Improvements in Circular Knitting Machinery.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 7th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Circular Knitting Machinery.
I, EDWIN ERNEST SIBLEY, of Chelsea, in the County of Suffolk, and State of
Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention in knitting machines has for its object the production of a knitting
machine of the circular class which is adapted to knit a tubular fabric especially
such a fabric known as hose for conducting liquids, although the tubular fabric is
adapted for other purposes.
The fabric has warp and weft threads incorporated with knitting threads.
The machine contains a series of latched needles attached to slides held in grooves
of a revolving needle cylinder, the said needles being reciprocated by cam grooves
of a stationary cam cylinder.
The warp threads are taken from spools carried by a revolving frame or turn-
table located above the top of the needle cylinder.
The machine has a weft holding stud or projection from which the weft is
delivered into the fabric at the rear of the rising needles.
The cam cylinder is provided with one cam portion on which the projections of
the needle-slides rest when the needles are most depressed, but immediately next
such cam portion and between it and the usual lifting cam is a short preliminary
lifting cam and butt-supporting surface, to temporarily lift several of the needles
to slacken the tension on the warp and knitting threads held under strain by the
needle and to support the needles partially lifted, so that the weft thread may
without fail pass to the rear of the said needles before they are started in their
final ascent, thus ensuring the certain passage of the needles upwards in front of
the weft thread.
The warp carrying frame by being located above the needle cylinder is out of
the way of the attendant, so as not to affect the vision of the attendant when
watching the knitting as it is made course after course.
The tubular fabric produced if for hydraulic hose, will be provided with a rubber
or equivalent lining in order to enable in to retain liquids, the said lining being
vulcanized therein in usual methods.
One part of my invention consists in a knitting machine containing the following
instrumentalities, ri.-A. cam cylinder; a needle cylinder; a series of needles;
a turntable to carry a series of warp threads; a ring gear connected to the centre
of the said turn-table; an open centred bearing for the said ring located above the
top of the needle cylinder; means to rotate the said turn-table; and a warp guide
arranged centrally with relation to the said open centred bearing to direct the warps
down through the open centre of the said bearing to the needles.
Also, in a knitting machine containing the following instrumentalities, riz. :-A
cam cylinder; a needle cylinder; a series of needles; a turn-table to carry a series
of warp threads; a ring gear connected to the centre of the said turn-table; an
open centred bearing for the said ring located above the top of the needle cylinder;
means to rotate the said turn-table; and a warp guide arranged centrally with
relation to the said open centred bearing to direct the warps down through the open
centre of the said bearing to the needles, means to rotate the said turn-table; and
stationary supports for the said bearing, as will be described.
Also, in a knitting machine containing a cam cylinder a needle cylinder: a
series of needles; a turn-table to carry a series of warp threads; a ring connected
to the centre of the said turn-table; an open centred bearing for the said ring
located above the top of the needle cylinder; means to rotate the said turn-table;

page_text: and a warp guide arranged centrally with relation to the open centred bearing to
direct the warps down through the open centre of the said bearing to the needles ;
and warp tension mechanism carried by the said turn-table.
Also, in a knitting machine containing a cam, cylinder; a needle cylinder a
series of needles; a turn-table to carry a series of warp threads; a ring connected
to the centre of the said turn-table; an open centred bearing for the said ring
located above the top of the needle cylinder means to rotate the said turn-table;
and a warp guide arranged centrally with relation to the open centred bearing. to
direct the warps down through the open centre of the said bearing to the needles;
warp tension mechanism carried by the said turn-table; and a guide for filling
thread a size-gage; and means to support it, the said size-gage being located in line
with the end of the needle cylinder to thereby support the warp threads at a point.
where the filling is laid against the warp threads.
and
Also, a knitting machine for the manufacture of tubular fabric having warp
weft threads, it consisting of a needle cylinder; a series of needles therein; a cam
cylinder having cams to actuate the said needles; a turn-table elevated above the top of
the needle cylinder; a warp guiding ring located above the needle cylinder; a turn-
table having devices to support a series of warp holding spools and their appropriate
tension devices; an open centred bearing above the needle cylinder and about which
the said turn-table is rotated; a warp throwing cam having an opening for the passage
of the knitting thread; means to hold and present the weft thread to be delivered
behind the ascending needles; and means to rotate the said turn-table and the said
needle cylinder.
The table or bed of the machine is supported upon a suitable framework having
usual take-up rolls, and a receiving roll, the table having bearings for the driving
shaft, having pulley or pulleys to receive a belt by which to rotate the shaft, the
inner end of the shaft having a beveled gear to engage another beveled gear con-
nected by screws to the sleeve rotating within the flange of another bevel the said
sleeve being provided at its upper end with a reducing collar into which is secured
the needle cylinder.
The latched needles having shanks and nibs or projections, enter suitable vertical
grooves in the rotating needle cylinder and the nibs of the said needles entering the
cam groove between the cams are reciprocated to cause them to engage the usual
knitting thread and form the same into loops.
The cams are secured in usual or suitable manner, as by screws, to the inner sides
of the shell-like needle cylinder which is prevented from rotating by means of one
or more suitable studs erected upon the bed.
The table has a suitable bearing through which is extended a shaft to the lower
end of which is secured a pinion which is engaged by a large pinion forming part
of the cylinder having the large beveled gear.
The last mentioned shaft at its upper end is passed through a bearing forming
part of the stationary frame erected upon the table, the upper end of the said shaft
having a pinion which engages a toothed ring which rests on and is adapted to rotate
about an open centred hollow bearing.
This bearing is supported upon portions of the framing arms and at a point above
the top of the needle cylinder.
The ring gear has attached to it the turn-table upon which are mounted, upon
suitable spindles, the warp holding spools, the said turn-table and its spools and
devices rotating in a plane above the top of the needle cylinder, so that the
operator has free access to the knitting at any time without interference from the
turn-table.
The turn-table may be provided with a number of suitable wheels to run upon a
suitable track also attached to parts of the said rigid arms.
The warp spools referred to are set upon suitable spindles having upon them loose
washers preferably of metal, the said washers having a suitable pin, to enter a notch
or hole in the spool.
The turn-table consists of radial arms extended from the gear referred to, and a

page_text: series of rings, which support the said spindles and enable the said warp spools to
be arranged close together in circles.
The said rings, have suitably pivoted to them a series of let-offs, each let-off',
being composed of an elbow lever having at one end upwardly projecting legs,
provided at their upper ends with friction devices, preferably blocks of india rubber,
leather or equivalent material.
The opposite ends of each lever is provided with an ear, upon which rests a rod,
the connection between the rod and ear being a loose one so that the rod moves up
and down with the end of the lever to which it is joined.
The rod is surrounded above the car by a spiral or other suitable spring, the
upper end of which comes against the ring into a hole in which the upper end of
the rod enters, the construction being such that the spring acting upon a let-off
normally keeps its friction surfaces pressed against a friction disk or washer but
this friction is released at intervals by the said let-offs, as the turn-table rotates the
said let-off's coming in contact with a stop, fixed to the track.
The turn-table may be provided at intervals with small blocks, which are attached
by screws to a cross piece attached by screws to the under sides of the rings.
The said blocks receive within them carriages which support the axles of anti-
friction wheels which run upon the track, and a rubber block may be interposed
between the carriage and the cross-bar a screw keeping the block in place, the said
block lessening the jar of the rolls travelling on the track.
The turn-table referred to has erected upon it stands which support a series of
rods, the warp threads on their way from the warp spools passing under the one
ring over the next ring thence down through an eye of a dead weight and thence up
over the one ring and down through the gaging ring to the needles.
To prevent lateral swaying of the dead weights which hang upon the warp threads,
so that their tension as they go to the needles is uniform, are upon the turn-table a
series of guides.
The stationary framework has a suitable spindle upon which is mounted the spool
containing the weft thread which is passed about the stud or roll connected to the
needle cylinder, the said weft thread passing from the said stud into the fabric.
The stationary frame also has erected upon it a standard containing a spool from
which is taken the knitting thread along an arm secured to the top of a stud and
then down through the gaging ring connected to the turn-table and rotating with
it, and thence through the warp throwing cam attached to a stationary spindle
depending from the inner end of the said arm.
The stationary spindle at its lower end within the upper end of the needle
cylinder is provided with a size gage which rests immediately at the top of the needle
cylinder and within the tube being knitted at a point directly opposite where the
weft thread or yarn is laid into the tubular fabric to prevent contraction of the
diameter of the tube due to laying the weft thread into it under strong tension.
The size gage has connected with it a disk or plate which enters the needle
cylinder, the diameter of the said disk being enough smaller than the interior
diameter of the needle cylinder as to let the work pass between the disk and the
needle cylinder down to the take-up rolls.
The warp threads are led from the tension devices down through the guiding ring
and to the fabric between adjacent needles.
The interior diameter of the ring is such with relation to the circle in which the
needles stand that the annular series of warp threads are slightly contracted
between the guiding ring and the fabric, or in other words the warps at a point in
line with the upper end of the needle cylinder occupy a smaller circle than that
occupied by the needles when depressed.
The annular series of warp threads is supported internally just above the highest
point reached by the needles in their ascent, by a stationary warp throwing cam,
the knitting threads, (two being used) being led down through holes in the said cam
at substantially diametrically opposite points, so that when the needles are elevated
and their upper ends are thrown inwardly toward the centre of the machine, they

page_text: take hold of the knitting thread at a point within the series of warp threads, the
warp throwing cam, it at such time acting within the series of warp threads, serving
by its cam shape to temporarily throw out of their circular position in the series of
warp threads, those warp threads next the needles which are being supplied with
the knitting thread, thus permitting the knitting thread to be deposited between the
elevated needles and the inner side of the warp threads so held out.
The cam portions to raise and lower the needles at the proper times to receive
threads from two feed holes in the warp throwing cam, have a small preliminary
needle rising portion and needle-butt supporting surface immediately below a notch
in the one cam part.
This preliminary needle rising portion is just high enough to lift the needles for
a distance substantially equal to the length of the new loops drawn down by their
hooks through the old loops, and when so raised, the said needles, are held with the
tops of their hooks substantially at the level of the knitted goods loops which then
rest on the top of the needle-cylinder, the supporting surface being of sufficient
length to rigidly support the butts of several of the said needles in the same plane
just after they are lifted by the incline from the surface.
Holding a few of the needles rigidly when slightly elevated, just after they have
been fully drawn down, and just at the rear of those needles which are started
upward in front of the weft thread then held taut and bearing against the outer
sides of those warp threads which are held in true circle by the truly circular
portions of the warp throwing cam, enables me to slacken a little those warp
threads immediately opposite the needles whose butts rest on the butt supporting
portion of the cam, so that the weft thread may settle back and move back with it
the said warps against which it bears, so that the weft thread falls in a curved line
just at the rear of the needles which rest on the said portion just before they are
started upward by the rising portion so that the said needles, when acted upon by
said rising portion will always rise in front of the said weft-thread.
Were it not for this preliminary rising portion and the needle butt supporting
portion of the cam the needles would be held with their hooks so far down as to
hold the loops of knitting thread so taut that the weft thread in its efforts to strain
the warps back to the rear of the said needles would be apt to break the loops of
knitting thread and often break the needles, and the warp threads not being permitted
to yield sufficiently to the weft thread, the needles would be liable at tinies to rise
at the rear side of or behind the said weft thread making imperfections in the
fabric.
To vary the length of loop for loose or tight knitting, the cylinder shell and
cams within it may be lowered or raised by adjusting the nuts, the needle cylinder
always remaining however at the same height.
Dated the 17th day of June 1890.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Circular Knitting Machinery.
I, EDWIN ERNEST SIBLEY, of Chelsea, in the County of Suffolk and State of 4
Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 for its object the production of a knitting 5
machine of the circular class which is adapted to knit a tubular fabric especially
such a fabric known as hose for conducting liquids, although the tubular fabric is
adapted for other purposes.

page_text: will be described.
THE CRIS HeorporarCH WIL The Kitenge, 5
The machine contains a series of latched needles attached to slides held in grooves
of a revolving needle cylinder, the said needles being reciprocated by cain grooves
of a stationary cam cylinder.
The warp threads are taken from spools carried by a revolving frame or turn-
table located above the top of the needle cylinder.
The machine has a weft holding stud or projection from which the weft is
delivered into the fabric at the rear of the rising needles.
The cam cylinder is provided with one cam portion on which the projections of
the needle-slides rest when the needles are most depressed, but immediately next
such cam portion and between it and the usual lifting cam, is arranged a short
preliminary lifting cam and butt-supporting surface, which serves to temporarily
lift several of the needles to slacken the tension on the warp and knitting threads.
held under strain by the needle and to support the needles partially lifted, so that
the weft thread may without fail pass to the rear of the said needles before they
are started in their final ascent, thus ensuring the certain passage of the needles
upward in front of the weft thread.
The warp carrying frame by being located above the needle cylinder is out of.
the way of the attendant, so as not to affect the vision of the attendant when
watching the knitting as it is made course after course.
The tubular fabric herein to be produced upon the machine herein described, if
to be used for hydraulic hose, will be provided with a rubber or equivalent lining
in order to enable it to retain liquids, the said lining being vulcanized therein in
usual methods.
The fabric produced is of uniform strength and elasticity, the great uniformity
being due very largely to the action of dead weights upon the warp threads, and
while preferring dead weights to give to them the proper tension, springs under
proper control might be used, but not to as great advantage.
One part of my invention consists in a knitting machine containing the following
instrumentalities, viz. :-A cam cylinder; a needle cylinder; a series of needles; a
turn table to carry a series of warp threads; a ring gear connected to the center of
the said turn-table; an open centered bearing for the said ring located above the
top of the needle cylinder; means to rotate the said turn-table and a warp guide.
arranged centrally with relation to the said open centred bearing to direct the
warps down through the open center of the said bearing to the needles, as will be
described.
Also in a knitting machine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-
A cam cylinder a needle cylinder; a series of needles a turn-table to carry a
series of warp threads; a ring gear connected to the center of the said turn-table;
an open centered bearing for the said ring located above the top of the needle
cylinder means to rotate the said turn-table; and a warp guide arranged centrally
with relation to the said open centred bearing to direct the warps down through
the open center of the said bearing to the needles, means to rotate the said turn-
table and stationary supports for the said bearing, as will be described.
Also, in a knitting machine containing a cam cylinder; a needle cylinder; a
series of needles a turn-table to carry a series of warp threads; a ring connected
to the center of the said turn-table; an open centred bearing for the said ring
located above the top of the needle cylinder; means to rotate the said turn-table;
and a warp guide arranged centrally with relation to the open centred bearing to
direct the warps down through the open center of the said bearing to the needles;
and warp tension mechanism carried by the said turn-table.
Also in a knitting machine containing a cam cylinder; a needle cylinder; a
series of needles; a turn-table to carry a series of warp threads; a ring connected
to the center of the said turn-table; an open centered bearing for the said ring
located above the top of the needle cylinder; means to rotate the said turn-table;
and a warp guide arranged centrally with relation to the open centred bearing to

page_text: direct the warps down through the open center of the said bearing to the needles;
warp tension mechanism carried by the said turn-table; and a guide for a filling
thread a size-gage; and means to support it, the said size-gage being located in
line with the end of the needle cylinder to thereby support the warp threads at a
point where the filling is laid against the warp threads.
Also, a knitting machine for the manufacture of tubular fabric having warp and
weft threads, it consisting of a needle cylinder; a series of needles therein; a cam
cylinder having cams to actuate the said needles; a turn-table elevated above the
top of the needle cylinder; a warp guiding ring located above the needle cylinder;
a turn-table having devices to support a series of warp holding spools and their
appropriate tension devices; an open centred bearing above the needle cylinder
and about which the said turn-table is rotated; a warp throwing cam having an
opening for the passage of the knitting thread; means to hold and present the
weft thread to be delivered behind the ascending needles; and means to rotate the
said turn-table and the said needle cylinder substantially as will be described.
Fig. 1, is a partial plan view of a knitting machine embodying my invention,
Fig. 2, a partial vertical section of the machine shown in Fig. 1,
Fig. 3, a detail to be referred to chiefly to show part of the turn-table, warp
spools thereon, and a let-off for the spools,
Fig. 4, is an enlarged detail of part of Fig. 3,
Fig. 5, a detail of the turn-table to be described,
Fig. 6, a top view or plan of the let-off device,
Figs. 7 and 8 represent in section both halves of the stationary cam cylinder with
its cams,
Fig. 9, shows an inner side view of the cam cylinder and two needles, the view
being at about the line where the cylinder is separated to show Figs. 7 and 8,
Fig. 10 shows the needle cylinder with two needles therein, one being up and the
other down, and
Figs. 11 and 12, are diagrams illustrating some of the parts and the threads used
and their positions with relation to the needles.
Referring to the drawing, A represents the table or bed of the machine supported
upon a suitable framework A having usual take up rolls H, and a receiving roll A³,
the said table having bearings for the driving shaft C, having usual pulley or
pulleys to receive a belt by which to rotate the said shaft, the inner end of the
shaft having as shown a beveled gear C to engage the beveled gear C connected
by screws A to the sleeve d' rotating within the Hange of the table A, the said
sleeve being provided at its upper end with a reducing collar d² into which is
secured by the screw A, the needle cylinder e.
The latched needles having shanks n' and nibs or projections, enter suitable.
vertical grooves in the rotating needle cylinder e, and the nibs of the said needles
entering the cam groove shown between the cams, ', see Figs. 7 and 8, are
reciprocated to cause them to engage the usual knitting thread 2 and form the same
into loops.
The cams g, g', are secured in usual or suitable manner, as by screws, to the
inner sides of the shell-like needle cylinder 2 which is prevented from rotating by
means of one or more suitable studs, as shown in Fig. 2, erected upon the
bed A².
The table A2 has a suitable bearing B³ through which is extended a shaft N to
the lower end of which is secured a pinion B which is engaged by a large
pinion B forming part of the cylinder A having the large beveled
before described.
gear C
The shaft N, at its upper end, is passed through a bearing B forming part of the
stationary frame E erected upon the table A, the upper end of the said shaft
having a pinion B' which engages a toothed ring E2 which rests on and is adapted
to rotate about an open centred hollow bearing E
The bearing E' is supported upon portions of the arms E and at a point above
the top of the needle cylinder.

page_text: The ring gear E² has attached to it the turn-table E³ upon which are mounted,
upon suitable spindles, the warp holding spools a³, the said turn-table and its spools
and devices to be described rotating in a plane above the top of the needle cylinder,
so that the operator has free access to the knitting at any time without any
interference from the turn-table.
The turn-table is shown as provided with suitable wheels h, any number of which
may be used, which wheels run upon a suitable track also attached to parts of
the said rigid arms E, as will be described.
The warp spools a referred to before, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, are set
upon suitable spindles 2 having upon them loose washers 3 preferably of metal, the
said washers having, as shown in Fig. 3 where one of the spools is broken out, a
suitable pin, as 4, to enter a notch or hole in the spool.
The turn-table consists essentially of a series of radial arms extended from the
gear Ereferred to, and a series of rings, as 5, 6, which support the said spindles
and enable the said warp spools to be arranged close together in circles.
As represented herein, the rings 5, 6, have suitably pivoted to them at 7 a series
of let-offs, each let-off, as herein shown, being composed of an elbow lever 8 having
at one end upwardly projecting legs, as 9, provided at their upper ends with friction
devices, as 10, preferably blocks of india-rubber, leather or equivalent material, see
Fig. 6.
The opposite ends of each lever is provided with an ear, as 12, upon which rests
a rod 13, the connection between the rod and ear being a loose one, see Fig. 4,
so that the rod moves up and down with the end of the lever to which it is
joined.
•
The rod 13 is surrounded above the ear 12 by a spiral or other suitable spring 14,
the upper end of which is shown as coming against the ring 5 or 6 into a hole in
which the upper end of the rod 13 enters, the construction being such that the
spring acting upon a let-off normally keeps its friction-surfaces pressed against a
friction disk or washer 3, but this friction is released at intervals by the said let-offs,
as the turn-table rotates the said let-off's coming in contact with a stop, as 15, fixed
to the track /¹.
I have shown the turn-table as provided at intervals with small blocks, as ³,
which are attached by screws 16 to a cross piece 17 attached by screws 18 to the
under sides of the rings 5, 6, see Fig. 5. The said blocks receive within them
carriages which support the axles of anti-friction wheels which run upon the
track, and I have shown, see Fig. 5, a rubber block, as 8, interposed between
the carriage and the cross-bar 17, a screw keeping the block in place, the said
block lessening the jar of the rolls travelling on the track.
The turn-table referred to has erected upon it stands m which support a series
of rods as m', m², m³, and the warp threads on their way from the warp spools pass
under the ring m over the ring m², thence down through an eye 20 of a dead
weight 21, and thence up over the ring m³, and down through the gauging ring &³ to
the needles.
To prevent lateral swaying of the dead weights 21 which hang upon the warp
threads, so that their tension as they go to the needles is uniform, I have erected
upon the turn-table a series of guides, as 22, between which the said weights are
placed to travel up and down.
The stationary framework E has a suitable spindle 100 upon which is mounted
the spool containing the weft thread w, which is passed about the stud or roll³
connected to the needle cylinder, the said weft thread passing from the said stand
into the fabric being knitted, as will be described.
The frame E also has erected upon it a standard 102 containing a spool 103 from
which is taken the knitting thread c, the said knitting thread being led along an
arm 104 secured to the top of the stud 102 and then down through the gauging
ring connected to the turn-table and rotating with it, and thence through the
warp throwing cam which latter is attached to a stationary spindle & depending
from the inner end of the arm 104.

page_text: The spindle at its lower end within the upper end of the needle cylinder is
provided with a size gage, which rests immediately at the top of the needle
cylinder and within the tube being knitted at a point directly opposite where the
weft thread or yarn is laid into the tubular fabric to prevent contraction of the
diameter of the tube due to laying the weft thread into it under strong tension.
The size gage has connected with it a disk or plate which enters the needle
cylinder, the diameter of the said disk being enough smaller than the interior
diameter of the needle cylinder as to let the work pass between the disk and the
needle cylinder down to the take-up rolls H.
The warp threads are led from the tension devices down through the guiding
ring and to the fabric between adjacent needles.
The interior diameter of the ring is such with relation to the circle in which
the needles stand that the annular series of warp threads are slightly contracted
between the ring and the fabric, or in other words the warps at a point in line
with the upper end of the 'needle cylinder occupy a smaller circle than that
occupied by the needles n when depressed.
The annular series of warp threads is supported internally just above the highest
point reached by the needles in their ascent by a stationary warp throwing cam
the knitting threads, (two being used) being led down through holes in the said
eam at substantially diametrically opposite points, so that when the needles are
clevated, and their upper ends are thrown inwardly toward the center of the
machine, as will be described, they take hold of the knitting thread at a point
within the series of warp threads b, the warp throwing cam, it at such time acting
within the series of warp threads, serving by its cam shape to temporarily throw
out of their circular position in the series of warp threads, those warp threads next
the needles which are being supplied with the knitting thread, thus permitting the
knitting thread to be deposited between the elevated needles and the inner side of
the warp threads so held out.
The cam portions g, g to raise and lower the needles at the proper times to
receive threads from two feed holes in the warp throwing cam, have a small
preliminary needle rising portion 20, and needle-butt supporting surface g²
immediately below a notch in the part g, see Figs. 7, 8 and 9.
This portion 20 is just high enough to lift the needles for a distance sub-
stantially equal to the length of the new loops drawn down by their hooks through
the old loops, as shown by the needles at the left in Figs. 11 and 12 and when so
raised, the said needles preferably about five in practice, are held with the tops of
their hooks substantially at the level of the knitted goods loops 200 of which then
rest on the top of the needle-cylinder e, as shown in said Fig. 11, the supporting
surface being of sufficient length to rigidly support the butts of several of the
said needles in the same plane just after they are lifted by the incline from the
surface.
Holding a few of the needles rigidly when slightly elevated, as described, just
after they have been fully drawn down, as represented by the right-hand needle
Fig. 12, and just at the rear of those needles which are started upward in front of
the weft thread 2, then held taut and bearing against the outer sides of those warp
threads which are held in true circle by the truly circular portions of the warp
throwing came, enables me to slacken a little those warp threads immediately
opposite the needles whose butts rest on the butt supporting portion of the cam,
so that the weft thread we may settle back and move back with it the said warps b,
against which it bears, so that the said weft thread falls in a curved line just at the
rear of the needles which rest on the said portion 2 just before they are started
upward by the rising portion t², so that the said needles, when acted upon by
portion t2, will always rise in front of the said weft thread ².
Were it not for this preliminary rising portion 20 and the portion ² of the
cam g', the needles would be held with their hooks so far down (see extreme right
of Fig. 11) as to hold the loops of knitting thread so taut that the weft thread
in its efforts to strain the warps & back to the rear of the said needles would be apt

page_text: to break the loops of knitting thread and often break the needles, and the warp
threads not being permitted to yield sufficiently to the weft thread, the needles
would be liable at times to rise at the rear side of or behind the said weft thread 10
making imperfections in the fabric.
The more dense and compact the material being knitted the greater the
importance of this preliminary rising portion and portion
Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the upper portion of the cam part g and
the interior of the shell are cut away as at h*, opposite the upper ends of the
slides n' of the needles when in their lowest positions, they being moved outwardly
in a radial direction as the rear sides of the hooks of the needles, bent backward
from their shanks (shown clearly in Figs. 2, 9 and 10) travel down in contact with
the cylindrical needle-cylinder e
To vary the length of loop for loose or tight knitting, the cylinder shell and
cams within it may be lowered or raised by adjusting the nuts ', the needle
cylinder e always remaining however at the same height.
To remove or replace a needle, I have provided the shell with the usual gate h³.
(See Fig. 8.)
Referring to the enlarged detail Fig. 10, where the needle at the left is shown
fully depressed, and the needle at the right fully elevated in the needle cylinder e,
it will be seen that the hooks of the needles in their two extreme positions occupy
circles of different diameters, the larger circle being that defined or bounded by the
outside of the cylinder when the needles are depressed.
The upper end of the needle cylinder will in practice be cut away as shown in
Figs. 10, 11, to avoid cutting the loops as they are drawn dewn by the needles.
As to the weft-threads before referred to, two will preferably be used at the
same time, each taken from a suitable spool.
The studs w³, about which the weft threads w² are carried, are secured to the top
of the cylinder shell at such heights and in such positions with relation to the
needle operating cams as to enable the weft threads w² to be led to the fabric in
straight lines just above the tops of those needles which have been partially lifted
by the preliminary lifting portion 720, and held by portion g², before described, and
as shown in Fig. 12.
The surface of the cam g' is that on which the butts n³ of the slides of the
needles rest when the needles are most depressed.
Instead of starting the lifting surface t² directly from the surface, the
preliminary lifting surface 20 and horizontal portion have been interposed, they
being very desirable to lift and hold some of the needles while the weft thread is
delivered with certainty behind them, as has been explained,
When it is desired to make tubes of a different size, the reducing collar d² may
be removed and with it the needle and cam cylinders, and a reducing collar adapted
for the retention of a needle cylinder of a different size may be used with an
appropriate cam cylinder, the warp gaging ring, warp throwing cam, and size gage
being also changed to correspond.
The machine may be provided with any usual take up, and the weft thread and
knitting threads may be provided with any usual tension devices as required.
For knitting a fabric for clothing the yarns may be of any usual materials or
colours.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1A knitting machine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A cam
cylinder; a needle cylinder; a series of needles; a turn-table to carry a series of
warp threads; a ring gear connected to the centre of the said turn-table; an open
centered bearing for the said ring located above the top of the needle cylinder;
means to rotate the said turn-table; and a warp guide arranged centrally with
B

page_text: relation to the said open centred bearing to direct the warps down through the
open center of the said bearing to the needles, substantially as described.
2:- A knitting machine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :—A cam
cylinder; a needle cylinder; a series of needles; a turn-table to carry a series of
warp threads; a ring gear connected to the center of the said turn-table; an open
centered bearing for the said ring located above the top of the needle cylinder;
means to rotate the said turn-table; and a warp guide arranged centrally with
relation to the said open centered bearing to direct the warps down through the
open center of the said bearing to the needles; means to rotate the said turn-table:
and stationary supports for the said bearing, substantially as described.
3-A knitting machine containing a cam cylinder; a needle cylinder; a series of
needles na turn-table to carry a series of warp threads a ring connected to the
center of the said turn-table; an open centered bearing for the said ring located
above the top of the needle cylinder; means to rotate the said turn-table; and a
warp guide arranged centrally with relation to the open centered bearing to direct
the warps down through the open center of the said bearing to the needles;
and warp tension mechanism carried by the said turn-table, substantially as
described.
4: A knitting machine containing a cam cylinder; a needle cylinder e a series
of needles; a turntable to carry a series of warp threads; a ring connected to the
center of the said turn table; an open centred bearing for the said ring located
above the top of the needle, cylinder; means to rotate the said turn-table; and a
warp guide arranged centrally with relation to the open centered bearing to direct
the warps down through the open center of the said bearing to the needles; warp
tension mechanism carried by the said turn-table; and a guide for a, filling thread;
a size gage and means to support it, the said size gage being located in line with
the end of the needle cylinder to thereby support the warp threads at a point where
the filling is laid against the warp threads, substantially as described.
5: A knitting machine for the manufacture of tubular fabric having warp and
weft threads, it consisting of a needle cylinder; a series of needles therein; a cam
cylinder having cams to actuate the said needles; a turn-table elevated above the
top of the needle cylinder; a warp guiding ring located above the needle cylinder:
a turn-table having devices to support a series of warp holding spools and their
appropriate tension devices; an open centered bearing above the needle cylinder
and about which the said turn-table is rotated; a warp throwing cam having an
opening for the passage of the knitting thread; means to hold and present the weft
thread to be delivered behind the ascending needles; and means to rotate the said
turn-table and the said needle cylinder substantially as described.
Dated the 6th day of March 1891.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.