IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Lowe, Machinist, and John William Lamb,
Manufacturer both of Nottingham in the County of Nottingham for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING MACHINERY."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Lowe and John
William Lamb at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th May
1883.
SAMUEL LOWE, Machinist and JOHN WILLIAM LAMB Manufacturer, both of
Nottingham in the County of Nottingham IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING
MACHINERY."
45
The object of this invention is to increase the production of knitted work in
straight knitting machines furnished with the "Cotton" traversing thread
carriers.
.
This object we successfully attained by an arrangement of mechanism which
formed the subject of a patent granted to us and bearing date 23rd June 1880
No 2552. In the specification of this patent we described the use of a row of
points which served to receive the threads from the thread carriers and transfer
them in a divided" state to the stems of the needles.
This produced a great economy in point of time as it enabled the consecutive
operations to be brought more closely together than heretofore, so much so indeed, as
to permit of the duplication of the various operations during one rotation of the
cam shaft.
We now propose to effect the like result without the use of this row of points,
and thereby to simplify the construction of the machine."
For this purpose we modify the motions of the jack sinkers and the diviling
sinkers, and also of the needles. Thus, we give to the sinkers but one advance
motion for the course, instead of two, as heretofore, the second being to ensure, as
is well known, two things, viz, the holding down of the work and the prevention
of the thread (while the needles are just emerging from between the sinkers) from
slipping to the inner side of the selvage needles. The needles so soon as the
divided thread is brought under their beards, we advance to the presser bar, and
having brought the new loops over the beards, we rock back the needles to clear
the last laid thread from the sinkers and then draw down the needles between the
knocking over bits to complete the new course. We next rock forward the nee·lles
and bring them up between the nebs of the sinkers to receive the thread from the
advancing thread carrier. As the carrier moves forward, the jack sinkers will

page_text: advance and the dividing sinkers will follow them as usual. Thus the thread will
be laid upon the needles as they rise and the dividing of the thread will occur
without any dwell of the needles being required.
The advance of the needles to the sinkers, preparatory to their rising to take the
thread, will bring the work which they carry under the nebs of the sinkers, and
thus the work will be held down as the needles rise. Moreover, as the thread is
laid while the needles are in line with the narrowest part of the sinkers, the
tendency of the thread at tension to slip over to the inner side of the selvage
needle, will be reduced to a minimum. By this means we are enabled to utilize
the time heretofore expended in the dwell or the slow rising of the needles
necessitated by the second advance and recession of the sinkers and by making
the cams which actuate the sinkers double acting and giving a corresponding double
action to the other parts of the mechanism, we are enabled to knit two courses at
every rotation of the cam shaft..
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Lowe and John William Lamb in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th November 1883.
SAMUEL LOWE Machinist and JOHN WILLIAM LAMB Manufacturer both of
Nottingham in the County of Nottingham "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNITTING
MACHINERY
"
The object of this Invention is to increase the production of knitted work in
straight knitting machines furnished with the well-known "Cotton" traversing
thread carriers.
This object we successfully attained by an arrangement of mechanism which
formed the subject of a Patent granted to us and bearing date twenty-third June
One thousand eight hundred and eighty N° 2552. In the Specification of that
Patent we described the use of a row of points which served to receive the threads
from the thread carriers, and transfer them in a "divided state" to the stems of
the needles. This produced a great economy in point of time as it enabled the
consecutive operations to be brought more closely together than heretofore; so
much so, indeed, as to permit of the duplication of the various operations during
one rotation of the cam shaft without interfering with the "fashioning" of the
work.
We now propose to effect the like result without the use of this row of points,
and thereby to simplify the construction of the machine.
For this purpose we so alter the ordinary Cotton knitting machine as to modify
the motions of the jack sinkers and the dividing sinkers and also of the needles.
Thus we give to the sinkers but one advance motion for the course, instead of two
as heretofore the second being to ensure, as is well known, two things viz:-the
holding down of the work and the prevention of the thread (while the needles are
just emerging from between the sinkers) from slipping to the inner side of the
selvage needles, and thereby forming an imperfect selvage. The needles, so soon
as the divided thread is brought under their beards, we advance to the presser bar
and having brought the new loops over the beards, we rock back the needles to
assist in clearing the last laid thread from the sinkers, simultaneously drawing

page_text: back the sinkers to their inactive position. We then draw down the needles
between the knocking over bits to complete the new course.
We next rock forward the needles and bring them up between the "nebs" of
the sinkers to receive the thread from the advancing thread carrier. As the carrier
moves forward the jack sinkers will advance and the dividing sinkers will follow
them as usual, the thread being laid upon the needles and indented and divided by
the sinkers as usual.
The advance of the needles to the sinkers preparatory to their rising to take the
thread, will bring the work which they carry under the nebs of the dividing
sinkers, and enable the dividing sinkers to hold down the work as the needles rise.
A further and most important advantage of this advance of the needles is, that
it brings them nearer to the plane of motion of the thread carriers, and thereby
ensures the selvage needles rising to the proper side of the thread to form the
selvage loops. This will be better understood by reference to the diagram, Fig: 1
Sheet I of the accompanying Drawings, where A represents the mode commonly
adopted in the "Cotton" machine for insuring a perfect selvage, and B shews our
improved mode of effecting the same object.
:
The lines 1. 2. and 3 represent the vertical planes in which the needles a, the
throat of the jack sinkers c, and the thread carrier e, stand with regard to each
other in the ordinary "Cotton" machine at the time that the selvage needle is
rising to put the thread, just previous to the starting of the thread carrier, on its
proper side. At this time the jack sinkers c. are in an advanced position, the object
being to hold the thread which extends from the selvage loop to the thread carrier
at such an angle as to keep it at the back of the needle or clear of the head of the
needle as it rises. Thus the selvage needle in rising will have the thread on its
outer side, or in the proper position for the thread carrier, in its advance, to lay it
around that needle.
Referring now to B. which illustrates our improved mode of forming the selvage
it will be seen that the plane of the needles has advanced from 1 to 1*; or so near
to the plane of motion of the thread carrier as to enable the thread to lie, without
the assistance of the jack sinker, at the proper angle for ensuring the lap of the
thread around the selvage needle. It is mainly by ensuring this result without the
aid of the jack sinkers, that we are enabled to expedite the knitting operation:
to an extent that will, at the least, double the capacity of the "Cotton" machine.
It should be remarked that the extra speed of knitting does not apply to the
operation of "fashioning" as the time required for the shifting of the loops
by the aid of the fashioning points does not admit of being materially altered.
We will now explain in detail the manner in which we modify the construction
of the machine so as to greatly increase its working capacity, prefacing our explana-:
tion with a reference to the various working parts of the machine. Fig: 2 Sheet II.
represents in transverse section a "Cotton" knitting machine, such as that we:
propose to improve. The position only of those cams, which are to be replaced by
other cams being indicated by dotted circles.
A represents the needlé bar carrying the bearded needles a. as usual; B the fixed:
presser; C the sinker bar carrying the jack-and dividing sinkers c. c* as hereto-:
fore. D and D* are the ordinary fashioning point bars, and d d* the fashioning,
points which they carry; E is the slur bar carrying the traversing slur box, and.
on which is mounted the sliding rods E* E* which carry the thread layers e: F is
the stationary knocking over bar, on which is mounted the knocking over bits f.'
as usual.
}
G* is the chain of the ordinary counting apparatus carried by the chain wheel.
G. H is the catch bar for advancing the dividing sinkers c*, and for withdrawing
the sets of sinkers c and c*-I is the snapping apparatus for putting a tension on
the thread or stopping the supply to the machine as required. J. J'. is the shogging
apparatus for operating the shogging shaft J2 and cam shaft X.
To enable this mechanism to work in the manner above indicated, and thereby :
to double the power of production of the machine, we modify the machine by the

page_text: introduction of new arrangements of cams, and by altering the gearing used for
transmitting motion to the slur box. These changes are clearly set out in
Sheets III to VII inclusive, each sheet serving to illustrate the changes introduced
into some one motion of the machine. Thus Fig: 3 Sheet III, shews the needle
bar mechanism separated from the other parts of the machine.-The needle bar is
pivotted as usual to rocking arms A¹ keyed on a rock shaft A2, which has its
bearings on the main framing. Keyed to this rock shaft are arms A³ furnished
with antifriction bowls which by means of tension springs, not shewn in the
drawing, bear on the cams A' keyed to the cam shaft X, and cut so as to make
them double-acting. This cut of cam is shewn best in the detached view fig: 9
Sheet VIII.
"
These cams serve by their rotation to impart to the needles the requisite rising
and falling motions, and they are supplemented as heretofore by single acting
cams which come into operation (on the shogging of the cam shaft) during the
'fashioning." The needles are advanced to and withdrawn from the presser, B,
by double-acting cams A5 on the cam shaft, the cut of which cams is best shewn
at Fig: 10 Sheet VIII. These cams act on bowles carried by the pendent arms A6,
keyed to a rock shaft A7 having its bearings in the main framing. The arms A°
are connected by links A8 to projections A pendent from the needle bar to bring
the beards of the needles into contact with the stationary presser bar.―Thus
cams A³ are (like the cams A) supplemented by single action cams which operate.
only during the fashioning.
- Fig: 4 Sheet IV shews the levers and cams for operating the catch bar H. The
dividing sinkers c* are advanced to and withdrawn from their work together with
the jack sinkers c by means of the catch bar H which is connected by bracket
arms H to the upper extremities of rock levers H³ keyed to a rock shaft Ha
having its bearings in the main framing. Keyed to and pendent from this rock.
shaft are arms H' which carry bowles that bear upon double-acting arms H³ on
the cam shaft, and it is by the rotation of these cams, that the catch bar is caused
to advance and recede in the manner requisite for producing the modified action of
the sinkers above described. The cut of these cams is shewn at Fig: 11 Sheet IX.
In advancing, this catch bar bears against the rear ends of the dividing sinkers,
and in retiring it draws back both the sinkers c* and c; it having but one
advancing and one return motion. during the formation of one course of knitting,
instead of two, as in the ordinary machine.-A vertical reciprocating motion is
given to the catch bar as usual to enable it to place a lip or flange, with which it
is provided, in front of the projections of all the sinkers.
Standing out from the front of the catch bar, are rigid arms H to which are
attached rods H' that couple these arms with the arms H³ keyed to a rock shaft H
having its bearings on the main framing. This rock shaft is fitted with pendent
arms Ho, keyed thereto, and carrying bowles that receive the pressure of a pair of
double-acting cams H" on the cam shaft, the cut of which is shewn at Fig: 12
Sheet IX. By the rotation of these cams, the catch bar will be raised and lowered
at the proper moment for engaging with, or releasing the sinkers. The double-
acting cams H and H are supplemented by single action cams which come into
operation on the shogging of the cam shaft to give time for the formation of the
fashioned courses.
Fig 5 Sheet V shews the modified mechanism for giving motion to the
"snapping" apparatus, I, Fig: 2, by which the supply of thread to the thread
carriers is controlled; and also the rising and. falling motion to the fashioning
apparatus, the mechanism for which latter operation. remains unchanged in con-
struction. I is a rod jointed to and pendent from an arm of the rock shaft of the
snapping" apparatus.-The lower end of this pendent rod is pivotted to the end
of the rock lever I, the fulcrum of which is carried on the framing of this machine.
This rock lever carries a bowle that bears on the double-acting cam I³ on the cam
shaft the cut of which is more clearly shown at Fig: 13 Sheet X. This cam gives the
requisite double action to the snapping apparatus while the knitting is proceeding..
"

page_text: The front end of the lever I² extends forward, and is formed with a bearing face.
The shogging of the shaft J' brings a prop I' under the lever I and holds it in its
raised position while the fashioning is proceeding.
Thus the further supply of thread to the needles is stopped until the fashioning
apparatus is thrown out of action.
D' is a rod pendent from the fulcrum bar of the fashioning apparatus and at its
lower end it is pivotted to the rock lever D2 which has its fulcrum on a stud
projecting from the main framing:-This lever D' carries a bowle which bears on
a rest cam as usual while the machine is knitting, but by the shogging of the cam
shaft, this rest cam is replaced by the cam D³ when the fashioning is to take place.
By the rotation of this cam D³, the lever D is caused to lift the rod D¹, which,
through its connection with the fulcrum of the fashioning apparatus, will raise that
apparatus out of action.-As the smaller radius of the cam comes under the bowles
of the lever D³, the fashioning apparatus by its own weight, drops into the working
position.
Fig: 6 Sheet VI shews the modified mechanism for giving two traversing
motions to the thread carriers for one rotation of the cam shaft X.
Mounted loosely on this shaft is a mitre wheel E¹, the boss of which carries a
collar which is notched to receive a projection from the sliding clutch actuated by
a forked arm E2 and provided with a groove into which takes a forked arm for
actuating it. This forked arm is loosely mounted upon the shogging shaft J2,
between fixed collars which impart to it the requisite lateral shifting motion.
A lug projecting from this forked lever interlocks with the teeth of the mitre
wheel E¹ when the sliding clutch is disengaged and thus retains the mitre wheel in
position for the clutch to reengage therewith.
In order to prevent this mitre wheel from moving endwise when the sliding
clutch is thrown out of action, and thereby disengaging itself from the mitre
wheel Es which it is intended to drive, a finger projecting from the framing enters
a groove on the boss of the mitre wheel E¹ on the inner side, and thus retains it in
gear with the mitre wheel E³. This wheel is keyed to a transverse shaft E' which
has its bearing on the framing of the machine and carries at its rear end a cam E³
shewn detached at Fig: 6.
This cam acts alternately on the bowles e* e* mounted on studs carried by a
sliding bar E which is connected by a link E' to a vertical oscillating arm Es
having its fulcrum at the base of the machine. The upper end of this arm is
connected by a link rod E to the ordinary slur box from which the sliding motions
of the thread carrier rods E* E* are obtained. As the cam shaft is rotated, its
motion will be transmitted through the mitre wheel to the cam E³ which for every
rotation will impart two vibrations to the oscillating arm E8, and by reason of the
connection of this arm with the slur box two traverse notions will be given to the
slur box and consequently two lays of thread will be delivered to the needles for
every rotation of the cam shaft.
Figures 7 and 8 Sheet VII shew in front and side elevation the mechanism for
operating the shogging shaft and shogging the cam shaft
The tappet chain G* (see Fig: 2 Sheet II) is employed as usual for initiating
these movements; its rotation serving to present the horizontal arm of a bell crank
lever g. carried by the swinging arm, which also carries the chain wheel, to strike
the arm G keyed on the shogging shaft Js, and thereby rock that shaft, so as to place
the bowle of the arm J³ keyed to the shaft into the proper position for being acted
upon, or for itself acting on the shogging cam J J. The cut of the cam for giving
motion to the swinging arm is shewn at K. Fig: 14 Sheet X.
The shogging cam is formed of two parts J and J', each part being provided with
two steps. The first step on the part J, by acting upon the bowle of the arm J³,
will shift the shogging shaft laterally thereby disconnecting the clutch from the
mitre wheel and stopping the further action of this gear. At the same time this
shogging motion of the shaft J' will shift the racking mechanism of the fashioning
slides into action, and move the supporting arm 1' into position to receive the

page_text: lever of the snapping action as usual; that action not being required during
fashioning:
A friction clip fitted to the cam shaft ensures that the shogging shaft J shall
move endwise before the cam shaft when the first step of the part J of the shogging
cam acts on the bowle of the arm J³.-This endway movement of the shogging
shaft J brings an adjustable collar secured to that shaft up to a fixed portion of
the framing and its endway motion is thus limited.
The second step of the part J of the shogging cam as it comes round will now shog
the cam shaft in the reverse direction, and bring the fashioning cams into action.
The cam K will hold the bowle of the lever J³ opposite the part J of the shogging
cam until the two steps of the shogging cam have passed. The bowle carried by
the arm J³ will then fall towards the cam shaft and at the proper time will be
acted upon in like manner by the two steps of the other part J₁ of the shogging
cam and move back, first the shogging shaft Js and then the cam shaft, whereby the
knitting cams will be again brought into action and the mitre wheels will be caused
to transmit motion to the thread carriers.
We have now explained the nature of the changes introduced into the machine
to produce the result above mentioned, and we have given detached views of the
several cams which we employ to double the productive capacity of the machine.
In order however to make the movements of the knitting instruments more clear
we have added a series of diagrams by reference to which the various operations of
the knitting instruments may be clearly traced.
In Sheet I Figures 15 to 21 inclusive, are diagrams illustrating the various
motions of the knitting instruments, the parts being drawn in full size. Fig: 15
indicates the position of the parts during the indenting of the thread. Fig: 16 the
position of the parts when dividing. Fig: 17 illustrates the pressing operation.
Fig: 18 the knocking-over of the formed loop, shewing the sinkers in their back
position. Fig: 19 the forward position of the needles, the work being brought
under the nebs of the dividing sinkers to prevent it rising with the rise of the
needles. Fig: 20 the needles rising through the "dividing" sinkers bringing the
selvage needle to the proper side of the thread for ensuring the formation of a
perfect selvage, the sinkers remaining in their back position Fig: 21 the needles
raised to the position to receive the thread
On examining the diagrams the workman will detect at Figures 20 and 21 two
new positions of the knitting instruments
To make this more clear we have illustrated on an enlarged scale at Figures 20ª
the position of the parts at Fig: 20; the same being represented in front elevation,
in side elevation and in plau view. We have also shewn in like manner on an
enlarged scale at Figures 21° the position of the parts represented at Fig: 21.
It has been stated with reference to diagram Fig: 1 that the needles are
advanced nearer than heretofore to the plane of motion of the thread carriers
preparatory to the traverse of the thread carriers. In Figs. 20° the position which
the thread takes with respect to the selvage needle preparatory to the laying of the
thread in front of the needles will be more clearly shewn, as its vertical as well as
its horizontal inclination has been given.
At this time the jack sinkers are out of action and the thread takes the direction
of a line drawn straight from the back of the needles to the thread carrier: there
is no need therefore for the jack sinker to hold the thread in position for the rising
needle to clear it, and hence the saving of oue movement of the sinkers
4
At Figures 21ª it will be seen that the thread carrier can start to lay its thread 5
around the selvage needle without waiting for the beard of the needle to rise.
above the nebs of the "dividing" sinkers: thus a further economy of time is
effected, the jack sinkers offering no impediment to the laying of the thread so
soon as the head of the needle emerges from between the "dividing" sinkers
We will now show what saving of time is effected by our Invention, and how 5
that time is utilized to double the productive power of the "Cotton". Knitting
Machine.
?

page_text: "
A comparison of certain of the old cams with the new, will serve to clear up
these points. Fig 22 Sheet XI shews the cut of cams used in the well known
"Cotton" Machine for operating the needle bar, for "pressing and knocking-.
over" the work; and Fig 22a shows the cams which we employ for the same
operations. In each case a circle drawn on the cams is divided up equally into
twenty parts such number of parts corresponding to one rotation of the cams.
these figures A' is the knocking-over cam, and A³ the presser cam.
In
It will be seen from the following table what are the proportional times required
for the successive operations under the old and new. systems.
>
Time allowed; from commencement of traverse of the
thread layers to the completion of the advance of the jack
sinkers
•
•
.
From this advance to the pressing point.
From pressing point to the back and lowest position of
needles (i.e. knocking-over point)
Horizontal advance of needles
Rise of needles to starting of thread Carriers
9.0
4.0
2.0
1.5
3.5
22 258
5.8
3.2
1.9
2.1
1.3 0.7
0.7
0.8
0.3 3.2
These totals show that the gains in time from the lowest position of
the needles to the position when the next course commences obtained by
adding together the two last items in the gains effected column:
-
Gain of time due to alteration or bringing closer together the presser}
and knocking-over motions=
Gain due to alteration of gear for thread layer motion=
4.0
2.8
3.2

page_text: Thus by the omission of the two motions marked *, and the substitu-
tion of others less complicated to perform the same operations we make a .
gain of
•
The gain in the other motions being
as in the preceding illustration.
Having now set forth the nature of our Invention of "Improvements in knitting
Machinery" and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, We wish
it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent We
claim:
In knitting machines furnished with frictionally driven thread carriers, and
constructed to complete one course of work before the succeeding course is
commenced, the means above described for duplicating the action of the thread-
laying and indenting mechanisms, and arresting their motion while "fashioning'
is proceeding, in combination with the series of double action cams A* A³. H³. H¹¹.
and 13 (giving motion to the needles, sinkers, and snapping apparatus) whereby
the speed of production is greatly increased, and at the completion of every course
of work the needles are advanced towards the presser while the sinkers are in
their back position, to ensure the entrance of the thread on the proper side of the
selvage needles for the purpose above set forth.
In witness whereof we the said Samuel Lowe and John William Lamb-have
hereunto set our hands and seals the third day of November in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
SAMUEL LOWE
(L.S.)
JOHN WILLIAM LAMB (L.S.)