IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINES AND APPARATUS APPLICABLE THERETO.”
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Cresswell, of Loughborough, in the County of
Leicester, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINES AND
APPARATUS APPLICABLE THERETO.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Cresswell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st July 1880.
CHARLES CRESSWELL, of Loughborough, in the County of Leicester. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN KNITTING MACHINES AND APPARATUS APLICABLE THERETO."
"
The machinery and apparatus consists of the following parts :-Two end
standards, and one or more intermediate standards, when the length of the frame
requires them. These standards either form bearings or bearings are secured to them
for a cam shaft at the back provided with a toothed wheel, which gears into an
intermediate toothed wheel driven by a toothed wheel, carried by a hand shaft at
the front of the frame; one end of this shaft is provided with a fast and a loose
pulley for a belt from a main shaft; the standards also carry bearings for the
required number of spindle bars. The frame proper consists of a needle bar,
carrying the frame needles, the said bar being connected by links to a spindle bar
operated by cams; above the frame needles is a presser bar, the lower edge of which
presses the frame needles, and the back edge presses the machine needles; the
upper end of the presser bar is hinged to links carried by a spindle bar, and the
lower end of the presser bar is hinged to links carried by levers on a spindle bar,
operated by cams, which give too and fro and up and down movements to the
presser bar; the front of the presser bar forms tricks for the sinkers which project
at their upper front edge and slide in tricks in a bar secured on the front of the
presser bar. In front of the lower end of the sinkers is a bar which acts as a stop
to the rising of the sinkers, and also keeps them in position; this bar and the
presser bar forms a sley in which a falling bar is free to rise and fall, the falling
bar resting upon screws adjustable in levers carried by a spindle bar actuated by
cams. The sinkers are lowered by inclines sliding upon a bar above the presser
bar; the inclines have too and fro movements communicated to them by a rocking
lever actuated by a pulley carrying crossed grooves or inclines. The inclines which

page_text: lower the sinkers are adjustable by means of the usual star screws and springs,
above which is a spindle bar on which is secured a notched wheel over each star screw;
the spindle bar carries a lever at each end slotted to receive studs carried by levers
secured on a spindle bar which is provided with a notched wheel upon which a
guage screw rests, the screw being carried by the upper end of a rocking lever, the
lower end of which lies under the falling bar; the spindle carrying the notched
wheel carries a lever actuated by a camplate and ratchet wheel operated upon by a
clawker governed by a studded chain, the number of links in which are the same
as the number of courses required in the hose or other fabric. The apparatus I
employ to lay any required number of threads on the needles is placed at the front
of the frame, and consists of an axle shaft provided with ratchet wheels revolved
by the studs on the chain before named, operating the clawkers. The axle shaft
revolves and slides in bearings secured to the standards, and is provided with two
or more studded wheels which operate levers for throwing thread guide bars in or
out of action, such bars being carried by and sliding in brackets secured to and
sliding upon the axle shaft; the traverse of the brackets is effected by their being
connected to the inclines before named. The thread layers and narrowing points
are stopped where required by brackets, each of which carries a lever, hinged to
the outer end of which is a short lever, carrying a toothed foot, which engages in
teeth on the top of the bar on which the bracket slides, for the purpose of
narrowing.
Under the outer end of the first named lever there is a projection toothed on
the lower side, which, as the lever falls, engage in a toothed rack on another bar,
thereby securely locking the brackets, thread layers, and narrowing points, the
lever first named being lifted by a rocking arm operated by a cam.
I employ a narrowing machine of the usual construction carried by pendant
brackets secured on a front spindle bar provided with levers rocked by cams. Behind
the lower end of the sinkers is a fixed bar, having tricks on its front to receive
knocking over bits, the top of the bar being cut to receive the needles, the knocking
over bits being held to the bar by plates and screws. In front of the plates is a
slide for knocking over the loops on the machine needles; the front of the slide
carries tricks to stay the machine needles. The slide is moved vertically by screws
adjustable in the front ends of levers secured on a spindle bar operated by cams.
In front of the slide is a machine needle bar, and needles supported and operated in
the usual way.
Below the cam shaft is a rocking spindle bar provided with a lever operated by
a cam; the spindle bar carries a frame and work roller for each breadth of fabric;
each roller is of larger diameter at the ends than the centre, each being provided
with a ratchet wheel and clawker carried by a pendant arm on the rocking spindle
bar. The apparatus above described, which I employ to lay any required number
of threads, is equally applicable to any kind of rotary knitting frame. Thus by
machinery and apparatus constructed as above described I can produce fashioned
and spliced fabrics automatically, and in addition thereto I can by employing
divers coloured threads produce vertical or horizontal striped fabrics or divers
coloured patterned fabrics as required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Cresswell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st
January 1881.
CHARLES CRESSWELL, of Loughborough, in the County of Leicester. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN KNITTING MACHINES AND APPARATUS APPLICABLE THERETO.'
The machinery and apparatus consists of the following parts. Two end standards,
and one or more intermediate standards, when the length of the frame requires
them. These standards either form bearings or bearings are secured to them for a
cam shaft at the back provided with a toothed wheel, which gears into an inter-
mediate toothed wheel driven by a toothed wheel, carried by a hand shaft at the
front of the frame; one end of this shaft is provided with a fast and a loose pulley
for a belt from a main shaft; the standards also carry bearings for the required
number of spindle bars. The frame proper consists of a needle bar carrying the
frame needles, the said bar being connected by links to a spindle bar operated by
cams; above the frame needles is a presser bar, the lower edge of which presses the
frame needles, and the back edge presses the machine needles; the upper end of the
presser bar is hinged to links carried by a spindle bar, and the lower end of the
presser bar is hinged to links carried by levers on a spindle bar operated by cams,
which give to and fro and up and down movements to the presser bar; the front
of the presser bar forms tricks for the sinkers which project at their upper front
edges, and slide in tricks in a bar secured on the front of the presser bar. In
front of the lower end of the sinkers is a bar which acts as a stop to the rising of
the sinkers and also keeps them in position; this bar and the presser bar forms a
sley in which a falling bar is free to rise and fall, the falling bar resting upon screws
adjustable in levers, carried by a spindle bar actuated by cams. The sinkers are
lowered by inclines sliding upon a bar above the presser bar; the inclines have to
and fro movements communicated to them by a rocking lever actuated by a pulley,
carrying crossed grooves or inclines. The inclines which lower the sinkers are
adjustable by means of the usual star screws and springs, above which is a spindle
bar on which is secured a notched wheel over each star screw; the spindle bar
carries a lever at each end slotted to receive studs, carried by levers secured on a
spindle bar, which is provided with a notched wheel upon which a gauge screw
rests, the screw being carried by the upper end of a rocking lever, the lower end
of which lies under the falling bar; the spindle carrying the notched wheel carries
a lever actuated by a cam plate and ratchet wheel, operated upon by a clawker
governed by a studded chain, the number of links in which are the same as the
number of courses required in the hose or other fabric.
The apparatus I employ to lay any required number of threads on the needles
is placed at the front of the frame, and consists of an axle shaft provided with
ratchet wheels revolved by the studs on the chain before named, operating the
clawkers.
The axle shaft revolves and slides in bearings secured to the standards, and
is provided with two or more studded wheels which operate levers for throwing
thread guide bars in or out of action, such bars being carried by and sliding in
brackets secured to and sliding upon the axle shaft; the traverse of the brackets is
effected by their being connected to the inclines before named. The thread layers
and narrowing points are stopped where required by brackets, each of which
carries a lever, hinged to the outer end of which is a short lever carrying a toothed
foot which engages in teeth on the top of the bar on which the bracket slides, for
the purpose of narrowing. Under the outer end of the first named lever there is a
projection toothed on the lower side, which, as the lever falls, engage in a toothed
rack on another bar, thereby securely locking the brackets, thread layers, and

page_text: narrrowing points, the lever first named being lifted by a rocking arm operated
by a cam. The narrowing machine I employ is of the usual construction, carried
by pendant brackets secured on a front spindle bar, provided with levers rocked by
cams.
Behind the lower end of the sinkers is a fixed bar having trucks on its front to
receive knocking over bits, the top of the bar being cut to receive the needles, the
knocking over bits being held to the bar by plates and screws. In front of the
plates is a slide for knocking over the loops on the machine needles; the front of
the slide carries tricks to stay the machine needles. The slide is moved vertically
by screws adjustable in the front ends of levers, secured on a spindle bar operated
by cams. In front of the slide is a machine needle bar, and needles supported and
operated in the usual way.
Below the cam shaft is a rocking spindle bar provided with a lever operated by
a cam; the spindle bar carries a frame and work roller for each breadth of fabric;
each roller is of larger diameter at the ends than the centre, each being provided
with a ratchet wheel and clawker, carried by a pendant arm on the rocking spindle
bar.
The apparatus above described, which I employ to lay any required number of
threads, is equally applicable to any kind of rotary knitting frame.
Thus by machinery and apparatus constructed as above described I can produce
fashioned and spliced fabrics automatically, and in addition thereto I can by
employing divers coloured threads produce vertical or horizontal striped fabrics or
divers coloured patterned fabrics as required.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures 1 to 4 represent a front view of a knitting machine constructed according
to my improvements, but with the central part of the left half of the machine
broken away, it being the same as the right half.
Figure 5, a view of the right end of the same.
Figure 6, a sectional view of the operating parts, with the right end standard
removed.
Figures 7 to 11 represent right hand side views of the cams I employ to effect
the requisite movements of the several parts, and
Figures 12 to 25 represent portions of the machine and apparatus severally
referred to hereafter.
The corresponding parts in each Figure are indicated by the same letters where
necessary.
The machinery and apparatus consists of the following parts:-Two end standards A,
and an intermediate standard A¹. To these standards bearings are secured for a
cam shaft B (see Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) at the back provided with a toothed
wheel B¹ which gears into an intermediate toothed wheel, driven by a toothed
wheel secured on the left end of a hand shaft B2 at the front of the machine (in
the Drawings the teeth of the wheel gearing are not shown). The outer end of this
shaft is provided with a fast and loose pulley for a belt from a main shaft; the
standards also carry bearings for the required number of spindle bars and other
portions of the improved apparatus. The frame proper consists of a needle bar C,
carrying the frame needles secured in tricks by clamping plates; the bar is hinged
to the upper end of links secured on a spindle bar numbered 5 and 6 provided
with truck levers operated by two cams numbered 5 and 6. Above the frame
needles is a presser bar D, the lower edge of which presses the frame needles, and
the back edge presses the machine needles. The upper end of the presser bar is
hinged to links secured on a spindle bar numbered 11 and 12, provided with truck
levers operated by cams, numbered 11, 12, and 124; the lower end of the presser
bar is hinged to links connecting it to two arms secured on a spindle bar
numbered 15, provided with a truck lever operated by a cam numbered 15, the
several cams giving to and fro and up and down movements to the presser bar.

page_text: The front of the presser bar forms tricks in which the sinkers slide up and down;
each sinker projects at its upper front edge, such projection slides in tricks in a
bar D¹ secured on the front of the presser bar. In front of the lower end of the
sinkers is a bar D2, which acts as a stop to the rising of the sinkers, and also keeps
them in position; this bar and the presser bar forms a sley in which a falling
bar Ds is free to rise and fall. The bar rests upon screws adjustable in levers D'
secured on a spindle bar numbered 7 and 8 provided with truck levers operated by
cams numbered 7, 8, 17, and 18. The lower front edge of every other sinker is
slightly set back to give room for the thread carriers to pass between the needles
more readily; one such sinker is shewn in side view at Figure 14, and a sinker not
set back is shewn in side view in the position in the sinker presser bar at Figure 13,
together with the spring at the back which holds the sinker in a raised position.
These springs are cast in leads, a front view of one such lead being shewn separately
at Figure 15; these leads are secured by screws to the back of the sinker bar.
The sinkers are lowered by inclines E, one to each division, each carried in a box
sliding upon a bar El above the presser bar; a back view of one incline box and
incline is shewn at Figure 12; each incline can be adjusted vertically by a star
screw and spring in the usual way. The incline boxes are connected by a bar E³,
secured to their front; the bar and boxes have too and fro movements communicated
to them by a rocking lever Es slotted at its upper end to receive a sliding bit
rocking on an axle secured in the back of a clip E, attached to the left end of the
bar Es, the clip sliding upon an arm E screwed to the left end standard. The
lever Es carries a weighted switch stud Es at the back (shewn at Figure 18^). The
lower end of the lever rocks on an axle in the upper end of a bracket secured to
the standard. The lever is actuated by a pulley secured on the end of the cam shaft
provided with projecting crossed incline pieces; the portion of the pulley so provided
is shewn laid out flat at Figure 18.
Above the incline star screws is a spindle bar F, on which are secured notched
cam bosses F', one to each star screw. The spindle bar carries a lever at each end
provided with a stud which takes into the slotted ends of levers, secured on a
spindle bar F, which is provided with a notched cam boss F3 upon which a gauge
screw rests, the screw being carried by the upper end of a rocking lever F, the
lower end of which lies under the falling bar. The spindle bar F2 carries a lever F',
shewn at Figure 5 actuated by a cam plate and ratchet wheel F³ racked by a
clawker hinged to the back end of a lever Fe at the right end of the machine, the
clawker being governed by studs on a chain, the number of links in which are the
same as the number of courses required in the hose or other fabric being made. A
portion of chain and two studs are shewn in side view and plan at Figures 16
and 17, the outer half of each stud which projects operating the lever F, and the
inner half which projects operating a lever G hereafter referred to for governing
the narrowing coverers. The chain is racked over a double rimmed boss G', shewn
at Figures 4, 5, and 22, by a driver operated by an eccentric 1 secured on the right
end of the cam shaft, the driver taking into the teeth of a ratchet wheel G2 on the
outer end of an axle provided with two toothed wheels, shewn in side view by
dotted lines at Figure 22, each tooth taking into the space between two links of
the chain, the ratchet wheel being retained by a weighted stop lever G³.
The apparatus I employ to lay the required number of threads on the needles is
shewn at Figures 4, 5, and 19 placed at the front of the frame, and consists of an
axle shaft provided with a ratchet wheel H, moved tooth by tooth by a driver
having its lower end hinged to the outer end of the lever F actuated by one or
other of the studs on the chain before mentioned.
The axle shaft revolves in a bearing H secured on a bracket H* attached to the
standard; the shaft also revolves in a bearing H³ which slides on the shaft when
racked inwards; the bearing H³ is carried by a sliding bracket I forming part of
the narrowing apparatus described hereafter. To the left of the ratchet wheel H
are three notched plates H, H5, H; the plate H* retains the thread carriers at the
narrowing selvage. This plate slides on a feather key on the axle shaft and revolves

page_text: The
with it; a side view of this plate is shown at Figure 54. The plate H³, shewn in side
view at Figure 19, is secured to and revolves with the axle shaft, this plate stops
the carriers for a square selvage; the plate He is of the same shape as the plate H+,
and acts as a retaining stop to the carriers until required to be released.
thread carrier bars are provided at the ends with adjustable set screws and lock
nuts, and are stopped where required by plates secured to the inner ends of the
sliding bracket I, shewn at Figures 1 and 4.
The two bars carrying the narrowing points or coverer brackets are each adjusted
to the narrowing required by the end of a bracket J which is secured to each bar,
and lies between two adjustable set screws, and locks nuts in short arms below the
brackets I.
The brackets I are racked inwards by the following apparatus, the one on the
left end of the machine being shewn in side view at Figure 20, and in plan at
Figure 21-
Each bracket I slides upon a double racked bracket H2 secured to the standard;
the bracket I carries a lever I', hinged to the cuter end of which is a short lever I'
carrying a toothed foot, which engages with the teeth on the top of the back
rack on which the bracket I slides, thereby securely locking the brackets, thread
carriers, and narrowing points or coverers. The toothed foot is pulled down by a
spring, and is lifted by a rod Is, on which a boss at the back of the lever I' slides,
the rod being raised by a lever I', the back end of the lever being secured on the
spindle bar numbered 4 and 10.
The narrowing machine I employ is of the usual construction; the inner bar
carries covering points and brackets, as shewn in plan at Figure 23, and the outer
bar brackets, as shewn at Figure 24. The narrowing machine is carried by
pendant brackets K secured on a front spindle bar numbered 14 provided with a
truck lever rocked by cams numbered 14; the narrowing machine is raised and
lowered by a link attached to a rocking lever numbered 13 operated by cam 13.
Behind the lower end of the sinkers is a fixed bar L having tricks on its front
to receive knocking over bits, the tops of the bar being cut to receive the frame
needles, the knocking over bits are held to the bar by plates and screws. In front
of the plates is a slide M. for knocking over the loops on the machine needles; there
is a projection on the front of the slide which forms tricks to stay the machine
needles. A sectional view of the truck slide and a machine needle is shewn at
Figure 25; the slide is moved vertically by screws adjustable in the front ends of
levers secured on a spindle bar numbered 9, provided with a truck lever operated
by the cam 9. In front of the slide is a machine needle bar N and needles carried
by arms hinged to the front ends of levers secured on the spindle bar numbered 16
having a truck lever operated by a cam 16.
Below the cam shaft is a rocking spindle bar numbered 21, having a truck lever
operated by the cam 21; the spindle bar carries a frame O and work roller for each
breadth of fabric, each roller is of larger diameter at the ends than the centre, and
continually holds the selvages down the whole length of the hose. Each roller is
provided with a ratchet wheel and clawker O' carried by a pendant arm on the
spindle bar 21. The cams I employ are numbered consecutively, and operate as
follows: Number 1 is an excentric cam and racks the chain wheel; Number 2
traverses the cam shaft; Number 3 actuates a rocking lever numbered 3 for
operating the thread holding springs in the usual way; No. 4 racks the coverers;
5 withdraws the needles when narrowing; 6 withdraws the needles when making
the fabric; 7 and 17 lifts the sinkers when narrowing; 8 and 18 lifts the sinkers
when making the fabric; 9 raises the machine slide; 10 takes the thread carriers
through the needles; 11 lowers the sinkers when narrowing; 12 operates the
presser 12ª is the sink covering cam; 13 rocks the coverers; 14 advances the
coverers; 15 operates the machine press; 16 raises and lowers the machine needle
bar; 19, the same as Number 4 cam ; 20 is the same as Number 5 cam; and 21
racks the work roller round.
The above named cams are secured on the cam shaft B and revolve with it; the

page_text: traversing of the shaft is effected as follows:-At the right end of the machine is
a bracket P, seen at Figures 4 and 5; in this bracket a swinging switch lever Pl
rocks; the lever is held clear of the cam 2 while the fabric is being made by a
spring, seen at Figure 5, attached to it, and to a lever G, seen at Figure 4, but
upon the inner half of each stud which projects operating the lever G the switch
lever will be placed to the right of the position, shewn by dotted lines at Figure 4,
and cause the cam shaft to be traversed so that the cams employed when making
the fabric will clear the trucks of the several levers and place the narrowing cams
in position for operating the narrowing machine. The apparatus above described
for operating the four thread carrier bars is capable of extension so as to lay any
number of threads and is applicable to any kind of rotary knitting machine.
Having now described the whole of the several parts separately I will now
proceed to describe the movements of the whole successively and collectively during
the working of a course. I will suppose I am going to work a course with the
carriers traversing from left to right, the whole of the parts being in their several
relative positions, as shewn in Figures 1 to 6.
The carriers being in the position above the needles are traversed from left to
right by the switch wheel and lever, the sinkers successively fall, being brought
down by the slur cock; the carriers descend through the needles. The needles are
drawn to the back under the presser, the beards being pressed to allow the
previously formed loops to pass over them; the sinkers rise, bringing the loops into
the needle heads; the sinkers are brought slightly forward with the presser to
allow the machine needles to rise at the back of the loops and the sinkers. The
machine needles taking their portion of the loops the presser descends, the back of
the presser pressing the beards of the machine needles as they descend, the
previously formed loops being knocked over by the machine needle slide; they then
rise until their heads lie between the frame needles, the presser having risen after
pressing the machine needles, the frame needles are brought forward and the
carriers lifted above the needles and a right to left course is finished and the
movements are repeated.
When a narrowing is to be effected a left inclined stud rocks the lever at the
right of the machine so as to place its incline to the right, causing the traversing
cam to strike its left side and traverse the cam shaft to the left, causing the trucks
of the several operating levers to lie opposite the narrowing cams and clear of the
web cams, that is, the cams which cause the several movements required when
making a course of fabric to the right or left, such traversing of the cam shaft
causing the swinging slide bit operated by the switch wheel to pass to the right of
the wheel, thus allowing the carriers and slur cocks to remain stationary while the
narrowings are effected, each narrowing being made as follows:-While the carriers
are to the right of each breadth of fabric the coverers are placed upon the frame
needles, as shewn at Figure 6, pressing down the beards, the points of the coverers
enter the eyes of the needles; they then recede with the needles and enter the
loops on the needles; the coverers then rise slightly carrying the loops sideways
onto the next adjacent needles; the coverers are then slightly lowered, the sinkers
descend in front of the loops, securely holding them while the coverers and needles
are brought to the front. The coverers clearing the needles are in position ready
for the next narrowing. During the narrowing course the stud chain is racked
on to clear the lever and the cam shaft resumes its proper position for making the
web.
Thus, by machinery and apparatus constructed and operating as above described,
I can produce fashioned and spliced ribbed fabrics automatically, and in addition
thereto I can by employing divers coloured threads produce vertical or horizontal
striped fabrics or divers coloured patterned fabrics as required.
Having thus described my said Invention, and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that I claim,-
First. For the presser D for pressing the frame and machine needles.

page_text: Second. For the tricks on the machine slide M for holding the machine needles
in position.
Third. For the apparatus for adjusting the stiffness of the fabric by means of the
spindle F and F³, cam plates F1 and F³, levers D, and adjustable set screws, the
lever F, cam plate and ratchet wheel F5, clawker and lever F6, and studded chain
to operate them at any required course.
Fourth. For the apparatus for retaining or setting free the thread carrier bars,
consisting of the bearing H¹, bracket H2, bearing H³, sliding bracket I, ratchet
wheel H and axle shaft notched plates H*, H³, Hº, substantially as described.
Fifth. For the sinkers, shewn at Figure 14, having the lower front edge set back
and the neb shortened to allow the thread carriers to stand in front of them.
Sixth. For the cam shaft traversing apparatus consisting of the cam Q, bracket P,
levers P and G.
Seventh. For the drawing pulley carrying the projecting crossed incline pieces
for operating the weighted switch stud E and lever E³.
Eighth. For the work roller having a less diameter at the centre than at the ends
working in a frame racked as described.
Ninth. For the reversely toothed racked bracket H³, bracket I, levers I¹, I²,
toothed foot and lifting rod I³, lever 15, operating as described and illustrated in
the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Cresswell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
H. W. GOUGH, C.E.,
Nottingham.
CHARLES CRESSWELL. (L.S.)