referred to,
the needles in the needle bed, or in each needle bed when there are more than one
in the same machine are actuated by means of a cam which is traversed to and fro
across the needle beds, and such cams have a constant amount of motion or length
of traverse, and make a constant number of traverses in a given time, from which
it follows, that unless the width of the fabric produced is kept constantly at its
maximum the possible output of the machine is not obtained. Thus in a machine
with a needle bed 30 inches wide producing a fabric the full width of the needle
hed at the rate of 50 courses per minute there are 1500 inches of loops formed in
that time, or the machine produces work at the rate of a 1500 inch course per
minute. If on the same machine, running at the same speed a fabric 20 inches
wide is being made only 1000 inches of loops per minute are formed, or the machine
is producing work at the rate of a 1000 inch course per minute.
Now the object of this invention is the provision of mechanisms, and methods of
working the same for enabling fabrics of varying widths to be knitted on straight
bar latch needle knitting machines at a constant inch course speed, by varying the
traverse of the knitting cam according to the variations in the width of the fabric
being knitted, and coincidently varying the number of traverses of the knitting
cam so that the width of the traverse, multiplied by the number of traverses on
any width will give a constant inch course speed as before explained on all widths
of the fabric, such inch course speed being determined by the gauge and type of
the machine, quality of the yarn used, and other circumstances which at the present
time control the rate at which knitting is performed in other similar machines.
It should be noted that in all machines the length of the traverse of the cam iš
greater than the width of the needles in work by the length of the cam and twice
the lead of the same, the lead being the distance between the end needle in work
and the end of the cam nearest to it, when the cam is at the end of its traverse in
either direction. The length of the traverse of the cam according to this invention,
would however be varied according to the width of the needles in work and
whenever the length of the traverse of the cam is referred to hereafter the above
explanation is to be regarded.
To vary the length of the traverse of the cam, according to one arrangement
the cam is driven by an expanding crank which is fitted with a screw so arrange l
that it can be rotated intermittently or continuously and in rotating move the
crank in to or from the centre of the crank shaft. In another arrangement
applicable to machines in which the knitting eum is driven by a crank or a cam
through an intermediate lever, the variation in the length of the traver-e is obtained
by fitting the connecting rod exles on the lever so that they can be moved to and
from the lever fulerum. This may be done by means of a screw or other mechanisms
operating intermittently or continuously.
For varying the mer of tvers me to by the knitting cam in a given time,
the machine is driven by cone pullies, friction gear, or other well known variable
driving mechanisms.
The means for actuating the variable driving mechanism, and for varying the
length of the traverse of the knitting cam may be operated simultaneously or
otherwise, and are thrown in and out of action by any known arrangement of
pattern mechanism.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate means for carrying out this
invention,
Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 an elevation of the back of a machine
showing one arrangement of means for varying the traverse of the cam and the
number of traverses made by the same intermittently, and also means for returning
the crank pin and drive to their normal position.

page_text: Figs. 3 and 4 are front and side elevations respectively of an intermediate lever
with mechanism for moving one of its axles to and from the fulcrum of the lever.
Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the method of setting out one of the cams herein
referred to.
Fig. 6 is an elevation and Fig. 7 a plan of an arrangement of mechanism by
which the traverse of the cam may be varied continuously.
Fig. 8 is a diagram referred to in explanation of the method of using the
mechanism shown in Fig. 6 and 7, and
Fig. 9 is an elevation of a frictional driving gear, and means by which the speed
of the machine may be so varied that the cam traverses at a constant inch course
speed whilst making traverses of varying lengths.
In the machine selected to illustrate the application of this invention, the
needles 1. Fig. 1 are fitted to work in needle beds 2 which are carried by an angle
plate 3 and this latter is firmly securel to the standards 4 and forms a top tie bar
for the machine. The knitting cams are fitted to slide on a fixed bar 6 and are
connected together by a bar 7 to which the connecting rod 8 is attached, motio
being given to the cams from a crank wheel 9 through a c. nnecting red 1 and
lever 11. The crank wheel is driven by a pinion 13 on the driving shatt 12 and the
crank shaft 14 is geared to the cam shafts 15 by wheels 16 and these shafts by
suitable wheels to the hanile shaft 17, or instead of the shaft 12 and pinion 13 the
crank may be driven by either of the shafts 15.
For increasing the number of needles in work the bar 18 is provided with a
lifter for one side of each needle bed, and the bar 19 with a lifter for the other
side thereof, and these lifters are traversed across the machine by screws which are
actuated in a timilar way to the fashioning screws on bearded needle knitting
machines. Under the lifter is a rocking shaft 20 for actuating the same, and
there is also a shaft 21 fitted with means for throwing the needles out of work as
required. A machine constructed substantially as above and the method of working
the same is fully described in Specification No. 18181 A.D. 1891. In addition to
the parts above described the machine is provided with thread carriers, tension
appliances, work rollers, and other parts usual and necessary for a machine of this
ti pe.
The crank pin 22 in the arrangement shown is carried by a block 23 which is
fitted to slide in guides 24 on the face of the wheel 9. At the back of the wheel
the block is fitted with a nut 25 for a screw 26 which has one bearing in the crank
wheel boss and a top bearing 27. On the end of this screw is a star wheel 28 and
a spring claw arrangement for preventing the screw being moved unintentionally.
For working the screw automatically the machine is fitted with a rocking shaft 29,
the motion of which is derived froni or controlled by pattern mechanism. On the
shaft 29 is a lever 30 so arranged that when the shaft is rocked the lever is
brought into the path of one arm of the star wheel 28 which is thus caused to
rotate and in rotating actuates the screw 26 by which the crank pin 22 is moved
and the length of the traverse of the cam varied. When this variable traverse is
applied to machines baving means for decreasing the number of needles in work,
as well as increasing them additional means are used by which a lever is brought
into the path of the star wheel on the opposite side of the wheel 9 to the
lever used in connection with the means for increasing the number of needles
in work.
'
For winding the crank pin to its starting position after an article has been
c. pleted, the end of the screw 26 may be squared for a handle to be revolved by
hand, but preferably this is done by mechanism operated from the front of the
machine by means of a shaft 290 which is carried by bearings 3 and fitted with
a spur wheel 31.
On the inner end of the screw 26 is a bevil pinion 32 gearing
into a wheel 33 which is fitted to revolve on the crank wheel boss and carries a
spur wheel 34. The shaft 29 is fitted to clide in its bearings and is moved end ways
until the wheel 31 is in gear with the wheel 34. The shaft is then rotated by the
wheel 35 until the crank pin has been moved to the desired position, after which

page_text: the shaft is pulled back again and the wheels 31 and 34 thrown out of gear. The
shaft 29 may be provided with a catch arrangement for holding it in or out of
action.
When the machine is driven by a fixed crank or cam, the variation in the length
of the traverse of the cam is obtained by varying the distance between the fulcrum
of the intermediate lever and the connecting rod centres on the same.
One way of doing this is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The lever 36 has its fulcrum
at 37 and is provided at 38 with a slot for carrying the axle of the connecting rod.
The axle 39 for the cam box connecting rod is attached to a block which is fitted
to slide in the upper end of the lever, and to form a nut for the screw 41 which has
its bearings in the lever. For turning the srew automatically it is geared by
wheels 44 to a shaft 43 which is carried by bearings 45 on the lever and geared by
wheels 47 to a ratchet wheel 46 which is actuated by a clawker thrown in and out
of action by pattern mechanism.
When a lever constructed as described is at work, equal increases in the length
of the traverse of the cam are obtained by giving equal amounts of movements to
the axle 39, the stroke of crank remaining constant.
The axle may be moved back to reduce the length of the traverse of the cam
by reversing part of the mechanism and the axle may be returned to its starting
position after an article has been completed by mechanism similar to that described
for the same purpose when applied to the crank wheel, or the end 42 of the screw
may be squared for a handle.
In another lever the cam connecting rod axle e is rigidly attached to the lever
and the crank connecting rod axle b is fitted so that it can be moved in a similar
way and by similar mechanism to that described with reference to the first
mentioned lever. With this arrangement the axle b has to be moved variable
distances for equal increases in the length of the traverse of the cam, and such
variable distances may be obtained by calculating the length of ab for several
lengths of the traverse of the cam, and subtracting one length of a b from the next
in the series. An angular space of a predetermined size, say 360°, is then divided
proportionately to the series of differences as indicated at Fig. 5. A distance 58. 57
is then decided upon, and 57. 56 to 49. 48 made equal to 58. 57 by which the shape
of a raichet wheel is determined and so designed that equal movements of the
actuating pawl acting on the distances 58. 57 to 49. 48 will give a varying angular
movement to the wheel, and through suitable gearing to the screw working the
connecting rod axle, the pawl being thrown in and out of action by pattern
mechanism.
In other arrangements both axles and are made movable and are moved to
and from each other the same or different amounts for varying the length of the
traverse of the cam. A variable motion of the axles is required, and such motion
may be obtained by mechanism similar to that previously described with reference
to 2 lever in which the ad is moved.
in rigs, 6 and 7 there is shown an arrangement of mechanism for giving a
continuous movement to the crank pin 22 which is carried and fitted similarly to
the crank pin shown in Fig. 1 and previously describe 1. The crank pin Screw 26
is fitted with a pinion 60 which is geared to a wheel 61 loosely mounted on the
crank wheels and ached to a wheel 02 arly mount 1. The wheel 62 is
geared by an intermediate wheel 63 to another wheel 64 which is carried by the
sunt ale as a wheel 65 which is geared to a wheel 66 on the driving shift 12.
The wheel 63 is introduced for changing the direction of motion, and this wheel,
together with the wheels 64 and 65 are carried by a banjo plate 67 which is
fitted to turn on the shaft 12 and held in position by being bolted to a flange 68
on the bearing 69, the whole arrangement being similar to the banjo plate arrange-
ment of a turning lathe. The wheel 66 is preferably loosely mounted on the
shaft 12 and is connected thereto as required by a clutch 70 which is thrown in
and out of action by pattern mechanisın. In one arrangement the wheels 9 and 13
are in the ratio of 8 to 1, and the screw makes one revolution for every five needles

page_text: thrown into work at each side, also, the wheels 60 and 61 are in the ratio of 4
to 1. For each revolution of the wheels 61 and 62 the screw makes 4 revolutions
and 20 needles at each side of the needle bed are thrown into work. Suppose
the crank to make 40 revolutions in the time the 20 needles are thrown into work,
then the wheels 61 and 62 must during that time make one revolution more or less
than the crank wheel itself. Let the wheels 61 and 62 make 41 revolutions or one
revolution more than the crank. In the same time the shaft 12 makes 320 revolution
an that 41 to 320 is the ratio between the revolutious of the wheels 62 and 66
from which the number of teeth in all the wheels may be obtained.
As an example of the method of working with this arrangement suppose Fig. 8
to represent the outline of an article it is required to produce, and that it is
started at the line 71. The clutch 70 is thrown into gear and the length of the
traverse of the cam increased as the needles are thrown into work until the line 72
is reached. The clutch is then thrown out of gear and work made of a constant
width up to the line 73 when the clutch is thrown into gear again until the line 74
is reached. The clutch is then thrown out of gear and the article completed up
to the line 75. When a fabric has to be made in which the fashionings at one part
are made at a different rate to the fashionings at some other part, such as an
article having the outline 71. 72. 73. 75 it is made up to the line 73 by the method
already explained. The clutch is thrown into action at the line 73 and the
traverse of the cam increases more rapidly than the number of needles thrown
into action. At 76 the clutch is thrown out of action and the traverse of the cam
remains constant up to the line 77 while the number of needles thrown into action
gradually increase up to the same line. This operation is repeated as often as
may be required thus in the figure the clutch is thrown into action at the lines 71.
73. 77. 79 and 81, and is thrown out of action at the lines 72. 76. 78. 80 and 82.
We will now describe the means for varying the number of traverses made by
the cam in order to work at a constant inch course speed.
The length of the greatest traverse of the cam multiplied by the number of
traverses made in a given time is taken as the inch course speed, and this number
divided by different lengths of traverse will give the corresponding number of
traverses for such lengths of traverse. Theoretically different numbers of traverses
are required for each inch course speed adopted but in practice and within
reasonable limits the different variations in the number of traverses for different
inch course speeds are neglected, it being understood that the appliances are
provided with means for altering the inch course speed without affecting the
means required for obtaining the variations in the number of traverses.
The appliance used for obtaining the variation in the number of traverses is
preferably of the disc and roller type as shown in Fig. 9, and known as Hollis'
patent friction drive. It comprises a roller 83 on the driving shaft which is driven
at a constant speed, and a roller 85 on the driven shaft 86 from which motion is
given to the machine. The roller 83 imparts motion to the roller 85 and shaft 86
by means of a pair of disc 87 which are fitted to rotate on the same axle in opposite
directions and pressed upon the rollers by a spring. The variation in speed is
obtained by varying the relative positions of the rollers and discs, with regard to
the centre of the disc, and the required movements are calculated by the ordinary
rules, and in the same way as the movement of the belt used with a pair of cone
pulleys. The discs or the rollers may be moved to obtain the alteration in their
relative positions and from a series of calculation corresponding to a series of
increases in the traverse of the knitting cam or variations in the number of traverses
made by the same a cam 90 Fig. 9 is set out. This cam is fitted to slide in
guides 91 and actuates the lever 93 on the axle 89 through trucks 92. On the
axle 89 there is also a lever 88 by which the discs or rollers are moved, or the cam
may be of the shape shown in 97 and arranged to act upon a truck 96 carried by a
5 prolongation of the lever 88. In the arrangement shown the cam 90 is provided
with a nut 94 and is actuated by a screw 95 which is operated by any convenient
mechanism.

page_text: The mechanism already described are designed to traverse the cam at a constant
inch course speed, but in practice it has been found that if the relative positions of
the discs and rollers in the driving mechanism are obtained by moving the dises or
rollers a constant amount for each variation in the number of needles in work, or
in the length of the traverse of the cam, the difference in the number of traverses
made by the cam from the calculated number is immaterial and such method is
preferably adopted on account of the simpler form of mechanism that has to
be used.
According to one arrangement of mechanism for carrying out this method of
working the machine, the dises or rollers of the friction drive are movel by a screw
which is geared to a vertical shaft 98 Fig. 1. This shaft has a footstep bearing 99
and is geared by wheels 101 to a ratchet wheel 100 which is intermittently rotated
by a cam 105 through the truck 106, a lever 103 pivoted at 104 and a pawl 102.
The pawl is lifted at every revolution of the crank shaft but is held clear of the
ratchet wheel except when it is required to operate the drive by a lever 107 wbich
is operated from a lever 109 on the shaft 29 through the link 108 which has a
slot 110 to allow the lever 109 to ascend before the pawl has completed its motion.
On the return stroke of the clawker it is pulled clear of the wheel by a spring
attached to the lever 107 and is held in that position until the shaft 29 is again
oscillated. For returning the discs or rollers to their starting position, the shaft 98
is fitted with a wheel 116, which gears with a wheel 115 on the shaft 290 when the
latter is moved endways for returning the screw to its normal position so that both
operations are performed at the same time.
In Fig. 6 and 7 an arrangement is shown for winding back the screw 26, when
the wheel 62 actuates the screw by making more revolutions than the crank
wheel 9. On the wheel 62 is a fixed stud 111, and on the tie bar is a bolt 112
fitted to slide in a bracket 114 and actuated by a lever 113 which is under the
control of pattern mechanism. At the completion of an article the bolt 112 is
moved into the path of the stud 111 by which the wheels 61 and 62 are held
stationary, while the crank wheel 9 continues its rotation and in so doing causes
the screw to be turned by the wheel 60 which gears into the wheel 61 and rotates
round it.
The pattern mechanisms herein referred to for actuating or controlling the
various mechanisms may be in the form of a pattern chain or pattern wheel
which could be arranged and actuated in the same way as similar pattern
mechanisms used on ordinary knitting machines, or a star wheel actuated by
ratchet mechanism may be used, and the ratchet pawls be thrown in and out
of action as required by the attendant, in the same way as similar mechanism
used on many bearded needle knitting machines for actuating the fashioning
appliances or controlling the action of the same.
It is stated in the Provisional Specification that the means for driving knitting
machines herein described might be applied to knitting machines of the kind
known as Cotton's Patent by malifying the contruction of the machine, but this
part of the invention has been abandoned owing to the difficulty and expense of
carrying out such modification. If however the invention was applied, the variation
in the length of the traverse of the actuating parts would be obtained by the use of
the lever arrangements herein described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the rature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In straight bar latch needle kuitting machines, the combination of variations
in the number of needles in work, variations in the length of the traverse of the
knitting cam, and variations in the number of traverses made by the knitting cam,
by the means in the manner, and for the purpose hereinbefore declared.
2. In straight bar latch needle knitting machines provided with means for
enabling the number of needles in work to be varied, the application to and

page_text: combination with such machines of mechanism for eaabling the length of the
traverse of the knitting cam to be automatically varied, and mechanism for
enabling the number of traverses of the knitting cam to be varied, such
mechanisms being constructed arranged and actuated substantially as shown and
described in the accompanying drawings and Specification, and for the purpose
bereinbefore declared.
3. In straight bar latch needle knitting machines, and for the purpose herein-
before declared, the combination construction and arrangement of mechanisms
substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. In straight bar latch needle knitting machines and for the purpose herein-
before declared, the combination, construction and arrangement of mechanisins
substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 of the
accompanying drawings.
5. In straight bar latch needle knitting machines in which the traverse of the
knitting cam is obtained from a cam or crank wheel with a fixed crank pin
through an intermediate lever, mounting either or both of the connecting rod
axles on the intermediate lever so that they may be moved to and from the
fulcrum of the lever substantially as shown and described in the accompanying
drawings and Specification, and for the purpose hereinbefore declared.
Dated this 3rd day of October 1895.
W. H. POTTER, M.1.M.E.,
Newcastle Chambers, Nottingham.