Improvements in Knitting Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knitting Machines.
WILLIAM JAMES FORD Hosiery Manufacturer West Humberstone Leicester do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
By this invention I am enabled to strengthen the legs and feet of stockings or
socks upon machinery of circular or cylindrical class. Both stationary or movable
cylinders.
In our Patent No. 1788-(1884) Cooper & Ford, we used
tube for drawing in,
by friction, the splicing thread with one hole only for both threads, and a lever for
giving slack to the splicing thread.
My improvements consist in place of tube or tubes a V shaped groove of a
triangular shape, one side rounded, the rounded side being the longest.
At the top of the longest side I have a hole for the splicing thread to enter the
V shaped groove.
The knitting thread passes in at the entrance and at the back of the hole of the
V groove, and presses on the top of the splicing thread. This makes more certain
the drawing in of the splicing thread the narrow part at the top of the ✓ groove,
being reversed.
My further improvements to give the slack, I have a projection within the bow,
with a hole for the splicing thread to enter, and pass under the projection in the
middle of the breaking lever, or slide, which draws a slack thread with the fall of
the lever.
To secure extra slack, I fix to the stand a wire that rises the height of the full
motion of the breaking lever. I fix a hole at the top of the same, when the
slide or breaking lever falls, it draws a portion of the splicing thread from the
bobbin and in rising delivers it on a level for drawing in.
The breaking lever bows out to allow of the projection inside.
To give motion to the breaking lever, I use a pulley working on an axle, this
runs on an inclined ring, arranged back or in front of the frame, by using a large
pulley-wheel and higher incline, I get a much higher lift. This enables me to get
a larger slack to the splicing thread.
By moving the pulley out, or in, on its axle, I can splice half or part round the
back or front of the article.
The breaking lever falls on a spring block, fastened to the solid stand.
The splicing bobbin is carried in the centre as shewn in Patent 1788-(1884)
Cooper and Ford, and fastened to the centre pin by a ring, with a set screw, instead
of screws through the centre pin, having a ring round the bobbin, to prevent the
threads mixing.
My further improvements consist of a stationary knife, inserted between the leafs
and in the groove of the cylinder. It can be fixed to the cylinder. I use it fixed
to the ring, on a hand-knitter. I thin down the leaf and fix the knife aside of the
leaf of the cylinder.
The two threads are drawn across the knife, the splicing thread being held by
the breaking lever causes tension on the splicing thread. The thread is cut just as
the needle descends in the groove to draw the loop, leaving a uniform length of
thread ready to be drawn in. The knife acting as a leaf dividing the loop.
Dated this Eleventh day of June 1892.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
.
Improvements in Knitting Machines.
I, WILLIAM JAMES FORD of Albany Villa, West Humberstone, Leicester,
Hosiery 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 has reference to circular knitting machines and embodies
mechanism by which a splicing or an additional thread may be fed on to either the
whole circle of needles for any number of courses so as to form one part of the
fabric produced thereon of a greater thickness than the other parts: or to a portion
only of the needles at each course so as to thicken the fabric at a certain part of its
circumference as in the knee, just above the heel, and the bottom of the foot of a
stocking.
The invention will be understood from the following description in reference to
the accompanying drawings wherein
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a knitting machine of the circular reversible type
having my improved splicing apparatus applied thereto.
Figures 2 and 3 are side and front elevations respectively of the splicing mechanism
detached from the knitting machine.
and
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the device for carrying the splicing thread bobbin
Figure 5 a plan of the ring through which the splicing thread passes to prevent
it mixing with the knitting thread.
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are different detail views of the grooved block through
which both the splicing and knitting threads pass before reaching the needles:
Figure 6 being a side elevation, Figure 7 a plan, Figure 8 a front view of Figure 6,
showing the block detached, Figure 9 a central vertical section and Figure 10 a
cross section on the line a a of Figure 6.
Figures 11 and 13 are sections of the frame needle cylinder with a knife for
severing the splicing thread connected thereto and
Figure 12 is a side elevation of the knife detached.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a portion of the needle cylinder showing the
knife for severing the splicing thread connected thereto.
The construction and operation of a circular knitting machine are so well
understood that no further description will be hereinafter given than is necessary
to fully explain the working of the splicing mechanism which constitutes this
invention.
A represents the splicing thread and B the knitting thread. Both the threads A.
and B before reaching the needles pass under a block C. This block as shown
most clearly in Figure 10 has a V shaped groove C₁ cut on its underside and this
groove extends the whole length thereof as indicated in Figures 8 and 9.
The knitting thread B passes under one end of the block and travels the whole
length of the groove thereunder, but the splicing thread A passes in at the upper
end of a slot C formed in the side of the block, thence downwards into and along
the said groove C¹ and out at the opposite end thereof as shown in Figures 1, 6
and 9.
By allowing the threads to enter the groove in the manner described the splicing
thread is always located at the top and narrowest part of the groove and the
knitting thread underneath and in contact with it, so that when the splicing thread
is released from the trapping lever as hereinafter described, it will be carried on to
the needles by frictional contact with the knitting thread.
The block C is connected to a plate D¹ formed integrally with the usual thread
layer D, through the eye D2 of which the threads pass on to the needles.
The thread layer D is fastened by a screw E¹ passing through its rear horizontal

page_text: portion into an angular plate E screwed at E' to the usual bracket F which by
screws F¹ is connected at its lower end to the well known revolving ring H or
carriage of the machine.
The block C as will be understood from Figures 1 and 6 is fixed in an inclined
position resting on a plate D' the latter forming the bottom portion of the
plate D¹.
The lower edge of one side of the block is cut away to the full extent of its
length so as to leave a space between it and the plate D' which admits of the
threads A and B being readily slipped underneath to get into the V shaped groove
on the underside thereof.
A finger D is formed with the plate D' and extends upwardly in front of one
end of the block C to divide or pass between the knitting and splicing threads as
they pass into the block.
Although it is preferable that the splicing and knitting threads should have
separate entrances into the groove under the block they may be allowed to pass into
the same entrance if desired.
The splicing thread after leaving the bobbin G passes upwards through the
ring J and holes J' and J³ formed in the arm V' which carries the said bobbin and
downwards through a loop K on the upper end of the trapping lever K through an
eye L' in the arch L through a hole K' in the trapping lever and also under a
loop K³ in the bowed portion of the said lever K, over a spring plate M and finally
into the V shaped groove under the block C as before mentioned.
The trapping lever K (referred to in the Provisional Specification as a breaking
lever) is located for a portion of its length in a groove formed in the front of the
bracket F and is kept from falling out by a plate F' fixed by screws F³ to the side
of the said bracket.
The lower end of the trapping lever carries a spindle N upon which is loosely
mounted a revoluble pulley or roller N₁ the latter being maintained on the spindle
by a nut on the screwed end thereof.
Upon the knitting machine being set in motion the complete splicing device or
apparatus is carried round with it and at a certain point in each course or revolution
the pulley ascends a platform O (referred to in the Provisional Specification as an
inclined ring) with inclined ends, thereby raising the trapping lever K into its
elevated position indicated in Figure 2 when the splicing thread will feed freely
on to the needles along with the knitting thread and thickened fabric will be
the result.
The number of needles on to which the splicing thread is laid is determined by
the extent of the platform O which is fixed by screws O¹ to the bed plate P of the
machine and also supported by an arm screwed at O' to the bed plate.
Immediately the pulley N¹ descends the opposite end of the platform Othe
trapping lever K under the influence of a spring Q descends also, so that
the splicing thread is trapped between the preferably serrated edge of a segmental
plate R pivotally connected to the upper part of the trapping lever, and a spring
plate M connected by a screw M¹ to the upper part of the bracket F.
In order to provide a certain amount of slack thread, which is requisite to ensure
the splicing thread being conducted to the needles by the knitting thread imme-
diately the former is released by the trapping lever, the splicing thread A passes
through a loop K' in the bow of the trapping lever and the quantity of slack is
further increased by passing it also through the eye L'in the upper part of the
arch L (referred to in the Provisional Specification as a wire) the two side members
of which are secured by screws L' to the sides of the bracket F.
Immediately the trapping lever moves into its lowered position it draws the
splicing thread, below the horizontal line (indicated in Figure 2) in which the
thread travels to the thread layer, into the position shown in Figure 1 and
immediately the said trapping lever is elevated by ascending the platform O a
certain amount of slack thread is provided.

page_text: The amount of slack thread may be increased either by fixing a larger pulley on
the spindle N or by raising the platform O which as will be understood giveз an
increased rising and falling motion to the trapping lever.
The spring which lowers the trapping lever K after it leaves the platform has
one end attached to a projection Q₁near the bottom of the said lever and the
opposite end fastened to a screw Q which passes into the bracket F and the
body of the spring is bent into a laterally disposed U shape as indicated in
Figure 3.
While the pulley N¹ remains in the position indicated in Figure 1, it will allow
the splicing thread to feed on to about one-half of the circle of needles at each
revolution of the machine thereby producing fabric thickened round one half of
its circumference, as in the knee of a stocking or above the heel and at the bottom
of the foot of a stocking or sock, but by moving the said pulley outwards on its
axle N so that in revolving passes outside the platform O ordinary plain
unthickened work will be the result.
The splicing thread bobbin G rests on the lower part V₁ of an arm V provided
with a screw V which passes into the hole in the bottom of the bobbin. The said
arm V2 is connected to the spindle W₁ of the ribbing arm W by a ring X and a
set-screw X which presses against the spindle W¹.
In order to prevent the splicing thread flying outwards by centrifugal action
when the machine is being driven very rapidly and thereby getting mixed with
the knitting thread, I fix a ring or equivalent J' to the side of the arm V' and
allow the splicing thread to pass through it as shown in Figure 4.
In order to insure the splicing thread always being severed at the same point in
relation to the needles, which is not the case if trapping or breaking only is relied
upon, I employ a knife.for this purpose.
This knife S as will be seen in Figures 11, 12 and 14 I prefer to attach to or
partly sink into the usual clasp ring S so that the said knife may either be placed
at the side of one of the leaves S2 of the needle cylinder T (in which case part of
the thickness of the leaf is removed so as not to interfere with the movement
of the needle therein): or the upper portion of the leaf may be entirely removed
for a certain distance in the direction of its length and the knife allowed to rest
thereon as in Figure 11.
Both the knitting thread and the splicing thread pass over the cutting edge S
of the knife, but immediately upon the splicing thread being trapped and held by
the trapping lover it becomes tensioned and being drawn still tighter over the
cutting edge of the knife by the action of the needles, is cut or severed just as
the needle in the next adjacent groove or trick draws its loop: while the
knitting thread feeding freely on to the needles is not affected by passing over
the knife.
In Figure 13 a knife S* of a different shape is shown.
This is formed with a cutting edge S³ approximately straight in form and is
adapted also to act in the same manner as the leaves in the needle cylinder i.e. to
divide the loop.
The knife S rests on the upper end of a portion of one of the leaves T¹ in the
needle cylinder T.
In order to be able to properly adjust the height of this knife S* to prevent it
cutting the thread except at the desired times, it has formed on its inner side
a pin S which passes through a slot T in the needle cylinder T and also
through the upper end of a rod U and is secured thereto by a nut S° on the screwed
end thereof.
The rod U passes downwards inside the needle cylinder and its threaded
lower end is located within an internally screwed tube U' movably retained
within a tubular socket T3 formed within and at the lower part of the needle
cylinder.
The tube U has a milled edged head U' at one end and a nut U³ on the

page_text: opposite end. By turning the head U' so as to rotate the tube U¹ within its
socket T the rod U may be moved up or down to raise or lower the knife S* to the
desired extent.
Upon the splicing thread being trapped and held as hereinbefore referred to it
is tensioned over the edge of the knife and severed on the needle drawing its loop
as will be understood.
It is obvious that instead of attaching the thread cutting knife to the frame
needle cylinder as shown and described I may if desired combine the said knife
with the ribbing machine either by locating it in one of the needle grooves in the
dial so as to be operated by the ribbing cams to cut the thread at the required
time or by fixing it to the cam cap.
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 :-
1. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a thread conducting
device grooved on its underside and provided with separate entrances or otherwise
for the splicing and knitting threads substantially as described and illustrated in
Figures 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines a thread conducting
device grooved on its underside and provided with separate entrances or otherwise
for the splicing and knitting threads and having a portion of one of its sides
removed to facilitate the placing of the said threads in the groove substantially
as described and illustrated in Figures 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines the combination with a
thread conducting device of a spring plate such as M spring controlled trapping
lever such as K and means for periodically raising and lowering the said trapping
lever to trap and release the splicing thread substantially as described and illustrated
in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines the combination with a
thread conducting device of a spring plate such as M spring controlled trapping
lever such as K provided with a spindle N and pulley or roller N', and platform
such as O operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose described and
illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines the combination with a
thread conducting device of a lever such as K or its equivalent constructed in such
a manner as not only to trap the splicing thread at the required time but also to
simultaneously draw the requisite amount of slack thread to ensure the splicing
thread being carried to the needles with the knitting thread substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines the combination with a
thread conducting device of a trapping lever such as K and a thread eye L' in an
arch such as L, or other device located above the trapping lever substantially as
and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
7. In a splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines the combination with
means for trapping the splicing thread of a knife for cutting the said thread at
the time when it is trapped and the adjacent needle is drawing its loop substantially
as described.
8. In a circular knitting machine provided with splicing apparatus the combination
with the means employed to trap the splicing thread of a knife connected to the
needle cylinder or the ribbing machine substantially in the manner described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
9. In a circular knitting machine the combination with the splicing thread
bobbin carrying device of means for preventing the splicing thread mixing with
the knitting thread substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 10. The improved splicing apparatus for circular knitting machines consisting
of the parts constructed, arranged and operating substantially in the manner
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 11th dev of March 1893
Witness:
WILLIAM JAMES FORD.
E. NORTH LEWIS,
Berridge Street Chambers, Leicester.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.